Why Are School Holidays So Quiet in London?

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WHO AM I:
I’m Tom, a London Taxi driver of 5 years. I also have a keen passion for all things London whether that’s; history, geography or a good spot for coffee!
WHY DO I MAKE VIDEOS?:
To PROMOTE and PROTECT The Knowledge of London
And to PRESERVE the high standards of London Taxi Drivers
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - A job so soon!
01:17 - Why is it so quiet?
03:38 - Breaking my own rule!
04:55 - Keep the change driver!
06:45 - Rods back door
07:29 - Matinees!
09:30 - A job in the park!
10:10 - Ken Square vs Ken Gdns Square?
12:32 - Don't try so hard
14:01 - Watch the lambo!
15:16 - The Selfridges shuttlebus
16:05 - Don't over-rank!
18:23 - Guess the hotel
19:00 - Do you know London?
20:22 - Penton Street
21:14 - KX evacuated?
21:40 - Bus stop hail
23:40 - Where is everyone?
24:37 - The most beautiful pub?
26:25 - Maida Vale please!

[@ebismusic8813]

I don’t know why Tom, I really don’t, but I find your shift vlogs totally compelling 😊

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Good to hear!

[@markpunt9638]

I’m just about to watch this one for the third time - talk about addictive😂

[@senorsenior92]

It’s because he’s compelling.

[@r_0113]

He is so compelling. Might become a taxi driver now 🤣

[@oldmanc2]

Me too! So therapeutic watching an expert drive round the complicated streets of London so smoothly

[@Pieface23]

I enjoy saying to myself “I KNOW WHERE THAT IS” way too much in these videos. Class as always TOM.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Cheers Jack! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@johnorchin8567]

The ‘For Hire’ light needs to me made much more distinctive on the modern electric cabs. It was never an issue with the older cabs, the fact that several people tried to flag you down, when you weren’t available speaks for itself.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I am having a cap fitted to it soon John Looks like it works wonders!

[@kiradotee]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver make sure to show it to us in a video!

[@sweetycamy]

Thank you for being so careful for cyclists, but also pointing out the crazy behaviours and not introducing the "hate for all bikes" attitude! which seems to be more common than not. I cycle a lot and I can never comprehend not signaling, having earphones on etc.... we're part of the traffic so we should behave accordingly. Subscribed!

[@itsjohndell]

Had a laugh about Trafalgar Square. On my first solo trip to London (was going with family since 1960) did not know the Tube didn't run 24/7. New to boozing I ended up in a steady rain, just myself and Lord Nelson for near an hour until a black cab came around. Ah, youth!

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

In my days as a London cabby (37 years pushing the old droshky, retired to Cornwall in 2016) I always looked forward to June as the busiest month of the year.

[@unclejacksbluewhitearmy]

My wife’s friend’s dad is a Hackney driver in Liverpool. He says summers are quiet as the students, obviously in term time, earn him a fortune as they won’t walk anywhere, especially on a night out. He even does 100m rides from bar to bar.

[@zhengzexu1438]

Love these videos and your explanations

[@Recoil21]

Always great to see another cab video! Good way to start the weekend!

[@sheilam4525]

Captivating vlog, as always, Tom, thank you⭐️

[@simonnlaroche5438]

Great vid Tom, really appreciate the content, information and knowledge you offer. Thank you!

[@JustJayme]

You deserve far more subs, another great video Tom!

[@davemac3081]

Cheers Tom I love these shift videos 👍

[@LawAndBedlum]

I absolutely love your vlogs. I like everything about them

[@SlightlyLost111]

Please keep these coming over the summer. I could watch these videos 24/7

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Will try get one out a month!

[@colors6692]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver One a month?!?!

[@walter-st3fb]

@@colors6692 yes

[@lccustoms99]

I was hoping one a day 😢

[@jungleboy1]

@@lccustoms99 you know how hard it is to get videos and also do a 9-5 taxi job..... I don't, but i expect probably impossible.... One day tom will get his 500k + subs then he can do 1 a day i guess.

[@thesportlad]

Another interesting video, Tom! This has become one of my favourite channels. Great stuff, keep them coming mate! 👌🏻✌🏻

[@3mirren]

Brilliant tom really enjoyed that 👍

[@iandrew6347]

A fantastic video Sir always look forward to watching your videos .

[@juststuart]

love the history parts of your videos need to put more in

[@thiskewlchick]

Watching your videos is so cathartic. I appreciate you and your knowledge. Thank you Tom! 🇨🇦

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Glad you like them!

[@jeremyc9136]

Tom I love watching your videos they are keeping me motivated to chip away at some outstanding bills so I can get back on the knowledge full time next year and pick up my badge this time round. Thankyou !

[@rangers7259]

New subscriber mate… who’d have thought driving round the big smoke would be so entertaining… brilliant viewing…👏👏👍

[@TheSharmaNeeta]

So fun to watch! I’ve lived in W11 for almost 8 years and was fascinated that I know way more street names than I thought. Can’t wait to share with my 5 year old - he loves taxis. Also, being a daily taxi user, this gives me so much intel … eg. I have a hard time finding taxis, so often wait near bus stops to take whatever comes first.

[@ThePolaroid669]

Yay - some nice TTTD viewing for a cold winter's Saturday night!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Hope it's not too cold down under John!

[@deuter458624]

Love listening you sharing your little tidbits of UK 🇬🇧History. Hi from Singapore 🇸🇬

[@majidhussain1236]

Nice video Tom ❤ love it 🥰

[@cabottaxi]

Did you see Duffy in Warwick Avenue ? 😀 All the Londoners are away on holiday. You only have to look at fight radar 24 to see TUI increase there Gatwick flights to larger 787 aircraft to places like Tenerife instead of the 737s.

[@adamingleton8529]

Love these videos

[@MrFlyingguy]

Tom, another brilliant Episode, highly watchable and somewhat satisfying to watch someone deal with decisions in a concise manner, you provide insight, a strong format, decent narrative and a little therapy as well.... ta

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thank you! Sometimes the decisions aren’t that concise at the time but I try and represent exactly what is going on at that time 🤪

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks for this

[@JessicaOwensful]

I lived in London for a year in 2017-2018 used to go from Victoria to Brixton all the time

[@greigs9384]

I’ve Always said the further away from the centre you go, the radio / apps will throw you a job quicker. I ended up working Clapham / Wimbledon the other day like a YB driver. Even put on Wimbledon village.

[@sstanl3y932]

London almost always dies down during school holidays, I always remember my dad saying the city was a lot quieter almost dead during the summer and Christmas holidays

[@nickstephenson3451]

Interesting as always. I assumed half term would be hectic busy. Insane amount of red light jumpers

[@scottsvaletingservices6949]

Love the videos Tom. I’m a Private hire taxi driver up in Perth Scotland, love the insight into driving a black cab in London. School holidays are a pain, days become very slow. Nights however are a bit better. Keep up the good work bud 🚕 😎

[@Fernandwinnie]

I would rather live in Perth than London any day.

[@scottsvaletingservices6949]

@@Fernandwinniedon’t think I would cope driving around London. Traffic here is bad enough 😂

[@johumm455]

yes it is weird that when standing for a break or a quick windshield clean, so many times someone comes out of nowhere and asking you for a ride. But it happened to me also A lot!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes! Always when I am prebooked or on a tour with clients ahah!

[@joshuahill5271]

July = Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Meaning tourist hotspot in New Zealand/Australia as snow is a great tourist attraction.

[@Craig-wp3pz]

"Never gonna not give that up" Loving the strength brother 💪👍

[@dereklee-dj5bl]

Just had this on autoplay, but at 28:10, Maida Vale station is actually by Stanley Heaps, Green’s former assistant, along with Kilburn park. These were built after Leslie Green’s death, and are the only single storey oxblood stations as they used escalators instead of lifts, which were invented after Green’s death.

[@tonyclifton265]

i recognised holland park avenue instantly. i'll soon be ready to take tom on in a london knowledge test

[@andrewscott3415]

Great vid mate👍✌️

[@Theboyintheshorts]

The Royal Oak - Also used as the ‘Samoan Pub’ in Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels…

[@geocabbie89]

Cor that Belgrave Sq / Grosvenor Cr traffic’s a killer at the moment!

[@rhythmrida]

Most people are going abroad these days as a holidays in the uk is super pricey. A flight from Edinburg to Spain is cheap than a flight from Edinburg to London and the average 1 week holiday costs around £1000 for the accommodation alone. Where as in Indonesia you can get a luxury apartment with pool and hot tub for £20 a night. And £50 is equivalent to 1m rupia meaning you can live like a king for a week for the price of a family meal in a central London restaurant.

[@petehodges1060]

I’m a cabbie of 20 years and when I’m not working and watch one of your videos I wanna jump straight back to work 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@barrygower6733]

You’ve said before that the yellow taxi light often catches the sun and suggests that you’re empty.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes, although I'm due to have an aftermarket cap fitted 😊

[@PriceCheckMeBro]

I don't live in London or drive a taxi but I binged half your channel lol interesting stuff

[@BrockMak]

22:02 In NZ, taxis are treated just like normal cars, even BU (Before Uber), so even though I often wait in the bus shelter (even when the stop is closed for pavement maintenance) near my house, I have to step out to the only parking spot around the corner or cross the road if I'm going uphill on the main road.

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

that sounds like private hire minicabs we have here, on top of that we have black taxis, which are a class apart.

[@stringer6435]

not sure how your vid come along but i loved it… lol

[@ianmason.]

If you turn off Columbia Road down the side of the Royal Oak and into Ezra Street you'll find an area that is still cobbled and only has Victorian brick built buildings, the exteriors haven't been modernised at all. Consequently the street has been used as a set for more films than you can shake a stick at. It even has some of the original gas lampstands, which have had modern lamps fitted into them.

[@JackDonnelly-sb8dp]

Mr Wilkins the examiner asks all these locations on the knowledge,he loves the historical side of London

[@ianmason.]

The Princess Louise is also where I first met my Mrs. A happier event than the one involving Dennis Neilson.

[@jamessadia]

They are pretty quiet everywhere tbh. Unless it's a seaside town like mine and it's high season.

[@alexdavis5766]

I was in London on that day (if it’s the Friday of half term?) and travelled on 3 taxis, I found London very busy. Was in Covent Garden for the transport museum and it was rammed

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Those areas are rammed but the whole of London overall is quiet. Needs to be firing on all cylinders

[@alexdavis5766]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver ah I see. I mentioned to the one taxi driver who saw I was filming a video before I got in his taxi (I’ve just just launched a channel, not this page though) that it was KZbin and he joked he should start one and be like you! Seems you’re famous in the black cab world

[@BrockMak]

2:31 The first term break was quiet for drivers in Auckland (Easter Weekend to just after ANZAC Day on April 25). Many revenge trips leaving the city. Because the call centre also covered the top half of North Island, I was still working overtime. It's proper kipper season in Auckland now, even with the second term break not until the first week of July (winter break).

[@EricErs22]

Great video!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thanks for the visit

[@madmattuk1234]

Hi Tom I thoroughly enjoyed thi upload the content was great as always and you included the Jolly schnitzel amwell street. Please could you put some more good eateries into your content as I'm writing it down. If a local taxi driver eats there then A) it must be good food and B) it must be reasonably priced too. Best wishes and safe travels, Matt

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thanks Matt, would also recommend this video I made. The BEST Lunches in London! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZuUoJ2ifb5gjLM

[@carlton7974]

Tom, the lime bicycles only make that noise when you don’t pay and just pedal

[@therealryan1329]

ANPR is Automatic Number Plate Recognition not reader. Love the video as always though Tom!

[@definitelynotatroll246]

You must go thru a lot of maps with that marker

[@michaelorton6808]

great again tom.

[@juliajones2283]

I find these very interesting.

[@benmooe]

Hey Tom, Great vid as always. Rick Astley part-owns both of the Mikkeller bars in London, Slight nit-pick incase anyone requests in the future, the one on Hackney Road is his first bar, the Microbrewery is the one on exmouth market. There is also a pretty good documentary on KZbin about Rick and Mikkel from Mikkeller developing a beer :)

[@JackDonnelly-sb8dp]

These bars were asked by the examiner called mr mcdowell whilst I was studying the knowledge,he allways asks for bars and restaurants

[@OG_Rider]

The hard man crossing the road 😂

[@Delta060]

tom can we get a best super car spots of the year from your dashcam? i feel like it'll be a different type of content from normal and im sure you see plenty of sweet cars whilst your out working.

[@ryanstyles8540]

Easy 1 mile radius of Harrods 😂.

[@lukejames7784]

Tom loves the vids. I know it may be personal but I would love to know more about earnings.

[@Vickix1185]

I wonder if people hailing you when you've already got a passenger is the taxi equivalent of saying the q word in retail or call centre work? Great video as ever Tom - irony being I'm watching after having to get a taxi home from skating due to a cancelled train! :D

[@jpaulc441]

What's the Q word?

[@Vickix1185]

@@jpaulc441 Q word = quiet. Guaranteed to bring a sea of customers in :)

[@nomsantuli6023]

Welcome back

[@brianthesnail3815]

School holidays parents are now able to work from home. It really is that simple in the post Covid world. Some people are also on holiday. Almost nobody is physically at work in the public sector in school holidays.

[@massimolecavalier8209]

Would it be possible to also know what the fare was after each run? I understand it may be somewhat sensitive information; I only ask because I think it would be an interesting and useful way to compare different routes to each other like how their distances are given.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Fares vary hugely, like the last one was £23.80. Which was really good for that time of night and distance. Princes square to rods was about £19 because of the heavy traffic on Ken church street. It’s a way shorter route but the time taken is the killer. Sometimes very hard to communicate that time on video.

[@regularguy3665]

26.38 - was that Nilsen or none of the shots from the David Tennant show a while ago? I can’t tell.

[@dannycrooks8462]

I know roads to get from a to b quickly but to what they're called I haven't a clue

[@mad1538]

Hi Tom! Do you use the petrol generator or the chargers mostly

[@Security848]

trains were packed

[@jamesmartingolf]

I was watching your ad for Y food, and it got interrupted by an ad for Head & Shoulders

[@dannycrooks8462]

I live in the countryside and I still don't know all the roads where I live 🤣

[@stevoooooable]

Your skin is looking great!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thank you so much, Lymecycline the antibiotic has done wonders for me! Hopefully this helps others!

[@stevoooooable]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver rosacea I’m assuming? That’s amazing results, congrats

[@michaeljames87]

I love this channel. Fair play to this guy.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thank you Mikey 👍🏻

[@BrockMak]

Big faux pas for me (even though I don't drive much) 19:00 What was THAT?

[@cabbieoo7]

Your complexion looks great 👍

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Hope you are keeping well John! How’s The K treating you?

[@cabbieoo7]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver 2024 fingers crossed 🤞

[@LarryB600]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver the examiners will give him a easy ride so more people jump on the knowledge, the examiners know he is a KZbinr and has a following, he will be out in no time

[@ollewall]

Laughed at 24:08 :D

[@zaphod4245]

Pretty sure that ANPR car parks have to give you a 10 minute grace period without charging you. There was a case a few years ago where someone went in and out again and got a fine, and basically said that they drove up, saw the prices and decided nope, too expensive and left, and that it would have been unsafe to reverse back out to avoid the camera, so they shouldn't have been fined, and the courts agreed. The principle being that car park fines are agreed to because they're part of the Ts&Cs of the car park, which you accept by parking, but legally (as with any Ts&Cs) you need to have a chance to read and then choose to accept or reject them. Since they're on the sign at the entrance, and since it would be unreasonable and unsafe to expect someone to drive up, read them, and then reverse if they don't accept them, the car park must allow you to go in and out without paying if you don't park, by way of a 10 min grace period, same also applies for barrier car parks which give a ticket on entry, if you leave immediately you don't have to pay and the barriers will let you out.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Very interesting! Will bare this in mind. Because I know dropping off at the Sofitel T5 we definitely get stung with it unless we get it validated. Although, mainly it’s agro getting the ticket and appealing, shouldn’t have to happen in the first place, like you say

[@britishthought4018]

Minor nitpick; when you say "Kyiv road" its supposed to be prounced Keev rather than Kee-ev.

[@Win-xl7no]

Plenty of extra work on the apps due to the strikes and always plenty even during half term. Too many drivers still stuck in the past and chasing cash

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I do use them, but represents a small part of my overall work. Limits your available turnover as your tax is deemed against the full meter, not the amount you received. We want to encourage people to hail us from the street, not using apps! But yes sometimes when it’s raining or the middle or nowhere, an app wins

[@jbstans]

What does it mean to 'comply by' the roundabout/gyratory?

[@FatUglySadMan]

I always find the schools holidays better than normal weeks,strange old game.

[@mabrukclee4385]

Tom the mikkler pub isn’t the one owned by Rick. Rick part owns the brew pub of the same company in exmouth market. Cheers

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Cheers for the update

[@mabrukclee4385]

Top geezer Tom

[@ZafiraSteve]

9:11 Automatic Number Plate Recognition 😅 ANPR

[@barbaramorris5172]

Is it just me or do people walk around London checking cabs incase it’s Tom? Nope, just me then 😂.

[@thomasBCFC250]

More airport videos please, is it possible for a London Luton Airport video please

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Not allowed to pick up at Luton I’m afraid

[@mfurmyr]

After driving some years as a cab driver you get the sixth Sence on customer in the streets.

[@sb1056sb]

I noticed when I was in London the other day I seen some TXe's with visors adapted above the hire light does that help with the sun?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Well spotted! They are gradually being rolled out to drivers when they have work on their taxi 👍🏻

[@ColinCarFan]

26:56 - Was that a deliberate mistake to catch us out as I thought Gower St was one-way south?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

It was changed last year. Now 2 way and TCR is always slow as buses now use that.

[@andrewlorimer7346]

Tom if you won the lottery, would you still drive your cab? I get the impression that you would. Great videos keep them up

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I would never want to win the lottery 🤪 that’s one easy way to ruin your life. But yes, if I retire or have financial freedom. I’d drive the cab probably 3 days a week, and probably half the hours each day. It all depends on the cost of the vehicle at the time, that’s the only thing that will throw a spanner in the works. The current LEVC is pretty much impossible to work part time.

[@southlondonunderground7293]

Those who have the option to WFH during school holidays probably will also, as alot of others will be away with their families etc.

[@SleepingTurtle1]

You are like Jamie Oliver meets the Shipping Forecast.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I’ll take that as a compliment, nothing more British than that!

[@john-gr8in]

Hi Tom. What is the a-z cabbies mate you use

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

It's just called Cabbies Mate. iPhone app. £29.99 or £39.99 a year depending on which updates you get. Invaluable, I would be lost without it!

[@quismohammed7723]

I want to know which is better Tom phv driver or black cab @tom

[@thealbagalavanter9986]

Getting stuck behind a bin lorry thats pretty rubbish like my jokes lol

[@icecreamforever]

Any chance you can say what the fares are?

[@KieranMonday]

coz half of london go to cornwall during the holidays