You got to interview Cockney Reg, the Sikh London taxi driver. He was in a video on Yes Theory’s channel, where they paid him £8000 to do a road trip from London to Morocco 🇲🇦 in a black taxi cab.
watching these is my new block watch addiction - i love them , have you picked up any famous people ? and got autographs , i was a taxi driver in Chepstow wales for a time an picked up 4 of the welsh football time , mark hughs, dean saunders , mark bowen and the late great Garry speed , i got a 10 pound tip and all their autographs
Ah, you're back. I really like these long travel videos. I have very little idea about where you're driving or going, having never been to London, but your voice is very relaxing. Maybe I'll come over at some point and give you some proper Dutch cycle lanes, haha.
Glad to see you back again. I’m always fascinated by the authenticity of your videos - and the etiquette thaat you London Cab drivers extend to each other & other road users. My wife’s LTI TX1 has just been through another MMOT, and eith bout £380 wtorth of welding & mechanical work is now back on the road with over 37000 miles, still looking good and the interior still looks as is it did back in 2000. The seats are very comfortable and with intercom heating etc still seems modern. Funny thing is of course, there are actually ashtrays still fitted in the back! My wife much prefers driving the cab than my XJ Portfolio. Thanks for your Sunday emails, I have written few times - hope you have read them.
Thanks Richard! Glad Boudicca survives another year! Got your email, unfortunately a bit of a crunch to get this one out 👍🏻 Be lucky and hope you are keeping well!
Woohoo! Get the snacks & drink it's time to relax and watch Tom work. These are my fav vids & the longer the better. It's just so bloody relaxing. Cheers mate!
As someone who recently took a taxi from LCY to the Excel - I sincerely apologise to my poor taxi driver. You’re right in that the fare was just over £9 and I gave him £10. I didn’t realise how long the wait was - next time I’ll be sure to leave a bigger tip. Keep up the good info Tom.
It is the game of luck that we all play though. I’ve had times where I turn up to LCY with no cabs there, straight on and get a return job to town. If you can’t face the small jobs, don’t do the time 🤪
At least you were going to the Excel - my last cabby at LCY was complaining that some people only want to go to the Travelodge, which is about 100 yards up the road.
@@geznicks I know that. I’m not stupid. I missed the bus because my flight was late. I Had to be there in 20 minutes and the next bus wasn’t for 25 so wouldn’t have made it.
@@jamesbartholomew1481 ok. I think they should've made a station on the Elizabeth line with a walking tunnel under the Quay, surely wouldn't have cost too much considering the liz lines budget, or at least a DLR link from Custom House or Royal Albert
I used to live next to LCY, I imagine it's very difficult as a taxi to compete with the DLR, you can get to bank in 20 minutes for about £2.40. But the Bankers who use LCY have got so much fackin money
Tom your knowledge of the streets of London are 100% amazing, I used to drive a Liverpool hackney cab and our knowledge is no were near as complicated as the knowledge of London. When I did my knowledge I had to do 25 routs, places of entertainment, sheet of hospital's, sheet of main buildings. At the time it was difficult but I did get my badge 😊 The knowledge of Liverpool hackney carriage test is now multiple questions and the best option from the list, extremely easy imo I hope tfl don't do away with the London knowledge and make it easy. Than it is I've always used London cabs when I'm in the capital and NEVER use mini cabs. Keep up the good work and I love your videos take care tom
7:43 - Technically the diplomatic car could do it too and not be punished, just not legally. They'd just ignore any fines knowing nothing will come of it like the congestion charges the owe 😉
Effluence and Kharzie worked for decades as a roundabout (s) but that’s not in keeping with the beards vision for a gridlocked London, so now you have exactly that. Add Old st, Highbury corner, Archway, and soon Lambeth Bridge both sides, Waterloo roundabout …….
quick question, in the beginning of the video you mentioned that you have a green taxi batch that allows you to drive in London City however there is a yellow one, that is for suburbs of London. Question is: i guess as you have a higher knowledge badge (i suppose) you are allowed to cue (is this the word) their queue, but are yellow batch drivers allowed to cue (same question here for the word when you are waiting in line) in queues in London? P.S. I don't know if you are going to see this comment, but can you make a video of an accident you had/or an accident on the road you saw (something in those lines)? :)
Similar thing before that I've mentioned in the comments with that Duck and Rice place on Berwick St market, part of the newish development bit there. Be really good to see you do a video on how you keep up to date with all the new points. Do you just learn by driving around and keeping a mental note, do you have to do a refresher, does TfL give you updated points, is there a Twitter account you can follow? Be really good to know how you do it.
It's just a case of staying curious, picking up points from passengers, speaking with other drivers etc. Having a personal interest helps too! I'm sure I would be better than average cabbies for bars and music venues in Camden, but far worse in Soho! Often if a point slips, then it's a case of just getting the customer to narrow it down, in the case of Berwick street, it's in the pedestrianised part, so it's not as bad. I'm not so good with restaurants unless it's a more famous one or iconic name. Mr. Nice is a relatively new one that sticks well. I imagine some cabbies would be bad with the historical stuff/museums whereas that's something I pride myself on.
The myth that Cabs are broadly price aligned to Uber is frankly nonsense City to Brandshatch £55 Uber. But thought based on these videos I’d give a cab the custom. £125
As a London Jew, I can give you one other synagogue fact you probably never knew: There was actually 1 synagogue older than Bevis Marks but it was destroyed/burned down at some point, that was the Dukes Place synagogue and the plaque commemorating it’s location is coincidentally on the side of the black building you showed in this video when mentioning Dukes Place! Another important fact to know is that Dukes Place was the first and original synagogue in London for Ashkenazi Jews (Jews originally from Central/Eastern Europe) whereas the Bevis Marks synagogue that still survives was the first and original synagogue in London for Sephardi Jews (Jews originally from Spain and Portugal)
I am concierge and the new cab the light is a nightmare to see when the cab facing the sun ! I am glad you found the way to make it more visible. Thanks a lot for your job with the videos it relax me to watch them. If you need a toilet break come to the RAC club cab drivers are always welcome
I’m sure you might already know but The little blue light on the kerb side is the best trick. If it’s on then the cab is hired. The blue stands out a lot more! Will take you up on a trip to the toilets 🙏🏻
Named after the battle of balaclava in the Crimean war. Famous for the 'thin red line' of British troops and then the subsequent charge of the light brigade. Great vids Tom
Fun fact, here in Tokyo where I live the taxis have a red sign on if they are available and a green sign on if they are taken. I bet that leads to confusion amongst tourists ;) Thanks for another great video!
Is there any chance of doing any content on the taxi rank outside of Victoria Station (BR). It's absolutely insane with three tiers of ranks, the first of which begins on Vauxhall Bridge Road. Let us know when you do!
Tom, I really enjoy your drive videos, incredible to watch you navigate through the many little side streets, etc. Please consider doing a video where you provide more details about the different types of license plates (ie, the diplomat's vehicle or the other one that only had a few letters (Why is that one special?)) you encounter. Cheers mate!
I think maybe Balaclava Road was named in honour of the Battle of Balaclava which I think (from memory)was fought during the Crimean War but I stand to be corrected. Regards
I'd love to see you do more London food videos. YT has plenty already but they are typically done by visitors of their favourite fish & chip places. The last foodie video that you did was a real gem and the London visitor really needs more of that sort of insight.
Hearing you talk about Woolwich road fills me with anxiety. I'm a lorry driver for Tesco based at Crick and we deliver to the essex area, upon leaving the store at Sidcup to go to Basildon the Tesco system likes to route you via the Woolwich ferry. We like to poke our nose inside the M25 but not that much! Yes I have followed the route and the ferry was closed. Much easier to just head back down the A20 towards the M25 and through Dartford tunnel.
I never use City airport but I’ll make sure I spread the message not to use a black cab to do a short trip. I can imagine how annoying it would be to queue for an hour or more for a £10 fare. Actually I would have avoided a black cab to go to where I live from Heathrow until I found out about the rejoining rules which makes me feel better about a short journey from LHR.
How do you manage the pollution from traffic in London? Does your vehicle's air conditioning system recirculate the air within the cab, or does it intake external air? I would surmise that a London Taxi cab would possess an advanced air purification system to safeguard your well-being. Is that so?
I completely understand your point about not hailing cabs that are on the job however due to poor design choices, it is sometimes hard to see whether the light is on or off!
I was a full time driver in London from 2007 to 2019..... Addison lee courier, And then Addison lee taxi. I finished with THE stupid company. (If you can't beat them join them) This South African enjoy your videos just to see all the streets again where I spend 13 years of my life!!!!
My Grandma had a cafe for all the dock workers right where those two tall apartment buildings are at the start of the video :) she met my Grandad, a scaffolder who had a yard nearby there and the rest is history lol :D Can't believe how the area has developed and now the Mayor's Office will be moving across the road from the site of that little cafe
Although not being affiliated with the taxi trade at all (except as an occasional customer) I really enjoy your videos 👍 One suggestion: maybe you can include a map overview of all the jobs you did at the end of the videos plus a summary of what you made that day including how that compares to other days
Hi Tom. London City Airport is ideal for tourists visiting from Scotland via Edinburgh Airport. We have used it extensively over the years. Quick disembarking/luggage collection and you get a great view of London on the approach. We like to use airBnB or managed apartments in the Isle of Dogs/Canary Wharf area. It's a convenient base, especially if attending a concert at the O2 Arena. 👍🏻😀
The number of people I see standing at the edge of a Zebra crossing looking between their phone and down the road (for their Uber), I often stop and stare at them. Also if going to rank at LCY, do you check the flight schedule first?
Off the top of my head,Balaclava Road commemorates the battle of the same name involving British forces during the Crimean War and not an item of headgear.Not so silly looked at in that context.
In some cities the hire light is inside and it could be flipped facing downwards if it is not for hire, which is more obvious if the taxi is for hire. The downside to this is if the the hire light is too small and you might not see it until the last moment.
Straight into Compton... I had to think about that! (Oh and Ionic capitals, if anyone was wondering) I'm so proud that I remembered going past that part of the road when I "drove" Run 1 on Streetview. Amazing what you pick up and don't realise it! I have huge respect for anyone who can work in traffic like that, with suicidal cyclists, e-scooter riders, e-unicycle(!) riders and all the rest. And the almost psychic ability to see people waving you down. Amazing!
I work at LCY and commute by car (via Tower Bridge or Rotherhithe Tunnel), so it's interesting seeing the route you took. For many months now the works going on at the Lower Lea Crossing and on Silvertown Way have made the traffic so horrendous, that I've changed to usually continuing along the A13 and then down Prince Regent Lane, or via Beckton and into the eastern entrance of the airport.
We recently stayed at a hotel very close to Paddington and explored all the surrounding streets and parks, so it’s definitely cool to see how you would navigate the area as a taxi driver!
Hey Tom - great video! Not sure if it has been mentioned but elephant and castle did indeed used to be a roundabout until a few years ago (maybe 2015?) because too many cyclists were being run over...
Hey Tom, I have a question. Are Taxi drivers allowed to drive in the London bus lanes ? I was wondering if perhaps since Taxis are providing an important transportation service for Londoners and tourists, maybe the local government would allow you Taxi drivers to use the bus lanes?
On tfl dot gov dot uk it says: "Remember, only licensed taxi drivers can drive in bus lanes - private hire vehicles are not allowed. Licensed taxi drivers should check the signs at the start of the bus lanes, however, because there are a still a number of bus lanes they cannot use" So, actual cabbies can drive there but restrictions for use and parking may apply.
Door to door service. Not every bus is disabled accessible. Can pay by cash and credit card. Lugging cases can be stressful on a busy bus. 6 people can split the fare of a taxi. Have to wait for a bus.
Question - if you get a job out to a suburb of London (in a yellow badge area) are you allowed to pick up a job there, or join a rank there, or do you have to go back to London proper?
No we can rank all London. Which is a bit bizarre, because say I went to Charlton... it's outside of The Knowledge area but within London. Yellow badge of that sector would know it inside out, I wouldn't know where to start!
Hi Tom how are you finding the hire light cap? I really want it fitted but I’ve heard there’s wind noise over 50mph and as I use the motorway everyday it’s putting me off.
@@TomtheTaxiDriverthanks. Probably a compromise worth making if it works on the street. Although this video is good evidence that plenty don’t understand the light system anyway as I’m constantly being hailed pob even at night 😅
It's a 1.7 or 1.8 mile walk depending on which way you go. Rather more than a 10 minute walk. Or 1.1 miles if you're lucky and you're going to Excel East, still 25 minutes even then.
Tx4 has been age restricted so 12 years lifespan instead of 15. Last TX4 was 2017 so I believe so they will be allowed til 2029 (unless Euro 6). Brand new taxi in London must be zero emissions capable Taxis are exempt from ULEZ and congestion.
Not really. You don't really have a say on what ads you get, plus you have to get it changed at various periods, so you have to factor in travel to the garage. I personally think there's no better advert than a plain black cab 😊
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Funny enough i see some non advertised but not black cabs in London (cabs of various colours like blue, red, green, marroon or any) I find them better looking than boring black (or boring white) :D
Elephant & Castle used to be two roundabout (one at either end) and it was insanely dangerous which is why they changed it to the present system. The bus stops for the Walworth Road and Newington Butts are further up London Road so in theory they could get into the two right hand lanes earlier, they just don’t…
This was the first video I saw on this channel. Was intrigued enough to go back to the beginning and watch the whole series, which has been a delight. Makes me think that actually if I lived somewhat closer the Smoke down a set of blue (although actually pinkish) books before now. I’ll probably have caught up and be watching in ‘real time’ in the next 3-4 weeks. At which point I’ll subscribe to the email newsletter.
Elephant and Castle used to be a roundabout, doesn't it? I thought they did this to make the streets less car friendly and encourage people to use other modes of transport.
All pedestrian traffic was forced underground previously. Which would've been horrible for everyone. After the new shopping centre project is finished, it will be a very nice pedestrian area.
Little bit of Masonic trivia, as I’ve heard you say this a couple of times. The term Masonic Lodge actually is the name for a collective group of members, not the building. So multiple ‘lodges’ will meet at Great Queen Street and other centres on any given day. The building or room where the meeting actually takes place would be referred to as a Temple. In this case Freemasons Hall is HQ for all of England, so has multiple meeting rooms and including the spectacular Grand Temple. Tours are run daily and there is an excellent museum too.
Hi Tom keep it up you are doing your job and having fun making some brilliant videos superstar Ali Walsall west midlands england junction 10 m6 Walsall have you ever had a job to walsall west midlands england
I’m a ex Ocado delivery driver and from doing my delivery’s in London it’s made me want to learn the knowledge I was lucky enough to learn my way around south, east and west London from my job, watching your videos has just made me want to learn more I have family that are cabbies up town
Don't know how many know this, but some diplomatic vehicles are only allowed in Greater London and not outside the county boundaries. Inside D vehicles are the respective government property.
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Love the banana one not so sure about the coffee one
You got to interview Cockney Reg, the Sikh London taxi driver. He was in a video on Yes Theory’s channel, where they paid him £8000 to do a road trip from London to Morocco 🇲🇦 in a black taxi cab.
watching these is my new block watch addiction - i love them , have you picked up any famous people ? and got autographs , i was a taxi driver in Chepstow wales for a time an picked up 4 of the welsh football time , mark hughs, dean saunders , mark bowen and the late great Garry speed , i got a 10 pound tip and all their autographs
Ah, you're back. I really like these long travel videos. I have very little idea about where you're driving or going, having never been to London, but your voice is very relaxing. Maybe I'll come over at some point and give you some proper Dutch cycle lanes, haha.
Glad to see you back again. I’m always fascinated by the authenticity of your videos - and the etiquette thaat you London Cab drivers extend to each other & other road users. My wife’s LTI TX1 has just been through another MMOT, and eith bout £380 wtorth of welding & mechanical work is now back on the road with over 37000 miles, still looking good and the interior still looks as is it did back in 2000. The seats are very comfortable and with intercom heating etc still seems modern. Funny thing is of course, there are actually ashtrays still fitted in the back! My wife much prefers driving the cab than my XJ Portfolio. Thanks for your Sunday emails, I have written few times - hope you have read them.
Thanks Richard! Glad Boudicca survives another year!
Got your email, unfortunately a bit of a crunch to get this one out 👍🏻
Be lucky and hope you are keeping well!
A Taxi from LCY to the Excel?! it's probably as fast to walk. I guess then you just hope that someone at Excel wants a lift back in to town.
Woohoo! Get the snacks & drink it's time to relax and watch Tom work. These are my fav vids & the longer the better. It's just so bloody relaxing. Cheers mate!
As someone who recently took a taxi from LCY to the Excel - I sincerely apologise to my poor taxi driver. You’re right in that the fare was just over £9 and I gave him £10. I didn’t realise how long the wait was - next time I’ll be sure to leave a bigger tip. Keep up the good info Tom.
It is the game of luck that we all play though. I’ve had times where I turn up to LCY with no cabs there, straight on and get a return job to town.
If you can’t face the small jobs, don’t do the time 🤪
At least you were going to the Excel - my last cabby at LCY was complaining that some people only want to go to the Travelodge, which is about 100 yards up the road.
Bro there's a bus it's £1.65
@@geznicks I know that. I’m not stupid. I missed the bus because my flight was late. I Had to be there in 20 minutes and the next bus wasn’t for 25 so wouldn’t have made it.
@@jamesbartholomew1481 ok. I think they should've made a station on the Elizabeth line with a walking tunnel under the Quay, surely wouldn't have cost too much considering the liz lines budget, or at least a DLR link from Custom House or Royal Albert
I used to live next to LCY, I imagine it's very difficult as a taxi to compete with the DLR, you can get to bank in 20 minutes for about £2.40. But the Bankers who use LCY have got so much fackin money
Tom your knowledge of the streets of London are 100% amazing, I used to drive a Liverpool hackney cab and our knowledge is no were near as complicated as the knowledge of London.
When I did my knowledge I had to do 25 routs, places of entertainment, sheet of hospital's, sheet of main buildings.
At the time it was difficult but I did get my badge 😊
The knowledge of Liverpool hackney carriage test is now multiple questions and the best option from the list, extremely easy imo I hope tfl don't do away with the London knowledge and make it easy. Than it is I've always used London cabs when I'm in the capital and NEVER use mini cabs.
Keep up the good work and I love your videos take care tom
The idea of driving in London is literally terrifying to me, I hate even just walking through cities..
7:43 - Technically the diplomatic car could do it too and not be punished, just not legally. They'd just ignore any fines knowing nothing will come of it like the congestion charges the owe 😉
Have missed these video's. As always these get me me excited for my upcoming holiday to London.
I used to fly in to city weekly. You go and get a cab. Then of course you ask for a cab to the Travelodge for some early morning fun.
I had a hotel next to the london city airport. It would been a funny taxi ride from stansted to london city airport.
Effluence and Kharzie worked for decades as a roundabout (s) but that’s not in keeping with the beards vision for a gridlocked London, so now you have exactly that. Add Old st, Highbury corner, Archway, and soon Lambeth Bridge both sides, Waterloo roundabout …….
Make Elephant and Castle a roundabout? What a crazy idea...
Great video - thanks Tom
quick question, in the beginning of the video you mentioned that you have a green taxi batch that allows you to drive in London City however there is a yellow one, that is for suburbs of London. Question is: i guess as you have a higher knowledge badge (i suppose) you are allowed to cue (is this the word) their queue, but are yellow batch drivers allowed to cue (same question here for the word when you are waiting in line) in queues in London?
P.S. I don't know if you are going to see this comment, but can you make a video of an accident you had/or an accident on the road you saw (something in those lines)? :)
Why don’t cabs run a green-red light system instead of amber on/off?
Green free to hire
Red busy
Yay - another Tom video!
Similar thing before that I've mentioned in the comments with that Duck and Rice place on Berwick St market, part of the newish development bit there. Be really good to see you do a video on how you keep up to date with all the new points. Do you just learn by driving around and keeping a mental note, do you have to do a refresher, does TfL give you updated points, is there a Twitter account you can follow? Be really good to know how you do it.
It's just a case of staying curious, picking up points from passengers, speaking with other drivers etc. Having a personal interest helps too! I'm sure I would be better than average cabbies for bars and music venues in Camden, but far worse in Soho!
Often if a point slips, then it's a case of just getting the customer to narrow it down, in the case of Berwick street, it's in the pedestrianised part, so it's not as bad.
I'm not so good with restaurants unless it's a more famous one or iconic name. Mr. Nice is a relatively new one that sticks well. I imagine some cabbies would be bad with the historical stuff/museums whereas that's something I pride myself on.
@@TomtheTaxiDriver I watch Made in Chelsea because they are always going to restaurants and bars that I don't know.
Welcome to East London sir
Pennies go left pounds go right 😂
‘A’ to ‘Zee’??? What a Huw Edwards.
Yea… whoops
@@TomtheTaxiDriver you’ll be saying ‘anyways’ next. Embrace your heritage. Leave septics to their own language.
Does cromwell road have any links to oliver cromwell out of interest?
Wikipedia will tell you it's supposedly named after oliver cromwell's son
Or the other other other other London Airport!
Don’t say the title too quickly! 😬
Just go to the toilet, quick and mess free.
Plenty of space in the back of the cab though. Can stretch out and everything.
I prefer to wait till we’re in the air rather than actually at the airport
I bet your comment made him change the title
@@DdW85I wouldn’t be surprised haha
seems like a lot of sitting around waiting for the rank, seems missed money making opportunities ?
how does congestion charge work for drivers do you pay on the website or a yearly fee for the year?
No, licensed London taxis are exempt 👍🏻
The best answer to "Are you free?" is: "No, I have to charge, or it's not worth coming out"
A - Zed
Some of these jobs are ridiculously short. 0'5 miles? How lazy can you get?
Personally I prefer Wife Food.
The myth that Cabs are broadly price aligned to Uber is frankly nonsense
City to Brandshatch £55 Uber. But thought based on these videos I’d give a cab the custom. £125
Yess! I often find uber cheaper. Uber to work is about £8-12, black cabs have always been £15+
No one’s asking you to get a black cab, stay with Uber and cry when they surge the backside out of you.
WASTEMAN DOG
what a fascinating guy
it takes a real story teller to make a day in the life of a tai driver so interesting for others to appreciate
As a London Jew, I can give you one other synagogue fact you probably never knew: There was actually 1 synagogue older than Bevis Marks but it was destroyed/burned down at some point, that was the Dukes Place synagogue and the plaque commemorating it’s location is coincidentally on the side of the black building you showed in this video when mentioning Dukes Place! Another important fact to know is that Dukes Place was the first and original synagogue in London for Ashkenazi Jews (Jews originally from Central/Eastern Europe) whereas the Bevis Marks synagogue that still survives was the first and original synagogue in London for Sephardi Jews (Jews originally from Spain and Portugal)
I am concierge and the new cab the light is a nightmare to see when the cab facing the sun ! I am glad you found the way to make it more visible. Thanks a lot for your job with the videos it relax me to watch them.
If you need a toilet break come to the RAC club cab drivers are always welcome
I’m sure you might already know but The little blue light on the kerb side is the best trick. If it’s on then the cab is hired. The blue stands out a lot more!
Will take you up on a trip to the toilets 🙏🏻
Named after the battle of balaclava in the Crimean war. Famous for the 'thin red line' of British troops and then the subsequent charge of the light brigade. Great vids Tom
Relevant to current events too. The island of Crimea being part of Ukraine, an area currently occupied by Russia.
@@Zadster I thought it was a peninsula
Fun fact, here in Tokyo where I live the taxis have a red sign on if they are available and a green sign on if they are taken. I bet that leads to confusion amongst tourists ;) Thanks for another great video!
Yes exact opposite of France 🇫🇷
Is there any chance of doing any content on the taxi rank outside of Victoria Station (BR).
It's absolutely insane with three tiers of ranks, the first of which begins on Vauxhall Bridge Road. Let us know when you do!
Tom, I really enjoy your drive videos, incredible to watch you navigate through the many little side streets, etc. Please consider doing a video where you provide more details about the different types of license plates (ie, the diplomat's vehicle or the other one that only had a few letters (Why is that one special?)) you encounter. Cheers mate!
A number plate with just 3 digits in England is worth a fortune
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Nice video, i used to live as a kid the other side of Hilly Fields. Itis very nice park.
Bloody addictive presentation!
This would make a fantastic weekly tv show
I think maybe Balaclava Road was named in honour of the Battle of Balaclava which I think (from memory)was fought during the Crimean War but I stand to be corrected.
Regards
Correct - scene of the infamous Charge Of The Light Brigade
@@broadsword6650 Broadsword to Danny Boy....
@@richardboughton8338 Dicky Boy, surely, in this case. 😄
Thin red line named after the argylls
I'd love to see you do more London food videos. YT has plenty already but they are typically done by visitors of their favourite fish & chip places. The last foodie video that you did was a real gem and the London visitor really needs more of that sort of insight.
Thanks David! Got another one in the edit, focusing on a particular format of food 😉
Hearing you talk about Woolwich road fills me with anxiety. I'm a lorry driver for Tesco based at Crick and we deliver to the essex area, upon leaving the store at Sidcup to go to Basildon the Tesco system likes to route you via the Woolwich ferry. We like to poke our nose inside the M25 but not that much! Yes I have followed the route and the ferry was closed. Much easier to just head back down the A20 towards the M25 and through Dartford tunnel.
A 1 mile taxi journey for a bloke on his way to the gym 🤦♂️
I never use City airport but I’ll make sure I spread the message not to use a black cab to do a short trip. I can imagine how annoying it would be to queue for an hour or more for a £10 fare. Actually I would have avoided a black cab to go to where I live from Heathrow until I found out about the rejoining rules which makes me feel better about a short journey from LHR.
Hey Tom! I love when you point out the interesting number plates you see!
How do you manage the pollution from traffic in London? Does your vehicle's air conditioning system recirculate the air within the cab, or does it intake external air? I would surmise that a London Taxi cab would possess an advanced air purification system to safeguard your well-being. Is that so?
I believe it’s miles better than the previous cab, but in terms of actual figures or measurements I couldn’t quantify
I completely understand your point about not hailing cabs that are on the job however due to poor design choices, it is sometimes hard to see whether the light is on or off!
The thing is, the cap installed should prevent such a situation.
im wondering how many road maps tom must go through!
Just wipe clean 👍🏻✊🏻
@@TomtheTaxiDriver ohhhh! i thought it was permanent marker! that makes sense
Whenever a passenger asks if I'm free, I always say " I'm never free, but I am available" With a smile of course.
I was a full time driver in London from 2007 to 2019..... Addison lee courier, And then Addison lee taxi. I finished with THE stupid company. (If you can't beat them join them) This South African enjoy your videos just to see all the streets again where I spend 13 years of my life!!!!
Thanks Tom, great video as always love your Vids. Keep them coming mate
My Grandma had a cafe for all the dock workers right where those two tall apartment buildings are at the start of the video :) she met my Grandad, a scaffolder who had a yard nearby there and the rest is history lol :D Can't believe how the area has developed and now the Mayor's Office will be moving across the road from the site of that little cafe
Although not being affiliated with the taxi trade at all (except as an occasional customer) I really enjoy your videos 👍
One suggestion: maybe you can include a map overview of all the jobs you did at the end of the videos plus a summary of what you made that day including how that compares to other days
I’m going from there in the summer holidays
Never been on a night flight
I HATE CITY
Hi Tom. London City Airport is ideal for tourists visiting from Scotland via Edinburgh Airport. We have used it extensively over the years. Quick disembarking/luggage collection and you get a great view of London on the approach.
We like to use airBnB or managed apartments in the Isle of Dogs/Canary Wharf area. It's a convenient base, especially if attending a concert at the O2 Arena. 👍🏻😀
Though I think Lumo has killed its convience if going to the city.
The number of people I see standing at the edge of a Zebra crossing looking between their phone and down the road (for their Uber), I often stop and stare at them.
Also if going to rank at LCY, do you check the flight schedule first?
Off the top of my head,Balaclava Road commemorates the battle of the same name involving British forces during the Crimean War and not an item of headgear.Not so silly looked at in that context.
In some cities the hire light is inside and it could be flipped facing downwards if it is not for hire, which is more obvious if the taxi is for hire. The downside to this is if the the hire light is too small and you might not see it until the last moment.
A great cabbie and content creator. Respect 🫡
Flew in 10 days ago... 10 quid job to custom house Liz line...a pity it doesn't connect
Straight into Compton... I had to think about that! (Oh and Ionic capitals, if anyone was wondering)
I'm so proud that I remembered going past that part of the road when I "drove" Run 1 on Streetview. Amazing what you pick up and don't realise it! I have huge respect for anyone who can work in traffic like that, with suicidal cyclists, e-scooter riders, e-unicycle(!) riders and all the rest. And the almost psychic ability to see people waving you down. Amazing!
I work at LCY and commute by car (via Tower Bridge or Rotherhithe Tunnel), so it's interesting seeing the route you took. For many months now the works going on at the Lower Lea Crossing and on Silvertown Way have made the traffic so horrendous, that I've changed to usually continuing along the A13 and then down Prince Regent Lane, or via Beckton and into the eastern entrance of the airport.
01:19 is that a TX1/TX2 there Tom!! That’s rare in London
I always love the shift videos, Tom. Thanks!
We recently stayed at a hotel very close to Paddington and explored all the surrounding streets and parks, so it’s definitely cool to see how you would navigate the area as a taxi driver!
I would like to see a couple videos of you driving and how much money you make on the average day
Amazing video Sir I love learning about the knowledge keep up the good work and stay safe
Hey Tom - great video! Not sure if it has been mentioned but elephant and castle did indeed used to be a roundabout until a few years ago (maybe 2015?) because too many cyclists were being run over...
It was sarcasm, rip all the old roundabouts. Highbury corner, old street etc
Hey man love your videos . Do you ever have a tug in between jobs ?
Hey Tom, I have a question. Are Taxi drivers allowed to drive in the London bus lanes ? I was wondering if perhaps since Taxis are providing an important transportation service for Londoners and tourists, maybe the local government would allow you Taxi drivers to use the bus lanes?
On tfl dot gov dot uk it says:
"Remember, only licensed taxi drivers can drive in bus lanes - private hire vehicles are not allowed. Licensed taxi drivers should check the signs at the start of the bus lanes, however, because there are a still a number of bus lanes they cannot use"
So, actual cabbies can drive there but restrictions for use and parking may apply.
What surprises me is how many people would rather pay more money for a cab when a bus only cost like £1.50 I believe
Door to door service. Not every bus is disabled accessible. Can pay by cash and credit card. Lugging cases can be stressful on a busy bus. 6 people can split the fare of a taxi. Have to wait for a bus.
Question - if you get a job out to a suburb of London (in a yellow badge area) are you allowed to pick up a job there, or join a rank there, or do you have to go back to London proper?
No we can rank all London.
Which is a bit bizarre, because say I went to Charlton... it's outside of The Knowledge area but within London. Yellow badge of that sector would know it inside out, I wouldn't know where to start!
Hi Tom how are you finding the hire light cap? I really want it fitted but I’ve heard there’s wind noise over 50mph and as I use the motorway everyday it’s putting me off.
Wind noise happens at 60mph. It’s similar to just having noisier tyres or driving a different vehicle, it just becomes the new normal
@@TomtheTaxiDriverthanks. Probably a compromise worth making if it works on the street. Although this video is good evidence that plenty don’t understand the light system anyway as I’m constantly being hailed pob even at night 😅
Seems crazy to me people would want to get a taxi from City Airport to the excel as it’s about a 10 minute walk
I like to walk in London but no fun with luggage, in inclement weather and/or with young children. 😀
It's a 1.7 or 1.8 mile walk depending on which way you go. Rather more than a 10 minute walk. Or 1.1 miles if you're lucky and you're going to Excel East, still 25 minutes even then.
It too far if you are walking around a exhibition all day
My god there are a lot of KIA Niros in London 🤣
How come some cabbies are still using the TX4? Have they been retrofitted/ modified to comply with the ULEZ or do they suck up the cost? Cheers.
Tx4 has been age restricted so 12 years lifespan instead of 15. Last TX4 was 2017 so I believe so they will be allowed til 2029 (unless Euro 6). Brand new taxi in London must be zero emissions capable
Taxis are exempt from ULEZ and congestion.
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Fair enough, thanks for the response.
I've wondered before, but seeing cab in front of you, have you considered getting yours wrapped for advertising?
Not really. You don't really have a say on what ads you get, plus you have to get it changed at various periods, so you have to factor in travel to the garage.
I personally think there's no better advert than a plain black cab 😊
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Funny enough i see some non advertised but not black cabs in London (cabs of various colours like blue, red, green, marroon or any) I find them better looking than boring black (or boring white) :D
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Thanks for the answer
All 83000 subs are black taxi drivers
How much would he make on a shift like that?
those london cyclists are on a death wish
Elephant & Castle used to be two roundabout (one at either end) and it was insanely dangerous which is why they changed it to the present system. The bus stops for the Walworth Road and Newington Butts are further up London Road so in theory they could get into the two right hand lanes earlier, they just don’t…
A to Zee ??? A to Zed, young man !!!
This was the first video I saw on this channel. Was intrigued enough to go back to the beginning and watch the whole series, which has been a delight. Makes me think that actually if I lived somewhat closer the Smoke down a set of blue (although actually pinkish) books before now. I’ll probably have caught up and be watching in ‘real time’ in the next 3-4 weeks. At which point I’ll subscribe to the email newsletter.
Dunno why anyone would get a taxi to the Excel with how handy the DLR is
LCY is on the wrong branch so you have to change trains at Canning Town. But it's only a few stops away by bus.
I've used it to fly to Spain on holiday .... Twice.
Fantastic.
I live in Greenwich, so I went by public transport (sorry)
Elephant and Castle used to be a roundabout, doesn't it? I thought they did this to make the streets less car friendly and encourage people to use other modes of transport.
All pedestrian traffic was forced underground previously. Which would've been horrible for everyone. After the new shopping centre project is finished, it will be a very nice pedestrian area.
Even when it was a roundabout, the traffic situation on London Road was just as awkward.
Can sector 8's rank at Heathrow?
14:56 Just did some researching , that plate is worth £35,000!!!!
Another great shift video, keep it up! Love to see it.
89,000£*
Why would it worth more then a standard plate nothing special about the numbers
@@nicholas4839 because its unique and different
It’s worth at least £130k at the moment - 7 UE stands for Seven United Emirates
Little bit of Masonic trivia, as I’ve heard you say this a couple of times. The term Masonic Lodge actually is the name for a collective group of members, not the building. So multiple ‘lodges’ will meet at Great Queen Street and other centres on any given day.
The building or room where the meeting actually takes place would be referred to as a Temple. In this case Freemasons Hall is HQ for all of England, so has multiple meeting rooms and including the spectacular Grand Temple. Tours are run daily and there is an excellent museum too.
With the people trying to hail a booked cab, personally I always second guess myself what the light means, it's not completely intuitive to me
20:32 Sneaky little rainbow
Hi Tom keep it up you are doing your job and having fun making some brilliant videos superstar Ali Walsall west midlands england junction 10 m6 Walsall have you ever had a job to walsall west midlands england
People that get a cab, to travel 800 metres in traffic. OMG, I can walk that in less time, and only 5 mins,seems bizarre to me.
I’m a ex Ocado delivery driver and from doing my delivery’s in London it’s made me want to learn the knowledge I was lucky enough to learn my way around south, east and west London from my job, watching your videos has just made me want to learn more I have family that are cabbies up town
Don't know how many know this, but some diplomatic vehicles are only allowed in Greater London and not outside the county boundaries. Inside D vehicles are the respective government property.