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Disqualification for driving Rochdale HC after badge revoked
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34506		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  StuartW [ Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Disqualification for driving Rochdale HC after badge revoked
Not the most exciting story, but wonder whose HC he was driving, and for how long? Looks like a member of the licensing team just happened to see him by chance.


Former taxi driver prosecuted after driving without a licence and insurance

http://rochdale.gov.uk/news/Pages/forme ... cuted.aspx

A former taxi driver has been prosecuted after he drove a taxi without a hackney carriage licence and car insurance.

A member of our licensing team witnessed Matloob Hussain, of Derby Street, driving a Rochdale Borough Council licensed hackney carriage vehicle in Middleton in July 2018 despite having had his licence revoked.

Mr Hussain, aged 48, was banned from operating a taxi when his licence was revoked with immediate effect in March 2018 by our licensing panel. The panel found that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence and was told he was not permitted to drive any Rochdale Council licensed hackney carriage vehicle.

At Manchester and Salford magistrates' court on Monday, 17 June 2019 Mr Hussain entered guilty pleas to driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

For driving without insurance, he was fined £162 and is disqualified for driving for 6 months under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.

For operating a hackney carriage without a licence he was fined £50, ordered to pay costs of £1126 to us, as well as a victim surcharge of £30.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "We want to ensure that our residents can travel safely and confidently around the borough.

"It is important that we pursue prosecutions like this to penalise people who ignore the safety of our residents and our licensing team do a great job of clamping down on anyone who doesn't comply with licensing standards."

• Find more information on taxi licences: http://rochdale.gov.uk/taxis

• To report any concerns, email our licensing team at licensing.reg@rochdale.gov.uk or call on 01706 924114
Author:  edders23 [ Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Disqualification for driving Rochdale HC after badge rev
I wonder could this be why he lost his badge

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30613&p=364790&hilit=matloob+hussain#p364790

:-k
Author:  StuartW [ Tue Jun 25, 2019 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Disqualification for driving Rochdale HC after badge rev
edders23 wrote:
I wonder could this be why he lost his badge

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30613&p=364790&hilit=matloob+hussain#p364790

:-k


Dunno, but the addresses don't match (60 miles apart). And while that's hardly conclusive, the Rotherham guy was 42 a couple of years ago, but this one is 48 now.

And seems like a common enough name. In fact this from 2017 is about a Rochdale HCD by the same name complaining about PHVs plying for hire :shock:

So would be ironic if he was the same HCD whose badge was revoked a year later [-X


Call for better enforcement against taxis 'illegally plying for hire' in Rochdale centre

http://www.rochdaleonline.org/news-feat ... ale-centre

Date published: 18 April 2017

Image
Image: Rochdale Online

Better enforcement against taxis "illegally plying for hire" in Rochdale centre is being called for by Matloob Hussain, who drives a public hire taxi in Rochdale.

He says the problem is affecting his business as it happens every weekend, and is always the same few drivers.

Mr Hussain said: “Every weekend is a massive issue. It’s been going on for at least seven or eight years. It’s the same drivers every weekend, they say they have jobs but drive around waiting. They need moving on and reporting.

“There’s also the issue of them parking in the taxi ranks on Newgate, saying it’s not a rank, despite the sign. When they park on South Parade opposite the rank on The Butts, they block it off. It’s affecting business as people will just get in one of those rather than cross the road for the rank. They also end up blocking the road on Packer Street and no-one, including the emergency services at times, can get through.”

He continued: “There’s a real lack of enforcement: there’s not even any written warnings. There needs to be an effective deterrent. Around Christmas, we had taxi marshals for four weeks. It was brilliant, we picked up on time and we have a courier system in line. So even if the rank was empty, private hire couldn’t pick up customers illegally. It shows the enforcement is needed, and we haven’t got it.

“Licensing need to come out at the peak times of 4.00am. They have the powers to remove plates, badges and check bookings. When they do come out, it’s at 2.00am with no enforcement as they stay sat in their cars.”

He added: “The owner of the firms need to take bigger responsibility and should know where the jobs are coming from because of the database. I’ve nothing against the drivers who do legitimately have jobs and pick up. That’s not the issue here, it’s those who don’t. It’s also a matter of safety for passengers and the public.”

Under regulations, private hire vehicles may only pick up passengers when pre-booked, as opposed to being flagged down in the street or from a rank. Public hire vehicles, also known as ‘Hackney Carriages’ are licensed by the local authority and are available to pre-book, at a rank or on the street. Fares for Hackney Carriages are also set by the local authority.

Mr Hussain also feels there needs to be an increase in ‘test purchases’ conducted to catch out those who ply for hire. If a private hire taxi has not been pre-booked, it can result in six points on the driver’s licence and a hefty fine.

Beverley Wilkinson, Rochdale Borough Council licensing service manager, said: “We are aware of complaints regarding private hire taxis illegally plying for hire in the town centre. Our licensing team currently work night time shifts during the week and at evenings to monitor the situation and receive a weekly update of potential suspects.

“All plying for hire suspects are investigated, however, up to date, there have been no concerns as all journeys have been found to be pre-booked. We appreciate the concerns raised and will continue to monitor and undertake initiatives in the town centre to test for plying for hire.”
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