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Cabs are taking us for a ride

by Claire Hu and Stephanie Busari

Friday night in Soho. People jostled for space on the crowded streets. It was 9pm and all those we spoke to were blissfully unaware they would have to pay more than usual to get home by black cab after their night out.

All very taxing: Passengers are likely to pay a higher price for an unimproved taxi service

Along Shaftesbury Avenue, Old Compton Street and Tottenham Court Road there appeared to be plenty of taxis. We were even approached by two drivers of dubious-looking minicabs.

Two hours later as the pubs were closing, everything changed. The streets were flooded with even more people, some shouting, singing and a bit the worse for wear, many of them desperate to find a cab - which suddenly seemed to be in short supply.

American tourists who had been to the theatre, naively lined Shaftesbury Avenue hoping to hail one; most Londoners headed to minicab offices, the Tube, bus stops or less busy areas where they knew they would have more luck of chancing upon a taxi.

Most people we questioned said the higher fares would definitely put them off travelling by black cab and many said they would be prepared to resort to illegal minicabs. Teacher Stephanie Gillet, 33, originally from France and now living in the Oval area, and marketing executive Laura Montemagon, 31, who lives in Brixton, were standing on the street at 11.15pm trying to work out how to get home.

Miss Gillet said: "I think this means there are going to be more illegal cabs. We will try to get a minicab home. I think the price increase is outrageous, it's not fair. At this time it's impossible to get a black cab anyway."

Miss Montemagon said: "A lot of black-cab drivers refuse to take me to Brixton anyway. They say it is too far."

Philip Hind, 29, and Gerard Heney, 37, from Hammersmith, both designers who divide their working lives between London and Milan, were having a drink on Old Compton Street. Mr Hind said: "I think the price rise is disgraceful. I would prefer to walk home." Mr Heney said taking a cab in Milan costs half as much as in London. "I prefer to haggle with minicab drivers and work out a price before the journey."

Graphic designer Ingrid Giertz, 30, who now lives in Sheen, said: "Black cabs are the most secure way of travelling and if I was on my own, I would tend to take one. But this price rise is a bit much. Cabs stop people from drinking and driving, so their use should be encouraged."

Recruitment consultant Matt Bullock, 31, from Croydon, was on his way to catch a train home. He said: "There might be this new 12-mile rule but I doubt I will always be able to get a cab home to Croydon. It will depend on the time of night. It seems like a hell of a price rise and a bit obscene in the current market conditions."

'Some drivers are scared to work late'


		Stephen Jones: "The increase has made a difference as I've taken a bit more money"

Among cabbies, the reaction to the price increase was mixed. Many welcomed the prospect, but doubted it could drive the illegal minicab trade under, and nearly 70 per cent of those we spoke to said that in the present financial climate, they would be willing to forego the higher charges for now.

George Allen, 52, from Essex, a driver for 29 years, said: "I work nights and I will gain, but I have not noticed any increase in trade tonight because my meter has not been converted yet. Cabbies who work days won't gain."

Bill France, 51, from Sydenham, said: "I don't agree with the increase. It's dear enough anyway and with the current climate, it's a bad move. I don't think it will encourage more drivers to come out. It's not always about money, some of the older boys might be scared to come out at night."

Stephen Jones, 52, from east London was the only driver we spoke to who had had his meter converted. He said: "It has been a quiet night but the increase has made a difference as I've taken a bit more money. It would be better if it started at 10pm instead of 8pm. At 8pm, people can still make their way home."

12-mile rule proves a turn-off

The Standard tested the new 12-mile rule by asking four cabbies to go to Croydon, a nine-mile journey.

Before 11pm, two agreed but one said he was only doing it because it was early and warned the trip would cost about £30. After 11pm, however, cabbies seemed less inclined to take the long route out of the centre.

One driver we approached claimed he had finished his night's work. Another shook his head and said it was too far. When challenged about the 12-mile rule he shrugged.

Pressed further, he explained he would lose money on the trip back to town and drove away.

How the increase works out

Increased black cab night rates were announced in an attempt by Ken Livingstone to end the shortage of taxis in the centre of London at night, especially at weekends. While the 8pm-6am rate has increased by up to 60 per cent, weekend daytime rates have gone up by a quarter.

The Mayor hopes the increases will encourage more cab drivers to work at night, reducing the market for unlicensed cabs which he feels provide a dangerous temptation to many Londoners anxious to get home.

In exchange he insists black cab drivers take fares anywhere up to 12 miles from the centre of London, rather than keeping to the previous six-mile rule. This has angered some taxi-drivers, who say they risk ending up in deserted London suburbs from where it is often difficult to find a return fare. They also point out that the package provides little benefit to day-time drivers.

Based on taking a black cab at 1am, typical examples of new night fares include:

London Bridge to Oval (two miles). Up to about £6.60 from £5.50 - a 20 per cent rise.

Holborn to Shepherd's Bush (four miles). About £12, up from £8.90 - a 34.8 per cent rise.

Oxford Circus to Blackhorse Road, (eight miles). Around £22.60, up from £17.50 - a 29.1 per cent rise