TfL applies same passenger safety standards across taxi and private hire sector, Mayor confirms
- Perry Richardson
- 22 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) applies the same safeguarding standards when responding to passenger safety concerns involving taxi drivers, private hire drivers or private hire operators, according to the Mayor of London.
The clarification came during Mayor’s Question Time after Reform UK London Assembly Member Keith Prince asked whether the capital’s regulator takes a consistent approach when credible safety risks are identified within the taxi and private hire sector.
Prince’s written question asked whether TfL applies “the same safeguarding standards and protective responses” when risks arise from the conduct of a licensed taxi driver, the conduct of a private hire driver, or the systems and operating model used by a licensed private hire operator.
Sadiq Khan confirmed that the same regulatory expectations apply across all licence holders operating in London’s taxi and private hire market.
Mayor says passenger protection remains “paramount” when TfL acts against drivers or operators failing to meet licensing standards.
“As the licensing authority for taxi and private hire services in London, Transport for London (TfL) requires all licensees to meet its standards at the point of licensing and throughout the duration of their licence,” the Mayor said. “Passenger safety remains paramount in how these standards are set and enforced.”
The Mayor added that TfL takes action when individuals or operators fall below those requirements, regardless of which part of the industry is involved.
“Where TfL finds that a licensee is falling short of these standards – whether linked to a taxi driver, private hire driver or a private hire operator’s systems or practices – it takes the appropriate action necessary to protect passengers,” Khan said.
TfL acts as the statutory licensing authority for both taxis and private hire vehicles in London, setting requirements for drivers, vehicles and operators under legislation governing the capital’s transport network. The regulator can suspend or revoke licences where it determines that safety standards or licence conditions have not been met.
Safeguarding standards within the sector cover a range of areas including driver conduct, criminal background checks, complaints handling, and the operational systems used by licensed private hire operators to manage bookings and passenger interactions.
The issue of safeguarding has become an increasingly prominent regulatory focus as London’s private hire sector has expanded significantly over the past decade, alongside the continued operation of the capital’s regulated black cab trade.
