FOI request detail

FOI Request - PHVs

Request ID: FOI-3759-2425
Date published: 17 March 2025

You asked
Dear Transport for London FOI Team, I am requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the regulation of private hire vehicles (PHVs) in London, specifically in relation to driver ratings and potential discrimination. Could you please provide the following information for the most recent period available (preferably September 2024-present): • Any internal reviews, reports, or policies TfL holds on concerns that ratings-based deactivations may disproportionately impact certain groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, non-native English speakers, women, disabled drivers). • Discrimination complaints involving private hire driver ratings • The number of complaints received about alleged discriminatory use of Uber's rating systems (e.g., drivers believing their low ratings were due to race, religion, or nationality). • Any internal TfL reports or correspondence (emails, meeting minutes) from the past 12 months discussing whether the rating system of Uber and other ride-hailing services could contribute to unfair deactivations or discrimination. If any of this information is exempt or not held, I would appreciate any guidance on what data may be available. I would prefer to receive the information in an electronic format (Excel, PDF, or Word). Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response within the statutory 20 working days. Best regards,

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-3759-2425

 

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 February 2025 asking for information about private hire vehicles.

 

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.

 

Unfortunately, we do not hold the information you have requested. A driver deactivation (a decision by a private hire vehicle (PHV) operator not to use a driver to undertake journeys on their behalf) is a matter between PHV operators and driver licensees. When a PHV operator removes a PHV driver from its platform it is required to inform TfL and we investigate to determine whether licensing action is required.

 

If a complaint was made by PHV driver they would be directed to the relevant PHV operator, who would action the matter in line with their processes.

 

A London licensed PHV driver is able to work for one or more of the 1,787 London licensed PHV operators.   

 

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mary Abidakun

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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