Taxi driver complaints

Summary

A Freedom of Information request was made to the Road Transport Licensing Committee for details on taxi driver complaints over the last three years, including categories and outcomes. The authority disclosed a full list of 29 complaints from 2021 to 2024, detailing specific allegations such as overcharging and criminal offenses, along with their respective resolutions.

Key Facts

• The Road Transport Licensing Committee received 2 complaints in 2021, 4 in 2022, 12 in 2023, and 11 in 2024 to date.
• Common complaint categories include alleged overcharging, offensive language/actions, and non-compliance with the Road Transport Act 2001.
• Several complaints in 2023 resulted in criminal convictions and the voluntary surrender of driver licenses.
• Many complaints were closed due to insufficient corroborative evidence or the inability to identify the driver.
• As of July 2024, 11 complaints remain currently under investigation.

Data Disclosed

• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2 complaints
• 4 complaints
• 12 complaints
• 11 complaints
• 2024-07-12
• 2024-07-24
• Road Transport Act 2001
• 3975873

Original Request

For each of the last three years, how many complaints have been made about ply for hire and private car hire drivers, in what categories and what were the outcomes of those complaints?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Year Category of Complaint Outcome of Complaint 2021 Allegations of booked private hire vehicles not turning up and honouring bookings. Insufficient supportive evidence provided following repeated requests - no further action 2021 Allegation that PPV driver was not complying with Road Transport Act 2001 and its supporting regulations. Insufficient corroborative evidence to proceed - no further action 2022 Alleged overcharging for journey Unable to identify driver so no further action, but money was returned to bank account (original transaction was by card). 2022 Alleged overcharging for journey RTLC Inspector concluded that there was no overcharging. 2022 Allegations of offensive language / actions used by PPV driver Insufficient corroborative evidence to proceed 2022 Allegations of offensive language / actions used by PPV driver Insufficient corroborative evidence to proceed 2023 Alleged criminal offence Police investigated and driver received a criminal conviction. Subsequently voluntarily surrendered PPV driver licence. 2023 Allegation that PPV driver was not complying with Road Transport Act 2001 and it supporting regulations. PPV operator / driver received warning about complying with RTLC legislation in future 2023 Alleged criminal offence Police investigated and driver received a criminal conviction. Subsequently voluntarily surrendered PPV driver licence. 2023 Alleged criminal offences Police matter due to alleged illegal activity - no further action taken by RTLC 2023 Allegation that PPV driver was not complying with Road Transport Act 2001 and it supporting regulations. Insufficient corroborative evidence to proceed - no further action 2023 Alleged road transport offence Police matter due to alleged illegal activity - no further action taken by RTLC 2023 Alleged road transport offence Police matter due to alleged illegal activity - no further action taken by RTLC 2023 Alleged overcharging for journey Unable to identify driver - no further action 2023 Allegation that PPV driver was not complying with Road Transport Act 2001 and it supporting regulations. Insufficient corroborative evidence to proceed - no further action 2023 Alleged overcharging for journey Unable to identify driver - no further action 2023 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation 2023 Alleged criminal offences and road transport offences Police matter due to alleged illegal activity - no further action taken by RTLC 2024 Allegations of offensive language / actions used by PPV driver Currently under investigation 2024 Allegations of offensive language / actions used by PPV driver Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged poor and unhelpful conduct Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey and use of offensive language Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation 2024 Allegations of offensive language / actions used by PPV driver Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation 2024 Alleged overcharging for journey Currently under investigation Total complaints for 2021 - 2 Total complaints for 2022 - 4 Total complaints for 2023 - 12 Total complaints for 2024 to date - 11

Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John's, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel: (01624) 651564 Email: rtlc@gov.im Website: www.gov.im/rtlc

Our ref: 3975873 24 July 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 12 July 2024, which states:

"For each of the last three years, how many complaints have been made about ply for hire and private car hire drivers, in what categories and what were the outcomes of those complaints?"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have enclosed a copy of the information that is being released to you.

Please quote the reference number 3975873 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.