2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
Already in the 16th century, mercenary carriages were driving around Britain, which became the first ancestors of the modern London taxi. The final formation of this service in the kingdom took place in the 19th century due to the appearance of black cabs. These cars are known for their reliability, durability and unusual appearance for a car.
First taxi model in London
Debut city cabs were cars from London Electric Cab Co. As you may have guessed, their engines were powered by electricity. The British capital owes this innovation to 23-year-old W alter Bursey, a businessman who was the owner of the aforementioned company and the author of the electric car project. The first cabs traveled up to 75 km on a single charge.
Over the years of the company's existence, Bersi's cars have been involved in hundreds of fatal accidents. This led to the bankruptcy of a young businessman and the complete disappearance of electric vehicles from the streets of the city.
Improving the London taxi in the 20th century
In 1903 inthe capital of Britain there are cars with a gasoline engine. For several decades there was no unity regarding taxi brands. The companies purchased different models of machines, among which were Rational, Austin, Prunel and Simplex. The only thing they all had in common was black.
In 1919, Scottish industrialist William Beardmore tried to get a contract to develop a taxi for London. He became the author of such models as the Beardmore Mk1, Mk2 Super and Mk3 Hyper. It was at that time that the classic look of the cabin was created: the place next to the cabman served not for passengers, but for their luggage.
Later, Beardmore settled down as a competitor in the face of the Morris company, which in 1929 designed its own version of the London taxi (photo above). The model differed from previous transport vehicles in that the passenger seats were located above the driver. The only and biggest disadvantage of this cab was its cost. It was too high, and no company could afford to buy Morris products in bulk.
In 1929, the Austin company joined the fight for a monopoly and released a car that was ideally suited for the role of a taxi. The ceiling of the cabin was so high that passengers could ride standing up. The reason for the disappearance of Austin competitors was the low price of their cars. A couple of years later, the company created a London taxi brand with a low floor, as in modern English buses. The appearance of these cars resembles the current cabs.
After SecondWorld War II, Austin, together with the Carbodies coachbuilder, released the FX3 line of cars. Compared to pre-war models, the new machines were tougher, faster and more modern looking. In 1954, Beardmore tried to re-enter the market with the rather successful Mk7 Paramount Taxicab. To tell the truth, the car was almost completely copied from the Austin FX3.
1958 was marked by the development of that very classic taxi, for the preservation of which English patriots and supporters of traditions fought. The FX4 differed from previous models with a closed luggage area and seats where passengers could sit opposite each other.
After the bankruptcy of Austin, Metro Cammell Weymann took over the development of cabs. The appearance of the cars has changed to a more modern one, but the internal layout remained the same, loved by everyone.
Taxi on the streets of modern London
Following the decision to stop production of the FX4, LTI engineered a replacement for the Metrocab. The TX1 cab retained its classic shape, yet it looked more modern. In 2007, LTI created the TX2 and TX4 models. In the new cars, the interior has mostly been updated, while the exterior design has remained the same.
In 2014, Kamkorp revived the Metrocab with the New Metrocab. The car was the first all-electric taxi with a classic exterior and interior design. Thus, Kamkorp has partially returned to the times of W alter Bursey.
Travel safety
When getting into London taxis, passengers can be calm for their safety. Modern black cabs are famous all over the world for their convenience, speed and durability. Manufacturers of English taxis guarantee at least a ten-year service life. During this period, the mileage of the car is usually about 800 thousand km.
As for the duties of a cabman, his skills, knowledge, seniority and experience are controlled by the general regulations of the rules for drivers. In addition, it is almost impossible to find modern devices like a GPS navigator in London taxis. The fact is that everyone, even a novice representative of this wonderful profession, considers it his duty to know by heart every corner of the capital and its environs.
Illegal taxi drivers
High fares, like in any other country, caused the appearance of illegal immigrants. You will not meet such taxi drivers at railway stations and airports, since they are strictly forbidden to invite customers there. But there are more than enough illegal drivers near concert halls, nightclubs and theaters. Tariffs for their services are much lower than those of officially working taxi drivers, but only customers are responsible for the consequences of such trips.
Remarkable Facts
The word "taxi" comes from the name of the device for determining the cost of a trip - a taximeter. The author of this invention was the German Baron von Tour-and-Taxis. Popular yellow taxis in New York come from England. In the British capital, two carsAustin models were painted in a bright color and exported to America. Car brands have not taken root among New Yorkers, but the yellow tint has become a symbol of taxis in the city.
Through the centuries of the existence of hired transport in Britain, this service has been called differently. The name of a London taxi at the end of the 16th century can be judged from the meaning of the French word hacquenée, which means "horse for hire." In the middle of the 19th century, hackney was replaced by a cab. The name came from the convertibles that had just appeared at that time. Cab drivers are called cabmen.
The high roofs of London taxis were designed specifically for passengers to be able to sit in the car without removing their top hat. The classic black cab is not the only type of transportation in the capital. On the streets of the city you can meet a mini-cab - an exact copy of its "big brother", the body of which is generously pasted over with bright advertising. Traveling in such a taxi is cheaper, and you can order it only in two ways - via the Internet or by phone. Mini cab drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers on the streets. For them, this is fraught with an impressive fine and loss of license.
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