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Posted on the 9th January 2025 in PHTM News
ROSSENDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL PROSECUTES TAXI FIRM OVERCHARGING DISABLED PASSENGER
Rossendale Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a local taxi firm after uncovering systematic overcharging of a disabled passenger.
The council’s Licensing and Enforcement Office launched an investigation in response to a complaint about unfair pricing practices.
The enquiry found several instances of excessive overcharging of a wheelchair-bound passenger for short journeys compared to able-bodied passengers using the same service.
The enquiries revealed that Connections Taxis of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall overcharged a wheelchair bound passenger on two seperate occassions in September 2023.
The wheelchair bound passenger was charged £8 for a 0.5 mile journey which should have cost £3.50. The same vehicle charged an able-bodied passenger £4.50 for a 2.1 mile journey just 30 minutes prior to the overcharged journey.
Further investigations showed that the same wheelchair bound passenger was charged £12 for a 2.7 mile journey. That journey should have cost £8.50. The return journey cost the wheelchair bound passenger another £12.
The investigation confirmed that able-bodied passengers were charged standard fares, exposing clear evidence of discriminatory pricing against disabled customers. As a result, the private hire operator's and the involved driver’s licences were revoked by the council’s Licensing Sub-Committee.
Mohsen Saddique, 31, who served as the taxi firm’s manager and was responsible for setting fare prices, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates Court in December 2024.
He pleaded guilty to overcharging the disabled passenger. The court ordered Mr. Saddique to pay a total penalty of £636, which includes a victim surcharge of £110.
Lead Member for Environment and Corporate Services, Cllr Adrian Lythgoe said: “Overcharging disabled passengers is not only illegal but entirely unacceptable. The outcome of this investigation sends a clear message to all operators and drivers that discriminatory practices will not be tolerated.
"We thank the complainant for coming forward and would encourage others to report any similar concerns."
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