Black cab taxi shortage at London 2012 feared as drivers stay home

[richard]

Flagging down a black cab on London's streets may prove a little harder during this year's 2012 Olympics after taxi drivers had a request to raise their fares by 22 per cent turned down.

Drivers are threatening to stay at home or go away during the Games in July and August fearful the city's narrow roads will become log-jammed.

Cabbies, known for their strong opinions and jovial banter, are also angry they will be barred from using the 50 kilometres of Games Lanes specially designated to ferry athletes, officials, the media and VIPs to venues on time.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association union said between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of its members did not intend to work during this period.

"There is a very real risk that there is going to be a shortage of cabs during the Olympics," Steve McNamara, LTDA general secretary, said. "Just give us access to the lanes. It's easy."

London's narrow roads get notoriously congested, and transport has been a major concern of the International Olympic Committee.

The LTDA, which represents up to 10,000 of the capital's 25,000 black cabs, proposed allowing drivers to use weekend and night-time premium rates during the 2012 Olympics, to entice some back onto the roads.

That would have increased fares by between 13 per cent and 22 per cent.

But Transport for London, which argues "the vast majority" of drivers are against such a rise, turned down the suggestion.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson had previously described the proposal as a "major own goal" for taxi drivers.

Cabbies will be able to raise their fares by an above inflation 5.3 per cent for the coming year though, reflecting the jump in costs for fuel and insurance, TfL said.


Source
Reuters

[richard]

If petrol and diesel continue to increase on a weekly basis, combined with the very generous deals being struck with the Railway Unions to keep them working, I can fully understand if there was a shortage of taxi's on the streets of London whilst the 2012 Games take place.

Now if the Heathrow air traffic controllers were to demand extra pay or threaten to go on strike in July and August I would say that is when its time to run for cover!