21 Jul 2000 

50,000 'COWBOYS' IN MINICAB CRISIS by David Williams Motoring Correspondent 

More than 50,000 cowboy minicab drivers are operating illegally in London as delays hit the introduction of new laws designed to tame the industry, it is claimed today. Legislation aimed at enforcing new safety standards should have been ready for introduction this year. However, serious procedural delays and disagreements between the Public Carriage Office and the Department of Transport mean vital sections of the law may not be in force until 2003, according to a senior source. This has left millions of Londoners and tourists exposed to minicab firms operating outside the law. The problem is heightened by the recent collapse of one or more insurance firms who had cornered the minicab market. This left thousands of drivers uninsured and sent premiums soaring from £50 to £200 a week, says the London Private Hire Car Association. The result is a surge in the number of drivers forced underground. LPHCA leader Steve Wright says the crisis means it is a "gamble" whether passengers hire a legitimate, insured driver or what could be a rapist without insurance in a deathtrap cab. Motorists colliding with one of the 50,000 uninsured cabs could end up out of pocket too, he says. According to the senior source, legislation to stamp out the illicit trade may now not be fully introduced until 2003. Under the new law 1700 operators and 100,000 drivers will be subject to background and medical checks. Those with criminal records will be kicked out. Cars too will be subject to stringent safety tests. The Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions said: "There are detailed technical points which need to be got right to make sure the regulations provide a workable system."