Supporting London Cabbies with 'The Knowledge'
Ever wondered how London cab drivers get about the city so easily? Many people will have heard about the detailed training and testing that London cabbies go through to obtain a job as a London taxi driver, but few know that this skill is being undermined.
The Week website has an interesting article exploring the new web app Uber which allows people to use their phone to hail a taxi and agree a fare. Uber apparently allows drivers to work for them without undertaking the rigourous testing that The Knowledge has traditionally demanded. Also Uber is apparently not subject to the Private Hire Vehicles Act.
This month, London's black cab drivers have protested by bringing parts of the city to a standstill. The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) says its protest is not aimed at Uber, but at Transport for London, who they say is failing to hold the phone-based taxi service to the proper taxi driver regulations.
The LTDA's general secretary, Steve McNamara, said: "Transport for London not enforcing the Private Hire Vehicles Act is dangerous for Londoners."
The Southampton Hackney Association want to show their support for the London Cabbies with their argument against Uber - who enlist drivers to work for them without having to spend three years plus in doing The Knowledge.