Here’s the punchline. While black cabs are spreading globally, they’re actually declining in number in London. Uber, e-bikes, and private hire apps have eaten their market share. Many drivers are switching to greener, less iconic vehicles.
So the next time you see a black cab in Birmingham or Bangkok, smile. It’s a piece of London that escaped. And it’s probably more common there than it is in Central London now. How’s that for irony?
Final reality check: Yes, black taxis exist outside London. They’re just not all black, not always driven by someone who knows the city, and sometimes they’re painted gold. But when you’re stranded in rural Wales with a dead phone, you won’t care about the licensing rules. You’ll just thank Dai, the grumpy man with the black cab—and the generous heart.
So next time you travel, keep an eye out. You might spot one in Paris (yes, really, near the Gare du Nord). And if you do, you can smugly tell your friends: “See? They’re everywhere.” Just don’t expect the driver to know where The Shard is. That’s our secret, okay? Shh.
