FREENOW BACKS BLACK CABS A NEW ERA FOR LONDON’S ICONIC BLACK CABS
Article by Danny O’Gorman General Manager Freenow -
www.free-now.com/uk/
Black cabs are iconic and an integral part of London. However, the industry is facing a significant challenge, with the number of black cab licences dropping from over 22,000 to just over 14,000 in the span of 11 years. With driver numbers falling, it’s more important than ever to ensure black cabs remain visible on our streets. They provide crucial services, offering unmatched ac- cessibility for those with mobility issues, help alleviate safety concerns and provide efficiency that’s hard to top.
Freenow is striving to keep cabs on the streets, but barriers to entry, such as high financial costs, are pre- venting many drivers from entering, or even remaining, in the trade. That’s why government support and pri- vate advocacy are crucial to ensure drivers can continue serving cities and the people who need them most.
Black cabs: built for safety, built for everyone
For those with disability or mobility issues, black cabs can be a lifeline for getting around. Unlike other modes of transport in London, all black cabs are wheelchair accessible, guaranteeing a reliable worry-free journey.
UK government data from the National Travel Survey shows that adults with disabilities take, on average, 66% more taxi journeys than non-disabled adults. This shows the importance of black cabs. More cabbies can help provide the much-needed support for many to get around, but also boost the economy.
Being a vital part of the night-time economy, cabs help the hospitality sector survive, encouraging people to go out with the reassurance that they have a safe route home. Due to the iconic status of the London black cab, they are also a service that tourists are keen to use.
When it comes to safety, black cabs provide peace of mind. Passengers can avoid navigating public trans- port and get dropped off directly at their door by DBS- checked drivers. Freenow also grants access to driver details and the ability to track a journey in real-time, helping passengers feel as safe as possible.
Safety is a priority for Freenow, having recently part- nered with Stop Hate UK to provide driver training, to
44
allow drivers to spot and respond to safety concerns. In addition, the “Round Up to Donate” feature is helping Stop Hate UK expand its services across Greater London and develop an app-exclusive platform, ensur- ing people can access support wherever they are.
The Knowledge is not only about memory
Becoming a black cab driver demands commitment, with the Knowledge exam setting a high standard for the profession. Once complete, drivers use the most efficient route, saving passengers time and stress, setting them apart from other ride-hailing apps, which often use sat nav. However, the costs surrounding the process of becoming a black cabbie can be up to £10,000, and the steep decline in drivers suggests that the fee is not feasible for all aspiring black cabbies.
Encouragingly, private sector partners, such as Freenow, are stepping in to make the process even more accessible. Its subsidy programme covers 100% of application costs, tuition and exam fees, and licensing expenses, removing many hurdles for aspiring cabbies.
Backing the taxi trade: why more support is needed from the government and TfL
When TfL mandated the transition of black cabs to ZEC in 2018, it had already introduced a generous London- specific delicensing scheme, worth up to £10,000 per ve- hicle. Additionally, government initiatives such as the Plug-in Taxi Grant demonstrate how policy and public- private collaboration can help overcome financial bar- riers. The grant allowed drivers to switch to purpose-built ULEVs by covering part of the additional cost compared with petrol or diesel vehicles, saving drivers £7,500. Dur- ing this scheme, TfL successfully removed over 4,000 more polluting diesel vehicles from London’s streets, but this achievement is now greatly missed.
It is clear these measures make a real difference, that’s why, at Freenow, we call for more support from the gov-
ernment and TfL to ensure the taxi trade can continue to be a flagship when it comes to sustainability and quality of service available to the public, particularly those who rely on these accessible vehicles to move around. This joint effort by the public and private sectors highlights the importance of collaboration in maintain- ing the taxi industry, with a direct impact on the local economy, drivers, Londoners, and the millions of visitors.
OCTOBER 2025 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
