So, Operation neon's main purpose was supposed to be -to disrupt and deter touting and illegal plying for hire-
Every driver I've spoken to, who'd asked COs (when in the process of a badge and Bill check) why they were concentrating on Taxi drivers and not tackling illegally touting of Private hire cars parked, double parked, blocking access to Taxi ranks, sitting on Taxi ranks etc... they'd reply we've been told to do badge and Bill only.
I spoke to four TfL staff myself, two uniformed and two in plain cloths in Praed Street. I asked them why they were only dealing with Taxi drivers outside the Paddington Hilton, when London Street was awash with PH cars. Some of the minicab drivers were openly touting on the slope up to Praed Street.
They said they'd only been told to deal with Taxi drivers.
I told them I was going back to my Taxi (which was parked in Winsland Street) and get my camera to record their operation and would ask them again, why just Taxis?
I then watched them hurriedly walk round into London Street and get into a dark blue Ford Galaxy (displaying TfL roundels?) and disappear in the direction of South Wharf Road.
For some time, we at Taxi Leaks have believed this whole situation is more than just lack of appetite, we've always felt it was more likely to be political.
After reading the head of compliance's Linkedin profile, it's obvious we were right.....and this is political.
Anand Nandha
Strategic and results focussed individual with over 10 years experience at Senior Manager level, leading large and politically charged operational departments of up to 320 staff.Lead the Taxi & Private Hire Compliance operation of c90 staff to tackle illegal activity and improve compliance within the Taxi & Private Hire trades in London.
Manage stakeholder relationships within a highly political and sensitive environment.
Manage stakeholder relationships within a highly political and sensitive environment.
This weeks compliance driver sightings
