London taxi drivers warned off using Praed Street ‘POP UP’ rank amid crackdown by TfL and Westminster
- Perry Richardson
- 18 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Licensed taxi drivers are being urged to stop using the unofficial pop up rank on Praed Street near Paddington Station, following warnings of enforcement action by Westminster Council and Transport for London (TfL).
A pop up rank refers to a location where taxi drivers wait for work that is not officially designated as a taxi rank by the authorities. These spots can sometimes emerge in busy areas where there is perceived demand, but they operate without formal permission and are subject to enforcement.
Paul Kirby, Executive Senior Officer at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), has warned members to avoid the area after recent meetings with TfL and the local council made clear their intention to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and consider further licensing action against drivers found using the location.
Kirby said in TAXI Newspaper: “Any drivers still using Praed Street to rank for work, PLEASE DON’T. Westminster and more importantly TfL are actively monitoring for both PCNs (now £80) and to take licensing action against you.
“I have, this month, attended a meeting with both the Council and TfL and the outcome is not good. I fully understand why you would be there but after receiving numerous complaints from local councillors, the Hilton Hotel and residents, the authorities feel they must act.”
Drivers are also being warned that appeals are unlikely to be successful. “Should you receive a PCN or TfL Compliance complaint, we are told that any challenge or response will not be accepted,” added Kirby. “Please don’t give your hard-earned money to the Council or risk your Bill.”
The LTDA is urging all drivers to avoid Praed Street and use officially designated ranks to prevent enforcement action and protect their licences.
