Updated: Taxi driver appeals against revocation of his licence

(Adds court decision allowing the driver to work)

A taxi driver has filed a writ in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the Public Transport Authority claiming that he was denied a fair hearing before his drivers' tag (licence) was withdrawn following the recent strike.

Paul Borg told the court that he was a driver of a white taxi and that he had participated in the recent strike called by the Transport Federation.

Together with other taxi drivers, he was arraigned in court and charged with the commission of a number of crimes. In the first hearing before the Magistrates' Court Mr Borg said he had admitted the charges brought against him. He had then filed an appeal before the Court of Criminal Appeal as he felt the sentence against him was too harsh.

Mr Borg told the court that the Authority had ordered him to return his taxi driver tag, even though the Authority had not acted in the same manner with the other taxi drivers who had been charged in court. He added that the Authority had not observed the principles of natural justice in his case.

The court was requested to declare that the Authority had acted in an irregular manner and to revoke its decision in his regard.

The court temporarily upheld the plea and ordered the Authority (ADT) to allow the driver to drive his taxi until the appeal is decided.