"Hackney Carriages play a vital role and this activity undermines the hard work and consideration that our drivers give every day.”
Sir Matt Busby Way
Sir Matt Busby Way(Image: ABNM Photography)
View 3 Images
A dedicated Manchester United fan and his son were ripped off after making a long trip to see a game. The pair travelled from Ireland to watch the Reds play Fulham at Old Trafford.
They booked into Hotel Football on March 1st the night before the game. They decided to head into Manchester city centre for a bite to eat and got into a Hackney Carriage taxi waiting for fares on Sir Matt Busby Way.
Trafford Magistrates were told that the driver of the taxi was Mr Mandeep Singh. During the journey, the father noticed the meter wasn’t on but trusted that Mr Singh, 43, of Mellor Street, Stretford, would charge him appropriately.
Sir Matt Busby Way - where the United fans got into a taxi.
Sir Matt Busby Way - where the United fans got into a taxi.
View 3 Images
However, when they pulled up outside the Hawksmoor steakhouse on Deansgate, Mr Singh asked for £15, despite the roads having been quiet. Stunned by the fare, the complainant paid up, so as not to miss his restaurant reservation, but later reported the matter to Trafford Council’s Licensing Enforcement Team.
At court Mr Singh was found guilty of overcharging. During an interview at Trafford Town Hall, Mr Singh said that the fare should have been about £8 and that he should have used the meter but ‘forgot’.
Council officers calculated that the fare was 92 percent higher than it should have been, according to Trafford Council’s Table of Fares for Hackney Carriages.
Sir Matt Busby Way
Sir Matt Busby Way(Image: ABNM Photography)
View 3 Images
Magistrates found Mr Singh was guilty of failing to engage his meter and charging more than the legal fare. He received a fine of £440 plus a £176 victim surcharge and £180 towards costs.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety said: “We are pleased that the customer brought this matter to our attention. This case shows that the public and the Council will not tolerate behaviour that does not meet the required standards, from anyone who is licenced to trade in Trafford. Trafford’s Hackney Carriages play a vital role in transporting customers and this activity undermines the hard work and consideration that our drivers give every day.”