Taxis where you live - then and now
Discussion
Local council rules regarding taxis seem to vary a lot - specifics about colours being one of them.
When I was a teen in Carlisle (late 80's), other than black cabs, almost all the taxis were Yellow Lada Rivas (usually smelling of vomit). These days, drivers seem to have a lot more choice or freedom in what they use, Skoda Superbs being the most common, although there is the odd 'weird' choice, such as 4x4's (it is Cumbria I suppose).
Another habit seems to be taxis where it is very easy to make a quick change (square numberplate and square licence plate) to 'normal' oblong plate, presumably to make it look like a private car for non work use (which is fair enough) - difficult to do if colours are specified though, especially contrasting panels.
What's the choice where you are, then and now? A genuine question inspired by being VERY VERY bored!
When I was a teen in Carlisle (late 80's), other than black cabs, almost all the taxis were Yellow Lada Rivas (usually smelling of vomit). These days, drivers seem to have a lot more choice or freedom in what they use, Skoda Superbs being the most common, although there is the odd 'weird' choice, such as 4x4's (it is Cumbria I suppose).
Another habit seems to be taxis where it is very easy to make a quick change (square numberplate and square licence plate) to 'normal' oblong plate, presumably to make it look like a private car for non work use (which is fair enough) - difficult to do if colours are specified though, especially contrasting panels.
What's the choice where you are, then and now? A genuine question inspired by being VERY VERY bored!
Skoda Superbs are a common enough sight where I am as well, particularly among the taxi firms. For the smaller, local businesses I've seen a fairly large variety of cars with the Toyota Avensis being the most common choice, closely followed by the Passat. Perhaps the strangest choice I've seen was a Citroen C4.
In every case, they're diesels.
In every case, they're diesels.
Cardiff local council don't seem to care so long as it's black with a white bonnet and very old. Most of them have either a b5.5 Passat or a Citroen Burlingo or a partner. Nothing decent.
The private firms are better, the usual f10 5 series,mondeos and a few e class mercs, all new.
The council cabs always refuse short fares which is ilegal and they've been nagged about it, tbh I hope uber continues to grow and kills them off totally. I only use uber. So much more useful
The private firms are better, the usual f10 5 series,mondeos and a few e class mercs, all new.
The council cabs always refuse short fares which is ilegal and they've been nagged about it, tbh I hope uber continues to grow and kills them off totally. I only use uber. So much more useful
Back in the 90s, around here (Midlothian) it was almost exclusively black cabs, in fact it was quite an event if you called for a taxi and a 'normal' car turned up. Now it's the other way around with the ubiquitous white Octavia/Toledo the main choice. I guess nowadays, far more people use their phones to book a private cab than hail or go to a rank for a fast black!
Always been a bit random here in Mid Devon. I remember a Sierra of some sorts in the late 90's, and there's a purple Picasso running around now. No standardisation among the small firms at all.
When I lived in Swansea in the early noughties I had a white Mondeo and would frequently get people jumping in the back assuming I was a cab. A year or so later they all switched to Octavias as the council were very hot on the age of Taxis in the city I believe.
When I lived in Swansea in the early noughties I had a white Mondeo and would frequently get people jumping in the back assuming I was a cab. A year or so later they all switched to Octavias as the council were very hot on the age of Taxis in the city I believe.
They're all silver around here and vary from Transit based minibuses to "black" cabs to generic Skoda/Mercedes types.
The most prolific private hire runs a fleet of Skoda Octavias/Superbs and Hyundai i40s (which are a nice place to sit btw).
Uber is mainly populated by 5 Series mostly in dark colours.
The most prolific private hire runs a fleet of Skoda Octavias/Superbs and Hyundai i40s (which are a nice place to sit btw).
Uber is mainly populated by 5 Series mostly in dark colours.
Aberdeen - mostly Audis and Mercs being driven by the grumpiest b
ds on the planet who are constantly complaining about not making enough money due to oil industry downturn and increasing prices of fuel, despite being (probably) the most expensive place in the country to take a taxi. Plenty of Skoda and French bus/van type things too.
ds on the planet who are constantly complaining about not making enough money due to oil industry downturn and increasing prices of fuel, despite being (probably) the most expensive place in the country to take a taxi. Plenty of Skoda and French bus/van type things too.ChevronB19 said:
Local council rules regarding taxis seem to vary a lot - specifics about colours being one of them.
When I was a teen in Carlisle (late 80's), other than black cabs, almost all the taxis were Yellow Lada Rivas (usually smelling of vomit). These days, drivers seem to have a lot more choice or freedom in what they use, Skoda Superbs being the most common, although there is the odd 'weird' choice, such as 4x4's (it is Cumbria I suppose).
Another habit seems to be taxis where it is very easy to make a quick change (square numberplate and square licence plate) to 'normal' oblong plate, presumably to make it look like a private car for non work use (which is fair enough) - difficult to do if colours are specified though, especially contrasting panels.
What's the choice where you are, then and now? A genuine question inspired by being VERY VERY bored!
as a teen in Carlisle remember the rivas well as I walked home from legends to stanwix watching them fly up the hill lolWhen I was a teen in Carlisle (late 80's), other than black cabs, almost all the taxis were Yellow Lada Rivas (usually smelling of vomit). These days, drivers seem to have a lot more choice or freedom in what they use, Skoda Superbs being the most common, although there is the odd 'weird' choice, such as 4x4's (it is Cumbria I suppose).
Another habit seems to be taxis where it is very easy to make a quick change (square numberplate and square licence plate) to 'normal' oblong plate, presumably to make it look like a private car for non work use (which is fair enough) - difficult to do if colours are specified though, especially contrasting panels.
What's the choice where you are, then and now? A genuine question inspired by being VERY VERY bored!
I used to use a taxi firm in the mid 90s which had some weird and wonderful cars, the most notable being a Cavalier Turbo and a Carina GTi.
They were always driven "enthusiastically" so it was always a good start to the evening.
Now it's usually a Skoda Octavia with most of the warning lights on.
They were always driven "enthusiastically" so it was always a good start to the evening.
Now it's usually a Skoda Octavia with most of the warning lights on.
In Blackpool the Hackneys are usually ancient black cabs, there are a couple of P reg ones being the oldest I think. Mondeos are probably the most common saloons used, with a few Skodas, Toyotas etc.
Private hire was predominately Mondeos until the last few years, but there is now a bigger mixture of cars being used same as with the Hacks. One PH firm (Premier) has 50+ Nissan Leafs and NV200s.
The PH companies have their own colours, CCabs - Red, J Cabs-Silver, Blacktax-Black, Premier is Blue (hybrids and normal cars) and White for electric,
Private hire was predominately Mondeos until the last few years, but there is now a bigger mixture of cars being used same as with the Hacks. One PH firm (Premier) has 50+ Nissan Leafs and NV200s.
The PH companies have their own colours, CCabs - Red, J Cabs-Silver, Blacktax-Black, Premier is Blue (hybrids and normal cars) and White for electric,
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