Taxi Driver Online

Private Hire Drivers Caught

14th August 2009

Magistrates have fined drivers of two private hire vehicles that picked up test customers in a North Tyneside Council clampdown.

Private hire vehicles cannot ply for hire or stand at a taxi rank to attract business. They must be booked.

The council employed two officers from a neighbouring council to carry out test purchasing on private hire cars.

Source; teletext.co.uk

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Was the fine worth the effort

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

I doubt any fine would be what would concern the drivers, more likely the licensing committee's response to the court action.

_________________
IDFIMH

Why did they use 2 officers from a neighbouring Council?? Were the cars from that area so North Tyneside Council couldn't do anything about them?

Known elsewhere as mystery shopping; ie The drivers don't know the individuals doing the test purchasing. I'm all for it; It keeps standards high, IMHO.

That may be so, but is it legal & can the evidence stand up in court?

Or do the 'foreign' Enforcement Officers act as 'Joe Public' in court?

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.