PCO’s John Mason Responds to Cockney Rebel...
read with interest Cockney Rebel’s article in the March edition of taxi talk Magazine and the questions posed by him at TfL. I thought readers, especially in London, would be interested in my response to these questions and I would also like to use this opportunity to provide you with some updates on other key issues.
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Firstly, I didn’t respond to the questions posed by Cockney Rebel in the February issue because, to be honest, I didn’t read his column that month. Since taking over as Director in September last year I have made engagement with the taxi and private hire trade a top priority. I have an open door policy to anyone who wants to raise issues, concerns or general matters with me and a great many of you have taken me up on this offer.
I totally agree with Cockney Rebel that the knowledge examiners are entitled to an environment of complete safety and I can assure him, and them, that TfL is totally committed to providing this. Since taking over no examiners have raised any issues or concerns with me regarding their personal safety and if they do then I will not hesitate to take any action required to address their concerns.
The John Worboys case was rightly of considerable concern and the Met has faced some significant criticism from the Independent Police Complaints Commission for their handling of the case. As I am sure everyone knows, every licensed taxi driver has to go through a vigorous background check and are monitored throughout their time as licensed drivers. Unfortunately, no information relating to any offences, complaints, accusations or intelligence was flagged to TfL through the relevant checks and at no point did TfL receive any information from the Met or complaints from the public that Mr Worboys behaviour would warrant investigation or that his licence should be reviewed. Of course, the moment such information did come to light TfL immediately suspended his licence and it was subsequently revoked. Since this high profile case came to light the Met have worked very closely with TfL to further
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improve and strengthen the exchange of information.
In relation to the high profile case of the man, previously convicted of manslaughter, who was undertaking the knowledge, the facts in this case are quite straightforward. TfL took a decision to allow this driver to become a private hire driver and then to study the knowledge. This person’s background and offences were known and flagged but it has to be understood that there are many legal and other factors that TfL, like any other Licensing Authority, have to take into account when considering whether a licence should be issued. One of my very first tasks as Director was to look at the independent report commissioned into TfL’s initial decision to license this driver. I then personally look at and reviewed the full case file, history and nature of the offences. Having done so, I took a decision to immediately revoke his licence as a private hire driver and remove him from the Knowledge.
With regard to Knowledge Examiners access to candidate’s personal details and backgrounds, as I highlight above, it is imperative that all members of TfL staff feel safe and secure in their working environment. At the same time it is also essential that every student on the knowledge is given a fair and equal opportunity to succeed and pass as quickly as their skills allow. The basic fact is Knowledge Examiners do not need to know the personal details and background of every applicant and, where this information has been available in the past, this has lead to suggestions we may not conduct the tests in a fair and wholly impartial manner. I have made it clear to the examiners that if they have any concerns about any applicant they can raise these with me directly and, in the meantime, we have reviewed our policies, processes and procedures and reviewed the access to personal information available to staff.
The issue of advertising and the difference in the rules for Taxis and Private Hire vehicles in London as referenced in Cockney Rebel’s article has been one that has been raised with me by several parties
since I took up the role. My honest answer is that I don’t believe there should be any difference in the process between Taxis and Private Hire vehicles. If, as is the case, Private Hire vehicles do not need to display a reference number issued by TfL then why should Taxis? It certainly doesn’t make any sense to me and I will be looking at aligning the two as soon as possible. On a related matter I’ve also been approached about full rear window advertising and why TfL do not allow this in taxis (or private hire for that matter) and again this is something that doesn’t make sense to me and I will be looking into. The bottom line is that I am committed to ensuring that taxi drivers do not perceive TfL as a barrier to the trade or drivers earning a good, honest living by all means available to them. I’ve met too many people in the trade with a low opinion of the “PCO” and what we do and I aim to address this as quickly as possible.
We now come to the issue of Toyota and the recent high profile issue of the model recall. At the time, and as highlighted in Cockney Rebel’s article, we monitored this situation very carefully and decided that issuing a “stop” on the 70 or so affected vehicles being used as private hire vehicles in London was not appropriate. Then came a number of accusations of double standards, that TfL had put TX4 drivers through months of misery, we should do the same for the Toyota issue, etc. I wasn’t responsible for the TX4 recall but I know we had a very serious problem. There had been at least 7 on-street fires whilst the vehicles were in use and we had a situation where we and, more importantly, the manufacturer were not sure what the problem was. Compared to the situation with Toyota, with known, low risk issues that were highly unlikely to occur and no reports of any vehicle being used as a private hire having suffered the reported problems I believe our response and action in relation to this matter was fair, appropriate and consistent.
John Mason Director of Taxi and Private Hire
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