No GPS for London taxi drivers it's all in their heads
By Cynara Vetch
Black Cabs are an iconic landmark of London's streets. The drivers of the vehicles are not allowed to use GPS (or google maps!) but instead navigate the city through memory. In order to obtain their taxi licenses they have to undertake "The Knowledge" a notoriously difficult test that was introduced in 1865. Most drivers take three to four years to complete the training.
In 2016 the Guardian reported that the Knowledge Point, where all Black Drivers are trained, narrowly missed being closed down. The taxi school couldn't afford the rent to their central premises and were rescued by the London Taxi Company (LTC) just 10 days before they were shut down.
Many black cab drivers believe that taxi apps such as Uber are a threat to their to livelihoods. Uber's fares under cut black cabs, the base fare for an uber X is £2.50 for a 2 mile journey while a black cab will cost you £9 - £14.60 for the same distance. Uber was launched in London in 2012 and according to the Daily Telegraph the company now has 3.5 million users in London and 40,000 drivers.
Earlier this year and in 2016 Black cabbies staged protests in London against the influence of Uber, causing gridlock on the capital's roads.
Black cab drivers and their representative associations, such as the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), have directed accusations at Uber ranging from danger to passengers to traffic congestion and pollution.
On the 22nd September Uber's licence was revoked and it was declared a victory by black cabbies. However Uber has launched a petition and will be challenging the decision in a court appeal. The clash between the traditional British Brand and innovative tech company looks set to continue.
