‘Slightly offensive’ to suggest London’s black taxis could disappear, but challenges acknowledged, says trade rep
- Perry Richardson
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A taxi trade representative has hit back at claims that London’s Black Cab could disappear from the capital, calling the suggestion “slightly offensive”.
Sam Houston, Senior Rep at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), was responding to a new report from Centre for London, which forecasts the complete loss of the iconic black taxi by 2045 if current trends continue. The report, funded in part by app operator FREENOW, outlines steep declines in driver numbers and rising costs as key factors behind the trade’s weakening position.
Houston accepted the seriousness of the situation but challenged the tone of the report. He said: “Personally, I find the suggestion that Black Cabs will disappear completely slightly offensive, but we do have to be real – numbers of both drivers and taxis are declining steeply and this needs to be addressed.”
The report, published in partnership with app operator FREENOW, outlines steep falls in taxi driver and vehicle numbers and calls for urgent policy reform to avoid a complete collapse of the trade by 2045. It also raises the alarm over high operational costs, reduced support funding, and increased private hire competition.
Responding in TAXI Newspaper, Houston took aim at the over-saturation of private hire drivers and the continued inaction on imposing limits. He warned that current conditions favour private hire operators who can undercut prices, pushing licensed taxi drivers into financial difficulty while worsening congestion.
He also highlighted the pressure caused by high vehicle and insurance costs, especially in light of recent inflation. Fare regulation prevents drivers from adjusting prices freely to match rising expenses, meaning they are forced to absorb the shortfall.
The Centre for London report calls for a ten-year strategy to retain and recruit drivers, expansion of grants, and clarification on taxis’ role in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Without action, it claims the trade will become unviable. It notes that between 2013 and 2024, the number of licensed Black Cabs fell by more than a third. New driver entrants dropped by nearly 90% over the same period.
Houston said the issue of road access remains key. He believes Black Cabs should be granted priority for their investment in fully accessible, zero-emission capable vehicles and the Knowledge of London. Houston said: “I do feel that we have turned a corner in this argument and many administrators we talk to are supportive, but it’s an uphill trudge and every concession has to be fought for tooth and nail against the anti-vehicle ideologues."
Despite the challenges, Houston remains confident in one area: “People will always come to ranks or hail taxis in the street because it’s the most convenient way to get an immediate ride.”
The report recommends reforms to the Knowledge, better EV infrastructure access, and stronger recognition of the Black Cab’s role in London’s transport system.
