METER MISUSE: Glasgow taxi driver refused new licence after overcharging complaints
- Perry Richardson
- Jan 18
- 2 min read
A Glasgow taxi driver who was suspended after complaints of overcharging passengers has been refused a new licence, with councillors concluding his conduct undermined public trust in the trade.
Arsalan Khan lost his bid to renew his taxi driver’s licence for a further three years after appearing before the city’s licensing committee, which heard he had previously been suspended for charging incorrect fares and failing to use his meter.
The committee was told that multiple complaints had been made to the taxi and private hire enforcement unit about Mr Khan attempting to charge passengers more than the regulated fare. In one case, a passenger said they were asked to pay £25 for a journey that would normally cost around £13. Another complainant reported being quoted £25 while the meter was switched off.
Mr Khan told councillors he had been suspended after giving what he described as the “wrong price”. He accepted responsibility for his actions and said he had learned from the incident, asking the committee to give him another opportunity.
Licensing committee blocks renewal bid following suspension over meter misuse and inflated fares
On Wednesday, committee chair Councillor Alex Wilson said the suspension was a direct consequence of the behaviour that had been reported. Addressing Mr Khan, he said: “You gave a passenger the wrong price, or you didn’t put it through your meter. Why should we give you a new licence based on the fact that you tried to defraud a member of the public?”
Mr Khan responded that the incident had been a mistake. “It was my mistake and I take full responsibility,” he said. “I’m asking the committee to give me an opportunity to show I have genuinely learned my lesson.” He added: “I will always comply with the licence conditions.”
Councillor Wilson, backed by Councillor Sean Ferguson, moved to refuse the application. An alternative proposal was put forward by Councillor Leòdhaas Massie, seconded by Councillor Eunis Jassemi, which would have granted a one-year licence with a severe warning attached.
With three votes cast for each proposal, the deciding vote fell to the committee chair. Councillor Wilson used his casting vote to refuse the application, meaning Mr Khan will not be granted a new taxi driver’s licence.
