Transport for London News dated 02 March 2023

The Transport for London (TfL) is seeking public opinion on their proposal to improve safety for taxi and private hire passengers. They are proposing 19 changes, which include implementing the remaining Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards. The consultation is open until 12 May 2023.

PayPal has confirmed that it will withdraw its ‘PayPal Here’ service in the UK from 3 April 2023. TfL will remove the approval for PayPal card payment devices on 2 April 2023. If you purchased a PayPal Here card reader on or after 1 January 2022, you would receive a refund of the purchase price by the end of March 2023. For alternative card payment devices, visit TfL's website.

Private hire vehicles must not use taxi-dedicated rapid charge points. The driver may be subject to a Penalty Charge Notice and licensing action if they do so. If you see a vehicle parked in or using a taxi-dedicated rapid charge point bay when it shouldn’t be, please report it to TPHintel@tfl.gov.uk.

TfL encourages bystanders to intervene if they witness hate crimes. You can report it online to the Metropolitan Police, text the British Transport Police on 61016, use the Railway Guardian app for incidents on Tube or rail services, or call 999 in an emergency. For further details, visit TfL's website.

Several events are taking place in London, such as The Graham Norton Variety Show, Reggie Watts, and Pendulum. Increased demand for taxi and private hire services may occur in these areas.

Due to essential maintenance and safety improvements, there will be road works and lane restrictions on the A205 Kew Bridge Road, A40 Western Avenue, Wandsworth roundabout, A4 Great West Road, and Euston Road. Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey.

There may be some disruption to traffic in the area, so please allow extra time for your journey and follow any signed diversions.

M25 Junction 10

Until Friday, 10 March, there will be overnight lane closures on the M25 between junctions 9 and 11 from 21:00 to 05:30 the following morning. This is due to essential maintenance work. Drivers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey.

M1 Junction 6a

Until Saturday, 4 March, there will be overnight lane closures on the M1 southbound between junctions 7 and 6a from 21:00 to 05:00 the following morning. This is due to ongoing smart motorway work. Drivers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey.

London Bridge station

Due to ongoing improvement works, there may be changes to station access and platforms at London Bridge station. Please check before you travel and follow any signage or instructions from station staff.

News update:

London transport authorities are seeking public consultation on 19 proposed changes to improve safety and safeguarding measures for taxi and private hire passengers, focusing on children and vulnerable adults. The proposals include implementing the remaining Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards issued by the Department for Transport. The public can submit feedback via the consultation website until May 12, 2023.

PayPal has announced the withdrawal of its 'PayPal Here' payment option in the UK from April 3, 2023, making accepting the service on card payment devices no longer possible. As a result, Transport for London (TfL) will remove approval for PayPal card payment devices on April 2, 2023. Those who purchased a PayPal Here card reader after January 1, 2022, will receive a refund by the end of March 2023. TfL has provided a list of approved card payment devices on its website.

TfL reminds private hire vehicle drivers not to park or use taxi-dedicated rapid charge points, with penalty charge notices and potential licensing actions if violated. If a vehicle is seen parked or using these bays when it shouldn't be, please send images and details of the incident to TPHintel@tfl.gov.uk.

To combat hate crimes, TfL encourages people to report any incidents they witness or experience to the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, or the Police 'Stop hate crime' site. They also remind everyone that bystanders intervening in these situations can help defuse incidents, support victims, and prevent future incidents.

Upcoming events in London, including The Graham Norton Variety Show, Reggie Watts, Will Gregory, Pendulum, and The Rhinegold, may increase demand for taxi and private hire services in the areas.

Several road updates in London will be in effect in the coming days and weeks, including lane restrictions on A205 Kew Bridge Road, A40 Western Avenue, and Wandsworth roundabout, and lane closures on M25 Junction 10 and M1 Junction 6a. Improvements and maintenance works are also ongoing at London Bridge station. Drivers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey.

RANK SUSPENSIONS:

The following taxi ranks will be temporarily unavailable due to various reasons:

6189 Wilton Road (Park Plaza Hotel) rank will be suspended for excavation utility works until 17:00 on Wednesday, 8 March.

The entire rank at 5432 Pall Mall will be suspended for carriageway utility works until 18:00 on Friday, 3 March.

The entire rank at 5590 Devonshire Place (London Clinic) will be suspended for carriageway resurfacing works until 18:00 on Friday, 3 March.

The entire rank at 3528 Carey Street will be suspended for filming from 12:01 on Friday, 3 March, until 17:00 on Sunday, 5 March.

6151 New Bond Street (Oxford Street) rank will be suspended for a crane operation from 07:00 until 17:00 on Saturday, 4 March. A road closure will be in place.

The entire rank at 6089 Old Park Lane (Playboy Club) will be suspended for a crane operation from 07:00 on Saturday, 4 March, until 19:00 on Sunday, 5 March. A road closure will be in place.

The first portion only at 5203 Great Cumberland Place/Bryanston Street will be suspended for carriageway utility works from 07:00 on Monday, 6 March, until 17:30 on Sunday, 12 March. A road closure will be in place, and taxis are advised to use the Bryanston Street feeder rank.

The entire rank at 5065 New Burlington Street will be suspended for carriageway utility works from 20:00 on Monday, 6 March, until 02:00 on Tuesday, 7 March.

Cab Road at Waterloo Station will also be closed to all vehicles from 22:00 to 04:00, Friday, 3 to Monday, 6 March. From Monday, 6 March onwards, major works will occur at Waterloo Station, affecting Cab Road station forecourt taxi rank for two and a half years. New ranking provisions will be in place, and all taxis will need to use Spur Road and Station Approach only for entry and exit. The taxi drop-off area will be on Station Approach instead of Cab Road. An accessible passenger pick-up/drop-off area will be marked out on Cab Road, and taxis will be allowed to use York Road for entry and exit. Taxi marshals will assist passengers and drivers between 07:00 to 11:30 and 15:30 to 19:30 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays for a short period.