Mayor’s Question time interrupted by private hire drivers.

Private hire Taxis drivers claim they are being bullied by TFL.

Members of the United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD) association interrupted the Mayor’s Question time to protest against TFL’s private hire vehicle regulation proposals mainly calling for English language tests to become mandatory.

The test will be of a GCSE level and applied to all private hire drivers that are independent and working with larger companies.

Driver Crystal Yasir from Norwood Junction said: “There are great difficulties surrounding these proposals and we all stand to suffer. We are here because something must be done.”

In a statement on the website TfL said: “These changes were introduced to raise standards in London’s private hire industry, and improve the safety, customer service experience and convenience of customers and drivers.”

UPHD co-founder Yaseen Aslam, the protest organiser said “TfL’s own analysis shows the test is of no interest or benefit to transport users yet piles cost and misery onto drivers.

“The decision to retrospectively apply the test is especially cruel as drivers may face years of worry and eventual unemployment.”

A spokesperson of the London Assembly went on to thank the protesters for maintaining a peaceful protest while in the chambers.

TFL continue with the statement that has been posted on their website, “These changes were introduced to raise standards in London’s private hire industry, and improve the safety, customer service experience and convenience of customers and drivers.”