TOO MANY TAXI CABS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21599, 21 March 1932, Page 5

TOO MANY TAXI CABS

LONDON’S EIGHT THOUSAND. • London, it appears, has too many taxicabs. This opinion is held in certain trade quarters. Rough estimates of the number of taxi-cabs in London set them at 8000. Some expert opinions have it that 6000 or even 5000 taxi-cabs would be enough for all London’s fares. The possibilities of limitations are being hotly debated. In 1927 limitation was seriously discussed, but no decision was, reached. During 1930, the number of taxi-cab licenses issued was more by 1000 than in the preceding year. “ Figures for the past year are not yet available,” a Scotland Yard official said lately. “ But it is expected that a further increase will be shown.” _ A prominent authority pointed out: “ The taxi-cab trade is one that suffers more than others during times of general ecopomy, and increasing numbers both of cabs and drivers make it continually harder to make a living out of it. At present any respectable person who chooses to present himself, may obtain a license to drive a taxi-cab, and nothing short of an Act of Parliament can change that.”