Taxi on test

Post by s***@potato.field
Seems they've been testing the next fugly, underpowered POS cabbies
will be forking out 40K for in the arctic. Obviously a representative
test for life in London.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39173837

I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or what
aspect of their future working environment they were trying to emulate.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

tim...

2017-03-07 16:34:35 UTC

I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
what
aspect of their future working environment they were trying to emulate.

Precisely

tim

Roland Perry

2017-03-07 16:39:33 UTC

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real reason
is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

--
Roland Perry

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-07 17:35:01 UTC

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

--
Colin Rosenstiel

d***@yahoo.co.uk

2017-03-07 18:28:35 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

You don't need a lot , when it seems that even the occasional
snowflake even if rare seems to bring railways in the south of
England to a standstill having the last resort of taxis coming to a
halt as well because of reduced range just when they are needed to
work harder would have the Twitters wearing their fingers out.

G.Harman

Roland Perry

2017-03-07 19:20:18 UTC

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

--
Roland Perry

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-07 22:42:14 UTC

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

Is that like "Global Britain"?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

s***@potato.field

2017-03-08 09:37:28 UTC

On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 19:20:18 +0000

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

They'll be lucky. LTi have tried to flog black cabs around the world a
number of times IIRC. Unsurprisingly no one wanted an underpowered, ugly,
expensive (compared to alternatives) diesel vehicle who's only USP is a small
turning circle. Unfortunately for them, that is a concern absolutely nowhere
apart from in London, and even most other cities in the UK tend to use normal
cars. Rarely does one see TXs outside london in any great numbers.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-08 10:13:26 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

They'll be lucky. LTi have tried to flog black cabs around the world a
number of times IIRC. Unsurprisingly no one wanted an underpowered, ugly,
expensive (compared to alternatives) diesel vehicle

Perhaps that's why they are trying out this new hybrid design???????

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-08 11:07:09 UTC

On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 10:13:26 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

They'll be lucky. LTi have tried to flog black cabs around the world a
number of times IIRC. Unsurprisingly no one wanted an underpowered, ugly,
expensive (compared to alternatives) diesel vehicle

Perhaps that's why they are trying out this new hybrid design???????

Its still fugly and will no doubt be underpowered and cost a fortune. I don't
think ford, toyota or nissan will be particularly worried about losing much
business.

--
Spud

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-08 14:18:49 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 10:13:26 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

They'll be lucky. LTi have tried to flog black cabs around the world a
number of times IIRC. Unsurprisingly no one wanted an underpowered,
ugly, expensive (compared to alternatives) diesel vehicle

Perhaps that's why they are trying out this new hybrid design???????

Its still fugly and will no doubt be underpowered and cost a fortune.
I don't think ford, toyota or nissan will be particularly worried about
losing much business.

Are Mercedes still selling Vitos for London taxi service?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Clank

2017-03-09 06:54:34 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 19:20:18 +0000

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

It's been a while since I was in the UK so my memory may be rusty, but I
seem to recall they were common if not standard in both Leeds and
Manchester.

I suspect they'll be popular anywhere where offering drivers decent
protection from their passengers, and an interior that's easy to hose out
at the end of a night, are desirable features. Which means they should be
popular in any UK city really.

s***@potato.field

2017-03-09 09:58:39 UTC

On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 06:54:34 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Clank
It's been a while since I was in the UK so my memory may be rusty, but I
seem to recall they were common if not standard in both Leeds and
Manchester.

Not been to either of those cities for years, but I don't remember seeing
any in bristol or nottingham recently. Mind you, I wasn't looking either.

Post by Clank
I suspect they'll be popular anywhere where offering drivers decent
protection from their passengers, and an interior that's easy to hose out

If protection from passengers was a primary concern minicab drivers would
buy them too. The fact that they don't tells you all you need to know.
Besides which, I'm sure its possible to get a screen fitted in a normal car
as they do in the USA and you find with come chauffeur drive vehicles.

Post by Clank
at the end of a night, are desirable features. Which means they should be
popular in any UK city really.

Not sure the interior is hosable - might not do the door electrics any
favours.

--
Spud

David Walters

2017-03-09 10:13:38 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 06:54:34 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Clank
It's been a while since I was in the UK so my memory may be rusty, but I
seem to recall they were common if not standard in both Leeds and
Manchester.

Not been to either of those cities for years, but I don't remember seeing
any in bristol or nottingham recently. Mind you, I wasn't looking either.

There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

d***@yahoo.co.uk

2017-03-09 11:59:55 UTC

Post by David Walters

Post by s***@potato.field
Not been to either of those cities for years, but I don't remember seeing
any in bristol or nottingham recently. Mind you, I wasn't looking either.

There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

I did a similar exercise for Southampton a few weeks back in
connection with a similar discussion either here or somewhere else.
That was because I thought Southampton had a lot of them, and when I
still lived there I think that was the case partly due to the
relatively recent requirements for Taxis or at least a certain
proportion of them to have the ability to take a disabled person in a
wheelchair and the London style Cabs were an easy solution.
But in of those of things that creeps up on you I realise it is nearly
10 years since I left and looking at the google street view and
looking back at the various dates in the history available the London
style cabs have certainly declined as other vehicles have come on to
the market many derivitaves of the breadvan style vehicle such as the
Renault Kango.

G.Harman

s***@potato.field

2017-03-09 13:38:16 UTC

On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 10:13:38 +0000

Post by David Walters

Post by s***@potato.field
On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 06:54:34 -0000 (UTC)

Post by Clank
It's been a while since I was in the UK so my memory may be rusty, but I
seem to recall they were common if not standard in both Leeds and
Manchester.

Not been to either of those cities for years, but I don't remember seeing
any in bristol or nottingham recently. Mind you, I wasn't looking either.

There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

Ironically the first thing I saw on nottingham streetview outside the station
is a prius taxi. There do seem to be some TXs there, but a quick random
sample around the rest of the city doesn't show any so they can't be that
common. I can't imagine why they use them there.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-09 13:48:32 UTC

Post by David Walters
There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

Ironically the first thing I saw on nottingham streetview outside the station
is a prius taxi.

That's a minicab - no "Taxi" sign on the roof. Duh.

Post by s***@potato.field
There do seem to be some TXs there,

Like these ten you mean? https://goo.gl/maps/Uwr3kWQE4hk

And another dozen inside, here: https://goo.gl/maps/no195yz2Ze72
to here: https://goo.gl/maps/bep6nJZHu6R2

Post by s***@potato.field
but a quick random sample around the rest of the city doesn't show any

Other than the dozen lined up here... https://goo.gl/maps/dXRA1p1rBAM2

and... oh I can't be bothered. You get the drift.

Post by s***@potato.field
so they can't be that common. I can't imagine why they use them there.

Imagination is not your strong suit.

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-09 14:41:08 UTC

On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 13:48:32 +0000

Post by David Walters
There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

Ironically the first thing I saw on nottingham streetview outside the station
is a prius taxi.

That's a minicab - no "Taxi" sign on the roof. Duh.

So every city requires a taxi sign on the roof does it?

Post by s***@potato.field
There do seem to be some TXs there,

Like these ten you mean? https://goo.gl/maps/Uwr3kWQE4hk
And another dozen inside, here: https://goo.gl/maps/no195yz2Ze72
to here: https://goo.gl/maps/bep6nJZHu6R2

Oh, you mean the ones he'd already pointed out? Yes, saw them. Your point is?

Post by s***@potato.field
but a quick random sample around the rest of the city doesn't show any

Other than the dozen lined up here... https://goo.gl/maps/dXRA1p1rBAM2

Some of them being peugeots. And I was in that street only the other week
and there were precisely zero cabs of any sort in it.

Post by s***@potato.field
so they can't be that common. I can't imagine why they use them there.

Imagination is not your strong suit.

Give some good reasons they're better than a normal car then.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-09 14:55:37 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 13:48:32 +0000

Post by David Walters
There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

Ironically the first thing I saw on nottingham streetview outside the station
is a prius taxi.

That's a minicab - no "Taxi" sign on the roof. Duh.

So every city requires a taxi sign on the roof does it?

Nottingham does, for it's licenced hackneys.

Post by s***@potato.field
There do seem to be some TXs there,

Like these ten you mean? https://goo.gl/maps/Uwr3kWQE4hk
And another dozen inside, here: https://goo.gl/maps/no195yz2Ze72
to here: https://goo.gl/maps/bep6nJZHu6R2

Oh, you mean the ones he'd already pointed out? Yes, saw them. Your point is?

Who he, and when pointed out?

Post by s***@potato.field
but a quick random sample around the rest of the city doesn't show any

Other than the dozen lined up here... https://goo.gl/maps/dXRA1p1rBAM2

Some of them being peugeots.

One being a Peugeot, on account of being wheelchair-adapted.

There's also one Metrocab.

Post by s***@potato.field
And I was in that street only the other week and there were precisely
zero cabs of any sort in it.

Crikey, I thought you were joined at the hip to the East End.

Post by s***@potato.field
so they can't be that common. I can't imagine why they use them there.

Imagination is not your strong suit.

Give some good reasons they're better than a normal car then.

Five bums, and lots of luggage.

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-10 09:28:09 UTC

On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 14:55:37 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
Like these ten you mean? https://goo.gl/maps/Uwr3kWQE4hk
And another dozen inside, here: https://goo.gl/maps/no195yz2Ze72
to here: https://goo.gl/maps/bep6nJZHu6R2

Oh, you mean the ones he'd already pointed out? Yes, saw them. Your point is?

Who he, and when pointed out?

For someones who's been in the technology industry for decades you seem to
have a remarkable inability to check previous usenet posts.

Message-ID: <***@do-ams1.jellybaby.net>

Go find it.

Post by s***@potato.field
And I was in that street only the other week and there were precisely
zero cabs of any sort in it.

Crikey, I thought you were joined at the hip to the East End.

?

With a combination of work and leisure I've probably visited more UK towns
and cities than most people.

Post by s***@potato.field
Give some good reasons they're better than a normal car then.

Five bums, and lots of luggage.

Sure, but how often do you get 5 people in a cab? The ones running around
here that arn't empty (which is most of them) never have more than 2 or 3
people in and I'm only 1/2 mile from Waterloo atm.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-10 13:44:14 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
Like these ten you mean? https://goo.gl/maps/Uwr3kWQE4hk
And another dozen inside, here: https://goo.gl/maps/no195yz2Ze72
to here: https://goo.gl/maps/bep6nJZHu6R2

Oh, you mean the ones he'd already pointed out? Yes, saw them. Your point is?

Who he, and when pointed out?

For someones who's been in the technology industry for decades you seem to
have a remarkable inability to check previous usenet posts.
Go find it.

I read that earlier. It points out a lack of TX's, not the reverse.

And who is "he", why are you talking in the third person?

Post by s***@potato.field
Give some good reasons they're better than a normal car then.

Five bums, and lots of luggage.

Sure, but how often do you get 5 people in a cab? The ones running around
here that arn't empty (which is most of them) never have more than 2 or 3
people in and I'm only 1/2 mile from Waterloo atm.

People in Nottingham don't tend to use taxis for routine transport, but
when there are several people who all want to go to the same place: be
that "to the station from home", "home from the station", "out for the
evening" or "back home after a night out". Taxi sharing to economise is
very common.

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-10 14:20:41 UTC

On Fri, 10 Mar 2017 13:44:14 +0000

Post by s***@potato.field
For someones who's been in the technology industry for decades you seem to
have a remarkable inability to check previous usenet posts.
Go find it.

I read that earlier. It points out a lack of TX's, not the reverse.
And who is "he", why are you talking in the third person?

Congratulations on nicely proving my point.

From: David Walters <***@jellybaby.net>
Message-ID: <***@do-ams1.jellybaby.net>

"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

Post by Roland Perry
People in Nottingham don't tend to use taxis for routine transport, but
when there are several people who all want to go to the same place: be
that "to the station from home", "home from the station", "out for the
evening" or "back home after a night out". Taxi sharing to economise is
very common.

The 1st and 3rd of those would require minicabs, not taxis you hail.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-10 14:59:06 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
For someones who's been in the technology industry for decades you seem to
have a remarkable inability to check previous usenet posts.
Go find it.

I read that earlier. It points out a lack of TX's, not the reverse.
And who is "he", why are you talking in the third person?

Congratulations on nicely proving my point.
"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

So not a link then. But given the importance you now put on those
remarks, I assume you now retract your earlier ones about the lack of
TX's?

The 1st and 3rd of those would require minicabs, not taxis you hail.

You can also book hackneys, dear liza.

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-10 16:11:44 UTC

On Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:59:06 +0000

Post by s***@potato.field
"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

So not a link then. But given the importance you now put on those

I never said there was.

Post by Roland Perry
remarks, I assume you now retract your earlier ones about the lack of
TX's?

No. 20 TXs in a city of 100,000 is nothing. You can find that number sitting
in traffic in a single london street.

Post by s***@potato.field
The 1st and 3rd of those would require minicabs, not taxis you hail.

You can also book hackneys, dear liza.

Why would you bother when they cost twice the price.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-10 16:21:04 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

So not a link then. But given the importance you now put on those

I never said there was.

If there were, perhaps you wouldn't have only been able find the
minicab.

Post by Roland Perry
remarks, I assume you now retract your earlier ones about the lack of
TX's?

No. 20 TXs in a city of 100,000 is nothing.

Nottingham has a little over 400 hackneys vs 1,000 minicabs.

Post by s***@potato.field
You can find that number sitting
in traffic in a single london street.

Post by s***@potato.field
The 1st and 3rd of those would require minicabs, not taxis you hail.

You can also book hackneys, dear liza.

Why would you bother when they cost twice the price.

They don't (in the provinces, anyway).

--
Roland Perry

Neil Williams

2017-03-10 18:47:02 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
Why would you bother when they cost twice the price.

They don't (in the provinces, anyway).

They absolutely do in MK. And unlike the rather well-behaved private
hire operators, they'll often try to rip you off to the tune of far
more than that due to that old chestnut, a supposedly malfunctioning
meter.

In MK the Hackney trade is seriously disreputable. Were I in charge
and were it possible, I'd close it down, replacing it with easy
facilities to book minicabs from the company of your choice (there are
about 4 of them) in strategic locations, such as fixed telephones with
a button for each company. (The layout of MK is such that it's rarely
possible to hail one on the street, most are taken from ranks).

This is strangely the opposite of London!

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

s***@potato.field

2017-03-14 09:45:09 UTC

On Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:21:04 +0000

Post by s***@potato.field
"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

So not a link then. But given the importance you now put on those

I never said there was.

If there were, perhaps you wouldn't have only been able find the
minicab.

Eh? I simply pointed out the first taxi I saw was a prius.

Post by s***@potato.field
No. 20 TXs in a city of 100,000 is nothing.

Nottingham has a little over 400 hackneys vs 1,000 minicabs.

They keep themselves well hidden then because I saw barely any when I was
up there in feb.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-14 10:36:18 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

So not a link then. But given the importance you now put on those

I never said there was.

If there were, perhaps you wouldn't have only been able find the
minicab.

Eh? I simply pointed out the first taxi I saw was a prius.

That's a minicab not a taxi, and was on streetview, whereas you claim
you've been there in person.

Post by s***@potato.field
No. 20 TXs in a city of 100,000 is nothing.

Nottingham has a little over 400 hackneys vs 1,000 minicabs.

They keep themselves well hidden then because I saw barely any when I was
up there in feb.

Anything up to 50 routinely at the station, and several ranks around the
town. They are impossible to miss (or so I fondly believe).

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-14 11:04:28 UTC

On Tue, 14 Mar 2017 10:36:18 +0000

Post by s***@potato.field
"There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview."

So not a link then. But given the importance you now put on those

I never said there was.

If there were, perhaps you wouldn't have only been able find the
minicab.

Eh? I simply pointed out the first taxi I saw was a prius.

That's a minicab not a taxi, and was on streetview, whereas you claim
you've been there in person.

What makes you think I slummed it on PT? I have enough of it commuting to
work, I'm sure as hell not going to use it in my leisure time. The station
is half a mile from the centre and I didn't drive anywhere near it.

Post by Roland Perry
Anything up to 50 routinely at the station, and several ranks around the
town. They are impossible to miss (or so I fondly believe).

Well next time you go there do some cab spotting and let us know. I can't wait.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-14 20:37:57 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
That's a minicab not a taxi,

No comment, I see.

Post by Roland Perry
and was on streetview, whereas you claim you've been there in person.

What makes you think I slummed it on PT?

You are Margaret Thatcher, AICMFP.

Post by s***@potato.field
I have enough of it commuting to work, I'm sure as hell not going to
use it in my leisure time. The station is half a mile from the centre
and I didn't drive anywhere near it.

The centre isn't accessible by private car.

Post by Roland Perry
Anything up to 50 routinely at the station, and several ranks around the
town. They are impossible to miss (or so I fondly believe).

Well next time you go there do some cab spotting and let us know. I can't wait.

I already posted the results.

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-15 09:25:52 UTC

On Tue, 14 Mar 2017 20:37:57 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
That's a minicab not a taxi,

No comment, I see.

What comment were you expecting? A minicab is still a taxi and that car
is still a prius.

Post by Roland Perry
and was on streetview, whereas you claim you've been there in person.

What makes you think I slummed it on PT?

You are Margaret Thatcher, AICMFP.

Whatever. From my house I can be halfway there by car in the time it would
take me to get to St P by foot and tube and buy a ticket.

The centre isn't accessible by private car.

The victoria centre is about 300m from the market square. Perhaps you
should do some simple homework before posting.

Post by s***@potato.field
Well next time you go there do some cab spotting and let us know. I can't

wait.
I already posted the results.

Obviously you're better at spotting cabs than sarcasm.

--
Spud

s***@trumail.com

2017-03-15 09:53:44 UTC

Please could Spud and Roland take their personal disagreement somewhere else?

s***@potato.field

2017-03-15 11:35:33 UTC

On Wed, 15 Mar 2017 02:53:44 -0700 (PDT)

Post by s***@trumail.com
Please could Spud and Roland take their personal disagreement somewhere else?

Oh look, a lurker has popped up to moan. We were overdue the valuable input.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-15 11:27:11 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Tue, 14 Mar 2017 20:37:57 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
That's a minicab not a taxi,

No comment, I see.

What comment were you expecting? A minicab is still a taxi and that car
is still a prius.

A minicab is a private hire vehicle, not a taxi.

Post by Roland Perry
and was on streetview, whereas you claim you've been there in person.

What makes you think I slummed it on PT?

You are Margaret Thatcher, AICMFP.

Whatever. From my house I can be halfway there by car in the time it would
take me to get to St P by foot and tube and buy a ticket.

Perhaps you are in north London then? Hendon to Nottingham is about 2hrs
20mins by car (assuming you don't hit a jam on the way into the City
Centre), so you are 70 minutes from StP. Maybe a car to Luton Parkway,
then catch the train from there?

The centre isn't accessible by private car.

The victoria centre is about 300m from the market square.

Yes, I lived in Nottingham for eight years.

Post by s***@potato.field
Perhaps you
should do some simple homework before posting.

So should you. You'll walk past a couple of hackney ranks en-route.

Post by s***@potato.field
Well next time you go there do some cab spotting and let us know. I can't

wait.
I already posted the results.

Obviously you're better at spotting cabs than sarcasm.

Three, ranking right outside the Victoria centre. ObRail, on the site of
the old Victoria Station.

https://goo.gl/maps/259NxYYPXBE2

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-15 11:46:02 UTC

On Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:27:11 +0000

Post by s***@potato.field
What comment were you expecting? A minicab is still a taxi and that car
is still a prius.

A minicab is a private hire vehicle, not a taxi.

Don't split hairs, normal people know them as cabs or taxis.

Post by s***@potato.field
Whatever. From my house I can be halfway there by car in the time it would
take me to get to St P by foot and tube and buy a ticket.

Or maybe I could just stay in my nice cosy car and carry on past junction 10.
I did on occasion use the MML P&R from ratcliff but the trains were infrequent
and it was about 7 quid return, however the tram P&R is good and I'll probably
use that again next time.

Post by Roland Perry
The centre isn't accessible by private car.

The victoria centre is about 300m from the market square.

Yes, I lived in Nottingham for eight years.

Odd how you forgot about the city's largest shopping centre & car park then.

Post by s***@potato.field
Perhaps you
should do some simple homework before posting.

So should you. You'll walk past a couple of hackney ranks en-route.

Strangely I decided to walk inside the centre, not outside it.

Post by Roland Perry
Three, ranking right outside the Victoria centre. ObRail, on the site of
the old Victoria Station.
https://goo.gl/maps/259NxYYPXBE2

Wow, 2 taxis. Its almost like oxford street.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-15 12:18:30 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
What comment were you expecting? A minicab is still a taxi and that car
is still a prius.

A minicab is a private hire vehicle, not a taxi.

Don't split hairs, normal people know them as cabs or taxis.

In a transport group it's important to differentiate between the two,
and not degenerate into the language of "normals".

Post by s***@potato.field
Whatever. From my house I can be halfway there by car in the time it would
take me to get to St P by foot and tube and buy a ticket.

Or maybe I could just stay in my nice cosy car and carry on past junction 10.
I did on occasion use the MML P&R from ratcliff but the trains were infrequent
and it was about 7 quid return,

Yes, that P&R is virtually useless, in either direction of travel. It
was built 95% for people heading towards London though.

Post by s***@potato.field
however the tram P&R is good and I'll probably use that again next
time.

The line runs a couple of hundred yards away from my 4th house in the
area.

Post by Roland Perry
The centre isn't accessible by private car.

The victoria centre is about 300m from the market square.

Yes, I lived in Nottingham for eight years.

Odd how you forgot about the city's largest shopping centre & car park then.

I didn't forget, you still can't get *to* the centre by car. (Although
there's a couple of places you can kiss-and-ride a bit closer than the
Victoria Centre).

Post by s***@potato.field
Perhaps you
should do some simple homework before posting.

So should you. You'll walk past a couple of hackney ranks en-route.

Strangely I decided to walk inside the centre, not outside it.

This is like shooting fish in a barrel! One on the left, and two if you
scroll right. Southern entrance in the middle.

https://goo.gl/maps/bJknkn3ETVU2

Post by Roland Perry
Three, ranking right outside the Victoria centre. ObRail, on the site of
the old Victoria Station.
https://goo.gl/maps/259NxYYPXBE2

Wow, 2 taxis. Its almost like oxford street.

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-15 14:00:14 UTC

On Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:18:30 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
In a transport group it's important to differentiate between the two,
and not degenerate into the language of "normals".

You sure your name isn't Harry Potter? Anyway, transport is a broad church
and the strict definition of taxi is probably known by and of interest to very
few people.

Post by s***@potato.field
however the tram P&R is good and I'll probably use that again next
time.

The line runs a couple of hundred yards away from my 4th house in the
area.

There are 2 now with the new southern extension to Clifton. Interestingly it
runs on part of the formation of the old GCR which is the only part where it
seems to get up to any decent speed.

Post by s***@potato.field
Odd how you forgot about the city's largest shopping centre & car park then.

I didn't forget, you still can't get *to* the centre by car. (Although
there's a couple of places you can kiss-and-ride a bit closer than the
Victoria Centre).

When people say they're going to central london it doesn't necessarily mean
they're going to trafalgar square!

Post by s***@potato.field
Strangely I decided to walk inside the centre, not outside it.

This is like shooting fish in a barrel! One on the left, and two if you
scroll right. Southern entrance in the middle.

I can see one taxi. And its not even a TX.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-15 19:37:41 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
In a transport group it's important to differentiate between the two,
and not degenerate into the language of "normals".

You sure your name isn't Harry Potter? Anyway, transport is a broad church
and the strict definition of taxi is probably known by and of interest to very
few people.

Post by s***@potato.field
however the tram P&R is good and I'll probably use that again next
time.

The line runs a couple of hundred yards away from my 4th house in the
area.

There are 2 now with the new southern extension to Clifton. Interestingly it
runs on part of the formation of the old GCR which is the only part where it
seems to get up to any decent speed.

Yes, I know. I watched them build it day by day from when it was a
nature trail to the opening of the line.

Post by s***@potato.field
Odd how you forgot about the city's largest shopping centre & car park then.

I didn't forget, you still can't get *to* the centre by car. (Although
there's a couple of places you can kiss-and-ride a bit closer than the
Victoria Centre).

When people say they're going to central london it doesn't necessarily mean
they're going to trafalgar square!

I Nottingham I think the Centre is regarded as the part inside the bus
loop. So both the Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh car parks are just
outside.

Post by s***@potato.field
Strangely I decided to walk inside the centre, not outside it.

This is like shooting fish in a barrel! One on the left, and two if you
scroll right. Southern entrance in the middle.

I can see one taxi.

There's one on the left, dear Liza, and if you pan right there are two
more on the offside of the black merc-like saloon car.

Post by s***@potato.field
And its not even a TX.

So what - it's a Hackney.

--
Roland Perry

Neil Williams

2017-03-15 17:09:23 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
A minicab is a private hire vehicle, not a taxi.

In common non-London parlance it is (technically incorrectly) known as one.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

Roland Perry

2017-03-15 19:39:08 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
A minicab is a private hire vehicle, not a taxi.

In common non-London parlance it is (technically incorrectly) known as one.

In a transport group it's important to differentiate between the two,
and not degenerate into the language of "normals".

--
Roland Perry

s***@potato.field

2017-03-16 09:24:15 UTC

On Wed, 15 Mar 2017 19:39:08 +0000

Post by Roland Perry
and not degenerate into the language of "normals".

Snob.

--
Spud

Roland Perry

2017-03-16 09:41:14 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
and not degenerate into the language of "normals".

Snob.

Not at all, it's an attempt at precision which matters in a group like
this, but not to the man in the street.

--
Roland Perry

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-15 18:14:25 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
A minicab is a private hire vehicle, not a taxi.

Not a universally accepted distinction. A taxi can either be a hackney
carriage or a private hire vehicle. The general public outside London tends
to think of both as taxis.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Neil Williams

2017-03-15 23:23:06 UTC

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
Not a universally accepted distinction. A taxi can either be a hackney
carriage or a private hire vehicle. The general public outside London tends
to think of both as taxis.

In some Council areas a vehicle can be effectively both (this I think
comes under the Hackney carriage licence). You can hail it for the
metered fare, or you can book it for the private hire fare which is
mostly determined using an Uber-clone app in MK these days.

Milton Keynes Council allows this, there are quite a number of them.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-16 18:46:34 UTC

In some Council areas a vehicle can be effectively both (this I think
comes under the Hackney carriage licence). You can hail it for the
metered fare, or you can book it for the private hire fare which is
mostly determined using an Uber-clone app in MK these days.
Milton Keynes Council allows this, there are quite a number of them.

If you ring up a taxi operator in Cambridge you either agree a fare for the
journey or use the meter. In either case the vehicle might be a hackney
carriage or private hire car though I think the hackney fare will always be
on the meter if within city limits. No vehicles are (or were when I was
Chair of Licensing) licensed as both

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Neil Williams

2017-03-10 18:44:30 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
You can also book hackneys, dear liza.

Who does that when minicabs and Ubers are cheaper?

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

Roland Perry

2017-03-10 20:56:58 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
You can also book hackneys, dear liza.

Who does that when minicabs and Ubers are cheaper?

Depends where you live, whether there's much of a cost difference.

--
Roland Perry

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-11 00:12:14 UTC

Post by Roland Perry
You can also book hackneys, dear liza.

Who does that when minicabs and Ubers are cheaper?

Depends where you live, whether there's much of a cost difference.

In Cambridge, when you ring up many operators you won't know if you'll get a
Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Car. They cost the same. The main operators
have both in their fleets, with Hire Cars further divided between Cambridge
and South Cambridgeshire licensed vehicles.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Neil Williams

2017-03-11 01:09:39 UTC

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
In Cambridge, when you ring up many operators you won't know if you'll get a
Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Car. They cost the same. The main operators
have both in their fleets, with Hire Cars further divided between Cambridge
and South Cambridgeshire licensed vehicles.

In MK some of the private hire cars are also Hackney carriages (these
tend to be the reputable ones, the competition between the 4 main
operators is strong and they are very guarding of their reputation so
will not tolerate messing about by drivers), but if you book via a
private hire company you get the (much lower) private hire rate.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

tim...

2017-03-09 17:05:43 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 13:48:32 +0000

Post by David Walters
There are taxi ranks outside Bristol and Nottingham stations with
'London' taxis queuing up at both on Google Streetview. Blue and green
rather than black.

Ironically the first thing I saw on nottingham streetview outside the station
is a prius taxi.

That's a minicab - no "Taxi" sign on the roof. Duh.

So every city requires a taxi sign on the roof does it?

No, some require a Tacsi sign on the roof :-)

tim

Neil Williams

2017-03-09 18:56:36 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
Ironically the first thing I saw on nottingham streetview outside the station
is a prius taxi. There do seem to be some TXs there, but a quick random
sample around the rest of the city doesn't show any so they can't be that
common. I can't imagine why they use them there.

Priuses are a good choice at the moment - environmental credentials,
decent sized boot, room for 4 passengers plus the driver.

I really don't like TXs, they are a nuisance to get into, you sort of
have to either squat-waddle or kneel on the floor to get to the back
seat if you're tall. I can't even nearly stand up in one. They may be
wheelchair accessible but they are certainly poorly accessible to
anyone else.

Bracknell appear to specify small van based MPVs - Berlingos, Doblos or
Kangoos. Those are quite good as they can be both wheelchair
accessible via a rear ramp and as easy to get into as a car.

TXs are a "London icon" image, but utterly impractical.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

Roland Perry

2017-03-09 19:08:44 UTC

Post by Neil Williams
Priuses are a good choice at the moment - environmental credentials,
decent sized boot, room for 4 passengers plus the driver.
I really don't like TXs, they are a nuisance to get into, you sort of
have to either squat-waddle or kneel on the floor to get to the back
seat if you're tall. I can't even nearly stand up in one.

You can stand up in a Prius?

--
Roland Perry

Neil Williams

2017-03-09 23:06:12 UTC

You can stand up in a Prius?

I don't need to, because I can sit down straight onto the seat from
outside the car then swing my legs in, unlike a TX where I can't
because it's too far back from the door.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-10 00:41:40 UTC

You can stand up in a Prius?

I don't need to, because I can sit down straight onto the seat from
outside the car then swing my legs in, unlike a TX where I can't
because it's too far back from the door.

One of the problems with one-size-fits-all taxi policies is that some people
can get into saloon cars and some can only get into van-type taxis or TXs.
Cambridge kept a mixed fleet for that reason.

After she gave up driving at age 89, my mother was forced to use minicabs
all the time because the step up into a TX was too much for her.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

s***@potato.field

2017-03-10 09:31:49 UTC

On Thu, 09 Mar 2017 18:41:40 -0600

Post by Neil Williams
I don't need to, because I can sit down straight onto the seat from
outside the car then swing my legs in, unlike a TX where I can't
because it's too far back from the door.

One of the problems with one-size-fits-all taxi policies is that some people
can get into saloon cars and some can only get into van-type taxis or TXs.
Cambridge kept a mixed fleet for that reason.

A very sensible decision IMO. Its about time TfL relaxed the rules about
turning circles so cabbies have more choice. For a station doing a U turn is
illegal on major roads anyway and doing a 3 point really isn't that much of
a hassle. So the fare might have to wait an extra 5 seconds. Big deal.

--
Spud

Basil Jet

2017-03-10 02:19:21 UTC

Post by Neil Williams
I really don't like TXs, they are a nuisance to get into, you sort of
have to either squat-waddle or kneel on the floor to get to the back
seat if you're tall. I can't even nearly stand up in one.

You can stand up in a Prius?

I don't need to, because I can sit down straight onto the seat from
outside the car then swing my legs in, unlike a TX where I can't because
it's too far back from the door.

One of the tip-up seats facing backwards in a TX can swing out the door
if the driver releases it.

Neil Williams

2017-03-10 18:43:56 UTC

Post by Basil Jet
One of the tip-up seats facing backwards in a TX can swing out the door
if the driver releases it.

Didn't know that. It is however somewhat of a sledgehammer to crack
the proverbial nut of what is just a terrible old-fashioned design of
vehicle compared with the other options on the market.

As I said the best I have seen (if we must have one vehicle type) is
Bracknell's high-roof van-derived minibuses, which have a row of seats
that are accessed just like a regular car but can also take a
wheelchair in the rear section.

Even a larger van derived minibus with all seats facing forwards is better.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

Roland Perry

2017-03-09 11:04:24 UTC

Post by Clank
It's been a while since I was in the UK so my memory may be rusty, but I
seem to recall they were common if not standard in both Leeds and
Manchester.

Not been to either of those cities for years, but I don't remember seeing
any in bristol or nottingham recently. Mind you, I wasn't looking either.

Nottingham has a lot TX4's now, previously the Metrocab dominated.

--
Roland Perry

Neil Williams

2017-03-09 18:54:32 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
If protection from passengers was a primary concern minicab drivers would
buy them too. The fact that they don't tells you all you need to know.

I always sit in the front in minicabs and have never been asked not to,
which I imagine would be the first action of a concerned driver. I'm a
fairly big bloke who if you didn't know me you probably wouldn't want
to meet me in a dark alleyway just in case.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

Basil Jet

2017-03-10 02:07:28 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
If protection from passengers was a primary concern minicab drivers would
buy them too.

Minicab drivers in London are expressly forbidden from driving TX taxis.

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-10 09:21:12 UTC

Post by Basil Jet

Post by s***@potato.field
If protection from passengers was a primary concern minicab drivers
would buy them too.

Minicab drivers in London are expressly forbidden from driving TX taxis.

And in some other parts of the country too, including Cambridge these days.
At one time the only London-type cabs in use here were as hire cars.

Many places ban hire cars from having meters too. Cambridge is an exception
so we don't have a problem with high hire car fares that have happened
elsewhere.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

s***@potato.field

2017-03-10 09:29:20 UTC

On Fri, 10 Mar 2017 02:07:28 +0000

Post by Basil Jet

Post by s***@potato.field
If protection from passengers was a primary concern minicab drivers would
buy them too.

Minicab drivers in London are expressly forbidden from driving TX taxis.

What about Radio Taxis? They're minicabs in all but name.

--
Spud

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-10 11:25:13 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
On Fri, 10 Mar 2017 02:07:28 +0000

Post by Basil Jet

Post by s***@potato.field
If protection from passengers was a primary concern minicab drivers
would buy them too.

Minicab drivers in London are expressly forbidden from driving TX taxis.

What about Radio Taxis? They're minicabs in all but name.

Whatever they're called (minicab is a mainly London-only name), they're
licensed hire cars in law.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

r***@cix.compulink.co.uk

2017-03-09 10:14:36 UTC

Post by Clank

Post by s***@potato.field
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 19:20:18 +0000

Post by r***@cix.compulink.co.uk
I must admit I wondered why the BBC described the tests as secret or

perhaps it's the attribute that they are testing that is secret

While the piece itself focussed on studded tyres, I bet the real
reason is "battery capacity at sub-zero temperatures".

We get a lot of them in London, of course!

It's a "world car" or so we are apparently told.

They'll be lucky. LTi have tried to flog black cabs around the world a
number of times IIRC. Unsurprisingly no one wanted an underpowered, ugly,
expensive (compared to alternatives) diesel vehicle who's only USP is a
small turning circle. Unfortunately for them, that is a concern
absolutely nowhere apart from in London, and even most other cities in
the UK tend to use normal cars. Rarely does one see TXs outside london in
any great numbers.

It's been a while since I was in the UK so my memory may be rusty, but I
seem to recall they were common if not standard in both Leeds and
Manchester.
I suspect they'll be popular anywhere where offering drivers decent
protection from their passengers, and an interior that's easy to hose out
at the end of a night, are desirable features. Which means they should be
popular in any UK city really.

Quite a few cities make them mandatory. Birmingham is another. They are
optional in Cambridge but we've always had a few.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Robin

2017-03-07 15:40:34 UTC

Post by s***@potato.field
Seems they've been testing the next fugly, underpowered POS cabbies will be
forking out 40K for in the arctic. Obviously a representative test for life in
London.

It's bog standard to test vehicles in extreme climates (e.g. Artic
circle and Death Valley[1]). The Chinese may well be looking to sell
variants of the cab globally where they'll face extremes often enough.
Even if not, the cabs need to work in London during the extremes of
weather here and it'd be a bit daft to delay development until we get an
extreme cold snap and record heatwave.

[1] see e.g.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/10979714/Extreme-temperature-testing.html

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

Recliner

2017-03-22 08:55:23 UTC