PCO Driver’s Guide to St. Patrick’s Festival 2025 Parade in London
Heads up, PCO drivers! St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, and it’s a perfect opportunity to boost your earnings by driving around London. Big parade, lots of celebrations.
With a large crowd heading to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in London, traffic will be heavy, and several attendees will be looking for an easy way to commute to the event. This is a great chance for you to stay busy and pick up rides throughout the festival!
But with high ride demand comes traffic congestion and road closures, which means fares will be surging. If you plan smartly, you can avoid the congested traffic and drop off passengers quickly. This guide covers everything you need to know about commuting to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in London, where to be, which roads to avoid, and how to earn more during this special event.
Highlights
- St. Patrick’s Parade Day 16 March 2025. Green Park to Whitehall.
- Peak Earning Windows: Target 10 AM-12 PM and 6 PM
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route Details: Su-9 PM for highest ride demand.
- Hotspots for PCO Drivers: Victoria, Waterloo, and Southbank for ride pickups.
- Parade Route & Closures: Avoid Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square due to heavy traffic.
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St. Patrick's Day Parade Route Details
Here’s what you need to know about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The parade runs from 12 pm to 6 pm, starting at Green Park (near Hyde Park Corner). The route goes down Piccadilly, through Regent Street St James’s, then onto Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, and ends at Whitehall. Trafalgar Square is where most of the main events will take place. These streets, especially around Trafalgar, will likely have heavy traffic. So, as a PCO driver, it is important to plan clear pickup routes around the parade to prevent delays and pick up passengers on time.
Traffic Congestion & Road Blocks
Central London traffic on St. Patrick’s Day is always a mess. Based on past years, roads along the parade route will be closed, and surrounding areas will likely be congested. Planning your routes is important because traffic will be bad during St. Patrick’s Parade, so plan your routes carefully. To save time, don’t drive into the busiest areas, avoid the main roads and go to quieter side streets. Try to pick up riders from less crowded streets. Let riders know there might be delays and agree on a better pickup spot.
Please note that exact road closure details may change at the last minute, so PCO drivers should check the official London Parade route website for the latest information.
The march is expected to cause traffic closures and major restrictions on Piccadilly, Regent Street, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, and Whitehall. The West End will be congested, with Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square fully shut. There will be detours in the surrounding streets, making it impossible to access downtown London.
Tip: Check your navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze, or Uber/Bolt driver apps) for real-time updates on road closures and alternative routes.
St. Patrick's Day: Best Opportunity to Earn More
Uber, Bolt, and other ride-hailing apps will most likely be using price increases, raising costs for each trip.
You can easily earn more around Trafalgar Square because of surge pricing. Drive in those surge zones and do lots of short trips to get more fares. Airports will be busy with visitors coming for St. Patrick’s Festival so heading there and offering rides into town is a good idea. Pubs and event areas will have lots of late-night pickup opportunities for PCO drivers.
The best times to pick up passengers are 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (people travelling to the event from hotels, train stations, and airports) and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (festival-goers heading to Trafalgar Square and local bars).
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Ride-Hailing Apps Promotions: Will They Offer Incentives?
Expect bonuses and higher prices from leading ride-hailing apps in busy areas. Don’t leave your driving plans to chance because Uber or Bolt apps often run special promotions during several major events in London, creating opportunities for increased earnings. Look out for incentives such as hourly guarantees or bonuses based on trip completion. To ensure you don’t miss out, check your Uber or Bolt app regularly for announcements from Uber and Bolt in the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.
Mastering the Map: Where to Find Best Rides
Traffic around Trafalgar Square can be a headache, so let’s find some of the best alternatives to pick more rides. Victoria Station and Westminster are your hot spots for riders during the festivities. As the evening rolls around, Waterloo and Southbank will be packed with visitors and Londoners leaving. Leicester Square and Covent Garden are always the best pickup times for PCO drivers after the parties, and the hotels in Kensington, Paddington, and Mayfair offer steady fares throughout the day.
To avoid the worst traffic, start your day early, around 7 to 9 am, with airport runs. Find short trips within surge areas that can help you to maximise your earnings. Prioritise quick pickups around Victoria, Westminster, and Southbank because these locations usually offer steady fares throughout the St. Patrick’s Festival.
Tip: Focus on picking up passengers outside the road closure zones. Areas like Victoria, Waterloo, and Southbank will have high demand.
St. Patrick's Day Parade: Traffic & Crowd Problems Solved
St. Patrick’s Day in London is a great opportunity for PCO drivers to earn more, but it also comes with traffic, road closures, and crowded pickup zones that can slow you down. However, you can navigate these challenges efficiently and maximise your earnings with the right approach.
Here are some tips to follow to make a wise decision while finding sweet spots through large crowds and road closures.
Heavy Traffic & Delays
Central London will be slow because of crowds or road closures, so avoid parade areas and concentrate on Victoria, Southbank, and Westminster, where several passengers will be looking for rides. These areas offer high demand with better traffic flow, giving you more opportunities to collect passengers. To get real-time route updates on St. Patrick’s Day, use navigation apps, for example Google Maps or Waze, to find the fastest paths
Finding Passengers in the Crowds
To avoid pickup delays in packed areas, immediately contact passengers and suggest a less crowded pickup location, like a side street or landmark. This reduces delays and ride cancellations. Expect pickup delays due to crowds and traffic, and be prepared for occasional slow Internet connections. Stay calm and stick to low-traffic areas near the event for easier pickups and minimal delays during parade hours. Consider keeping a few bottles of water in your car to offer passengers; It’s a nice touch that can improve their experience.
Road Closures & Diversions
Diversions are expected due to the St. Patrick’s parade, leading to possible delays, so check TfL’s traffic updates before you head out. Knowing the closures beforehand lets you plan faster routes and to avoid long traffic jams. Stick close to train and tube stations. Even if roads are blocked, passengers will still need rides from the station.
Increased Wait Times & Cancellations
Riders may experience delays due to St. Patrick’s Day crowds. Upon arrival at your destination, quickly confirm the location using your ride-hailing app. If the rider does not react quickly, make a direct call and keep communicating with your passenger to confirm their location and avoid delays. If you do not receive a response within a reasonable time, cancel the request and move to the next trip to avoid wasting time on no-shows.
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St. Patrick's Day in a Nutshell
St. Patrick’s Day presents an excellent opportunity for PCO drivers in London to earn maximum. The celebration and parade increases passenger demand throughout the city, resulting in higher fares and ride requests. Even though you will encounter traffic challenges, positioning yourself away from parade routes will help you to pick more riders. Focus on hot spots, maintain awareness of road conditions, and benefit from surge pricing throughout the day. With proper preparation, St. Patrick’s Day can become one of your most profitable driving days of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the St. Patrick's Day Parade in London?
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 12 PM to 6 PM.
What should I do if I encounter a road closure?
Use navigation apps for alternative routes, stay updated on traffic conditions, and be prepared to adjust your plan to avoid congested areas.
What does "surge pricing" mean?
Surge pricing occurs when demand for rides exceeds supply, leading ride-hailing apps to increase fares temporarily in specific areas.
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