Cardiff Council has successfully prosecuted a Hackney Carriage Driver for refusing a fare whilst working from the St Mary Street taxi rank.
Mr Asherock Khan, aged 30, from Roath Court Place, Cardiff pleaded guilty to ‘refusal of a fare’ and was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £60 at Cardiff Magistrates Court on 19th February 2010.
The prosecution resulted from a complaint following Khan’s refusal to take a disabled passenger in a wheelchair from the St Mary Street taxi rank on 7th August 2009. At the time of the refusal Khan stated that there was insufficient room in the boot of his vehicle for the fold up wheelchair used by the passenger. The passenger’s carer suggested that the wheelchair concerned would fit in the rear passenger seat but Khan still refused the fare. The disabled passenger and carer then moved to the next taxi in the queue who took them to their destination. The incident was reported to Cardiff Council’s Licensing Section, who brought the case to court.
Councillor Ed Bridges, Chair of Cardiff’s Licensing Committee said: “We would like to remind members of the public that it is an offence for a working Hackney Carriage driver to refuse a fare that starts and finishes within Cardiff. It is also an offence for such a driver not to use the fitted meter or to charge more than the legal tariff of fares within the boundaries of Cardiff. Cardiff Council investigates all complaints concerning taxi drivers as public safety is of great concern to us, and I would urge anybody to complain if they are dissatisfied with the service they receive.”
Members of the public who come across such offences should report the incident as soon as possible to the Council’s Licensing Section on 20871651 or fax 20871850, e-mail [email protected], or alternatively call Cardiff’s Single Non-Emergency number on 101.
To enable Licensing Officers to investigate fully, the following details should be provided:
- Vehicle details – plate number and/or registration number.
- Driver details – drivers badge number and name (if obtainable),
- Time and place of incident.
