Taxi Driver Online

'GREEN' HI-TECH TAXIS INTRODUCED

A fleet of hi-tech taxi cabs will be hitting the streets over the next few weeks. Leicester will be one of the first cities to introduce Peugeot E7 cars, which will be used alongside the traditional London-style black cabs.

Councillors agreed to allow the vehicles - which are "greener" and more easily accessible by disabled people than traditional black cabs - to be used in the city when they met on Tuesday. The decision followed months of lobbying by drivers.

Councillors ruled that all new cabs will have to be black and include Leicester's coat of arms on the doors and bonnet to enable passengers to distinguish them from unlicensed taxis. Both moves have been welcomed by cab drivers, disability campaigners and police.

Previously, only official London-style black cabs could be given hackney carriage licences. The rule was introduced because of fears people might otherwise catch unlicensed cars posing as official cabs. However, taxi drivers said they were concerned about safety implications of the London-style cabs, which do not have air bags or anti-lock brakes. They also said it was difficult to transport people in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties in the old models.

Today, Kully Singh, of the RMT union which represents some taxi drivers, said: "We're all really delighted with the decision. "It's something we've wanted for ages, and will make a huge difference to us. When you spend hours on end every day in your car, you need to have confidence in its safety and be comfortable." Taxi drivers will be able to buy the Peugeots from this week.

City council transport spokesman John Mugglestone said the new models would also use less fuel, and help cut down on pollution in the city. He said: "Leicester repeatedly fails air quality tests and I think this will make a huge difference."

Disability campaigner Andy Morris had the opportunity to try out a Peugeot E7 at a mobility show earlier this year. He said: "As a passenger, I found it was much more comfortable than in one of the more traditional styles of taxis to get in and out, and also while you were travelling."

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IDFIMH

Now thats what i call spin

You mean apart from Glasgow, Newcastle, Sunderland, Newcastle, Carlisle?





Now wont that be the Guinness?


Captain Cab

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I hear Northampton is next on the agenda can anyone confirm this?

Regards

JD