Mayor of London ‘ENCOURAGED’ by 2023 increase in taxi driver applications despite trade concerns
The Mayor of London is ‘encouraged’ by the increase in taxi driver applications, despite serious concerns over the long-term future of the trade.
Worries around falling taxi driver numbers, escalating costs and a freeze on driver pay during a cost of living crisis has prompted widespread trade concern.
Just 158 new taxi licences were granted by Transport for London (TfL) last year. That is even fewer than HALF the 393 awarded in 2019 pre-pandemic.
Keith Prince asked the Mayor of London how he intends to attract new entrants or retain existing taxi drivers when wages are effectively frozen and costs are soaring.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “London’s taxi trade is rightly recognised as the best in the world.
“Transport for London (TfL) has carried out a review of the Knowledge of London and has agreed with taxi trade representatives to progress a number of actions.
“There are some encouraging signs that more people are entering the Knowledge of London process, with 125 applications submitted in January and February this year, compared to around 200 applications for the whole year in 2020 and 2021, as a result of the pandemic.
“TfL intends to keep this under review.”
