A Leeds taxi driver has been out of work for almost one year after Leeds City Council revoked his taxi license.
Abid, who is a Leeds Taxi and Private Hire Organisation (LPHDO) driver, says he had his licence revoked by Leeds Council in July 2021 after a small dispute with a customer over the placing of his metre reader.
The suspension came under the Suitability and Convictions policy which came into place in February 2020. It is alleged the new policy can see taxi drivers suspended for minor issues like a small argument which could result in them losing their licence.
Read more: What happened as Leeds taxi drivers hold urgent protest outside council offices
The change in the policy has worried LPHDO 'forcing' them to hold a peaceful protest and a series of strikes to fight against the policy. Hundreds of drivers gathered on Wednesday, March 23, to stand against the changes made by Leeds City Council and beg for them to meet them in the middle with demands.
Abid, who was at the protest, claims he had picked up a customer who challenged him on the positioning of his meter reader - the customer then continued to question why the metre was still running when Abid had stopped the taxi at a red light.
Abid alleged the customer must have reported him to Leeds Council who phoned him asking him to come down and show proof of his taxi meter. He said: "I was taken into an interview room without being allowed to consult solicitors."
"They said if you don't listen we will suspend you. I said OK you keep my badge but you don't need to suspend the vehicle because it belongs to somebody else. They wouldn't listen, they were very rude. They said they would send me a letter and within 21 days I can appeal."
Abid has finally been given a date for his appeal - the date is in June meaning he will have been without a licence for one year. He claims to be worried about money as he has been left without work for months due to the wait for the letter.
He added: "It has affected me very badly, very stressful. If you ring city council they never answer or if email then no reply. They wont listen. In the last two years this will be the third time it's happened."
A Leeds City Council spokesperson, said: "We are aware of the referenced case, which is still subject to legal proceedings, and so it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage."
