Now London Cab adds to the variety with a fleet of cars identical to the famous Hackney carriages prevalent in the British capital--recognizable to anyone who has visited the UK or seen the Harry Potter movies--offering airport transportation, tours of the city, or scheduled taxi service. But you may be out of luck if you want to take a London cab in Egypt and happen to also be Egyptian.

The cab's luxurious model and high price tag will certainly limit the clientele, not by nationality but by income. This comes as welcome news to drivers of older Cairo taxis.

Emad, the proud owner of a white cab, does not consider these new cabs competition. “When customers want to take a cab, they don’t have the patience to call four hours in advance and book the car,” the driver said, referring to London Cab’s booking policy. “People just want to go to the streets and pick whatever car they can get.”

Saeed, who drives an old black-and-white cab, claims that since the spread of white cabs he has seen a change in his clientele. Because his prices are cheaper, and open to negotiation, it is the poorer residents who often opt for his taxi over other options.

Saeed sees the new company, and its formal or informal policies, as normal. “Like everything else in Egypt, there are certain classes for each service,” the driver said, while passing under the 6th of October Bridge heading to Garden City. “While the middle class takes the white cabs with AC and meters, these new cars will be dedicated to a whole different level of society.”
Al Masry Al Youm