Taxi Driver Online

Wirral private hire driver has license revoked

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/16250 ... e_revoked/

A private hire taxi driver and operator has had his licences revoked after a catalogue of complaints about unreliable service and poor practice.

Norman Cummings, operating under the name Wirral Airport Hopper Ltd, lost both his private hire driver licence and operator licence after failing in his appeals against a Wirral Council licensing panel decision.

The council’s licensing section had, over a number of years, received numerous complaints from customers of Mr Cummings.

Some customers were not picked up at home and had to get themselves to the airport or they were left stranded at the airport upon their return, meaning they had to pay for alternative transport to get home.

The company also failed to make refunds until customers complained to the council’s licensing section.

As a result of the complaints, Cummings’ case was referred to the Licensing Panel in September 2017 and they decided to revoke his licences.

Cummings’ initial appeal to Wirral Magistrates’ Court was dismissed and a further appeal of this outcome lodged at Liverpool Crown Court led to a two-day hearing before a judge dismissed the appeal again, which means that the original decision by the licensing panel was upheld and the licences remain revoked.

Cummings is now no longer licensed and cannot legally carry out any private hire taxi or transfer work.

It's nearly always firms that do airport work.

Maybe it's because there is no money in it as everyone undercuts everyone else.

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IDFIMH

probably or someone taking too much on and getting stuck in traffic jams and not getting to the pick ups

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Very likely.....It is far better to make a decent profit from less work than to burst your arse off for a negligible profit or a loss, If they don't like a fair fare then let them go use a cowboy.

That was my view all along about airport work, very little profit in it, let alone getting any form of wage out of it. From where I used to be in New Romney, to LHR was 100 miles. so a 200 mile round trip, about 5 hours driving, half a tank of fuel plus parking charges, and most round there would do it for less than £100!

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IDFIMH

Notorious taxi driver 'The Wirral Airport Hopper' left passengers stranded and kept their cash

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... ts-section

The private hire driver lost his licence but continued to scam people

A notorious taxi driver dubbed the 'Wirral Airport Hopper' was finally convicted of fraud after repeatedly leaving passengers stranded and keeping their cash.

Norman Cummings, who traded as the Wirral Airport Hopper, failed to pick customers up for their flights and would leave others stranded at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The private hire driver had already lost his licences for taking fares and failing to show up.

But a judge today slammed the 66-year-old after he "blatantly ignored" the ban and continued conning people for another three months.

Cummings, of Winchester Drive, Wallasey, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court today after admitting two counts of fraud and one count of being engaged in commercial practices without professional diligence.

Nick Cockrell, prosecuting on behalf of Wirral Borough Council, explained that between May 11 2018 and October 31 2018 Cummings transported passengers when not licenced to do so.

Mr Cockrell said: "The defendant, now 66, was a taxi driver in Wirral with a licence and had been for some considerable period of time.

"Between 2014 and 2018 he was licensed and received a number of complaints usually about airport transfers not being honoured and no refunds being given.

"In September 2017 the defendant had both licences revoked."

Despite appeals against the ruling the decision to strip him of his licences was upheld in a crown court.

Mr Cockrell said: "Notwithstanding the decision, he carried on driving as a trader and regrettably complainants continued to come."

Citing some of the passengers left stranded, Mr Cockrell stated that in July 2018 a Miss Blundell booked an airport transfer online, which she later cancelled but never received her refund.

A Ms Jones became concerned about one of her trips when she didn't receive and confirmation text - but after cancelling she didn't get her £68 deposit back.

One passenger who had used Cummings' taxi services before paid £68 for an airport run to Manchester but when he didn't turn up had to make alternative arrangements.

One woman even paid £260 for a return trip to London which wasn't honoured by Cummings.

The taxi driver refused to attend a voluntary interview but in an email said: "I absolutely deny doing any private hire work after my badge was revoked."

The court heard Cummings has two previous convictions for eight offences including handling stolen goods in 1984, for which he received a community order.

Simon Blakebrough, defending, asked for credit for a guilty plea and urged the judge to take into account that his previous convictions, although relevant, were of some age.

Mr Blakebrough said: "He is a full-time carer for two children who have a number of health issues."

The court heard Cummings has an employment prospect for December but is currently unemployed.

Judge Anil Murray, sentencing, said: "I bear in mind the offences are of some age although some of that delay was caused by your denials".

The judge cited how Cummings had continued to take bookings and money but simply "didn't turn up".

Judge Murray said: "People rely on taxis and rely upon them being reliable.

"A significant aggravating feature is you were suspended as a taxi driver by the court.

"You blatantly ignored that order and carried on your frauds."

The judge took into account Cummings' "health issues" and the fact he is a carer for his two children.

Cummings received a four-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered he complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

No unpaid work was imposed due to Cummings' caring responsibilities for his two children.

He was ordered to pay £698 in compensation to two of his victims.

Not a charge you read about every day

For a 422 mile round trip I'm not surprised he didn't turn up, but surprised anyone would think this was anything other than a scam.

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IDFIMH

2 round trips, she paid £266 for a return trip! So 844 miles for £266? about 30p a mile, so a good profitable couple of trips plus parking charges at LHR for the return pick up.

there are Millions out there that think the cost of running a car is the fuel plus about a tenner a day. he is probably one of them thinking that after fuel of approx £50 he would be quids in and that the competion were overpriced

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector