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London Taxis Best in Annette’s Growing Fleet
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By MartinW at 2007-12-13 20:53
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When it comes to taxis, purpose-built is best according to a Shropshire cab firm boss.
28th November 2005
Since setting up Annette’s Taxis, in Ludlow, in 1991, Annette Coombes has had all sorts of models in her fleet – but she says it is the classic LTI Vehicles "black" cabs that are most popular with drivers and passengers alike.
She currently has two TXIIs – the latest incarnation of the iconic vehicle – as well as two Nissan Primeras and a Peugeot Euro.
And while she is frustrated over persistent problems with the Peugeot, she says the two blue TXIIs in her fleet are the best performers.
"On the Peugeot, the tyres are only lasting for 8,000 miles. I have two TXIIs as well so I know theirs last 38,000 to 42,000," said Annette, whose firm is the largest of its kind in Ludlow.
"The Peugeot Euro is a converted vehicle and I have had a lot of problems with it. In my view, the TXIIs are built to be taxis and perform much better in that role as a result. Some of the customers seem to react better as well to "proper" taxis.
"The TXIIs also have a light in the back which can be very handy when loading people up at night."
Annette, who has also had to replace several sets of door handles on the Euro, added that she did not feel she was in a position to sell it because it was now not worth what she still owed on the finance.
By comparison, a recent CAP study showed that the TXII from Coventry-based LTI Vehicles had one of the highest residual values on the road after three years or 60,000 miles, retaining 52.69 per cent of its value.
LTI Vehicles’ TXII is the only purpose-built, fully-wheelchair-accessible taxi. Widely regarded as the most socially inclusive taxi ever produced, each TXII features, as standard, an integral wheelchair ramp and securing mechanism, an integral step and swivel seat to aid access and exit by older passengers, an induction loop for the hard of hearing, bright yellow seat edge and grab handles to aid use by the partially-sighted and even an integral child safety harness.
Picture caption: Annette Coombes (left) with daughter Kristina Coombes, of Annette’s Taxis, taking collection of two new TXIIs with Nigel Morris of LTI Vehicles dealer Mann & Overton (second left) and Richard Phillips, Chairman of South Shropshire District Council Licensing Committee and of South Shropshire Access Group
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