Fifty additional enforcement officers are now patrolling London’s streets to ensure cab users get home safely.
In August Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged to quadruple the number of Transport for London officers responsible for tackling touting and other illegal activity by minicab and taxi drivers, and today the first 50 newly trained officers hit the streets.
They’ll join 82 existing staff in ensuring both Taxi and mini cab drivers are properly insured, carrying out vehicle checks and providing advice to the public on how they can get home safely.
A further 200 new recruits will be trained and on the streets by Summer 2017, forming the largest compliance team since the mayoralty was created in 2000.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “As I outlined in my manifesto, we must ensure that safety standards are rigorously enforced across London’s black cab and private hire industries. I am delighted to announce that from today there will be an additional 50 trained compliance officers cracking down on illegal activity and providing reassurance for passengers on London’s streets – and this is just the first step.
“Drivers who are unlicensed or flout the rules not only pose a risk to Londoners’ safety, but also undermine the work of the hard-working and professional drivers who provide a vital service to millions of Londoners every year. Every Londoner and visitor to our city must feel safe getting around London. The roll-out of more compliance officers over the coming months will be crucial in driving up standards and ensuring Londoners remain safe.”
Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, added: “Our Compliance Officers are at the forefront of combatting unsafe and unlicensed taxi and private hire drivers who not only pose a serious risk to passenger safety, but undermines licensed, law abiding drivers.
“These new officers are being deployed on an intelligence led basis, moving quickly when information is received. This will allow us to significantly increase levels of enforcement so we can robustly deal with regulatory breaches and drivers who are breaking the law.”
