London Taxi Rush Hour

London Taxi: Rushour 1.0 Eng | 180MB

The London Taxi Rush Hour game is based on what black cabs do best: collecting customers and taking them to famous London destinations within the time limit in order to get paid. There will be different routes, obstacles and busy traffic to traverse before picking up one of the many paying customers waiting for a lift. London Taxi Rush Hour features a realistic map of central London for players to race around, complete with famous sights like Trafalgar square, Big Ben and Hyde Park. The Official London Black cab itself is rendered with complete detail, and features environment mapping to bring out the high-polished look of the famous London Black Cabs.

Game features:

Set in London, complete with landmarks et al, the game features a realistic map of central London to race around. The Official FX4 London Black cab itself is perfectly rendered, and features environment mapping to bring out the high-polished look of the famous London Black Cabs

1 HUGE level of London

Environment mapped car (realistic reflections on body work)

hotfile

London Taxi Exports

Now celebrating over 15 years of successful sale and export of the classic British taxi world-wide, London Taxi Exports now the UK industry leader with the largest stock-holding of the classic taxi plus full on-stock spare parts inventory. Taxis sold for another life outside of London in use all over the world from film- companies, hotels, restaurants, language schools, airports, courtesy cars, limousines, mini-buses, crew-cabs, veterinary surgeons, plumbers, rock-groups, rabbis, priests, cello & bass players, market traders, & mums and dads. Also sold as museum pieces, sculptures, to be blown up, cut-in half, buried in the ground and others mostly as classic cars. Now many thousands of clients all over the globe.

We have been featured in many car magazines, films, TV programs, news reports, newspapers, as the UK's largest and most experienced dealer with the largest stocks and expertise. London Taxi Exports run by a team of dedicated experienced professionals, we are all part of a group of operators and our commercial arm includes: London Touring, Adcabs, Wedding Taxis, and our very own club for enthusiasts, The Fairway owner drivers club We do not offer “Old Bangers” or “Cheap taxis”, all cabs on sale are automatically checked out by independent Govt test stations and offered with a peace of mind policy, We supply all parts as required for service and or MOT pass. We hear many “Horror” stories about nasty wrecks bought via auction sites that end up costing many times what has been paid simply to keep them on the road. We do not recommend this method of purchase but of course since we keep parts available if that's what you need, joining our Fairway owners club is probably a good suggestion as we are then on hand for low cost parts and sound advice. We are buyers of taxicabs and prospective vendors should contact us with details of any taxicab that they wish to sell. Any quantity of taxi parts are always wanted to purchase, any insurance write-offs, trade buy ins, finance buy backs are always welcome

London Taxicab Story

The London Taxi Story.

The right to ply for hire was first given to the watermen of the river Thames by Royal Charter during the twelfth century. In those day's all the royal palaces and large mansions fronted the river Thames with the Tower of London, palace of Westminster, Lambeth Palace, Richmond Palace, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle all being on the River. Large houses like York House had their own Watergate entrance and it is still standing today as a reminder of those times.

York Watergate.

The Ferryman's Seat, Bankside.
Another reminder of the watermen still remaining is this Ferryman's Seat where the Ferryman would take his rest in between jobs.

By the year 1625 there were four wheeled coaches plying for hire and the first Hackney cab stand appeared at the May-pole in the Strand. Where Captain Baily, said to have accompanied Raleigh in his last expedition to Guiana, employed four hackney coaches, with drivers in liveries, to ply for hire, fixing his own rates. These were the first to coin the name 'Hackney Coaches' from whence all coaches for hire became known. And by the year 1636 there were 50 Hackney carriages by proclamation of King Charles I.

In 1694 under the Cromwell government 250 Hackney coaches were licensed to ply for hire in London. In 1679 the conditions of fitness for Hackney coaches was laid down - every coach shall be 10 foot long the coach shall be strong and able to carry four persons at least. No horse shall be under 14 hands in size and they must be fit and strong.

As the city grew so did the number of hackney's and by 1831 there were 1,200.

In December of 1834 Joseph Aloysious Hansom registered his Patent safety cab. Hansom sold his rights in the cab for £10,000 although it is said he was never paid, but by a strange fate Hansom's name was mistaken for the most famous cab of all, the two wheeler Hansom cab, with the driver at the rear, it was in fact the invention of John Chapman. The new owners of the Hansom cab company quickly bought Chapman's patent, and within a few months had 50 of these cabs working the London streets, and so Hansom's fame should have by rights been Chapman's.

At number 28 Sumner Place South Kensington a blue plaque reminds us that the Hansom Cab founder lived here.

The first petrol driven cabs did not enter the roads until 1903, although there were battery cabs as early as 1897 when on August the 14 the first electric cab left the depot of the London Electric Cab Co. in Juxon street Lambeth, they were called "Humming Birds" because of their quite sounding slight hum, they were considered dangerous, as people and horses could not hear them approaching. In nearby Vauxhall in 1905 the Vauxhall Motor Company brought out a similar cab to the Hansom with the driver at the rear, with out a horse, using 7-9h.p instead.

The Changing faces of the London Taxi-cab





All sketches by kind permission of William Eales

In 1869 control of the cabs was given to the Home Secretary who delegated his authority to the Commissioner of police, who in turn set up The Public Carriage Office, and because of these stringent arrangements London has the finest taxi service in the world.

The 1950's saw the Austin FX3 the father of the FX4 and grand father of the TX1-TX11

The name Taxicab is born

Wilhelm Bruhn invented the taximeter in 1891, and it is from the word taximeter that taxi became the new word for the cab. The taximeter measured the distance as well as the time taken for an accurate fare of the journey to be charged. The word comes from French taxe ('price') and Greek metron ('measure'). It was disliked by cab drivers who did not want to be told the fares to charge by machines. There were reports that Wilhelm Bruhn ended up being thrown in the river Thames by angry cab drivers, although the word taxi and taximeters were here to stay and are now in use world wide.

London by Taxi

Note: all fares mentioned in this article were correct at time of publication, but are subject to change at any time. Please verify current fares before undertaking any trip!

The legendary black taxis of London seem to have been around forever, though nowadays not all the 23,000 black cabs in greater London are black, and a modernised streamlined version has been added to the "lumpy" old beasts. The bulging roofline of these taxis was originally designed to accommodate the height of bowler hats.

Drivers with "The Knowledge"

London's black cab drivers must pass a daunting exam known as "The Knowledge" before they can sit behind the wheel. The Knowledge takes two years of study, and prospective drivers must memorize some 25,000 streets near Central London, and learn the quickest way between points. They must also know the whereabouts of every hospital, theatre, hotel, train station, etc., etc., etc. Then they sit for months of rigorous exams before being certified. Rest assured that a driver of a black taxi knows his or her stuff!

Taxis are a good option for groups of people sharing the fare, which can be steep - the meter starts ticking at £1.40, and rises by 20p with every 219 metres travelled. You can hail a taxi by raising your arm when you see the yellow sign above the windscreen illuminated. If you don't see a yellow sign at all, you are looking at a minicab (see below).

Be aware that evening rates are more expensive, with a 60p surcharge kicking in at 8pm, up to 90p after midnight. Tipping at about 10% is expected.

Note that it can be difficult to hail a cab in popular tourist or nightclub areas, and drivers are perfectly within their rights to refuse a fare, especially if they suspect you've been partying hard. You can phone Radio Taxis at 7272 0272 to order a cab, but you'll pay an extra £1.20.

Some companies offer you the chance to tour London in a black taxi, or use one for a personalised shopping trip. Some of these touring taxis are "open-top" versions. Try London Tours web site for details of tours by taxi.

Taxi Trivia

The cab that most people associate with London taxis was the Austin FX-4, introduced in 1959. The model, with many modifications over the years, remained in production until 1997, making it one of the longest running production vehicles in history.

Minicabs
An alternative to the traditional black London taxis are minicabs. Despite the name, minicabs may offer space for more passengers than a black taxi; traditional London taxis can seat 5 passengers, while minicabs seat from 4 (most common) to 7 people. These cabs are unmarked, and cannot be hailed on the street like a black taxi; minicabs must be called for by telephone from a Licensed Private Hire Operator (see a searchable list of licensed operators at the Public Carriage Office website http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ph_ops_list.shtml). Your hotel staff, waiters, or host should have a telephone list of licensed operators.

Travel safe - You can arrange a password with the dispatcher, and the driver will give you the password when the minicab arrives. The driver should also know your name and destination. The Public Carriage Office also recommends that you always sit in the rear of the cab, and always carry a mobile phone.

Minicabs do not have metres, they charge by the mile and at the current time prices vary between £1 - £1.50 per mile. Ask for the fare when calling for a minicab, and verify the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

Note that all journeys are uninsured unless you book through a Licensed Private Hire Operator by phone, fax or E-mail.

Please be warned: "Gypsy cabs" are frequent in Central London; these unmarked vehicles are unlicensed and uninsured, and the drivers may attempt to pass themselves off as legitimate minicab operators. Gypsy cab drivers swarm major tourist areas like Leicester Square, Theatreland, and Soho, and may approach likely prospects looking for business. Do not be tempted. If you need a cab, phone for a licensed operator.

Minicabs were for many years pefectly legal - but unlicensed. Operators are now working with London's Public Carriage Office to implement a licensing scheme, expected to take full effect by 2006. Because the licensing procss is not yet complete, some operators may carry temporary licenses.

Just for Women
Women traveling alone can opt to call Lady Mini Cabs (020 7272 3300), a minicab service run exclusively by women for women. This company provides a popular and safe way for women to travel in and around London, especially late at night.

London Taxi Fares

From the iconic London black cab to a local minicab, we've got all the information you need to help you travel around London.

London's Black Cabs

Complete your London experience with a ride in a black cab! London's classic black cabs also come decorated in a dazzling palette of colours these days.

Black cabs can be hailed in the street or at designated ranks situated in prominent places, including many mainline rail, Tube and bus stations. They can also be booked by telephone.

If the yellow TAXI sign at the front is illuminated, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are legally obliged to take on any job for journeys up to 12 miles (20 miles for cabs at the Heathrow Airport taxi ranks), or up to one hour duration.

London Cabs Fares and Tips

Fares are metered, and there is a minimum charge of £2.20. Black cabs are licensed to carry up to five people (six in the special Metrocabs and Mercedes Vitos) plus luggage. There are no additional charges for extra passengers or items of luggage within these limits. 

There is a £2 charge when you take a black cab from Heathrow Airport and also a £2 charge when you book a black cab by telephone.

Many black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card but check with the driver before the trip starts. If you pay by card there is an additional charge, which is typically between 10% to 15% of the fare.

You can tip taxi drivers as much as you like, but most people round up to the nearest pound.

London Black Cab Accessibility

All black cabs are wheelchair accessible and most have a variety of additional aids for travellers, including:

• Ramps
• Swivel seat
• Intermediate step
• Seat sight patches
• Large coloured grab handles
• Intercom
• Induction loop
• Carry assistance dogs at no extra charge

Licensed Private Hire Vehicles and MiniCabs in London

Private hire covers a wide range of services, from local minicab companies to chauffeur driven limousines.

Private hire vehicles and minicabs must be booked at an office, by telephone or email. Reputable, licensed minicab companies can offer a cheaper alternative to the black cab. While their fares are generally reasonable, they are not on a meter, instead you should ask how much the trip will cost when you make a booking.

If you want to book a private hire vehicle or minicab by telephone then most hotels and hostels will have a list of reputable, licensed operators. You will also find minicab offices on most high streets.

All licensed private hire vehicles have a distinctive Transport for London licence disc in the front and rear windscreen. You can check with Transport for London or cabwise (see links below) to find out if an operator is licensed.

Licensed Private Hire Vehicles Accessibility

A wide range of cars are used as private hire vehicles and when you make a booking you should check with the operator whether their vehicles meet your accessibility requirements.

Private hire vehicles carry assistance dogs at no extra charge.

Stay Safe in London

Unbooked minicabs are illegal. You may be approached by minicab drivers seeking passengers or offering a service; avoid this as these are unsafe, unlicensed, uninsured and illegal and you put yourself in danger if you use these services.

Booking your minicab guarantees that your trip will be carried out by a licensed driver in a licensed vehicle. It also means that a record is kept of your journey, your driver and the vehicle used so, in the event of any problems, the driver can be traced.

Only taxis (black cabs) can be stopped by customers and can pick up off the street. Even minicabs lined up outside pubs and clubs are breaking the law if they accept your fare without a booking being made first. Many clubs have licensed minicab operators inside who can take your booking. Check with staff to see if a minicab service is available.

Stay Safe with Cabwise - Transport for London's Text Service

Text CAB to 60835, and you'll receive two minicab numbers and one taxi (black cab) number straight back to your mobile phone by text. You don't even need to say where you are as your location is plotted using GPS. So save 60835 to your mobile now and it'll be there whenever you need it.

Text charged at 35p per enquiry plus standard text message rate. Roaming rates apply to overseas networks. Customers on the 3 network need to enter different information. See tfl.gov.uk/cabwise for further details.

LTI Vehicles

LTI Vehicles (and its predecessors) has manufactured more than 100,000 taxis including the:

• FX series
• FX3 in 1948
• FX4 in 1958

• Fairway series
• Fairway in 1989
• Fairway Driver in 1992
• Fairway Driver-Plus in 1993
• Fairway 95 in 1994

• TX series
• TX1 in 1997
• TXII in 2002 - 2006

London taxi cabs luxury taxis

All Taxi's are fully Licensed and have wheel chair accessibility. London Taxi drivers are the best and most knowledgeable in the world. There is a rigorous training course, to becoming a taxi driver which is why they are the best. Our taxis have heating, air conditioning and electric windows which all add to a comfortable journey.

They also have comfortable velour seats and carpet. With a sophisticated speaker phone you can speak to the driver with ease, as the small microphones and speakers around the windows allow you to easily communicate. But they can also be switched off by passengers for your privacy.

The front and back of the taxi has stylish wooden touches. Which helps you travel in luxury. These features make the taxi an excellent choice for long journeys, tours and weddings.