Black cabs - I just don't understand

[*Bob*]

A black cab home is a fine way to end a night out if there's four of five of you.

Bundled in the back of a Mondeo listening to Christian radio with the 'short straw' making small talk in the front passenger seat isn't always what you want.

[keekybreeks]

...

[malumbu]

You are still all missing the point. There is a total oversupply. They clog up streets. They polute. Politicians kowtow to their lobby. A tory government, a tory mayor. Pro-market. Yet black cabs are not a market working well.

They may be wonderful drivers, going through numerous hopes and great company. But still too many of them.

I knew some great tool makers. A desirable white collar job. No tool makers any more as technology and loss of manufacturing industry makes them almost redundant. And print workers. And film developers. And wheeltappers and shunters.

[Townleygreen]

Too many? wait till it's raining. You won't find one then!

[MrBen]

Malambu...what are you smoking old chap? There are almost four times as many minicabs in London than there are black cabs. The last lot of TX4s had catalytic standards enforced to reduce emissions and no cabbie will keep his engine running to waste fuel on a slow moving rank.

The future probably involves constantly circulating, electric, driverless cars and cycling....until then...

[Jeremy]

indiepanda Wrote:

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> In what way are mini cabs safer than black cabs?

> The standards black cab drivers have to meet far

> exceed those of mini cabs.

The fact they are booked in advance means there's a record of who's car you've been in and when. That would give me a lot more piece of mind than whatever these standards are which black cab drivers are supposed to meet.

> I don't get the convenience point either - if I am

> leaving work late at night I can usually pick up a

> black cab on the street in a few minutes where

> Addison Lee suggest booking twenty minutes in

> advance.

If you find it more convenient then fair enough. I find it more convenient to book one, get a text when it arrives, and then sit back and relax - without having to listen to the driver moan about going south of the river, or constantly ask for directions.

[uncleglen]

It's all to do with tourism and tradition.

[miga]

.

[Otta]

I'm with Jeremy.

There's also the fact you agree a price before you set off in a mini cab, so no watching in horror as the meter ticks up and up.

[Mick Mac]

Licensed pre booked mini cabs are safer for the reasons given. There have been a few rogue black cab sex attacks in recent years, people assume when they see a black cab that the driver is who he is supposed to be, which is not always the case. Also black cabs can lock you in, which is not a nice feeling.

[MrBen]

Cabbies would like to lynch the guy who basically drove an old de-commissioned black cab and committed that assault or the "I've won the lottery" rhohypnol guy. But they are the high profile exceptions to a trade that prides itself on safety and reliability....and pale compared to the number of incidents of various types reported from mini cabs...

I use Uber, Hailo, and flag cabs down on the street...Addison Lee...sometimes Keen Group...the airport guy who does dulwich in that oversized silver Merc...they all have a place...but London would be a poorer city without its famous black cabs.

[Jeremy]

The safety thing... I didn't want to bring up the lottery rapist incident because it's clearly an exception, but nevertheless it seems to me that these sorts of crimes are less likely to be committed by an Uber driver because of the greater traceability.

Obviously black cabs are iconic, and they do have their place... they're convenient for toursists and business travellers I guess. But as a "local", I find it hard to think of a situation when there isn't a better alternative.

[malumbu]

Cabbies blocked the streets round Victoria on Tuesday wanting their special treatment, which is looks like Boris is giving them through limiting mini cab numbers. Ban Uber and they will win the lottery (or perhaps that is ban cyclists as well).

I imagine that cabbies were not out in support in the 1980s for mining communities or print workers.

What is worse is that there was a knock on effect with the Queen gridlocking central London on Wednesday. Dunno what she has to complain about.

[bobbsy]

Uber's seemed cheaper initially. Last week I used an Uber for 1 leg of a journey - ?18. 2 hours later a Black Cab back for the reverse trip - ?14. That was on the normal fee structure. Black Cab drivers in central London have amazing route knowledge that a sat-nav unfortunately can't replicate regarding traffic patterns and quickest routes at different times of the day.

Black cabs are very reasonable for short journeys in town, particularly with 4 or 5 passengers on the same route, often working out cheaper than the Tube. I agree Black Cabs should have enforced low emissions.

Mini-cabs are generally far more economical for longer journeys. However the last I caught from Heathrow back to East Dulwich in peak hour morning traffic took almost 2 1/2 hours, so you do get what you pay for - they blindly follow the satnav routing.

[Jeremy]

bobbsy Wrote:

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> Black cabs are very reasonable for short journeys

> in town, particularly with 4 or 5 passengers on

> the same route

I do agree with that bit!

[cactus]

Word of warning, never ever mention Uber whilst riding in a black cab.

A fortnight ago, a friend and I were en route from Soho to ED in one, the journey was slow, and

I said something about how we should have used Uber, not to the driver, but to my friend. The driver was obviously eavesdropping on our conversation, he pulled over sharply and made us get out!!! For mentioning Uber, dear or dear.

Clearly they can't handle the competition.

[Loz]

I assume he didn't try to charge you after turfing you out.

Might be a new strategy - wait until you are reasonably close to your destination and mention Uber loudly, get kicked out - free cab ride!