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A private hire driver was ordered to pay £2000 after confessing to a “big mistake” when picking up a customer from Bolton Wanderers ’ ground. The driver, licenced with Salford City Council, was accused of overcharging a woman after taking her and three friends from a concert at the Toughsheet Stadium to a hotel on June 8 2023. He had broken the law by agreeing to the journey without there being a booking in place with a private hire operator, a decision that nearly two years on has seen the driver convicted in court.
Salford City Council lead member for neighbourhoods, environment and community safety Cllr Barbara Bentham said: “Taxi and private hire services are an important part of the transport network, and we thank all of our licensees that operate to a safe and high standard. “Drivers have a duty to operate in accordance with the law and the conditions of their licence and the authority will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary. The case was heard at Manchester Magistrates Court (Image: Anthony Moss) “As a reminder, a private hire vehicle must always be booked through a licensed operator.
” The law says that all private hire journeys must be booked through a private hire operator and that failure to do so can result in the driver’s motor insurance being invalid. According to Salford City Council the private hire driver, from Bolton, admitted to this when he was interviewed. They said that he called his actions a "big mistake", and that he said he "very sorry".
Brought before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to illegally plying for hire when the carriage was not licenced as a public hackney carriage outside London. ALSO READ: Taxi drivers to be given access to £30m fund to switch to electric vehicles ALSO READ: Scheme to bring in new 'clean taxi' standards in Bolton hinges on £30M fund ALSO READ: Bolton has 'no enforcement powers' for out of town taxis Salford City Council says that it is responsible for regulating taxi and private hire drivers licensed with the authority. The authority says that criminal offences committed by licensees whilst working as taxi and private hire drivers are regarded as extremely serious, particularly the offence of illegally plying for hire.
The offence can lead to a licence being suspended or revoked or an application to renew the licence being refused. The driver was ordered to pay £1,200 to Salford City Council along with a fine of £400 and a surcharge of £160..
