TfL needs to go further in protecting minicab passengers

At Mayor's Question Time on 14th September, Caroline Pidgeon pressed the Mayor to ensure that TfL does more to protect minicab passengers by enforcing safety rules and background checks on drivers.

Caroline asked:

I have recently been out with taxi drivers looking at the problem in central London and particularly where we see minicabs illegally parked in bus lanes, massive queues on double yellow lines and effectively forming their own ranks. But you only have about 56 enforcement officers, I understand. Only six work at night and none at weekends. If you compare cabs and taxis in New York, there are similar numbers yet they have 413. Will you look to significantly increase enforcement activities and the number of enforcement officers on the streets of London?

... I am wondering what representations you are making to the Government on this anomaly to make sure that passengers are safe in London. They cannot fully check everyone’s records and there are people who have been given licences who have had terrible criminal records in a different country. What are you doing with the Home Office to make representations on that?

You can read more, and watch a video of the Question Time session, on the Anderson Shelter blog.