Council warns minicab drivers they face fines and disqualification if they continue 'blagging'Milton Keynes Council has warned private hire drivers they will take 'necessary action' if they are illegally plying for hire - after a number of drivers were disqualified and left facing huge fines.
OneMK revealed last week how council officers were discussing the problem of private hire vehicles illegally carrying passengers who had failed to pre-book their journey - leaving them uninsured for that journey.
The concerns had been raised by members of the Hackney Carriage Association in Milton Keynes, which represents hackney drivers who are permitted to pick up passengers at ranks without the need to pre-book as long as they carry a hackney licence.
And on Friday at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court, OneMK heard how a number of private hire drivers were fined and even disqualified for illegally picking up passengers.
Gurdeep Singh, of Passmore, Tinkers Bridge, pleaded guilty to playing for hire despite not having a hackney carriage licence, and for carrying the passengers uninsured as he was not did not have the appropriate licence.
The Speedline driver was caught after giving a lift to undercover enforcement officers in December 2014 and fined £300 for plying for hire, £300 for having no insurance, a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £400 to Milton Keynes Council.
He also received six penalty points, but pleaded with magistrates' in his 'exceptional hardship' plea to try and avoid disqualification.
He told the court: "My wife doesn't work and I have three children. I am extremely sorry. I have only ever been a taxi driver."
But magistrates ignored his pleas and he was disqualified for 12 months, as he already had six points previously due to previous convictions including vehicle defects and using a mobile phone.
Another driver Qaisar Sultan, of Buckthorn, Stacey Bushes, was also fined and received six points after pleading guilty to the same offences - which are commonly known as 'blagging'.
And the council sent a stark warning to drivers who are considering taking the same gamble and taking uninsured passengers for a ride.
Councillor Catriona Morris, chair of the council's Regulatory Committee, which governs taxis and cabs, said: "We will continue to crack down on drivers who blatantly break the law, and potentially put passengers' lives at risk.
"You can only climb into a Private Hire vehicle if it is pre-booked. Otherwise the cab is not insured in the event of an accident.
"It is not fair on the legitimate Hackney Carriage operators in Milton Keynes to have to compete with drivers operating with an unfair advantage."
A council spokesman added: "It is an offence for any vehicle other than a Hackney carriage to wait on a stand - except for public service vehicles.
"The Council is aware that members of the public do not always understand the difference and is working to make the distinction between the vehicles clearer and agreed to amend its Policy on the July 8, 2015 to do so at the request of the hackney carriage association.
"There is no such thing as an 'unofficial rank'. Private hire vehicles (as with Hackney carriages) can park and wait on public roads subject to any relevant traffic restrictions in force.
"Offences are only committed if a private hire vehicle picks up a passenger without having pre-booked that vehicle.
"A private hire vehicle being parked near a rank and being entered by a member of the public does not automatically mean that the driver has committed an illegal act.
"It is hoped that by working on a review of the ranks these issues can be resolved but both Hackney and private hire trades need to be aware that the Council’s primary function here is to ensure the safety of the public.
"Milton Keynes Council employs six taxi enforcement officers who carry out regular visits at different times of the day and night to the taxi ranks and take action if infringements are made.
"They also deal with complaints of private hire vehicles plying for hire and every complaint is fully investigated with appropriate action being taken."
source:
http://www.onemk.co.uk/news/crime/court ... 50002.html
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