£1 fares, cheap fuel and packed nights out: Veteran cabbies remember the taxi trade’s glory days

Veteran taxi drivers from across the UK have shared memories stretching back nearly 70 years, painting a picture of how dramatically the industry has changed from the days of 35p flag falls and free rides for nurses to today’s app-driven market.

For many taxi drivers, the first fare is a moment that never leaves them. A recent social media discussion among cabbies revealed stories dating back as far as 1957, offering a snapshot of changing fares, fuel prices and working conditions across generations of the trade.

Among the oldest memories shared was from Gerald Melnick, who said his first fare came in 1967 and cost “1 and 9 old money”, while Stanley Roth recalled starting on “July 15th 1957”. Others remembered the era before decimalisation, with Stephen Howard saying he started in “1971 /1972 just before the decimal conversion chart”.

Drivers from the 1970s and 1980s described a trade that many say offered stronger earnings and lower operating costs than today. Gordon Mowatt remembered diesel costing “74p a gallon” in 1979, while Tommie Loughton recalled “25p a mile” fares in Sunderland during 1976 when “5 star petrol” was still widely available.

Several contributors pointed to the economics of the job at the time. Michael Johnson, who began in 1986, said: “Flag 50p 50p per mile… my badge was £2 a year also free road tax for hackney carriages £100 year insurance for any driver over 25. Happy days.”

Others reflected on the long hours but strong earning potential during the trade’s peak years. David Hughes, who started in 1988, recalled paying “£140 PW for a 18 month old cab” while regularly taking “£1,000” working seven days a week. Paul Beeson said he “took £76 on my first Friday night” in 1986.

The emotional connection many drivers still have with the industry was also evident. Stephen Sutton, whose first fare was in December 1988, said: “Would I do it over? Yes, its given me good living.” Yet others expressed frustration with how the sector has evolved. Allan Nugent, who started in 1991, wrote: “Would I do it again .. definitely not.”

A recurring theme throughout the comments was the belief that earnings have failed to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. Tony Wray said “Uber is still working on rates from 35 years ago nearly,” while Andrew Saunders joked that in 2002 fares were “same prices as today”.

Drivers also reflected on traditions that were once common within the trade. Peter Raymen remembered giving his first passenger a free ride in 1974 “in cab tradition”, while Brian Coleman recalled free journeys for nurses and armed forces personnel in 1969, adding: “The clock had to be on, otherwise you didn’t have insurance.”

Some comments highlighted how much vehicle technology has changed. Stephen Dorman remembered his “old manual cab double the clutch” in 1984, while another cabbie charted a journey from a “black/white Vauxhall Cavalier HK 19” in 1993 to a Vauxhall Astra estate by 2016.

The discussion also captured newer entrants to the industry, including drivers who started during the pandemic era. Ben Medley said his first fare came in “2020 during lockdown”, while Stanislav Zenevich entered the trade in 2019.

Despite mixed opinions about the modern industry, nostalgia remained a strong theme throughout the discussion. Stephen Mears, who started in Cardiff in 1979 and left during the COVID pandemic, summed up a sentiment shared by many older drivers: “The first 20 years were fantastic then the job was finished.”