Are TfL Turning A Blind Eye To Illegal Parking On Working Taxi Ranks???

TfL have put out another statement this morning via their twitter account, aimed solely at "Taxi Drivers" saying Taxis must not be left unattended on working ranks.

Most Taxi drivers believe this statement is no more than cosmetic, as there  appears to be no compliance action to back up these statements. 

All taxis on a working rank should be available for immediate hire, but again, TfL say nothing about the constant stream of private hire vehicles which block working Taxi ranks, or certain working ranks being used for free parking while drivers visit mosques.

The problem in Mayfair at night, became such a prolific problem that TfLTPH decided to ‘unman’ their Twitter account, being used by Taxi drivers to send photographic evidence and reports of contravening vehicles using rank spaces. 

There is of course the exception of rest ranks, a list of which can be found on TFL's website....but again, cars can be found parked on these ranks.

The bias against the trade from our regulator has become a major problem. 

TfL COs are out in force every day checking mainline Taxi ranks for over ranking, drivers idling and the use of smart phones while the engine is running (even if the vehicle is stationary on a rank). 

Taxi drivers complain that Private Hire vehicles parked/waiting on Taxi ranks are consistently ignored by COs. 

And again, their appears to be another exception:

A certain group of Taxi Drivers are illegally parking their vehicles on working Taxi ranks, while they go to the mosque to pray, with it would seem, full blessing from TfL. 

The problem at Hamilton Place, has been reported to TfL on numerous occasions but they have failed to take any action whatsoever. 

Drivers are asking: 

Why are TfL taking a softly softly approach to this problem. It is a definite breach of regulations which clearly states cab drivers cannot park their vehicles unattended on working Taxi ranks.

Some nights, the whole of Hamilton Place’s three main feeder ranks are full of parked Taxis. Even the ranks at the Hard Rock Cafe’ and the playboy club are being used as free parking space for drivers visiting the Mosque in Hertford Street.  

And yet, every so often, TfL COs turn up to move on Taxis over-ranking on the Park Lane Hilton rank because they can’t get on the Hamilton Place feeder. Is this another example of TFL's divide and conquer policy?

When asked to do something about the empty Taxis on Hamilton Place COs give the same weak excuse, saying that’s not why they've been called to the area. 

Another Taxi rank that is suffering with this type of abuse is the St John’s Wood Taxi Hut. The spaces provided at the shelter are for customers using the facilities, not for drivers to leave their Taxi there while they pop down to the Regents Park mosque. 

Todays statement on their Twitter account could be classed as, no more than non action from TfLTPH. 

Why aren’t these offending vehicles being reported en masse to compliance?

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT : 
What they said on Twitter .....