Big push to cap the number of Uber, Bolt, and Free Now drivers in London
The Transport for London (TfL) Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan has been described as a “missed opportunity”, with a lack of meaningful engagement with drivers and the industry contributing to its flaws.
A London Assembly Transport Committee investigation into the plan has found that more action is needed to support drivers and the industry.
In letters to the government and TfL published on Monday (6 October), the Committee calls for a range of measures aimed at improving drivers’ financial security, working conditions, and the safety of drivers and passengers alike.
The Transport Committee examines all aspects of the capital’s transport system in order to press for improvements for Londoners. The Committee pays particular attention to how the Mayor’s Transport Strategy is being implemented, and looks closely at the work of Transport for London and other transport operators.
Recommendations in the letters include:
- The Government should legislate by the end of the 2025-26 Parliamentary session to grant TfL the power to establish a cap on the number of private hire vehicles licensed for use in London and stop cross-border hiring.
- By the end of 2025, TfL should make it a condition of licensing that operators do not use technologies that require drivers to read messages or touch their phones whilst they are driving.
- The Government should extend the plug-in taxi grant beyond April 2026 and reinstate the original rate of £7,500 per vehicle.
- The Government should make taxis and wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles exempt from VAT by the end of 2025.
- TfL should bring forward proposals for new financial support mechanisms for the taxi trade, beyond the plug-in taxi grant and VAT exemption. This should include exploring the use of the Mayor’s Green Finance Fund.
A cap on drivers
The letters show that there are over 100,000 private hire drivers working in London and that this volume of drivers is causing extreme competition for fares.
It is common among drivers to work long hours to earn enough money to live on, with some working upwards of 16 hours a day.
“Working shifts as long as this can result in driver fatigue, and we heard that driving under these conditions is dangerous for drivers, members of the public, and passengers. This also raises serious concerns about safety. We believe TfL needs to take more proactive responsibility for conditions in the sector,” the letters state.
TfL has previously called on the Government for a cap on private hire vehicles, and the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) states that the Mayor, through TfL, will seek powers to limit the overall number of
private vehicles licensed for use in London.
“We continue to believe that a cap on private hire vehicles is necessary to improve working conditions of drivers and increase the safety of passengers and the public,” the letter states.
