TfL/LTPH Week... By Thomas the Taxi.

In July 2005 the London Assembly was asked to investigate the performance of the Public Carriage Office since becoming part of Transport for London. 

Fair play for London's taxi services 
(In true STaN agenda spirit, London's Private hire and Licensed Hackney Carriage Taxis, being to be referred to as London's Taxi services by the GLA) 27 JULY 2005

Question: Does the Public Carriage Office help London’s cab drivers deliver a safe and efficient service for the many thousands of passengers who rely on taxis to get around the city every day?

This question will be addressed by a new London Assembly investigation into the performance of the Public Carriage Office (PCO) since it became part of Transport for London in 2000.
The London Assembly’s Transport Committee has given the go ahead for the study to examine the impact of new fare pricing policies on both customers and taxi drivers since the introduction of increased night time and weekend tariffs.

It will also look at the PCO’s requirements for the licensing of traditional Black Cab taxis and Licensed Minicabs and assess the effectiveness of new regulations to reduce emissions, as part of the Mayor’s strategy to establish a Low Emission Zone in the capital.

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Peter Hulme Cross

In November 2005 Peter Hulme Cross released his report “Where to Guv”.

In his first report, Peter clearly differentiates between Taxis and private hire and gives a number of recommendations.

But since the first report, it’s very clear that TfL have constantly twisted the objectives of the recommendations made, in a clear bid towards harmonisation of the two industries.

Peter main recommendation in 2005, based on the assumption that marshaled ranks would be for the licensed Taxi trade was; 
That the PCO undertake research in liaison with trade organisations on where further marshaled ranks could be implemented.

Earlier in 2005, TfL's surface transport committee, had discussed the merits of a marshaled taxi rank at Kingston Station. Peter was led to believe this would be for the benefit of suburban Licensed Taxi drivers (Yellow Badges). 

But after Peters report was published, TfL along with the help of the LTDA, set up a private hire marshaled rank on the forecourt of Kingston station and the licensed Taxis were evicted.


Why Did the LTDA agree to replace the License Taxi drivers they represent, with Private hire?

It is alleged, the LTDA's involvement was to secure a marshaling contract at the station. But one of their committee resigned, formed his own marshaling company and undercut the LTDA's tender.

A subsequent Private hire rank was also agreed by the LTDA to replace the licensed Taxi rank at Sutton. Both Richard Masset and Steve Howard of the LTDA turned up and gave their blessing at a public meeting, which was held to discuss the setting up of the marshaled PH rank. 
After the local suburban drivers pointed out to the police that it is illegal for private hire cars to stand and wait to be hired in view of the public, (Hunt-v-Morgan) the police refused permission for the rank.

It is this report by Mr Hulme Cross, that has been used as a manual for setting up so called satellite offices all across central London.

These offices could not function without cars illegally forming ranks outside which are fed by staff operating illegally on the pavement.


The Hackney Carriage contravention of illegally plying for hire by Private hire vehicles, has not been enforced by TfL, LTPH or the Police since 2003. WHY?

Most satellite office licenses should never have been issued. 

We have seen 24 hour ticket kiosks, 24 hour supermarkets and in some parts just a flashing light on a wall with a clipboard Johnny standing underneath, all given satellite office status. Lines of PHV's licensed by TfL form illegal ranks, parked on double yellow lines, 24 hour bus lanes and in some case they even park on licensed Taxi ranks. Every one of these vehicles is illegally plying for hire, but LTPH and the Police turn a blind eye. WHY? 
See Video Click Here

The way TfL/LTPH have carried out the licensing of satellite offices has also added to the huge number of rapes and serious sexual assaults as the majority of journeys from these centres are unrecorded.

It seems strange that after the LTDA were instrumental in setting up basically the first Private Hire Rank, its General Secretary Mr Bob Oddy, suddenly gets seconded on to the board of TfL.

• The LTDA should challenge all marshaled private hire ranks as they are illegal. They chose not to!
• The LTDA should be challenging Satellite office licenses, where legal operation within TfL's guild lines is impossible. They chose not to! 
• The LTDA should have gone back to court in 2003 after the Bug Bugs case to clear up the illegality of PHV's plying for hire. They chose not to. 
• Bob Oddy should be representing the whole of London's Licensed Taxi trade on the board of TfL. He chooses not to!

Also see Legal Requirements, Following the Correct Procedure.

We need a Judicial Review to examine the actions of TfL/LTPH and we need it now. 


Find out everything you need to know about a Judicial Review

Remember Remember the 9th of November, 4 pm Trafalgar Square. 


We have been informed that the Demonstration in Trafalgar Square will be supported by the LCDC and the RMT.