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Yeah I know, that's why I pointed out that it was mainly private hire. Yet it wasn't solely them as most black cab firms also took calls and bookings and despatched just like minicabs, opening them up to the same scam. Genuine street hire only black cabs still exist, but they're pretty damn rare now.

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>Genuine street hire only black cabs still exist, but they're pretty damn rare now.

They are not rare in city centres, which is their natural habitat eg. take a trip into Central London/Westend/City of London etc., you will find them everywhere. Unless, you are talking about the suburbs, where they have always been as rare as hens teeth.

https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing...

They used to be more common and a higher proportion of the total. Lots have moved into minicab-like firms that add bookings, despatch etc.

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