Taxi Driver Online

Hi all

Anyone got a crystal ball please? Wondering what the state of the London trade will be like in a few years. I know there's been a lot written about this...

I am about to get into the London trade and can't work out whether to go with Uber or the Knowledge, or maybe both.

I am concerned about the sheer numbers (ever increasing) of other Uber drivers at the moment. But I'm wondering if that issue might sort itself out over the next few years, as some people realise it's not a great earner, including some who drop out after their expensive leasing deals (they're currently tied into) come to an end?

Seems to me the London Black Cab industry still has a future - for drivers willing to get in there and stick at it?

Or should we all just give up and wait for Uber's driverless cars to take over the whole trade?

Thanks

Talk to a few drivers working uber firstly but I think you'll find it's one step away from slavery

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Yes it sounds a nightmare! Am inclined to do the Knowledge, but I know a lot of people drop out.

Can't see the black cab trade disappearing, not for a while yet...

I think some people learn the Knowledge whilst driving for Uber. I am new to the trade so I might start with that.

well i have spoken to 2 from Newcastle & they love it ( only thing thing don't like is the paper trail ), love the freedom of just earning when you want , don't work , well no rent to pay , they said it works for them & they are glad they came over

Yes I can see that's a strong point for both Uber and Black Cabs. Seems to me Uber is all about keeping your own costs down, ideally by spending no more than about £5k on buying the car. No wonder people paying £200+ a week to rent their cars are struggling to make a living with Uber.

i can honestly say i have never ever seen a chit uber car in newcastle, the 2 i spoken to , well one had a top of the range merc that was 3 years old, the other had a brand new ( well 1 year old) vw estate , think the worst one i seen ever was a 3 year old skoda

You could do both, work for a PH firm (Uber do not have a monopoly) whilst doing the knowledge.

As for your question, in five years time there will enough trade for everyone, who wants to work, to make a living, and quite a few will make a good living.

But if you want longtivity in the trade, do the knowledge.

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IDFIMH

Or working at your company where Drivers have to claim benefits in order to live people in GLASS Houses

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

In London it will be fully Unionised 37.5 hrs a week and you will earn bundles PH will be down to 40000 drivers Hacks about 50000 the public will scream too expensive but pay for the service, public transport will be virtually 24 hrs and cheaper than now, the Railways will of course be state owned and cheaper than today all courtesy of

JEZZa and the unions shagging the tory vermin ............................happy days

DO THE KNOWLEDGE JOIN THE RMT EARN BUNDLES

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Plenty of food for thought!

Certainly if people want to drive near-new Mercs with Uber that's fine, but obviously the fares won't go up!

So here's my plan: buy cheap car - London PH licence - Uber driver for now - register for the Knowledge -learn it - pass Taxi driving test - get Taxi badge - get Black cab.

All looks so simple (in theory). Wish me luck!

Hopefully I won't need to give TfL two lots of fees for CRB.

don't , i tried that to see if i liked the change, i do, but now stuck with a chit car , just buy a decent one

Thanks for the tip!

Incidentally people keep talking about how difficult Uber has made things for Black Cabs in London - I assume it's made it really bad for non-Uber PH firms as well. Everywhere, not just London!

top & bottom of it mate is the hacks in big cities like London have been screwing the punters for years, have had it good for a long time, charge what they want basically, now uber has moved in they are fookd, good luck to uber & i hope the hacks go out of business

wot you on about I have one driver who has 11 kids of course he needs help we do have competitors who have all the drivers and owners registered as working part time

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector