FOI request detail

Up to date Information- current status on Digital Taxi Top Advertising on PHV Taxis

Request ID: FOI-1337-2324
Date published: 24 August 2023

You asked

Dear sirs Please provide the following information under the FOI Act. 1. Are there discussions underway with TFL and interested parties including Firefly Mobility Media UK Limited's, Ubiquitous or Aventis Media Holdings Limited- Uber in relation to reversing the current prohibition of advertising on Private Hire Vehicles ? based on discrimination i.e. why is it permitted on Black Licensed taxis and not PHV - Rideshare ? 2. If yes are TFL in discussions with any of the aforesaid companies to approve a deployment of any kind of either Digital Taxi Tops or traditional livery advertising on PHV's ? 3 If yes to the above please state at what stage these discussions are at and timeframe of any proposed deployment ? 4. If yes to the above please provide copies documentation in relation to the above. 5. Who is the contact at TFL who is dealing with this ? please provide contact details. Thanking you in anticipation and look forward to your reply with answers within 20 days

We answered

Our ref: FOI-1337-2324/GH
 
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 28 July 2023 asking for information about Digital Top Advertising on Private Hire Vehicles.
 
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold some of the information you require. You asked:
 
  1. Are there discussions underway with TFL and interested parties including Firefly Mobility Media UK Limited's, Ubiquitous or Aventis Media Holdings Limited- Uber in relation to reversing the current prohibition of advertising on Private Hire Vehicles? based on discrimination i.e. why is it permitted on Black Licensed taxis and not PHV - Rideshare ?
 
2.  If yes are TFL in discussions with any of the aforesaid companies to approve a deployment of any kind of either Digital Taxi Tops or traditional livery advertising on PHV's? 
 
3.  If yes to the above please state at what stage these discussions are at and timeframe of any proposed deployment?
 
4. If yes to the above please provide copies documentation in relation to the above.
 
We can confirm that there are no discussions currently underway regarding the use of advertising technology on private hire vehicles.  Regulation 8 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London PHV Licences) Regulations 2004, as amended, provides that no signs or advertising material shall be displayed on PHVs, Therefore, it is not permissible to install this type of technology on a licensed private hire vehicle. There are no such restrictions for licensed taxis in London
 
In March 2022 the DfT launched a consultation on their proposed “Taxi and private hire vehicle best practice guidance”. This included consideration of what signage and advertising should be permissible on private hire vehicles. We will consider the recommendations from the DfT once the updated Best Practice Guidance is published.
 
5. Who is the contact at TFL who is dealing with this? please provide contact details.
 
Our vehicle policy team can be contacted via [email protected].
 
If this is not the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact me.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal
Yours sincerely
 
Yours sincerely
 
Graham Hurt
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
 

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