Taxi And Private Hire Operation In London
Abstract
When Transport for London (TfL) was formed in July 2000, it took over the responsibility for regulation of taxis in London from the Metropolitan Police.
The Public Carriage Office (PCO) is now part of Transport for London's Surface Travel Directorate and is responsible for licensing the familiar London taxi or 'black cab'. It is in the process of licensing private hire or 'mini-cab' services, and is currently considering whether to introduce regulation of pedicabs.
London has about 21,000 licensed taxis and 25,000 licensed taxi drivers. As well as setting the licensing standards and administering and enforcing licenses, the PCO appoints taxi ranks (outside the square mile of the City of London) and, as part of TfL, sets the tariffs that taxis are allowed to charge.
Taxi operation in London has a number of distinctive features. All licensed vehicles must meet certain minimum design criteria as specified in the Conditions of Fitness. This includes things such as the dimensions of seats, door openings and of course, the ability to turn around in a confined roadway without reversing. All taxis are subject to a rigorous annual inspection.
All licensed taxi drivers in the capital must have an in depth knowledge of the topography of London, 'The Knowledge'. For would be All London or 'Green Badge' holders, this means that they need to have a detailed knowledge of London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross.