Source: NTC Press Release
Magistrates have fined drivers of two private hire vehicles that picked up test customers in a North Tyneside Council clampdown.
Under national legislation private hire vehicles cannot ply for hire or stand at a taxi rank to attract business. They can only take customers who have booked in advance through the driver’s licensed operator.
This differs from the rules for taxis, who under their Hackney Carriage Licence can be hailed in the street and pick up customers from a taxi rank.
In February this year the council employed two officers from a neighbouring authority to carry out ‘test purchasing’ on private hire vehicles.
The volunteers were asked to approach private hire vehicles to see if they would agree to them using the vehicle without having first made an advance booking.
In separate hearings at North Shields magistrates court two drivers were each fined £100, with £150 costs and an additional £15 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to plying for hire without a licence.
- On February 26, Stephen John Murray, 36, of 4 Ferngrove, Jarrow was parked on a taxi rank outside Whitley Bay metro Station, Station Square, Whitley Bay when the volunteers approached him. He was asked whether he could take them to the Magnesia Bank Public House in North Shields. He was paid £6 for the journey.
- On February 28, Stephen John McLennan, 43, of 3a St George’s Road, Cullercoats was seen dropping off passengers on Front Street, Tynemouth. He was approached by the volunteers and agreed to take them to a destination in Whitley Bay.
Both drivers operated for East Coast Taxis and it was confirmed in both instances that neither journey had been pre-booked.
Colin Macdonald, North Tyneside Councils Consumer Protection Manager said: ” It is in the interest of the safety of members of the public who use taxis and private hire vehicles that we ensure that all drivers are operating within the law.
” The recent test-purchasing scheme demonstrated that in a minority of instances that was not happening and as the drivers learned to their cost this can result in a prosecution and a court penalty.”
Both drivers will now appear before the Council’s Regulation and Review Committee to consider their suitability to hold a licence.
The council has confirmed that further similar exercises are planned in the borough.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Admin
Be careful, you have named Foxyhunters, you know what they are like!, in complete denial of there Drivers actions, like BLT about that horrid Drunk, they will spit that million pound Dummy out and threaten legal action!!!!
just seen this ad on gumtree web site dont know if it is illegal or not just thought i would share it i it does not effect me but it will u lads in the toon
Self Employed Part Time Drivers Location: Newcastle Posted: YesterdayAd viewed:108 timesWe are a new car back service starting in the next few weeks in Newcastle (details to come and launch soon!).
The service enables car drivers to drive into town, enjoy the night and then have their car and passengers driven home for them.
Our service consists of two drivers arriving in one car, one driver will drive the customer car and the other drives their own car to the destination to pick up the other driver.
Initially the service runs Friday/Saturday nights so we are looking for drivers with:
* A clean licence
* Smart/reliable car (the car will not carry customers but must provide the right image)
* Good customer service skills
This can be done along side another full/part time job. Cant commit to every week? No problem as we are only a part time operation we work around availability.
Successful applicants will be self employed and will recieve a percentage of the charge, also the driver using their own car will be paid for petrol use.
Interested? Email and more details can be provided
@another north tyneside hack driver, they did this with “Scooters cabs” a few years ago, they sent a guy on a folding scooter to driver you home in your own car with his scooter in your boot, it lasted a month or so before like their scooters, they folded
@another north tyneside hack driver, if you see something interesting please provide the link with your comment.
@Admin, sorry but they is no link it just has a email send MSG to the right of it which takes u to a section 4 u to right if u r interested in the job /its on gumtree newcastle in the part time evening/weekend section
@another north tyneside hack driver, Link to car back service:
Read About it Here
@Admin, u r good marvin think i need a crash course in pc skills lol
Page 3???
Well the Sun shows a fit Female on page 3, but sadly tonight (Tues), shows another convicted foreign DRUNK Taxi Driver on page 3 of the Evening Chronicle.
Farook Sultan had hit the Bottle and crashed his Car, probably nipped out for a box of Liqueurs!!!!!!!
@Stephen Arthur, The judge ordered Farook Suntan to do 150 hours of unpaid work, that’s no punishment sounds like a normal week on the taxis to me.
Another Gumtree Ad, entitled
“Do you require a Driver”
It’s in the services section (Miscellaneous), offering a Driver for the Day for £35 + fuel, cheaper than a Taxi it states.
@Stephen Arthur, Links Please!