Editorial

It’s a wet and cold day in London and the internet, radio are buzzing with the upcoming "drive-in" by the capitals black cab fraternity to demonstrate against the perceived inaction by the PCO to stamp out illegal mini-cab touts and other abuses that are affecting this established trade in our city.

What puzzles many is that in a free economy people are allowed to trade freely and groups are not allowed to have a monopoly over certain parts of our economy.  The black cab drivers are not spending hours today in the rain about this, it is the growing problem of unregulated, unlawful and in many cases illegal mini-cab drivers outside of bars and clubs in the capital touting for business.

In a recession people are now thinking twice whether they should go out and have a meal, black cabs have been perceived as expensive and inflexible.  But let’s look at the options.  If your a single woman in London late at night you are 99% per cent guaranteed that once you enter into the back of a black cab you are safer and going to get home.  Not the same case if you jump into an illegal mini-cab.

What needs to happen so that the moaning black cab trade do not have to step up protests, is a "Commissioner for Black Cabs" to be appointed with powers to change laws and advise legislators on abuses. In addition this new Commissioner should be able to punish black cab drivers, as is the case with PCO now, when they abuse the law and act irresponsibly.

Its the first drive-in by black cabs in the term of Mayor Johnson, City Hall need to quell the growing resentment with decisive action and clarity and stop the cabbies protests.