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London taxi fares are set and controlled by the London Mayor (see “More Info”, below).
If you are using a London Black Taxi for the first time, you may have questions about your metered fare. We are always happy to answer your questions.
Cathy, one of our recent customers, had a question that we felt might be of interest to you:
Hi Mike,
I noticed how much higher the cost is for travelling from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport. It is double the cost from Heathrow Airport to London yet it took almost the same amount of time, about 45 minutes. Why is the cost more? Both travel days were on a Saturday.
- from Cathy on 30 July 2009
We emailed Cathy right away with this information:
Hi Cathy,
All of London’s taxis have identical taxis meter tariffs.
They are set and controlled by the London Mayor.
The taxi meter works on a time and motion basis so it’s still running and increasing the fare whilst in traffic jams and or stationary etc.The distance from Heathrow airport to your hotel in the Aldwych is approx 18 miles. Whereas, the distance from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow airport is 46 miles. That’s why the metered fare was higher.
It appears to take the same time to get from A to B but you are travelling possibly at 70 mph (upper speed limit) and achieving the 46 miles in the same time as it took to cover the 18 miles into central London but covering 46 miles.
The taxi meters are sealed and cannot be tampered with by anyone, as they have a colour coded seal which if broken and spotted by the police results in the taxi driver being arrested and sentenced severely (even jail in some severe cases).
I hope that this has clarified the situation. If you need any further information do not hesitate to contact me.
- Kind regards, Mike
We then received this reply from Cathy:
That makes sense. Your driver Paul was great! Your customer service is exceptional and dependable! Very important when traveling abroad. Thanks again for being so prompt to reply!
- Cathy
More Info
As we mentioned, London taxi fares are set and controlled by the London Mayor. You can see more information on Transport for London’s page on Taxi Fares.
+44 (0)7779 336 612
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Hi, ex Tunbridge Wells cabbie here !! (And with an ex Black Cab cousin who now drives buses in Hastings !!)
I’m surprised that your actual rates aren’t published on this site. However on another site it quotes the following Black Cab rates:
Initial pick-up starting figure £1.40 (Increasing to £2.00 in the evening)then
20pence per every 219 metres travelled.
Can you confirm these rates please. (I appreciate your comment to Cathy about time in traffic)
Will be doing the tourist thing with my American wife in November so am doing advance planning.
Regards
Derek Andrews
Northampton UK
Hi Derek. Thanks for your comment. Our rates are published on our website, just on a different page that you probably didn’t see. Here is a link: Fares/Tariff. All licensed London Black Taxis have the same rate because, as our original post said, these rates are controlled by London Mayor Boris Johnson. Various taxi companies, like ours, may offer special rates for special work, like tours. Hope you and your wife enjoy London when you visit in November.