Temptation comes in a variety of forms, especially when rising costs make it more difficult to run your taxi business.
But rules and regulations are created and enforced for a reason – to keep drivers and passengers safe. And those who might be tempted to flout them pay a hefty price if they are caught.
Taking a chance
When faced with 74,000 fans making their way out of Old Trafford following a Manchester United match, the temptation can be too great for a private-hire driver to wait for a booked ride, and they might think one or two hugely inflated fares are worth the risk.
But two private-hire drivers who were caught illegally plying for hire following outside the ground have not only lost their taxi badges, they have also had to pay fines much greater than the illegal fares they brought in.
In the case of one driver from Oldham, PHTM reports that his attempt to illegally land a £25 fare has seen him £3,543 out of pocket with fines and court costs.
Manchester Magistrates Court heard that the out-of-town private-hire driver was spotted by Trafford Council Licensing Enforcement Officers in Sir Alex Ferguson Way after United played Brentford on September 27 last year.
Tackled
PHTM reports that the officers’ attention was drawn to the vehicle by a fare dispute, as a woman loudly exclaimed “£25?! Are you joking?!”
When confronted, the driver resisted showing his private-hire driver’s badge several times before eventually complying.
At court, he was found guilty of illegally plying for hire, failing to wear a driver’s identification badge and obstructing an authorised officer.
He was fined £1,453, with a victim surcharge of £581 and costs of £1,500.
Greedy
Another private-hire driver was caught after charging a father and son £35 for a five-mile journey that was not booked in advance, as is the requirement of private-hire insurance. Only drivers with public-hire insurance can be hailed in the street or at a taxi rank.
In this case, the BBC reports that the private-hire driver was waiting in a taxi rank outside the stadium when the father and son asked for a ride to Piccadilly railway station following United’s clash with Leicester City in November last year.
The pair were taken to the station as requested, but the driver’s insistence that the journey cost £35 made the man suspicious.
The BBC reports he paid the fare but contacted Trafford Council afterwards.
The driver’s private-hire licence was revoked in his absence at a meeting of Trafford Council’s Licensing Sub Committee.
Enforcement
A council spokeswoman said: “Once again our licensing enforcement team has demonstrated a continued dedication to hold drivers, who put the public at risk, accountable for their actions.
“Only Trafford-licensed Hackney vehicles can pick customers up without a pre-booked fare outside Old Trafford.
“We are committed to ensuring the public are protected, and that the trading environment is fair, protecting consumers and drivers that are licensed to operate in the borough.”
A Manchester United spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear about the experience of the father and son.
“Our advice to fans would be to only use licensed cabs or ride shares when travelling to or from Old Trafford. The stadium is also well-served by Metrolink tram services.”
While drivers might be tempted to break the rules for a fast buck, the consequences are not only severe – as these two cases demonstrate – they can be disastrous. If a driver was involved in a crash which resulted in serious damage or injury, not only would their insurance would be void because the trip was not booked in advance, they could be face prison as well as paying substantial penalties and compensation.
However great the temptations, drivers have too much to lose to give into it.
