London's largest minicab operator Addison Lee, which runs some 3,500 vehicles, has lost a legal challenge in the High Court to allow its private hire vehicles the right to use bus and taxi lanes.
In April Addison Lee ordered its drivers to use the lanes, claiming that legislation which only allowed London's 'black cabs' to use the lanes was discriminatory and against fair business practices.
Transport for London (TfL) responded by seeking a court injunction to prevent Addison Lee from using the lanes, something which Addison Lee decided to instruct lawyers to fight in the High Court.
In court TfL successfully argued that the distinction between London 'black cabs' or 'Hackney Carriages' and minicabs was fair because black cabs can ply for hire, picking business up as they go, whilst private hire minicabs have to be booked in advance. Their lawyers stated that being in bus lanes nearer the curb made it easier for the public to recognise a black cab and to hail it down.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Burton agreed.
"There is to my mind a clear distinction between the need of black cabs (and their passengers and the public) for them to be in the bus lanes, by way of visibility and availability of, and access to, black cabs for those hailing a cruising taxi," he said, finding in favour of TfL.
"I consider it makes entire good sense for black cabs to be travelling in bus lanes. Minicabs just do not have the need to use the bus lane, and black cabs do," he continued.
The decision has left Addision Lee considering an EU legal challenge under anti-competition law. John Griffin is the chairman of the firm.
According to the BBC, Mr Griffin said: "The current bus lane legislation is anti-competitive and unfairly discriminates against millions of Londoners who use private hire vehicles every day."
"There is no reason for black taxis to have a monopoly on bus lanes - we should either all be in or all be out," he added.
Source:
Addison Lee loses taxis in bus lane legal challenge (BBC News)
John Griffin is not worried at all about his drivers.He has been trying to blur the distinction between the Licensed London Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Mini Cabs) for many years and this is another feable attempt so to do.His drivers are not discriminated against by the laws relating to London Taxis because any one of them at any time can apply to "do the Knowledge "and when they have completed it to the satisfaction of Transport For London (the same licensing body that runs the Private Hire Industry) they will get a badge and can then hire or buy a London Taxi and ply for hire and use bus lanes until their hearts are content.
The only thing that precludes them from using bus lanes at the moment is the fact that they would rather start earning money immediately as private hire drivers (who can not use bus lanes) instead of commiting themselves to three ,Four or God forbid five years "doing the Knowledge" unpaid before they are able to earn a penny as Taxi Drivers,or for that matter be allowed to use London's bus lanes.
They are perfectly entitled to take either of these career paths but each option has different entitlements (such as being able to use bus lanes).The strangest argument Mr Griffen employs is the one about his poor customers who he feels are treated as second class citizens.They too have a choice ,to use Private Hire because they feel the service offered suits them better despite the fact that they will not be using bus lanes or step out onto the kerb and hail that Taxi with the Yellow for hire light and speed to your destination by using any bus lane the driver wishes.