United Trade Action Group v Transport for London & Transopco UK Ltd (as Interested Party)

David Matthias QC

Charles Streeten

Thursday, 22 April, 2021

On a renewed oral application for permission, the United Trade Action Group (‘UTAG’ - a body representing the interests of the hackney carriage trade) was given permission by Mrs Justice LANG to judicially review the decision of TfL to grant a Private Hire Operator’s Licence toTransopco UK Ltd whose private hire drivers work off a smartphone  ride-hailing app calledFREENOW.  LANG J. held that it was arguably unlawful for TfL to have granted an Operator’s Licence to Transopco, because Transopco (a) facilitated and encouraged private hiredrivers to work off a ride-hailing app despite it being unlawful for private hire vehicles to ‘ply for hire’ on London’s roads, and (b) required private hire drivers to accept private hire bookings without themselves holding operators licences.  The Judge ordered that the case should be heard before a Divisional Court given its great importance and potential implications for private hire operators and drivers generally.

 Bradford Taxi Action Group (BTAG) is calling for a full strike on May 13 and 14 unless Bradford Council responds to concerns about plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in January.

In a letter to the council, Asif Shah, chairman of BTAG, wrote: "We are still awaiting a response from an email sent to the Council Leader and Chief Executive on March 18 in relation to the CAZ queries.

"If we don’t get a response by May 4, then we will have no option but to call for a full strike to take place on Thursday, May 13, and Friday, May 14, to coincide with Eid celebrations which will undoubtedly create problems for the city."

Mr Shah did say that a strike would cause significant disruption as approximately 70 per cent of operators across the city support BTAG.

It follows on from a previous taxi strike about the Clean Air Zone on March 12, which Mr Shah said had a "very successful turnout of 500 to 600 drivers".

The CAZ would see the most polluting vehicles charged to enter much of the city centre.

Although private cars will not be charged, taxis and private hire vehicles that do not meet up to date emission standards would have to pay £12.50 per day to enter the city.

"There is frustration amongst members," said Mr Shah. "We don't want to strike because it's not in the interest of anybody.

"But if we do strike it will bring the transport industry in Bradford to it knees."