School taxi firm in licence probe
A businessman whose firm is paid £ 1million of taxpayers’ money to transport school chi ld ren is being investigated over claims he doesn’t have a licence to operate his taxi base.
Police are probing claims that Scott McMillan – who owns Livingston-based Premier Taxis – is running his firm from an unregulated booking office.
The 43-year-old is contracted by West Lothian Council to transport 600 pupils a day to their classes.
A l icence is needed for premises that take bookings for four or more taxis or private hire cars.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland has received a complaint regarding a licensing issue at a taxi firm in Livingston and is look ing into the circumstances.”
West Lothian Council said: “Enforcement of the booking off ice legislation is a criminal matter for police to investigate.”
Last month, we told how McMillan was stripped of his taxi licence after racking up a string of traffic offences between May 2016 and April 2019.
Council officials revoked his licence until 2022.
McMi l lan – a director of Premier Transport Ltd – appealed but failed to have the decision overturned. Officers found him driving without insurance, using a mobile on the move, speeding, not having a tax disc and keeping a vehicle which did not meet insurance requirements.
McMillan said: “I’ve been speaking to Police Scotland the last few days about this and me et i n g wit h t he taxi examination centre early next week. As far as we are concerned all licences that are required are correct and in date.”