'Greedy' taxi driver suspended for quouting double fares without meter

A Glasgow taxi driver has been accused of “greed” after quoting people double the price for fares without the meter.

Complaints were made to the council’s taxi and private hire enforcement unit about Arsalan Khan trying to charge too much in the city.

One passenger said they were asked to pay £25 for a journey which is normally £13 maximum, which was described as a “rip-off.”

Khan faced another complaint over his “outrageous behaviour” as he quoted a price of £25 with the meter turned off. The customer disagreed with the charge.

Another was told by Khan that a £12 trip would be £35 and could only be paid in cash.

Appearing before this week’s licensing and regulatory committee, Khan said his card machine had not been working.

He said he was new to being a taxi driver and pointed out it was really “busy” at the time of the incidents.

Khan told the committee he got his taxi “recently” and was a “new driver” and was unsure of regulations.

The meeting heard that Khan received three complaints previously, which brings the total amount to six. He previously worked as a private hire driver, it is understood.

Committee chair Alex Wilson said: “You are here again. You don’t learn your lesson.

“You doubled the price on every single job complained about here.

“That is just greed. You can’t con your passengers out of money.”

Councillor Wilson added: “These people want to go home and get home at the right price.”

Councillor Kevin Lalley said this type of behaviour gives taxi drivers a “bad name.”

The committee suspended Khan’s licence.

Taxis in the city are required to charge metered fares.