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Taxis, minicabs and cars are ‘inefficient users of road space’ says Mayor of London

Perry Richardson

Image credit: LEVC

Taxis, private hire vehicles and cars are ‘inefficient users of road space’ however they are powered says the Mayor of London.


The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, also confirmed that taxis were still not part of the 80% of people he aims to get travelling in the capital by foot, bicycle or public transport, despite a recent landmark High Court ruling.

In January the High Court ruled that the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) “acted unlawfully” in their treatment of licensed taxis, in the Streetspace for London Plan and associated Guidance and the A10 Bishopsgate Traffic Order.


In her judgment, Senior High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Lang DBE found that the Mayor and TfL respectively failed to distinguish the special status of taxis from “general traffic”, neither taking into account the distinct status of taxis as a form of public transport nor the travel needs of those who rely on accessible taxis.

Road surface mobility forms part of the Mayor’s public transport offering, most notably London’s bus fleet, however it still excludes the fully wheelchair accessible black taxi fleet.

TfL have filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal against the High Court’s judgment. A decision on whether TfL can appeal is due imminently.


Keith Prince, Conservative London Assembly Member, asked the Mayor of London via a written question: “In her recent High Court judgment on Streetspace, the judge referred to taxis as a form of public transport. Will the Mayor now confirm his target of 80% trips by foot, bicycle or public transport by 2041 includes taxis?”


Sadiq Khan replied: “My Transport Strategy is focused on reducing Londoner's use of cars in favour of walking, cycling and public transport use. The 80 per cent mode share does not include cars, Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) or taxis.

“Taxis and PHVs have an important role to play in London’s transport network, particularly in terms of accessibility, but cars are inefficient users of road space, whether they are privately owned or shared and however they are powered.


“This does not limit the ability of the taxi trade to provide the ‘safe, secure, accessible world-class taxi and private hire service’ envisaged by my transport strategy.”

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