Taxi Driver Online

London transport chiefs in call for minicab cross border hiring reform with legislation "no longer fit for purpose"

TfL Cross Border Hiring Proposals 2018

London's transport bosses have called for new legislation to address safety concerns spanning the taxi and private hire industries after the rise in technological advances has led to a surge in cross border hiring. A new report out today from Transport for London (TfL) says the transport body thinks it is common practice for drivers to apply for a licence in the capital, with no intention of working there. Over 700 London-licensed drivers live in Birmingham and 200 in Manchester.

Helen Chapman, TfL's interim director of licensing, regulation and charging, said the legislation governing taxi and private hire services is "no longer fit for purpose".

She said: "The reforms we are proposing such as national minimum standards, national enforcement capabilities and the need for journeys to start or finish where the driver is licensed, are urgently needed to ensure passenger safety nationwide."

Currently, drivers of taxis or private hire vehicles can work anywhere in England once they have secured a licence with a licensing authority. Drivers can apply to get their licences in an area where they perceive standards are lower, though they may not intend to work there. City Hall has said this has led to a number of issues across the country such as one authority licensing 1,000 drivers from their area, but more than 6,000 from other areas.

TfL's report says there is a pressing need to drive up national standards across the taxi and private hire industries, after transport secretary Chris Grayling asked the mayor to provide more detail on proposals to address cross border hiring.

London mayor Sadiq Khan's recommendations in TfL's report:

1. To require all taxi and private hire journeys either to start or finish in the area in which the driver, vehicle and operator are licensed
2. Set high national minimum standards to provide a consistent approach to customer safety and accessibility
3. Create national powers to ensure authorities can enforce national minimum standards in their areas, regardless of where the operator, driver and vehicle is licensed
4. Consider the impact of these issues in Scotland and Wales, and work with respective devolved governments to ensure any future requirements in England are not undermined

TfL has been looking to lift standards, with the high-profile example of Uber's licence not being renewed last September, after the transport body said it wasn't "fit and proper". Uber meanwhile, said last month it was changing the app so drivers will only be able to use it within the region where they are licensed as a private hire driver.

Last month, TfL said current rules are failing to keep up with tech developments, and it was planning to make changes to get tougher on the likes of Uber and other ride-hailing firms. Rules being considered include clearer reporting methods for complaints and emergencies, and potentially women-only rides.

Today, London's deputy mayor for transport, Val Shawcross said cross-border hiring was "a serious national safety issue". She said: "It cannot be right that drivers can obtain a licence in an area where they believe standards are lower, and then go to work elsewhere in the country where they feel they can ignore enforcement officers. It’s potentially dangerous and must be stopped."

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IDFIMH

We tried to tell them it was an unnecessary,unsafe piece of legislation without any teeth for enforcement but did they listen to the majority "No" ,only to the few private hire operators who thought it was the best thing since sliced bread or maybe the brown envelope did its round.

I also think far too much time was spent on stopping the likes of Mrs Sussex from driving my motor privately.

Eye was taken off the ball IMO.

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IDFIMH

I also think wise people will refer to this part of TfL's document.

Cross Border Hiring

This is the single largest risk to Policing nationally.

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IDFIMH

It was only one court case in essence that stopped Mrs.Sussex from driving your car which was the correct decision.

Outside of London yes, but my point was of the three dereg act proposals the vast majority of the trades time, effort and resourses was spent stopping family members driving licensed vehicles privately.

Now there are good reasons why, even if I don't necessarily agree with them, but I would have sooner had that one saved than the cross border free for all.

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IDFIMH