Walsall taxi drivers' licences removed in checks
More than a dozen taxi drivers had their licences revoked or suspended in Walsall in a year following motoring offences or convictions. More than 40 drivers were brought before licensing bosses in the 12 months from January 2012.
There were 11 licences removed ranging from offences of drink driving convictions, plying for hire, having no insurance and points under the totting-up procedure. There were seven licences suspended which included the accumulation of points, failing to set the meter and illegally plying for business.
Scores of others were issued with cautions by councillors on Walsall Council's licensing committee.
Taxi bosses have insisted most drivers are operating correctly and within the law.
Zulf Ali, chairman of the private hire association in Walsall, said some cases were "petty" but council officers have the right to bring people before the committee.
"Each case should be judged on its own merits," he said. "The majority are law-abiding and we have to adhere to strict conditions."
Last year a taxi driver who refused to carry a blind woman because of her guide dog, was hit with a court bill of more than £1,500.
Matloob Hussain had travelled to pick up Kelly Ann Roberts from her home in Walsall Wood as she was due to attend the Manor Hospital with her mother. But the driver refused to accept black Labrador cross Roxy in the cab.
In other enforcement checks a joint operation was carried out by the council, police and VOSA last summer with six limousines used by children on prom night having mechanical defects.
One limousine operator had her licence revoked after inspectors pulled over a vehicle taking pupils from Wednesbury to the Banks's Stadium.
Sarah Farrell has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence to carry passengers for 12 months by the West Midlands Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones who found she had been "reckless" in failing to check the legal status of her stretch Dodge limousine.
