Post by The Dark Knight on Sept 10, 2024 10:13:28 GMT
Transport for London’s consideration of the
Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards
INTRODUCTION
Transport for London (TfL) is a statutory body established by the Greater London Authority
Act 1999 and the licensing authority for London’s taxi and private hire industries. London has
over a third of all licensed taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) in England.
On 21 July 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport published Statutory Taxi and Private
Hire Vehicle Standards (‘the Standards’) under section 177(1) of the Policing and Crime Act
2017 which licensing authorities “must have regard to” when exercising their functions
(s.177(4)).
The primary aim of the Standards is to protect children and vulnerable adults following past
abuses and exploitation which were facilitated through the use of taxis and PHVs. The
Secretary of State expects the Standards to be implemented “unless there is a compelling
local reason not to” (para. 1.3).
We welcome the package of measures within the Standards which are aimed at enhancing
the safety of passengers using taxi and private hire services.
Subject to consultation, TfL’s structure, and the legislation applicable in London, we are
committed to meeting the Standards and are pleased to confirm that many of them are
already in place in London. New Standards will be implemented as soon as is practically
possible, taking into account the significant negative impact the coronavirus pandemic has
had on the taxi and private hire industries, including the financial difficulties that many
London licensees now face, and an emerging but concerning declining trend in the number of
licensed drivers and vehicles in both London and elsewhere which could have negative
passenger safety implications.
Since the publication of the Standards in July 2020, we have regularly discussed progress
with senior taxi and private hire trade representatives as well as other industry stakeholders
such as large PHV operators and taxi app companies to understand the impact of the
Standards on the industry, and to seek the most appropriate way of implementing them.
While we support the Government’s commitment to introduce higher and consistent safety
standards for the taxi and private hire industries, we continue to urge the Government to
introduce legislation that will address fundamental issues in the industry, including placing
controls on cross border hiring and enhanced enforcement powers to address common
enforcement issues in London. We would also urge the Government to amend legislation to
remove inconsistencies that exist between the taxi and PHV licensing regimes to allow us to
carry out our licensing functions with greater effect.
content.tfl.gov.uk/statutory-taxi-and-phv-standards-tfl-response-dec-2021.pdf
Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards
INTRODUCTION
Transport for London (TfL) is a statutory body established by the Greater London Authority
Act 1999 and the licensing authority for London’s taxi and private hire industries. London has
over a third of all licensed taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) in England.
On 21 July 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport published Statutory Taxi and Private
Hire Vehicle Standards (‘the Standards’) under section 177(1) of the Policing and Crime Act
2017 which licensing authorities “must have regard to” when exercising their functions
(s.177(4)).
The primary aim of the Standards is to protect children and vulnerable adults following past
abuses and exploitation which were facilitated through the use of taxis and PHVs. The
Secretary of State expects the Standards to be implemented “unless there is a compelling
local reason not to” (para. 1.3).
We welcome the package of measures within the Standards which are aimed at enhancing
the safety of passengers using taxi and private hire services.
Subject to consultation, TfL’s structure, and the legislation applicable in London, we are
committed to meeting the Standards and are pleased to confirm that many of them are
already in place in London. New Standards will be implemented as soon as is practically
possible, taking into account the significant negative impact the coronavirus pandemic has
had on the taxi and private hire industries, including the financial difficulties that many
London licensees now face, and an emerging but concerning declining trend in the number of
licensed drivers and vehicles in both London and elsewhere which could have negative
passenger safety implications.
Since the publication of the Standards in July 2020, we have regularly discussed progress
with senior taxi and private hire trade representatives as well as other industry stakeholders
such as large PHV operators and taxi app companies to understand the impact of the
Standards on the industry, and to seek the most appropriate way of implementing them.
While we support the Government’s commitment to introduce higher and consistent safety
standards for the taxi and private hire industries, we continue to urge the Government to
introduce legislation that will address fundamental issues in the industry, including placing
controls on cross border hiring and enhanced enforcement powers to address common
enforcement issues in London. We would also urge the Government to amend legislation to
remove inconsistencies that exist between the taxi and PHV licensing regimes to allow us to
carry out our licensing functions with greater effect.
content.tfl.gov.uk/statutory-taxi-and-phv-standards-tfl-response-dec-2021.pdf