BLACK cabs are to be imported to the island from the UK and will go on sale from next week.
The Char. Pilakoutas Group will be holding a news conference on Monday at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Nicosia to show off one of the TX4 vehicles.
Marketing Manager Andros Skalistis yesterday told the Mail that, “there is a big market in Cyprus for these cabs and we are very confident of selling good numbers.”
He added that they will be available to everybody, but will prove to be most popular with existing taxi drivers.
“This is the only vehicle designed specifically to carry different kinds of paying passengers and will also be the only standard taxi on the island capable of transporting five people plus the driver.”
He added that the cabs will make the lives of disabled people much easier, thanks to special wheelchair ramps, as well as offering an extremely comfortable ride to everybody.
“Passengers will be separated from the driver by heavy-duty plexiglass, enabling complete privacy as well as guaranteeing the driver’s safety from any potentially criminal passengers. An intercom system can be used for communication.”
Prices will be announced on Monday, with Skalistis adding that the cabs “will be available in almost any colour that you can think of.”
UNDOUBTEDLY the most recognisable shape of all taxis, motorised hackney cabs, traditionally all black, have the popular name of black cabs
With its iconic shape and famous 25 foot turning circle, the TX series has revolutionised the taxi industry.
Electric hackney carriages appeared before the introduction of the internal combustion engine to vehicles for hire in 1901. During the 20th century, cars generally replaced horse-drawn models, and the last horse-drawn hackney carriage ceased service in London in 1947.
Regulations define a hackney carriage as a taxicab allowed to ply the streets looking for passengers to pick up, as opposed to private hire vehicles (sometimes called minicabs), which may only pick up passengers who have previously booked or who visit the taxi operator’s office.
Luggage usually goes in the passenger compartment or travels in the front next to the driver – these vehicles have no front passenger-seat. A door has replaced the original open side. All models can also accommodate wheelchairs in the back
The latest TX4 model boasts the most tested of any taxi engine; over 600,000 miles of real taxi use were used for testing purposes, as well as real life extreme hot and cold climates.
In London, drivers have to pass a test called ‘The Knowledge’ to demonstrate they have an intimate knowledge of London streets.
There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
