Shared Booking Platforms Threaten the Long Term Future of Black Taxis
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Shared booking platforms threaten the long-term future of black cabs warns leading taxi industry figure.
Asher Moses, CEO of Sherbet London, has warned of the potential long-term damage to the black cab industry when both Black Cabs and Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) share the same booking apps. In recent weeks Freenow has linked up with Kapten, Gett has partnered with Ola, whilst Uber has purchased cab technology company Autocab.
Asher Moses, Chief Executive of Sherbet London, said:
“With a number of apps now promoting both Black Cabs and PHVs, customers are presented with a choice about how to make their journey. However, in the vast majority of cases, a private hire vehicle is presented as the cheaper option. I am concerned that customers will only consider the cost of their journey and not the benefits of using a Black Cab and this will result in journeys being diverted from Black Cabs to PHVs.
“In the long term this may well see a reduction in business for black cabs and a challenge to the viability of the business model for Black Cab owners. It is vital that we continue to support the iconic Black Cab industry in London, particularly. That is why at Sherbet we only allow the booking of Black Cabs via our app.”
Yellow Badge Cab driver, Allen Prosser agreed:
“Many cabbies I have spoken with disagree with both PHVs and Black Cabs being on the same app. The reality is people just choose based on price, which often benefits the PHV drivers, and don’t consider the improved, faster service that they can get from a Black Cab Driver who has completed the ‘Knowledge’
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant drop in business for the taxi trade, with some cabbies in London reporting that they are seeing earnings drop by up to 80%. With the ending of government support for self-employed workers and businesses in London being slow to return to full-time office-working, Black Cab drivers are facing difficult business conditions. There are concerns that a further loss of business, with customers being diverted from black cabs to PHVs, will only exacerbate the problem.
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Our electric taxis are proudly driven by the worlds most qualified drivers who have all taken the world-famous Knowledge Test and been CRB checked. ‘The Knowledge’ school which usually takes 4 years – a memorised map of London including 25,000 streets and thousands of iconic landmarks. Only fully TfL licenced and accessibility trained taxi drivers are able to operate on our circuit.
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ers seem keen to get back after possibly 8-10 weeks off. I think we all understand work levels will be low but we are seeing small glimmers of hope. I have seen credit card suppliers publishing transaction figures which are low but seem to be on the increase. Listening to the news the government has plans to open more businesses, we will see shops opening soon and hopefully bars and pubs. The weather is on our side so more people will be tempted to come out after weeks indoors. The trains and tubes are starting to look busier and I believe we will see more of our core customers (office workers) returning to the London offices over the coming weeks.
According to the BBC, flights produce greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) – from burning fuel. These contribute to global warming when released into the atmosphere. For example, An economy-class return flight from London to New York emits an estimated 0.67 tonnes of CO2 per passenger, according to the calculator from the UN’s civil aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is worth mentioning that aviation contributes about 2% of the world’s global carbon emissions, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It also predicts that passenger numbers will double to approx. 8.2 billion in 2037 and that the total number of emissions is set to rise.
Compearing to flying, train journies are a lot more environmentally friendly. For example, according to EcoPassenger, a journey from London to Madrid would emit 43kg (95lb) of CO2 per passenger by train, but 118kg by plane (or 265kg if the non-CO2 emissions are included). However, the number of emissions generated by using trains and planes varies, depending on several factors, such as if the train is electric, and what way the electricity they use is generated. With regards to diesel trains – carbon emissions can be twice those of electric ones. For example, some diesel trains can emit more than 90g of C02 per passenger per kilometer, compared with about 45g for an electric Intercity 225, figures from the UK Rail Safety and Standards board show.
Driving can be better than flying and taking a train – if the car is electric. The popularity of Electric vehicles (EV) is increasing very strongly. According to CarbonFootprint.com In the UK electric vehicles, were ca.14% of the new market in Dec 2019 and by 2035 it’s forecast that all new car sales in Europe will be electric vehicles. London is one of 20 global cities leading on electric vehicles, including taxis. For example, an electric taxi emits 29 g/km CO2 in comparison to a diesel one with 222 g/km emissions of the CO2.
