Issue 12 / Sept-Oct 2017
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ISSUE 12 / SEPT-OCT 2017 Brought to you by Transport for London A glimpse of the future Emission possible Taking care Sales pitch Star delicensing the most of business how to choose attraction polluting taxis keeping drivers secure a new PH vehicle taxis on film CONTENTS 3 Have your say Contents Welcome. on the Mayor’s This is the second anniversary issue 12 of OnRoute and a lot has happened 8 16 since we turned one. This year the Mayor published his draft Transport Dramatic Taxi Strategy, an ambitious plan to improve Transport Strategy how we all travel around the Capital. licence delicensing Both taxi and private hire play The Knowledge Helping drivers an important part in that and we The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, wants to create a better city for takes to the switch to cover some of the biggest changes – London stage greener taxis the introduction of the Ultra Low all Londoners, and transport is at the heart of his vision. Emission Zone, zero emission taxis and rapid electric chargers – from p16. Choosing a car to use as a private hire The Transport Strategy sets out his plans to transform 11 24 vehicle is a big decision. On p12 we look Private hire The cab’s at the most popular models and what London’s streets, improve public transport and create you should think about before buying. notice the star 24 opportunities for new homes and jobs. English language Taxis There’s advice on keeping safe while requirement on film driving (p14), applying for a licence online (p28) and carrying assistance dogs (p30). We’ve also been chatting to To find out more about the consultation the cast of The Knowledge play (p8). 12 28 It’s a bumper issue, but if there’s and to submit your views, visit anything we haven’t covered that Deals on Top tips you would like to read about in future tfl.gov.uk/mayors-transport-strategy wheels online issues, please drop us a line at Choosing a new The easy [email protected] or used vehicle way to apply Consultation ends 2 October 2017 for private hire for a licence 14 30 30 D Pilgrim Safety first Dogs on Editor Prioritising board driver safety Carrying assistance dogs 8 Contact us at [email protected] London Taxi and Private Hire for operator and driver licensing TfL produces a weekly email with 230 Blackfriars Road, London enquiries and the Knowledge enquiries. information on current and forthcoming SE1 8PJ road closures and diversions. If you 0343 222 5555 for vehicle licensing would like to receive this, please For general enquiries email: appointments and enquiries. contact [email protected] [email protected] TPH news on Twitter: @TfLTPH The views expressed in OnRoute In our next issue… Visit the TfL website: tfl.gov.uk/tph For constant updates on diversions, are not necessarily those of TfL. 0343 222 4444 (lines open from congestion and accidents: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday) @TfLTrafficNews (roads) The Mayor’s cleaner vehicle checker Safer Travel at Night A family of cabbies 4 NEWS NEWS 5 News Electric surge Taxi ranks Latest trend Twenty-five boroughs in London are to receive nearby almost £4.5m to install 1,500 electric vehicle charging points. Information on the location of all The new funding follows London’s taxi ranks is now on TfL’s These are the topics the Government’s Journey Planner. Ranked trending @TfLTPH: announcement that it number one will ban petrol and diesel Following its launch, vehicles from 2040. It will When customers go to the TfL website, ‘Plan a journey’ comes up on the homepage. The ‘Nearby’ option in the bottom A new taxi rank has been cabbies are discussing provide residential charge right corner takes them through to a box where they can type appointed outside the London Electric points for those drivers in their location. A map of the area is then displayed with exit of University College Vehicle Company’s without access to off-street icons showing where buses, stations, Santander cycles London Hospital (UCLH). new zero emission parking, helping them make and taxi ranks are located. If they click on a rank Some of the drivers using capable (ZEC) taxi the switch to zero emission they can see the number of spaces and the rank in Beaumont Place (see p19). vehicles. These will be in the opening hours. are participating in the addition to the network of 10HS scheme, which was Tweets about rapid charge points TfL is You can access Journey Planner by set up earlier this year. compliance team installing by the end of going to tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey It offers a 10 per cent activity continue to 2020 (see p18). discount on taxi fares to be widely shared and staff, patients and visitors at hospitals. Charity for the discussed and many drivers are reporting Security staff patrol the area, including the rank, Capital's children non-compliant vehicles and parking tickets will and illegal parking. Closures at Staples Corner be issued to any taxis left unattended on the rank or Next year is the 90th anniversary The @TfLTPH TPH Gimme shelter other vehicles parked there. Twitter feed now Staples Corner busy, so drivers should 19 September, and of the London Taxi Drivers’ Fund The cabmen’s has 13,194 followers. licensing flyover on the A406 allow more time and westbound from 22:00 shelter in Drivers who are interested for Underprivileged Children and will be closed on use alternative routes Tuesday 19 September in participating in the 10HS in numbers Grosvenor the charity is planning some special 17 September between where possible. to 05:00 Wednesday scheme can find more Gardens, built 00:01 and 23:59 20 September. information on Twitter at events to mark the occasion. It will also be closed in 1906 for taxi twitter.com/10HSTAXI for repairs. eastbound from 22:00 drivers waiting 24,201 For more information, go to Roads in the surrounding Monday 18 September Committee member Michael Son told OnRoute: ‘During the Taxi drivers tfl.gov.uk/northwest- at the rank, has area will be extremely to 05:00 Tuesday london-major-roadworks been given Grade year we’re having a Mad Hatter’s tea party, a grand gala dinner II-listed status. and ball, and I’m trying to organise a classical music concert No added and an art competition for the children. We are working with The small, 42 schools for children with special needs in the London area extras 21,140 The rebirth of Barking Riverside green hut, built because we want to give something back.’ Taxi vehicle licences by the Cabmen’s Damaged Charging more to use a credit The Government has given the green light for an extension of the Shelter Fund, Around 400 taxi drivers are currently involved with the charity. or debit card will become London Overground to Barking Riverside. This will help support one is one of only licence discs Go to www.thelondontaxidriverschildrenscharity.co.uk if you illegal in the UK from 13 January 2018. of east London’s largest new housing developments with the creation of 13 remaining in would like to join them 116,729 10,800 new homes. A school, healthcare facilities and commercial and the Capital and Private hire drivers and This will not affect taxi is still used by drivers as customers using Private hire driver licences leisure facilities will also be built. Services to a new Barking Riverside vehicle licence holders cards in taxis do not pay station are set to begin in late 2021. taxi drivers. should make sure their a surcharge on their fare. The listing vehicle licence discs are However, this will impact system was displayed at all times. private hire operators that 88,322 introduced in If your disc is accidentally currently charge more for card or contactless payments. Private hire 1947 to protect damaged, call vehicle vehicle licences historic buildings licensing on 0343 222 5555 Look out for details in the November issue of OnRoute. after heavy to make an appointment bombing in at your closest vehicle For more information, go to 2,443 the Second inspection centre. There www.gov.uk and search under World War. is no charge to replace a ‘card charges to be outlawed’ Private hire operators damaged licence disc. 6 PICTURE THIS TAXI DRIVERS' OUTING TAXI DRIVERS' OUTING PICTURE THIS 7 A trip down memory lane A group of Jewish taxi drivers from east London pose on a charabanc during their annual outing in July 1923. Traditionally, there’s been a strong connection between the taxi trade and the Jewish community in east London with many people enrolling on the Knowledge after both World Wars and following National Service. Do you know anything more about this picture or the people in it? Or do you have another memory of the taxi or private hire trade you’d like to share? Get in contact at [email protected] Picture courtesy of Ken Flemwell and Arnie Prayer courtesy of Ken Picture Potters Bar M25 Waltham 23 24 25 Radlett Abbey 27 A1055 26 M25 A1 A1005 M25 19 M11 Enfield 5 A10 Watford M1 A1000 8 FEATURE THE KNOWLEDGE PLAY Enfield THE KNOWLEDGE PLAY FEATURE 9 Borehamwood Trent Park A110 A110 18 A411 Loughton A110 A110 A105 5 Barnet If you’re a genius it might take you a year. A411 A111 A1069 A1 East Barnet Southgate A1010 4 A1055 On the other hand it might take you two, 17 Rickmansworth A5109 Chingford A41 Totteridge A110 A10 A1037 or even 10.