The Knowledge

For decades I’ve used Black Cabs. For me worth it.

Thanks for your post, Steven. I've come across other such articles about The Knowledge before. The commitment of time and effort toward the achievement is impressive. I hope Mr Bilalli earns his badge.

Gerry, good thing I looked again before including my response to your original comment to note that you deleted some of your reply. Suffice to say your original reply left me scratching my head. Obviously, you had a well-formed opinion about black cabs and their place in society (if that's not too grand a characterization!) before reading the article, so you read it through that lens. I read it as a profile of one man's determination to meet big challenge and successfully achieve a goal, nothing more nuanced than that. If we were having a coffee and a chat, though, I'm sure I'd learn more.

I lived in London for 30 years and still visit regularly. For me, a black cab is always the choice. They always know where they are going and the best route of the moment. Most importantly, they are safe.
The drivers are more than just stereotyped white males - a really good cultural mix which always makes for an interesting conversation.

Anecdote - this is a while back, but I was with a co-worker in a black cab when he
asked me, do you know a place where we can get Cuban cigars in London. I said,
I don't, but I bet the guy in front does (driver was a fairly young white guy with a ponytail).

He couldn't have been nicer; in the middle of the Strand, he pulled a U-turn and
took us to a cigar shop, turned off the meter, and helped us shop for cigars for almost
a half hour.

My co-worker sadly took a bit ill on the trip and couldn't smoke all the cigars he bought before
the trip back home.....

We got into a cab near Westminster Abbey to get back to our hotel. Traffic just stunk and the meter kept ticking as we sat there. After a bit the driver opened his door and reset the meter. God bless him.

I also use the Black Cabs in London, whenever I need transportation other than the Tube. A few years ago, I read an article which indicated that acquiring "The Knowledge" actually changes the brain structure of the drivers.

When I lived in London I used both black cabs and Uber.
Black cabs can be good value if there are a few of you travelling and your journey isn’t too far. They also have the advantage of being able to use bus lanes. The benefits of drivers having the ‘knowledge’ is negligible with modern tech.
They make a big thing about black cabs being accessible. Yes they are good for wheelchair users but for other physical disabilities their design doesn’t help. Having to step up whilst bending down to get in the cab and then bend down and almost crawl to get out meant they became impossible for me to use.

I have never had a problem using Uber. The drivers have always been pleasant and helpful, often really helpful, for example helping me manoeuvre into the car. I have also had some really interesting chats with the drivers. If you want to meet the locals this is as good a way as any. There is sometimes surge pricing for example at the start and end of the school day but I’m my experience , wait 5-10 minutes and the price comes back down.

We take few enough taxis (relying primarily on the tube) that we unfailingly take black cabs when we need a taxi in London. I feel good supporting the rigorous effort drivers have put into The Knowledge.