TfL board asked to approve licensing changesNew regulations to modernise and improve the private hire industry will be considered by the Transport for London (TfL) Board next week.
The measures, which follow an extensive consultation process and attracted over 20,000 responses, is aimed at making travelling by private hire safer and more convenient for customers.
The changes the TfL board is being asked to agree include increased insurance requirements making sure a policy is in place for the duration of the vehicle license, an English language requirement, advanced fare estimates and the requirement for operators to keep improved records for enforcement purposes. Private hire operators will also be required to ensure that customers can speak to someone in the event of a problem with their journey
These changes, which represent the first significant amendments to the private hire regulations since they were introduced in 1998, follow an unprecedented increase in private hire driver and vehicle numbers. The number of private hire drivers has increased from 59,000 in April 2010 to around 100,000 today, contributing to issues such as congestion, pollution and illegal parking.
garrett-emmerson-tfl-250pxThe Mayor believes more action must be taken to address the impacts of these increasing numbers, particularly on congestion and air quality. The Government has been reluctant to introduce legislation to allow TfL to restrict the number of drivers and vehicles on the roads in London. In response, the Mayor has instructed TfL to investigate the potential effects of removing the Congestion Charge exemption currently given to private hire drivers fulfilling a booking, in order to see whether this may make a difference in those areas of concern.
TfL estimates that the number of private hire vehicles operating within the central London Congestion Charge zone has increased by over 50 per cent in the last two years. This means that 1 in 10 vehicles entering the zone is now a private hire vehicle.
Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport (pictured), said: “During our consultation process, Londoners have made clear the improvements they want to see in the private hire industry. The package of changes being taken to the Board includes more robust insurance requirements when vehicles are licensed, a formal English language requirement for drivers, fares quotes for customers before their journeys, an easier process for customers to complain if they need to and more information given to customers about the car they are about to get into. This will help ensure a modern, flourishing and even safer private hire industry, and will provide choice for customers alongside London’s iconic and world-class taxi service.”
source:
http://www.thechauffeur.com/tfl-board-a ... g-changes/
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