Call Sign August 2002 - Page 5 - 21000 LONDON CAB DRIVERS AND ONLY 350 FEMALES?

But Dial-a-Cab's Jos Is Out To Add To The Total...
The first recorded use of hackney coaches carrying fare paying passengers in London was in 1588, while the first Parliamentary regulation for the carriages came in 1694. Then in 1838 Hackney carriage drivers were licensed for the first time while 12 years later, the Public Carriage Office first opened. Just 2 years ago, the PCO transferred from the Metropolitan Police to Transport for London, which is part of the Greater London Authority under the auspices of Mayor Ken Livingstone.
In addition to those facts, there are about 21,800 London licensed cab drivers and another 2,800 suburban licensed drivers.
So after more than 300 years and a current total of 24,600 licensed taxi drivers, there are only 350
female taxi drivers!
But there is hope on the

21000 LONDON CAB DRIVERS AND ONLY 350 FEMALES?

Jos

horizon. PCO figures suggest that there are around 200 females currently on the Knowledge and one of them is Dial-a-Cab telephonist Jos Pearce!
Up until recently, Jos had been doing the Knowledge on a part-time basis but realised that being a full-time telephonist meant money coming in, but little in the way of KoL progress. So around a year ago, Jos went part-time working and full-time Knowledging! Her

reward came in early July when she was rewarded with a reduction to 28days. Jos told Call Sign:
"I've been on the KoL for well
over four years and just couldn't see an end to it, but
once I started doing the Knowledge on a full-time basis, things suddenly started to click. I really expected a reduction the appearance before I actually got it, but I had a really bad day at the Yard. But on the next appearance, things clicked, I felt very confident and it must have showed. In fact, when the Examiner told me that he would now see me in 28 days, I went over and kissed his hand in delight. It was just the most wonderful feeling!"
Well done Jos, hopefully this means that the number of women driving licensed taxis will soon reach 351...!