According to recently released data from Transport for London, the number of licensed taxis in the capital plummeted by 119 vehicles in the week ending 15th October 2023, while private hire licences continued to show an upward trend.
This left a total of 14,907 black cabs available to ply-for-hire in the capital covering 24 hours a day 7 days a week. during the same week.
On the plus side, 55 new electric cabs hit London’s streets.
In contrast, the private hire sector showed continued growth, with the number of private hire vehicles licensed climbing by a huge 206 compared to the previous week, reaching a total of 90,765.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the traditional taxi industry, with some attributing the decrease in licensed taxis to high vehicle costs making it more difficult for part-time drivers to work.
CabbieBlog 
The cost of a new cab is becoming ridiculous. Add the insurance, and the strict rules applied by the PCO, and it is no surprise to me that less people are wanting to continue as cabbies or to undertake The Knowledge.
Cheers, Pete.
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I’ve just talked to a proprietor whose given up his fleet due to the cost of running cabs.
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