A Torbay taxi driver has been immediately stripped of his licence after councillors unanimously determined they "would not allow their loved ones to get into a vehicle with the respondent alone."
The unnamed driver's licence was revoked following his conviction for two offences of harassment without violence.
Torbay Council's regulatory sub-committee detailed their decision, stating: "An unequivocal and unanimous answer by members to this question, was ‘no’." This strong stance underscores the council's commitment to public safety.
The driver, who held both a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence, was also found to have failed in his duty to notify the Town Hall licensing department within 48 hours of receiving court summonses last December. He only reported the charges five months later, claiming he believed the rule only applied to convictions, not charges.
Councillors expressed difficulty believing this explanation.
During the hearing, which was delayed because the driver overslept, members ultimately concluded that his conduct "had fallen below the standards expected of a driver licensed by Torbay Council." The report emphasised: "The protection of public safety is paramount."
Despite receiving "written personal references provided by happy customers," the council could not be satisfied that he "remained a fit and proper person to hold a licence," deciding that immediate revocation was "both necessary and proportionate, to ensure public safety."
The driver can still work in the taxi industry, but only in roles without direct contact with the public.
Despite strong calls from the local taxi industry, the council currently has "no plans" to implement such a policy, citing insufficient evidence of need.
The potential policy change has sparked debate, with concerns about practicality and environmental impact clashing with calls for broader vehicle options and accessibility.
Jennie Harrison, 35, regularly faces last-second cancellations or outright refusals from drivers once they spot her guide dog, despite it being against the law.
Labour Cllr Corrine Chikandamina, who estimates she takes taxis 1,500 times a year, brought the alarming issue to a meeting of the Regulatory Committee on Thursday, June 26.
The test covers all MOT items, plus the council’s supplementary testing items. Upon passing the test, a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
The terrifying spree unfolded late on Tuesday night, June 24, and into the early hours of Wednesday, targeting drivers from three different taxi firms: Capital Taxis, Inverness Taxis, and City Taxis.
Sajid Hussain, who committed two speeding violations on December 17 and 19, 2022, while working as a taxi driver, paid £600 to have false details and fake insurance documents created.
Hampshire Police is urging people to be vigilant after an Uber driver raised the alarm over a suspected courier fraud scam.
A recent safety blitz on private hire vehicles in the Warwick district has led to 12 vehickles being temporarily taken off the road due to various defects, ensuring greater passenger safety.
The DUAA is a new piece of legislation that updates some existing laws about digital information matters.
The disciplinary action is one of several taken against taxi and private hire drivers in the borough between February and May of this year.
Under the new proposals, the base fare for the initial 880 yards of a journey would see an increase from £3.90 to £4.40.
The decision, made at a licensing meeting on Wednesday, June 18, will now open to public representations before final approval.
This backing follows increasing public outcry, notably after the death of 65-year-old Twickenham minicab driver Rob Dale in November 2024.
Taxi drivers had sought to raise the basic fare and subsequent distance charges, citing rising operational costs.
Graham Head, 68, was re-convicted on Thursday 19 June, by a jury at Lewes Crown Court following an eight-hour deliberation.
The proposals were put forward by the borough's taxi drivers, who cited that fares hadn't risen in three years.
The study reveals a dramatic shift in Uber's "take rate," from an initial fixed 20% (later rising to 25%) to an average of 29%, and in some instances, exceeding 50% of a fare.
This ambitious move signals a direct challenge to Waymo's established dominance and intensifies the race as Tesla also vies for a slice of the self-driving taxi industry.
The changes, approved by the new Reform executive panel on Tuesday, June 17, aim to unify the region's disparate taxi zones into one harmonised system and are set to take effect from September.