East London's Carrot Cars claims Mayor Boris Johnson's minicab cap may not foster competitio
Minicab firm Carrot Cars believes a individual cap on London’s operators - as opposed to Mayor Boris Johnson’s capital-wide proposals - would better boost standards and competition.
Isle of Dogs-based manager Adam Wiltsher made his comments following a mass protest by Black Cab drivers around Transport for London’s (TfL) Vauxhall Headquarters on May 27.They were taking a stance against the Mayor’s efforts to secure Government legislation to allow TfL to counteract what he brands the “threat of posed by the massive increase” of more than 1,000 new drivers each month.
Adam said: “I don’t think cutting total numbers of minicabs in the capital will do anything to help competition in the industry.“That would stop one or two major companies monopolising the market and give opportunities for smaller operations to not only create jobs but offer consumers a range of options.”
Mayor Johnson said the 75,000 minicabs on the capital’s roads - compared to 25,000 black cabs and 8,000 buses - had begun to compromise the free movement of traffic.
He suggested a complete ban on Uber, an app-based minicab order firm, would be pointless, believing it would find a way to remain in business. Pollution, congestion and illegal parking have also been cited as benefits for a cap as well as an increase quality in the private hire sector. Adam said the latter had been an objective for Carrot since its creation five years ago.“Carrot Cars has always been about improving standards in the minicab industry,” he added.
“We believe there will always be a high demand for quality service and will continue to concentrate on making sure ours is the best service in the business.
“To become a driver there is an application prices as well as a two-day training course - all of which must be successfully completed before they are allowed to take any customers.
“We want to be sure that every driver understands our service standards before they hit the road.”
Many believe a clampdown on the number of minicabs could also prompt fares to soar.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association has welcomed the Mayor’s plans.
