The London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) has presented a series of pressing questions to the Mayor via London Assembly Members, highlighting the challenges facing the black cab trade. These questions address the decline of The Knowledge, regulatory disparities with private hire vehicles (PHVs), the impact of ride-hailing apps, and the financial burden placed on taxi drivers. Below, we highlight the critical issues raised by the LCDC.
The Decline of The Knowledge and the Taxi Trade
The LCDC has raised concerns about the falling number of new taxi drivers, with fewer people undertaking The Knowledge of London and an ageing workforce.
• “What specific steps will you take to encourage new entrants into the taxi trade and support Knowledge schools?”
• “With a decreasing taxi fleet and fewer new taxis being added, how do you plan to ensure that London’s iconic black cab service remains a vital part of the city’s transport network?”
A lack of new drivers threatens the long-term sustainability of the trade, raising fears that black cabs could become a thing of the past.
Regulatory Disparities: An Unequal Playing Field
Taxi drivers are required to meet stringent licensing conditions, while PHV drivers face fewer requirements. The LCDC is calling for fairer regulations.
• “Will you commit to reviewing and balancing the licensing requirements between taxi and PH drivers to prevent regulatory loopholes from being exploited?”
• “How do you respond to concerns that the current PH licensing system allows operators to undercut taxi services by avoiding the higher costs and standards imposed on taxi drivers?”
Drivers argue that unfair competition is eroding their ability to make a living and is pushing more cabbies out of the industry.
The Gig Economy and Ride-Hailing Apps
The LCDC has accused ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt of using technology to exploit cheap labour and avoid regulations.
• “What measures will you introduce to ensure that ride-hailing services comply with fair labour practices and appropriate regulatory standards?”
• “Given the claim that app-based PH services operate similarly to taxis, will you consider creating a distinct licensing category for ride-hailing services with similar standards to those imposed on the taxi trade?”
Taxi drivers argue that ride-hailing apps have been allowed to function in a way that directly competes with taxis while facing significantly fewer restrictions.
Passenger Safety and Service Standards
The LCDC has expressed serious concerns about safety disparities between taxi and PH drivers, pointing out that black cab drivers undergo rigorous testing.
• “Will you introduce additional driving tests and training for PH drivers to improve safety and service quality?”
• “With a significantly higher rate of criminal offences committed by PH drivers compared to taxi drivers, how do you plan to improve vetting, oversight, and accountability within the PH sector?”
The safety of passengers should be paramount, yet the LCDC argues that the regulatory gap between taxis and PHVs puts the public at risk.
Market Fairness and Sustainability
The LCDC has challenged the Mayor over what it sees as an uneven playing field, with black cabs bearing higher costs while PHVs benefit from fewer regulations.
• “What steps will you take to ensure a level playing field for all operators while protecting the public interest?”
• “Will you consider revising legislation to prevent PH operators from using technology to circumvent taxi regulations, particularly regarding ride-hailing services?”
Taxi drivers feel that the Mayor and TfL have failed to act against unfair competition, allowing PHVs to dominate through regulatory loopholes.
The Cost of Electric Taxis: A Financial Burden for Drivers
While black cab drivers have been forced to invest in expensive electric taxis, PHVs continue to operate polluting vehicles without equivalent restrictions.
• “How do you justify mandating electric vehicles for taxis while allowing thousands of predominantly diesel and petrol PHVs to continue operating in London?”
• “With the cost of converting a vehicle to meet London taxi standards reaching at least £24,000 more than the equivalent PHV, do you acknowledge that these financial burdens are driving many taxi drivers out of business?”
• “Will your new plan include financial support or incentives to help taxi drivers meet these high standards while staying competitive?”
Taxi drivers argue that they are being unfairly penalised with expensive regulations while PHVs continue to evade similar costs.
LEVC’s Monopoly and the Failure of the Second-Hand Market
The LCDC has criticised TfL’s exclusive reliance on the LEVC TX model, which has proven expensive and unreliable.
• “Given that TfL approved the LEVC TX as the only vehicle currently permitted for use as a London taxi, what steps have been taken to ensure that LEVC upholds its commitment to a ‘robust goodwill policy’ for vehicle repairs outside of warranty?”
• “Is TfL aware that LEVC is refusing to support drivers with critical component failures on relatively low-mileage vehicles, despite previously assuring TfL that cases would be assessed on an individual basis?”
• “What action will TfL take to hold LEVC accountable for its failure to honour assurances given in communications with TfL, particularly regarding post-warranty support for known issues?”
Drivers feel trapped in a monopoly that has left them financially vulnerable, with no affordable second-hand market for taxis.
Oversupply of PHVs and Congestion
PHV numbers have skyrocketed, leading to congestion, lower wages, and environmental concerns.
• “The number of licensed taxis in London has fallen to fewer than 15,000, while PHV numbers have surged to nearly six times that amount. What immediate steps will you take to halt the decline in taxi numbers and ensure that London does not lose its world-renowned black cab service due to unfair competition?”
• “Will you consider lobbying the government to introduce a cap on PHV numbers to prevent further oversaturation and market imbalance?”
The LCDC argues that oversupply of PHVs has led to declining wages for all drivers while worsening congestion in London.
The Gig Economy and Delivery Services: A Free Pass?
The rise of unregulated gig-economy delivery services—such as Amazon, Deliveroo, and UberEats—has led to concerns about congestion and safety.
• “While Black Cabs and PHVs are heavily regulated, the Mayor has failed to address the rise of unlicensed delivery vehicles, mopeds, scooters, e-bikes, and vans operating for companies like Amazon, Deliveroo, and UberEats. Will he now lobby for legislation to introduce proper licensing for these vehicles?”
• “Why are unregulated delivery drivers allowed to operate without scrutiny while taxi and PH drivers face strict compliance checks?”
• “Will the Mayor introduce new licensing fees for delivery operators to help fund enforcement and ensure they contribute to London’s transport infrastructure?”
The LCDC believes that delivery drivers are contributing to congestion while escaping regulatory oversight.
Final Challenge to the Mayor
The LCDC has directly challenged the Mayor on his responsibility for London’s transport sector, questioning whether his policies have actively harmed the black cab trade.
• “Will you finally commit to stopping regulatory arbitrage, ending economic exploitation, and ensuring a level playing field for all drivers—Black Cab, PH, and delivery?”
• “If you refuse to take action, are you prepared to admit that you have no control over London’s transport sector and that your policies actively support the exploitation of drivers while destroying the regulated Black Cab trade?”
The LCDC and London’s black cab drivers are demanding more than just words—they want action. The Mayor’s response to these questions will determine whether he is truly committed to supporting one of London’s most historic and vital industries or whether he will allow it to be undermined by unregulated competition.
