As per the TfL’s guidelines for Christmas and New Year Travel 2024-25, taxis and private hire cabs will be among the only transports available on Christmas Day, along with a limited number of coaches, dial-a-rides, Santander Cycles, and electric scooter rentals available in some boroughs.
TfL made several changes to the London Taxi and Private Hire or PCO license application requirements earlier this year, which is important for passenger and driver safety. PHV drivers need to prepare and ensure a safe drive during peak festivities. Here are some pointers from PCO License East London.
Time to Implement the Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) Training to the Fullest
The Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) Training was brought into effect by the TfL on 1 October 2021. Now a mandatory step and part of the PCO licence cost, including the English courses. The SERU training and test prepares PHV drivers to offer an enhanced level of public safety and customer service. The training and online concentrates on specific parameters of safety, equality, and regulations for taxi drivers. These values and skills will play an important role during the peak times of the festive weeks.
- Road and Vehicle Safety: Ensure keeping your vehicle serviced and winter-ready. Be careful when driving through crowded streets and take the responsibility to outmanoeuvre the passengers in hostile situations.
- Regulations: The SERU training imbibes an intuitive understanding of the driver’s obligations as per the PHV (London) Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. It works the same for new PCO license applications as well as renewals.
- Protection: These parameters apply for PHV drivers to protect, guide and assist their passengers in different situations and those with disabilities. PHV drivers need to cut in to protect children and adults from any kind of harm or abuse during the ride.
Encourage Planned Journeys From Passengers
Planned journeys are encouraged during the festive season to control the amount of traffic congestion and risks of collisions. As a PHV driver, you can do the same by sticking to the plan and having a predetermined number of passengers and routes to cover. When you stay on familiar routes, it reduces the risk of getting into unprecedented situations and no-entry lanes that are hard to get out of.
Allow Ridesharing Only from Licenced PHV Operators
When accepting bookings of rideshare, ensure they come via licenced operators of PHVs. During the festive season, the ridesharing facility can attract complications like extensive time delays or create a rift between passengers. Rideshares work best when all passengers have the same route and have to reach at a similar time. Licencing and reputed PHV operators will ensure a well-managed ecosystem to offer a quality customer experience.
Prepare for The Road
As a PHV driver, you must take the time to check out daily traffic reports, keep knowledge of any closed roads or traffic delays, and consider alternative options in case of excess congestion.
Before you head out, take some time to plan your journey. Check traffic reports, plan your route, and consider alternative options in case of road closures or severe delays. Using apps like Google Maps or Waze can help you avoid congestion and potential hazards. Moreover, weather conditions are an important factor for safe driving. Therefore, monitor the occurrence of fog, snow, or drizzle during this period. Preparing in advance reduces the need for rushing or any mistakes during the ride, thus reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety.
Taxi and Private Hire Cost Hikes
This is where paying for the PCO licence cost pays off when you can charge a reasonable extra for the ride, especially when there are multiple stops. While black cabs are permitted to charge an extra of up to £4 per journey, for Ubers and minicabs it could be based on standard norms of the ride and the venues to visit. Peak hours, congested areas, and visits to prime pubs and nightclubs may vary from those of suburban rides. Scheduling the rides well in advance saves the hassle for both the PHV drivers and passengers to secure the right rate.
