Commentary Part 4: General provisions relating to passenger transport Section 53: Use of private hire vehicles to provide local services
153.This section amends section 12 of the TA 1985, which currently enables holders of a taxi licence to apply to the traffic commissioner for a restricted Public Service Vehicle (“PSV”) operator’s licence – referred to as a “special licence”. A special licence entitles the operator to use taxis to provide local bus services – which have to be registered with the traffic commissioner. The effect of the amendment is to enable the holders of private hire vehicle (“PHV”) licences similarly to apply for a special licence in order to use PHVs to provide local bus services – which also have to be registered with the traffic commissioner. The amendment allows PHVs operating in this way to pick up passengers at bus stops as provided for in the route registration, rather than having to be pre-booked through an operator.
154.Section 53 extends to Great Britain. However it will apply (i.e. have effect) in London only if Transport for London (“TfL”) makes a decision that it should do so and makes an order under new section 13A (inserted by section 54).
	*A taxi licence is a licence granted under section 6 of the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869 (in London), or section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (in the rest of England and Wales), or section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (in Scotland). The driver can accept immediate hirings by standing at ranks or by being hailed in the street; pre-bookings can also be arranged.
	*A private hire vehicle licence is a licence granted under section 7 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, or section 48 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (in the rest of England and Wales), or section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (in Scotland). Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked.