Magenta Technology Helps Private Hire Operators Comply with New TfL Regulations
London, 20 July 2016: Magenta Technology is making it easier for private hire operators in London to comply with new regulations from Transport for London. Magenta’s real time scheduling and dispatch platform Echo is already supporting existing licensees with the provision of booking confirmation and contact facilities – two important introductions in the new regulations. Designed to improve customer safety and service, these changes allow passengers to share details of their journey with concerned relatives or friends and contact the operator in case of a problem. Echo is also supporting operators in the provision of accurate fare estimates and essential record keeping.
“Since these new regulations have been announced, we have seen an increase in the number of enquiries from operators who are concerned about the potential impact on their business,” commented Torsten Brose, Echo Business Development Director at Magenta Technology. “Our existing Echo users are, however, confident in their compliance. Supported by Magenta, many already go above and beyond the new regulations with multi-platform customer apps and accurate ETA calculations, for example.”
Additional functionality offered by the Echo platform that will help private hire operators comply with the new regulations include: an advanced Call Module, including caller identification, call history management and call monitoring, with call playbacks automatically attached to bookings; a Customer Web Booking Portal; and newly enhanced Customer Booking Apps. Additional customer service functionality includes Dynamic Delays for the automatic calculation of response time, Flight Lookup and Validation, and integration with third party systems.
The new regulations came into force on the 27th June 2016 for new operators with an extended compliance deadline for existing licensees. Introduced by TfL and affecting all drivers, operators and vehicle licence holders, the changes to private hire regulations are being introduced to raise standards in the industry, and to improve safety and convenience for customers.
Additional regulations include a new English language standard for drivers and the requirement to provide their National Insurance number; information which will be shared with relevant government departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue & Customs. The new regulations will also require that all vehicles have in place hire and reward insurance for the entire licence period, including when the vehicle is not in use as a private hire vehicle, with details carried by the driver or displayed in the vehicle at all times.
Full details of the new regulations can be found at https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/new-private-hire-regulations