Is the London taxi trade facing sharper peaks and troughs post-pandemic, asks well known industry voice
- Perry Richardson
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Tom Hutley, widely known within the UK taxi trade as Tom the Taxi Driver, has pointed to increasingly volatile working patterns for drivers, describing a post-pandemic market where quieter periods are deeper but peak demand is significantly stronger.
Hutley, an active commentator on industry conditions via social media, shared his assessment of this year’s so-called ‘Kipper Season’, a traditional lull in trade typically seen in the early months of the year. He said that while the seasonal slowdown remains, the contrast between low and high earning days has become more pronounced since COVID-19 disrupted travel habits and demand cycles.
The observations were made in a recent online exchange with other drivers, where Hutley suggested that the trade is now characterised by sharper fluctuations in passenger demand. Fellow drivers responding to his comments broadly agreed that while work is still available, it is less evenly distributed across shifts and days.
Cabbies noted that managing expectations across longer earning cycles, such as fortnightly or monthly periods, has become more important. Some drivers indicated that income volatility can be balanced over time, though daily performance may vary more than in previous years.
YouTube and joint Cab Chat podcast host highlights shifting demand patterns as drivers report wider earnings swings during ‘Kipper Season’
Hutley’s comments come amid ongoing changes in the taxi and private hire sector, including altered commuting patterns and shifting leisure travel demand. These factors continue to reshape how and when drivers access fares.
In addition to his online presence, Hutley has recently expanded his industry profile by joining the long-running Cab Chat podcast, hosted jointly by Jamie Owens. The show, which focuses on issues affecting licensed taxi drivers, has built a steady following within the trade by covering all topics related to the London taxi trade.
