London pedicab regulations target 'rip-off fares'

Pedicab drivers are to be banned from charging "rip-off fares" and blasting music from their vehicles as they are regulated in London for the first time.

Under the new rules from Transport for London (TfL), drivers and operators must pay for a licence, meet English language requirements, pass a safety test, and hold at least a driving theory test certificate.

TfL said the measures were designed to improve safety, clamp down on inflated fares and crack down on persistent complaints over noise and anti-social behaviour.

The London Pedicab Welfare Association (LPWA) previously said it welcomed regulations, so long as they were fair.

MPs have previously heard how unregulated pedicabs have turned parts of London into the "Wild West", with tourists charged hundreds of pounds for journeys of less than 10 minutes.

In one case cited in the Commons, a tourist was charged more than £450 for a seven-minute journey with their two children that took them little more than a mile.

But now TfL has proposed a cap on all pedicab fares. Under the proposals, passengers will be charged a maximum base fare of £5, then £1 per minute for the first passenger, rising to £3 per minute for every additional passenger.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: "After years of campaigning, I'm pleased that TfL will be regulating pedicabs across the capital to ensure they meet proper operational standards.

"Pedicabs should be a fun way to explore London - but too often people face rip-off fares, blaring music and unsafe behaviour.

"We're bringing in these new rules so that both customers and drivers can benefit from an industry that is more safe, reliable and professional."

Drivers will need a licence for their vehicle at a cost of £100, and for themselves, at a proposed cost for £114. Both would last a year.

The licences for drivers and the maximum journey fares are due to come into force from 30 October, with vehicle licences following in early 2027.

TfL's Chris Plummer said the regulations marked "a major step" towards improving safety and fairness for passengers.

MP for Cities of London and Westminster, Rachel Blake, said: "For far too long, residents in the centre of London have had to put up with the noise and disruption that pedicabs bring.

"Residents across the Cities of London and Westminster will welcome the regulations coming in today as a first step to clamping down on rogue pedicab operators, with most importantly a ban on amplified noise.

"Local communities and businesses should be respected, and today's new rules show significant progress being made."

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