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Following a
successful legal appeal, the Peugeot E7 is now licensed to be
used as a taxi in Liverpool and Norwich. As a result, London’s
PCO is now said to be re-considering at a meeting next month,
the Conditions of Fitness that previously barred this and
other vehicles presently used in the provinces from entering the
London taxi market, on the grounds that any taxi working in London
had to comply with the requirement of a 25 foot turning circle. Meeting this strict licensing stipulation allowed the Mercedes Vito to ply for hire on the streets of London, the only marque, apart from the ‘iconic’ world famous LTI product, to meet the current Conditions of Fitness. With a possible PCO ‘U Turn’ in mind, Call Sign went out on to the streets of the big city, canvassing the opinions of some of our drivers to this news... Don Bain (O53) TX2 owner: 
"This is just not on. What’s next? Tachographs? I agree we need
competition, but the lack of a 25’ turning circle is simply
unrealistic. I cannot understand the logic of it. The PCO should be
working to improve our conditions, not hamper us."Michael Dyer (S68) TX4: 
"Competition is a good idea to open up the market and widen the
choice for drivers, but - and it’s a big but - it will kill the
London taxi second-hand market. I don’t see how it can work in
London."Ivor Belkin (C97) TX2:  "It’s
the beginning of the short straw, a roundabout way of getting PH
fully licensed. No, not the sticker thing that currently prevails,
but ‘plates’. Do the 2012 Olympics come to mind? Cabs won’t be worth
anything, because the second-hand market will collapse, even though
it would reduce the cost of a new cab."George Christou (E14) TX4: 
"Er, no, not a good idea! It will destroy the residual value of
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Following the successful E7 legal Appeal, Call Sign asked DaC drivers... SHOULD THE TAXI MARKET BE OPEN TO ALL??? |
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the pre-owned taxis for a start,
so that’s going to leave many unhappy owners. Has anyone thought
about trying to get a vehicle with a normal turning circle onto the
Eurostar rank, for instance? There are many other tight spots I can
think of, but that will do as an example." Colin Salmon (N81) Mercedes Vito: "The Vito had  to
adapt to meet the present Conditions before it could enter
the London market, and I think loyalty to tradition in this case is
a good thing. So yes, the 25-foot ability should be kept. I think it
will be beneficial to the trade."Geoff Davis (Y71) TX2:  "I
think it would be a good idea to relax the tight turning circle
facility, as it would open the market to other manufacturers. But
would these other types of taxis have wheelchair access? Hopefully,
with wider choice, the price of a new cab would come down. But in
reality, my greatest fear would be the loss of our ‘iconic’
identity. We are recognised as what we are throughout the world and
to lose that recognition would be an absolute disaster."Terry Parsons (M53) TX2: 
"Well, the PCO made such a big deal about retaining the 25ft.
turning circle last time, so if now they are considering scrapping
it, that is definitely not good news. If a car makes a 3 or even 5
point turn in front of you, that’s ok, but a cab? It’s all part of
the cabbing job surely to be able to turn easily and therefore
safely in the opposite direction as passengers require and with the
minimum of fuss. Can you imagine trying to stop for a fare on the
other side of the road, Oxford Street perhaps? Oh, please! I once
had a problem with my steering box, which not only meant it was
heavy turning the steering wheel, but a limited lock as well. What a
game that was." |
Paul Campbell (W68) TX1:
"Yes, I’ve read a bit about this possible PCO turnaround. We are
forced into buying a particular type of product and now we’re being
pushed into a corner re our iconic status and will lose our
exclusive right to pick up off the street. The MB Vito had to meet
the current legislation to enter the London market, so why shouldn’t
everyone else? I bet it’s the Olympics and the PHVs are taking
advantage of the legal ruling? It’s may be the Olympics in the
short-term, but a long-term view for street hirings. Well, if they
want to do that, the answer is simple - if they want to do our job
then let them do the Knowledge!"Keith Reading (W76) TX1:  "I’m
in two minds about it really. I have ridden in an E7 in St. Neots
and it was a comfortable ride, so on that basis I see no real reason
why they shouldn’t be admitted into London. Personally, though, I
like the 25’ circle, but I don’t think it’s the be-all and end-all
of the vehicle. I bought a TX1, realising the residual value of an
LTI cab over a Metro, but I don’t think there’s enough business at
present to justify the cost of a new cab."Mark Stansbury (M94) MB Vito:  "What?
I had a problem with my rear-wheel steering and got stuck in
Liverpool Street, which was not much fun. I can’t imagine what it
must be like to live with on an everyday basis, although other parts
of the country do not insist on a 25ft. turn, true, but I think we
need the turning circle for the London job. Having to regularly make
3 or even 5-point turns is going to slow down traffic terribly. It
will not make us popular with either our passengers or other road
users. I can hear the blaring horns now! Disabled groups may have an
accessibility view and there will always be the hard core of drivers
who will opt for the TX shape, but I suppose further competition
could mean better build quality in taxis."© Call Sign Magazine MMX |
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