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I remember reading an interview with a London cabbie about 5 years ago and he said he earned about 50k. Can?t remember the source or what the interview was about. 50k is all that stuck in my mind.
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£50K. Gross or nett?
Guardian says otherwise.
Around 23k gross working 40-50 hrs a week. but would i be right in thinking that cabbies can work whatever hours they want, they're not regulated in this way. and so could acheive 50k by doing e.g. 6 x 12 hr days ?
Hope this link is OK Mods as it's non-Telegraph. Delete if applicable.
tinyurl.com/e26pz
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It depends how they operate. Drivers on a radio net and hiring the cab dont earn much. Freelance owner drivers make much more.
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I was chatting to a cabbie in New York a few years back and he was telling me that there is a strict limit on the number of taxi licences in the city. There aren?t very many and when one comes becomes available they go for something like a quarter of a million dollars or even more. This particular driver had gone in with his two brothers, got a mortgage to pay for it and worked in 8-hour shifts, the taxi itself was never off the road.
Again that?s just a figure that has become inprinted in my mind, I?d be interested to know if anyone else has a more accurate one.
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Re BBD's post on cost of taxi licenses: in Leeds, they change hands for about £45,000. The council is talking of issuing many more licenses, and when I talked to a few cabbies there I sugested that this was a good idea, cos it wouldn't bankrupt new entrants to the profession.
Their reaction is that a) the proceeds of sale of the licence are their pension fund; b) if you issue lottsa new licenses, there'll be too many cabbies for anyone to make a decent living.
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Their reaction is that a) the proceeds of sale of the licence are their pension fund; b) if you issue lottsa new licenses, there'll be too many cabbies for anyone to make a decent living.
I'm glad I live in Luton, which has issued a decent number of taxi and minicab licences. Prices are 50% less than neighbouring Dinstable and Dunstable makes Leighton Buzzard look cheap. Because the prices are sensible, plenty of people use cabs, so they have a much higher turnover than those in neighbouring towns.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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if you issue lottsanew >> licenses, there'll be too many cabbies for anyone to make a >> decent living. >> I'm glad I live in Luton, which has issued a decent number of taxi and minicab licences. Prices are 50% less than neighbouring Dinstable and Dunstable makes Leighton Buzzard look cheap. Because the prices are sensible, plenty of people use cabs, so they have a much higher turnover than those in neighbouring towns. --
This whole question is the subject of much debate in the industry.
Different local councils - often adjoining - have different policies on this matter. Some issue unlimited numbers of licences, others strictly control the numbers.
The idea seems to be
A: restrict the numbers and there will always be enough work for everyone.
B: issue as many licences as there is demand for - you don't restrict the number of plumbers or window cleaners - so why restrict the number of cabbies.
I am in a rather restricted section of the private hire trade, so I am not directly involved, but I support B.
Some people argue that the streets will be flooded, but there are laws of economics controlling these things. If the number of licences is restricted, there will be "un-met demand" at certain times, which could let unlicensed and uninsured cabs on the road.
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I seem to remember there was an episode of Quantum Leap which explored the same idea. I don't think the city sells them any more, the previous owner gets to sell them on if they wish - hence (with their rarity) the unregulated prices.
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Ref: my last post - who says you can't learn anything from TV shows?
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I chatted to a NY cabbie and apparently there are are heavy costs to get a cab on the streets Licenses, insurance etc. They don't like long distance trips as they are likely to come back to the city empty and therefore earning nothing. Best fares are quite short so a new fare can be picked up quickly, full cab as much as possible makes sense I suppose.
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ok lets get this straight.
you seem to be getting mixed up between a LONDON CABBIE and a mini cab driver.
All london cabbies, thats london licensed taxi drivers are freelance,some own taxis, they are known as mushers and some rent taxis, they are known as jorneymen but they are all freelance,that is they earn and generate their own oncome and pay their dues,if they work long hours they get paid more than working short hours, some day are good and some are bad and earnings are usually 25-30k with unsociable hours .
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