London Cabbie

These Rickshaw riders charge exorbitant sums in order to recoup the high rental fees the operator’s charge for the bikes. Up to £12 a mile is normal, whilst £30 per mile is not unusual. If three people get into one of these contraptions they can expect to pay £12 to the driver and then have to negotiate the cost of the journey.

The safety of these vehicles is horrendous. The Transport Research Laboratory looked at the possible safety implications of allowing the continued use of these vehicles for hire and reward in London. Its scientists warned that “any impact with a motor vehicle” was likely to result in “serious injury to both passengers and riders”. Transport Research Laboratory also warned that “The standard of braking for a Rickshaw fell well short of that expected of a car”.

I suspect members of Westminster Council and the Greater London Authority don’t go out at night and see this problem. If a major West End show should need to evacuate the theatre near to conclusion of a performance, 800 theatregoers would be confronted by a wall of these bloody contraptions. We have seen alas, what happens too many times before with people getting crushed and trampled on when an evacuation route is obstructed.

And if that is not bad enough these crazy people ride down one-way streets in the opposite direction with young children in the back. It is only a matter of time before we have a tragic accident.

Whinge over, I feel a lot better now, can I get off the couch now doctor?

Well,.. first I have to say, what a fabulous, crazy, mental, exciting,  and ..nervous, first week it’s been! I absolutely love it.. what a buzz it is to be a cabbie! London is the best City Ever! .. I would recommend it to everyone,,, do the knowledge… it’s good for you..It’s really worth all the hard work….I have so much to say, so many incredible stories to tell.. and it’s only been one week..! I’m going to have to keep a diary… well…. here’s 1 mad story so far ..Today, I picked up 3 lovely South African Gents from Marylebone Station., they wanted to go to Fulham Road.. ok… in you get .. let’s go I said.. and off I whizzed.. as if I’d been driving a cab all my life!!..We were having a really brilliant jolly on the way, I was cracking them all up… They asked me how long  I ‘d been a cabbie?.. oh, 6 days I replied! … their faces grimaced.. and they strapped their seat belts firmly around themselves! This made me laugh!! I’m an ace cabbie I replied! have faith! .. well I got them there, in quick time… the fare was £16.20.. ,they gave me £20 and another £20 tip.. This has to be a record tip… surely?! Well.. the story gets better! I had dropped them off at a church, one of the men asked my name, and then got on his knees and did a prayer for me and the cab, to keep me safe etc…. and said, I was very special, and that I was going to have a brilliant career…. and bid me goodbye,…. well… what a good morning I was having… and it was only 8 am!! I have loads more stories, but I’m off to bed now, ……… if anyone’s interested, I’ll post them tomorrow…what a mad job being a cabbie is…… Cat x

http://lticrap.mysite.orange.co.uk
 If you are  thinking of buying a TX4 look at the site above,the TX4 has serious defects that are being covered up as usual by LTI,

Peter

The definition of ‘Purpose-Built’ seems to have been lost somewhere along the way.

Purpose-Built means “built for the purpose”, it does not mean “adapted for the purpose”.

It seems that even suppliers are now getting this wrong. The latest Cab Direct advert (TaxiTalk Feb. 2007) gives one of the reasons to buy an E7 as “Purpose-Built”.

The E7 is not Purpose-Built. It is adapted / converted.

At LTI in Coventry, materials and components are taken into the factory, assembled and then, at the other end of the production line is a Purpose-Built taxi.

At Cab Direct’s ‘factory’, light vans are taken in. Here, seats and ‘TAXI’ stickers are added. The final product is… a van with seats and ‘TAXI’ stickers.

OK… the E7 is safe and operates successfully as a licensed taxi. That is not my argument. What I am saying though is that it is not, and never will be, a Purpose-Built taxi.

LTI Vehicles launched their latest model on 18th October 2006 and already it has proven to be a massive hit with drivers.

Mann And Overton - one of the capital’s two LTI dealers - have announced record sales figures and have now sold their 500th TX4. 1200 of the cabs have been sold nationally.

The all new TX4 represents safety and reliability at the highest level and is fitted with VM’s Euro IV compliant engine. This means that it meets with current and future emissions legislation.

With a stylish new exterior, a grille that wouldn’t look out of place on a Roller and a refined interior, the TX4 is undoubtedly the best taxi we have ever seen.

Why not take a look for yourself - you’ll be glad you did. Visit or call into Mann & Overton’s smart new showroom at Brewery Road, Islington.

They are mad!

I know this has nothing to do with London Taxi’s, but it’s just too funny not to share.