A confirmation tweet has been sent to the LCDC, from TfLs @TfLTPH Twitter account, stating that in a 3 week period from Monday 22nd of June to Friday 10th July, TfL licensed 1,914 "new PH drivers", plus 2,176 "new PH vehicles" were plated. In the same 3 week period, just 62 new Taxi driver licenses were issued and 95 new Taxi vehicles were plated.
An insider at Windsor House has told Taxi Leaks that TfL are actively escalating the process to get as many new PH drivers and vehicles out there as physically possible.
Taxi drivers are having to wait months for licence renewals, while its alleged staff at TfL are prioritising PH applications.
A French Taxi driver, replied to the LCDC tweet saying that in the period between 1st January and July 25th 2015, their police department authorised just 1,114 in the whole of France !
MP Tom Watson wants no direct action from London Taxi orgs while Parliament shuts down for a 2 month recess.
But by the time Parliament resits, another 5,104 PH drivers will have been licensed and out on the street working for Uber.
This will see another £1.5m in PH driver licence fees alone, going into TfLs coffers.
FOLLOW THE MONEY.
It was Sir Peter Hendy, who personally oversaw the withdrewal of the traditional temporary Taxi licence which for many decades were issued to drivers waiting for licence renewals.
When asked why he had revoked temporary licenses, Hendy said it was to protect the public from Taxi drivers with many years of previous good character, who may be convicted while waiting for renewal to be issued. So in Sir Peter's eyes, Taxi drivers suddenly become a safety risk when their current licence expires.
Yet, PH drivers who arrive in London as asylum seekers are licensed to drive minicabs without having to undergo a criminal record check. You couldn't make it up !
Surely now Sir Peter has gone, the orgs that engage with TfL through the elite cabbies cabinet, should be up in arms at Windsor house, regularly banging on doors to get the temporary licence system for licensed Taxi drivers reinstated.
