Southend hackney carriage driver suspended for four days after allegations of overcharging passenger 50p
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
A Southend-on-Sea hackney carriage driver has been suspended for four days after councillors upheld an enforcement action linked to fare manipulation.
The decision was confirmed at a meeting of Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee C, which reviewed the conduct of a licensed hackney carriage driver following an incident back in April 2024.
The case centred on an allegation that the driver deliberately pressed an “extra charge” button on the taximeter during a journey on Saturday 13 April 2024, adding 50p to the fare, before attempting to charge the passenger the increased amount. The matter was referred to the sub-committee by the council’s Regulatory Services Manager.
Members considered a formal report from the council’s Executive Director for Environment and Place, alongside supporting evidence and video footage of the incident. The driver attended the hearing and provided evidence in response to the allegation.
Licensing sub-committee enforces four-day suspension following proven misconduct involving meter misuse during a passenger journey.
After reviewing all submissions, the sub-committee concluded that enforcement action was justified. Councillors resolved to suspend the driver’s licence for four days under Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, citing the need to maintain confidence in fare integrity and driver behaviour.
The driver held both a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence at the time of the hearing.
