MANCHESTER

Two black-cab drivers have been hit with fines after refusing to pick up two people in Manchester city centre because their destination was too close.

The drivers, who refused the same fare outside the Radisson Hotel, have been prosecuted for breaching cabbie byelaws.

The rules state drivers must pick people up in the city - and four miles into neighbouring boroughs - unless they have a ‘reasonable’ excuse to refuse.

After being hit with fines of £100 and £1,060 by magistrates, Mohammed Shafie Akbari and Mohammed Meharban now face additional hearings in front of the town hall’s licensing appeals sub committee.

The pair could be issued with warnings, suspended - or even have their licences revoked.

In April last year, two women attempted to hail a cab from the rank on Peter Street outside the Radisson Hotel to Watson Street, where a number of drivers were waiting.

Akbari advised the woman to walk as their destination was close by. Despite them having several items of luggage, he refused to take the fare.

Meharban, who was in second in the queue, also refused to take the women. A third cabbie on the rank agreed to take the fare.

The women made a complaint to the town hall’s licensing unit, who launched an investigation.

Akbari, 43, of Upper West Grove, Longsight , pleaded guilty to refusing to convey a passenger without reasonable excuse, and was fined £100.

Meharban, 48, of Whiston Road, Crumpsall , pleaded not guilty. But the case against him was later proved in court.

He was fined £400, with costs of £620 and a £40 victim surcharge - a total bill of £1,060.

Manchester council’s executive member for neighbourhoods, Nigel Murphy, said: “People using Manchester’s taxis deserve and, rightly so, expect an accommodating and pleasant service from its drivers.

“Taxi passengers may not realise that drivers are committing an offence if they refuse to pick them up, but as this case proves this is a serious breach of the rules.

“I’d urge anyone who thinks they have been wrongly refused service to make a note of the driver’s details and contact our licensing department.”

Town hall chiefs are urging passengers to take note of cab drivers’ licence number if their fare is refused.

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