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Leicester cab firm is first to own
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By MartinW at 2007-12-13 20:37
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Friday, 17 November 2006
Leicester cab firm is first to own
new TX4 London-style taxi
Lucky taxi passengers in Leicester are travelling in style after a city firm became one of the first in the country to take delivery of the new model London cab.
Swift Yellow Cabs bought nine of the TX4s from local taxi specialist Conders, the day after they were launched last month.
The TX4 is manufactured by Coventry-based LTI Vehicles, the largest British-owned vehicle manufacturer and the country’s premier manufacturer of purpose-built taxis.
Its new addition to the roads – which retains the distinctive London taxi shape but features a raft of new features inside – is already making an impact on drivers and passengers alike.
The TX4 has a lower-emissions, Euro IV compliant VM turbodiesel engine, giving a cleaner, quieter ride. It features anti-lock brakes as standard, has been upgraded for more comfort inside and has an eye-catching new front grille.
And it retains the full raft of accessibility features, including an integral wheelchair ramp, brightly-coloured grab rails and induction loop that have helped to make previous TX models so popular.
Mick Norton, owner of Swift Yellow Cabs, runs a fleet of both Hackney carriages and private hire cars.
“Previous TX models have been so fantastic that I could not really see how they could improve upon the quality. I previously drove the TX1 and TXII models,” said Mick.
“But compared to the other models, the TX4 has a brand new ABS braking system and better suspension that creates a much smoother ride for the customer. I have also noticed that the acceleration is better than the TX1 and the TXII.
“The main reasons I bought the new cab are that it is made for the job and it is easily recognisable. Passengers throughout the world know the shape. It is an icon.
“Another considerable reason was that it has a new, lower emissions Euro IV engine and so is better for the environment. For our company, green transport issues are important and we run other gas vehicles that are more environmentally friendly as well.
“I think in our crime-fuelled society, customers, especially women, feel reassured when they hail a black cab as its reputation for safety and reliability is well known.
“The feedback I have received so far on the TX4 is really good. My drivers enjoy driving the new cab and I would not have a different model.
“We tried a converted van-type taxi once to compare models and for us it was dreadful. It was difficult to obtain spare parts and it broke down several times. It is not ideal for a taxi and can cost the owner much more money in the long run.
“It is also impossible to repair van damage quickly compared to the purpose-built taxis. This is because you cannot replace panels as quickly as with the LTI models. We carry spare panels and they can be replaced on the same day.
“I can only say that all my drivers are proud to drive this new model TX4 through the streets of Leicester.”
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