I initially thought that, although they use the term 'private hire taxi', they didn't confuses the issue by referring to 'taxi rank', and instead use the term 'hackney carriage rank'. But they also use the term 'taxi rank', thus that's just a further inconsistency likely to cause confusion to the average reader
Anyway, four different offences for the price of one
Private hire taxi driver fined after picking up undercover council officer from Hackney Carriage rank
https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/n ... -rank.aspx
A private hire taxi driver was caught illegally waiting in a Hackney Carriage rank and accepting a fare on Barton Dock Road outside the Trafford Centre.
Mr Anees Arif, 52, of Rhodes Hills, Lees, Oldham, pleaded guilty to these offences alongside using a motor vehicle while uninsured at Manchester Magistrates Court. Mr Arif also pleaded guilty to a fourth offence of failing to wear his driver’s badge issued to him.
An undercover officer from Trafford Council asked to be taken to Altrincham and a fare was agreed before they got into the car and identified themselves.
Enforcement staff had increased patrols to make sure only Hackney Carriages licenced by Trafford Council were using the ranks, after drivers voiced concerns.
Hackney Carriage drivers can pick passengers up from taxi ranks and can be flagged down in the street, but Private Hire vehicles must be pre-booked and cannot be hailed.
It is illegal for a Private Hire vehicle to take a journey which has not been pre-booked or to accept a fare by being flagged down.
The court heard council officers found Mr Arif’s blue Kia EV6 Horizon, licensed by Sefton Council, parked up in the designated Hackney rank. He was asked for a lift to Altrincham and a price of £13 was agreed. However, the officer entered the vehicle and identified themselves.
Acknowledging he knew what he was doing was wrong, Mr Arif attempted to reason with the officer, saying the fare he had offered was lower than Uber and it was intended as a ‘gesture of help.’
When Mr Arif attended court, he expressed remorse, but was fined £576, a victim surcharge of £230, plus costs of £420 bringing the total to £1,226. He was also given six points on his driving licence, totting up 12 points, but was not disqualified due to exceptional circumstances.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said:
“This is another great result thanks to our Licensing Enforcement Team. Our officers are continually out in the community, ensuring that standards are maintained, and the law is complied with. The case sends a clear message that we are here to support our taxi trade, and anyone found contravening the regulations will be held accountable.”