London taxi licence fees frozen at 2009 rates
London taxi licence fees frozen at 2009 rates
Cabbies in London are to see licensing fees remain at their 2009 levels in an effort by authorities to aid drivers during the recession.
Transport for London (TfL) has revealed that the 1.4 per cent increase to taxi and private hire licences which would ordinarily have been implemented due to inflationary pressures will not take place this year.
The body states that it will instead look to generate additional funding for services through improved efficiency measures and cutbacks in non-essential business areas.
John Mason, TfL's director of taxis and private hire, said: "Every penny that TfL receives from licence fees is spent on providing the services we deliver and I am committed to providing the best quality service while reducing back office costs."
It also outlined plans to introduce financial bonuses for cabbies who pass their annual inspection first time and penalties for those who do not in a bid to drive up standards.
This comes after TfL last month revealed that taxi fares in the capital are to increase in April to help cabbies afford the cost of fuel and taxi insurance.
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