Mayor of London asked why delivery vehicles get access to some bus lanes that taxis don’t
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
A London Assembly Member has questioned why taxis are still excluded from certain 24-hour bus lanes, even where other vehicles are permitted to stop for parking or loading.
As part of the Mayor’s Question Time, Reform UK’s Alex Wilson raised concerns over the inconsistency of the current policy. He pointed out that while taxis remain banned from a small number of round-the-clock bus lanes, other vehicles are being allowed to stop and load.
In response, the Mayor’s office clarified that Transport for London (TfL) maintains a default position of allowing taxis into bus lanes, including those running 24 hours. However, the Mayor stated that restrictions are only applied where there are “clear safety or operational risks” involved.
According to TfL, some locations require kerbside access for essential deliveries, blue badge holders or access to nearby properties, which can sometimes conflict with taxi access. The response did not detail which specific bus lanes currently exclude taxis or the criteria used to define safety risks.
The issue remains a contentious one among drivers, who argue that the capital’s licensed taxi fleet should be treated consistently across the network. Many call for greater transparency around the decisions that lead to certain lanes being restricted, particularly when taxis are regarded as part of London’s wider public transport offer.
In a written response the Mayor of London said: “Taxis can access the vast majority of bus lanes in London, including those operating 24 hours a day. Transport for London’s default policy is to permit taxis in bus lanes, except where there is a clear safety or operational risk in doing so. Often there is a requirement to provide kerbside access in bus lanes for essential deliveries, access to properties or blue badge holders.”
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