BLACK CAB ACCESS: TfL to point boroughs towards new guidance to improve taxi bus lane access, says Mayor of London
- Perry Richardson
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Mayor of London has reaffirmed Transport for London’s fresh policy to support licensed taxi access to all streets and bus lanes used by buses.
In response to a question from London Assembly Member Alex Wilson, Sadiq Khan pointed to the newly published Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan and Bus Priority Guidance, both released in 2025, as central tools in guiding borough-level transport decisions.
Khan confirmed that the new Action Plan promotes taxi access to all bus lanes, except in locations where safety or operational concerns make it unsuitable. Boroughs are being encouraged to apply the same principles to all roads under their control that are accessible to buses.
Transport for London has distributed both documents to boroughs and will continue pressing the issue through upcoming cross-borough discussions, including regular strategic meetings involving Heads of Transport.
The Mayor said TfL will use these sessions to emphasise the importance of consistent taxi access policies across all boroughs.
Sadiq Khan said: “My new Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, published in March 2025 sets out Transport for London’s (TfL’s) general policy to allow taxis access in all bus lanes, except where specific safety or bus operational issues make this impractical. It also encourages boroughs to consider access for taxis to all streets for which they are responsible and to which buses have access in their areas. TfL also called on boroughs to take this approach in the new Bus Priority Guidance published in May 2025.
“TfL has shared both documents with the boroughs and will be drawing attention to them at upcoming cross-borough meetings this summer, including at the regular Heads of Transport strategic meeting.”
