‘REFRESHINGLY VALUED’: London taxi representative welcomes positive public perception of taxi trade

London taxi drivers’ professionalism, skill and customer service has become ‘refreshingly valued’ once more, says cabbie representatives reviewing the past year.

Taxi drivers endured a horrendous 2020 and 2021 due mainly to coronavirus lockdowns. Since the last restrictions were dropped at the start of this year, cabbies in London have welcomed a high pent-up demand for taxi services and also a change in public perception of the industry.

According to a recent global taxi industry report produced by Taxi Butler, the industry is experiencing a peak in demand even when compared with data pre-pandemic.

Steve McNamara, Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) General Secretary, said in TAXI Newspaper: “As this is our last issue of 2022, its always a time to reflect, update on what’s happened and look ahead to what the New Year has in store for the taxi trade.

“This time last year, I was optimistic on how we would fare in 2022, but I never for a moment thought that we would come out of the pandemic so quickly, nor that London would be as busy as it has been.

“Our competitors are no longer the first choice for so many Londoners and visitors. Invariably, the only mention the American minicab company gets on social media and elsewhere, is about their poor service and high prices. We have picked up lots of their ex-customers, many who are of an age and demographic we thought was lost to us forever.

“Cabbies’ professionalism, skill and customer service has become refreshingly valued once again. The fact that this generation, who carry no cash, are jumping in and out of our cabs, paying on cards, phones and watches, has vindicated those of us who recognised that mandatory card acceptance was essential to the trade’s survival.”