London – Mark down a black cab on the streets of London can be a bit harder during the Olympics this year, after the taxi drivers had a request to increase rates by 22 % down on Thursday.
During the Games in July and August the drivers are threatening to stay home or go away fearful narrow streets of the city will become log-jammed.
Taxi drivers, known for their strong opinions and good-natured jokes, they are also angry that they will be excluded from using the 50 km games specially designated lanes for transporting athletes, officials, media and VIPs to venues on time.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) said between 30 and 50 % of its members is not going to work during that period.
LTDA general secretary, Steve McNamara said, “There is a very real risk that there is going to be a shortage of cabs during the Olympics, Just give us access to the lanes. It’s easy.”
London is notoriously congested narrow roads, and transport was a major concern of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The LTDA, which represents up to 10,000 of the 25,000 black cabs, has proposed allowing drivers to use weekends and at night time premium rates during the Olympics, to entice a little ‘back on the streets.
This would have increased rates of between 13 to 22 percent.
Transport for London (TfL), which supports the overwhelming majority of drivers are against such an increase, rejected the suggestion.
Taxi drivers will be able to increase their rates by a 5.3 percent above inflation for next year, however, reflecting the jump in costs for fuel and insurance, TfL said.
London Mayor Boris Johnson had previously described the proposal as an important objective right to taxi drivers.
