Request ID: FOI-2011-2425 Date published: 21 October 2024
You asked
Follow-on from FOI-1749-2425:
can I ask how many PHV Operators (licensed by TfL) have been asked to amend their online advertising as part of a Operator Compliance check - ie when compliance meet at the operator premises to check booking records etc as I would have thought section 31 breaches are part of those checks.
• However, please note that an email / letter is just one of a number of actions that could be taken in response to a potential Section 31 breach.
If we can keep to the same time period that would be great and if you are unable to provider the operator name due to commercial sensitivity just the number of Section 31 breaches where action by compliance was taken as a result of an operator site visit.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2011-2425
Thank you for your request received on 25 September 2024 asking for information about private hire operators’ misuse of the term ‘taxi’ in their advertising.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked for: The number of Section 31 breaches where action by compliance was taken as a result of an operator site visit between June to December 2023 or January to June 2024. We have checked our records and our Compliance, Policing, Operations & Security Directorate (CPOS) received four complaints regarding breaches of Section 31 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 within the requested time frame.
One of these cases involved a third-party and non-licensed entity, the other three were licensed entities, and each complaint was followed up with an investigation and compliance inspection where appropriate action was taken to ensure that the licensees are operating within the regulatory framework. If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
