Why black cabs can cost more

Published: 3 September, 2010

• IN reply to Clare Parker’s complaining of the price of black cabs (Letters, August 27), I have a son who is a black cab driver so asked him for some facts.

First the cabs are on a meter which is set by the licensing authority, that is, Transport for London and not by the drivers.

Secondly a black cab driver has to be licensed by Transport for London and this costs approximately £280 for three years.

The cabs also have to have a yearly overhaul which, while similar to an MOT, is much more thorough, and at the end of each year a cabbie has to get his Hackney Licence Plate renewed at an approximate cost of £160.

On top of all this, all cabbies have had to do the “knowledge” which takes most of them between four and five years.

Hence the expense of black cabs, which in any case, are not always dearer than mini-cabs.

WENDY MUNRO
Islip Street, NW5