London taxi trade faces ‘EXISTENTIAL THREAT’ amid autonomous vehicle policy concerns, warns Assembly Member
- Perry Richardson
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
London’s black cab industry is facing what has been described as its most serious challenge to date, with concerns mounting over declining driver numbers, regulatory delays and the potential impact of autonomous vehicle technology.
In a featured opinion piece published in the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association’s (LTDA) TAXI Newspaper, Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in the London Assembly, said the sector is already experiencing significant strain, warning that policymakers risk failing to respond in time.
Bokhari wrote: “The rise of the robotaxi, the terrifying decline in the number of black cabs on our streets, and a licensing backlog at TfL (Transport for London) that is destroying drivers’ livelihoods. These are not problems on the horizon, they are issues happening right now – and City Hall is sleepwalking through all of it.”
The comments come amid ongoing industry concerns about Transport for London’s licensing processes and the steady reduction in licensed taxi drivers operating in the capital. Stakeholders have repeatedly warned that delays and barriers to entry risk undermining service availability, particularly for passengers reliant on taxis for accessibility.
London Assembly member warns falling cab numbers, regulatory delays and emerging technology risks are converging on the capital’s taxi sector
Bokhari revealed that she had proposed a motion in the London Assembly calling for the appointment of a dedicated taxi commissioner, aimed at providing a single accountable figure to oversee the sector and develop a long-term strategy. The role would also assess the impact of emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles.
She explained the intention behind the proposal, stating it would ensure “someone who assesses the impact of robotaxis and develops a proper strategy for the whole industry’s future”. However, the motion was voted down, with opposition from Labour and Green Assembly Members.
According to Bokhari, the rejection reflects a broader reluctance to engage with the scale of challenges facing the trade. She noted that reasons given for opposing the motion suggested the issues were “too complex to be ‘bounded into solutions’”, despite her describing the proposal as “a modest, practical ask”.
The article also raises concerns about the influence of global mobility companies and their approach to accessibility. Bokhari said: “When we met with Waymo, they told us that in every US city where they have launched, they offer a free service for disabled users travelling in wheelchairs. They told us they had not introduced this in London because they were conscious it could cannibalise the black cab industry.”
The comparison was used to highlight what Bokhari described as a lack of strategic awareness within City Hall. She added: “What makes this worse is that even global companies are showing more strategic awareness than City Hall politicians.”
The warning extends to the broader cultural and economic role of black cabs within London. Bokhari described the trade as “a highly skilled profession, a piece of London’s identity and, for many passengers (particularly disabled people), an irreplaceable service”.
Industry representatives have long argued that black cabs provide a level of accessibility and regulatory assurance not consistently matched by other private hire services, making their continued viability a key concern for transport planners.
Bokhari concluded with a call for stronger leadership and urgency in addressing the sector’s challenges. She stated: “Both passengers and drivers deserve a mayor and an Assembly that takes this seriously… They deserve someone in charge who is looking at the whole picture and actually doing something about the huge challenges taxi drivers face. But right now they have neither.”
