The chairman of a minicab firm considers it anticompetitive that taxis are permitted in London's bus lanes but that his own vehicles are not (Tory minicab donor fires first shot in battle of the bus lanes, 21 April). But where would it end? Why should self-drive hire cars be less favoured than those with chauffeurs? And if we include hire cars, would that include those which are leased? But black cabs are no more efficient users of road space than any other car – arguably worse since they trundle around plying for hire. The only sensible level playing field is one where special lanes are reserved for the most efficient users of road space – buses and cycles.
Tim Lidbetter
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
• I feel scant sympathy for the black-cab drivers in their fight to keep minicabs out of bus lanes. Their prices are exorbitant. When I came to London 50 years ago, it was a treat to take a taxi, but one that lots of people could afford for special occasions, or when they were in a hurry. The last time I tried to get one – to take me and heavy shopping home – the driver said he didn't know my road. So much for the Knowledge. The previous time I tried, the man simply refused to turn around for such a short journey. So much for the service ethic. The last time I actually used one, to take me home from Victoria after an overnight flight to Gatwick, I knew it would use most of my remaining holiday money, but felt ripped off when the route took us along the Mall, keeping strictly to the bus lane, though there was room to overtake, in a line of about 50 taxis all going at a funereal pace. It seemed to me like a scam. Licensed minicabs, these days, are more reliable and cheaper. Let the taxis keep their "hailing" privilege, but let other licensed cabs use the bus lanes.
Patricia Land
London
• John Griffin, Addison Lee's chairman, accuses Transport for London of bias in favour of the black-cab trade, which he claims holds undue power over politicians because its members are strongly unionised. If that's the case, the obvious thing for him to do is to encourage his drivers to join a trade union. Once his drivers have signed up, his company will have similar power over politicians as the black-cab trade. Problem solved.
Dick Graham
London