Take a Taxi… A tad futuristic, 400yr traditional

@ShelterFund Sir could we be informed of the latest update on the situation with regards to the Cab Shelter at Hanover Sq. Having the Shelter closed is an inconvenience we have to pass by many times a day It is essential that this Shelter, more than any other is operated by individuals who are there to serve Cabbies first and foremost.* I hope it is opened before I retire. *ideally @iamtomskinner takes it over for seafood platters, pie & mash.

On waking up the hardest decision is stay home or go in and do a bit. No kids no mortgage no Cab rent or half flat. Few hours up the shelter for lunch don’t work weekends. Working towards another holiday. No family, live with mum. Rent or own a Cab. Young family, weighed in 15-20 year mortgage. Rent or own a Cab. 6-7 days, meal deal on the go 10 hr shift everyday. Wife works no outside help with the kids chasing it every hour feels like 1 step forward half step back. No holiday sanity on the brink, won’t discuss with others because they don’t understand. Constantly looking for the one in one out routine, can NEVER earn enough… Together for years. No kids. Mortgage nearly paid off. Own a cab. One day on the weekend three in the week. Working for the weekend breaks and trips to Europe. Did the Knowledge got my Green Badge. Went back to work in an office/ trade. Did 40 years. Retired, 10 years ago. All the Cabbies I have ever met come under one of these categories, they ALL have completely different view to our Trade. The job never changes. Get flagged, pick up punter, Knowledge, destination, cheapest, quickest route*, conversation/debate (or not) drop off, payment, Thankyou’s , then onto the next one. That’s the greatest job in the World. Then there’s what you have to contend with. Regulators, road closures, traffic, aggression, limitless ph, lack of driving skill, cyclists, scooters, rickshaws, deliveries, buses, enforcement at every conceivable junction or turn, changes to infrastructure, weekend events or protests, dangerously parked rental bikes, pedestrians who purposefully walk out into the road, bus and coach ‘drivers’ that make extremely dangerous manoeuvres etc… Most arguments between Cabbies is simply because each of us value our labour differently yet think our view is the ONLY view, however the job itself has never changed… My prayer 🙏🏼 is that the Trade is on the brink of an 80’s type golden seam. Be Lucky 👍🏼 *where possible