London taxi drivers prepare for another year of Poppy Cabs service on Remembrance Sunday
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
London taxi drivers are once again preparing to provide the free Poppy Cabs service for veterans attending the annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade at the Cenotaph. The long-running initiative, entirely funded and operated by London’s taxi trade, has become an essential part of the day for many who wish to pay their respects.
Each year, around 1,000 free taxi journeys take place within just two hours as veterans are transported to and from the service. Many drivers give up their day entirely, while others volunteer from the capital’s main taxi ranks. Knowledge students and family members also assist as marshals, ensuring a smooth and dignified operation for all involved.
The Poppy Cabs network runs on a “turn up and go” basis from several major London transport hubs, including the Victory Services Club, Union Jack Club, and mainline stations such as King’s Cross, Paddington, Liverpool Street, and Victoria. The service also extends to locations including Waterloo, Marylebone, Euston, Fenchurch Street, and London Bridge.
In addition to the main hubs, a number of pre-booked journeys are arranged for wheelchair users, veterans with limited mobility, and larger groups. Most passengers are taken to Admiralty Arch for the main service and parade, although some are driven to alternative sites such as Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park Corner, or Grosvenor Gardens for other remembrance events.
After the service, return journeys begin from Westminster Bridge, where taxis line up to take veterans back to their original pickup points. A smaller collection area at Admiralty Arch caters for those using wheelchairs, ensuring all participants can travel in comfort and safety.
There is no single organisation responsible for running Poppy Cabs. The service is a collective effort by drivers who donate both their vehicles and their time. Mike Hughes acts as the independent coordinator ahead of the event, matching drivers with veterans who have special requirements. On the day, a large group of volunteers, including drivers and knowledge students, oversee the logistics at each pickup point.
Poppy Cabs operates without external funding or sponsorship. The costs are met entirely by the taxi drivers themselves, who view the event as one of the most meaningful contributions the trade makes each year. Alongside the work of The Taxi Charity and other veteran support initiatives, the Poppy Cabs service highlights the industry’s commitment to giving back to those who have served.
Adding a special touch this year, several vintage taxis are expected to take part in the event, including vehicles that have featured in television programmes and films. Their presence is set to enhance the experience for the veterans, many of whom have strong memories connected to the vehicles of earlier eras.
Among those helped each year are residents of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. While some Chelsea Pensioners proudly march in the main parade in their recognisable scarlet uniforms, others who are unable to stand for long periods are assisted by specially allocated Poppy Cabs. These taxis collect them from the hospital and transport them to Westminster Bridge so they can observe the silence at the eleventh hour.
All licensed London taxis are fully wheelchair accessible, a feature that ensures veterans of all ages and mobility levels can attend the Remembrance Sunday events with dignity.
The Poppy Cabs service continues to represent the best of the London taxi community, combining professionalism with respect for those who served. Veterans, their families, and members of the public can follow updates on the day through the official X (formerly Twitter) account @PoppyCabs.
