My request is restricted to the branch of the local borough which simply deals with private hire and Hackney plated motor vehicles (hereinafter plated vehicles). I seek disclosure of documentation (paper and electronic format) confirming the following: 1. What/which companies (not individuals) have plated vehicles with your borough at this moment in time and data relating from the last 2 years until expiry of the license period. 2. Not only do I seek disclosure of the name of the companies but also details as to the make, model, registration number and cylinder capacity of the said vehicles 3. Date which the license for those vehicles began to the date it ended. 4. Confirmation whether the said vehicles were plated for Hackney or Private hire and Plate Numbers. Further, whether the said vehicles have any special features such as disabled access. As well as the above, please can you confirm whether the suspension notice for the use of taxi, invalidate the MOT?

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TfL Ref: FO-4704-1718

Thank you for your email received on 1 March regarding licensed taxi and private hire vehicles. I trust you received my email of 28 March as below.

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 that we hold some of the information you require. Below I have answered your questions in the order in which you have asked them.

What/which companies (not individuals) have plated vehicles with your borough at this moment in time and data relating from the last 2 years until expiry of the license period.

In accordance with the FOI Act we are not obliged to supply information regarding the ownership of taxi and private hire vehicles as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) of the FOI Act.

In this instance this exemption has been applied to the number of licensed vehicles owned by specific companies as it is commercially sensitive. The disclosure of this information would enable rival companies to gain an insight into their competitor’s business operations and undermine their position in the competitive market place.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that the balance lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that taxi and private hire companies can continue to operate effectively without being placed at a commercial disadvantage.

Not only do I seek disclosure of the name of the companies but also details as to the make, model, registration number and cylinder capacity of the said vehicles. The date which the license for those vehicles began to the date it ended and confirmation whether the said vehicles were plated for Hackney or Private hire and Plate Numbers.

The information you have requested is contained within the attached spreadsheet. However, please note that taxi and private hire vehicles are licensed on an annual basis and where there is a period of relicensing vehicle records are overwritten to reflect the new licence. Therefore, the information provided in the accompanying attachment is a snapshot of all licensed taxi and private hire vehicles as of 4 March 2018. Additionally, we do not hold details of the cylinder capacity for each vehicle in a reportable format.

Further, whether the said vehicles have any special features such as disabled access.

All London licensed taxis are fully wheelchair accessible and we publish a list of wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles at the following location on our website: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/designated-vehicles-equality-act-2010.pdf.

As well as the above, please can you confirm whether the suspension notice for the use of taxi, invalidate the MOT?

A suspension notice issued by Transport for London prohibits a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle from working for hire and reward until any identified issues are remedied and the vehicle meets our licensing standards.  This can be for concerns that are mechanical or non-mechanical in nature. Any decision to invalidate a vehicle’s MOT certificate would be made by the issuing authority, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

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

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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