San Francisco ‘Sgt Pepper TXII’ Under Fire!
As the only London Taxi magazine with its
own reporter in San Francisco – indeed our man in San Fran, Charles
Rathbone, was one of the testers of the vehicle over the SF hills –
Call Sign has followed with interest the rise and rise of the TXII
in that beautiful west coast city.
Several issues back, we revealed that SF taxicab company Luxor had
ordered a fleet of brand new TXII taxis, but that to allay the cost
of LTI Vehicles latest baby, the taxis were to be plastered from top
to bottom with advertising. Now there is an uprising…
It was SF Taxi Commissioner Jack Barry – one of the TXII’s
staunchest supporters following a trip to London – who first told
Call Sign about the recommendation to import London Taxis.
"They are the world’s classiest, they are the most comfortable and
they offer the most privacy – what more could you want from a Taxi,"
Mr Barry told Call Sign. Soon after, San Francisco’s Mayor Newsom
unveiled the first of the London cabs imported by the Luxor Cab Co
with much help from London Taxis North America’s Larry Smith.
|
ANY COLOUR CAB – SO LONG AS IT’S BLACK! |
Arnie as the Terminator - but where is his TXII?
Popular SF Internet site, Rugged Elegance, said: "The
minute we heard the news we were thrilled. Another touch of
European class added to our great city!"
However, now Rugged Elegance and many others are stirring up
some of the proverbials by declaring that although they love the
vehicle, REAL London Taxis are black and not a garish orange as the
current ads are.
"Now," says the disturbed author of the peace, "you need to fly to
London to hail a genuine black cab." He had set his heart set on
proposing marriage in what he described as the ‘sexy new black cab’,
but added that "…the truth is that this vehicle is fit less for
gents |
and more for members of Sgt.
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!" However, he did end by describing
TXIIs as "…the icons of the world's best taxi system."
Meanwhile, Jack Barry told us: "London Taxis
still have class, comfort, convenience and navigation ability
unparalleled in the world." Yes Jack, but they’re not black…?
Mayor Newsom has now come out and said that he would prefer the
vehicle to avoid the wraparound ads. It was also pointed out to Call
Sign that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had bought his own TXII
before realising that a limo came with the job! Well… first and
foremost, he is a Terminator! Arnie told everyone prepared to listen
that he loved the cab – his BLACK taxi!
But with Luxor insisting that the ads help keep the cost down and
passengers still queuing to ride in them, it looks as though the
call to black will go unheeded.
And perhaps Call Sign could remind those in San Francisco that in
order to find a black cab in London, you sadly need to wade through
a multitude of other colours first…
© Call Sign Magazine 2004 |
