Taxi Driver Online

York taxi firm under threat if owner found to be ‘unfit to hold a licence’

A York taxi firm could be run off the road if councillors find its owner to be ‘unfit to hold an operator’s licence’.

York Cars is operated by Mohammed Iqbal. A report to the licensing & regulatory committee asks members to consider revoking his licence.

It alleges the following conduct by Mr Iqbal:

i) Enabling drivers (licensed by another authority) that the council would not consider ‘fit and proper’ to work as private hire drivers in York
ii) Blaming the council for its stance over Uber for the position, ‘when this is not the case’
iii) Operating ‘690 Taxis’ and ‘Street Cars’ in York without an operator’s licence
iv) False or misleading customer testimonials.

The report states: “All of the above may give rise to concerns with regards to Mr Iqbal’s honesty and integrity, going to the heart of the ‘protection of the public’ consideration which is the reason for licensing private hire operators.

“In turn, this may give members a reasonable cause to believe that Mr Iqbal is not ‘fit and proper’ to hold a private hire operator’s licence.”

Mr Iqbal has been licensed by the York council as a private hire operator since 20 October 2016.

His current licence was issued in April 2019 following a change of name from ‘York and Ebor Cars’ to ‘York Cars’. Council records show that there are 154 drivers and 134 vehicles licensed to work on behalf of York Cars.

The licence is due to expire on 19 October 2021.

According to the report York Cars is licensed by Wolverhampton City Council rather than York.

This is a lawful practice. But the report says:

Mr Iqbal obtained an operator’s licence in Wolverhampton with no intention of undertaking journeys there.

This was designed to circumvent York’s local licensing controls and recruit those drivers who were unable to pass our safeguarding and knowledge test.

Mr Iqbal’s operation sent (even sponsored) new applicants for driver licences, who they knew did not to have the requisite knowledge to pass the York tests, to Wolverhampton to obtain a licence, on the grounds that they would drive in York regardless.

It also says he ran taxi services under two other trading names ‘690 Taxis’ and ‘Street Cars’ in York without an operator’s licence, and published ‘false or misleading customer testimonials’.

The council has also received complaints about Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles operating in York, many from other taxi drivers.

Complaints included:

i) reversing on a dual carriageway
ii) parking in a disabled bay at York Racecourse
iii) running a red light.

Councillors will consider the report at a meeting on 17 November at 5.30pm.

Their options are:

1. Revoke the licence
2. Suspend the licence
3. Take no further action.

In a statement, York Cars told YorkMix: “It’s business as usual at York Cars.

“We believe we have followed and adhered to all legislations.

“We are prepared to follow this through to the end and thank our customers, drivers and staff for their support.”

_________________
IDFIMH

Same old story, Council should have revoked license straight away on the grounds of public safety.

This license is in all probability in someone elses name now.

Can't see what the *legal* issue with the Wolverhampton stuff is. I mean, the whole point of going to Wolverhampton for licences is to get round stricter local requirements.

Which I think most people on here would agree is a nonsense. But not illegal, and the government has obviously decided not to stop this kind of thing.

Looks to me like York council just trying to throw enough mud around and hope some sticks.

P*^s the council off that'll stand you in good stead

this sounds like a predatory wolf whingeing about another wolf invading his territory

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I suspect the calls are being taken in York rather than Wolverhampton.

_________________
IDFIMH

Is that a problem if they have a Wolverhampton operators license as well?

_________________
Grandad,

Well they need some sort of unmanned satellite facility in Wolverhampton to comply with the legislation, but ultimately the calls will be taken in York rather than Wolverhampton?

So if they don't have the facility in Wolverhampton then surely that's more in Wolves Council's domain as regards enforcement? Has York City Council asked Wolverhampton City Council about it?

I wouldn't pretend to be an expert on the law, but this all smacks of a fishing expedition by York council.

Perhaps symptomatic of their more gung ho approach towards Uber. And maybe reflecting Mr Gouriet QC's opinion that cross-border working is illegal (which as I recall it was an opinion sought on behalf of the trade?).

But another example of how different councils approach things in different ways, just like the sexual conduct stuff

Well looks like the council have done the deed

Nothing particularly new here for anyone who's read the original piece, except for the fact that the firm is appealing. Who'd have expected that?


End of the road for taxi firm? York revokes operator’s licence

https://www.yorkmix.com/end-of-the-road ... s-licence/

The operator of a large York taxi firm has had his licence revoked after a mammoth meeting by councillors.

York Cars is operated by Mohammed Iqbal. And at a four-hour licensing & regulatory committee meeting last night, members unanimously voted to revoke his licence.

Council records show that there are 154 drivers and 134 vehicles licensed to work on behalf of York Cars.

They found Mr Iqbal unfit to hold an operator’s licence on the following grounds.

Enabling drivers (licensed by another authority) that the council would not consider ‘fit and proper’ to work as private hire drivers in York
Blaming the council for its stance over Uber for the position, ‘when this is not the case’
Operating ‘690 Taxis’ and ‘Street Cars’ in York without an operator’s licence
False or misleading customer testimonials.

“All of the above may give rise to concerns with regards to Mr Iqbal’s honesty and integrity,” a council report said.

You can read more about the allegations against Mr Iqbal in our earlier report.

York Cars said today they intended to appeal the decision.

Will Sword, speaking as a representative of the Hackney carriage and private hire trades in York, told the meeting they completely supported the proposal to revoke the firm’s licence.

“You will struggle to find an issue which galvanises the taxi drivers more than hearing of operators, drivers and vehicles, not authorised by or licensed by our council, working in the city.

“This creates an unfair playing field for those of us who abide by the rules.

“The taxi trade in York stands side-by-side with York council in the belief that this company is not fit and proper.”

York Cars issued this statement this morning: “We are disappointed by the committee’s decision and will be appealing that decision to the courts.

“The committee’s decision to revoke our licence will have no effect on the current running of the company and in the meantime, we can and will continue to trade as usual.

“We do not know how long the whole appeal process might take.”

More to follow.

York Council Taxi Licencing Meeting 17/11/2020 all reports are available there,just put it in your search bar.

And just use the 'post reply' option. It's below the posts, towards the bottom left of the screen

Oh this is marvellous

According to the report in the York Press, Mr Gouriet QC is representing the firm accused of not being 'fit and proper' because they're using cross-border drivers

The isn't the whole article, just the juicy stuff that wasn't in the York Mix reports earlier


Operator of York Cars has taxi licence revoked - but firm to appeal

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/188814 ... rm-appeal/

Leo Charalambides, barrister for the council, told a licensing meeting: “We are not saying Mr Iqbal has done anything unlawful, but that he effectively circumvents your own licensing policy.”

He said Mr Iqbal used a Facebook post to complain about the council’s stance on Uber and and state his intention to protest by licensing cars elsewhere, adding: “Your second largest operator is actively advertising that it’s going elsewhere, ignoring your local requirements in order to continue working in York.”

He said Mr Iqbal put his business needs above public safety.

But Gerald Gouriet QC, representing Mr Iqbal, told the meeting the law allows people licensed elsewhere to operate in York.

He said: “It isn’t Mr Iqbal who enables those drivers to work in York, it is the law of the land.

“It’s widely recognised that there needs to be an amendment of that law. But until it is changed Mr Iqbal is perfectly entitled to take the best commercial advantage he can. He need not be ashamed of taking advantage of the law.”

Councillors said they were concerned about the impact on the drivers who work for York Cars, who could lose their jobs, but that they were concerned with public safety and maintaining high standards of operators in York. Councillors voted unanimously to revoke Mr Iqbal’s licence.

Through the looking glass stuff here

York’s local taxi company.( licensed in Wolverhampton!)

_________________
Former taxi driver

So they have cornered the wolf and now face it's wrath it will be interesting to see what the appeal result is but I suspect York council have blundered their way into this situation and might regret it.

I personally would like to see them win but TFL's battles with Uber might suggest otherwise

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

In some respects it will be great if this goes the whole way through the court system.

However the 'cross border' issue wasn't the only reason the council revoked the ops license.

_________________
IDFIMH