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Posted on the 7th March 2025 in PHTM News
GLASGOW PIRATE PH DRIVER SUSPENDED AFTER £90 SIX-MILE FARE AND £20 PURSE RETURN CHARGE
A Glasgow private hire driver has been suspended for three months after illegally picking up passengers and charging them an "excessive" £90 for a six-mile journey, the city's licensing and regulatory committee heard.
Malik Faisal's actions, which included charging £20 to return a lost purse, were deemed "alarm bells ringing all over" by committee chair, Councillor Alex Wilson.
The incident occurred in November 2024 when Faisal, operating illegally, picked up passengers on Dumbarton Road and drove them to Newlands. During the trip, a passenger was sick, prompting Faisal to "slam on the brakes suddenly," resulting in another passenger hitting their head.
"An individual hurt their head when you stopped abruptly," Councillor Sean Ferguson told Faisal.
The fare, initially quoted at £30, was repeatedly increased, reaching a final charge of £90. "You quoted £30, you increased the fare and increased it again," Councillor Wilson stated, adding: "You were taking excessive amounts of money for a journey that was nowhere near that amount."
Further compounding the situation, Faisal later found a purse in his vehicle and returned it to the passenger’s mother, for which he demanded and received a £20 fee.
"It is not for you to charge £20 to take property back," Councillor Ferguson emphasised.
"You had the cheek to ask for money for returning an item," Councillor Wilson added, stating, "You should never have accepted a penny."
The committee also highlighted the illegal nature of Faisal's actions, rendering his insurance invalid. "You have pirated," Councillor Ferguson said.
Councillor Wilson pointed out that Faisal "had no right to demand an additional fee after a passenger was sick."
Faisal admitted he had made a mistake.
While Councillors Ferguson and Leòdhas Massie sought to revoke his licence entirely, Councillor Hanif Raja proposed a three-month suspension, which was ultimately approved by the majority of the committee.
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