Minicab drivers risk licence being ‘REVOKED FOR A PERIOD’ if blocking taxi chargepoints, says LTDA
Updated: Jan 9, 2022
Minicab drivers caught parking and using dedicated electric taxi charging bays risk their licence being ‘REVOKED FOR A PERIOD’, says black cab representative.
Drivers of London electric taxis are soon to be issued RFID cards to put an end to illegally parked private hire vehicles and other cars blocking vital designated rapid chargepoints.
After months of campaigning pushing for the new Rapid Charging Points (RCP) technology to be handed to the taxi trade, exclusive chargepoint access cards are now set to go live in early 2022.
Taxi drivers have continued to contact representatives at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) asking what action is being taken against Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) blocking the chargepoints.
Anthony Street, LTDA Executive, said in TAXI Magazine: “I have been receiving many calls from drivers highlighting problems with PHV drivers using our charging points, I know most of you say nothing is done about this, but you would be mistaken.
“PHV drivers parking and using ranks to charge their cars are sent a warning letter and if they are reported more than twice their licence could be revoked for a period.”
It was announced in September 2021 that drivers of London electric taxis will be issued with RFID cards in the New Year.
According to sources, two electric taxi RCP providers, BP Pulse and ESB, have agreed to the RFID card technology. Taxi drivers will be asked to subscribe to the companies and only approved taxi drivers would be able to access designated taxi bays. Contactless payment options will be removed meaning general public and private hire drivers will no longer be able to access the chargepoints.
No further details have been released since first news of the RFID cards was announced in September 2021.
