Regulation is a relief

Black cabs, the tube, and big red buses. Believe it or not, they have one simple thing in common.

They’re all regulated and must follow strict standards.

The topic of regulation is important as TfL puts plans to regulate the pedicabs that cycle up and down the West End in motion. Regardless of your opinion on these three-wheeled pedal-powered rickshaws, their pop-music backgrounds and frilly pink bunting are here to stay.

While regulation can often be as frustrating as it is rewarding, the taxi industry’s continued cooperation offers an interesting lesson in professionalism and dedication to the trade.

Here’s what the black cab trade has made of regulation.

Credibility

Black cab drivers are proud to uphold the guidelines on fares, hygiene, safety, and insurance because they understand it’s a reflection on their professionalism. And it shows too – London’s black cabs are the benchmark in quality and expertise.

We’ve read the horror stories online about price gouging from pedicabs (including one famous victim!), which taxi passengers don’t need to worry about thanks to the professional code of conduct cabbies naturally stick to.

Efficiency

Hailing a black cab means you’re getting there as quick as possible – and in comfort too. Cabbies must pass ‘the knowledge’, a rigorous test that involves memorising thousands of streets and points of interest within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.

 Safety

Strict rules mean that passenger safety always comes first. Criminal background checks are just one example of the steps drivers must take before they’re allowed to work. However, the increased importance placed on emissions standards is something that the taxi industry has taken seriously too. The push towards hybrid taxis has been overwhelmingly embraced by cabbies and contributes to the health and wellbeing of those inside and outside the cab.

In my view, no level of regulation is likely to transform rickshaws into a truly practical or reliable mode of transport for either Londoners or tourists. Regulation may help curb excessive pricing, but it won’t address the core issues around their suitability or effectiveness in London’s transport landscape.

Luckily, there is a great ending to this story. London’s black cabs haven’t just survived under regulation, they’ve thrived. They’ve turned rules into a badge of honour, setting the standard for what urban transport should be.

So next time you're choosing how to get across town, remember: Only one ride is driven by knowledge. Powered by pride. Backed by decades of trust.

Black cabs. London’s original, and still unbeatable ride.