Taxi Driver Online

http://makeashorterlink.com/?E39B2120B

CHAMBER BACKING FOR LAND TRAIN PLAN
Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list
TONY RICHARDSON

12:00 - 02 May 2005
Plymouth's business community has given its backing to a pioneering scheme to bring a futuristic 'land train' to the city. City taxi boss John Preece last week announced his ambitious plans to improve the city's transport system with a £200,000 train which could serve shoppers, clubbers and tourists.

Subject to council approval Mr Preece, who runs Taxifast, says Plymouth could have its first train within two months.

Now Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is supporting Mr Preece's initiative having read about it in last Tuesday's Evening Herald.

Members believe the gas-powered land train, which runs on LPG, would bring huge benefits to the city, providing convenient transport for local people as well as visitors.

The Chamber's chairman, Charles Howeson, said he had visited other European cities which already had a similar train service.

He explained: "In almost every case it's a must for the first-time visitor, as well as acting as convenience transport for the locals.

"The Chamber of Commerce, as the leaders of the private sector in this city and as firm backers of the city centre management company, applaud this initiative and recognise the courage that the investment will require.

"Let us hope that on this one we can all get our act together pretty quickly and give it our fullest backing without any party politicking and in time for the option on the equipment to be secured by the operators."

Mr Preece has a six-week option to purchase the train and has launched a bid for council backing. After the six weeks have elapsed, he stands to lose his deposit.

The land train, which can carry up to 56 passengers in three enclosed carriages, would be fitted with CCTV cameras, sound equipment and a DVD system.

The Italian-manufactured train would be equipped with self-levelling pneumatic suspension, and one of the carriages would have wheelchair access. It would be operated by a licensed public service vehicle driver, and a competent guard would double as a conductor.

The train would cost Mr Preece £197,000 and he does not envisage charging more than £1 a head to use it.

Mr Howeson said he hoped to see the initiative authorised by the city council.

He added: "If I were asked for a personal view, as opposed to our corporate view, it would be that there would need to be a really very serious reason why this shouldn't happen.

"If we cannot bring it about because of apathy or a lack of being joined-up, it would be extraordinarily sad.

"So I hope that this project will be given every necessary support by the council and others who are required to authorise and back it."

.....................

the council have given it the nod and the first one is on order
anyone seen these things before or got a link to the makers website?

I think this is as near as you will get.

_________________
IDFIMH

So what's the difference between this thing and a bus

_________________
Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

i've only seen a small picture of it, but it is a 56 seater split in to 3 sections (hence the "Landtrain" nickname). i'll have a search on the interweb thingy and see what i can find, but i dont even have the makers name to go on. all i know is that it's italian (lets hope its not made by alfa!)

Cant see much profit being made from the service but think about the advertising revenue.

Regards

JD

bingo!!

and the fact that it will be running the short routes from the barbican to clubland, a popular HC run.

lol strike a chord stevie? I bet he has advertisers queing up to advertise on the side of his bus. I reckon at least a grand a week or more both inside and outside the bus. if he puts a video in there he can have video advertising too. Smart man Mr Preece.

Regards

JD

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I3F22271B

DEADLINE DAY ON LAND TRAIN
Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list
STUART ABEL

12:00 - 17 May 2005
A taxi company boss is to buy Plymouth's first 'land train' today to ferry passengers around the city. Taxifast's John Preece is the man signing the cheque for the gas-powered vehicle, which could serve the city centre's shops and nightspots as well as tourist attractions on the Hoe and the Barbican.

The train, which can carry 56 passengers, is intended to be a safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly way to ferry people on short journeys.

However, Mr Preece, chairman of Taxifast, still needs formal approval from Plymouth City Council for the scheme.

The council sounded a note of caution, saying that it would need approval from the Secretary of State.

But Mr Preece said that following a meeting yesterday with senior council officers he felt able to buy the vehicle 'with some confidence'.

Mr Preece hopes that the £200,000 land train could begin trials on the streets of Plymouth in the next few weeks.

The vehicle carries passengers in three enclosed carriages, which are fitted with CCTV cameras, sound equipment and a DVD system.

The Italian-manufactured train would be equipped with self-levelling pneumatic suspension, and one of the carriages would have wheelchair access.

Mr Preece said: "We were down to our last day of the option to buy the vehicle. The council is very positive in its support for the Taxifast land train project and I'm appreciative of their assistance so we can make an early start to run our pilot schemes and trials."

He added that five land trains could eventually run through the city's pedestrian precincts. Fares should be about £1.

Mr Preece said: "These services will require tests and appraisals. We also want to provide a service to tourists that will be attractive and practical.

"The obvious routes will be around the Barbican and Hoe so we may portray the history and future of Plymouth."

A city council spokeswoman said that there was no objection 'in principle' to the scheme.

But she added: "We have not yet received any details on how the scheme would work, such as the routes proposed and the methods of operation. There is a lot of work to be done before this can be properly considered."

The council is to look at the impact on traffic and consult with other road users.

The spokeswoman said: "The land train would require approval from the Secretary of State, which would only be given once these matters have been resolved."

............................

just typical of the council not knowing their az from their elbow and slowing things down.

The local council must really like Mr Preece.

Oh, and are they going to change the name of the paper to The Daily Taxifast?

_________________
IDFIMH

it's here.......

http://makeashorterlink.com/?F1FE33D5B

THE LAND TRAIN NOW ARRIVING IN PLYMOUTH...

12:00 - 02 July 2005
Plymouth's first land train has now arrived in the city and is being fitted out at a secret location. The £197,000 train has been bought by Taxifast boss John Preece, who plans to ferry passengers around the city in high-tech style.

The train has yet to be granted permission to operate in the city, but Mr Preece says he is confident the Government will give him a licence and that both Plymouth City Council and Devon and Cornwall Police will approve the routes he has in mind.

At present, the train is being sprayed with the Taxifast livery and is being fitted with DVD facilities and additional CCTV and safety equipment. Mr Preece declined to reveal where the train was being stored, but said that when work was finished, he would seek permission to bring the train into the city centre so people could have a look at it.

Mr Preece said: "We are now doing all the modifications and alterations and hope that within one month we will be able to take it into the city centre."

To operate the train, Mr Preece must seek a licence from the Secretary of State for Transport.

He added: "That's not an issue. It's just paperwork. That's never been a problem."

Prospective routes must then be approved by the council and police before the train can be trialled and then enter service.

Mr Preece said he was 'very pleased' with the train so far and expected it to start picking up passengers in just over a month.

Talks had already started with advertisers, he said, and routes would soon be finalised.

The gas-powered vehicle is likely to serve the city centre's shops and nightspots as well as tourist attractions on the Hoe and the historic Barbican.

The train, which can carry 56 passengers, is intended to be a safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly way to ferry people on short journeys.

The vehicle carries passengers in three enclosed carriages, each of which is to be fitted with CCTV cameras, sound equipment and a DVD system.

The Italian-manufactured vehicle is equipped with self-levelling pneumatic suspension, and one of the carriages will have wheelchair access.

Journeys on the land train are expected to cost about £1.

Oh the black cab trade in Plymouth must just love him.

_________________
IDFIMH

Eh? 56 passengers? thats no more than your average single deck bus carrys.

Sounds like a lot of hype over nothing.

true, but buses in plymouth leave a lot to be desired, and they're not gas powered, or have marshals, or DVD systems. plus it's an unusal design which will stand out.

I see where your coming from.

But up here in the Capital we now have Night buses running every 20 mins on 50% more routes than 5 years ago.
I can honestly say it has'nt affected my takings of a night one iotah.

I'm a great believer in that people who can afford Taxis and use them regularly will always continue to do so rather than squeeze on a bus full of loud drunks, or risk an overpriced trip in Mr 'Taxee Taxee's' beat up car.

Lets hope the people of Plymouth do the same.

I'm not sure how to do a West country touts call? Oooh Arrr Moi Taxee sur?

Night buses have there place, but the biggest advertisment for them is the taxi/PH trade keeping on moaning about them.

Punters must conclude, that if we hate them, then they must be doing something right.

_________________
IDFIMH