Out-of-town TfL licensed private hire driver fined over illegal pick-up at Reading Festival

A Transport for London (TfL) private hire driver has been fined more than £1,600 after admitting to illegally picking up passengers during a covert operation at Reading Festival.

Hammad Ashraf Khan Manj, from Slough, was caught by licensing officers from Reading, Fareham, and South Oxfordshire Councils on 23 August 2024. The operation targeted unauthorised private hire activity in the area.

Undercover officers approached Mr Manj’s vehicle on Tessa Road and requested a journey to Slough railway station. He agreed to take them immediately for £35. As part of the ‘Triple Lock rule’ the driver was only licensed for pre-booked journeys with a London based operator.

When later interviewed under caution, Mr Manj denied any wrongdoing. However, he pleaded guilty to the offence of plying for hire at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 7 February 2025.

He was fined £576, ordered to pay £800 in prosecution costs, and given a £230 victim surcharge. The total financial penalty reached £1,603.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “This is a positive result thanks to the joint efforts of Reading Licensing officers in partnership with our colleagues in Fareham and South Oxfordshire.

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“Partnership working like this is more important than ever to uphold the high standards expected of Private Hire drivers and to ensure the safety of our travelling public.

“Reading proudly welcomes over 100,000 visitors during the festival weekend, and their safety remains a top priority.

“I’d like to sincerely thank the officers from Fareham and South Oxfordshire for their assistance with this prosecution.”