TAXI AND PHV INQUIRY: TfL urges mandatory data sharing powers in latest evidence to MPs
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) has called on the Government to grant licensing authorities explicit legal powers to require data sharing from taxi and private hire operators, warning that current arrangements leave regulators unable to properly oversee the sector.
In supplementary written evidence to the Transport Select Committee’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Inquiry, TfL said access to consistent, granular data from operators is now essential if licensing authorities are to regulate effectively, protect passengers and respond to emerging risks.
TfL told MPs that while it has introduced some reporting requirements for London-licensed operators, “there remains a significant gap in the availability and consistency of data from private hire operators and taxi app-based booking companies”. It said this lack of reliable information limits its ability to identify non-compliance and understand wider market impacts such as congestion and driver utilisation.
The authority said it currently requires private hire operators to submit weekly uploads detailing the drivers and vehicles used or available for bookings, and to report serious complaints or driver dismissals. However, TfL made clear that these measures fall short without clear statutory backing. It told the Committee it is seeking “explicit authority to require data sharing by PHV and taxi booking companies with TfL, such as passenger journey information”.
London authority says limited access to operator data is undermining safety, enforcement and effective regulation
According to TfL, access to more detailed operational data would allow regulators to act faster when issues arise. It said trip and driver data could “help TfL respond faster to safety concerns and support investigations into incidents”, while also enabling more targeted enforcement against non-compliant operators and drivers.
TfL also pointed to overseas examples, noting that “greater data sharing by PHV companies is common in many other markets, such as New York City in the US or Toronto in Canada” . It said this level of access has allowed regulators in those cities to pursue more evidence-led regulation and better understand the impact of private hire services on congestion and the wider transport network.
The submission linked data sharing directly to national reform efforts, arguing that shared operator data would support cross-border enforcement and reduce regulatory evasion. TfL said stronger powers would help authorities “track drivers operating across jurisdictions and prevent regulatory evasion”, while also improving transparency and public confidence through the publication of anonymised performance data.
TfL urged the Committee to recommend legislative change, warning that without mandatory data sharing powers, licensing authorities will continue to struggle to regulate a rapidly evolving, app-based sector.
