TOM THE TAXI DRIVER: London taxi driver lifts the lid on a quiet Monday shift, ERAD problems and a lost phone
- Perry Richardson
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
London taxi driver and content creator Tom Hutley has released a new video detailing a full Monday shift during the school holidays, offering a grounded look at working conditions when passenger demand drops.
The latest instalment from the YouTuber, known as Tom the Taxi Driver, tracks his movements across central London as he attempts to maximise earnings during a period he describes as routinely subdued for trade.
Hutley explains that school breaks bring a marked reduction in passenger activity, leaving Monday shifts among the slowest of the year. His account shows how drivers lean heavily on strategic positioning to keep work flowing, targeting locations such as Piccadilly Circus, the West End and busy ranks including the RAC and Selfridges. However, even with planning, gaps between jobs remain common during these quieter weeks.
Traffic knowledge forms a central part of the day’s decisions. Hutley routinely selects routes designed to maintain steady movement, taking advantage of bus lanes and lesser known cut-throughs to offset delays. He notes that during low-demand periods these marginal gains become more important, as every minute spent stuck in congestion reduces the chance of securing the next fare.
YouTuber Tom Hutley outlines the operational realities facing cabbies during school holiday lulls
Vehicle condition also features in the video. Hutley’s E1 taxi, which has covered 147,000 miles, is developing a knocking noise from the rear axle. He identifies the issue as the ERAD fault that has affected other cabs of the same model. Tom discusses his plans with viewers around the best course of action and reveals how much the repairs are likely to cost.
The video also covers an incident involving lost property. Hutley discovers a mobile phone left in his cab and outlines the steps typically taken to reunite items with owners. He discusses the burden placed on cabbies when it comes to returning belongings and the absence of any financial recognition for doing so.
The account provides a detailed snapshot of what a quieter trading day looks like for London’s licensed taxi drivers, illustrating the pressures that come with fluctuating demand, mechanical upkeep and the daily unpredictability of working on the road.
