ROUND THE COUNCILS LONDON:
PH LICENCE FEE RISE/TEMP. PH LICENCES
The simmering anger of app drivers and couriers union (ADCU) over proposed increases to private hire licence fees by Transport for London (TfL) has seemingly been tempered by
a subsequent
announcement. TfL had intended to hike driver licence fees by 10% and nearly double the assessment fee to £30, a move the ADCU vehemently opposed, urging the TfL Finance Committee, due to convene on 9 April, to reject the proposals. Zamir Dreni, General Secretary of ADCU, had voiced strong concerns, highlighting the severe financial hardship faced by drivers already struggling with lengthy licence renewal delays. He said: “TfL can not seriously be planning to heap more misery on drivers by increasing licence fees, when they are not even managing to reissue licences to drivers within a reasonable timeframe. “Our members are already facing serious financial hardship as a result of TfL’s failures, and this is is yet another slap in the face for them. They just want to be able to work, and earn a decent living. He pointed out instances of car repossession and even eviction among members unable to work, lambasting the proposed fee increase. Dreni argued that app-based companies, not the “hard-pressed drivers,” should bear any price increases, noting the lack of recent operator fee increases. “There has been no increase for operators since 2016, but every single year the price for drivers goes up,” he added. “These increases can not be allowed to pass, and we hope the Finance Committee will do the right thing, and vote them down, on 9 April.” Labour London Wide Assembly Member Elly Baker had also weighed in, writing to Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance and the Finance Committee members, asking them not to
approve any
increases until the system is fit for purpose and questioning why drivers should pay more for a “broken system.” However, recent developments indicate a shift. TfL has now agreed to issue temporary licences to private hire drivers who are experiencing significant delays, a decision lauded as “welcome progress” by the GMB Union.
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This move follows lobbying efforts by the GMB, which represents the largest private hire membership in the UK, to address the administrative backlog causing financial strain on drivers. The temporary licences will be granted to drivers who have met specific criteria, including a DBS check, with the aim of facilitating a swift return to work. Furthermore, TfL has now postponed the planned increase in licensing fees. Simon Rush, President of GMB Taxi & Private Hire Drivers Branch, stated: “This is very welcome progress, and we hope temporary licences will get drivers back on the road.” He added: “We are pleased to see TfL reconsider the licensing fee increase, particularly given the financial hardship that drivers have endured due to these delays. “Drivers should never be left in limbo due to administrative issues.”
The GMB Union has pledged to continue working with TfL to secure the best possible outcomes for its members.
NORTH NORFOLK: TAXI POLICY & HANDBOOK CONSULTATION
North Norfolk District Council is consulting on its Taxi and Private Hire Policy and Handbook. The handbook is based on the government’s statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards and best practice guidance. The Institute of Licensing issued guidance on how to assess driver suitability in November 2024 and the previous handbook has been used as a reference, so that the new handbook can be more accessible for drivers and members of the public. There is a driver knowledge test as part of the application process and the handbook is the definitive guide to the standards expected in North Norfolk. The new handbook is sectioned into Driver, Vehicle and Operator and includes new sections on First Aid and Disability. When printed, the first aid pages will be yellow to be easily located in an emergency. Comments on the new handbook would be welcomed between 1 April and 13 May 2025. View the consultation here:
https://forms.north-
norfolk.gov.uk/xforms/Confirmation/Show/Confirmation
MAY 2025 PHTM
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