Mizter T wrote:
On Feb 20, 8:03*pm, Adrian wrote:
"Graham Harrison" gurgled
happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I saw a Mercedes (Vito?) based black cab today. * I've seen a couple
previously but a thought occurred today. * I have this recollection
that, at some point in the past, one of the requirements for a black cab
was a minimum turning circle and that was a part of the reason why we
had unique vehicles. * Was I dreaming and have they changed the
requirement?

No, you weren't dreaming. No, they haven't changed the requirements.

The Merc Vito "black cabs" have rear-wheel steering to enable them to
meet that particular requirement.

http://www.randle.co.uk/clients/One80_1.html
The video's worth watching...

They still don't look quite right though - I think I'd feel a bit
short changed if I got one! That said, a single company having a
stranglehold of the supply of vehicles which complied with the Hackney
carriage spec was hardly an ideal situation.


A relative runs a black cab business in London and had a Vito Taxi on
trial for a month last year. He was very happy with it, particularly
when it came to carrying people in wheelchairs, something the Fairway
(traditional black cab) is very weak at. He said it was also
particularly comfortable for the driver, which is not something that
anyone could truthfully claim of the Fairway.

But his regular customers didn't like the Vito, and neither did the
drivers he employs, probably because it was unfamiliar to them and the
drivers probably needed some time to get used to it.

Prior to the Vito, there wasn't always a monopoly on supply of black
cabs. There was also the Metrocab which I think was originally made
by Metro-Cammell of railway carriage fame, starting in 1987. The
company had several subsequent owners and they finally closed the
factory doors as late as 2006. My cousin had one for three years in
the 1990s and loved it, but when he wanted to replace it there had
been a hiatus in production and he had to go for a TX4, now called
Fairway.

The cab he would really like to drive is the Fiat EuroCab, which is
also available here as a Peugeot (same design, different badge).
Sadly, while it is an excellent design that is approved for taxi use
across most of Europe, it doesn't comply with the requirements of the
Public Carriage Office. :-(