FREENOW Q&A: TfL Taxi Action Plan needs to deliver stronger financial support
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
A year on from the launch of Transport for London’s (TfL) Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, questions remain over whether policy ambition has translated into meaningful change for drivers and operators. While progress has been made across some areas, industry stakeholders continue to highlight gaps in delivery, particularly around the rising cost of entering and remaining in the trade. Against a backdrop of declining driver numbers and ongoing financial pressures, the effectiveness of the plan is increasingly under scrutiny.
In this Q&A, TaxiPoint speaks with Sam Pooke, Head of Public Affairs at Freenow by Lyft UK, to assess progress so far and outline where further intervention may be required. Pooke discusses the urgency of addressing vehicle financing challenges, the collaborative efforts underway with industry bodies and policymakers, and whether early signs of renewed interest in the profession signal a sustainable recovery for London’s black cab sector.
It’s been a busy period for the taxi industry as a whole since TfL’s taxi and PHV Action Plan launched 12 months ago. Lot’s of recommendations were made at that point, but has there been enough ‘action’ displayed so far?
We acknowledge that TfL has been very busy in the 12 months since the Action Plan was published, working with operators and drivers on issues such as driver safety, passenger support, and accessibility.
However, the one area we need to see more action is on vehicle financing. The black cab is a world-class premium vehicle, but it comes at a high cost. Taxi driver numbers declined more than 30% in the decade running up to the Action Plan being published, and they have dropped a further 3.7% since then.
The black cab is a great vehicle but it comes at a cost - unfortunately we know current drivers are retiring early because they don't want to invest or people are not going into the industry in the first place because the vehicle is just too expensive for them.
TfL have said they want to halt this decline, and ‘ensure we have a taxi trade which is fit for the future.’ Without clear action soon to support drivers on the cost of financing a black cab, I’m worried the trade will continue to shrink.
One of the key areas of the Action Plan focused on getting more black cabs on the road and stopping the decline in driver and vehicle numbers. We’re aware that you and the LTDA have been working closely with Mayor of London and TfL to find a solution to help cabbies shift to a new or used EV black cab. Can you tell us a bit more?
Across 2025 and 2026 Freenow and the LTDA have sent a number of co-signed letters to both TfL and the Department for Transport, highlighting the importance of London’s cab drivers and urging action to support with costs.
We have also held joint meetings with London assembly members and the Department for Transport, setting out the urgency of the issue and working with them to try and explore ways in which drivers can be helped financially.
This is a coordinated, ongoing effort and we are keen to see London’s cabbies get the help they deserve.
One of the most encouraging signs from the last 12 months has been the increase in Knowledge of London applicants and interest in the trade as a possible career. Do you feel the industry has finally turned a corner when it comes to recruitment and what do you feel has prompted that?
The increase in Knowledge applicants is certainly cause for celebration, but cautious celebration at that. Taxi driver numbers have still decreased by more than 600 since the Action Plan was published, which is why the urgent support on costs is so important.
TfL made some changes to The Knowledge last year, designed to make the process more accessible whilst maintaining the gold standard of drivers. With over 1,000 applicants currently working their way through The Knowledge, hopefully we will see many of these driving the iconic black cab on London’s roads soon!
What areas of the Action Plan should City Hall and TfL focus on next? How are Freenow by Lyft involved?
Freenow by Lyft is working with TfL on a number of areas including driver safety, educational materials for drivers, and also the upcoming consultation on zero-emission taxis. We are always keen to work with TfL wherever we can to improve services and support drivers.
In addition, we also have been driving a few initiatives ourselves, for example on driver safety and education we are working with leading charity Stop Hate UK and we have been providing training to drivers on how to respond and report safety concerns and discrimination involving drivers or passengers.
