London Assembly secures motion to urge Mayor of London and TfL to tackle URGENT taxi decline
The London Assembly has passed a critical motion, rallying cross-party support to address the decline in licensed taxi numbers and the challenges facing London’s iconic black cab industry.
Members are calling on the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) to take swift action to halt the erosion of the taxi trade, which has seen a 37% drop in vehicle numbers since 2011. Meanwhile, private hire vehicle numbers have surged by 57%, with just 0.4% of those being wheelchair accessible.
The motion, proposed by Neil Garratt AM and seconded by Keith Prince AM, highlights the significant progress made by the taxi sector in adopting zero-emission-capable (ZEC) vehicles. Sixty percent of black cabs now operate with ZEC technology, marking a major contribution to London’s climate goals. The sector has invested more than £560 million in upgrading to these new vehicles, a testament to the commitment of self-employed drivers and small businesses towards cleaner air in the capital.
However, with increasing costs of electric vehicles, insurance, and charging infrastructure, the Assembly has expressed concerns over the diminishing government support for drivers. The removal of schemes like the Taxi Delicensing Scheme and the reduction in the Plug-in Taxi Grant are presenting substantial hurdles for drivers who have yet to make the switch to ZEC taxis.
The Assembly warns that, without intervention, the decline in licensed taxis could accelerate. Over the next two years, thousands of older taxis will reach their age limits, leaving drivers without a viable path to replace them. This risks both the livelihoods of drivers and the accessibility for Londoners who rely on taxis, particularly disabled individuals and Taxicard users.
To safeguard the future of the black cab trade, the Assembly is urging the Mayor and TfL to implement a robust Taxi Action Plan. Key measures proposed include modernising the Knowledge of London, reintroducing financial support for drivers of ageing diesel vehicles, and lobbying the Government to extend financial incentives for ZEC adoption. The motion also calls for better guidance to ensure that licensed taxis have the same access to traffic schemes as buses, enhancing the integration of taxis into London’s transport network.
The Motion was agreed by 20 votes for and 3 votes against. With this call to action, the Assembly aims to secure the future of London’s black cabs and support the transition to a greener, more accessible transport system for the city.
Neil Garratt AM said: “Black cabs are not only one of the most enduringly iconic images of transport in London, but are also a fleet of small businesses that generate and support growth, business, and income for our capital.
“It is commendable that more than 60% of them are now zero-emission, electric, and wheelchair accessible, and I am pleased that the Assembly has today backed my calls for the Mayor to better support taxi drivers who have not yet upgraded to transition to these cleaner, more inclusive vehicles.
“It has become significantly harder for taxi drivers to adopt electric vehicles in recent years and if the Mayor is to help London transition to a greener future he needs to put his foot down and provide support for taxi drivers to do so.
“Black cabs are at a crossroads: the Mayor has the power to ensure their future as a means of transport for Londoners today, tomorrow, and beyond.”
Sam Pooke, Senior Policy Manager at FREENOW UK, said: “It’s great to see cross-party support for the taxi motion presented at the London Assembly today, urging the Mayor and TfL to tackle the growing concerns over the decline in the number of taxis in London and the lack of support for existing drivers.
“Every day, thousands of people, including those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues, rely upon the world-renowned London black cabs to travel around London. As London’s No.1 taxi app, FREENOW supports this motion and joins this cross-party appeal to the Mayor and Transport for London for swift action as part of their taxi and private hire vehicle Action Plan to ensure the taxi trade is here to stay for the future.”
