A taxi driver has been taken to court after being caught illegally picking up passengers outside Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground following an Arctic Monkeys concert.
Bilal Khan, of Manchester Road, Bury, was stopped as part of a Trafford Council operation targeting private hire vehicles unlawfully accepting fares without prior bookings. Two undercover licensing enforcement officers approached his Skoda Octavia, which was registered with Manchester City Council, and requested a lift to Manchester city centre. Despite not being pre-booked, Khan agreed to take them for a £20 cash payment.
The journey was cut short when the officers identified themselves and instructed him to pull over. At the time, Khan was not displaying a driver’s badge and had no valid insurance to cover passengers picked up on the spot, putting the public at risk.
During questioning, Khan later claimed he had intended to take the officers to their destination free of charge. However, at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, he admitted the offences and was ordered to pay a total of £990, including a £600 fine, a £240 surcharge, and £150 in legal costs.
Councillor Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, reinforced the importance of following licensing laws. She stated: “These regulations are in place to protect public safety. Private hire drivers must only accept pre-booked fares. Picking up passengers on the roadside without a booking is illegal and means the journey is uninsured.
“Only licensed hackney carriages—black cabs—are allowed to pick up fares without a booking. Passengers should always pre-arrange their transport to ensure their safety.”
The council continues to take action against unlicensed taxi activity, warning that drivers who break the law will face prosecution and financial penalties.
Source: MEN
