MARCH SLOWDOWN: Ramadan and ‘Kipper Season’ combine to reduce taxi work across the capital and other UK cities
Updated: 13 hours ago
Taxi drivers across London and other UK cities have reported a noticeable dip in work levels this March. The fall in activity has been driven by two key seasonal factors: the industry’s traditional ‘Kipper Season’ and the impact of Ramadan, which this year falls entirely within the month.
‘Kipper Season’ is a long-established phrase in the trade, referring to the annual downturn in passenger numbers that typically follows the Christmas and New Year period. With spending tightening in the first quarter and fewer major events on the calendar, many drivers expect work to dry up during February and March. It’s a period often marked by longer waits between fares for work and drivers clocking fewer jobs over longer hours.
This year, the slowdown has been sharper due to the alignment of Ramadan with the core of March. The Islamic holy month began on Friday 28 February and runs until Sunday 30 March. For the capital’s taxi drivers, Ramadan brings a shift in passenger habits — especially in areas of London frequented by visitors from the Middle East.
In recent years, London has become a second home base for many high-net-worth individuals and families from Gulf nations. During Ramadan, a significant number of these residents return to their home countries to be with family and take part in religious observances. Their absence has a clear effect on local economies, particularly in central London, where their spending power supports luxury retail, hotels, restaurants and the associated taxi journeys that come with them.
This drop in international footfall combines with quieter periods during daylight hours. Many practising Muslims fast during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset, resulting in reduced travel during the day. While demand often rises in the evenings — particularly after Iftar, when the daily fast is broken — the hours before that remain challenging. For taxi drivers trying to make up for fewer overall journeys, these evening spikes rarely offer enough to balance the books.
Reports from the trade social media groups indicate that most ranks have seen a sharp drop in traffic, particularly around key West End locations, shopping areas and hotels. With domestic demand also lower during ‘Kipper Season’, drivers have found themselves with fewer fare opportunities and longer waits between jobs.
The combination of these factors has made March one of the quietest months since life returned to normal after the Covid pandemic. It’s not unexpected, but the overlap of Ramadan with this traditionally slow season has made conditions more difficult than usual.
However, there is some light on the horizon. With Easter approaching in April, work levels are expected to begin climbing again. The school holidays, warmer weather, and the return of both domestic and international tourists typically result in a noticeable uplift in taxi trade.
For now, many are simply enduring what they know to be a tough but temporary stretch in the calendar.
