Taxi Driver Online

Still just 65 responses on the TransComm webpage, but TaxiPoint has a summary of Addison Lee's submission, and that's not on the TransComm list

Interesting idea from Addy Lee regarding a 20% quota for trips totally out-of-area, though, so a bit different to ABBA, and it's quite well reasoned in the piece. Measuring and enforcing that might be difficult, though

But I suppose it's really like an intended use policy but with a quantifiable number attached. I mean, intended use policies don't totally preclude out-of-area jobs, but in terms of enforcement and measurement it's obviously a very vague concept and open to interpretation.

So a %age limit at least provides something concrete in terms of definition. On the other hand, there may be good local reasons pertaining to local authority borders and the like which may mean a strict numerical limit might not be appropriate.

On the other hand, it also brings to mind the SUD thing for limiting HCs in Scotland, versus the over-provision test for PH caps. The former at least has some kind of quantifiable basis, while the latter seems to be largely depend on the degree of waffle

...link to the piece, in case anyone hasn't seen it:


Addison Lee calls for unique 20% booking quota to curb cross-border loopholes in taxi and private hire licensing

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/addis ... private-hi

Addison Lee has called for the introduction of booking limits on private hire operators as part of new proposals to address mounting concerns around cross-border hiring.

This was the email that was sent to someone who questioned why his submission wasn't up.

Thank you for your email regarding the Committee’s inquiry.

The Committee has received a large volume of written evidence for this inquiry. All written evidence must be processed, reviewed to ensure that it fits the House of Commons submissions policies and then formally agreed by the Committee to be accepted and then published.

The published evidence for this inquiry is the initial tranche that has been processed before the House went into recess. Not all submissions have been reviewed and there is still a large number that the Committee needs to go through. If you have not received an update regarding your submission, it means that the team has not yet processed it.

More written submissions for this inquiry will be published in due course when the House returns from the Conference recess.

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IDFIMH

I think that has merit, but I'm not sure I would want to put a hard-and-fast number on it. I would much sooner a more flexible 'predominantly' phrase was used, with maybe the 20% (or whatever %) being used as a base point indicator.

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IDFIMH

I note Durham council responding didn't mention they don't have any byelaws in place for hackney carriage drivers

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Yes, Captain, no doubt many of the local authority submissions are as selective in their evidence as the commercial providers

(As indeed was demonstrated by Wolverhampton, but that much is expected anyway.)

Not to mention the representative organisations

Had a quick look at Bolt's, and to be fair they're a bit more factual about the cross-border situation than Uber and Veezu.

On the other hand, Freenow's seems strangely short and lacking in detail compared to the others, although to be fair I didn't actually read it

That must be why they all have a similar look about them in terms of font/typeface or whatever - that serif font they're using

Funny, though, that Veezu's uses a sans serif (plain-looking) font, unlike all the rest of them:

https://committees.parliament.uk/writte ... 48455/pdf/

There was also another one that I can't find again, but it used mostly italics

Anyway, thanks for posting that, Sussex - it'll save me looking at the link twice a day to see if there are any new submissions up

At least until after the party conferences are over...

I hope you're excluding moi, most of it was taken from here

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

As if, Captain, as if

In fact I wholeheartedly endorse the submissions related to anyone on here. Or at least I will once I've had the chance to read them properly

Anyway, here's what Mr MBE will do if the Government bans cross-border working and doesn't ban "ride hailing platforms...because the hailing of a PHV is unlawful, so what is the difference if it's done electronically?"

https://x.com/NotFarLeftAtAll/status/19 ... 4807869701

I bet he doesn't

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Working my way through the submissions and, so far, most are saying they want cross-border sorting out. Some are suggesting the Scottish version, but most are promoting the 'intended use' solution, which I think has merit.

Disappointed with the submission from the LGA, who seem to think the magic bullet is better national standards. Perhaps that's because it will result in less work for their members.

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IDFIMH

Which reminds me, can't be bothered reading them, but have had a quick skim through a lot of them.

And meant to say, Mr MBE's (or his association's) is a real slapdash/amateur hour-looking effort, and very badly presented. And he seems to spend as much time outlining his achievements in the trade, as opposed to the substance of the TransComm's questions.

Which also reminds me of the Professional Driver magazine submission, because I'd guess it's producer-captured with much the same mindset.

So no surprise that it's banging the drum for Wolverhampton

And it's dropped an almighty clanger, because it's using Wolverhampton's press boilerplate stuff about "officers out across the country, every Friday and Saturday night, working to protect the public."


Problem is, of course, that Wolverhampton's own submission has effectively dumped the PR mode above, and is banging on about, er, enforcement shortcomings

A number of submissions also mention, in relation to cross-border hiring, the ABBA option.

Basically, that allows for vehicles to pick up in their licensing area and drop anywhere, and pick up anywhere as long as they drop in their licensing area.

To many, that might sound a sensible way forward, and I suppose it's better than the mess we currently have, but in my view, only just.

The ABBA option is unworkable in areas that have a city or large town adjoining, or even part of, another licensing area. Down here we have a road that borders both B&H and Lewes. On the Lewes side of the road is a Lewes licensed booking office.

Is anyone really saying they can't pick up people on the other side of the road if they want to travel West rather than East?

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IDFIMH

Transport Select Committee

15 October 2025 - Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles - Oral evidence

To watch the hearing live - https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/4 ... aa2792d8a2

Meeting details. At 9:15am: Oral evidence
Inquiry Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles.

Mr David Lawrie
Director at National Private Hire and Taxi Association (NPHTA)

Eamon O'Hearn
National Officer at GMB Union

Andy Mahoney MBE
LPHCA Official at Licensed Private Hire Car Association (The LPHCA)

Mr Paul James
Project Manager at Unite Taxi Education Liverpool

At 10:15am: Oral evidence.
Inquiry Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles.

Helen Chapman
Director of Licensing and Regulation at Transport for London (TfL)

David Pattison
Chief Operating Officer at City of Wolverhampton Council

Mr Lee Petrak
Public Protection Commercial Enforcement Manager at Blackpool Council

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IDFIMH