Response to Law Commission's Consultation on Taxi and Private Hire Services London Taxi Branch National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers September 2012 1 Table of Contents 1LIST OF ACRONYMS ...................................................................................................................... 4 2GLOSSARY OF TERMS .................................................................................................................. 4 3INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 5 4OVERVIEW OF PROVISIONAL REFORM PROPOSALS .............................................................. 6 Proposal 1. Regulation should distinguish between taxis & PHV's .................................................... Vehicle Distinction & Colour ............................................................................................................... 6 Vehicle Distinction & London Conditions of Fitness ........................................................................... 7 Vehicle Identification ........................................................................................................................... 8 Legislation v TfL Satellite Office Policy ............................................................................................... 8 Legislation v TfL Private Hire Ranks Policy ...................................................................................... 10 Legislation v TfL Terminology ........................................................................................................... 10 Legislation v TfL Interpretation of the Law........................................................................................ 11 Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Enforcement and Funding ................................................................................................................ 12 5REFORM OF DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE ................................................................................... 12 Proposal 2. London should be included within the scope of reform ................................................ 12 Proposal 6. Stage coaches' fares to be excluded from the definition of taxis ................................. 13 Proposal 13. Regulations for engagement should not be limited to the “streets” ........................... 15 Question 14. Should special provisions be made for regulations at airports? ................................. 15 Foreword .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Operational Methodology ................................................................................................................. 16 Proposal 15. Plying for Hire should be defined in statue................................................................. 17 Justification ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Definition ........................................................................................................................................... 18 Working Practices ............................................................................................................................. 18 Stage Carriages ................................................................................................................................ 21 The Concept of Unmet Demand ....................................................................................................... 21 Unmet Demand and Access ............................................................................................................. 22 Proposal 16. Hailing & ranking should not cover technological bookings ....................................... 23 Question 17. Scottish approach to engagement preferable to plying for hire? ............................... 23 Proposal 18. The concept of compellability should be retained ...................................................... 24 Proposal 19. Pre-booking should be the only way to engage a PHV .............................................. 24 Proposal 22. Update Terminology ................................................................................................... 24 Question 23. Should PHV's be allowed to use terms such as “taxi”? ............................................. 24 Distinction ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Distinction & Pre-booked 'Taxis' ....................................................................................................... 25 'Taxi' and the Internet ........................................................................................................................ 25 6A REFORMED REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................. 27 Question 40. Should licensing authorities be able issue peak time taxi licences? ......................... 27 Safety...................................................................................................................................... 27 Customer Service ............................................................................................................................. 27 Customer Choice .............................................................................................................................. 28 Effect on the Licensed Taxi Trade .................................................................................................. 28 Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................... 28 Terminology ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Proposal 43. Licensing authorities to retain ability to regulate max taxi fares ................................ 29 7REFORM OF DRIVER, VEHICLE & OPERATOR LICENSING .................................................... 30 Proposal 48. Private hire operator licensing should remain mandatory .......................................... 30 8REFORMING QUANTITY CONTROLS ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 9TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE REFORM AND EQUALITY ................................................................. 32 10REFORMING ENFORCEMENT .................................................................................................. 33 Question 65. What more could be done to address touting? .......................................................... 33 Deterrent ......................................................................................................................................... 33 Ranks and Demand .......................................................................................................................... 33 Ranks and Maintenance ................................................................................................................... 34 Satellite Offices & Ranks .................................................................................................................. 35 Satellite Offices & Planning Consent ................................................................................................ 35 Crime & Licensing Statistics ............................................................................................................. 37 Question 66. Would it be desirable and practicable to impound vehicles? ..................................... 37 11REFORM OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS .................................................................................. 38 2 Proposal 70. Right to appeal a licence suspension or revocation limited to applicant.................... 38 Complaints Methodology .................................................................................................................. 39 Complaints Outside of London ......................................................................................................... 42 RMTLTB Concerns & Recommendations ........................................................................................ 42 Proposal 71. The 1st stage of an appeal should be for the LA to reconsider.................................. 43 Proposal 72. Appeals should continue to be heard at the magistrates' court ................................. 43 12CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 44 1 LIST OF ACRONYMS RMTLTB RMT London Taxi Branch BAH British Airports-Heathrow CoF Conditions of Fitness CBJ Clip Board Johnny CEO Civil Enforcement Officer FSA Financial Services Authority GLA Greater London Authority HALTS Heathrow Airport Licensed Taxis Society KoL Knowledge of London LFB London Fire Brigade LGMPA Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act LHCA London Hackney Carriage Acts MAQS Mayor's Air Quality Strategy MPCA Metropolitan Public Carriage Act PACE Police and Criminal Evidence Act PCN Penalty Charge Notice TfLTPH Transport for