Time to praise London’s taxi drivers

Published: 9 September, 2010

• I WOULD just like to put forward a few facts after the letter portraying a very negative attitude towards London black taxis (High prices of black cabs, August 26).

They certainly do not charge double the fare that minicabs charge.

Prices are variable, and in some instances can be higher, but generally are about the same or even at times lower in price.

London black taxi drivers do not set their own fares, these are set by Transport for London, and minicab drivers set their own fares and can charge customers what they want.

However there are some factors that need to be taken into consideration when making comparisons between London black taxis and minicabs.

They are as follows:
To purchase a new London black taxi the starting price is £31,000 as opposed to a new minicab starting at £10,000.

On average it costs £1,000 to renew your taxi plate, plus meter hire at £175.

For a minicab it averages at £300 and they have no meter.

Add in servicing and repairs throughout the year… and they are also dearer than those of a minicab as there strict rules regarding repairs and general standards on the condition of the London black taxi, whereas minicabs are often in a poor state of repair and have no regulations regarding their levels of safety.

So, you see, the basic running costs of a London black taxi are substantially more expensive than those of a minicab.

You also need to add into the equation that London black taxi drivers have to spend on average between two-and-a-half to four years studying the knowledge, unpaid, at considerable costs to themselves, generally while juggling a full-time job with family life.

Minicab drivers only have to sit a local map test. Every London black taxi is wheelchair accessible (very few minicabs are) and in conjunction with London borough councils there is a taxi card scheme that allows disabled passengers to travel for as little as £1.50, to attend hospital appointments, day centres, shopping etcetera.

Several charities, including war veterans and children with terminal/ life-threatening illnesses also benefit from London taxi drivers who give up their free time to take them on trips.

I know London black taxis are not perfect, but neither are minicabs.

But like most services in the world today London black taxis are always striving to make improvements while providing a vital source of transport in the capital.

Hotel.com has just completed a survey of the taxi services in the largest cities in the world and London black taxis came first for the third year running.

For once can we give these London black taxi drivers a bit of praise and stop portraying them in the negative and grossly unfair light that the letter-writer does. 

MARK CASE
Doric Way, NW1