In early November Mytaxi cancelled their order for further hand held credit card machines presumably after being influenced or instructed by TFL and I request the following under the freedom of information act 2000. 1. Did TFL instruct or persuade Mytaxi to cease providing drivers with hand held credit card machines in early Nov 2018. Please provide copies of any correspondence or information about any conversations. 2. Did TFL instruct Mytaxi to recall hand held credit card machines already issued to drivers. 3. Is it legal or illegal for drivers to use hand held credit card machines. (please do not confuse legal / illegal with compliant / non compliant) Please note that fixed machines in the rear of Taxi`s are not 100% reliable is it illegal to ban a hand held credit card machine that a driver could use as a backup. 4. If it is illegal for drivers to use hand held credit card machines why has TFL not instructed izettle, cababb, Mytaxi and other suppliers to stop providing this service and recall the machines. 5. If hand held credit card machines are legal then why did TFL instruct or persuade Mytaxi to cease providing drivers with hand held credit card machines in early Nov 2018.

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TfL Ref: FOI-4519-1718

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12 February 2018 asking for information about card payment devices.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:

1. Did TFL instruct or persuade MyTaxi to cease providing drivers with hand held credit card machines in early Nov 2018 [we have assumed this meant 2017]. Please provide copies of any correspondence or information about any conversations.

    

   TfL met with MyTaxi in early November 2017 and TfL advised that the issue and use of handheld card payment devices to taxi drivers was in breach of TfL regulations. Please see the requested correspondence attached.

    

    

2. Did TFL instruct MyTaxi to recall hand held credit card machines already issued to drivers.

    

   MyTaxi stated to TfL that they would contact taxi drivers who they previously issued with hand held devices to ensure they were not used in taxis.

    

    

3. Is it legal or illegal for drivers to use hand held credit card machines. (please do not confuse legal / illegal with compliant / non compliant) Please note that fixed machines in the rear of Taxi`s are not 100% reliable is it illegal to ban a hand held credit card machine that a driver could use as a backup.

    

   TfL regulations stipulate that only a TfL approved card payment device can be used in a London taxi and that device must be affixed in the passenger compartment of the taxi. The use of hand held card payment devices in London taxis is a breach of TfL regulations.

    

    

4. If it is illegal for drivers to use hand held credit card machines why has TFL not instructed izettle, cababb, MyTaxi and other suppliers to stop providing this service and recall the machines.

    

   All approved card payment system providers/installers are aware of the TfL regulations regarding the installation and use of card payment systems in the passenger compartment of London taxis.

    

    

5. If hand held credit card machines are legal then why did TFL instruct or persuade MyTaxi to cease providing drivers with hand held credit card machines in early Nov 2018.

The use of hand held card payment devices in London taxis is a breach of TfL regulations.

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.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Lee Hill

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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