London taxi trade faces ‘EXISTENTIAL THREAT’ amid autonomous vehicle policy concerns, warns Assembly Member - Perry Richardson - 24 hours ago - 3 min read London’s black cab industry is facing what has been described as its most serious challenge to date, with concerns mounting over declining driver numbers, regulatory delays and the potential impact of autonomous vehicle technology. In a featured opinion piece published in the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association’s (LTDA) TAXI Newspaper, Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in the London Assembly, said the sector is already experiencing significant strain, warning that policymakers risk failing to respond in time. Bokhari wrote: “The rise of the robotaxi, the terrifying decline in the number of black cabs on our streets, and a licensing backlog at TfL (Transport for London) that is destroying drivers’ livelihoods. These are not problems on the horizon, they are issues happening right now – and City Hall is sleepwalking through all of it.” The comments come amid ongoing industry concerns about Transport for London’s licensing processes and the steady reduction in licensed taxi drivers operating in the capital. Stakeholders have repeatedly warned that delays and barriers to entry risk undermining service availability, particularly for passengers reliant on taxis for accessibility. London Assembly member warns falling cab numbers, regulatory delays and emerging technology risks are converging on the capital’s taxi sector Bokhari revealed that she had proposed a motion in the London Assembly calling for the appointment of a dedicated taxi commissioner, aimed at providing a single accountable figure to oversee the sector and develop a long-term strategy. The role would also assess the impact of emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles. She explained the intention behind the proposal, stating it would ensure “someone who assesses the impact of robotaxis and develops a