Black cab drivers were today divided over demands to charge passengers 20 per cent extra during next summer’s Olympics and Paralympics.

Protest: Jonathan Myers, of the United Cabbies Group, pickets outside the Standard's Kensington office

A group representing about 2,000 drivers has attacked the main trade body’s claim that cabbies would be “encouraged” to work during the Games if they could earn more.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association claimed that up to half of London’s 25,000 drivers will take time off during the Games after being denied a series of concessions by Transport for London, including access to priority “zil” lanes.

But the United Cabbies Group said that the reputation of drivers would be irreparably damaged if the fare rises were imposed.

In a picket at the Standard’s Kensington offices yesterday the UCG accused the LTDA, which has about 9,000 members, of a “politically-motivated” campaign. Jonathan Myers, a spokesman for the UCG, said: “We’ve had people getting in our cabs asking about the rises. I had one customer who called us opportunist bastards.”

LTDA spokesman Steve McNamara said: “TfL were worried they were not going to have enough cabs so they asked what can we do. We said to give us access to the zil lanes, but they said they couldn’t do it. We suggested they could try paying the blokes more money. Everyone is now convinced we are going for 20 per cent, which we’re not, it was a suggestion.”

A consultation on the increase proposals ends this month

Source London Evening Standard