There’s a better than average chance that by now, you’ve heard about those ‘app’ connected taxi services that are quickly becoming popular here in the UK. But the big question on everyone’s mind is “Am I safe when I use one of these services”?

If you haven’t heard about these ‘app’ connected taxi services, here’s how it works. You decide which ‘E-Hail’ service you wish to use. Examples would be Uber and Lyft. You then use a phone app to find a car that is registered with their service that is in your vicinity. That car picks you up, and takes you where you want to go, sometimes (but not always) cheaper than a black cab you would hail on the street.

Unlike traditional medallion taxi companies, or a black cab service, just about anyone can drive for Uber or the other E-Hail services. Basically, all you need is a car and a smartphone app. There’s no license check. (Ever hear of a driving job where your driver license is not checked before you start?) Didn’t think so … me neither.

There is however a downloadable video test which you will need to pass, which is just about as difficult to master as tying your shoes. After you pass, you get all your paperwork in an ‘official, for your eyes only’ email, and then you’re off.

This makes it sound just a tad easier than it really is. There are a few other things that need to be addressed before you can start on your new career. The right shirt? That one’s kinda easy, not too many wrinkles and no smell. But what about insurance?

Services like Uber require all drivers to have taxi insurance. They do provide supplemental insurance, however only when the app is on. It works like this… When the app is off, then the driver is covered by their own insurance. When the app is turned on, a low level of liability insurance kicks in. As the driver accepts a trip/fare, a higher level of coverage begins, and remains in place until the passenger exits the vehicle. Important to note is that no app is infallible. Things can and do go wrong.

Kicking in, and kicking out? What about in-between? This has of late been dubbed ‘the gap period’, This gap period is the time when the app is on, but there is no passenger in the vehicle, and has become a lightning rod for controversy for drivers, regulators, and members of the public as well.

You may be thinking … “Well, he’s got his personal car insurance, right? No problem.” Not so fast. Most personal car insurance policies have a list of exclusions, and one of them is ‘driving-for-hire’. Ouch…

Facts don’t lie. Regardless of what the different E-Hail services say about not being a Taxi Service, if you pick up passengers, at a pre-booked location, for Financial Reward, you are effectively, a private hire driver.

If you are driving around ferrying passengers as an ‘app’ driver, then you need to have commercial taxi insurance. A normal car insurance policy is not sufficient, and in all likelihood would be voided in the event you are involved in an accident while driving for an E-Hail service.

These ‘app’ services are side-stepping the established regulations and are effectively providing a hail-down service, something that only black cabs are permitted to do. Standards that are set low for entry to what has become an immediate hire market means that drivers that are untested, and not professionals, are being let loose to practice on the public.

E-Hail services promote their services to potential customers with the expectation they will be receiving first class limousine service for less than regular taxi prices. This is being done at the expense of its drivers. Because of the continued intake of new drivers by companies like Uber and its competitors, along with their price competition, the earnings of a driver are being pushed downward. Because of this, drivers are increasingly having to work longer hours in order to earn an income comparable to what they had made previously. Longer hours behind the wheel jeopardizes the safety of both drivers and their passengers. Ultimately, the only thing this can do, is add to the stress of drivers, and this will bring about poor service and poor safety in the long run.

Because the drivers are paid so very little for their time by these companies, in an attempt to cut corners is often made by sharing their phones with other drivers who are unapproved, non-licensed, and worst of all, non-insured. This tiny action can put the general public in grave risk. Cheap is not always good. It’s your choice of course, but consider this …

Black Cab drivers are self-employed and pay taxes like any other small business. You would be hard-pressed to find a Black Cab driver that does not know the London roads like the back of their hand. Each and every Black Cab driver that is pushing themselves around the roads has undergone vigorous testing on their road knowledge. This test, called The Knowledge, involves a detailed verbal conversation where the driver must tell the best route from point A to point B to point C and then back again, from any of 250,000 random locations.

A Black Cab driver is further obliged to take a driving test in order to prove that they are worthy of carrying people through busy hectic streets. This test is known as the DSA Taxi Driving test. It includes the teaching of proper techniques for both picking up and dropping off passengers safely. In addition, all Black Taxi Drivers must complete, and pass, an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) test to further ensure that they are to be trusted in the transporting of individuals.

So which would you rather ride with: an app-connected E-hail driver with no training and possibly invalid insurance or a professionally trained, vetted Black Cab driver with the right insurance to cover you in case things go wrong? Your choice.

The post App-connected E-Hail Taxi Services, Are They Safe? appeared first on London Black Taxis.

You can book our Taxi Marshals online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

You want to look after your guests even after they leave your event venue. Don’t spoil your perfect event by letting your honoured guests struggle to find safe transportation. Our Taxi Marshal Service can help get your guests home safely and efficiently.

Ahead of the event, we publicise your event to all of our drivers, as well as to all other major London Black Taxi circuits. There is a vast Twitter network of London taxi drivers, and we publicise your event via that network, as well as via Facebook and other social media.

During the event, at least one Taxi Marshal will position himself on the nearest main road and flag down any passing taxis and direct them to your venue.

At least one other Taxi Marshal will then organise your guests into the waiting taxis. If guests wish to share a taxi, the Taxi Share Scheme enables the Marshals to place up to 5 or 6 passengers in the same taxi, thus reducing waiting times and allowing the guests to share the fare.

Your guests will pay for their taxi fares in cash. Our fees do not include the cost of the actual taxi fare.

In recent months, we have provided Taxi Marshal services to

Cl Events for an event at the Gherkin

GSP Events for an event at Gilgamesh

Hi Mike
Please thank the taxi marshals for their help at the event at Gilgamesh last night. They were brilliant
Have a great Xmas and look forward to working with you next year.
Sarah, GSP Events Ltd

Jack Morton Worldwide for an event at the Cutty Sark

Blue Strawberry Events for a wedding event at  the Louise Blouin Foundation

Citi Bank for an event at the Imperial War Museum in aid of City Veterans Network

Your Taxi Marshals did a great job. I would definitely recommend you and will use your services for next year’s event.

Tornabuoni Art for an event at the Italian Embassy

Informa Events for an event at the National Maritime Museum

Studio Design UK for an open-air event in London’s East End

Hi Mike, Thanks again for arranging the Taxi Marshals for our event. It all went perfectly.
Thanks again
Chris, Studio Design UK

For more information and prices, please visit
www.londontaximarshals.com

The post Our Taxi Marshal Service appeared first on London Black Taxis.

Book a London Wedding Taxi online or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953

We recently added this gorgeous White TX Wedding Taxi to our fleet.

As the time for your Winter Wedding approaches,  why not consider a White Wedding Taxi to make your special day even more perfect.

Hello Mike
I just wanted to say that the driver of our wedding taxi was very professional and friendly, and we will defiantly be recommending your service at any chance we get.
Kind regards
Marc and Jennifer (September 2015)

I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for your wedding taxi services last Saturday. The taxis were both great and really made our special day that extra bit special!
Thanks again.
Harriet (September 2015)

I would like to thank your team for being so professional and efficient on my wedding day. All the instructions were followed to a T and it meant I could relax and enjoy my ride through the park to get married.
Thank you again
Melanie (September 2015)

Thank you very much for the excellent taxi service you provided for my daughter’s wedding at St.Monica’s, Hoxton Square. Our particular taxi was ready and waiting and looked so nice with the white ribbons – a perfect start to a busy day!
Thank you again,
Shirley (September 2015)

Thank you so much for our beautiful wedding taxi. Your drivers were great.
Regards
Tamara (September 2015)

Thank you so much. Your wedding taxi service has been fantastic.
Best regards,
Constanze (September 2015)

Great wedding taxi service Mike. Your chaps were really friendly, bang on time and taxis were looking beautiful – just like my daughter
Regards, Philip (July 2015)

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If you would like to contact us, you can:

• Book a London Wedding Taxi online
• or phone +44 (0)203 00 44 953
• or send us a message with any questions you might have

We are also a full-service London Black Taxi company:

www.londonblacktaxis.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

Let us know if you need transportation to and from the airport or anywhere else you need to go in and around London.

www.londonweddingtaxis.net

+44 (0)203 00 44 953

The post Another White Wedding Taxi Joins our Fleet appeared first on London Black Taxis.