TfL applies to High Court for binding determination on taximeters

Transport for London has applied to the High Court for a declaration on taximeters, after it was confirmed that the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association had invited the Magistrates' Court to withdraw their summonses for breach of the private hire taximeter prohibition.

TfL said the application to the High Court had been served on Uber and the main trade bodies – the LTDA and the Licensed Private Hire Car Association – who will be entitled to make representations in response to the application.

The High Court will be asked to make a binding determination on whether smart phones, which use GPS technology to measure the time and distance of a journey and then receive information about fares, comply with the current law on 'taximeters', which can only be used in London by taxis.

“The rapid pace at which smart phone based technology has developed in recent years has led to a need for clarity about what is required in order for apps to comply with the regulatory framework in London, to ensure there is a level playing field for all operators,” TfL, which regulates and licenses the taxi and private hire trades in London, said.

TfL’s view is that, on balance, smart phones used by private hire drivers do not constitute the equipping of a vehicle with a 'taximeter'.

However, it has acknowledged that the legislation in the area is unclear and able to be interpreted in various ways.

Leon Daniels, TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “We are now a step closer to securing a High Court declaration on the issue of taximeters and hope that London's taxi and private hire drivers and operators will work with us.

“We welcome developments that make life easier for passengers. As in many other areas of transport and retail services, apps can offer passengers the potential of better and more convenient services, but their use must be legal and on the issue of taximeters the law is unclear. A binding High Court declaration will bring clarity on this issue for all parties.”

TfL said it anticipated that the hearing would be held this summer.