Edinburgh black cab driver hits out over 'lenient' private hire driver's suspension for picking up passengershttps://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ ... rs-5450077An Edinburgh black cab taxi driver has hit out at the council over the ”lenient” private hire driver's suspension for picking up passengers off the streets.
An Edinburgh private hire driver has had his licence suspended for a week after he admitted picking up a passenger outside Waverley Station without a pre-booking.
Councillors heard at a licensing meeting on Monday that Mehmood Fiaz UL Hassan engaged in ‘sophistry’ with council staff when challenged on his behaviour. In addition, they were told he attempted to overcharge his passenger, who later reported him to the council.
Private hire drivers in Edinburgh can only pick up pre-booked fares, while black cab taxi drivers are allowed to pick-up passengers off the city’s streets.
Responding to the suspension, Edinburgh black cabbie and unite trade union rep Keith Auld, has written to the convener and members of the council’s Licensing Regulatory Committee, angry at what he calls a “lenient” punishment for breaking the rules.
In his letter, seen by the Evening News, Mr Auld said: “This conduct is not a minor or technical breach of licensing conditions. It strikes at the very core of the regulatory framework that exists to protect public safety, ensure fair competition, and maintain the reputation of Edinburgh’s licensed taxi trade.
“Illegal plying for hire by private hire care (PHC) drivers is a widespread and persistent issue across the city, and many within the trade feel that enforcement and deterrence have been insufficient to address it effectively.
“A driver who has held a private hire licence for seven years cannot reasonably claim ignorance or confusion regarding the fundamental requirement that all PHC journeys must be pre-booked. This is one of the most basic and well-established rules governing private hire operation, and accepting such an explanation risks undermining the credibility of the entire licensing regime.
“Against this backdrop, the decision to impose a suspension of only one week raises serious questions about proportionality and deterrence. Such a lenient penalty risks sending a damaging message to other drivers that engaging in illegal activity carries minimal consequence. Rather than discouraging unlawful behaviour, it may serve only to embolden it.”
Mr Auld also pointed out that such behaviour by private hire drivers in England would lead to criminal proceedings.
He said: “It is also worth noting that in England, private hire drivers who are caught plying for hire are typically dealt with through the criminal justice system. In many cases, drivers receive substantial financial penalties, often amounting to several hundreds of pounds, alongside penalty points on their driving licences, with six to nine points being fairly typical.
“By comparison, the sanction applied in this case appears exceptionally weak and entirely out of step with the seriousness of the offence.
“As someone who cares deeply about the integrity of the trade and the reputation of Edinburgh as a well-regulated, safe, and professional city, I find it difficult to understand how a one-week suspension can be viewed as sufficient in these circumstances.
“Hackney Carriage drivers operate under strict rules, undergo rigorous scrutiny, and face significant penalties for breaches. When those standards are undermined by illegal PHC activity that is met with minimal sanction, it erodes confidence in the system for drivers and the public alike.
“I respectfully urge the committee to reflect on the broader implications of this decision, particularly in light of the prevalence of illegal plying for hire and the need for clear, consistent, and robust enforcement. The trade requires a strong and unambiguous message that unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated, not one that risks normalising it.”
The suspension came on the same day that a private hire driver was caught on film crashing into another private hire taxi and a barrier at Edinburgh Airport.
Responding to Mr Auld’s comments in his correspondence with the Licensing Regulatory Committee, Licensing Sub-Committee Convener, Councillor Joanna Mowat said: “We’re unable to comment on individual cases.
“Committee is required to determine applications or requests for suspension on an individual basis, carefully weighing all the information in front of it. We hear as much of our business in public as possible for transparency.”
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