RMT London Taxi Branch notes the instruction by Addison Lee PLC (A London Private Hire Operator) to instruct their driver to break the law by using bus lanes reserved for Buses and Taxis.

We demand that Transport for London (TfL) suspends the operating licence of Addison Lee PLC with immediate effect and rigorously enforce the Bus Lanes to prevent such dangerous and reckless behaviour.

If TfL fail to do so and this wilful disregard of the law continues we will convene an emergency all trades meeting and institute a campaign of direct action to preserve our members interest both in the short and long term.

The reason that Taxis (as opposed to Private Hire) has such Bus Lane Access is that as a Public Hired vehicle and having a controlled metered fare need to take the most direct route. Private Hire is by definition private and needs no such access. If however Addison Lee's and any other PH driver wishes to use any bus lane all they need to do is to enrol on the Knowledge of London and qualify as a Taxi Driver.

The world famous Knowlege of London is open to all without restriction.

London has the Worlds no. 1 Taxi service. The RMT will defend that status by all and any means at its disposal.