Taxi Driver Online

Today is D-day for Huddersfield taxi firm owner
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/11/13/today-is-d-day-for-huddersfield-taxi-firm-owner-86081-22245031/

COUNCILLORS were today deciding the fate of a Huddersfield taxi firm accused of running uninsured cabs.

Kirklees’s Regulatory Panel was meeting to decide whether Gurpal Singh was fit to hold a taxi licence for his firms, Streamline Taxis on Railway Street and Ex-Service Taxis in neighbouring St George’s Square.

Marsh man Mr Singh – known as Paul – had his licence for more than 20 fleet cars suspended by licensing officers on May 29 after concerns that he had been using unsafe cabs without valid insurance.

Kirklees’s licensing department is responsible for maintaining and assessing the licences of all taxi firms in the area.

They suspended Mr Singh’s licence after inspecting his fleet.

He asked for the matter to be adjourned and for the suspensions to be lifted, but the panel refused on June 2.

On June 12 officers received an insurance cover note for six vehicles operated by Mr Singh, covering any authorised driver aged 25 to 65, with three years’ experience on a full driving licence and one year’s taxi licence experience.

Mr Singh also lodged an appeal at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court against the suspension of his licence.

Until the appeal is decided or withdrawn by the court Mr Singh is entitled to continue operating his cabs.

Six cabs are currently running from one of his offices.

Mr Singh previously told the Examiner that these six vehicles were all safe. He is also confident that he will keep his licence.

If the regulatory panel decides to keep the suspension in place Mr Singh will have to lodge another appeal and pursue the matter through the courts.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Taxi boss to fight for licence after council revoke it

LICENSING chiefs want to ban a troubled Huddersfield taxi boss from operating for ever.

But Gurpal Singh Chahal is set to fight the decision in court.

Mr Singh, known as Paul, is in charge of Streamline and Ex Service Taxis.

His licence for a fleet of more than 20 cars was suspended by licensing officers on May 29 over concerns he had been using unsafe cabs without valid insurance.

Now Kirklees Council’s Regulatory Panel has ruled his operating badge and hackney carriage and private hire driver’s badge should be permanently revoked.

Its ruling said: “The panel is not satisfied that Mr GSC (Mr Singh) is a fit and proper person to hold such licences.”

The case against Marsh man Mr Singh, 51, was launched last year when 12 of his cars were inspected by council officers at Vine Street.

Nine vehicles failed the test. Four had “significant faults” with braking and suspension.

Only one car – a 2005 Kia Sedonna – passed with no faults at all.

A council document, seen by the Examiner, said: “It is clear from the above findings that the importance placed on operating and maintaining a safe and legal taxi fleet does not feature highly in the priorities of the people running this company.”

There were further claims two insurance companies cancelled his insurance because he submitted counterfeit no-claims bonus certificates.

The Examiner was unable to contact Mr Singh, but it is understood he plans to appeal the decision at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court.

A council spokesman said he was allowed to continue to operate until the outcome of the appeal.

Different telephone numbers listed for Streamline and Ex Service went through to the same office yesterday.

A telephone operator said the company was now called New Ex Service.

When asked where Mr Singh was, the operator added: “As far as I know, he has nothing to do with this company now.”

Mr Singh has a chequered history.

In 2004 he was sentenced to 10 months in a French prison after he was arrested at Calais driving a bus containing illegal immigrants.

Last year his coach company, Paul’s travel, based at St John’s Road, had its licence revoked following a public inquiry.

It followed allegations of bad driving, use of dangerous and defective vehicles and offences relating to the use of tachographs, machines that record vehicle speeds and driving times.

The company, which was being run by Mr Singh’s son at the time, was accused of playing “fast and loose” with public safety.

A date for the appeal has not yet been set.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

And it has taken till November 2008 for him to be deemed not to be 'fit and proper'?

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IDFIMH

You have to wonder old chap......who was the shining light in charge of Kirklees?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Its a shame He wasnt allowed as far as the white cliffs of Dover in the bus.....then made to drive directly back to france...via a 500 foot cliff edge.

People like this never learn their lesson and would be the first to cry foul if one of their relatives was injured or killed due to an unsafe taxi. They don't seem to think that the law applies to them because they don't understand the reasons behind it. He should not be allowed to be in charge of anything more mechanical than a remote control

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!