Taxi Driver Online

Aberdeen Press and Journal

January 24, 2009 Saturday

Taxi driver loses appeal

A LEWIS taxi driver is still banned from operating after losing a second appeal with Western Isles Council.

Sheriff David Sutherland ordered the council to reconsider the ban against Donald John Macdonald.

Now Mr Macdonald, of Park, Barvas, may raise fresh legal action over the latest decision made by five councillors this week.

During the original civil case before the sheriff court it was said that the taxi panel failed to arrive at a proper and fair judgment last June.

Councillors were criticised for not considering alternative and lesser sanctions rather than an absolute ban.

The earlier court appeal was told Mr Macdonald had pre-agreed a fare of £40 to take two girls and a boy from Stornoway to Tarbert.

When the meter reached £40 he remarked they were "now travelling on thin air".

As the cab arrived at its destination, one passenger threw an extra £20 on the seat and walked off. Mr Macdonald insisted he never asked for more money.
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That sounds a bit iffy!

I often 'joke' with passengers when the fixed fare runs out on the meter. Often something like 'Are you wearing a decent pair of hiking boots, you're fixed fare has just run out!' It's always said with a smile and always accepted as a joke, well, I think so, until now!!!!!

I take it you've never been to the Hebridies?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Nah! Went to Birmingham once. Far to bl%dy cold. Won't go that far north again!

Why exactly has this man lost his licence Please tell me it's not because he's got a sense of humour or indeed cos he asked for more money than pre arranged

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

Is Lewis long or wide enough to be able to get a £40 fare plus £20 tip

According to autoroute it is 36.2 miles so the answer is yes Lewis is long enough for the fare. In fact I would say that £40 was very cheap and £60 would be closer to the mark.

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Grandad,

its just a pity that the sheriff did not order the council to give him his licence back, so this time I hope he does along with loss of earnings back dated to when it was first removed

I went there once. It was closed.

Maybe the trip was arranged for a Sunday

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Guss, do you think the council up there will ever allow Lewis to come out of the dark ages and let the folk there enjoy the benefits of the modern world

Its the Territory of the Wee Free Church...a Fun day out for them guys is all the locals getting together to watch a field of Turnips grow...

...in segregated groups of men and women. And definitely not on a Sunday

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Only when the older ones have died off. Most of the younger folk can't wait to leave.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Thats the day they watch the paint dry

Is this place in the Uk are you lot for real. Free church, turnips, segregation, paint drying what the f n l is going on. I think a serious look at a dictionary is required so they can see what 'to live' means. Why would anybody want to live in a place like that

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