By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-21 20:36:02 | Updated at 2025-03-22 13:12:42
16 hours ago
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been urged to implement a "cap" on the number of private hire taxi drivers in London after a stark report predicted a complete eradication of black cab drivers by 2045.
The number of those driving black cabs has fallen significantly over the last decade, with just 14,470 drivers on the road today compared to 22,810 in 2013-2014.
Speaking to GB News, Communications Director for London Taxi PR has demanded more funding for the black cabs and claimed that they are being "narrowed" by the Mayor.
Andy Scott has urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to implement a cap on the number of private hire cabs
PA / GB News
"There's so many issues affecting London taxi drivers at the moment, and the price of the vehicle isn't helping. The access that they require to all streets and roads, considerable traffic congestion, which isn't being helped by the continued licensing of private hire vehicles, which is virtually just under 108,000 private vehicles on the road.
"Compared to about 17,000 London taxis that we've got, so all of these factors aren't helping."
When pressed by what London Mayor Sadiq Khan is doing to help the black cab drivers, Scott admitted that despite his claim that he would be a "saviour" for the industry, he has in fact been "the opposite".
He added: "Mayor Khan, bless him, when he was professing to come to election the first time around, he sat in the back of a black cab and he proclaimed that he was going to be the saviour of the London taxi profession. And it's proved to be exactly the opposite.
Scott told GB News that Khan has been the 'opposite' of a saviour for black cab drivers
GB News
"There are grants that are being issued, particularly TfL, issuing grants for cycling and walking schemes - not everyone with the best will in the world can cycle or walk. The taxis are fully wheelchair accessible vehicles.
"There's funding pots for initiatives to get people back into employment, but there needs to be or should be some access to some form of grant or Government funding that can help training cab drivers."
When asked if he had a message for Khan, Scott concluded: "Let's see some funding support for London taxis, let's see some funding support for the knowledge students, and let's see a cap on private hire vehicle licenses, please."
