Some people declare that there are too many cabs on the streets, but it is certain that there are no more than the public require. If they were not patronised to an extent which makes them profitable to the proprietors and the drivers, they would not be plying for hire. On December 31, 1900, there were 11,252 licensed cabs in London, of which 7531 were two-wheelers and 3721 four-wheelers. There were 13,201 cab-drivers and 2782 proprietors. For each cab a proprietor pays £2 for a police licence, which has to be renewed 12 months after issue, and 15s. to the Inland Revenue on the first day of every year. The driver pays 5s. for his licence, which is renewable 12 months from the day of issue.

At the present day the fares are:—

By Distance.
s. d.
If hired and discharged within the four-mile radius, forany distance not exceeding two miles 1 0
For every additional mile or part of a mile 0 6
If hired outside the four-mile radius, wherever discharged,
for the first and each succeeding mile or part of amile 		1 0
If hired within, but discharged outside the radius, wholedistance not exceeding one mile 1 0
But exceeding one mile, then for each mile ended withinthe radius 6d., and for each mile or part of a mileoutside 1 0
By Time.
s. d.
Within the four-mile radius. Four-wheeled cabs forone hour or less 2 0
Two-wheeled cab 2 6
For every additional quarter of an hour or part of aquarter, four-wheelers 0 6
Two-wheelers 0 8
Four-wheelers, or two-wheelers, if hired outside theradius, wherever discharged, for one hour or less 2 6
If above one hour, then for every quarter of an hour orless 0 8
If hired within, but discharged outside the radius, thefares
are according to the two preceding paragraphs.
Luggage.
s. d.
For each package carried outside the vehicle 0 2
Additional Persons.
s. d.
For each person above two (two children under tenyears of age are reckoned as one person) 0 6
For a child under ten years of age, carried with two ormore persons 0 3
Waiting.
s. d.
By distance only. For every fifteen minutes completed,if hired within the four-mile radius: Four-wheelers 0 6
Two-wheelers 0 8
When hired outside the radius, four- or two-wheelers 0 8

Unless stated to the cabman at the time of hiring that he is engaged by time, fares must be paid according to distance. A driver can refuse to be hired by time between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

A cabman hired by distance must, unless prevented by the traffic, drive at the rate of six miles an hour; if hired by time, four miles an hour. Should he be requested to drive above the latter speed, he may demand, in addition to the time fare, for every mile, or any part of one, exceeding four miles, the fare regulated by distance.

There are no two-horse cabs plying for hire at the present day, but if there were the fares, according to an Act of Parliament of 1853, not yet repealed, would be 8d. for a mile or less distance, and 2s. 8d. for an hour or any portion of one. During the great snowstorm of January, 1881, when for several days the roads were impassable for omnibuses, a large number of cabs appeared with two horses—the hansoms’ being harnessed tandem fashion. The drivers were well aware of the Act of 1853, and, in case any passenger should possess a knowledge of it, they took the precaution, before starting on a journey, to extract a promise from the rider that he would pay double the usual fare. That was reasonable, for, apart from the fact that vehicles were few and travelling difficult, the cabmen, by using two horses, were only able to be at work for half their customary time.

THE END

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
LONDON AND BECCLES.

Transcriber’s Notes: