TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan faces industry scrutiny at City Hall hearing this week
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
The London Assembly Transport Committee will begin its examination of Transport for London’s (TfL) Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan on Thursday 15 May.
The session, held at City Hall, will gather views from key industry figures to assess whether the plan delivers on its stated objectives.
TfL’s Action Plan, published in March 2024, sets out a series of policy aims covering safety, compliance and environmental targets. The plan includes proposals around driver recruitment and lobbying activity around topics such as cross-border hiring and vehicle VAT exemptions.
TfL says the plan is designed to modernise regulation and raise standards across both the taxi and private hire industries. But since its release, the plan has received a largely negative response from the taxi trade.
Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), called it a “missed opportunity”. He said the plan failed to properly support the licensed taxi industry and did not do enough to protect drivers from the challenges they face, including the growing dominance of private hire operators and inadequate enforcement.
Grant Davis, Chairman of the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC), raised further concerns over the continuing rise in private hire vehicle (PHV) numbers. He criticised TfL for failing to act decisively on what he described as an “over-saturated” market, saying this issue directly impacts the ability of black cab drivers to earn a living.
As a whole, the trade has expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals. Many in the sector feel the plan places pressure on licensed drivers while allowing PHV operators to continue under a more relaxed regulatory framework. The issue of fairness in regulation and a lack of real tangible support for a struggling industry is expected to be a key theme during the Committee hearing.
The session will feature two panels. First, from 10am, Abdurzak Hadi of the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) will give evidence. The second panel, starting at 11.30am, includes Steve McNamara (LTDA), Grant Davis (LCDC), and Trevor Merralls, General Secretary of the United Cabbies Group.
