Paying for taxi fares will get easier from October when all London cabbies will be required to take card payments.
THE move follows consultations that won the backing of 86 per cent of respondents. People have traditionally used cash to pay cab fares in the capital, although around half of London's 22,500 licensed taxis now take cards.
By requiring all drivers to take credit, debit and contactless payments, Londoners and visitors to the city will no longer have to check with the driver or make sure they have enough cash before getting into a taxi.
There will be no surcharge on the fare for customers choosing to pay by card, which means that passengers will only ever pay what is shown on the meter.
Mayor Boris Johnson MP said: 'It's great news that with a quick swipe of a card, millions of passengers will be able to pay for their journeys in London's iconic black cabs. It's an essential part of modern life and it'll make paying for your journey swifte and simpler than ever before.'
TfL's chief operating officer for surface transport Garrett Emmerson added: 'We believe the acceptance of card and contactless payments will be a huge plus for both taxi drivers and their passengers. The TfL network is seeing more and more contactless payments so this would bring the taxi trade in line with other transport services in the capital.'
TfL is also committed to working with thecard industry to link card payment devices directly to the taximeter in future.
Get in me spirit at London Transport Museum
LONDON Transport Museum is inviting people to enjoy an evening of glamour, with a vintage perfumes and cocktails event on Friday.
The Talk and Tasting. Scent and Spirit of London event, hosted by perfume expert Lizzie Ostrom and spirits and cocktails author Alice Lascelles, will invite guests to indulge their senses as they journey through the vintage age of London's nightlife. There are two sessions available (7-8pm and 8.30-9.30pm). Tickets cost £20 (£17 for concessions). London Transport Museum is located in the heart of Covent Garden and easily accessible from Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn, Embankment, and
