The London Assembly Transport Committee wants more answers from Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor, following a response to their report into Taxi and Private Hire Services[1] and the appearance before the Committee of TfL Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy. The Committee has written to the Mayor and TfL, requesting further clarification of a number of issues.[2]
The requests of TfL include:
Provide the legal advice upon which the decision to licence Uber London was made;
Provide any additional independent or in-house legal advice relating to this decision;
Explain the role and scope of the new ‘Taxi and Private Hire Terms of Reference Group’ that TfL is setting up;
Fully explore options to increase funding for the Cab Enforcement Unit, in consultation with the trades; and
Provide the current prioritised list of rank requests and an update on how negotiations are progressing with each of the relevant boroughs
The requests of the Mayor include:
Open up the Cabbies Cabinet to scrutiny allowing Assembly Members to observe the proceedings and for full minutes to be made public; and
Give further consideration to seeking joint meetings with taxi and private hire representatives, who share many of the same concerns.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee said;
“We welcome TfL’s commitment to implement many of the recommendations in our report - however we await further transparency on a number of issues. The apparent secrecy around the Uber issue is unacceptable and we’re still very concerned about the level of dedicated resources available for enforcement in London, as the powers of TfL’s own compliance officers are extremely limited.
The very least the cab trades and the Committee deserve is openness and constructive communication about these important and often divisive issues.”
Notes for Editors:
Read ‘Future Proof’ here.
Letters are attached.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
London Assembly Transport Committee.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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