The London Assembly Transport Committee has greeted today’s announcement of a new taxi and private hire strategy by Transport for London (TfL) with optimism.
The strategy reaffirms the Mayor and TfL’s commitment to a two tier system for the industry and addresses many of the concerns raised in the cross-party Transport Committee Report ‘Future Proof’– published in December last year.
To support the strategy, TfL has also launched a consultation on private hire regulations, which include a number of controversial proposals:
- Restrictions on virtual ply for hire through apps
- An interval of 5 minutes between booking and pick-up
- A restriction on drivers working for more than one private hire operator
- A specific fare quote prior to bookings being accepted
Valerie Shawcross CBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee said;
“It’s good to see TfL finally showing some teeth on this issue. The private hire industry needs to ensure passengers are protected with fairer fares. The most important factor should be the protection of the passenger and public safety standards must be maintained.
I’m also glad to see that TfL has listened to the concerns we raised in the cross-party ‘Future Proof’ report about a comprehensive strategy for the whole taxi and private hire industry. This can only be good news for the people who earn their living by driving Londoners safely around our city. TfL has stepped up and we’re very glad to see it.”
Notes to editors
Notes for Editors:
- Valerie Shawcross CBE AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- Read ‘Future Proof’.
- London Assembly Transport Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.