Assembly demands urgent action on private hire licence backlog

The London Assembly Transport Committee has written to Transport for London (TfL) to request weekly updates on efforts to tackle a backlog of private hire vehicle licence applications.

The Committee heard from drivers’ unions and representatives about the significant financial impact the delays have had, and criticism of TfL’s approach to responding to drivers’ concerns and complaints.

TfL figures suggest there are still 480 drivers awaiting re-licensing and a further 1,400 cases TfL believe are pending additional information from the driver.

The Committee is concerned that the scale of the issue could be even more significant – having received evidence that TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire licencing inbox became so full in May it could no longer receive new emails.

In its letter to TfL Commissioner, Andy Lord, the Committee requests weekly updates on:

• The number of licence renewal applications that need to be processed, where TfL has all the information needed from the driver, and the number of these who currently have temporary licences.
• The number of licence renewal applications where TfL is waiting for additional information from the drivers.
• The number of unprocessed emails in TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire licencing inbox.
• The number of new licence applications outstanding.

Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Elly Baker AM, said:

“Delays to issuing private hire licences have caused a breakdown of trust in TfL, and efforts need to be made to rebuild that trust – particularly with private hire drivers and their Trade Unions.

“These delays are having a serious impact on driver wellbeing – preventing them from being able to work, earn money, and support their loved ones.

“The Transport Committee wants reassurance that TfL is on track to clear the backlog of applications by the end of July.

“That’s why we have written to TfL today to ask for weekly updates – so we can be sure they are getting a grip on this serious issue.”