FIT AND PROPER


WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE TAXI COMPANY FACES LICENCE REVOCATION AMID COMPLAINTS


Wright Taxis, a prominent taxi firm operating out of Alexandria for over a decade, is facing a critical hearing that could see its licence suspended or revoked. The company has been sum- moned to a special hearing on Thursday, June 19, following a series of six complaints lodged by the local authority’s Civic Standards Licensing Officer.


The council’s licensing committee will deliberate on the nature of these complaints during the meeting. While the specific details of the grievances will be revealed at the hearing, the licensing officer has indicated that action can be taken if management or another responsible person is no longer deemed “a fit and proper person to hold the licence.”


More than half of the complaints are reportedly directed at four specific taxi plates owned by the firm, with two additional com- plaints concerning the company’s offices. Wright Taxis, which began oper- ations in October 2009, has seen significant growth, expanding its fleet from 15 to 45 vehicles in less than a decade.


UNLICENSED IPSWICH HACKNEY CARRIAGE DRIVER ORDERED TO PAY OVER £2,000


An Ipswich taxi driver has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after being found guilty of driving a HCV without a valid hackney carriage driver’s licence. The driver, Ticu Dan Calin, was found guilty in his absence of the offence at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Monday 16 June 2025. Mr Calin’s combined HC and PH driving licences were


revoked earlier this year on 7 March 2025 on


the grounds of public safety following multiple allegations of dishonesty. On 27 March it was reported to Ipswich BC that Mr Calin was continuing to drive a HCV without an appropriate licence. Mr Calin was found guilty in his absence and fined the maximum £1,000. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and prosecution costs of £760.41, with the total of


£2,160.41 ordered to be paid within 28 days.


Cllr John Cook, Ipswich BC Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said: “I’m pleased that the court backed us by fining the driver concerned and making an order for the costs incurred by the council. More importantly, it is right that Ipswich residents are protected from thieves and scammers.”


TRAFFORD CENTRE STING MEANS UNINSURED PH DRIVER TO PAY OVER £1,200 FOR ILLEGAL PLYING


A PH driver has been hit with a hefty £1,226 fine and penalty points after being caught red- handed operating illegally outside the Trafford Centre by


an


undercover council officer. Anees Arif, 52, of Oldham, pleaded guilty


to offences, including


illegally waiting in a taxi rank and accepting an uninsured fare. The sting operation was part of increased patrols by Trafford


PHTM JULY 2025


Council, prompted by concerns from taxi drivers over unauthorised vehicles using their ranks. Undercover officers observed Arif’s vehicle, which was licensed by Sefton Council, parked in a designated taxi rank. Upon being approached for a lift to Altrincham, Arif agreed to a £13 fare. At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Arif pleaded guilty


to illegally waiting in a hackney carriage rank,


accepting an illegal fare on Barton Dock Road, using a motor vehicle while uninsured, and failing to wear his driver’ s badge. He was fined £576, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £230, and costs of £420, totalling £1,226. Six points were added to his driving licence but despite reaching the usual disqualification threshold of 12 points, Arif avoided a ban due to “exceptional circumstances.”


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