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Edition 21 | January 2021
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TOUGH TEST FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD’S HARDEST TAXI EXAM
Image credit: LEVC
WHO ARE YOUR PUNTERS?|THE TRADE IN NUMBERS NEW APPS|GRANT DAVIS|DR. MIKE GALVIN
EDITORIAL
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 3
2021:
A TURBULENT
START
TaxiPoint Chief Editor: Perry Richardson TaxiPoint Editor: Michael Murphy TaxiPoint Publishing & Advertising Manager: Lindsey Richardson Visit us online at: www.taxi-point.co.uk Write to us at: contact@taxi-point.co.uk Advertising enquiries at: advertising@taxi-point.co.uk The publishers reserve the right to refuse, withdraw, amend or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All
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As we bring you the first edition of the year, we would ordinarily be wishing you a very ‘happy new year’ but alas 2021 is certainly not an ordinary year already. With the UK in lockdown once again, varying levels of financial support for cabbies depending on location and local authority, many newly selfemployed drivers part of the ‘excluded’, and ongoing high running costs; it has already unquestionably been an incredibly tough start to the year. The taxi industry will survive this huge test, but as is the case for many sectors there is likely to be further turbulence over the coming months. We’ll continue to bring you all the latest news as the trade navigates its way through and out of this pandemic. So, as we bring in the new year, we wish you the very best in what are still very challenging times.
Perry Richardson, TaxiPoint Founder
All written and image rights are reserved by the author as displayed. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Copyright brand TaxiPoint 2021. Creative Common image licenses displayed where applicable.
THE KNOWLEDGE
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 5
TOUGH TEST
FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD’S
HARDEST
TAXI EXAM Known around the world as the toughest taxi test on the planet, the Knowledge of London has never pulled any punches when it comes to creating some of the very best professional drivers the industry has to offer. But the course, which requires 100% commitment and dedication for a period usually between 3 to 5 years, has seen a worrying drop in students, with numbers currently sitting at just over 1,300 as of November 2020 according to Transport for London (TfL) data. And only 155 of those are at the final stages of the Knowledge. For any industry or sector to really flourish and have a prosperous future, it’s important for ‘new blood’ to continuously come through and revitalise numbers at a steady pace. Becoming a London taxi driver always offered a nice reward if you were willing to put the hours in, but in exchange you would have to commit to the trade way before ever getting near a badge. With the year we’ve just had, which has seen the hospitality and transport industry hit extremely hard by the pandemic, those who may have been considering the long journey to becoming one of London’s finest cabbies, will no doubt be thinking twice about what awaits them
Image credit: Tony King
THE KNOWLEDGE
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 6
at the finish line.
sympathy for our current situation with the amount of But should current taxi drivers take some responsibility anger being publicly expressed by some drivers. for the lack of students on the course? Well, according “We are our own worst enemy sometimes and we to one of the capital’s largest and well-known need to separate the views we express when talking Knowledge schools, the answer is yes. freely in private, from the way we are being presented Dean Warrington, Founder of Wizann and a London cab and presenting ourselves on social media platforms.” driver of nearly 25 years, told TaxiPoint: “The major factor contributing to the continual decline of Knowledge students, is the negativity expressed by a percentage of drivers. The ‘game’s dead’ drivers’ views are being expressed far more often than the neutral to positive views that also exist. “Students and potential students are being instantly discouraged by the un-inspirational words being expressed.
When social media is used correctly it is a great platform to promote any industry or sector, but if not used wisely it can also tarnish a brand and those who represent it, as Dean highlights.
But what about those who oversee the industry? Those who take the licensing fees? How much are they doing to ensure a vibrant future for the trade?
In this case, TfL are the governing body for the taxi trade in the capital. TaxiPoint has approached TfL for “Driving a taxi in London is still a fantastic job and their views on the decline in Knowledge students and opportunity. Too many people fail to realise what the asked what plans they have in place to help rebuild alternatives are in terms of the current job market. For trust in the future of the trade to encourage more someone over the age of 40, with no previous people to commit to the long journey to obtain a green qualifications or experience in other fields, driving a (all London) taxi badge. TfL are yet to comment and taxi would most certainly be a great prospect.” therefore it remains unclear exactly what lies ahead for the world’s toughest taxi test. Some would of course argue that there are no better people to analyse the industry than the ones who are currently working in it. The ‘game’s dead’ gang have been shouting loudly way before any global pandemic fired shots at the traditional taxi market and things have only got worse at least in the short term. Dean went on to add: “The other major issue is the amount of Taxi Drivers who use social media with no concept of the PR consequences. When you read a story of a customer dissatisfied with an Uber journey, it would help the trade greatly if the responses from licensed taxi drivers were not along the lines of ‘it’s your own fault for being stupid for getting an Uber in the first place’. “In these instances, if you are unable to say anything positive, then you really should say noting. We are not creating much support or
DEAN WARRINGTON
WIZANN KNOWLEDGE SCHOOL FOUNDER Image credit: Wizann.co.uk
Charity
May 2019 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 20
FEATURE Q&A
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 8
In this month’s Q&A session Grant Davis, Chairman of London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC), joins us in the TaxiPoint hotseat to discuss the challenges of 2020 and his predictions for the year ahead. 2020 was a memorable year for all the wrong calculations as to how the capital will continue to reasons. In your position as LCDC Chairman what was operate as a world class city. your biggest challenge? “Unless there is a complete rethink on these crazy “It goes without saying that COVID-19 has presented schemes it is very difficult to see how London our industry with the biggest challenge it has ever had survives.” to face, possibly in our history. As we lurched from In a tough year what was your biggest achievement total lockdown to “help-out to eat-out” then tier 2,3,4 in 2020? and now another lockdown, Londoners are in a permanent state of uncertainty as to what will happen “The biggest achievement for the LCDC during 2020 was that throughout these uncertain times the LCDC next. was able to provide our members the full range of “Perhaps even more worrying in the long run is how services which they would expect from us under the green lobby aided and abetted by Mayor Khan and normal circumstances and with the introduction of Transport Minister Grant Shapps has used the Zoom, Microsoft teams and meeting platforms, we pandemic to implement their plans to turn London were able to liaise between our members and into Amsterdam. Transport for London (TfL) on all major licensing issues “The fact that London has TEN times the population of such as NSL, driver medicals and thus keep our Amsterdam does not seem to enter into their members up to date almost on a daily basis.
FEATURE Q&A
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 9
“Quite frankly I cannot express my gratitude enough to our loyal members who have stayed with us and it is very humbling.”
somehow be reintroduced for a short period of time, this could be a major boost for drivers as we start 2021.”
Has the support provided to the taxi industry from the Government been adequate? What support would you like to see in 2021?
Do you see a slow or sharp recovery for the taxi industry once leisure and travel restrictions are lifted?
“Drivers who had filed their annual tax returns were reasonably helped by the Government with the selfemployment grant, would we have liked more? Certainly. But when you take in the effects of COVID19 on other service industries as a whole, I think it was the best we could have hoped for.
“It would be a brave man who would predict what the future holds for not just the taxi industry but the economy as a whole in 2021. It will only be when this virus has been brought under control, we will be able to see just how much damage it “A bigger problem for most drivers is the repayment of their mortgages and their taxis, initially there was a has caused payment holiday which helped alleviate the problem, to the economic but since these were stopped many drivers are fabric of experiencing extremely worrying times and if the London.” payment holidays or restructuring the finance could
TAXI PASSENGERS
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 11
Who are your
PUNTERS? Data is king in some sectors, and the taxi industry is no different. Knowing your market and who is more likely to use your business is key when trying to sell your services to would-be customers efficiently.
The distance travelled by taxi or PHV has increased by 10% over the last 10 years (from 54 miles in 2009), but the number of trips has remained broadly stable. The average taxi trip in 2019 lasted 20 minutes, the same as in 2018.
So, who are the punters in the back of a cab?
Why do people travel by taxi or PHV?
With the help of the National Travel Survey (NTS), a household survey completed by over 16,000 individuals in England every year, we are able to look at the latest data based on personal travel behaviour across England. According to the NTS data, in 2019 the average person in England made 11 taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) trips and travelled 59 miles by taxi or PHV, which is an increase from 10 trips and a decrease from 62 miles in 2018.
Over half (51%) of trips in taxis or PHVs were taken for leisure purposes, a small increase on 2018 (47%). The second most common purpose for a taxi ride was shopping (14% of trips).
How often do people use taxis or PHVs? Most people (58%) rarely use a taxi or PHV (at most twice a year). However, around a quarter (28%) travel by taxi or PHV at least once a month and 9% of people travel by taxi or PHV on a weekly basis. This has been broadly stable since 2010.
TAXI PASSENGERS Mobility difficulties In 2019, the number of taxi or PHV trips made by adults aged 16 or over with mobility difficulties has increased from 16 trips per person per year in 2010 to 21 trips per person per year. Similarly to the previous year, adults with mobility difficulties use taxis or PHVs more than people without mobility difficulties (21 trips per person vs. 11 trips per person). Taxi or PHV usage makes up 3% of all trips for those with mobility difficulties, compared to just 1% for those without mobility difficulties. These figures have remained broadly stable since 2010.
Age and gender In 2019, on average, women made more taxi or PHV trips than men (12 trips per person per year compared with 10 trips per person per year respectively). Women aged 70+ made 61% more trips than men of this age (13 trips per person per year compared with 8 trips per person per year respectively).
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 12
far (103 miles per person vs. 50 miles per person respectively). This pattern has remained broadly stable since 2002.
Household income Similarly to last year, people in the lowest real income quintile made 15 taxi or PHV trips, more than any other income quintile. However, those in the highest real income level travelled further by taxi or PHV, on average 70 miles per person per year, while those in the lowest quintile travelled 69 miles per person per year.
How far are taxi or PHV trips? In 2019, the majority (48%) of taxi or PHV trips were between 2 and 5 miles. This was almost double the proportion of trips of the same distance travelled by all modes (25%). In contrast, the majority (43%) of all trips were under 2 miles: just under a quarter (24%) of taxi or PHV trips were under 2 miles.
Although women make more taxi or PHV trips, both men and women travelled 59 miles per person by taxi or PHV in 2019.
Car access In 2019, on average, people in households without access to a car made 4 times as many taxi or PHV trips than those with access to a car (28 trips per person vs. 7 trips per person respectively), and travelled over twice as Image: LEVC
ANNUAL REPORT
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THE TAXI TRADE IN NUMBERS
LATEST DFT REPORT Over one in five taxi and private hire drivers were DRIVER WORKING PATTERNS working SEVEN DAYS A WEEK prior to the According to the statistics, 22% of ‘taxi and cab coronavirus pandemic according to new drivers and chauffeurs’ in April to June 2019 Government statistics for the industry. usually worked seven days a week in England. The annual Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Statistics Using the same profile between February and report was released by the Department for Transport (DfT) last month and details the number April 2020, that figure dropped to 9% of the of days drivers in the industry were working prior industry predominantly working seven days a week. The report suggests that the drop could be to and during the first weeks of the coronavirus explained by the national lockdown in response to pandemic. COVID-19. Nearly half of drivers usually worked 5 days a week.
ONE IN FIVE DRIVERS WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
ONE IN FOUR DRIVERS WORK PART-TIME
ANNUAL REPORT
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 15
taxis registered in the same period has increased slightly, by only 3,700 vehicles, from 64,200 to just under 68,000.
VEHICLE LICENCES
In the report, which includes data correct up to 31 March 2020, it also showed the total number of licensed vehicles in England increased by 2.3% DRIVER LICENCES (6,800 vehicles) since 2019, to 298,800. This There were 364,900 driver licences in 2020, figure represents the highest number since representing an increase of 0.6% (2,200 licences) comparable records were first collected in 2005. compared to the previous year. Since the According to the DfT report, this was mainly statistics started being recorded in 2005 the caused by an increase in Private Hire Vehicles number of licences has risen by a huge 50.7%. (PHVs), with just over three quarters (77%) of Due to the timing of the report, the release only licensed vehicles registered as PHVs. covers the first few weeks of the coronavirus In 2005 there were just over 120,000 PHVs licensed in England. That number has shot up to nearly 231,000 in just fifteen years. Licensed
pandemic. The DfT report does suggest that it is ‘likely’ the pandemic has impacted trends since.
Over THREE QUARTERS of all licensed vehicles are PHVs
77% PRIVATE HIRE
23% TAXIS
Over a THIRD of all licensed vehicles are licensed in London
14% of drivers are ‘TAXI ONLY’ licensees
83% of drivers are selfemployed
53% of drivers are aged 50+ Just 2% of drivers are women
London 38%
The average age of drivers is 50
England outside London 62%
TAXI ONLY 14%
DUAL 22%
PHV ONLY 64%
Change in numbers of PHV from 2005 2020: 230,900 2005: 120,400
LEADING STORY
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 16
Image credit: UITP
“THE RULES WHICH CURRENTLY APPLY TO TAXIS AND PHV SHOULD BE SCRUTINISED” As reported in the last edition of TaxiPoint, the Association of Public Transport), and his keynote delayed international UITP Taxi and Ride-hailing speech which summed up the impact of the Digital Conference took place virtually in December. pandemic in the opening session of the conference. The event brought together leading names in the industry over a two-day conference between 2-3 December. The online event provided an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and learn about smart solutions with leading taxi experts from across the world. In December’s edition we focused on Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP (International
This month we concentrate on the equally intriguing opening speech delivered by the European Commission’s Dr. Anja Kaeller, Legal Officer in DG MOVE, road transport unit. Dr. Kaeller said: “Although there was no need for such confirmation, the Coronavirus crisis has confirmed something that is very clear to everyone who is now listening and certainly to me: that
LEADING STORY passenger transport-on-demand is a very important topic which concerns many EU citizens directly. “Due to the Coronavirus crisis, transport providers, especially passenger transport providers, have found themselves unexpectedly in extreme economic difficulties: lockdowns, travel restrictions, cancellation of business travel, halt of nightlife. Countries are struggling to support and keep transport structures and businesses alive. “All those people working on the ground providing transport for goods and passengers during the worst times of the crisis deserve our respect and gratitude.
“There will be a life after the crisis, yet we do not know when it will come and what the post-Corona-normal will look like. For example: Will tourism and business travel resume just as before the crisis? “Still, we all have to think about this future – and we have to prepare.
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“Greening and digitalisation of road transport, including in urban areas, will certainly be at the core of the transport developments. “Regarding urban mobility, the Coronavirus crisis has an enormous negative impact on public transport. People now avoid public transport for risk of contamination with the virus. They choose modes of transport which allow them to socially (or rather physically) distance. This has the following consequences, which do not very well go together: One, people walk, scoot and bike more, and hence need more space on the streets to be safe. Two, people also revert to the use of cars, which in turn leads to more cars on the street, more congestion and likely less safety for vulnerable road users. “We do not know if this behavioural change is here to stay. Any approach to ridehailing, no matter at which level, however needs to keep these new developments in mind.
“Traditionally, local passenger transport on “In this regard, I would like to demand was considered a point out that, on 9 December, matter for cities, regional or the European Commission will present its Smart and Sustainable at best national authorities. Mobility Strategy. This Strategy will outline the Commission’s approach to mobility and transport for the next decade.
“Yet, things have changed in recent years, mainly thanks to digital technology.
LEADING STORY “Even if the actual transport services are still provided at local level, they are now often organised or intermediated by digital platforms which operate at international level. This is partly due to technical developments, just to mention smartphones, realtime information, geolocalisation.
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 19 States’ rules on Private Hire Vehicles with drivers.
“Now, let me share my assessment of the status quo. From what we have seen, even before the Coronavirus crisis hit, the markets do not function at optimal level in all Member States and there are repercussions on urban mobility as a whole.
“While these developments have been broadly welcomed by citizens, they have also exacerbated the tensions between taxis and Private Hire Vehicles “The Commission stands for fair opportunities for all with driver and exposed the lack of common existing and new market players. We welcome approaches at EU level. innovative services and strongly support “Different Member States have reacted differently digitalisation. to address issues that are specific to each situation “We believe in healthy competition on the localbut often have common roots. transport-on-demand markets. Competition leads to “A number of market players have turned to the EU – be it the Commission or the Court of Justice – to seek guidance and clarity. Specifically in our Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, most complaints we received concerned Member
better services and innovation. Technological progress and digitalisation will lead to further efficiency gains and improvements. “The rules which currently apply to taxis and PHV
LEADING STORY
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 20
should be scrutinised. Do they allow for competition and innovation? Do they serve the customers, drivers, and operators? Which impact do they have on urban mobility?
have started to explore the possibility of passenger pooling. Of course, Corona makes this more difficult. Another aspect is that those people, who are willing to share a cab or “an Uber” might be those who would otherwise take the bus or metro. Customers “In line with the Commission’s Green Deal, the potential of the ride-hailing sector to contribute to should not be diverted away from public mass transport and active modes of transport such as the objective of decarbonising transport and fostering mobility should be assessed and exploited walking and biking. further. “A dynamic, sustainable and safe local passenger transport on demand is part of the solution to the “All possible roads should be explored in this challenges cities face today.
regard, such as the use of zero emission vehicles for ride-hailing. It is important to decarbonise the vehicle fleet.
“We need to think about ways to ensure that passenger transport-on-demand can deliver efficient services to citizens, while taking into “Another important point is the access facilitation to account environmental and social concerns public (mass) transport such as subway lines and including working conditions of drivers. trains. Ride-hailing needs to complement public transport and should not replace neither the use of public transport, nor walking or biking. Ride-hailing therefore needs to be integrated with public transport. It should enhance it, not substitute it. In this regard, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms can help. For example, ride-hailing should ease access to public transport in the outskirts of metropolitan areas and provide first-mile and lastmile services to public transport.
“A different challenging key element is the reduction of “empty rides”, that means the kilometres driven without passengers. I say “challenging”, because for prebooked vehicles, there will always be an approach drive to pick up the passenger. And, cars will physically need to be somewhere in between two jobs. “One more aspect is to assess the potential of increasing the vehicles’ occupancy, in other words, to get more passengers into the same car. Some EU Member States
“We absolutely need to decarbonise transport, mitigate climate change and keep cities liveable while people might tend to revert to private cars for fear of contamination with the Coronavirus on mass transport. “I am curious to learn how you see the future of ride -hailing and about your views of how the EU could support such development.”
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER:
TECHNOLOGY
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 22
APPS... CABBIES CREATE NEW HAILING APPS AS TRADE LOOKS TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT POST COVID As the taxi industry longs for and prepares for life after the coronavirus pandemic, many will be looking at how they can operate more efficiently and also test out new technology to give them an edge in what has always been a competitive market. Technology alongside human knowledge can be a powerful tool. They can work side by side if deployed in the right way with the focus being on service, not profits. Some cab drivers will see Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a threat, but technology has long been harnessed in the trade. From the historic move away from horses to internal combustion engines and now electric… the industry adapts. How we find our passengers has also changed whilst adapting to consumer habits. Most services can be provided online now and the booking of a taxi is no different. Ride-hailing apps have provided both positive solutions and also worrying scenarios too.
The data held on passengers served by cabbies is never owed by the service provider but is stored away by the service facilitator instead. A change in direction by the ‘middle-man’ means the service provider is always the one at risk should the facilitator choose to offer those services via other modes of transport. There is also a lack of control when it comes to the costs involved in using an app company to find work. Not long-ago taxi drivers were paying 10-12 percent fees on jobs completed on taxi apps. Those fees have increased to 15-20 percent with no guarantee that they won’t rise further.
For any business to work it must have a concrete business plan and when costs can vary rapidly it does impact confidence to invest.
These worries have forced some cabbies in the capital to look for a solution. Several new taxi hailing apps, created by cabbies, have entered the fray with the aim The positives include better efficiency by reducing of pushing down costs involved for cab drivers and dead milage and improved coverage in rural and providing greater access to the passengers they serve. suburban areas. There are of course also concerns too. Some of these include:
TECHNOLOGY TAXIAPP: One of the longer standing upstarts on the market. The platform is fully funded and managed by taxi drivers. Cabbies must pay £20 per month to be part of the co-operative, but they pay no further fees on the work they accept there-after. TAXI-NOW: New on the scene having only released the app to drivers and passengers on 1 December 2020. According to the app’s creators, the platform has been developed with the focus heavily on operating at the lowest possible commission rates for cabbies. The app currently charges drivers just 1% commission on fares generated through the app. BLACK CAB NOW: A slick looking platform due to launch in Spring. Fees will be set at 10% and the focus will be on the app not just providing work, but also representing the drivers’ interests. The app will be looking to raise funds direct from driver donations and investors to help market the platform to potential customers.
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Historically taxi drivers have always found ways to adapt to changing and challenging times. Technology has long played its part in this and when much anticipated work levels finally return at some point in 2021, it will be interesting to see which apps take centre stage and bring the most benefits to drivers.
Image credit: LEVC
GUEST FEATURE
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 24
DR. MIKE GALVIN
REFLEXIVITY AND BLACK CABS
/ARTICLE BY: DR MIKE GALVIN
www.mobilityserviceslimited.com
Image credit: MMORGARDO
In my last article in TaxiPoint (Ethnography and Black Cabs) I wrote about the part of my doctoral dissertation, Culture, Change and The Management of London’s Taxi Drivers that related to aspects of the Knowledge. And although the Knowledge appears to be the thread that binds the industry together and steers so much of its thinking and action it is not by any means the whole story.
manoeuvring in the socio-political field play in producing particular accounts.’
In essence, reflexivity is thinking through and challenging what one sees as a researcher, why one views it in that way and trying to unravel what is really going on and of course remove the researcher from the researched. Of course, more researchers equal more theories or views of what is going on and why. Concepts including culture do not just Today I wanted to touch on another part of my happen, they don’t stay the same and they are research which was culture, and what a rich culture viewed differently by different parts of the this industry has. My research methodology was community, including the black cab community but ethnography, the study of tribes and within the taxi also those from outside the community. We all view industry there are many tribes which I shall explain. and understand things from our own perspective, Another part of my methodology was reflexivity, taking an extreme but simple example someone which is explained below; born into a very wealthy family and someone born into a very poor family will both view social ‘Reflexivity means thinking through what one is structures such as class differently. This will be doing to encourage insights about the nature of more so if they come from different countries, social science and, especially, the role that different religions and are of differing genders and language, power/knowledge connections, social of course ages. Therefore, there is not a single truth interests and ideologies, theoretical moves and there are just many variations on a single truth.
GUEST FEATURE
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 25
Jewish community in the industry, with the secular and with many other less populous groups that were forming a larger proportion of the new intake into the industry. The Knowledge and the culture of the My initial view when I began researching for my dissertation was that there was a very strong culture industry with its expected behaviours, often referred to as the formal culture bound us together in in the taxi industry amongst the different tribes, amongst Knowledge boys, amongst black cab drivers friendship, acceptance and camaraderie long before amongst radio taxi drivers, amongst older taxi drivers ‘diversity’ was ever invented or perhaps more accurately spoken about. It was only some 50+ years and even down to trade unionists, LTDA members ago that there was the first black taxi driver and the etc and dare I say it the public, the press and the competition. In fact, the more my research dug into first lady taxi driver lady I knew well called Marie White. In fact, my own mother was only the 12th the industry and the more reflexive it became the lady taxi driver when she got her badge back in the more tribes or communities I found and the more 80’s. the initial perception of a strong culture became somewhat dissipated.
The Black Cab Culture – Diversity before it was invented
Culture, Language, Rank and Custom
When I became a taxi driver in 1981 a very high percentage of drivers were Jewish. Being a Londoner (Clerkenwell – another tribe with sub tribes; Italians and Irish with some East Enders thrown in) I was very familiar with the term Jewish and as a family we knew many Jewish people albeit I was to discover somewhat superficially. So, after getting to know more Jewish people through the industry I discovered I knew very little about Jews. From the Knowledge through driving a taxi to managing a taxi company I discovered a huge amount more. It’s an old cliché I guess but after joining the industry I attended Bar Mitzvahs (and Bat Mitzvahs), Levaya’s and Simcha’s and even an Aufruf. Whilst about all I knew at the beginning was that I had to wear a skull cap everyone was happy to welcome me in and show me what to do and importantly what not to do. This welcome was evident to me when I moved into the taxi industry so was that a Jewish cultural trait that had spread into the industry by the very many (at the time) number of Jewish members or is it just a human characteristic or could it be a little of both or nothing to do with either?
Cultures at a macro level have accepted behaviours, customs and ideologies. They also have language. When I became a taxi driver there was a merging of East End cockney rhyming slang, Yiddish and probably street market terms which formed what Garner and Stokoe claimed in their book to be a lingo franco (a merging of languages) to form the cab trade terms such as musher, droshky, gelt etc. In fact, to anyone arriving in this country however hard they had studied English they would have found the conversations in trade cafés and shelters hard to decipher.
The strong cultural themes that came through to me and would impact my career in the industry were statements such as; everyone is equal, getting the right job, be lucky etc. These messages directed taxi drivers’ behaviour – radio taxi drivers did not see the Chairman or CEO as any different to them… ’we are all cab drivers’! Therefore, the concept of power was far from clear – there were some hierarchies in evidence, but these did not come from a job title. As proud as many people I met were of being a cab Very different cultures (in my case Irish Catholics on driver they could also invert that pride to an insult – who does he think he is? He is only a cab driver… one side and Northern economic migrants on the other) mixed effortlessly with the (I believe) majority often with ‘like me’ appended!
GUEST FEATURE
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 26
So who actually led the industry? If indeed it was led. Was it an amorphous group who moved as one or were there some influencers and leaders within it who did lead it? Is it impossible for a community to develop the norms, behaviours and standards that were clearly obvious by osmosis? Was it good for the community to be at the same level i.e. all cab drivers? Was it a weakness or a strength? I guess you could add to that list of questions - why is anyone bothered? Researchers are bothered as things just don’t happen.
tireless work that so many committees with inspirational and frankly humble leaders such as Bill Tyzack, Charlie Flemwell, Russell Pollock, Michael Son and many others who did so much to make these events happen, to raise funds and cement the culture of this community. These were not some saintly do gooders or I don’t believe personally wealthy individuals – these were cab drivers who after every committee meeting, after every outing had to go back and earn a living driving a cab. Likewise, every cab trade accountant, insurance company, fleet and radio circuit displayed their Behaviours appeared to be based on a number of concepts. Why would a driver who let another out of sponsorship certificates in their premises as a proud cultural artefact of their association with these a side turning expect the driver who was let out to wave the driver who did the letting out on in front of illustrious organisations and their good deeds which were so tightly bound to the culture of the industry. him… because each wanted ‘their job’. Why… because that was the accepted behaviour. There was always some superstition mingled in with this feeling of ‘right’. Likewise, why was there such a hullabaloo when someone was let out and craftily pinched the first job… because it wasn’t his job! He was acting counter culture. Without rules, formal and informal there is of course likely to be anarchy and what the taxi industry always seemed to desire was operating within a well-ordered society.
I can’t think of a mantra stronger than ‘there is no one who walks so tall as he who stoops to help a child’ of course the slogan of the Underprivileged Children’s Taxi Drivers’ Fund. So apt, so powerful and so descriptive.
Generosity also came in smaller packages and it would have been remiss of me not to mention at least one of these. Charlie Rubenstien was a taxi driver who epitomised much of what I have written. I got to know Charlie’s future son-in-law at the A Generous Community Knowledge school and very soon he invited me to One of the activities that struck me and still does was join him and Charlie a few evenings per week in his the willingness of so many drivers to give up a day or house in Redbridge to do call overs. Charlie was far more a year to give under privileged children, worse than any veterans and servicemen, the disabled and all the PCO examiner. other groups a day out. The trips to Disney where He knew drivers are away for a week was a substantial London in a way undertaking. Drivers spent days carpeting the that I shall be outside of their cab, transforming their cabs into for ever battleships, teddy bears’ picnics or just festooning envious. He did the whole cab with balloons or crepe paper before his Knowledge each of these days out. These are truly remarkable on a bicycle as indicators to any researcher of a generous culture a did his brothers, DR MIKE GALVIN community that puts back. I was also hugely they were all impressed when I first joined the industry with the London cab
GUEST FEATURE
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drivers. For no reason other than pure kindness and altruism I sat in his lounge three or four evenings a week with him testing his future son-in-law and I being served cake and coffee by his lovely wife Jean. I remain forever grateful on a number of levels – that kindness, that generosity of spirit and the fact that he managed to make the Public Carriage Office seem soft.
customers, amusing parodies of customers, of PCO officers (a perennial pantomime baddie), of vehicle breakdowns, of possible lawsuits against M&O (another perennial pantomime baddie), inter radio circuit rivalry with the various committee members painted as heroes or villains – were the stories true? Who cares they were great to listen to and especially the second or third time around when they got Whilst I don’t want to somehow paint my research as better and almost certainly more exaggerated! Rumours abounded in these hot houses of gossip, having uncovered some misty eyed, nostalgic love fest dressed up as a tough industry – I can certainly intrigue, and spleen venting – were any true? Some claim to have experienced and witnessed incredible may have been but they were hugely entertaining even if there wasn’t an ounce of truth in them. kindness amongst what are in effect small businessmen who work hard for every pound. From Common retorts to regular comments (why did you come this way it is always congested/why is it that a research perspective – where did that generosity much it is always less than that) were practiced and come from? Was it one of the demographics in the industry that inspired others? Was it the inspiration communicated and no doubt used when the moment arose. From an academic perspective these of the few to the many? Why did so many drivers give up days of (it was never a single day as the cab were a form of support groups, venues for personal growth for honing skills and for learning but oh what had to be ‘dressed’ and ‘undressed’) paid work to fun they provided in the process. volunteer to give people they did not know an incredible day out? What was the reward? Intrinsic, The Trade Press – Angry, Outlandish extrinsic or a tradition that flowed through the and a Guardian of the Rules industry and was recognised and respected by those in it? How did it start and why? Why did it carry on? At one time there was almost a publication for every Will it always be part of what the industry does? driver in London. The trade press was gritty, vibrant, excitable and graphic. Every page told of the world Cafes and Shelters – a Rumbustious against the cab trade, the unfairness, the stupid Culture decisions, the theories and conspiracies and amongst it were the trade’s own proposals – surely Monty No one could have been prepared when stepping Schiman’s plan to pave over the Thames to provide a into what are colloquially known as cab trade six-lane motorway through the capital (the Thames watering holes. The noise is off the scale. The itself was to be diverted into an underground pipe) shouting, the excitable stories, the insults (mainly good natured), the jollity. When I first got my badge I was to remain one of the most outlandish but also one of the most memorable – nowadays of course it remember stepping into the Café in Orange Square would have been a 12-lane cycle path. with some trepidation – would I immediately be spotted as a butter boy, a newby, someone with nothing much to contribute? NO! The café was full but someone shuffled up and a seat magically appeared. Within seconds I was involved in the whole hullabaloo. Stories of objectionable
But the trade press amongst its conspiracy theories, perpetual outrage and shouty anger was also the place for highlighting the rules amongst the drivers, the informal but accepted rules, the customs and boundaries of the industry. Those minor homilies
GUEST FEATURE kept the trade in check, massaged the haloes of those that practiced them and we would like to think embarrassed those who didn’t. It was also the place for obituaries. Obituaries are to an extent social history and in this case the social history of the taxi industry – what did this person do, what did he/she achieve, why will they be remembered? A common theme was the pride of the deceased having been a taxi driver, of being well known, of having very many friends in the industry. Lives well lived, people well respected and much missed. Strong family ties. The decency of the industry was reflected in almost all of these obituaries. At times an obituary may have been the first time that a group in a café or shelter actually knew the person’s name having spent their whole career being known as Curly (normally bald!), Airport John or whatever name that they had inherited on some occasion too far back to remember.
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 29
mass that is the existing culture. If that ‘us’ is represented by more than one it will have a greater effect on the whole, but that change won’t be instant, easy or universally accepted. It certainly won’t be instantly accepted. The Knowledge has many effects on the industry but one is that, in a Darwinian way, it restricts entry to a narrow demographic. To become a cab driver you must be tenacious, physically tough (wet, cold etc), able to memorise incredible amounts of data, confirm to unwritten rules (culture) at the PCO and be able to afford it both financially and from a family perspective. Unarguably that list defines a very specific demographic and is partly the reason why our headmasterly friend mentioned in my last article when greeting (sic) prospective Knowledge boys at the PCO was able to predict that most would never make it.
I would posit that when I joined the industry it was There was an apparent culture of fearing that the an industry that had a majority of Jewish drivers, trade was never really recognised as an industry for most would have been servicemen in their time being what it really was – decent, generous, (National Service ended in 1960 with the last hardworking, charitable and a valuable part of serviceman being discharged in 1963), many would London’s transport infrastructure. Why did the have been through the war as an adult or a child and industry feel this way? Was it a valid assessment? most would have needed to do the Knowledge on a Doesn’t every industry feel the same? bike. I would suggest that what is known as people’s a priori (simply put - their past experience) would So What Has All This Got To Do With have contributed greatly to their beliefs and value Academia? system and their behaviours and ultimately to the formation of the culture of the industry. As that Social Science and Social History is fascinating as an demographic and its a priori dissipated so the academic subject. Why do we all behave individually industry’s accepted norms, customs and behaviours as we do? Why do we behave in certain ways within have changed… but have they? And if they have groups? What governs and influences those groups what have they changed from and to? And even and their behaviour? How do groups deal with those more importantly how have those changes come that don’t follow the norms, customs and accepted about? What drove them? That is the academic behaviours of the group? How did those norms sweet spot as I explained at the beginning it depends develop in the first place? These are the things that where you have come from and how you view the social scientists and ethnographers spend their current reality. waking hours researching and pondering over. As we all join the industry, we bring some of ‘us’ to the
SUPPORT
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TENSIONS RISING AS DETAILS OF SCOTTISH TAXI SUPPORT PACKAGE
REMAIN UNKNOWN
Tensions are rising in the Scottish taxi trade as details still struggling to find enough work to tide them over surrounding the financial support package promised to until the pandemic passes. the industry this month remain unknown. Last month Scottish taxi drivers held a ‘mobile The concerns come as there is no further news on the demonstration’ at the Scottish Parliament to protest Scottish Government’s promise of a new £19million over the lack of Scottish Government support in fund to financially assist taxi drivers during the contrast with other public transportation industries coronavirus pandemic which was announced on 9 such as the bus and rail networks. December 2020. According to a Unite Scotland survey conducted The £19million fund is part of a wider £185million package of targeted coronavirus (COVID-19) support. It was said businesses can expect to apply for all the new grant schemes in January.
before Christmas, 30% of taxi drivers had been unable to access any financial help from government support schemes and around 80% of taxi drivers had lost up to three quarters of their usual incomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently no further details on when the grant will open or how much each grant will be worth have been Unite Union Glasgow Cab Section wrote via social released. media on New Year’s Day: “Nearly a month on, we STILL await Scottish Government setting out the Whilst as self-employed workers many cabbies have application process to access funding announced for been entitled to benefit from the Self Employment the taxi trade. Absolutely woeful response to a crisis Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the grant focuses heavily on the driver profits. The high operating costs 10 months in the making.” involved in running a licensed taxi means many are
SUPPORT
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 31 Image: LEVC
LONDON MAYOR HAS ASKED TREASURY FOR TAXI DRIVER
‘TARGETED FINANCIAL SUPPORT’ The Mayor of London has written to the Treasury to ask for the ‘provision of targeted financial support’ to be handed to both taxi and private hire drivers in the capital due to the impact of the coronavirus on the industry.
Mayor for Business and the taxi trade since lockdown began in March 2020 plus the outcomes of those meetings.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, responded saying: “Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander is the According to the London Mayor, both he and the member of my team who is responsible for engaging regulators Transport for London (TfL) recognise the with stakeholders representing taxi and private hire difficulties faced by taxi and minicab drivers as a result drivers alongside Transport for London (TfL). In of the pandemic. addition to the frequent conference calls TfL has held Due to a series of lockdowns and measures placed on with the industry since the pandemic, Heidi met with the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) on 5 June London throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the taxi regarding the Streetspace Programme. Heidi most trade has seen work levels drop to unsustainable recently met with taxi stakeholders, including the levels. London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC), United Cabbies Whilst some self-employed taxi drivers have been able Group (UCG), RMT Taxi Branch, Unite and the LTDA, to claim support via the Government’s Self Employed on 15 December. Income Support Scheme (SEISS), cabbies who have high business overheads have struggled. Those drivers “TfL and I recognise the difficulties faced by both taxi include taxi drivers who have invested in new greener and private hire drivers. This is why I have written to the Treasury to ask for the provision of targeted electric taxi vehicles. financial support and in the coming weeks TfL will be London Assembly Member Susan Hall asked the distributing 1.5 million face masks and 30,000 bottles Mayor to list the meetings held between the Deputy of hand sanitiser for drivers.”
UK NEWS
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WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DRINK DRIVING WHILST TRACKING LOST PHONE TO OUTSIDE CABBIE’S HOME A woman was arrested after tracking her lost phone to the address of a taxi driver in Watford, whilst being double the drink drive limit and having no insurance or driving licence.
According to Hertfordshire Police sources, the woman travelled to the beleaguered cabbie's house with a passenger from London after digitally tracking the Apple iPhone she left in the back of a taxi earlier that evening. Officers were called to the cab driver’s house at 3am in West Watford after reports of a ‘suspicious’ vehicle. Officers spoke to the driver and passenger of the car to find out they had tracked the lost phone. After further inspection officers found the owner of the lost phone to be exceeding the drink
drive limit by double the legal amount, whilst also driving with no insurance and no driving licence. The woman was arrested by police officers and the vehicle seized. The phone was located on the back seats of the taxi and returned to its owner.
BLACK TAXI FOUND JAMMED ON TRAM TRACKS HALTS SERVICE FOR NEARLY THREE HOURS A black taxi STUCK on tram tracks in Birmingham halted the city centre service for nearly three hours.
Birmingham city centre. West Midland Metro first alerted riders of the problem at 8.15 in the morning.
The black cab found jammed in the rails was captured Police officers were called to the incident. It remains by travellers stuck just outside St Chad’s tram stop in unknown how the taxi got stuck on the tracks. It wasn’t until nearly 10.30am that a normal tram service resumed after the vehicle was removed from the tracks.
Image credit: RJ about Birmingham (Twitter)
VEHICLE
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The iconic black taxi, instantly recognisable across the world, could soon become available to buy as a LEGO set should the design win the hearts of the public. As part of the LEGO Ideas scheme, which encourages imaginative Lego enthusiasts to design and showcase their proposals, one designer has created a fantastic London cab. If support for the new LEGO black cab reaches over 10,000 ‘likes’ the design could be put forward into a final competition to make the set widely available.
According to its creator, Seppdemba, the model has “been built after the typical Hackney design and features many details such as an opening bonnet, boot and all four doors as well as the famous roof sign and a nice modelled interior”. The designer goes on to add: “In the boot you can find a spare wheel and some maintenance tools. “Disabled passengers will be able to get into the taxi with a foldable wheelchair ramp. “Your luggage may be stored left to the driver's seat, as it would be in real life. “This creation includes the taxi, a wheelchair and one piece of luggage.” To support the design, people are asked to visit the LEGO Ideas site to register their vote.
Image credit: LEVC
TX1
DRIVERS
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 34
THIS WEEK I HAVE
BEEN MOSTLY WEARING... From the festive to the frightening, we asked taxi drivers across the UK to share with us the facemasks they are currently sporting in the taxi. Here’s a snapshot of coverings that are certainly not plain!
Peter, cabbie from London
John, cabbie from County Durham
Alan, cabbie from Angus
Gaw, cabbie from North Ayrshire
Michael, cabbie from Tamworth Vicky, cabbie from West Cumbria
FEEL GOOD!
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 35
WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GESTURE LEAVES CABBIE IN TEARS The festive season seems to bring out the caring side of people, and none more so than one mystery man whose kind gesture left a London taxi driver in tears. It's been a tough year for taxi drivers all around the UK, with the hospitality and transport sector being one of the worse hit from the global coronavirus pandemic.
Image credit: Yunus Ozturk
For one random cabbie, Yunus Ozturk, his luck was about to change, when a passerby handed him a Christmas card with a gift inside.
vehicle to call the man, as he felt he couldn't accept such a gift, but the mystery man simply called back: "Don't worry mate, Merry Christmas, it's been a Yunus was waiting for his passenger to return to the hard year for you guys." cab after a short stop-off, when a man he never Yunus told us that the kind gesture left him in tears, knew and had never seen before, approached his saying it made him feel like "the world was still a taxi window. wonderful place" and that it showed London Speaking to TaxiPoint, Yunus said: "I had a job from Highbury Corner to Hartington Road, Nine Elms, a wait and return. As I was waiting for my customers to come back, a man, about 30-years-old, knocked on my window. "He gave me a Christmas card and wished me a Merry Christmas. At first I couldn't do anything but say thank you so much, thinking it's just a random person giving out Christmas cards. "I opened up the card, which I thought felt a bit thick in size. Inside, to my amazement, were two ÂŁ50 notes, along with a lovely message." Yunus went on to tell us that he jumped out of his
cabbies were still valued and loved by some Londoners. Yunus added: "It's been a hard year as I've worked throughout the whole lockdown. It was crazy as it was my first day back after self-isolating, due to my wife catching the virus. "Just before the isolation, I ended up in hospital due to anxiety caused by stress of work and responsibilities. "So for someone to do such a nice gesture, it made me forget about it all. My hopes are positive for 2021 and the man who done this gesture certainly have me this motivation."
DRIVING
S
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 37
W JOKE
Now that we are very much deep into the winter hazard to other road users and can slide months, motorists can expect colder, more forward onto your windscreen, obscuring your challenging, driving conditions to contend with. visibility. Pembrokeshire County Council have put together a As well as making sure daily checks take place, it is list of useful tips to help drivers prepare their also advised that you take an essential emergency vehicles and stay safe when travelling in travel kit with you on all journeys. unpredictable weather. Items to be included in such a kit, could be: Preparing your vehicle before setting-off is key Ice scraper and de-icer during these cold months, especially for those who • drive for a living, such as taxi drivers. • Jump leads Basic daily checks should include:
•
Mobile phone
•
Checking anti-freeze levels
•
In car charger or power pack
• •
Topping up screen wash levels, ensuring it is a • higher concentrate or it will freeze • Checking tyre pressure
•
Making sure all lights and windows are clean
•
Snow shovel
•
Clearing any snow off your vehicle. Frozen blocks of snow falling from your vehicle are a
•
Water and snacks.
Torch and spare batteries Blanket, First Aid Kit and a warning triangle sign
DRIVING
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 37
Once you have completed all your checks and stocked up on essential items, dealing with the ever changing driving conditions is next up. Here are some of the Council’s top winter driving tips: •
Drive defensively; anticipate the road ahead through observing near, middle and far distance.
•
Keep well within the speed limits; drive to the conditions, not the speed limit.
•
Avoid excessive steering and cornering at speed, steer smoothly into bends and corners.
•
Avoid excessive braking, brake gently and use low gears to engine brake.
•
Beware of black ice. Black ice is more prevalent early morning and late at night when
temperatures are at their lowest. If the vehicle starts to skid, it is advised that you gently lift off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid. •
Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front, stopping distances can increase 10 times that of normal stopping distances.
GLOBAL NEWS
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 38
AROUND THE WORLD SPAIN Mobility platform, Cabify, has introduced a new feature on its taxi hailing app which will allow passengers to incorporate intermediate stop off points along a journey. Passengers will be able to request a number of stop-off points on their trip, both to pick up other people and to carry out errands. Cabify believe offering this service will allow them to be more competitive compared to traditional services.
SINGAPORE A man has been sentenced to four weeks in jail after pleading guilty to one charge of conspiring to cheat a driving test by way of impersonation, in order to gain a private hire driver’s licence for a friend. The man attempted to obtain the required pass needed, so his friend, who was illiterate and unable to speak or write English, could start work as a private hire driver for one of the country’s ride-sharing apps; Grab or Gojek.
JAPAN A woman was killed, and five other people injured when a taxi being driven by a 73-year-old man ploughed into a group of pedestrians in Tokyo. The vehicle hit the group of people who were standing on the pavement in the capital’s Shibuya Ward. A police report suggests the driver failed to stop at a traffic light after appearing to suffer a health issue.
GLOBAL NEWS
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 39
CANADA
NETHERLANDS
A taxi driver in Victoria, Vancouver, drove one of his passengers straight to a police station after he refused to wear a face mask in his vehicle. The incident occurred on New Year’s Day, and saw the offender arrested for refusing to adhere to the country’s guidelines under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act. The man was also hit with a $690 fine.
Bios Group, a taxi firm that runs a fleet of over 70 Tesla taxis in Amsterdam, is taking the car giant to court over €1.3million in damages, citing a high number of vehicle defects and difficulties in getting them repaired. The company says there have been a number of issues including broken power steering, broken drive shafts, as well as problems with odometer readings, registering journeys from the wrong location or for the wrong distance.
USA Taxi drivers in New York City have started raising funds to launch a co-operative alternative ride-hailing service to Uber and Lyft, in a bid to win back more work. The Drivers Cooperative reached its initial target of $10,000 in the first 24 hours and is now on course to reach its second target of $20,000. The Drivers Cooperative say it hopes to boost driver income and establish basic employment rights for workers.
AUSTRALIA
A man is facing a murder charge after another man was killed following an altercation at a taxi rank in Queensland. Police say the accused was “intent” on causing harm to the victim after approaching him while he was waiting for a taxi. The attack saw the victim receive multiple punches to the head, which eventually resulted in him losing his life.
January 2021 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 41
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EV CHARGERS
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MEMBERSHIP
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