London's pedicab cowboys face a new sheriff as TfL clamps down on rip-off fares

"London's long-running pedicab free-for-all is finally being brought to heel, as Transport for London ( TfL) begins rolling out rules designed to tame what many have seen as the West End's last transport wild west. From this winter, there will likely be fewer pedicabs circling theatres and tourist hotspots. Not because demand has vanished, but because regulation has arrived. For the first time, fares will be capped and operators licensed, reshaping a trade that has operated for years with little formal oversight."

"That means a ten-minute ride for two people would therefore cost no more than £18 - a far cry from the £20-£50 that's commonly reported today for similar West End journeys. In the most notorious cases, the absence of controls has led to eye-watering bills. Just last year, TfL received a complaint about a £408 charge for an eight-minute hop from Harrods to Hyde Park."

"From the end of October, the fare limits come into force, meaning prices should drop sharply from November onwards. Operators who flout the rules risk fines of up to £2,500, and TfL will also have the authority to seize non-compliant pedicabs. There will be a short grace period for vehicles themselves, allowing time for upgrades or replacements, but by the end of February next year, all pedicabs must meet the new standards."

Transport for London is introducing a regulated framework for pedicabs in the West End, including capped fares, operator licensing, and vehicle standards. Fares will be limited to a £5 base, £3 per additional passenger, and no more than £1 per minute. From the end of October fare caps take effect and drivers must obtain TfL licences, pass enhanced criminal-record checks and medicals, and pay regulatory fees from March. Non-compliant operators face fines up to £2,500 and potential seizure of vehicles, with a vehicle upgrade grace period ending at the end of February. The changes may concentrate pedicabs in tourist hotspots and reduce availability elsewhere.

Read at ianVisits