City Hall is seeking new powers to cap the number of mini cabs operating in the capital and regulate pedicabs from its streets.
According to official Transport for London figures, mini cab numbers are growing by more than 1,000 each month and there are concerns that a continued rise could see their numbers grow from 78,690 today to 105,000 over the next two years.
Mayor Boris Johnson said the numbers – which dwarf the capital’s 8000 bus fleet and 25,000 black cabs – posed “a threat to free movement of traffic on the roads.”
He’s promised to use his new position as a member of David Cameron’s political cabinet to push for new powers to impose a fixed cap on cab numbers.
In addition, Mr Johnson wants TfL given the power to regulate pedicabs which are often uninsured and aren’t required to undergo safety checks.
