Our ref: FOI-2183-1920/GH

Thank you for your request received by us on 17 October 2019.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.

1. What date was 'B&Y Express Couriers, 1 Christian Street, London E1 1SE. suspended, and why?

B&Y Express Couriers had their accreditation suspended on 5 February 2016 because an investigation found them to be in breach of the requirement to provide a professional training/examination service.

2. How many Private Hire Driver's licences have been issued to persons who completed their Topological Assessment at 'B&Y Express Couriers, 1 Christian Street, London E1 1SE' as of 17 October 2014 to date?

3,200 private hire driver licences were issued to drivers who completed their topographical skills test at B&Y Express Couriers from 17 October 2014 to date.

In September 2016, as part of the transition to bring all assessments in-house, we withdrew accreditation for all previously accredited centres. TfL staff now conduct all topographical assessments directly across eight different sites.

As part of the transitional arrangements, we continued to accept topographical certificates obtained from accredited centres that were not suspended, where those certificates were issued before 26 September 2016, to allow time for candidates to complete their driver applications.

However, for applications received from 6 February 2017 we will no longer accept certificates for topographical assessments as from this date all assessments are required to be taken directly with TfL at one of our eight approved centres.

3. Was B&Y Express Couriers, 1 Christian Street, London E1 1SE an authorised accredited TFL Topological Assessment center on 17 October 2014?

Yes, B&Y Express Couriers were an accredited centre on 17 October 2014.

4. What was the date when 'B&Y Express Couriers, 1 Christian Street, London E1 1SE' was either last reviewed or given authority/accreditation to provide Topological Assessments prior to 17 October 2014? If so, how many Private Hire Driver's licences have been issued by TFL since this date to date for applicants who completed their Topological assessments successfully at B&Y Express Couriers, 1 Christian Street, London E1 1SE?

B&Y Express Couriers were last visited by our external assessors on 28 May 2015. We re-visited on 22 December 2015 and found them to be in breach of the infringements highlighted above in the answer to question 1.

Six private hire licences were issued to drivers who completed their topographical skills test at B&Y Express Couriers between 7 October 2014 and 28 May 2015.          

5. If Private Hire Driver licences have been issued to persons who have undertaken their Topological Assessment at this accredited centre from the date this centre was last reviewed prior to 29 October 2015, and subsequently to date, why should or is the issue of my Private Hire Driver Licence any different to those which have been issued?

As a Licensing Authority and regulator, we have to ensure that all drivers have the skills to do the job with the safety of the travelling public being our main priority. We will only issue licences to those applicants where we are satisfied they meet the criteria for licensing and that includes being able to demonstrate they have the required topographical skills.

Following our decision to suspend B & Y express Couriers accreditation, we invited applicants to re-take the test to the correct standard directly with TfL at no extra cost to the applicant.

6. Why have I been told I can only re-take this assessment as your stipulated TFL Assessment centre, without taking into account any inconvenience this may arise for me in lieu of my valuable personal time and costs related for travel?

You are required to take the assessment with TfL to ensure you meet the required standard.

7. Does TFL accept that I have been discriminated against by not issuing me my Private Hire Licence whilst others who have also taken the test at this TFL accredited centre, either on the same day as me or within the periods stipulated in No.3, No.4 or No.5 above?

It is the applicant’s obligation to provide evidence to show that they are fit and proper to be licensed as a Private Hire driver in London. By providing a certificate from a topographical centre that was no longer accredited at the time your application was received, you have failed to confirm that you have the necessary topographical skills to be licensed.

As the regulator TfL has the responsibility for ensuring the safety of the travelling public and therefore every applicant has been treated the equally and been required to meet the same standards before being granted a licence. For this reason TfL does not accept that you have been discriminated against.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London