‘BROOMING’ JOBS: London taxi drivers warned to ‘clean up’ their own act by trade representative

Taxi drivers need to ‘clean up’ their own act by not ‘brooming’ fares and acting professionally should they wish to take advantage of the market they now find, says LTDA representative.

The London taxi industry saw a sharp resurgence in custom after coronavirus restrictions were dropped in September 2021. Work-levels have however slightly dropped again since the Government advised workers to work from home again due to the emergence of the Omicron COVID variant.

Private hire services have also struggled to meet the demands of the public due to driver shortages. High prices and last-minute journey cancellations have pushed users into black cabs at peak times in the capital.

Despite the positive signs of growth there was however a sharp warning from taxi representatives to treat all customers professionally and not refuse short-rides. The act of refusing fares is frowned upon within the trade and is known as ‘brooming’.

Anthony Street, Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) Executive, said in TAXI Magazine: “We need to clean up our act and take advantage of a very good situation that our competitors do not find themselves in right now. We also need to do this to our usual high standards, employing cab drivers’ etiquette and not picking and choosing jobs, turning passengers away.

“I was out in town Saturday night at Bond Street station and hailed a cab to go to Broadwick Street – only to be refused by the driver as my destination was “only around the corner”. Following a conversation during which I identified myself as a taxi driver, the driver asked me to close the door, then got out and closed the door himself and then replied, “F**k you”.

“If you are the driver and reading this, you should be ashamed. You’re not only letting yourself down but also giving a bad name to the entire trade.”