Taxi Driver Online

To settle an arguement in our fleet, can anyone tell me if it's considered entrapment if a LA uses a "secret shopper" to check a taxi driver is adhering to his conditions?

e.g. they take a taxi from the rank and go to a predetermined destination, the route and cost is known to them. The driver takes a scenic route and overcharges. They then show their credentials and inform him he's in breach of his conditions and will have to appear in front of a disiplinary committee.

I reckon they are within their rights, as a LA, to do it, others disagree. So who's correct.

Also can trading standards do similar, or must it be council officials?

BTW there is no outstanding case, it's purely a rank arguement/discussion.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

Our council say it is for trading standards to sort out. The council say that it is entrapment. They will only entertain complaints in writing from members of the public and they must be prepared to go to court before the council will even consider the complaint. Also the council have told me that it is unlikly that they will be able to succesfully prosecute a driver unless they have 5 or 6 such complaints within a 12 month period.
So basically unless trading standards do anything, in my area you can charge whatever you want and nothing will ever be done about it, and the drivers know it!

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Grandad,

so just ask the punter:-


Fastest
Scenic
Shortest


Time in a layby with the lady is extra

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

There is nothing to stop them from doing this as they are doing there job within the law.
They could or should stop you as soon as you go off course

There is nothing to stop them from doing this as they are doing there job within the law, and to make sure the driver is complying as well.
They could or should stop you as soon as you go off course

thanks for quick replies.

one other wee one, that came up (ooer missus )

If a taxi firm advertises an incentive, ie 10% discount on all fares, and an individual decides he's not doing it. Who gets "done" if someone complains?

The driver or the company?

I say Company because they advertised it, and it's their responsibility to enforce it. Again, others say no, the driver, being self employed has the right to do as he sees fit, and therefore suffers the consequence of doing so.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

I don't know about taxis having secret shoppers, but, I do know that in shops it's the company that request the secret shopper but they don't tell the staff about it until after the exercise is completed.

How this will work with self employed taxi drivers is anybodies guess. I personally think it is entrapment unless drivers are warned when they are issued a licence that this is an ongoing practice and there is every possibility they will be checked out

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I miss all this cut and thrust on hackneys, damn it, ill buy one...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

You know it makes sense Wannabe! infact I will get one too just to get them talking.

IMO they are well within their rights to do these type of 'test purchases'.

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IDFIMH

The company is liable.

Which is how it should always be.

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IDFIMH