Digital taxi firms, private sector competition and multi-modal tickets – A vision for taxi transport

Licensing more private providers and consider the potential of digital innovation proposed

The London Night Time Commission has published its report and recommendations on London’s night-time economy.

Included in the recommendations for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to implement are the following:

• This group would consider the potential of digital innovation and artificial intelligence to improve how people travel at night. Transport, as shown already by the activities of digital taxi firms, is likely to be one of the big areas of urban innovation. By looking ahead, the group can secure the benefits for those active at night.

• Furthermore, it should look at how to best increase competition amongst cab and bus operators. This would be enabled by licensing more private providers. The aim is to continue to drive costs down for Londoners who travel at night whilst driving up standards. This group should include private sector operators offering non-public transport solutions at night to ensure it considers market-led solutions.

• The group should look to increase availability of night time transport options while reducing cost through a new ‘Night Rider’ ticket. This should be multi-modal and could be enabled by a switch to the transport pricing model common in Germany. There commuters pay a fixed price for a journey regardless of the method of travel.