Private hire firm based in York but licensed in Wolverhampton faces licence revocation
A private hire operator could have their licence revoked by York Council if members of the licensing committee find its owner to be ‘unfit to hold an operator’s licence’.
York Cars is operated by Mohammed Iqbal. A report issued on the council’s meeting calendar and due to be discussed on 17 November by the licensing and regulatory committee, asks members to consider revoking his licence, after allegations of unacceptable conduct.
The report alleges conduct issues by Mr Iqbal, which include:
Enabling drivers (licensed by another authority) that the council would not consider ‘fit and proper’ to work as private hire drivers in York
Blaming the council for its stance over Uber for the position, ‘when this is not the case’
Operating ‘690 Taxis’ and ‘Street Cars’ in York without an operator’s licence
False or misleading customer testimonials.
The report states: “All of the above may give rise to concerns with regards to Mr Iqbal’s honesty and integrity, going to the heart of the ‘protection of the public’ consideration which is the reason for licensing private hire operators.
“In turn, this may give members a reasonable cause to believe that Mr Iqbal is not ‘fit and proper’ to hold a private hire operator’s licence.”
Mr Iqbal has been licensed by the York council as a private hire operator since 20 October 2016.
His current licence was issued in April 2019 following a change of name from ‘York and Ebor Cars’ to ‘York Cars’. Council records show that there are 154 drivers and 134 vehicles licensed to work on behalf of York Cars, whose licence is due to expire in October 2021.
The report states that York Cars is licensed by Wolverhampton City Council and not York Council’s licensing authority.
Although this is not considered unlawful practice, the report says:
Mr Iqbal obtained an operator’s licence in Wolverhampton with no intention of undertaking journeys there. This was designed to circumvent York’s local licensing controls and recruit those drivers who were unable to pass our safeguarding and knowledge test. Mr Iqbal’s operation sent (even sponsored) new applicants for driver licences, who they knew did not to have the requisite knowledge to pass the York tests, to Wolverhampton to obtain a licence, on the grounds that they would drive in York regardless.
It also says he ran taxi services under two other trading names ‘690 Taxis’ and ‘Street Cars’ in York without an operator’s licence, and published ‘false or misleading customer testimonials’.
The council has also received complaints about Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles operating in York, many from other taxi drivers.
Complaints included:
reversing on a dual carriageway
parking in a disabled bay at York Racecourse
running a red light.
Councillors will consider the report at a meeting on 17 November at 5.30pm.
