A TAXI boss has been accused of running dangerous, uninsured cabs.
Kirklees Council’s Regulatory Panel will now meet to decide whether Gurpal Singh is fit to hold a taxi licence in the area.
But the Marsh man, who owns Streamline Taxis and Ex Service Taxis next to Huddersfield railway station, is confident of a positive outcome despite the allegations made against him.
Confidential documents seen by the Examiner allege Mr Singh has been using unsafe cabs without valid insurance.
Last year 12 of his cars were inspected by council officers at Vine Street.
Nine vehicles failed the test, with four of those said to have “significant faults” in their braking or suspension systems.
Only one car – a 2005 Kia Sedonna – passed with no faults at all.
A council document from October 8, 2007, claims: “It is clear from the above findings that the importance placed on operating and maintaining a safe and legal taxi fleet does not feature high in the priorities of the people running this company.”
Kirklees Council officials also claims that Streamline and Ex Service have been operating without valid insurance.
A report drawn up by council officers in June claimed that HSBC Insurance had cancelled Mr Singh’s fleet coverage “due to counterfeit no-claims bonus certificates”.
Streamline then took out insurance with Royal and Sun Alliance. The report alleges that the company cancelled the coverage on May 15 after finding counterfeit no-claims bonus certificates.
But Mr Singh claimed he had been defrauded of his insurance.
He said: “There was a broker who took money off us but didn’t give it to the insurance company. It wasn’t our fault.”
The businessman added: “We have six vehicles on the road at the moment and they are all insured and perfectly safe.
“All the vehicles with a problem have been rectified or replaced.
“If anyone wants to come and check them, they can check them.”
And Mr Singh believes he will keep his licence at Tuesday’s hearing.
He said: “I’m definitely confident. If the council take my licence, I will take them to court.”
