The Times (London)
May 26, 2007, Saturday
Black cab, black mood
Cath Urquhart
Cath Urquhart answers your travel queries
I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 2 and went to get a black cab to my hotel near by.
I was told by the driver that taxis were for long journeys only and I should take a bus instead. When I protested, he became abusive and the person regulating the queue seemed uninterested in helping. The driver eventually took me, but with very bad grace and drove aggressively. -Bryan Kelly, Langport, Somerset.
Not only is that inexcusably rude, but wouldn't it give a tourist a dreadful first impression of our country? Simon Buggey, senior driver and operator policy manager at the Public Carriage Office, explained that black cabs go through a "feeder pool", and pay £ 4.60 for the privilege of picking up at Heathrow, before being directed to one of the four terminals to collect a fare.
Taxi drivers serve Heathrow -where they may have to wait several hours -in the hope of a fare into Central London, so they dislike short fares, which may not earn them much more than the £ 4.60 fee. Nevertheless, they are obliged to take you, but the driver should request a chit from the taxi rank attendant. This allows the driver to bypass the feeder park if he or she can return to the airport within an hour, so they don't have another long wait for their next fare.
If you have a problem with a black cab in London, you can report the driver to the Public Carriage Office (0845 6027000, or email
coms@pco.org.uk). You must give the cab's registration number, its licence number, or the driver's badge number. Details:
www.tfl.gov.uk/pco.
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