DOUBLE TROUBLE: Taxi driver fined for nearly doubling the fare charged to Manchester United fan
- Perry Richardson
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A Hackney Carriage driver in Greater Manchester has been fined after a court found he charged a visiting football fan almost double the correct fare during a short journey near Old Trafford.
The case, brought by Trafford Council, highlights ongoing enforcement pressure on drivers who fail to use meters or exceed the maximum fares set by local authorities.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the incident took place on 1 March, when the visitor from Ireland and his son had checked in to Hotel Football ahead of Manchester United’s fixture against Fulham. The pair took a taxi from the rank on Sir Matt Busby Way to the city centre for dinner. According to evidence presented in court, the passenger noticed that driver Mandeep Singh, 43, had not activated the meter but assumed he would be charged the appropriate rate.
The journey ended outside the Hawksmoor restaurant on Deansgate, with Singh requesting a £15 fare. The customer, pressed for time due to a reservation, paid the amount but later contacted Trafford Council’s Licensing Enforcement Team to report the concern. Council investigators later calculated the correct fare should have been in the region of £8 under Trafford’s approved Table of Fares.
Magistrates find Hackney Carriage driver guilty after Trafford Council confirms fare was almost twice the permitted rate
During a subsequent interview at Trafford Town Hall, Singh accepted that he should have used the meter and said he had forgotten to switch it on. Council officers determined the fare charged was 92 percent higher than the maximum lawful amount, prompting prosecution for failing to engage the meter and demanding more than the legal limit.
Magistrates found Singh guilty of both offences. He was fined £440, ordered to pay a £176 victim surcharge and a £180 contribution to costs. The council has not confirmed whether further licensing action is under consideration, although similar cases typically feed into decisions on driver suitability.
The ruling reinforces the requirement on Hackney Carriage drivers to use calibrated meters for all journeys that begin within their licensing district. Local authorities across the UK have increased compliance checks around stadiums, entertainment districts and major events, where demand spikes can lead to complaints about overcharging.
The case also reflects the role of licensing enforcement teams in monitoring driver conduct and responding to passenger reports. Councils continue to remind drivers that failure to adhere to set tariffs risks prosecution as well as potential licence review, both of which can disrupt their ability to work.
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.”
