Not in the back of my cab, mate

Not in the back of my cab, mate


A LONG-SERVING cabbie has snubbed talk of becoming a "one-man advertisement" as pressure builds on drivers to double up as salesmen to passengers.

Taxi Promotions UK has launched WOMAD (Word of Mouth Advertising), which involves black cabbies trying and sell goods and services to customers, while driving them across London.

But Leslie Simmons, 65, dismisses the idea.

He said: "I don't think it would work. I love talking to customers, it's one of the best parts of the job, but to have to memorise and recite a script is nonsense.

"I think a lot of drivers would feel the same way, it would take some thought and we need to be concentrating on the road at all times."

Advertising on the side of a cab was once unheard of, but today logos and slogans are emblazed across the doors of every vehicle.

The fact that drivers wouldn't be given commission for the service is another sticking point.

Mr Simmons, of Springfield Drive, Ilford, who has been working as a cabbie for 30 years, believes only incentives would be able to tempt colleagues.

He said: "I get all sorts of people in the back of my cab, who are interested in all sorts of things, and sometimes they do pick up on the adverts on the sides of the cars.

"But a lot are pensioners, who are pretty quiet, and you can tell when they just want to be left in peace, so I don't see how me talking about selling this, that and the other is going to please them.

"I hope this idea doesn't catch on because I absolutely love this job and I want to keep doing it the old-fashioned way."

Bob Oddy, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "Clearly the abilities of tax drivers are held in high esteem and Taxi Promotions UK expects that passengers will respond positively.