By Gary Long For the London Cab Trade
The London Assembly’s Transport Committee meeting on Heathrow Airport surface access, held on 27 March 2025, brought fresh clarity to the shifting landscape of airport journeys—and it wasn’t the news many of London’s black cab drivers wanted to hear.
While taxis and minicabs together still account for the largest single share (28%) of departing passengers’ trips to Heathrow, TfL revealed a more troubling figure for the taxi trade: Black cab journeys are down 20%.
Although the combined taxi/PHV category is up 0.7%, it is PHVs that are growing, not us. The black cab’s share of Heathrow-bound traffic is shrinking, despite offering a superior, wheelchair-accessible, and professionally regulated service.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to the latest Heathrow passenger survey (December 2024), departing passengers reached the airport using the following transport methods:
• Taxi and Minicab (combined): 28%
• Private car: 21%
• Elizabeth line: 16%
• Piccadilly line: 15%
• National Express coach: 5%
• Heathrow Express: 4%
• Local bus: 3%
On the surface, taxis and minicabs are still leading. But dig deeper, and it’s clear that private hire vehicles—especially app-based services—are claiming an ever-larger piece of the pie.
Rail Rises While Cabs Stagnate
The introduction of the Elizabeth line has transformed airport travel. With 16% of passengers now opting for this high-frequency, central London service, the convenience and price point are appealing—especially compared to the cost of a black cab.
TfL’s Christina Calderato confirmed that rail demand is surging and there’s appetite to expand further. Ten more Elizabeth line trains are on order, and upgrades to the Piccadilly line are planned, including a full fleet refresh and potential signalling upgrades to boost frequency.
For black cabs, this means fewer spontaneous airport fares and more passengers opting for pre-booked, lower-cost options—particularly when heading to or from the airport during peak congestion.
Accessibility: Our Enduring Advantage
One area where black cabs remain unmatched is accessibility. Every London taxi is wheelchair-accessible, and drivers are trained to support vulnerable passengers. This stands in contrast to inconsistent accessibility standards among PHVs.
TfL acknowledged this, with Calderato noting the “disproportionate importance” of black cabs and buses for airport staff and passengers with specific needs. Still, praise doesn’t pay the bills—especially when passengers are voting with their wallets and choosing cheaper alternatives.
The Funding Fight: Who Pays for Access?
There was also tension around Heathrow’s reduced contribution to Elizabeth line funding, justified by the claim that the new rail link hasn’t added net new passengers to the airport. Assembly Members pushed back, calling this disingenuous.
TfL was clear: airport expansion will require massive investment in surface access, with estimates still hovering around £10 billion. Calderato reiterated that this must be privately financed, not left to Londoners or TfL to absorb.
This matters to black cab drivers because future funding choices could affect road access, ranks, and public transport competition.
So, What Does This Mean for the Trade?
• Black cab journeys to Heathrow are down sharply despite steady or growing overall airport travel.
• PHVs are rising fast, leveraging app convenience and lower prices to win market share.
• Investment in rail is accelerating, while support for taxis risks being overlooked.
• Accessibility remains a strength, but awareness and policy support must follow.
• Future policy must include taxis, especially as plans for a third runway and new rail links emerge.
Final Thoughts
The message from this session is clear: while black cabs are still valued, we are being pushed to the margins of airport travel. Without firm support from TfL and Heathrow—via policy, rank access, and better visibility—we risk being overtaken by cheaper, less regulated alternatives.
It’s time for the taxi trade to stand up and demand a fair deal, because a London without black cabs at Heathrow is a poorer, less accessible city for everyone.
