The THREE key operational fixes recommended to steady London’s black cab trade
A new report, published by Centre for London and funded by FREENOW, has laid out three operational changes that could help provide much-needed stability to the capital’s Black Cab trade. With the number of licensed vehicles and drivers in decline, the report lays out several ways the industry could adapt.
The proposals focus on the nuts and bolts of how London’s taxi services are managed. From driver recruitment to data transparency and road access, the recommendations centre on improving operations to keep the trade viable.
The first of three recommendations around the operational needs of the trade, calls for a ten-year driver strategy. The idea is straightforward: Transport for London (TfL) would set long-term targets to hold steady or increase the number of licensed Black Cab drivers. This plan would guide the rules and policies that affect drivers, including traffic management and licensing. A midpoint review after five years would check how well these policies are working and whether they’ve helped attract or retain drivers. With the current trend showing fewer new licences being issued each year, a focused strategy could help reverse the slide.
Second, the report urges TfL to define where Black Cabs fit within the Mayor’s 80/20 transport vision. This policy aims for 80% of journeys to be made by public transport, walking, or cycling by 2041. At present, taxis don’t clearly sit in either category. The lack of definition causes practical access issues for drivers—especially around restrictions on bus lanes, certain roads, and station areas. The recommendation suggests adopting an ‘opt-out’ model. Black Cabs would be granted access to roads by default, with restrictions only imposed if a clear safety or operational issue is identified. This would reduce uncertainty for drivers and place taxis more firmly in the city’s transport plan.
The third operational proposal deals with data. Right now, TfL has little visibility on how taxis are used across the city, beyond fare data from places like Heathrow. The recommendation is for TfL and the taxi trade to work together on better data-sharing. By collecting and analysing trip patterns, EV charger usage, and passenger demand, both regulators and operators could make better decisions. This kind of cooperation is already common in the private hire sector. Extending it to taxis would allow for more targeted support and help TfL improve the services Black Cabs provide to Londoners.
Together, these three recommendations, plus the other ten non-operational recommendations made throughout the report, offer a practical route to a more stable, better-integrated taxi system. They don’t rely on new technologies or grand redesigns but on clearer planning, smarter access rules, and more joined-up use of data.
