It is the responsibility of ALL PHV operators to ensure they are compliant, says Mayor of London

‘It is the responsibility of ALL London private hire vehicle operators to ensure they are compliant with the Court’s judgment,’ says Mayor of London.

The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, also went on to say all private hire vehicle (PHV) operators should now have reviewed their contractual terms and ways of working following a landmark court ruling.

The comments follow a recent High Court judgment which ruled London PHV operators should contract directly with passengers rather than through its drivers. Operators were also told they must ensure that passengers have appropriate legal recourse in the event that something goes wrong during a private hire journey.

In the landmark December 2021 ruling, the High Court Administrative Court refused Uber’s application declaring its gig-economy business model must change.

The ruling followed Uber seeking a declaration from the High Court that it is lawful for Uber’s drivers to continue to contract directly with Uber’s passengers for transport services. Uber had argued that its role was confined merely to that of an internet booking agent and that it was not party to any contract for the provision of transport.

Caroline Pidgeon, a Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, asked the Mayor of London to set out the actions TfL were taking to enforce the Divisional Court judgment which required all London private hire vehicles to contract directly with passengers.

Pidgeon was the latest Assembly Member to highlight the judgment which was made to help public safety and to ensure that passengers have appropriate legal recourse in the event that something goes wrong during a private hire journey.

Sadiq Khan responded via a written question: “It is the responsibility of all London private hire vehicle (PHV) operators to ensure they are compliant with the Court’s judgment. By now, all London PHV operators should have reviewed their contractual terms and ways of working and made any necessary changes.

“Following the Court’s ruling, Transport for London (TfL) has published several TPH Notices as well as detailed guidance for PHV operators.

“TfL is clear that operators should not wait to be contacted by TfL before ensuring they are compliant with the Court’s ruling and should be prepared to demonstrate compliance, upon request, at any time.”