Knowledge Point School sparks cabbie backlash after swipe at taxi drivers using booking apps and card payment firms
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Knowledge Point School has drawn criticism from London taxi drivers after taking aim at cabbies using technology platforms including Uber, Gett, Freenow, Curb, Arro and CMT to secure work and take payments.
The school, which trains prospective London taxi drivers undertaking the Knowledge of London, made the surprising comments in a social media post that linked drivers’ commercial choices to wider concerns over the future privileges and status of the licensed taxi trade.
Knowledge Point School said: “If you’re driving for Uber, Arro, Curb, CMT, Gett or FREENOW, you’ve sold the value of your Knowledge for pretty penny.
“When we lose bus lane access, taxi ranks even the Knowledge itself, don’t blame anyone else. You chose to work for them!”
The intervention prompted a strong response from drivers who argued that app-based bookings and card payments have become an established part of customer demand and modern taxi operation. Several respondents questioned whether refusing such technology would strengthen the trade or simply hand more passengers to competing private hire services.
One driver responding said: “Many of us tried our best to stop the self destruction of our business model but the travelling public have the last word and they decide NOT us. They overwhelmingly like using apps. Our only choice is do we service them via the apps or not.”
Another pointed towards changing passenger behaviour at hotel ranks, arguing that customers increasingly expect to book and pay digitally rather than wait for an available taxi. Knowledge Point School challenged that argument, questioning whether adapting to large technology companies ultimately left the taxi trade vulnerable to decisions made outside drivers’ control.
Other cabbies said apps provide an important supplementary source of income when street-hail demand is weak. One respondent said drivers use apps “to supplement a dwindling street income”, while another questioned why accepting a Gett booking rather than leaving the passenger to another service should be considered damaging to the trade.
The debate also extended beyond apps themselves. Some drivers pointed towards historic regulatory and commercial changes, including the arrival of Hailo, now part of Freenow, and the growth of private hire booking platforms as factors that fundamentally changed how passengers obtain journeys. Others argued that the taxi industry cannot realistically reverse technological changes that customers have already adopted.
Knowledge Point School maintained its position during exchanges with drivers. Responding to criticism that the trade needed to move into the 21st century, the school said: “Which signal shall we putting out there? Study knowledge? Then work for apps that want to ultimately replace you with autonomous cars?”
That argument arrives at a particularly sensitive time for the London taxi and private hire sectors. Autonomous vehicle development has accelerated, with technology companies increasingly examining how driverless vehicles could eventually operate commercially within existing passenger transport markets. For taxi drivers, the question is whether participating in technology platforms strengthens immediate earning opportunities while potentially helping those same platforms build greater control over future passenger demand.
However, the reaction to Knowledge Point School’s comments suggests many working cabbies view apps differently now. For those drivers, accepting digital bookings for their services as black cab drivers more a response to the way customers now choose, book and pay for transport.
The dispute consequently raises a wider strategic question for the black cab sector. The Knowledge, street-hail exclusivity, taxi ranks and access to certain bus lanes remain significant distinctions between licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, but passenger expectations around booking and payment have changed considerably during the smartphone era. However those unique selling points put alongside new modern technology is what is shaping the industry moving forwards.
For Knowledge schools, the issue carries another dimension. Their future relies on maintaining the attraction and commercial value of completing the demanding Knowledge of London process. Arguably younger cabbie applicants will be more open to using tech to maximise their incomes whether that be taking card payments or servicing industry demand via apps and the street.
