Transport for London has unveiled a new Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan to address challenges facing the capital's taxi and private hire industries over the next five years.
The plan aims to secure the future of these vital services, which play a crucial role in London's green and sustainable transport network, and has been backed by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The action plan follows TfL's first strategy published in 2016 and responds to significant changes in the industry since then, alongside the threat that the iconic vehicles could become extinct by 2045.
The new plan addresses several key challenges identified by TfL, including declining numbers of licensed taxis and taxi drivers across London, while safety concerns for both drivers and passengers remain a priority area.
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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced new measures to protect the private hire industry
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Environmental considerations feature prominently, with ongoing efforts needed to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions from the taxi and private hire fleet through new electric vehicles.
The TfL action plan was developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders, the taxi trade, private hire industry and customer groups.
The new plan outlines several bold actions to address these challenges, including ensuring taxis continue to have access to bus lanes wherever possible.
TfL will work with the Government to secure greater powers to improve safety, tackle cross-border hiring, and regulate taxi booking companies.
Driver training will be enhanced with new online voluntary courses covering safety advice, conflict management and customer service skills.
The Knowledge assessment will be modernised, with TfL already publishing assessment points and updating the Blue Book guide. A comprehensive review of taxi ranks will ensure optimal allocation, particularly at public transport hubs.
TfL will also lobby the Government to continue the Plug-In Taxi Grant and reduce VAT on charging points and wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: "London's black taxis have a rich history and play a vital role in keeping London moving and providing an accessible door-to-door service, and I want to ensure they keep doing so for years to come.
"At a time when the taxi trade and private hire industry face huge pressures, this new action plan will help to bolster and protect them, retaining and attracting more drivers to the trade and ensuring high safety standards for both passengers and drivers, building a better, fairer London for all."
It follows a report from the think tank Centre for London, which revealed that if the number of taxis on the capital's roads continues to fall at its current rate, there would be no black cabs left by 2045.
This was described as "simply unthinkable" since iconic black cabs are a "fundamental part of London's cityscape".
TfL said it will now work closely with the taxi trade, private hire industry, local councils and passenger groups to deliver the plan and implement initiatives effectively across the capital.
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A recent report warned that black cabs could completely vanish from London's roads by 2045
PAThe plan represents TfL's commitment to preserving these essential services while adapting to modern challenges.
Christina Calderato, TfL's Director of Strategy, emphasised that London's taxi and private hire industries are "crucial to the success of the capital's transport network".
Calderato added: "The actions set out in this new plan will enable us to attract taxi drivers from all backgrounds, ensure passengers' and drivers' safety, ensure consistently high standards and continue to reduce the environmental impact of taxis and private hire vehicles."
