Should Black Cabs take payment by card/contactless payment?

In a bid to modernise the industry, Transport for London have suggested that cashless payments should be accepted in London Black Cabs.  Currently only around 50% of cabs accept card payments although 75% of people who use cabs say they would consider doing so if they could pay with a card.

Although there is currently no obligation for cabs to accept card payments consultations show that this would be a step forward as cashless payments are widespread almost everywhere else.

Taxi group United Cabbies are against the proposals however, commenting that Transport for London could not legally force drivers to accept card payments.

A decision is due to be made in early 2016.