Taxi Driver Online

Tough penalty for plying PH in Manchester

A PRIVATE hire driver has been told to pay over £700, as well as being hit with six points on his licence, after picking up passengers illegally in the city centre.

Kulb-E Abbass, 49, of Chudleigh Road, Crumpsall, was fined £100 for accepting passengers without booking through an operator and ordered to pay £300 court costs.

He was fined a further £300 for driving without insurance, incurring a six point penalty on his licence and told to pay a £15 victims of crime surcharge.

Abbass was spotted picking up three passengers in the early hours of 18 December 2011 outside a city centre nightclub on Princess Street during a joint operation between Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police.

Operation Aviano involves city council officers working with support from Greater Manchester Police to target suspected unlicensed taxis in an effort to deter illegal taxi activity in the city.

The passengers confirmed that they had not booked the vehicle through an operator meaning Abbass was guilty of illegally plying for hire and driving without insurance. Meanwhile, police officers were able to seize the vehicle and remove it from the road after confirming it was being driven without insurance.

If a private hire vehicle picks up passengers without booking through an operator, their insurance becomes invalid. Only black cabs are insured to pick up passengers from the street, or 'ply for hire'.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, executive member for environment, said: "We will always prosecute taxi drivers acting illegally and this case should be another warning that we are working closely with the police and the penalties will be severe when drivers are caught risking the safety of their passengers.

This prosecution should also act as reminder to residents that for their own safety all private hire vehicles must be booked through an operator of a reputable taxi firm – and if you are enjoying a night out, remember to be safe, stay with your friends and always plan how you are getting home."

Source: Manchester Confidential