Not afraid to mix their words London's 24,000 black cab drivers are preparing for battle with Boris over a series of snubs and rebukes, Ken learnt to his peril that alienating the black cab fraternity carries a high price.

By John Kaponi

The influential black cab community of London are in the process of drawing the battle lines with City Hall following a series of significant snubs and developments all triggered by the Public Carriage Office. A recent directive sent to all the black cab trade from the Public Carriage Office warning against touting was according to one black cab driver "out of order for grouping us with private hire". Another serious snub was the announcement that fares on black cabs would increase if diesel exceeded 154p a litre, TfL did not consult the main black cab groups.

Boris Johnson pre-election was supported by the majority of the black cab community, but according to sources within the black cab trade "calls are not being returned by City Hall and we are not in the loop". The touting issue is a particularly sensitive issue for the black cab trade with Boris on 12 June participating in a fact finding mission with Grant Davis Chairman of the London Cab Drivers Club and said:"

There are taxi touts on the streets of the capital every night. They circle the hot spots of London to hunt their prey - innocent Londoners enjoying a good night out who may not be aware that these vehicles are not properly insured and pose a real danger to anyone tempted to use them."

"I am determined to ensure that every man and woman in this city can feel safe when they travel around London. From the moment they leave their home to the moment they return they should be able to travel in confidence. Removing touts from our streets will be another step in the right direction."

Following this a letter was sent to all private hire and black cab drivers in London warning against touting, something which infuriated the black cab drivers of the capital.London Daily News contacted the Public Carriage Office who categorically stated the directive against touting was meant to focus on the illegal mini-cab drivers and the "very small percentage of black cab drivers" who illegally tout for work. "Most touts are unlicensed drivers; among licensed drivers, the Public Carriage Office (PCO) accepts that touting is largely a problem within the private hire trade.

However there have been occurrences of touting by licensed taxi drivers, for example at Liverpool Street Station and at Heathrow Airport. In the interests of fairness to all drivers, and to prevent legal challenge to TfL, we must take a consistent approach to touting by both
private hire and taxi drivers."

According to sources within the black cab community "if within one month we do not have a meeting with representatives of the mayor we will mobilise seven to eight thousand black cabs around City Hall and Tower Bridge and block London off".

The black cab community is increasingly calling for a division to take place within the PCO so that there is no amalgamation of the private hire or black cab driving fraternity. Grant Davis the Chairman of the London Cab Drivers club speaking to the London Daily News "it is about time the PCO setup two separate entities for the private hire and black cab drivers".

The growing trend within West End clubs and bars of setting up satellite offices and doorman organising a rank of private hire discriminates against black cab drivers. This is clearly a "touting movement by private hire" prime locations in London and there is no enforcement of the law".

Moreover Boris should act promptly to avoid an early clash with the black cab drivers by engaging in meaningful dialogue with the LTDA, Unite/TGWU and the LCDC and not the radio circuits who do not represent the trade.

Another senior source within the black cab community warned against a protest and said:

"I am actively trying to prevent a protest against Boris. This is not Boris's doing but a malicious streak at the PCO a legacy of Ken that needs to be eradicated".

photo credit: Flickr.com

PCO RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE: