Changes are to be made to the “Knowledge” test taken by London black cab drivers in a bid to preserve the long-term future of the taxi trade.
This is one of a series of 14 pledges in a new action plan from Transport for London that sets out how it will support the taxi and minicab industry over the next five years.
It comes after the Centre for London thinktank warned that black taxis could become extinct in within 20 years if cabbies continue to leave the trade at the current rates.
There is also concern at the continued rise in black cab fares, which many believe will simply encourage Londoners to travel by Uber or other smartphone minicab apps. Fares will rise by an average of almost 7.5 per cent from April.
The “Knowledge” is part of the application process to become a licensed taxi driver and requires applicants to memorise thousands of roads and routes within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross, including key destinations such as hospitals, theatres and nightclubs.
It can take up to three years to learn.
Under the plan, drivers will be offered improved training, including online courses that include safety advice, conflict management and customer skills.
But the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, the main organisation for London cabbies, branded the action plan a “missed opportunity”.
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the LTDA, said: “It’s filled with platitudes about the importance of licensed taxis and recognises the serious challenges we face, yet it sets out no real plans to actually address those challenges.
“Despite the problems the industry is facing being repeatedly reiterated to TfL and the Mayor, instead of actions, what we see are the same hollow promises to ‘work with us’, ‘consult’, ‘encourage’ and ‘lobby’ for things the government has already made up its mind on, with no concrete action to support hard working taxi drivers.
“It’s very clear to us that London’s licensed taxi drivers are in this alone and it’s being left down to us to ensure the longevity of London’s iconic black cabs and the vital service they provide.”
TfL now publishes a list of 6,000 “points of interest” that may come up in the Knowledge exam.
In addition it “continues to discuss options” with taxi trade representatives about the use of technology and for further changes to modernise the assessment process.
Asked about the changes to the Knowledge, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said last month: “Examiners will only ever ask points that are on this list.
“This is a part of TfL’s ongoing efforts to make sure that the Knowledge process remains fair and transparent whilst ensuring it maintains the Gold Standard.
“TfL is also in the process of updating the Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London for candidates (also known as the ‘Blue Book’) to reflect these changes, and will continue to work with Knowledge schools to provide support to prospective taxi drivers.”
Since TfL’s first action plan was published in 2016, the number of taxis and licensed taxi drivers has fallen dramatically, while the number of mincab drivers has soared to about 108,000.
There are currently 14,470 licensed taxis in London – down more than a third on the 22,810 in 2013/14 - while the number of drivers has fallen below 17,000.
The action plan also proposes allowing taxis to use bus lanes “wherever possible”, including on borough roads.
The location of taxi ranks will be reviewed and Government will be asked to continue the plug-in taxi grant, which subsidises the cost of an electric taxi.
Christina Calderato, TfL's director of strategy, said: “London’s taxi trade and private hire industry are crucial to the success of the capital’s transport network.
“The actions set out in this new plan will enable us to attract taxi drivers from all backgrounds, ensure passengers’ and drivers’ safety, ensure consistently high standards and continue to reduce the environmental impact of taxis and private hire vehicles.
“We’ll continue to work closely with the taxi trade and private hire industry and our partners to ensure that London has safe, accessible and green taxi and private hire services, recognised across the world.”
