GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY

To all Licensed London Taxi Drivers, Proprietors and those on the 'Knowledge'

Black Cabs - A new night rate and a new deal

I am writing to you personally following my meeting with licensed taxi trade representatives on 4 April. At that meeting I outlined my view that the next decade could hold huge potential for London's Licensed Taxi trade. The combination of rising population, growing business activity and employment, plus some of the new initiatives I am introducing, such as congestion charging in central London and greater financial support for Taxicard, are all likely to see demand for taxis rise steeply.
The introduction of the long awaited regulations for private hire operators driver, and vehicles has also provided an impetus to ensure that the Black Cab trade is prepared to continue to deliver a world class service to London's population and visitors.

For Londoners the most significant problem is the shortage of taxis at night. There simply aren't enough taxis working unsocial hours. As a result many people risk rides with illegal, unsafe and sometimes uninsured taxi touts to get home.

I have no doubt - not least because so many cabbies have advised me of it that the reason there are not enough taxis at night is because current tariffs don't give drivers the financial incentive to work unsocial hours. Having listened to trade representatives my view is that the best solution is a percentage increase on the main tariff in the evenings and at night. We need a few months to sort out technical problems with some meters that can't adapt to this change, but I hope to introduce the new tariff by September.

This will really make it worth drivers while to work at night.

In return, if they are to pay more to get a cab at night Londoners will expect the highest quality of service. That is why I have started discussing a package of measures to maintain and enhance the provision of black cab services in London.

I also want to take measures to ensure that the trade becomes more representative of the diverse population it serves. I hope that I will have the full support of the trade in encouraging more black, Asian and women Londoners to become taxi drivers

The attached information sheet sets out the range of measures I have discussed with trade representatives. The initiatives detailed will continue to be conducted in close consultation with your trade representatives and regular communications will be forthcoming as progress is made.

Finally, I would like to thank you for the valuable contribution you make to the transport system in the capital. The service you provide is one to be proud of, I hope that together we can make it even better.



Ken Livingstone
Mayor of London


Information sheet on Proposed Improvement Measures

Night rate - To introduce a new evening and night tariff by September 2001. The level of tariff will be developed after further consultation with trade representatives

CCTV in Cabs - To assist the prevention and detection of offences against taxi drivers 1 have' authorised the Public Carriage Office to permit drivers to mount approved CCTV cameras in their cabs. Images would only be viewable by the licensing authority or police ﷓ not the driver.

Vehicle Emissions - An immediate review of current and recent initiatives will be undertaken with a view to identifying actions that could be taken to expedite the reduction of harmful emissions from black cabs.

Smoking 1 No Smoking in Black Cabs - The outcomes of previous ~.onsultation exercises will be reviewed.

Taxi Ranks - There is a current project to review all existing tax~ ranks to assessloptimise;
• proximity to source of demand
• safety for vulnerable people
• accessibility for those with disabilities
• integration with other transport modes
The project will extend to considering new locations and facilities forviable ranks and the relocation of disused ranks.

Review of 6 Mile Limit (Licensed Taxis) - As you know, licensed taxis are presently only obliged to accept fares for a journey up to 6 miles (20 miles from Heathrow)  a throwback to horse drawn days. This immediate review will consider the implications of extending the compellable distance, possibly to the boundaries of the licensing area.

Cracking down on touting - Touting is a criminal offence under the Public Order' Act and therefore is a matter to be enforced by the police. However, it is plannec to increase the number of Public Carriage Examiners available to participate in joint enforcement activities with police and boroughs.

The PCO is about to re﷓negotiate its Service Level Agreement with the Cab Enforcement Section of the Met Police. It is hoped that this will lead to increased involvement of the police across London on a high profile and ongoing basis.

In addition, the Public Carriage Office will be recruiting more enforcement officers as part of its responsibilities to license the private hire trade. Initial rei,.~ruitment at the Public Carriage Office was for a total of 20 Licensing Officers but ft,.jrther Licensing Officers are to be recruited initially to a target of 40.

Maintaining and Strengthening the Knowledge - The rigorous Knowledge test is acknowledged as the bed﷓rock of London taxis' world renowned status. The test will not be diluted. However to maintain standards and defend the integrity of the system, the examination must be seen to be efficient, objective and trans 1:,a rent. Allowing candidates to progress as fast or as slow as their ability allows while not lowering standards is a strong objective.


The "topographical knowledge project already under way comprises two elements.

• Update taxi Knowledge system to ensure it is objective and meets current requirements in respect of customer care, etc and allows candidates to progress at a speed appropriate to their ability and commitment.

• Introduce an appropriate topographical test for Private Hire drivers in line with the requiren~ents of the new Act.

Customer Satisfaction Surveys - Taxis are the only form of public transport in London that have no customer satisfaction data. Work is starting to rectify this, enabling again more informed decision making in the future.

Equal opportunities - The Public Carriage Office will undertake ethnic and gender monitoring of licensed taxi drivers and will take initiatives to encourage more women and black and Asian Londoners to become licensed taxi drivers.

Licence Fees (vehicle and drivers) - You will be aware that these have not been increased for a number of years and now need to be revised to rneet increased costs. Fees are customarily reviewed annually and further increases may be necessary in order to fund further initiatives, particularly enforcement

Organisation of the Public Carriage Office - It is likely that the role and responsibilities of the PCO will continue to be extended, building on the introduction of the private hire regulations. This initiative will ensure that the PC0 is organised to be at its most efficient and resourced appropriately.