Central London was brought to a standstill today by black cab drivers. What drives the protest? Is it anger over the iPhone app Uber or is there more to it? Does everyone agree? The Flaneur headed to Trafalagar square to find out.
In fact the protest was directed towards Transport for London for not enforcing current laws. The regulation on cabbies is intense and they are aggrieved to see newcomers not have to follow the same restrictive rules – only being able to buy certain vehicles for example, having to pay annually for a meter or having to do The Knowledge.
But the need for protest has arisen owing to the perceived threat to trade. This has happened to many industries before, from coal-mining and typing right back to 19th century textile makers like Mr Ned Ludd. Other industries will probably experience similar upheavals – estate agency seems likely to succumb soon. Existing laws should be enforced correctly, but that is only a short-term measure. History shows again and again that technological advance cannot be held back. It also shows again and again that people in affected industries always try to retain the status quo.
Rather than banning new methods of working, regulation must be relaxed and costs reduced for taxi drivers. In that way the competition can be made more equal. In these days of SatNav the requirement to know London streets by heart, though a unique selling point, is not necessary. Drivers could be able to charge more if they do have that knowledge, and consumers could decide whether it was worth paying the extra to get home without directing the driver themselves.
Passenger safety dictates that a free-for-all is not possible. There has to be regulation to keep criminals out of the trade. But the regulation has to apply fairly. Then the consumer can decide how much he values the black cab and as Adam Smith would like to see, competition can sort out the future of getting around London by cab.
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