A minicab passenger attacked in an argument over £1 has been celebrating an announcement that names of licensed minicab operators will now be on the internet.

Minicab operators have had to register with the Public Carriage Office (PCO) since October 22 this year in order to get a licence after concerns by the Metropolitan Police over violence against female passengers.

Now Transport for London (TfL) has announced it is to publicise the list on its website www.transportforlondon.gov.

uk/pco following calls to make travel safer.

The 43-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, is still traumatised by her beating on the forecourt of Wimbledon station this spring, but told the Guardian she was delighted by TfLs action.

She said she found it hard to forget the day the driver from minicab firm Pronto from Morden hit her in the face with his mobile phone after they argued over the fare.

The company sacked Ahmed Harti, 33, after the incident. He was charged with assault.

He denied the charge at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, in August, but was subsequently found guilty last month.

Mr Harti, of Hazelwood Avenue, Morden, was fined £250 and £200 in compensation.

His victim said she had suffered sleep problems since the attack and said it would take some time to get it out of her mind.

But she welcomed the new rulings which give passengers the chance to make their own checks.

She said: People should check each driver so they can travel with confidence and feel safe.