SLOW START: Heathrow black cab demand steady but taxi trade still feeling early 2025 slump, says LTDA rep
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Despite a recent bounce in business and consistent activity at Heathrow, London’s taxi trade is still grappling with the lingering effects of a difficult start to 2025. That’s according to LTDA Senior Rep Sam Houston, who shared his reflections on the past year in his latest column for TAXI magazine.
“Summer 2024 didn’t seem too bad and the pre-Christmas season was pretty solid,” wrote Houston. “However, almost everyone agrees that the first four months of 2025 were absolutely dire.” It wasn’t until May that signs of recovery began to show, with drivers experiencing busier days, particularly around larger events and periods of good weather.
While summer has seen a more positive tone, Houston warned against complacency, reminding drivers that the industry remains seasonal and highly unpredictable. “Being self-employed, you start again at zero every day,” he said. “It’s really important to get a cushion behind you for those unexpected events or times when it’s quieter than usual.”
The overall number of licensed drivers is still lower than five years ago, which is impacting the trade’s ability to meet demand at peak times. “However quiet or busy it is, it’s important to remember that the number of licensees is significantly lower than five years ago, so overall turnover is almost certainly reduced,” Houston pointed out.
He also touched on wider economic issues, noting that rising taxation is affecting businesses across the board. “It’s an unavoidable fact that taxes are higher than they’ve been for decades,” he said, referencing figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which show the UK tax burden is now at its highest since 1950. “The UK tax burden has risen by 3% of GDP since 2010.”
Government policy and decisions made at City Hall are also under scrutiny. “Unfortunately, I don’t feel this government – and certainly not this Mayor – seems to be very business-minded,” he added. “So I for one will be making as much hay as I can while the sun is out.”
Turning to Heathrow, Houston provided an update on the delayed rollout of the airport’s new Taxi Feeder Park (TFP) system. Although trials had been promised for July, they have yet to begin. “At time of print, trials that were promised to commence in July have not yet materialised,” he confirmed. “Although at a recent briefing, reps were told the system would begin to be implemented by the end of the year.”
He advised drivers to ensure they have a working smartphone, as the new system will require digital access to the park and payment for job credits. “Information will be posted around the TFP in good time and printed in this newspaper as we get it,” he assured.
Passenger numbers at Heathrow are reportedly at record highs, but business travel remains below pre-pandemic levels. “The proportion of business travel is still just 80% of 2019 levels,” Houston said, noting that while tourism has helped to sustain numbers, it has not fully bridged the gap.
One development that has been welcomed by drivers is the increase in pricing for ‘Fare’s Fair’ jobs at the airport. “I’ve always done these jobs as I think they’re easy money, even at the old prices,” said Houston. “So hopefully more will be covered now the price has gone up a bit.”
Despite the bumps in the road, Houston remains cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year. “It seems to me – and drivers I’ve spoken to – that summer has been a pretty busy period,” he said. “Let’s hope that trend doesn’t die off too much over the holidays.”
