AN UNLICENSED private hire operator has been ordered to pay more than £1,400 after he was found to be running an illegal airport transfer service in Reading.
In September 2024, Reading Council Licensing officers were made aware of a post on Facebook for “easy airport transfers from Reading,” posted by an account under the name of Samuel Szymczyk.
Posts offering chauffeur-driven rides to all major London airports he had been made on the site across multiple local Facebook groups
On further investigation, there was no record of Mr Szymczyk being licensed by the council to run a Private Hire business.
An officer booked a journey with Mr Szymczyk from The Penta Hotel, Reading, to Gatwick Airport on in January for a pre-agreed price of £75.
On the day of the booking, the driver that Mr Szymczyk had arranged to carry out the contracted journey arrived at the pick-up point, and though they did hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence, the vehicle was not licensed for private hire work and had no insurance for private hire work.
At a hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 8, Mr Szymczyk admitted offences of operating a private hire vehicle without an operator’s licence and causing the use of an uninsured motor vehicle.
For operating a private hire vehicle without a private hire operator’s licence, magistrates imposed a fine of £400. For causing a vehicle to be driven without insurance, he was fined £120 and was handed six penalty points on his driving licence.
He was also required to pay a victim surcharge of £208, as well as a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £690, bringing the total he was ordered to pay to £1,418.
Mr Szymczyk pleaded guilty and was convicted of ausing another to use a motor vehicle without insurance and operating a private hire vehicle without a private hire operator’s licence.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:
“This result secured by our Licensing service sends a clear message: the serious risks posed by unlicensed transport services and the deliberate deception used to promote them will not be tolerated in Reading.
“Unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the busy summer travel season, when more people are trying to get to the airport cheaply.
“However, if you inadvertently choose an unlicensed driver, there is no way of knowing their driving record, whether they are insured, and, if something were to go wrong, your holiday could be ruined before it’s even started.”
He explained: “Unlicensed drivers are also able to undercut legitimate businesses, which work hard and within the rules, which are there to give residents peace of mind that their driver has been vetted and they have all the correct insurance and documents.
“The promotion of an unlicensed and therefore uninsured service online, such as this, misleads the public and puts passengers at serious risk.
“We’re committed to ensuring that all private hire operators in Reading meet the legal standards designed to protect customers, and we will continue to take firm action against those who choose to disregard the rules.”
