Over the last few months, while the trade has again been decided over the intended CC mandate, transaction charges and siting of the machine, TfL seem to have used the oppotunity to slip in the frame a new form of Knowledge of London.
It's recently been reported all over social media, new drivers at Heathrow have been asking for post codes of well established points around central London, such as the Ritz Hotel, Kings Cross and Euston stations.
There have always been allegations that certain suburban drivers have been sharing friends or relations badges and bills to work the airport.
Most of these claims were felt by the majority of the trade to be exaggerated.
But when TfL compliance recently made checks out west, there was a noticed absence of so called 'new drivers' from the feeder park.
However, drivers sharing documents such as badge and bill, is not the only problem that's currently surfaced out west. Many drives are refusing what they feel are unprofitable journeys by refusing to take card payments, or asking for exorbitant cash fares.
At a recent meeting between trade reps, HAL and TfL compliance, it's been revealed that knowledge students are no longer going out on the bike -a system proved over many years to be the most effective way of learning the Knowledge.
TfL told the meeting that learning the knowledge from a computer screen in a classroom is now quite acceptable.
HADTU have released a statement saying that in their opinion, this is not just a quickie knowledge, but a two tiered knowledge system.
They say they will now be consulting with other trade groups regarding this issue.