Page 383 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London
P. 383
GE T TING AROUND L ONDON 381
Travelling by Taxi for business. TfL’s Cabwise
service is a good way of
London’s black cabs are as much of an institution as its red find ing a safe cab: text “CAB”
buses. Black cabs (some of which, it should be pointed out, to 60835 and you will be sent
are not actually black – you will often see blue, green, red phone num bers for one black
or even white cabs) are the only cabs licensed to pick up cab office and two reliable
minicab companies in the
passengers who hail a cab on the street, and their drivers area. If using a nonUK mobile,
have to take a stringent test on their knowledge of London text your location (street name
and its traffic routes before they are awarded a licence. and postal district) to 00 44
Minicabs, which by law must be booked in advance, not 7797 800 000 to access the
hailed, are a cheaper alternative for specific journeys. same service.
Mobile phone apps such as
Uber allow you to book a taxi
Taxi Fares using your phone location and
All black cabs have meters that pay safely and conveniently
start ticking at around £2.20 as through the app with a credit
soon as the driver accepts your or debit card.
custom. The fare then increases
by the minute, or for each 311 m DIRECTORY
(340 yds) travelled. There are
Always approach the first taxi in the line three tariff time bands: the Complaints (Transport
at a taxi rank cheapest is 6am–8pm Monday– for London)
Friday; the next most expensive, Tel 0343 222 1234.
Finding a Cab 8–10pm Monday–Friday and ∑ tfl.gov.uk
Licensed London taxis, or 6–10pm Saturday and Sunday; Computer Cabs
black cabs, are large, distinctive the most expensive is 10pm– Tel 020 7908 0271.
vehicles – of which there are 6am. The meter must be clearly ∑ computercab.co.uk
now several models – whose visible in the vehicle. It is usual Dial-a-Minicab
yellow “Taxi” sign is lit up when to tip taxi and minicab drivers. Tel 020 8318 6768.
ever the taxi is free. You can If you lose anything in a licensed ∑ dialaminicab.com
hail them on the street, phone taxi, contact Transport for London’s Gett Taxis
for them, or find them at taxi lost property office (see p363). ∑ gett.com/uk/
ranks, espec ially at airports, You will need the driver’s cab London Lady Chauffeurs
main rail stations and major licence number, displayed in (women-only drivers)
hotels. If a cab stops for you, the back of the taxi. Tel 020 8878 7777.
it must take you anywhere
within a radius of 9.6 km (6 miles), Minicabs Radio Taxis
Tel 020 7272 0272.
as long as it is in the ∑ radiotaxis.co.uk
Metropolitan Police district, Licensed minicabs are badged
which includes most of the with a blueandwhite TfL sticker, Uber
Greater London area and usually on the back window. Do ∑ get.uber.com/go
Heathrow Airport. not use unlicensed cabs cruising
The light, when lit, The meter displays your fare as
shows the cab it increases, and surcharges for
is available. extra passengers, luggage or
unsocial hours. Fares are the
same in all licensed black cabs.
Fare Surcharges
Licensed Taxi Cabs
London’s cabs are a safe way of
travelling around the city. They
can carry a maximum of five
passengers, are all accessible
for wheelchair users and have
ample luggage space.
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