Why don't London taxis go saaaaf of the Thames?

Question

Why do they all say they dont go south of the Thames if its an evening? There're lots of people who always say they dont go south of the river at this time of day etc

Answer 1

The above answers make sense but it's mainly at night you'll struggle to get a cab saarf of the river. I suspect many cabbies don't think they'll make it back in one peice to the norf. Some parts of the saarf are a no go area after dark (as are some parts of the norf).

Apparantly a taxi can't refuse to take you within 6 miles of Central London - http://www.londontourist.org/transport.html

Answer 2

It takes so long to travel from the north to the south that they are missing out on fares. One round trip to say Clapham at say a cost of £15 for an hours work when you could have earnt £50-60 doing short hops in the west end is why. Try getting a cab from Heathrow when they learn you want to go 3 miles and not into central London when they have had to wait 30 minites for a fare!

Answer 3

The black cabs always say they dont go saaaaf because they can make more money doing more short trips in the nooorf. Just get the night buses they are not as bad as you think and a lot cheaper!

Answer 4

Under the 'Public Carriages act', all Black Cabbies by law have to accept fares within a 6 mile radius of Trafalgar Sq...anything outside the six mile radius and it's up the the black cabbie if he/she accepts the fare or not

Answer 5

some of the answers are correct its all about money 3 small trips in centre of city would mean at least another £60 more for the same time

Answer 6

under new rules, a black taxi is suppose to take you anywhere within the greater London area. so they should take you to "saaaf of the river"

Answer 7

Because they belong in the Noorf

Answer 8

All the big fares are in the city and north, sout is not AS RICH AS CENTRAL lONDON AND NORTH LONDON