Taxi Driver Online

Uber driver fined for taking jobs in Basildon without a licence

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/170037 ... a-licence/

AN UBER driver has been fined for taking on jobs in Basildon without a licence to do so.

The cab driver was been found guilty of unlawfully plying for hire in the borough and driving without insurance following a joint operation by Basildon Council’s licensing team and Essex Police.

The case was heard at Basildon Magistrates Court on Monday 22 October.

The driver, Raja-Nouman Abbassi, 42, of Poley Road, Stanford-le-Hope, received a Band C fine of £550, victim surcharge of £55 and full costs of £2,240.

He was also given six penalty points on his driving licence.

Peter Holliman, chairman of Basildon Council’s Licensing Committee, said: “I would like to congratulate the council’s licensing team and Essex Police for a successful operation. This success in combating illegal plying for hire is good news for public safety as drivers, who are not permitted by their licence to ply for hire, put the public at risk because it invalidates the vehicles insurance.

"This prosecution sends a clear message that Basildon Council will not tolerate illegal touting for business.

"We are committed to protecting the public and will prosecute those found abusing the system.”

Licensing officers are regularly out in the borough monitoring the Basildon trade and other operators such as Uber. They proactively work in partnership with Essex Police to ensure taxi drivers are not plying for hire, which only Basildon Council licensed hackney carriage drivers are permitted to do.

The article above leaves loads of questions unanswered.

Was he picking up punters when caught, or just plying?

Does this go against the Chief Magistrate decision in the Reading case?

Interesting.

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IDFIMH

No more illuminating than last time round, but if it was other than a bog standard plying for hire scenario then we'd have heard a bit more by now?

Uber driver guilty of plying for hire in Basildon after joint operation

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/173458 ... operation/

An Uber driver has been found guilty of unlawfully plying for hire in the borough and driving without insurance following a joint operation by Basildon Council’s licensing team and Essex Police.

The case was heard at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Monday January 7. The driver, Philip Ogunoye, 49, of Nether Priors, Basildon received a fine of £462, victim surcharge of £46 and costs of £200. He was also given six penalty points on his driving licence.

Councillor Peter Holliman, Chairman of Basildon Council’s Licensing Committee, said: “I would like to congratulate the council’s licensing team and Essex Police for working successfully in partnership. This success in combating illegal plying for hire is good news for public safety as drivers, who are not permitted by their licence to ply for hire, put the public at risk because it invalidates the vehicles insurance.

“This prosecution sends a clear message that Basildon Council will not tolerate illegal touting for business.

“We are committed to protecting the public and will prosecute those found abusing the system.”

Licensing officers are regularly out in the borough monitoring the Basildon trade and other operators such as Uber. They proactively work in partnership with Essex Police to ensure private hire vehicles are not plying for hire, which only Basildon Council licensed hackney carriage drivers are permitted to do.

What happens to him now ? Will he lose his license and will Uber keep him on if he doesn't ?

Presumably the poober drivers are London licenced? Will Basildon inform TfL of the misdemeanours?

I will be amazed if the local trade hasn't.

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IDFIMH