Remember the Checker cab? That boxy, bright yellow taxi was a ubiquitous presence on New York City streets until production was halted in 1982. Very few remained in service after that and most New Yorkers were forced to travel in smaller, less comfortable vehicles like the Chevrolet Caprice and the Ford Crown Victoria. By the 2000s, the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape Hybrid became common sights. 

In 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a contest to choose a new taxi, with three finalists – the Karsan, Nissan, and the Ford Transit Connect. Although the Karsan won the most votes among riders because of its roomy interior and transparent roof panel, it was rejected because of questions about future production. The Nissan became the winner, but cab companies were given the option to choose other cars for their fleets. So hailing a cab in New York City became a game of chance. Do you nab the first free one that comes along, even though its backseat is less roomy than a coach seat on an airline? Or do you wait for a Nissan, even if it means you may be late for your appointment?

Londoners don’t have that problem. The city’s black taxis, known as the Hackney cabs, are iconic. The roomy back area is equipped with jump seats that can accommodate as many as six people, all in relative comfort. The transparent roof allows riders to take in outstanding views of the city, including ones of Big Ben recently restored to its former glory. 

Then there are the drivers who are required to pass a test called “The Knowledge” to show that they know their way around London’s streets and are familiar with the location of important buildings. GPS? They don’t depend on that app, unlike the Uber drivers who are dependent upon them to find their way around New York. During our recent visit to London, our drivers, time and again, found ways to get around traffic, road blocks, and detours to help get us to our destination on time. Although the drivers sit up front separated from passengers by a glass partition, they can communicate through a speaker. The name of the driver pops up on the credit card reader, facilitating a conversation. And we had many with the friendly drivers we encountered during our week long stay.

Shortly before we left on our trip, congestion pricing went into effect in New York City, charging drivers $9 whenever they travel below 60th Street. This initiative has been controversial. Will it really reduce traffic? Will the revenue collected help pay for improvements to the city’s subways and buses, upgrades that are desperately needed? London instituted congestion pricing in 2003, plenty of time to evaluate how this charge is working. Is there less traffic in London? Has the additional revenue helped the city?

One of our drivers, Gary, said congestion pricing has been a bust. Traffic in central London, he told us, has gotten worse. He also told us that when the plan first went into effect, officials said the primary goal was to reduce traffic, not collect revenue. But after a year, the price was increased, reportedly because not enough money was being raised. So the real purpose was to raise money, not reduce traffic, he told us. In fact, traffic has been reduced, but speeds in central London are still very slow. 

We spoke to at least two other drivers who echoed what Gary had to say. From what we viewed, traffic in central London is less than what we experience in midtown Manhattan. But the London drivers seem to have adapted well. Whenever our way forward was blocked, our driver managed to turn down a side street or make a u-turn to hurry us on our way. And even if our trip took longer than anticipated, we were able to relax in the back of a roomy, black Hackney cab.

Photos by Woman Around Town