There are more than 21,000 licensed taxis in London

Changes to London cab fares which come into effect on Saturday have been criticised by the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone is simplifying fares to encourage more people to use cabs.

It means fares for people travelling between 2000 BST and 2200 BST will fall by �1.40 on average.

And from Saturday, fares will be the same regardless of the number of people in a cab.

Changes to cab fares Night rates apply from 2200 BST Fixed �40 charge if passengers make a mess Day and late night rates rise by 2.25% Fixed costs for extras, such as carrying luggage Minimum fare rises to �2

Higher fares for passengers travelling after 2000 BST were introduced in 2001 to increase the number of cabbies working late.

But from Saturday, higher fares will only apply from 2200 BST.

Bob Oddy, general secretary of the LTDA, told BBC News Online he did not understand why the night-time fare structure was being changed.

He said: "It has worked and been a great success and now, for some reason, it is being changed - we can't see the logic."

"We are concerned that the reduction will result in fewer cabs, which will force people into the clutches of mini cab touts."

He added that passengers travelling alone would end up paying about 30p more.

"All single passengers will pay more, including old age pensioners doing their shopping, while larger groups, for example wealthy tourists in the West End, will now pay less."

But Mr Livingstone said the changes followed consultation with passengers and drivers.