As waves of coronavirus swept the country and lockdowns wrought havoc on his industry, the 53-year-old said the financial and mental anguish had "taken its toll".
However, Ivens -- one of 15 members of Black Taxi Tour London, a collective offering bespoke guided tours alongside regular rides -- has also sorely missed the social side of his work. Ivens believes business is back at around two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels, but notes that is barely sustainable.Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association , said the industry is "hopeful" and can see "the green shoots"."Any slack's gone," he added. "And any slack's gone for Boris as well. If he tries to lock us down again, I think he's going to be looking for a different job.
"As and when things start to pick up eventually, and I think that'll be September... there's going to be a massive shortage of cabs, undoubtedly," McNamara added."They're coming back in dribs and drabs but the biggest concern for cab drivers is that people are only going to work two to three days," said 59-year-old Paul, a 20-year black taxi veteran.Another major ingredient still missing for black cab drivers' income is foreign visitors.
"London needs people from abroad -- this is an international city," he added, driving through the once-bustling district of Covent Garden. But after years of being undercut by cheaper ride-hailing apps such as Uber, and now hit by the pandemic, some fear for the future of London's black taxi industry.
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