Taxi Driver Online

Cardiff taxi cab leader loses 'short fares' appeal


The chairman of Cardiff's taxi cab association has lost a suspension appeal after being accused of refusing short-distance fares in the city.

Cardiff council imposed a 10-day ban on Mathab Khan, but he took the matter before city magistrates on Monday.

He was the driving force behind a strike of cabbies at the weekend, which followed a clampdown on drivers turning down low-value fares.

Mr Khan said he will lodge a further appeal in a higher court.

He was told by magistrates the suspension originally handed down in February was "proportionate and appropriate".

The council's licensing sub-committee had decided to suspend his licence after it was claimed he refused short-distance fares to two women.

Mr Khan was at the front of taxi rank on Churchill Way with his light on at 02:15 GMT on 27 February, the council said.

When the women asked if he would take them to Claude Road in Roath, a journey of approximately 1.5 miles, the witnesses told the court Mr Khan answered "not far, not far" before putting his window up and turning his back on them.

He said he was booked at the time and was waiting for a "19-year-old man who didn't turn up".

The women identified Mr Khan through his cab and registration plate and reported him to the council.

It came after the authority carried out a public campaign on the issue, following a series of sex attacks in the city centre in the autumn.

The council has urged cab users to note the details of drivers who refused short-distance fares.

But the drivers said they called the stoppage at the weekend over frustration at the way complaints against them were handled.

Mr Khan claimed the guidance had "instigated a wave of insult and abuse" against drivers.

He now has 21 days to appeal.

Cardiff council said the suspension would not be imposed until that appeal process had been completed.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36077112

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Oh dear I think he's been owned, I wonder if they'll still go on strike. I was right when I said it was the Asians who are the crux of the problem.

he said he was on a booking ? so, why would he be first on the rank ? "rumbled"

And why would he say 'not far, not far' if he was waiting.

He should book himself a holiday and spend the 10 days on holiday.

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IDFIMH

If he loses his appeal.........It will set the drivers back years and years and years What a stupid thing to do.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

he's not going to win..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I think you are right! However he (apparently) has a law background, it will be interesting as to what he comes out with.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

he was cherrypicking

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Doesn't matter what he's got John, he refused a hire without giving a reasonable excuse while sitting on a rank in trap one, IMO he's been rumbled. Lets hope his appeal gets him a month ban.

The appeal could be based on a number of issues, was the evidence given by the witnesses truthful, was the prosecution process legal, or more importantly was the penalty proportionate.

It would be a good case to follow, but I wouldn't be shocked if he did win, although I doubt he will.

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IDFIMH

I am inclined to agree. A lot will depend on (1) Is it totally true as to what we have read (2) We are reading about people out at 02.00 who are more likely to be drink/drug induced and very much complicit in their story.

The rank that he would have been picking up from is from a gay quarter! The one thing in particular that I have found with gays is that (they are very unreliable) and generally not in touch with a normal daily life. That may sound like an anti gay thing - it is not, it is an observation after picking up (taxi wise) many over the years. My point being is that they will have read the instruction from the Council as to how to report taxi drivers, and then to have concocted a story.

If he can convince a judge that the story is collusion/colluded, and it is not backed by independent witnesses, then he might just have a chance.

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

If he is sitting on a rank he is for hire.....

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

DID HE GET A FAIR HEARING DID HE REPRESENT HIMSELF [HES A KKUNT IF HE DID] WAS HE FITTED UP?

FOR SURE HE WOULD BE IN THE FIRING LINE

OR IS HE A COMPETE MUG AND GOT DONE BANG TO RIGHTS ??

MIND HE'S WELSH SO HA HA HA HE HE HE IF HES AS STOOPID AS MOST OF EMM

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

End of debate.

Thats a good fare in my manor !