FOI request detail

ULEZ and Black Cabs

Request ID: FOI-3298-1819
Date published: 19 March 2019

You asked

Follow on from FOI-3006-1819 In light of your feedback but also given the serious public interest here, can I amend my request to two things. 1. The relevant extracts from the official paper showing why they are exempt. This poses no real cost but if it helps, I am happy to receive the full document and can read it myself. 2. The records of what meetings Sadiq Khan had with taxi driver associations and the logs of discussions he kept. Please note that I consider this a significant public interest case. We know Uber are suing TFL over this very issue and I would love to confirm that no wrongdoing has taken place. In the unlikely event you consider this request too costly, could you please give me the address and name of your top legal counsel.

We answered

Our ref: FOI-3298-1819/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 4 March 2019 asking for information about ULEZ and Taxis.

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 some of the information you require.

Whilst we are not sure which official paper you are referring to when you mention the “relevant extracts from the official paper”, the relevant information can be found in the consultation documents:

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/air-quality-consultation-phase-3b/

  • The extension of the sunset period for disabled tax class vehicles until 26 October 2025.

     

  • The introduction of a sunset period until 26 October 2025 for licenced Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) adapted for wheelchair access and registered by TfL under s.165 of the Equality Act 2010 until 26 October 2025.

Taxis

London licensed taxis are exempt from ULEZ. Every licensed taxi is fully accessible for wheelchair users, so offers a vital travel option for passengers with accessibility needs or heavy luggage, or when public transport is not suitable. They are also designed specifically for London’s streets. As they are specialist vehicles, drivers have a limited choice of models.

However, they have a 15 year age limit and we are introducing a new licensing requirement from 2018 that all newly licensed vehicles are zero emission capable

Vehicles for disabled people

Vehicles that have a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicles' tax class and are exempt from vehicle tax, except those operated by or on behalf of Transport for London, will be granted a ‘disabled vehicles sunset period’ and will be exempt from ULEZ until 10 September 2023.

Blue Badge holders will be required to meet the new ULEZ emission standards or pay the ULEZ charge unless their vehicle has a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class.

The second part of your request, asking for the records of meetings Sadiq Khan has had with taxi driver associations is not held by TfL. You may wish to contact the Mayor’s office at the GLA for this information.

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

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