Editor;
With Australian vehicle manufacturers on their knees and propped up by the government, one would imagine they could come up with a hybrid vehicle for the taxi industry. Not so. A Perth company has purchased 50 used London Taxis with another 90 to come from the revitalized “London Taxi Company”. Melbourne may join in later.
Sydney trialed these cabs in the late 80s and it was a disaster. They did not comply with the Australian design rules, and the hilly terrain soon made meat of their transmissions, brakes, etc. Who wants to share the back seat with her 2 kids, stroller and shopping? A cab with no boot (trunk), no thanks.
However, Perth expats are ecstatic with the concept of a little of old blighty showing up. They want to share in the servicing of both vehicle & drivers. London cab drivers spend up to 2 years learning where everything is, whereas our drivers are mostly migrants and use GPS to find their own posteriors. They will get out and assist you, where London drivers are glued to their seat.
I guess we will get used to “Luvly wevver we’re avin init”. As there is a limit set by government as to how many cabs can operate in a city – for every new one on the road means one must be taken off. There is also an age limit on the vehicle so there will be a lot of used cabs for sale shortly.
There is a saying in Australia that when you cross into Queensland you wind your watch back 20 years. When they hear of this scheme there will be a rush on Thailand’s songthaews.
Aussie Bill
