The Fall of London’s Taxis: ULEZ and COVID-19 Spark Abandonment Crisis

The Impact of ULEZ and the Pandemic on London's Taxi Fleet

A car park in Ilford, East London, has become an eerie testament to the challenges facing London's iconic black cabs. Once a symbol of the city, many of these taxis are now abandoned, left to deteriorate in a space known as Citi Park on Clements Road. The vehicles, with deflated tires and shattered windows, paint a melancholy picture of the sector’s current state.

The decline in demand for taxis can be traced back to the pandemic. When lockdowns were enforced in 2020, taxi services experienced a dramatic fall in usage, with demand plummeting to just 20% of its usual levels, according to the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA). As the city began to reopen, the industry faced another challenge—policies aimed at reducing emissions.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), introduced initially in 2019, was expanded in October 2021 to cover areas within the North and South Circular roads. This expansion aimed to cut vehicle emissions, and the government's push for cleaner air affected the taxi industry significantly. Taxis built before 2015, which largely include older black cabs, often failed to meet ULEZ’s stringent emissions standards.

As a result, many of these taxis have been left in limbo, parked in Ilford and other locations, unable to operate without incurring a daily charge of £12.50. The sight of these abandoned vehicles is a stark reminder of how both the pandemic and changing environmental policies have altered the landscape for London’s taxi fleet.

Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) spokesperson:

"The drop in demand during the pandemic was drastic, and many drivers have had no choice but to abandon their vehicles due to the high costs of complying with ULEZ regulations."