Glasgow taxi driver suspended after overchanging passengers refused new licence

A Glasgow taxi driver who was suspended after overcharging passengers has been refused a new licence.

Arsalan Khan has lost his bid to renew his taxi driver’s licence for another three years due to his conduct.

He told the city’s licensing committee that he had been suspended after giving the “wrong price”. But insisted he had learned his lesson and requested another opportunity.

At a licensing committee last year, councillors were told complaints had been made to the taxi and private hire enforcement unit about Mr Khan trying to charge too much.

One passenger had said they were asked to pay £25 for a journey which normally cost around £13. Another complainer said he had been quoted £25 with the meter turned off.

On Wednesday, Cllr Alex Wilson, SNP, who chairs the committee, said: “We have suspended your licence because of what happened.

“You gave a passenger the wrong price, or you didn’t put it through your meter. Why should we give you a new licence based on the fact that you tried to defraud a member of the public?

Mr Khan said: “It was my mistake and I take full responsibility. I’m asking the committee to give me an opportunity to show I have genuinely learned my lesson.

“I will always comply with the licence conditions.”

Cllr Wilson, backed by Cllr Sean Ferguson, SNP, moved to refuse the application while Cllr Leòdhas Massie, Your Party, seconded by Cllr Eunis Jassemi, Labour, put forward an amendment to grant for one year, with a severe warning.

With three votes for each proposal, the casting vote went to the committee chairman, Cllr Wilson, and the application was rejected.