Cyclists “incredibly disappointed” as councillors vote to reopen formerly notorious junction to taxis – despite casualties dropping to “virtually nil” seven years since restrictions introduced after cyclist’s death

mitsky wrote:

May I suggest that those who wanted this be asked to look the victims in the eye, the next time someone is hurt or killed there?
And only those who wanted this should be made to foot the bill for such incidents.

Do you think black cab drivers will care? I would rather walk than use a black cab and have to endure their toxic opinions on everything. They are self serving only, and it wouldn't surprise me if overheard conversations in the back of a cab are used to help sway their causes.

Weren't some of those "cabbies" driving high-end Maseratis and Bentleys?

As per usual the first point is presumably supposed to disguise the second - and indeed of course it's more "more convenient / private than public transport".  Which is of course true.

Taxis have a place.  That isn't however ahead of active travel or public transport.

Cabbies probably see things they shouldn't see either.  I wouldn't believe the stories though!  Like tales of what happens in cabs, or observations about ferrying people who wouldn't be expected to be visting said important people - especially during the small hours - to and from their houses.

"How cabbies manage to get away with pretending they're a public service deserving of special treatment is beyond me".
To be fair they pay huge cost in buying the only vehicle that they're allowed to drive. They're wheelchair accessible too, which bumps the price up even further. I hear that they cost over £80k

Munin wrote:

"How cabbies manage to get away with pretending they're a public service deserving of special treatment is beyond me". To be fair they pay huge cost in buying the only vehicle that they're allowed to drive. They're wheelchair accessible too, which bumps the price up even further. I hear that they cost over £80k

They are very expensive to buy but many black cab drivers in London now rent their vehicle for between £200 and £400 a week. A large overhead to be sure but then when they are charging up to £120 for a one-way trip from Heathrow to central London that could be fairly quickly recouped. The average black cab driver takes home, after overheads, around £50,000 a year which even in this inflationary age is not bad sugar.

The cab drivers do love to posit themselves as the great friend of the disabled and the only alternative to a private vehicle for wheelchair users in London. This is increasingly untrue as nearly all stations now have step-free access, buses have special drop-down platforms to allow wheelchairs to board and so on. Also, most disabled people I know are struggling to get by on DLA or PIP and certainly can't afford to take black cabs when the minimum charge for a 6 mile journey is £39, if they do need a car Uber Assist provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles for less than half the price of a black cab.

£400 p/w to rent a taxi equates to £20.800 dead money per year. That's a lot of money they'd need to earn before they actually start earning. If you add fuel too that figure that could be nearer £25+k.
The last time I took a taxi from Central London to Heathrow terminal 5 if cost £82..not £120...split between 4 not bad.
To "fairly quickly recoup" the cost of a taxi using your system they'd need to be unbelievably lucky by getting around 5 fares daily and consistently to and from
London and the airport. More chance of
winning the lottery.
They could possibly earn £50k per year, but I think they'd need to work 12+ hours 7 days per week... slavery!
I know some taxi drivers who've given up their
time to take part in taxi charities...there are a surprisingly large amount of them. Also, lots do their bit on Poppy day.
Many disabled people aren't struggling to get by. They, like most of the people who prefer to use taxis as public transport, like the convenience of getting door to door and the safety that that brings them. A 6 mile journey is unlikely to cost £40 unless it's 3am... that's the night rate for working unsocial hours. Fair enough. You mention Uber and their wheelchair accessible vehicles. You'd need to wait for ages or prebook in advance as they have less than 100 out of their fleet of 100.000. Every London taxi is wheelchair accessible...because it's a professional driver's vehicle. There are currently around 16k London taxis on London’s streets. Mostly good, professional men and women from all over the world and all driving a vehicle that's known to be the one least likely to be involved in pedestrian/ cycling traffic incidents.
I'd like to add that I'm a cyclist who often uses that junction and am not " incredibly disappointed " that black cab passengers will have access to it.

Quote:

A 6 mile journey is unlikely to cost £40 unless it's 3am... that's the night rate for working unsocial hours. Fair enough. You mention Uber and their wheelchair accessible vehicles. You'd need to wait for ages or prebook in advance as they have less than 100 out of their fleet of 100.000.

The standard daytime rate for a journey of six miles is £31-£39 depending on journey time. As for Uber accessible vehicles, I've just looked at my Uber app: here in Peckham, asking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle (in rush hour, 18.25, note) to go to my GP surgery three miles away I have a choice of an "Access" vehicle suitable for wheelchairs that can be here in fourteen minutes or or an "Assist" vehicle with a driver trained in helping disabled passengers in seventeen minutes, either costing £11.96 (see screenshot). So either I am incredibly lucky with that one shot or your statement that one would have to wait ages or prebook is somewhat inaccurate.

A wheelchair accessible vehicle is a vehicle that can accommodate a wheelchair with a person still in the wheelchair...not folded up in the boot.
A 6 mile journey would cost about £27.80. You've already proven your tendency to exaggerate with the claim of £130 from Central London to Heathrow

Munin wrote:

A 6 mile journey would cost about £27.80.

See below from the TfL website. £31- £39 and "may be higher if there are delays or heavy traffic", tell me a time in London at rush hour there wouldn't be. Would you by any chance happen to be a cabbie yourself?

Munin wrote:

They, like most of the people who prefer to use taxis as public transport,

It goes where you want it to, and for the duration of your hire no other members of the public can use it. If a black cab is "public transport", there's no reason that a charter jet isn't.  

There are good cabbies about, and I've even met some who don't hate cyclists, but their protected cartel needs to go. No reason whatsoever these days for people running private businesses to be exempt from traffic laws around bus/cycle lanes. 

A charter jet would never be licensed by a local transport authority...good try though.
However you twist it they're public transport because they're the only purpose built vehicle fit for purpose. Current model is 6 seater, has hearing loop, intercom, 28 foot turning circle, ramp for wheelchair access, available to hail on street when light is illuminated, insured as a Hackney Carriage vehicle, fitted with a taxi meter and viewable to passengers, driver needs to have passed rigorous examination process for knowledge and character. All of these points are stipulated by TfL before the vehicle can be licensed as a Hackney Carriage vehicle. A Hackney Carriage vehicle is a publicly hired vehicle(and has been in London since 1639) They're also consistently voted the world's best taxi service.
It's not a protected cartel as absolutely anyone can become a London taxi driver. All that's needed is dedication and commitment. Prove how it's a cartel.