Private Hire Licence backlog increasing again
Transport for London (TfL) is failing private hire vehicle drivers, with efforts to tackle a backlog of expired licence applications in the capital stalling out.
In June, the London Assembly Transport Committee wrote to TfL to demand regular updates on efforts to address the backlog – after assurances the issue would be resolved by September.1
Despite good initial progress and assurances that numbers were reaching a “steady state”, the number of drivers with expired licences has started to gradually climb in recent weeks.2
Members of the Committee have also heard concerns from some drivers with expired licences that their applications have been cancelled without explanation.
Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Elly Baker AM, said:
“The Transport Committee asked for regular updates from TfL because it needed to be sure they were getting a grip on this issue. More than two months on, it is clear that hasn’t happened.
“Despite repeated requests for clarity on why the numbers of expired licences are ticking up again, the Committee has not yet had a good answer.
“TfL’s use of temporary licences is a sticking plaster, not a cure. Drivers’ livelihoods and wellbeing are suffering because TfL cannot get its act together – we think they deserve better.”