TRANSPORT FOR LONDON RE-CONSIDERS CONDITIONS OF FITNESS IN THE FACE OF CAB DIRECT'S LEGAL CHALLENGE

TfL's announcement that it is reconsidering its decision on the revised Conditions of Fitness for taxis in London follows the commencement of judicial review proceedings by Cab Direct in the High Court on 4 September 2003. In those proceedings, Cab Direct challenged, in particular, the decision of TfL to retain the requirement for licensed taxis in London to have a tight turning circle, of a scale that has remained unchanged since 1907, despite radical changes in London's traffic conditions which called into question the safety and
continued utility of that requirement, and despite the fact that many other major towns and cities have abolished similar requirements. Cab Direct also pointed out that the existing taxi designs had been found to be unsatisfactory for many disabled people, including in particular wheelchair users. By contrast, the alternative taxis which TfL's decision excluded from operating in London were found to have advantages for such groups.
TfL has accepted that its original decision was inadequate and that its conclusions on three major aspects of the Conditions of Fitness must now be reconsidered on the basis of further factual information.
Gerry Facenna, Managing Director of Allied Vehicles and Cab Direct said: "We are delighted that Transport for London has recognised the strength of our arguments and is now to reconsider its decision on the turning circle requirement and the other restrictive conditions of fitness in London. TfL has agreed to pay our reasonable legal costs to date and we have agreed to stay the judicial review proceedings pending agreement with TfL on the final terms of reference for the reconsideration process. As one of the UK's largest suppliers of licensed taxis, we look forward to taking part in that process. Taxi drivers and passengers in towns and cities throughout the country are already enjoying the benefits of the Cab Direct E7 Taxi and we believe that the case for allowing Londoners the same opportunity is overwhelming."