Taxi driver too scared to get back behind wheel after attack over $30

A taxi driver says he's been scarred for life by an attack on the job in south-east Melbourne.

Ryan Eido is in Dandenong Hospital with a broken arm after the assault, which was sparked by a complaint over a $30 fare.

The 25-year-old taxi driver was picking up a patron at the Prince Mark Hotel in Doveton about 4am on Sunday.

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As it was the middle of the night he said he asked for prepayment.

"For a second I was calculating like $30 which is about 15 kilometres," he said.

Eido said the ride would still have been metered and the difference worked out on arrival.

But the passenger refused to pay, he said.

"That's when I got out of my car so I wouldn't cop anything from behind. And I opened the door for him hoping he'd just walk off and unfortunately he launched straight at me" he said.

Eido's arm was snapped in the attack and he says he's in a lot of pain.

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The alleged offender was questioned at the scene by police and released as they continue to investigate.

But he's yet to be arrested as officers gather more information.

Eido said he plans to give up taxi driving as he's too frightened to get behind the wheel again.

"From my pain right now, I can't risk that any more," Eido said.

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