Man Utd fan charged £35 for 5-mile trip by unlicensed cab driver

A private hire taxi driver who picked up a Manchester United fan and his seven-year-old son without a booking after a match and charged £35 for a five-mile journey has lost his licence.

Rehan Mirza, 42, picked up the pair at a taxi rank on Sir Matt Busby Way and took them to Piccadilly railway station after United’s win against Leicester City in November.

He was fined £250 at Manchester Magistrates Court and ordered to pay £300 costs after the man complained to Trafford Council’s licensing enforcement team.

Mirza of Crumpsall, Manchester, admitted illegally plying for fares at the rank without insurance, as private hire drivers can pick up only pre-booked passengers.

The fan and his son were taken to Manchester Piccadilly Station as requested but Mr Mirza’s insistence that the journey cost £35 made the man suspicious.

He paid but then contacted the council.

Mirza’s private hire licence was revoked in his absence at a meeting of Trafford Council’s Licensing Sub Committee.

A Trafford Council spokeswoman said: “Once again our licensing enforcement team has demonstrated a continued dedication to hold drivers, who put the public at risk, accountable for their actions.

“Only Trafford licensed Hackney vehicles can pick customers up without a pre-booked fare outside Old Trafford.”

A Manchester United spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear about the experience of the father and son.

“Our advice to fans would be to only use licensed cabs or ride shares when travelling to or from Old Trafford. The stadium is also well-served by Metrolink tram services.”