DON’T OVERLOOK BLACK CAB DECLINE: Freenow backs taxi reform bill but warns licensed taxi trade is shrinking
- Perry Richardson
- 32 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Freenow by Lyft has welcomed the Government’s decision to include a Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill in yesterday’s King’s Speech, while warning ministers not to overlook the decline of the traditional licensed taxi trade.
Danny O’Gorman, General Manager at Freenow by Lyft UK, said moving the legislation into pre-legislative scrutiny would give the Department for Transport an opportunity to engage properly with industry stakeholders before reforms are finalised.
O’Gorman said: “It’s good to see the draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill included in today’s King’s Speech. Moving the legislation to pre-legislative scrutiny is exactly the right move, as it gives the Government a proper chance to listen to the industry.
“We completely back the push to make journeys safer and more reliable for passengers, and we’re keen to get to work with the Department for Transport and other groups to make sure we get this right.”
Lyft-owned operator says Government must protect traditional taxi sector as ministers push ahead with major licensing overhaul
However, O’Gorman challenged Government claims that the taxi and private hire sector is growing overall, pointing to Department for Transport figures showing long-term decline in licensed taxi numbers across London and the rest of England.
He added: “As this Bill moves forward, the Department needs to shift its focus towards protecting licensed taxis. We need to see proper, targeted support to reverse this decline before we lose a vital part of our transport network.”
The comments reflect growing concern within the taxi industry that reforms focused heavily on the wider PHV market could fail to address pressures facing licensed taxis, including rising operating costs, driver shortages and competition from app-based private hire services.
The Government’s proposed legislation aims to modernise taxi and PHV laws through stronger enforcement powers, improved information sharing and a more consistent national framework across England.
Cross-border hiring, where PHV drivers licensed in one area can operate extensively in another, is expected to become one of the central debates as the draft Bill moves through consultation and scrutiny.
