Private hire cars (not black cabs) are allowed to access certain routes that us mere mortals cannot, due to the false impression that they are a 'public service vehicle' THEY ARE NOT! you cannot flag them down at the side of the road, you have to 'hire' them privately from a office or via phone. therefore they are on a private contract. Look at the licensing plate!!!
How many bus drivers take their bus home and ferry their family around? The laws are a mockery allowing these people to take short cuts designed for public vehicles whilst the rest of use have to weave our way around ridiculous one-way systems. If they are not a black cab then they should obey the laws like the rest of us, they are NOT a special case!!