FREENOW: LONDON TRADE
ONE YEAR LATER: ACTION PLAN OR INACTION PLAN? WHY LONDON’S CABBIES ARE STILL WAITING
Article by Danny O’Gorman UK General Manager Freenow by Lyft
www.free-now.com/uk/
It’s been one year since Transport for London’s Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan was published. Yet despite clear pledges to halt the decline of black cabs, there is little evidence that meaningful change has taken place.
Sadly, the situation has not improved but worsened.
Taxi driver numbers have fallen by a further 3.7% since the Action Plan’s publication, echoing the trend that saw numbers decline by more than 30% in the decade leading up to it. These figures suggest that, despite commitments, the trajectory remains unchanged.
Financial pressures
One of the biggest challenges is the growing financial barrier to entry and retention. Unlike many other jobs, becoming a black cab driver requires substantial upfront investment. Rising costs associated with more sustainable vehicles, licensing, and training are making entry increasingly difficult, while also discouraging existing drivers from reinvesting in the trade. The high cost of purchasing a taxi only adds to this pressure, affecting both new and existing cabbies.
While we welcome TfL’s consideration of a support scheme for vehicle purchases, it needs to be delivered soon. With the Plug-in Taxi Grant ending and new hybrid cabs costing between £75,000 and £100,000 (including interest), the green transition is becoming a financial impossibility for many. If the Mayor of London wants a zero-emission fleet, TfL needs to unlock funding to support vehicle costs and to retain and attract drivers.
Driving community benefit
Black cabs do not just provide a flexible livelihood for drivers but also provide a lifeline for many around London, particularly for those with accessibility requirements. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles, such as the black cab, offer convenience and reliability that
48
other transport options cannot match, with door-to- door service and step-free access. We know those with a disability rely on black cabs, with 23% of taxi users having a disability.
Black cabs also play an essential role in safety, and 47% of Londoners cite them as the preferred option for travelling home safely. This highlights their importance, not just as a mode of transport, but also as something people turn to in times of need.
Supporting our sector
Freenow by Lyft continues to support drivers wherever possible. Initiatives, such as the Knowledge subsidy, helps to reduce the financial burden of entering the trade, covering application, licensing, exam, and tuition fees.
Once qualified, Freenow by Lyft drivers can also benefit from discounts on fuel and shopping, accident and sickness insurance, flexible payouts, and discounted EV charging through partnerships such as Octopus Electroverse.
Time for change
While it is encouraging that these issues have been raised at the recent London Assembly, discussion alone is not enough. The trade urgently needs tangible action - particularly in relation to vehicle finance.
Over the course of 2025 and 2026, Freenow by Lyft and the LTDA have continually written to TfL and the Department for Transport, underlining the importance of London’s cab drivers and calling for support – but without action.
We are encouraged by the London Transport
Commissioner’s commitment to provide more detailed information about the proposed financial assistance scheme for black cab drivers by the end of April.
We wish to hear an update on financial assistance, clear timelines for delivery, and measurable indicators of progress against the original commitments. The pace of action must reflect the urgency of the challenges facing the trade.
MAY 2026 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
