All London black cabs now take cards – experiences?
Dec 20, 2016, 5:46 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: Not much these days: BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,326
At least you can now report them for doing so. I also took one cab driver to task who had a sign up to the effect of "We are now forced to take cards, which is more expensive for us. Please consider this when tipping your driver." My tip was that he remembered the increased fares when the card rule came in, and so he got nothing from me...
Dec 20, 2016, 5:58 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 343
At least you can now report them for doing so. I also took one cab driver to task who had a sign up to the effect of "We are now forced to take cards, which is more expensive for us. Please consider this when tipping your driver." My tip was that he remembered the increased fares when the card rule came in, and so he got nothing from me...
There are also multiple payment systems in use. One of them is just a tap and go. Brilliant!
There are at least 2 that lead you through a series of menus which imply you must leave a tip to get to the next menu. I don't mind leaving a tip, but why make it looks like a requirement?
On the whole, using the cards (especially contactless) is a great improvement.
Jan 1, 2017, 7:53 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold;BA GGL; hhonors lifetime diamond; Marriott lt Gold; IH Plat Amb; Amex Centurion
Posts: 4,739
I was told (do not know whether it is true or not but it sounds convincing) that a lot of the reluctance to take cards came from drivers who were renting other peoples' cabs and paying a percentage. Cash is easier to forget to report 
As to the advantage of black cabs over cab services one people not living in London may forget is that only black cabs have access to (most of the) bus lanes. This makes a huge difference at busy times. For example I live near King's Cross. It would drive me mad not to be able to use the bus lanes in the Euston Road.
As to the advantage of black cabs over cab services one people not living in London may forget is that only black cabs have access to (most of the) bus lanes. This makes a huge difference at busy times. For example I live near King's Cross. It would drive me mad not to be able to use the bus lanes in the Euston Road.