Cabbie’s drive for national prize
Akooji Badat is one of the taxi drivers at Birstall who is protesting about the reduction in rank space around the market. (10120816)
A TAXI driver could soon be swapping fares for fanfares in a Cabbie of the Year contest.
Akooji Badat has reached the final three of a national competition to find the UK’s best taxi driver.
Nominated by his son Ali, Mr Badat was chosen as a finalist by Swinton Taxi because of his work in the community.
The insurance firm was impressed by his efforts to help hackney and private hire drivers operate in harmony and boost the number of taxi ranks and spaces around town.
The 52-year-old was also praised for his role as chairman of Snowdon Street Mosque, teaching children and arranging guest speakers, whose presentations he translates for the benefit of visitors.
Mr Badat said he was looking forward to the award ceremony, which will be held in Coventry on Wednesday.
He said: “I feel honoured that the work I and all of the taxi drivers in my area do has been noticed and it’s good to be recognised.”
The winning taxi driver will receive £1,000 and a year’s free taxi insurance.
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