New regulations for taxi and private hire vehicles
A combination of new technology and new business models, offering greater choice and convenience to customers, has meant a recent, steep rise in the numbers of private hire vehicles in London. This in turn has contributed to wider challenges such as safety concerns, growing traffic congestion and worsening air quality.
In light of these developments, and in conjunction with Transport for London, we consulted Talk London members</a> and others late last year on whether regulations for the private hire and taxi trades should also be updated. There was strong support for several measures aimed at improving passenger safety and standards in the private hire trade, and also cutting pollution.
Amongst those now being rolled out are:
- More robust insurance requirements
- An English language test requirement for all private hire drivers
- The provision of driver and vehicle details (including a photo of the driver) to customers before the start of each journey
In addition to this, there are also new measures affecting London’s black cab trade; from new ‘zero emission’ ranks and an end to new licenses for diesel taxis from 2018, through to support in harnessing the latest booking technology and the opening up of extra bus lanes for their use.
More on new regulations for taxi and private hire: https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/new-era-for-londons-ta…
What do you think of these measures overall? Tell us below
The discussion ran from 22 September 2016 - 22 December 2016
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Log into your accountAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoI am not sure I agree with £65m funding will help drivers to buy cleaner vehicles. Do Uber drivers get funding to by their Toyota Prius vehicles?
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoI believe they get some discounts . I got to know this from one driver. I'm unsure of the amount, though.
Show full commentI believe they get some discounts . I got to know this from one driver. I'm unsure of the amount, though.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoI think there may be a difference here - I think the discount is provided by either Toyota or Uber, whereas the £65m grant comes from London, and therefore rate or tax payers.
Bibamlbt
Community Member 8 years agoI booked an Uber a few days ago, he could not speak English he could not understand English, did not know where he was going, I had to direct him away from the traffic.
Show full commentI am in faro of the Mayors proposals, these drivers must be regulated...
I booked an Uber a few days ago, he could not speak English he could not understand English, did not know where he was going, I had to direct him away from the traffic.
Show less of commentI am in faro of the Mayors proposals, these drivers must be regulated..Even though I am in favour of Uber, they too have to regulate themselves
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoUber is regulated as a Private Hire Vehicle. I believe the Government provide guidance, and it is up to local authorities to regulate (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi…...
Show full commentUber is regulated as a Private Hire Vehicle. I believe the Government provide guidance, and it is up to local authorities to regulate (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi…)
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoif you don't like the cheap and cheerful service don't book - no one forced you to use Uber
talk_london_us…
Community Member 8 years agoIts a good start however the H&R insurance has always been a legal requirement it has just not been enforced. The English language test is really important however basic, there will always be circumstances when you need to engage in...
Show full commentIts a good start however the H&R insurance has always been a legal requirement it has just not been enforced. The English language test is really important however basic, there will always be circumstances when you need to engage in conversation with the driver for various reasons. Driver and vehicle details is extremely important, it should stop vehicle swapping between drivers thereby stopping unlicensed drivers. What happened to the advanced driving test for PHV I hope that has not been shelved all drivers should have an exceptional level of driving if they are ferrying the public around.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoI find it hard to see whether these measures are neutral between black cabs, Uber and other private hire firms. They should be. It is not for the State to decide which technology should win in the market. But it is right to ensure for...
Show full commentI find it hard to see whether these measures are neutral between black cabs, Uber and other private hire firms. They should be. It is not for the State to decide which technology should win in the market. But it is right to ensure for example that all cars face equivalent standards of testing for safety.
Show less of commentclayton.nash
Community Member 8 years agoCouldn't agree more - though having a safe car is already a legal requirement. Myself and my wife have had a universally good experience of Uber and if anything they all drive too conservatively. This false requirement for 'balance' is...
Show full commentCouldn't agree more - though having a safe car is already a legal requirement. Myself and my wife have had a universally good experience of Uber and if anything they all drive too conservatively. This false requirement for 'balance' is simply a desire to prop up the black cab industry at our expense.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 8 years agoThere needs to be more enforcement of traffic regulations by the Police, TfL funds, considerably, the Roads and Transport Policing Command and they need to be available 24/7 to act against irresponsible driving by Taxis (as well as non taxi...
Show full commentThere needs to be more enforcement of traffic regulations by the Police, TfL funds, considerably, the Roads and Transport Policing Command and they need to be available 24/7 to act against irresponsible driving by Taxis (as well as non taxi traffic)
Show less of commentI regularly see Taxis (both PH and Black Cab) driving in what I would consider to be an aggressive manner, cutting people up, injudicious pulling out in front of other vehicles forcing them to take evasive action, speeding (try the A40 at 3am), jumping Red Lights, parking where they want to pick up and/or put down leading to roads being blocked etc
Without these you will fail to introduce that "first class" service.
Wille9
Community Member 8 years agoTotally agree, there is no point in having any rules unless they are enforced
talk_london_us…
Community Member 8 years agoI think that these measures are reasonable and restore some much needed balance between the regulation of private hire vehicles and black cabs. The next area for focus should be pedicabs, whose noisy, unsafe practices need to be brought...
Show full commentI think that these measures are reasonable and restore some much needed balance between the regulation of private hire vehicles and black cabs. The next area for focus should be pedicabs, whose noisy, unsafe practices need to be brought under control.
Show less of commentJohn Gilburt
Community Member 8 years agoI agree, any person takes on the role of transporting another in London should be properly licenced, insured, trained and vehicle inspected.
davidhicks
Community Member 8 years agoPedicabs should be licneced and forced to have 3rd party / passenbger insurance.
John Gilburt
Community Member 8 years agoThese are all reasonable requirements for the PH cars. I also back the new taxi requirments but as most cabbies take their cab hoime they will also need assistance to charge their cabs at home.
Show full commentThese are all reasonable requirements for the PH cars. I also back the new taxi requirments but as most cabbies take their cab hoime they will also need assistance to charge their cabs at home.
Show less of comment