London cab drivers to be told when to shut up

By Alastair Jamieson Published: 9:45AM GMT 06 March 2010

London cab drivers contingency clarity the "Knowledge"

Regulators are deliberation additional precision for new recruits in meaningful when to keep quiet.

The recommendation would be piece of a package of new patron use skills such as welcoming passengers and traffic with stressful situations.

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London cab drivers contingency pass difficult tests prior to gaining a licence, together with "the Knowledge", a mental recall of thousands of streets and routes that takes an normal of 3 years to acquire.

However, John Mason, head of cab law at Transport for London, pronounced the system of administration did not akways hope for drivers for hold up in a complicated use industry.

Future improvements competence embody imperative classes on patron use as piece of a revamp of the chartering of black taxis, that are confronting heated foe from in isolation sinecure minicabs.

Other new lessons competence cover fuel-efficient pushing techniques, carrying infirm passengers and meaningful when passengers would cite a little assent and quiet.

Mr Mason told the Financial Times: "It"s a world-renowned service. The drivers are regularly viewed to be a little of the great characters you come opposite in London."

He added: "There is regularly room for improvement. Perhaps it is great infrequently to keep your mouth close if you clarity vibes from the patron that maybe they are carrying a bad day."

In a after statement, he added: "London"s cab drivers are the most appropriate in the world. We have no stream plans to need believe possibilities to commence a patron use component to their assessment, however we are regularly seeking at ways of augmenting the peculiarity of use to passengers and we work closely with the cab traffic to see how most appropriate we can grasp this."

Bob Oddy, ubiquitous cabinet member of the LTDA, pronounced his organization would not intent to patron use precision to one side the Knowledge for new drivers.