Transport Committee to question ministers in taxi inquiry

The Transport Committee will press ministers on the future of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) regulation this week, as its inquiry turns to the role of government in addressing uneven licensing standards and cross‑border enforcement challenges.

MPs are scheduled to take evidence on Wednesday 14 January at 9:15am, questioning Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for Roads, and Liz Wilson, Deputy Director for Accessibility, Coaches, Taxis and Community Transport at the Department for Transport. The session forms part of the Committee’s ongoing examination of whether the current licensing framework gives local authorities the tools they need to regulate effectively, particularly amid the rapid growth of digital ride‑hailing platforms and the rise in drivers operating across licensing boundaries.

The inquiry has already heard concerns from operators, unions, safety campaigners and local authorities about inconsistent standards between licensing areas and the difficulty of enforcing rules on drivers registered elsewhere. Ministers are expected to face detailed questions on whether national reforms are required to close gaps in the system and improve protections for both passengers and drivers.

TfL warns MPs over cross‑border loopholes

A second strand of scrutiny is emerging as Transport for London (TfL) submits supplementary evidence to the inquiry, warning MPs that cross‑border licensing loopholes continue to undermine passenger safety and local regulatory control.

• TfL stresses that cross‑border hiring remains the most serious weakness: drivers licensed in areas with lower standards can legally operate in London, bypassing TfL’s stricter safety, emissions and safeguarding requirements.
• The submission argues that this loophole creates unfair competition, confuses passengers, and has been exploited in serious safeguarding failures highlighted by the Casey Review.
• TfL supports national minimum standards but insists they must be paired with restrictions on cross‑border operations and stronger enforcement powers, including the ability to take action against out‑of‑area drivers and immediately remove unsafe vehicles from service.
• The evidence also calls for clearer guidance on international background checks, tougher penalties for touting and unlawful plying for hire, and statutory powers to require operators to share journey and driver data—essential, TfL says, for safety investigations, congestion management and cross‑border enforcement.
• While open to the idea of a cap on PHV numbers, TfL warns that such a measure would be ineffective without wider legislative reform.
• The submission concludes by defending London’s long‑standing taxi Conditions of Fitness, emphasising that any changes must preserve safety and accessibility.