🟥 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐇 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠.

With the help of the LCDC's Danny Scarf, Taxi Leaks has investigated the increasing use of fake addresses by unlicensed PH operators advertising as Taxis for work in the London area.

After yesterdays post was published, it became apparent that this problem was more wide spread than we first thought. 

This Private Hire operator https://londontaxisandminibuses.co.uk, is advertising itself using the words “London Taxis” all over its site, contra to section 31(2) of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 

This has been reported to TfL but they’ve decided not to reply or comment on social media (Again). They just ignore all communication. 

Apparently, there are many such companies out there, who are using a loop hole in the legislation, by setting up 'Ghost Offices' at addresses that don’t actually exist. 

Everything is then done online. 

I’m told that there’s not a lot that can be done about the companies doing this as they are not licensed by TfL, or any other authority. 

But the drivers working these apps are breaking the law, by working for an unauthorised, unlicensed operator. 

I copied in all the orgs and unions and only one, the LCDC offered help. Our largest org have worryingly not uttered one word about these unlicensed, unauthorised PH companies blatantly acting illegally with impunity. 

The Act of 1998 section 31 (2) I’m told only applies to legitimate  companies licensed by TfL with actual legitimate London addresses. But there’s a potential and more serious offence, under section 2, ‘unlicensed operator’, as drivers using these apps, working in Greater London, are breaking the law by working for unauthorised operators.

It is our opinion that TfL should be investigating the vehicles operating through these ghost companies in respect of public safety, it’s a simple job using a secret shopper system, that TfL have utilised in the past…..yet they appear to be completely uninterested in doing anything about this recent issue and as yet, still no word whatsoever from TfLTPH. 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐂𝐃𝐂 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲::

TfL certainly have a duty to investigate any unlicensed operator…though this is where the intermediary part comes in.

There’s now quite a few online only companies doing this, Uber has a similar setup with local cab (AutoCab). Plus we heard yesterday that one company is actually using the name Taxi Point, much to the dismay of its editor who has posted a statement on Twitter saying:

“This has nothing to do with Taxi_Point. It has little to do with Taxis either. Only see PHVs”.

https://thetaxipoint.co.uk/

𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐓:

Taxi leaks has decided to remove yesterdays post after new information was given to us. We would like to thank Danny Scarf of the LCDC for his help in this worrying issue.

Also this post from Cabvision on Twitter sums up what’s happening:

It was only a matter of time that London would turn into a free for all. 

TfL had enough warnings about cross border and what they could and should do to enforce under various Acts…But they ignored it and now Data Cars et al are doing whatever they please due to weak regulators.