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15 things you didn’t know about the London black taxi
Electric cabs
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London’s first mechanically-driven taxis appeared in the 1890s but were electric rather than petrol-powered. Their novelty value was enormous, but unfortunately they were so heavy – all those batteries - that the horse-drawn competition was quicker. It stayed that way for nearly 60 years.
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24Comments
04/11/2012 20:34
Another piece of England going down the pan. Black cabs are world renown as being London taxis, along with red buses, red telephone boxes and mailboxes. I wonder what will go next, the Houses of Parliament up for grabs perhaps!!!
04/11/2012 20:53
and why has nobody questioned Boris Johnson who made a huge fuss about the loss of the red Routemaster bus and has personally brought in a rule which means the 1,000 stock of 1958 Austin shaped taxis are being banned ... hypocrite, eh!
04/11/2012 21:06
What a pity
How could Mr. Boris Johnson allow such thing to happen
Ninu
04/11/2012 21:09
we have them in Glasgow too they're iconic in most british cities not only london be a shame if they become defunct
04/11/2012 23:30
we dont love em there a rip off and it unfair that private hire cant pick you up like they can,in any other busniss it would be unfair compatition
04/11/2012 21:52
... me thinks,over the years,Britain did get some things right ... the Mini; the Land Rover; the Rolls/Bentley; the Jaguar; the Aston Martin and the London black cab !
(Other countries can have the credit for Ferr/Lambo/Merc/Porsche and BMW) ~
03/11/2012 19:01
does that mean private hire will be allowed to take flaggies ?
05/11/2012 01:13
(joan tutty) houses of parliment sold off ? what you realy mean is that big building where all the old farts hang out. it,s called JURASSIC PARK.
04/11/2012 20:20
Wouldn't it be a good idea if a financially sound British company were to buy out Manganese Bronze - evenif it was always going ot be a loss leader. Alternatively, if Tata were to attach MB to LandRover, the chance of a half-decent cross-over, an everyday 'taxi light' alongside the traditional black cab might help the balance book. Just some 'blue-sky thinking' might maintain the brand and the jobs.
05/11/2012 16:04
They are expensive. And if you try to get one late at night to go south of the river, you will be very lucky.
04/11/2012 21:17
THE BLACK CAB IS AN ICON OF LONDON, BUT ITS LIKE EVERYTHING IN LIFE IT BECOMES OLDER AND OUTDATED AS LIKE JERREMY CLARKESON HE IS NOT FAR OF BEING AN OAP. WHEN HE IS 70 HE WILL PROBABLY HAVE A TOP GEAR SHOW USING MOBILITY SCOOTERS. SORRY JERREMY.
04/11/2012 22:56
The Black cab TX4 wont be made anymore, but us London cabbies will go on for evermore !
The knowledge of London cannot be beat, those minicabs are under our feet,
A new fleet of cabs will come through for us,
to show all that the best cab service in the world are we The highly trained London Black Cabbie!!!!
05/11/2012 03:03
all cabs are too expencive anyway from my town centre to home which is about 1-2 miles it costs like £7 why is this so costly ??? I avoid cabs if I can on nights out I find other people willing to give a lift home like mostly friends or family if I got a cab home it would be all my money...people think this ride is so great where I think about the cost...
05/11/2012 13:38
I vote we keep the black cabs, before we lose Britain forever.
05/11/2012 03:09
i hope the oldies wont end up in Nigeria.FRSC shine your eyes!
04/11/2012 22:30
so, what will replace the black cab?? new york yellows etc, who cares i like the taxi driver in total recall - the robot..
04/11/2012 21:50
dont let this company go to the wall its part of the smoke
05/11/2012 14:50
Tragic. Why are they in receivership??
05/11/2012 13:45
How much more is going to be taken from our history, before we stand up and complain.
Keep the BLACK CABS and stuff Boris Johnson or maybe that should be BJ
04/11/2012 22:38
Piece of s**t!! The quicker they go the better!!
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