‘INSUFFICIENT TIME’: Government delays legislation on minimum national taxi and PHV standards
A Minister from the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed there is ‘insufficient’ time to bring in new national minimum standards for the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector, but the Government does remain ‘committed’.
The comments follow a recent parliamentary written question. Dan Carden MP raised a pertinent question to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the progress on legislating national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. This issue has been a point of contention and debate for some time within an increasingly complex taxi and private hire industry.
Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Department for Transport (DfT), said: “There was insufficient parliamentary time to bring forward legislation on national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing during this Parliament, but the Government remains committed to doing so in due course.”
The delay in legislating these standards raises ongoing concerns about the consistency of taxi and private hire services across the country. With no national minimum standards in place, there is a risk of varied service levels and regulatory discrepancies between different regions.
The issue is seen not just about regulation but also about public safety, service quality, and the livelihoods of thousands of taxi and private hire drivers. As the industry continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of app-based services and cross-border hiring, the need for clear and consistent standards becomes increasingly crucial.
