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An unlicensed private hire operator has been ordered to pay more than £1,400 after being caught running an illegal airport transfer service in Reading.
In September 2024, Reading Council licensing officers were alerted to a Facebook post advertising “easy airport transfers from Reading.” The advert, posted by an account under the name Samuel Szymczyk, promoted chauffeur-driven journeys to major London airports and appeared across several local Facebook groups.
Concerns were quickly expressed when checks revealed no record of Mr Szymczyk being licensed by the council to operate a private hire business.
To investigate further, a council officer posed as a member of the public and booked an airport transfer from The Penta Hotel in Reading to Gatwick Airport for £75, scheduled for 14 January 2025.
On the day of the journey, the driver arranged by Mr Szymczyk arrived at the pick-up location but held no Private Hire Driver’s Licence. The vehicle used was not licensed for private hire work and was uninsured for private hire purposes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court on 8 August 2025, Mr Szymczyk admitted the offences, including operating without an operator’s licence and causing the use of an uninsured motor vehicle.
Magistrates imposed a £400 fine for operating a private hire vehicle without a valid operator’s licence. For allowing a vehicle to be driven without insurance, he was fined £120 and received six penalty points on his driving licence.
In addition, he was ordered to pay a £208 victim surcharge and £690 towards prosecution costs, bringing the total amount payable to £1,418.
Mr Szymczyk pleaded guilty and was convicted of:
- Causing another person to use a motor vehicle without insurance, contrary to Section 143(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988
- Operating a private hire vehicle without a private hire operator’s licence, contrary to Section 46(1)(e) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
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.
“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.”
