GOING ONLINE: TfL’s taxi and PHV telephony service will remain CLOSED confirms Mayor of London

The taxi and private hire telephony service in the capital will remain CLOSED confirmed the Mayor of London.

The move has been seen as a blow to an ageing group of users who relied on the service to renew licences and update their details with regulator Transport for London (TfL).

Nearly half (44%) of all taxi drivers are aged 57 or over according to TfL data released in December 2021.

A new online service is set for release in Spring 2023. The digital service aims to add ‘more flexibility’ and provide the drivers, who are up to speed with using technology, the chance to check their application status online.

London Assembly Member Keith Prince asked the Mayor of London when the Taxi and Private Hire licensee telephony service would be reopened.

Sadiq Khan responded: “As part of the modernisation of Transport for London’s (TfL) Taxi and Private Hire licensing service, it was always planned to close the telephony service once its new licensing system, due in Spring 2023, was delivered.

“However, due to the pandemic, the timescale for closing the service was brought forward. Licensees can still contact TfL via email and TfL proactively contacts drivers by telephone on a case-by-case basis where further assistance is required or requested.

Vehicle licensing inspections and appointments for driver assessments can still be booked by telephone.

“The new licensing system will provide more flexibility for licensees with self-service options and the ability to check the status of their application online.”