TaxiPoint November 2020 Edition 19

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Edition 19 | November 2020

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EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

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MPs SPEAK OUT NATIONAL DRIVER OWNED APP

PLUS...

FARAH LONDON

LONDON MAYORAL CANDIDATE Q&A

SCOTTISH TAXIS CRY FOR HELP www.taxi-point.co.uk

Image credit: FARAH LONDON

EDITORIAL

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 3

MPs SPEAK

OUT SUPPORTING

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With the taxi industry up and down the UK devastated by the impact the coronavirus has had on business, drivers are feeling the financial squeeze more than ever before. With no end in sight to the world’s ever collapsing economy, many taxi drivers live in hope of the possibility of further government intervention.

Drivers and unions who represent the trade are looking to the Government to offer support to an industry that has served the public in cities across the UK for centuries. Although there has yet to be any targeted government support offered to the trade, MPs are also speaking out about the troubles the taxi sector has.

Speaking exclusively to TaxiPoint, a number of MPs have offered words of support to taxi drivers and anyone associated with the industry who is suffering during these unprecedented times.

Christine Jardine – Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said: “Taxi drivers in my constituency are struggling to cope with the reduction in income caused by trading restrictions, which is heightened for them by the loss of incomes from the festivals, and the cancellation of Christmas events on which they could normally rely.

“On top of that, many have heavy payments for their cabs and are seeing years of hard graft under threat as well as the service they provide to many disabled and elderly members of our community who are feeling particularly isolated at the moment. I’ll do everything I can to support them.”

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EDITORIAL Ian Murray – Shadow Scottish Secretary of State and Labour MP for Edinburgh South, said:

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 4 asked how they felt now, in October 2020, most categorised themselves as feeling very insecure.

“The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for many industries, with the taxi trade particularly badly hit.

“I am saddened to hear of constituents who were feeling very secure before March, now telling me they feel very insecure. This shows the dramatic impact the pandemic has had on their finances and lives. As a “Much has been made of the closure of hospitality result, almost all of the taxi drivers I spoke to said they businesses and they have rightly received funding support – even if they have been short-changed by the were struggling to cover their living expenses, and many are accumulating debt.

Scottish and UK governments.

“It is understandable that the majority of respondents told me they were feeling unhappy and despondent about the future. In July I wrote to the Chancellor on behalf of the taxi drivers in my constituency about the lack of support for the industry. Sadly, three months “Many cabbies are self-employed, and millions of self- later I am still waiting for a response. It is vital that the employed workers have fallen through the gaps in the Government support taxi drivers, and all those Government income support schemes. workers, who are facing an unprecedented fall off of trade through no fault of their own.”

“The UK Government must listen to concerns being raised by taxi drivers and give all workers a fair deal to Gill Furness – Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside and ensure we don’t have people losing their livelihoods Hillsborough, said: and viable taxi businesses.”

“The coronavirus pandemic has hit taxi drivers Afzal Khan – Labour MP for Manchester, said: particularly hard, with tier 3 restrictions likely to further reduce the number of potential customers as “As the second wave of coronavirus hits the UK and many hospitality and leisure venues have to close. local areas including Greater Manchester are placed under Tier 3 restrictions, I know that many taxi drivers Local authorities in tier 3 will be introducing localised support for businesses who are experiencing are facing a difficult winter as the financial impact of this crisis is felt. The taxi industry has seen much of its difficulties, this should include taxi drivers who are experiencing financial hardship and I would urge taxi regular trade decimated in recent weeks as curbs on socialising and access to hospitality are implemented. drivers to apply for any such assistance they are eligible for.”

“Taxi drivers are an essential part of the UK’s transport network. With the outbreak of coronavirus many taxi As you can see, there is a degree of support at government level. Whether any of it will translate drivers began ferrying key workers to and from into active dedicated trade support over the coming workplaces as other transport options closed, they weeks and months, only time will tell. But for now, have transported the elderly, vulnerable and sick to hospital and helped many people reach supermarkets there may be some comfort in knowing that as an industry we are on the radar of at least and buy food and essential items. a few Members of Parliament.

“I recently surveyed my constituents and the taxi drivers that responded to this reported that prior to Editorial written by: the pandemic they had felt financially secure. When Michael Murphy “But there has been no recognition of the knock-on impact of the closures on other industries, and taxi drivers in particular who have been left with few customers but spiralling costs.

FLEET OWNERS

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Image credit: Ross Campbell

THE COVID PROBLEMS FACING TAXI FLEET OWNERS As a full time taxi driver, I know first-hand the difficulties the trade is currently facing since the coronavirus pandemic washed over the industry, wiping away tourism, hospitality, and everyday travel as a whole.

of a taxi rental business which has been operating for 15 years, who has given us an in-depth look into what it’s been like to own a large fleet of cabs during these testing times.

Ben Waine of Elite Taxis in Essex said: “Like many Front line drivers have struggled on a day-to-day basis people around the UK we suppose, when the to find enough fares to even cover their overheads.

Government initially announced that the spread of the But what about parts of the taxi industry which sit in coronavirus had hit global pandemic levels, they really the background, such as fleet owners? had no idea of the magnitude effect it would have on them as a business.”

These companies have committed to purchasing dozens, if not hundreds of taxis, to maintain and rent As a fleet owner of almost 100 cabs, Ben told us that out to drivers who choose to avoid the overall financial during the period between the global pandemic being commitment of purchasing a vehicle of their own. announced and the first hard lockdown, 95% of the Rental drivers and rental fleets go hand-in-hand. They cabs they rented out to drivers had been returned. cannot function without one another. So, if drivers are The fear of the virus, coupled with expectations that work levels would rapidly drop had sent drivers into unable to warrant time in a cab, then cabs sit empty panic, causing them to off-load all expenses and run on forecourts up and down the UK. How has this for cover. Within the first week of lockdown, the fleet directly impacted the fleet owners? had seen all cabs returned to base.

TaxiPoint has spoken exclusively to one of the owners Finding a place for the cabs to be held was the first

FLEET OWNERS

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 7

challenge the fleet owners had. Eventually the taxis were parked up at a range of locations including the industrial estate where the business was being run from, staff driveways, as well as the driveways of family members. Some drivers were even kind enough to let the cabs sit dormant on their own driveways.

Lockdown had hit fleet owners with an issue that they could never prepare for.

Once the cab locations were taken care of, Ben said the next pressure on the company was finances. With so many taxis no longer bringing in rental fees, the firm had to seek any financial aid which the Government had available.

With rent to pay on the firm’s business premises, insurance and tax to cover on vehicles, and vehicle finance packages to cover, Ben has called the Government help a “God send”.

The months that followed saw no action or improvement within the industry, forcing the company to apply for a bounce-back loan to help cover any costs which were beginning to creep in again, but Ben says they were unfortunately denied one from their bank. A decision they are still fighting.

Although a bounce-back loan would certainly help them as a business, Ben has said they are very much aware that it would just add to the debt they are Ben told us that as soon as it was announced that already in as a rental company. It is the way that sort businesses which were struggling had the opportunity of business has to operate; upfront costs, to see a to apply for ‘Business Rate Relief’ they had to take it, return somewhere in the future. as well as the small business grant. Without these, Ben Moving on to August when lockdown had begun to says it would have been impossible to stop the ease, Ben said a few drivers were slowly returning to company from going under. work to test the waters. By mid-August the company

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FLEET OWNERS had 13 taxis back out on the road, out of nearly 100. Leading up to Boris Johnson’s second announcement imposing tighter lockdown rules and a 10pm curfew, Elite Taxis only had 17 taxis being actively used and bringing in a weekly rental fee, which were being offered at half -price.

Following the announcement from Boris, Ben says 2 cabs were returned because work levels drastically dropped. He now fears that as drivers are really struggling once again, those remaining 15 taxis could be handed back over the coming weeks.

Ben says he believes the next six months are the most vital for the industry and thinks if we can drag ourselves through it, we can once again grow as an industry.

But he has stressed that insurance companies and finance firms are now starting to press for payments to begin again, causing major concerns for them as they currently have very little to no income. To help cut costs, the company has had to give up half its business premises to save on rent costs, meaning they have even less space to store taxis which are not in use.

Ben has said if he could ask the Government for one thing it

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 8

would be for another one-off payment to assist small businesses survive the next 6 months. He believes if this happened, they would have a good chance of making it through these unprecedented times.

Ben says keeping his fleet business afloat is currently hanging in the balance at 50/50. He wants to remain in business and understands the knock-on effect closing the company could have on rental drivers and hopes it doesn’t come to that. But speaking openly and honestly he has said that just like cab drivers themselves, a decision is going to have to be made on whether being in the taxi trade is still going to be a viable business in its current format.

As Ben has explained, fleet owners, although somewhat in the background, have felt the squeeze, the financial pressures, and the mental strain that drivers have had to endure this year too, and can only hope that we can all come through this and once again be proud of this wonderful industry we have all given blood, sweat and tears for.

Ben says he believes the next six months are the most vital for the industry and thinks if we can drag ourselves through it, we can once again grow as an industry.

Article written by: Michael Murphy

NATIONAL APP

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 10

DRIVER FOCUSED cab:app TO KICK-START GROWTH IN CHANGING MARKET In a changing and challenging taxi market, one firm is looking to the future and hoping to make the step up to become the UK’s biggest and most driver ethical industry booking app.

It is thought that by bringing together multiple services on one app, working life will be made easier for cabbies. By bringing thousands of drivers together, individual cabbies’ costs would likely reduce as the The nationwide taxi app, cab:app, are looking to make platform acts as a buying club negotiating the best deals on cab drivers’ behalfs. their platform a ‘one stop shop’ for cab drivers. The app would place the driver at the centre of its Derek Stewart, Founder of cab:app, said: “Well business, providing them with a full suite of services first and most importantly, our business model via the app and one point of contact if there is ever a is all about helping and supporting drivers so problem.

everything starts from the centre and works out, as without motivated drivers there is no great service for passengers and there is no taxi supply chain.

“Drivers pay the wages of everyone involved in the taxi industry including trade orgs, garages, vehicle manufacturers, insurance companies and card providers like cab:app – so we need to make sure drivers come first.”

DEREK STEWART

Image: HM Treasury

Stewart continued: “On the new national booking app there are several USPs that help everyone on the taxi journey. For drivers, there will be no booking commission (in perpetuity) for all passengers they sign up or hear about cab:app via word of mouth. If the passenger books via the app and pays cash we make nothing and if they pay by card we just charge the card fees.

NATIONAL APP “So imagine in London alone, 20,000 taxi drivers will do over 50 million journeys per year so if every driver tells their passengers about the new app then those jobs will come back free of any driver commission. If you expand this nationally to over 300 million journeys then drivers across the country will benefit from word of mouth, so if a driver in London gets me to download the app and I then travel to Glasgow to visit family, that local taxi driver in Glasgow will also get

Image credit: cab:app

the booking commission free as a fellow driver introduced me to cab:app.”

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 12 Stewart said: “From a passenger’s perspective, they will now be able to book a black cab or licensed taxi from one app anywhere they go across the UK and Ireland – so it will be much more convenient.

“So cab:app will focus on promoting the app directly to corporate and business account customers, as well as travel affiliate partners where there is a need for taxis e.g. airlines, train companies, hotels, bars, restaurants, events, conferences, etc.

“We will charge drivers 10% booking commission to win and service this type of work and as part of this we will also re-distribute a 2% share to help other sectors. So for corporate accounts we will donate 2% to their favourite charity and for the hospitality sector we will return 2% cash back, as both sectors need help and support to get back on their feet post COVID.” So what’s next? How will cab:app make that leap forwards as they aim to become the UK’s biggest taxi booking platform?

cab:app already has over 12,000 taxi drivers registered on the platform and processes card payments in 59 towns and cities. This alone places them ahead of the pack when it comes to making the next move towards a fast-growing national taxi booking app.

Stewart said: “We have spent the last 6 months engaging with drivers and trade orgs on our future plans with surveys, emails, podcasts, zoom calls and 1:1 meetings, so have received lots of great feedback and ideas.

As trust in some taxi booking apps begins to waver We’ve now completed the design and amongst some cabbies, cap:app recently changed its specification for the new national app, so we company constitution by adding clauses to their are ready to kick off as soon as we have articles of association. Importantly no private hire vehicles will ever be permitted to use the cab:app sufficient funding in place as this is a pretty big platform and all driver-initiated bookings promoted to project. passengers will be 0% commission in perpetuity.

“We have secured around £125,000 from

But what about the passenger in all this? What do existing shareholders and this will be matched they get from the platform that is different from other by the Future Fund, a government initiative to apps?

NATOINAL APP help companies invest in growth during COVID. This means we already have the £250k we need to complete and launch the new booking platform.

“We’re doing this via crowd funding as many drivers have expressed interest in being a shareholder and we would love nothing more than having thousands of taxi drivers as partners/shareholders in the next phase of cab:app. However, we appreciate how difficult it is financially for everyone involved in the taxi trade so we have set the

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 13

minimum investment at £100 so it’s hopefully within reach for any driver that wants to get actively involved.”

The crowd funder launches in the first week of November and will offer exclusivity to the taxi trade for the first week and will be open to everyone including drivers, garages, trade organisations, manufacturers, insurance companies, accountants, media companies and family/friends of the taxi community that are supportive of a new driver friendly app.

After this period cab:app aim to open up the opportunity to other investors to kick-start its expansion plans across the UK and Ireland.

FEATURE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 14

INDEPENDENT LONDON MAYORAL CANDIDATE Image credit: FARAH LONDON

As part of a series of Q&A sessions in the lead up to next year’s London Mayoral election in May 2021, TaxiPoint caught up with independent candidate Farah London to discuss her plans for the London taxi trade.

17th century, representing some of the best of London’s culture and history. Black taxis are an iconic symbol of London and it is why tourists from all over the world want to travel and take photos with our I have personally been using black cabs for over 26 years, instead of a private hire vehicle, as it gives me a black cab fleet. sense of security, safety and trust, especially as a I have travelled all over the world and nothing woman. There is a comfort in knowing they will compares to our black cab drivers. They are not only protect me, for example, by always ensuring I get the best in the trade, they have also committed years inside my front door when they drop me at home; of dedication to learn ‘the Knowledge’, which is not they truly care about their passengers. When you seen anywhere else in the world. Being a black cab travel in a London black cab, you know you are in the driver, is something I see as prestige. It certainly best of hands, not only will the driver get you from A makes me proud to be in one. to B the quickest, but you can look forward to a great To answer your question in summary, the values are: conversation along the way. trust, reliability, knowledge and personality.

Black cabs stand for trust, which private hire has failed to do, and this iconic trade has existed since the mid-

In your opinion what core values does the licensed taxi service bring to London?

FEATURE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 16

failed them, is going electric. Those who I have spoken to say that they would love to change to electric, but it’s simply not affordable. They were offered a £5,000 grant, but unfortunately the cost to buy an electric The first and most important change I would introduce vehicle went up by £5,000 too. would be to get rid of the ridiculous road restrictions My commitment as your next Mayor would be, firstly, which have almost brought our black cab community to revert the 12-year licence to 15 years for diesel to its knees. Sadiq Khan enjoys boasting that he has black cabs and then offer a larger grant of £12,500 given power to the London boroughs. While this has towards the cost of an electric vehicle with an interest proven to be a great way for the Mayor to avoid taking free loan. However, that is not my only proposal. The responsibility for and ownership of difficult decisions, electric fleet would be given a 20-year licence. And if it has only succeeded in bringing chaos to our the vehicle passes its checks, there is no reason why it streets. Councils are adding restrictions, new cycle cannot be back on the road. I cannot take full credit lanes and larger pedestrian walkways, which have for this idea. It actually came from Gary, a black cab crippled the city’s black cab industry. There has been driver here in London. This is what makes me different no birds-eye view of the bigger picture and it’s clearly from the career politicians running for Mayor. They not working for black cabs. Therefore, this vital don’t listen and act and they are held back by party improvement would take back control and fix road politics, whereas I will take the time to listen to the access so the city can start moving again. This would issues facing real Londoners, and seriously reflect on include opening main roads, like Tottenham Court their concerns when and how I can deliver for them Road and others as in Hackney. London has 32 when I set out my commitments and policies. boroughs and 32 failed transport policies; I believe it is Everything I will do as Mayor will be based on the time we had a single one that works. people who are impacted. No other candidate speaks

What improvements / changes could be made to the service offered by London’s cab drivers and fleet owners?

I fully support UTAG’s campaign, so where buses go, black cabs can also go. The decision to separate cabs and buses was a nail in the coffin of the service. One of the advantages of using a black cab, was that they would be the fastest way of getting round town. I personally know that black cab drivers feel ashamed when they cannot get their passenger to their destination and have to drop them at some distance owing to restrictions and road closures. The Mayor has taken the joy and passion out of the trade. Only a few weeks ago, I travelled by taxi from Tower Hill to the Ned. The journey should have taken no longer than five minutes but took over 26 minutes as the Bank junction is now closed and the cab driver had to drive to St Paul’s and double back.

I continually discuss a wide range of issues with cab drivers. Another area in which they feel support has

in detail of how they will actually improve the trade and end the carnage caused by the current Mayor. In fact other candidates talk in code, giving no clear directions. I want to be transparent from the start. I am listening and keen to know what other improvements drivers want to see.

Fleet owners have suffered greatly too, as the drivers do not earn enough money to afford the rents during COVID-19, so we need to help them upgrade their fleets and assist by renting the fleets at affordable rates.

I would also improve the tech infrastructure, so it would be easier to book black cabs. There are great apps such as Taxiapp UK, that the drivers use. These initiatives are important to support and develop further.

FEATURE A public or private service? How would you view the licensed taxi industry if elected?

The trade should always remain public. I have spoken to many cabbies and they would like to see the trade returned to the oversight of the Metropolitan Police as it was managed far better with more stringent checks on drivers. I will investigate this further with cabbies and see what their opinion is, as they are the ones who would be directly affected by any new arrangement.

Both Labour and Conservatives have demonstrated that black cabs are not part of their main transport plans, they only offer false promises with no substance. They do not understand how important the trade is to our city or our history. I will ensure all is done to restore the trade to its former glory.

Transport for London has for some time called for powers to place a cap on the number of taxi and private hire licences available in the capital. Is this a policy that you would continue to support as Mayor of London?

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 17 a volume contributing to gridlocked traffic. In order to ensure the safety of Londoners and to combat evergrowing volumes of traffic, I would a complete ban on unlicensed drivers and also restrictions on Uber and other such platforms in certain zones.

The current Mayor has lost control and we need to act to take our city and roads back from rogue operators.

As Mayor of London how would you support the continued greening of London’s black cab fleet?

I look forward to the black cab fleet becoming green, but I am clear that it must be affordable and accessible for existing drivers. Many diesel drivers I have spoken to would change in a heartbeat, however the current grant scheme does not support this important change.

Therefore, I would introduce higher grants, interestfree loans, longer licences, up to 20 years on electric vehicles, and most importantly the correct infrastructure to charge these vehicles. These charging points would only be accessible to black cab drivers, so private cars would not be able to use them. They would be placed across the city, including the green huts, and across greater London.

Through my vision of Tech London, we can deliver in the future even smarter ways of charging electric It was reported last year by the BBC, that London has vehicles which will put the drivers in more control, in total 126,000 unlicensed and licensed taxi drivers in benefit Londoners and help to further protect our the city; this means 105,000 extra drivers over and environment and air quality. above our black cabs. Our city does not need so great

Image credit: FARAH LONDON

SAFEGUARDING

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 18

NIGHTWATCH SAFEGUARDING LEADING CHILDREN’S CHARITY OFFERS FREE COURSE TO HELP TAXI DRIVERS RECOGNISE THE SIGNS OF CHILD EXPLOITATION A leading children’s charity is urging cab drivers in London to undertake a new free course that could help save children from exploitation.

Once trained, ‘Nightwatch Advocates’ then teach colleagues and those around them to also become part of a Nightwatch community.

A spokesperson for Barnardo’s charity said: “Everyday taxi drivers see and hear the daily lives of people using Barnardo’s, a children’s charity and the largest their vehicles. By being vigilant and curious, taxi drivers provider of child sexual exploitation (CSE) could recognise when a child is being sexually exploited. It might be overhearing young people talking support services in the UK, is offering taxi drivers in the capital the chance to take part in about a party they are going to where there will be concerning adults, witnessing an adult with a child a free online course that will help drivers acting sexually inappropriately, or maybe a child telling detect the first signs of CSE. you themselves that they are being harmed by others.

The project, called ‘Nightwatch’, provides free training “Sometimes it can feel hard to intervene or act when and guidance for those that work within the night-time you hear something you are worried about, we want economy. The charity trains people that work through drivers to feel increased confidence in their ability to the night, including hotel and bar staff and taxi and report abuse and potentially make a life changing night bus drivers, to help them recognise and protect difference for a child.” children and young people from CSE after dark.

JUST FOR FUN

July 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 23

against two guys from North London. It was on!

The arguing went back the earth to suck me up. I took one look in my

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SAFEGUARDING

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 20

The training has helped numerous night-time sectors, According to the children’s charity, taxi drivers can prepare themselves for situations ranging from the police to the hotel industry across the capital, to increase their understanding of CSE. By of child sexual exploitation by: •

Feeling confident to call the police or report concerns when something doesn’t feel right

•

Taking up opportunities to receive training around child abuse and exploitation

•

Preparing for a situation where a young person may ask them for help and thinking about how they would react.

Taxi drivers can look out for: •

Children travelling late at night or when they should be in school

•

Children seeming anxious, scared or distressed

•

Children who appear angry, argumentative or overly defensive

•

Adults who refuse to let children speak or seem to be controlling the child’s behaviour and movements

•

Children who are with an older person or group of older people who they do not seem to be related to

•

Children being taken to adult only venues or concerning areas, for example nightclubs, casinos or known areas for criminality

•

Children who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The charity’s spokesperson added: “Barnardo’s Nightwatch training provides an introduction to child sexual exploitation. The training covers what we mean by child sexual exploitation, what can make children vulnerable to being exploited, why it is hard for children to speak out about abuse and how we can react to keep children safe. The free training is nonjudgemental and opens up many avenues for reflection and debate.”

undertaking the Nightwatch training, the charity says that organisations have felt motivated to put child exploitation on their daily agenda.

As part of newly introduced statutory guidance in the summer, the taxi trade should expect the introduction of mandatory safeguarding and equality awareness training in the near future.

For taxi drivers interested in learning more about Barnardo’s Nightwatch programme, they should contact charlotte.jamieson@barnardos.org.uk for more details.

Charity

May 2019 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 20

OPEN LETTER

Scotland’s cabbies are renowned for their professionalism and charitable work within their communities. Like most regions around the UK they have been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19.

One cabbie, a member of Unite Edinburgh Cab Branch, details his thoughts and calls for more support from the Government, local authorities and the public during the pandemic in this open letter:

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 22

nationalities and skin colours which makes me extra proud. There are also a number of my colleagues who have put their lives on the line serving their country in the Armed forces. I often hear these guys saying that “they are proud to have served”. Well, I’m also proud to say “I have served”. I have served as a licensed Black Taxi Driver in the city of Edinburgh for nearly 20 years.

Why am I telling you this? Well for decades, we have supported the people of Edinburgh and the good people of Edinburgh have supported the taxi trade. We have been extremely grateful for that, but right now, we’ve never needed your support more. We need you to use us to help you get around, but we also need you Taxi drivers come in all shapes and sizes, big, small, to support us by getting in touch with your MP’s, MSP’s men and women, old, young. We’re your dads, your and local Councillors to pressure them into giving the mums, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters, grannies trade the financial support it needs during the crisis and grandads. We come from lots of different backgrounds - I’ve known cabbies who were previously caused by COVID-19. social workers, painters and decorators, office workers, Everyone in society is affected by this pandemic and tradespeople, ambulance drivers, firefighters and loads every sector is facing its own struggles, but as a taxi of other occupations. We also come in lots of different

OPEN LETTER driver, I feel badly let down by both the UK and Scottish Governments as well as our Local Council. On speaking to any taxi driver, they will tell you that our volume of trade is down by anywhere between 7080%. The backside has fallen out of our world. There is nothing preventing us going to our work - but there is no work out there. No office workers going to their offices, no business travellers going to and from the airports and railway stations and no tourists. We are self-employed, so we don’t receive a regular salary nor are we eligible for the Furlough scheme. Some of us qualified for the UK Government Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), but many of my colleagues didn’t. Even those who did qualify, received an amount based on a percentage of their annual profit. But this did not take into account the significant costs involved

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 23

in maintaining a taxi vehicle and keeping it on the road.

The taxi trade model is split into two types of individual. There are the taxi owners/operators and there are the drivers who rent these vehicles from operators. Some guys like the idea of owning their own vehicle and the feeling of “being their own boss” whilst others prefer to rent the taxi and not have the worries and hassles that an owner might face.

This model has worked well for as long as I have been in the trade. Recently however, this model has collapsed. Rental drivers no longer wish to pay a rent on a cab when there’s no work available and taxi owners are no longer able to meet the financial commitments on their vehicle. In my own case, I've not been able to make a payment to the taxi finance

OPEN LETTER company as it’s been a choice of paying the taxi finance or putting food on the table and paying household bills. I won’t go into details because every taxi driver/taxi owner's circumstances are different, but it costs several hundred pounds a week to keep a fairly new licensed black taxi on the road.

As a proud cabby, it’s a privilege to work in Scotland’s capital city. As a taxi driver, you wear many hats.

You’re an ambassador for the city and the country, you’re a tour guide, you’re an amateur psychologist, you’re a shoulder to cry on and a dozen other things.

People tell you things that they won’t tell their family, they ask you for restaurant recommendations, but most importantly, they trust you. They trust you to get them to their destination on time. They trust you to get them there safely using your training, skills, and professionalism. And a good cabbie does this with respect and politeness.

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 24

Disclosure Scotland, most drivers are now PVG registered (Protecting Vulnerable Groups). On a daily basis, taxi drivers transport both the vulnerable in society such as young children going to schools, vulnerable adults attending resource centres, as well as people with additional mobility needs. Transporting people in wheelchairs is a big part of a taxi driver’s job and hopefully we do this with dignity, humility and respect.

I think it’s reasonable to say that without the Edinburgh Black Taxi Trade, many wheelchair users and others with mobility issues would not be able to get around the city. I feel privileged that I am able to make a positive impact on these people's lives and I hope that I can do this for many years to come.

BUT… without more financial support from government or local authority, I, personally, will no longer be able to operate my taxi. There has already I've also been proud and privileged to get involved in been many taxi drivers and owners who have left the the annual Taxi Drivers outing, where we take kids trade recently and there will be many more to come in with various disabilities and life reducing illnesses to the following weeks. It’s fair to say that as a trade, we the seaside for the day and they get to have a day have felt particularly let down by the City of Edinburgh where hopefully they can forget about their troubles Council who have done little to alleviate our financial and both them and their families can just have fun. For hardship. Thankfully, the trade now has a vocal and any of you who have witnessed the spectacle of the thriving Trade Union representing it (Unite the Union, procession from Edinburgh Zoo down to Archerfield, Edinburgh Cab Branch). drivers and their vehicles all dressed in balloons or as So to the people of Edinburgh, once again I ask you to cartoon characters, you will have seen just how many support our wonderful trade by contacting the people come out of their houses, schools and offices to politicians and ask them to provide the taxi trade with cheer and wave us on our way. Some say that you’re the financial support it needs to survive. Without not a proper citizen of Edinburgh until you’ve been financial support, I worry that the trade will not be drenched by a passing taxi on the outing. able to survive. Our trade has served the city of Another thing that makes me proud to be a cabbie is that I am entrusted to transport the most vulnerable members of our society to where they want to go. This is because as a member of one of the city’s premier black cab companies, I've been required to go through Police checks to ensure that I am a fit and proper person to hold a taxi driver’s licence. Through

Edinburgh for over 350 years (no age and emissions policy back then) and we would love to serve the city for another 350 years. And please trust me when I say that if the trade were to disappear, you would miss us much more than you might think, but even more importantly, the most vulnerable would be unable to travel around the city.

COVID SUPPORT

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 26

Image: HM Treasury

At the time of writing, Self-Employed workers will be able to apply for their third coronavirus support grant before the start of the Christmas period according to HMRC sources.

profits to 40 percent, meaning the maximum grant will increase from £1,875 to £3,750 respectively.

It will be available to anyone who was previously eligible for the SEISS grant one and grant two, and Taxi drivers and other self-employed workers effected meets the eligibility criteria. by the coronavirus pandemic last received This grant will cover a three-month period from the government support back in August as part of their start of November 2020 until the end of January 2021. second SEISS payment application.

The Government will pay a taxable grant which is Those eligible for the next grant can apply online from calculated based on 40% of three months’ average 14 December. HMRC will provide full details about the trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and claiming process and applications in due course. capped at £3,750.

In October the Government announced an increase in A second extended grant will cover a three-month the size of grant Self-Employed workers can claim. The period from the start of February until the end of April claim will now jump from 20 percent of average 2021. The Government will review the level of the second grant and set this in due course.

COVID SUPPORT

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 27

During the original SEISS scheme, applications for the very first grant opened on 13 May which represented the March, April and May time period. That grant was worth 80% of the claimant’s average monthly trading profits, double the value of the next grant agreed by government, and was paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total. The second SEISS payment

application opened three months on from the first, on 17 August.

The increase is seen as a starting point in helping cabbies who have faced a severe downturn in work levels. Taxi representatives are however also urging financial firms and the Government to re-introduce payment holidays on taxi finance payments to assist cabbies through the period.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), told members: “We have been calling for an increase in the level of support for weeks and are happy to see that they are finally listening.

Image: HM Treasury

“We know this won't solve all the challenges members are facing, but hope it's a start. Over the next few weeks, we will be keeping the pressure up to help get you the extra support you need, whether that's further help from finance companies or more financial support.”

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FEATURE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 28

A LONDON

WITHOUT

BLACK CABS?

ARTICLE BY: DR MIKE GALVIN

www.mobilityserviceslimited.com

London’s taxi vehicles and taxi drivers have been in decline for seven years now, but should anyone care? Will less black cabs mean more work for the few black cabs that do remain and the few new drivers appearing on London’s streets? Will their demise simply mean a displacement of business to minicabs, app companies and public transport? Who can say but we are soon to find out unless something is done to stem the decline.

The facts are that last week (week ending 18

DR MIKE GALVIN

October) Transport for London (TfL) ended the week with 331 less taxis than the previous week, leaving a mere 15,641 familiar black cabs trawling London’s streets. In 2013/14 there were almost 23k licensed taxi in London. Taxi driver licences are also falling, with 21,546 licensed drivers remaining vs 25,500 in 2013/14. Last week saw another fall in driver numbers of 47 with only 5 new badges being issued.

No one needs an A level in maths to work out that the decline in taxis and drivers could mean that by the end of the next decade there will be none left or certainly none worth talking about left. The old mantra of taxis ending up like the gondoliers in Venice is fast becoming a reality.

I should declare an interest in the dim and distant past I undertook the Knowledge of London and became a green badge (all London) taxi driver. At that time the Knowledge could be completed in a year or so, minicabs were unlicensed and therefore taxis had the kudos of being the safer form of personal transport. Following big bang in 1986 the big American banks poured into London, consultancies grew, law firms grew, the airport got busier and busier and in the early 90’s Canary Wharf was born. London saw many ups and downs but overall grew strongly as did the taxi industry. When I

FEATURE was a youngster growing up in London the black taxi driver was seen at the upper end of a working-class hierarchy of occupations. It sat alongside dockers, printers, publicans and wholesale market workers as a ‘good job’.

From a customer perspective black cabs have served “The requirement London well. They have been available, safe, for wheelchair comfortable and only a accessibility whilst wave away. When you initially not the most got back from holiday the popular of decisions familiar sight of a black cab was welcoming and quickly became a reassuring. Yes, they had real asset to taxis…” their foibles; refusals were the curse of the industry – not going that way, too late, too early, don’t go to South London etc was the very reason I came into the industry. When I was looking for a new industry and living in Islington my thoughts were that this can’t be a bad job as I am often being refused in the West End as Islington was ‘too far’.

Happily, as I entered the trade in 1981 the fares increased by the biggest percentage in decades, waiting time became an important feature of the meter and suddenly all journeys became worthwhile.

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 29

their impact on the beginning of the taxi’s decline.

Taxis were priced out of the market, radio circuits declined and some faded away altogether and the slowdown in growth turned into a modest reduction in numbers that has morphed into a steady and now quickening decline.

So, is this all about COVID-19 and will things simply reverse once things go back to normal? Well two responses to that; going back to normal is not a foregone conclusion and no as the reasons for the decline of taxis in London did not begin with COVID19 although it has certainly exacerbated a difficult situation. I was asked to attend a meeting at City Hall probably three years ago to speak about ‘how we save the black taxi’. My words whilst politely received did not accord with the prevailing anger at what appeared to be a consensus that TfL were four square to blame. The rationale was largely around the licensing of Uber and the belief that they were being allowed to do what they liked whilst an impotent regulator watched from the side lines.

My views were that the Knowledge of London took too long thereby capping, and as it has transpired reducing, overall taxi numbers, that the product cycle of the “My views were taxi as a service was on the that the wane and that like any The requirement for wheelchair accessibility whilst service or product the Knowledge of initially not the most popular of decisions quickly customer proposition London took too became a real asset to taxis enabling them to get to needed to be updated and the parts of London others were not allowed to. relaunched. Whilst the price long thereby Radio Circuits enjoyed their zenith in the early was out of kilter with the capping, and as it noughties and then the unthinkable or certainly the now larger part of the has transpired unwanted happened – minicabs were licensed and industry private hire that in taxis lost their mantra of unlicensed minicabs being itself was not in my view its reducing, overall driven by rapists and muggers and instead minicab death knell. There is a price to taxi numbers…” drivers had to undertake the same background pay for instant access. The checks as Black Cab drivers. The advent of app expectation that TfL would companies, the growing levels of congestion and a somehow protect the taxi industry, interestingly reducing number of people who were prepared to something I have heard in relation to private hire at spend what was now years on the Knowledge all had private hire meetings as well, was not realistic. TfL as

FEATURE a regulator has no legal obligation to assist either side of the market. Possibly in its role as transport provider it does. BUT what I suggested was that the industry should be leading its own fightback. No institution knows the industry better than the industry itself and no institution is better placed to address its problems.

The taxi industry enabled many working-class people to leave the factories, leave mundane jobs, and leave low pay behind. After the travails of the Knowledge taxi drivers were able to work hard, work independently and prosper. The flexibility of the role and the security of knowing that they would always have a job and be able to earn a living meant that it was considered a good job by working class London.

The strict criteria for criminal background checks, the omnipotence of the Public Carriage Office and the personal achievement of the Knowledge of London by people who had left school at fifteen with a swimming certificate all conspired to put the taxi driver at the top of the manual jobs’ hierarchy. Social status, a decent income and being part of London and London’s streetscape, all contributed to the aspiration to join this industry.

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 30

pavement. Their trenchant views were entertaining and how else could you treat yourself to the comfort and privacy of personal transport with entertainment thrown in? When it was dark, wet and cold who hasn’t breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a yellow light?

I personally have a lot to thank the taxi industry for. I earnt a good living as a taxi driver. I enjoyed the role and the comradeship. I moved from driving to managing Computer Cab (now ComCab). I also saw the other side of the industry after licensing moving to work with TfL and with Private Hire. I also wrote my Doctoral Dissertation on the taxi industry. The final words of my dissertation were that the taxi industry after surviving for 350 years now faces its greatest threat to survival. That was probably premature given what has happened since.

To return to the questions at the beginning of this piece can I please say this; Taxis, minicabs and public transport are the reasons that less people use private cars. If we want to reduce congestion in London, if we want to improve air quality, if we want to reduce private cars in London then the whole eco system needs to work. The public need visible From a customer’s perspective, one could raise a physical evidence of the availability of transport – hand and be whisked safely along London’s streets in taxis provide that. If the taxi industry is doing well, the hands of an expert who knew every crack in the the private hire industry does well and people use

“The public need visible physical evidence of the availability of transport – taxis provide that.”

FEATURE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 31

“A London without black cabs would be a poorer place on many levels” public transport and importantly are more inclined to leave the car at home. There is much research to show that people have a portfolio of transport, they use different parts of that portfolio to suit different scenarios – all parts are important. If you remove one of the parts the portfolio becomes less attractive. Choice is important and differences are likewise important. More choice = more customers.

I honestly do not believe that the benefits of displacement from a defunct taxi industry will have any great benefit for any other part of the personal or public transport sector. I believe that the opposite is probably true that demand will reduce as a consequence, helping no one.

great. The Knowledge still has both an intrinsic and extrinsic value but it needs to be quicker to complete. To those in the taxi industry who baulk at more drivers – believe me Sage’s Law (supply creates its own demand) should never be forgotten. Being instantly available, being visible, being entertaining, providing privacy for that important private call, providing Wi-Fi, laptop chargers and… well that is for the taxi industry to define and propose to their customers.

Lastly, I would say this – private hire is always likely to be bigger, it “The industry and will certainly be cheaper and it will work the transport to different rules BUT As we move into a period of higher unemployment provider in taxis have been in and as machines (well, tech) replaces jobs, high touch around London for 350 London have personal services such as taxis will provide an important opportunity for those who want to change years they would be work to do to sadly missed by careers. Many will start off as minicab drivers and stop what has progress to become taxi drivers once again providing customers, aspirant drivers and their choice. Not everyone leaves school with a plethora been happening competitors.

An of qualifications and a career lined up, for many taxi over recent ecosystem that offers driving provided a career opportunity, improved choice, difference and a years…” status, social standing, self-confidence and reason to leave the car at independence and we as a society ignore this at our home is what the personal transport industry needs peril. to deliver.

So what do the taxi industry need to do to survive A London without black cabs would be a poorer and, having achieved that, thrive? Do they need to dump the vehicle and reduce price – I would say no. I place on many levels. The industry and the transport believe that they need to get better at what they do provider in London have work to do to stop what has been happening over recent years and to turn the well. The vehicle, especially the new electric taxi is tide before it is too late.

VEHICLE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 32

NEW TECH TURNING DIESEL

BLACK CABS INTO ELECTRIC GREEN MACHINES As industries are being encouraged to move to greener fleet vehicles, the taxi industry may have found an interim solution to make some of its iconic taxis more cost effective and environmentally friendly.

There are also other benefits to cabbies thinking about the possibility of an electric upgrade on their diesel vehicles. These include; fuel savings, maintenance that is on average 23% cheaper, emission charge Clipper Automotive, a start-up technology firm set up exemptions, reduced noise and vibration and finally by two experts in their field, Dr Alexander Howard and increased torque.

Janosch Oppermann, aims to turn diesel black taxis Speaking about the costs involved to make the into Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicles. conversion, Alex Howard, an experienced There are currently over 12,000 diesel cabs registered in London alone and each driver travels on average 30,000 miles each year.

According to the automotive startup, certain classes of diesel have up to 60% higher NOx emissions than some equivalent petrol cars.

By focussing on turning these diesel taxis into ZEC vehicles, the ‘Clipper Cab’ product will look to maximise the volume of electrically-powered journeys and reduce harmful emissions.

Image credit: Clipper Cab

VEHICLE manufacturing systems engineer and management consultant, said: “Well, it will certainly be a lot cheaper than buying a new hybrid. Our aim is to build the best and most affordable taxi for London.

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 33 London. We are planning to launch outside London first where licensing can be easier.

“I think it will be up to the licensing authorities how quickly this can happen, the age restrictions “We can't give you exact prices yet, but they will be appropriate for the vehicles and what grants the considerably lower than buying a whole new taxi. Also drivers qualify for. In terms of conversion volumes, we the running costs will be far less, no diesel, reduced can scale up very quickly to do 50 to 100 a year, if the maintenance bills etc. demand is there.”

For anyone that has driven an electric vehicle before, one of the first things you notice is the added torque. The EV drivetrain can offer notably higher acceleration speeds even on the most historically sluggish vehicles.

However, how does the make up of the old taxi DR ALEX HOWARD JANOSCH OPPERMANN chassis and suspension react to the increase in torque that the electric drivetrain brings?

“We will launch a trial in a regional city first, and on the back of that launch in London. Interested cabbies Alex said: “The taxis are very solid, and can take considerable load. You are right in that electric can pre-sign up by emailing alex@clipper.cab or vehicles have high torque potentially, however the janosch@clipper.cab to get on the list of interested stress on the drivetrain is very smooth, there are no drivers.” gears to crunch through.

As part of the conversion, cabbies will be able to enjoy a 40kWh battery that aims to offer 153 WLTP miles of “Also the system we install is electronically managed so rate of acceleration, top speed etc. are limited range. The battery will also allow for rapid charging meaning a quick 30 minute charge will provide a 60% which protects the vehicle. The biggest demand on the taxi is the extra weight of the batteries, but then it is battery top up. no more than a couple of chubby tourists!”

All sounds promising, but how quickly can this And finally, should local licensing authorities be technology enter the industry and how many supportive of the technology? Unsurprisingly, Alex conversions is realistic each at full scale? responded saying: “Yes definitely! We think this is the Alex told TaxiPoint: “We are aiming to have a cheapest, quickest way to clean city transport, it's a certifiable product by mid 2021, and at this point to win-win for everyone, and the sooner we do it the have a cab starting the 10,000 mile durability test in better.”

VEHICLE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 34

ULTRA-LUX!

Image credits: Sutton Bespoke

A London-based retailer of high-end cars has started a limited production run of super-luxurious vehicles based on the new-generation lowemissions ‘black cab’, aimed at those who want to travel discreetly about town in unrivalled comfort.

Sutton Bespoke, the bespoke tuning arm of luxury car dealer Clive Sutton, is basing the cars on the iconic electric range-extender LEVC TX, which will be familiar to many city-dwellers.

The firm is embarking upon the build process after receiving a positive response on social media channels to the ultra-luxury taxi and pilot vehicle for the project, which was snapped up by a private customer in London.

The Sutton VIP Class LEVC taxi features a fully redesigned interior, with rear seats angled for comfort and trimmed in Sandalwood leather with

VEHICLE

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 35

Alcantara trim. Replacing the hard-wearing rubber flooring is high-quality thick-pile carpet, and hand-crafted wood veneers adorn the door trims. A panoramic roof floods the cabin with natural light, and after dusk occupants can tailor the ambient lighting system with a colour to match their mood.

The interior is as high-tech as it is luxurious – occupants have access to haptic climate controls, an upgraded stereo system with Image credits: Sutton Bespoke Bluetooth connectivity, a TV tuner with Apple TV, and a Sony PS4 games console.

Between the rear passengers there is a new luxury armrest complete with cupholders, and behind that a refrigerator.

Separating the driver and passenger compartment is a retractable screen, affording privacy as well as making the vehicle more COVID-secure. A fully electrically adjustable leather seat and a state-of-the-art digital instrument cluster ensure the driver remains comfortable during prolonged stints at the wheel. Softclose doors can also be specified.

For the exterior a subtle yet distinctive ‘two-tone’ exterior paint finish is applied; the iconic black taxi paint for the lower portions, and Ferrari ‘Grigio Silverstone’ above for a touch of added sophistication. The taxi sign on the roof will remain to preserve the iconic silhouette of the vehicle, albeit with the ‘TAXI’ lettering replaced by ‘VIP’.

The price of the vehicle is expected to be in the region of £100,000 (excl. VAT) for business buyers, or £120,000 incl. VAT for private buyers.

Image credits: Sutton Bespoke

VEHICLE

Following its formal introduction at the 1948 Commercial Motor Transport Exhibition at Earls Court, London, the FX3 went in to fleet service and is seen by many as the ‘original’ black taxi icon.

It featured a chassis and a 16hp, 2.2 litre petrol engine supplied

by Austin and a pressed steel body built by Carbodies in Coventry. Sold in London by Mann & Overton, the cab was light and airy in comparison to pre-war landaulets, yet still ensured the privacy of its passengers with darkened glass in the small back window and no interior driving mirror.

The FX3 went on general sale in 1949, for £936 plus

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 36

Image credit: LEVC

33.3 per cent purchase tax. Its key selling point was its ‘enclosed-drive’ compartment – it was the first taxi with full weather protection for the driver, although it did feature an open luggage platform instead of a front passenger seat! Like all London taxis built since 1906, its turning circle of 25ft ensured the cab could navigate the tiny roundabout in front of The Savoy Hotel.

In 1954, a diesel-powered production version of the FX3 was introduced.

Demand for this vehicle was driven by the unacceptably high fuel consumption of the petrol model.

Image:credit: credit LEVC Image

Image credit: DYNAMO

GLOBAL NEWS

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 38

AROUND THE WORLD CANADA With more than 90% of taxis not operating currently in Toronto due to the global pandemic, City council are in talks for ways they can help an industry that is dying due to lack of trade.

A motion put forward proposes to amend current rules surrounding vehicle age limits. To help drivers, the council is looking to extend the maximum age limit from seven years to ten years. In addition, the council’s licensing authority is proposing a reduction in licensing fees to help drivers financially struggling.

TURKEY

FRANCE

Taxi drivers in Istanbul are to be required to learn English as part of new licensing requirement changes put in place by the city’s licencing authority. As well as learning English, drivers could also be forced to wear uniforms and work in three set shifts.

Flying taxis will begin trials ahead of an expected influx of tourism leading up to the 2024 Olympics. The air-bound taxis will take off from an aerodrome north of the capital city Paris.

Authorities are also considering the introduction of a new payment option for passengers.

A drone-like, fully electric vertical take-off and landing taxi (eVTOL), produced by German company Volocopter, has been chosen to take part in the trials.

Taxi users could soon be allowed to pay for trips using their public transport pass known as Istanbulkart; this is the equivalent of London’s Oyster card.

SPAIN Taxi drivers in Barcelona are calling for government help to keep the industry from collapsing after the devastating effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on the trade. Hundreds of drivers blocked a major road to demonstrate their frustration at the lack of help the industry has received from the Government.

GLOBAL NEWS

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 39

USA Motional, a joint self-driving research collaboration between Aptiv and Hyundai, have announced a partnership with Via saying that the companies will serve a blueprint for an on-demand, shared robo-taxi service.

The service will launch in one of Motional’s existing U.S. markets, the companies have announced, saying it will use Via’s existing ride-sharing app to show the vehicles’ status, alongside public transit information.

CHINA Taxi drivers in north western city, Lanzhou, have been hit with a no-tattoo policy.

The city’s transport committee has said that large tattoos may cause distress to passengers who are women and children, and have stressed that drivers who have such tattoos should begin the process of removing the body art through surgical procedures to the greatest extent possible.

Image credit: VIA

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 41

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May 2019 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 20