Parsons Green terror attack: Taxi drivers giving free lifts to people affected by the tube explosion
'It's just what we do'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Taxis in West London have been offering free rides to people caught up in the terror attack at the Parsons Green underground station.
Drivers who had finished night shifts reportedly returned to work to help evacuate terrified commuters.
Helping out is “what we do,” said Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licenced Taxi Driver’s Association.
He confirmed black cabs had helped evacuate people from Parsons Green free of charge following the attack.
“We’ve done it since the IRA and we’ve got other weird rules as well, like if we’re going to Great Ormond Street Hospital, sick kids don’t get charged. It’s just what we do.
“If someone comes out of Parsons Green station and wants to go to Edinburgh, they’re going to pay. But if you’re just helping people getting away from the scene who are frightened and get them to the next tube station or bus stop we don’t charge them.
“No one wants to make money from people’s misery.”
Local cab company Hayber Cars offered lifts to people free of charge following the incident.
"All our drivers are out," a company spokesman told The Sun, adding that employees who had done the night shift had returned to work.
"We're offering free rides to help people out."
Ride-hailing app Uber also said trips taken using its service would be refunded and the company’s ‘surge’ charge had been switched off.
The company was also criticised after the London Bridge attack earlier this year, when people attempting fleeing the area were charged high fares. On that occasion it also switched off surge price and refunded the customers.
At least 22 people were injured by the Parsons Green blast, which Scotland Yard is treating as a terrorist attack.
A manhunt has been launched to find the person who planted a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Other local residents offered to open up their homes to people affected by the explosion.
On Twitter, Katy Dunn said: "If anyone is feeling shocked or confused at Parsons Green, I'm round the corner and the kettle's on."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments