IN THE
NEWS...IN THE NEWS..
EAST RENFREWSHIRE DISPUTE OVER ‘SOILING’ CHARGE LEADS TO REVIEW OF RULES ON PHVS
A private hire driver locked a student in his car before aban- doning her at a petrol station after a row over a soiling charge. The Barrhead News reports that
the
driver, who operates in East Renfrew- shire, demanded cash from the girl after claiming one of her group vomited in his vehicle. When the girl, who disputed the claim, didn’t have £40 to hand, he locked his doors and took her to a nearby petrol station. She sought safety in the shop until the driver left, leaving her to walk
home alone. The incident was revealed in a recent report to councillors as the girl’s parents called for private hire rules on soiling charges to change. Licensing
chiefs
were set to rule on any law changes or possible action ag- ainst the driver but the meeting was adjourned after late witness submissions were received. The girl’s mother said: “This is an extremely important situation. What hap- pened
to our
daughter is a very serious matter for all females in East Ren- frewshire.”
The incident oc- curred as a group of female students were returning from a night out in Glasgow. A report says the driver reacted in an “unpleasant man- ner” after a pas- senger was alleged- ly sick. When only one passenger was remaining, he de- manded the soiling charge. Gerry Mahon, the council’s chief officer for legal and pro- curement, who pen- ned the report, said: “According to the parents of the pas- senger, their daugh- ter was placed in a state of fear and alarm by the actions
of this driver. “The girl’s parents dispute parts of the report submitted to councillors and plan to send their version of events to the council ahead of the next licensing meet- ing. “Council officers view- ed CCTV footage from the petrol sta- tion to corroborate the incident, while the driver admitted it in interview. “However, he insist- ed the soiling did occur. “No further book- ings were taken on that particular night which may corrobo- rate that,” the report states.
The driver has been warned about his actions but council- lors could call him to a meeting to rule whether he is a fit and proper person to drive a PHV. The new policy would prevent driv- ers asking for a soiling charge un- less it’s agreed prior to the journey. If soiling occurs, pay- ment can be re- quested but drivers would have to allow passengers to make a later payment. Drivers would be unable to prevent passengers leaving the vehicle or driv- ing them to an ATM, unless the passen-
ger agreed. Mmmm… Well, there’s a new one: no soiling charge is allowed unless agreed in advance. So how will that work? Passenger to driver: “I’m not feeling ever so well… I think I might have to honk in your taxi on the way home…” Driv- er: “Oh well, I’ll have to ask you for [£40] soiling charge then… but you can pay that separately
next
week.” Yeah, sure. And what action will be taken against this driver, who in effect kidnapped his last passenger for pay- ment – then left her to walk home alone?! YCMIU – Ed.
36
MAY 2019
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