It is a universally acknowledged truth that London’s black cabs offer the best taxi service in the world and no-one is prouder of this than Alf Townsend. An enthusiastic chronicler of the trade, he has played no small part in its history.

Since gaining 'The Knowledge' (memorising 25,000 different routes within a 6-mile radius of Charing Cross) at the age of 29, Alf has been ferrying passengers around the capital and continues to do so today at the age of 72. Along the way, he has flirted with minor fame appearing on TV shows in the UK and the US, helped to found the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association and become a published author.

'Most Highly-Trained Drivers in the World'
First and foremost though, he is a passionate advocate of the traditions and professionalism of the London taxi driver. In the flat that he shares with his wife, he explained to BBC London why licensed taxi drivers - those who have taken 'The Knowledge' - are streets ahead of their minicab or private hire rivals.

"The knowledge is like a jigsaw in the brain," says Alf. "I went out on my bike and learnt all the routes. That is how you start. It took me nine months to learn it all. You pass the driving test and then you're on your way."

"When you get in a licensed London cab it is fully taxed and fully insured. It's got passenger liability. There is a skilful driver who wears a badge – we are the mostly highly trained taxi drivers in the world. Unfortunately, you do not know what you will get in a private hire car. Some of them are right scallywags."

"They haven't got the training. People talk about satellite navigation but it has been proven that it's not as quick; it doesn't always take you the quickest route and won't take you away from heavy traffic. Tests have shown that a driver with 'The Knowledge' is much quicker and better than a driver with Sat-Nav."

Despite Alf's conviction that taxi drivers are superior to their private hire cousins, he is not so optimistic for the future.

"They have estimated that we will be 10,000 cabs short for the Olympics. And one of Mayor Ken's minions has indicated that for 2012, they will allow private hire cars to ply-for-hire [hail from the street] but, as we say in the trade, I think it is a dot on the card. Mayor Ken wants to integrate world-famous London taxis with private hires to have one system. The guys laugh at me but it is going to be the death knell for the trade."

Some stories to tell…

In 1978, after winning the Taxi Driver of the Year competition, which involved answering questions and completing a driving course, Alf became a minor celebrity. He appeared on TV shows and quietly became the public face and spokesperson for the whole trade. Spending some time in his company it is not difficult to see why he is such a natural for the role.

From his numerous celebrity encounters both in and out of the cab -"Les Dawson was the funniest. Swore like a trooper." - to the drunk and philandering politician, Alf Townsend has a treasure trove of amusing tales that he has accumulated during his 40 years of service.

His favourite story, and his wife's, goes something like this:

"One evening many, many years ago at Paddington, two American ladies, real southern belles, get in my cab and say they want to see London before they go home. They want to see Buckingham Palace and the Royal Family. I thought 'I've been driving a cab in London for 20 years and I've never seen the Royal family!'

"So we're going down Constitution Hill, just opposite Buckingham Palace, and out stops Mr Plod and puts his hand out for me to stop. Was I speeding? Am I in trouble? And then out of the side entrance comes a limo with the Queen and the Prince Philip. So I say, 'And if you look out the window, you'll see Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh' and he waves at them!"

"They couldn't believe it; they were like 'Thank you, driver, thank you so much.' I said no problem. A bit later on we passed another limo with the Queen Mum and Prince Charles inside! They asked me for my address and phone number because they were going to tell their friends that they knew the driver who could show them the Royal Family!"
Inside Alf's cab

Unsurprisingly, Alf has written a book, 'London Cabbie: A Life's Knowledge' full of similar anecdotes. Will Self, whose novel 'The Book of Dave' is about a London cabbie, has called it required reading. But Alf is far from a one-trick writing pony – he has also published a book called 'Bad Lads' about RAF National Service and has another book coming out about his experience as an evacuee during WWII. Since he started writing seriously just eight years ago, he has now written four books.

A working cabbie, a writer and a regular golfer, there are few signs that Alf Townsend has lost his lust for life. And he'll even go south of the river.

'London Cabbie: A Life's Knowledge' by Alf Townsend is out now in paperback.

http://www.londontaxiknowledge.co.uk/General.html