The 62-year-old driver picked up a man from Borella Road about 8.30pm on Wednesday.

The passenger asked to be driven to Lavington, via Eastern Circuit.

When the taxi pulled up at Eastern Circuit, the passenger threatened the driver with a knife and demanded cash.

The driver refused and a fight broke out and the passenger fled with his pockets empty.

Paramedics arrived on scene before the driver was taken to Albury hospital to be treated for shock.

The taxi was seized and examined by forensic police.

Albury Inspector David Cottee said he did not believe taxi drivers in the area needed more security, but it was up to the taxi industry to address the issue.

“It would appear they are targeted because they are operating alone and may be carrying some cash,” he said.

“We deplore these attacks on people who are just going about their business, trying to earn a living.

“When they provide a community service of transport they are in a position of vulnerability.”

Albury Radio Taxis secretary Helen Peters said these were unfortunate times when taxi drivers were targeted.

“Certainly travelling at night our drivers are aware of these issues,” she said.

Ms Peters said there were already many safety measures in place and drivers could make emergency calls and had a locking system in the car.

She said there was also a network of cabs where drivers supported each other.

Ms Peters said people in the community needed to take responsibility for their actions and believed an increase in drug-related issues in the city contributed to the attacks.

She said it was rare for drivers these days to carry a lot of cash.

“A lot of payments and charges are done on credit cards,” she said.

“If perpetrators are looking for money there is not going to be much there,” Ms Peters said.

Police want to speak to a man who is about 18 years old, Caucasian, slim and 175-180 centimetres tall.

He was wearing a red hooded jumper, a dark cap and black jeans.

A man walking his dog around the time the passenger got in the taxi at Borella Road is also urged to come forward.