Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Grahame Morris (Labour), on Tuesday, 3 February 2015, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 33 members in total.

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PASSENGER SAFETY AND PRIVATE HIRE INDUSTRY REGULATION

That this House is concerned that Smartphone apps such as Über are circumventing the law governing the taxi and minicab industry; supports the existing regulations whereby private hire vehicles (PHVs) may only pick up passengers when pre-booked rather than from a rank or in response to being hailed; recognises that such regulations provide passengers with important safety protections against unregulated drivers who have not undergone extensive criminal record and medical checks, or had to pass a formal taxi driving assessment like licensed taxi drivers; welcomes Transport for London's public opposition to any move to confuse the distinction between the two services; notes with concern that, in spite of this, Transport for London is failing to carry out its licensing and enforcement functions and is allowing PHVs to operate within the immediate hire market; believes that this is primarily due to the absence of a statutory definition of plying for hire; further believes that this will undermine public confidence in a safe and secure licensing regime and will ultimately undermine the viability of the current taxi service; and calls on the Government to bring forward urgent legislation which provides such a clear statutory definition to protect the distinction between taxis and PHVs.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

762 

Session

2014-15

Other sponsors

John McDonnell

Kelvin Hopkins

Jeremy Corbyn

Chris Williamson

Ian Lavery

Subjects

Roads

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk