Taxi Driver Online

Uber driver fined £680 for illegally picking up passenger in Reading

Aldin Stefanov was caught illegally plying for hire when he picked up a Reading Borough Council licensing officer on Sunday, August 27

An Uber driver has been hit with a £680 fine after he was caught illegally plying for hire in Reading.

Aldin Stefanov, of Kintbury Walk, Reading, was picking up passengers in the town during Reading Festival in August 2016.

The Transport for London Uber driver was caught on Sunday, August 27 when he unwittingly picked up a Reading Borough Council licensing officer.

The 46-year-old admitted the charge at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, February 3 and was fined £250.

He was also ordered to pay legal costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £30.

Uber drivers are not allowed to ply for hire in Reading as the company's application for an operating licence was rejected in March 2016.

They can pick up passengers legally if they are dispatched by licensed Uber operators which are based in local authorities outside of Reading.

More than 60,000 people have opened the Uber app in Reading to search for and book cabs since the company's application was snubbed, as many of the company's cabs are often seen driving around the town.


The council has not taken action against any of the Uber drivers who have picked up passengers after being booked on the app.

Councillor Paul Gittings, lead member for consumer services, said: "This is a positive outcome which upholds regulations that are in place to protect the public.

"I hope cases such as this will serve as a deterrent to drivers who are tempted to work illegally in Reading.

"Reading’s licensing committee took the decision to reject Uber’s application for a private hire operating licence in March 2016.

"It is unfortunate that some drivers continue to flout this decision. Hopefully this prosecution sends out the message that Reading will not tolerate illegal taxi activity."

Uber says the driver's account will be deactivated.

The company said: "Private-hire drivers are not allowed to pick up an unbooked trip anywhere in England and Wales and we will deactivate the account of any driver found plying for hire.

"This is the case whether or not we are licensed in a particular town or city."

source: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/readin ... ar_twitter

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

trying to add a little cash to his meagre wages from uber no doubt

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

So the fella goes to an area where a) he isn't licensed, and b) Uber aren't licensed, and then picks up a customer without a prior booking.

Methinks it must be getting rather grim on Uber.

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IDFIMH