CABBIES have staged their second demonstration over unregulated trade yesterday after Transport for London (TfL) continually failed to control dangerous vehicles.

Traffic around Trafalgar Square was brought to a halt as hundreds of taxis drove slowly around in protest over the lack of authority measures to deal private transport providers.

Most unions blamed London Mayor Boris Johnson for the reckless approach.

Unite’s London regional secretary Peter Kavanagh said: “From failing to tackle the increasingly hazardous rickshaw brigade to shrugging his shoulders and allowing the Uber app, which doesn’t take bookings or even pay tax in this country, to be licensed as a private hire operator, the mayor has shown his true colours.”

Newly elected RMT general secretary Mick Cash echoed the sentiment saying Mr Boris’ politics have been putting cab drivers’ lives at risk.
“It is about time he took action to clamp down on the gangs of touts who are making a mockery of the rules,” added Mr Cash.

Mr Kavanagh also said that the mayor’s initiatives have lead to “confusion.”

“Congestion and pollution increasing with his scrapping of the Western Zone, privatisation and outsourcing of the regulatory functions within Transport for London are all a slap in the face for taxi drivers and their customers.”

TfL managing director for surface transport Leon Daniels branded the unions’ attitude as “regrettable.”

“The taxi trade has several forums with TfL and the mayor.”

“We urge them to communicate directly with us on the specific issues they wish to discuss.”

joanaramiro@peoples-press.com