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As it turned out, not everyone knows why London cabs are the best taxis in the world. Well then, let me tell you. After all, neither the famous yellow taxis in New York nor the beautiful red taxis in Hong Kong can compare with their London colleagues - whether in maneuverability or in passenger convenience.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

Most of the city's official taxis are cars of a rather peculiar form. With their rounded shapes, they resemble cars of the pre-war era.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

The city has certain requirements for cars that can serve here as cabs. These rules are quite specific and have existed since 1906. They did not change significantly - the biggest change was a decrease in clearance from 10 to 7 inches in 1927. Due to strict regulations, most taxis are cars of the same manufacturer. This company is called the London Taxi Company, it existed under different names since 1899, but at the beginning of the XXI century, it was bought piece by piece by the Chinese automobile company Geely Auto. This process was completed in 2013, and now LTC is wholly owned by the Chinese. Thames taxi

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

The latest taxi model manufactured by the London Taxi Company is called the TX4. They have been released since 2007. According to the standard, cars can serve as taxis for no more than 15 years, which means that soon the whole fleet will be TX4. Although it seems that the development of TX5 is already underway.

These machines are beginning to purchase for other countries in the world. For example, they serve in Bahrain, Baku, Las Vegas, Singapore, and Ottawa. Why are they so good?

You won’t say anything about them, but, firstly: these cabs are incredibly agile. The diameter of their turn is only eight and a half meters. This is even spelled out in regulatory enactments on London taxis. The fact is that it is such a radius at the entrance of the famous Savoy Hotel. It is believed that any London cab should be able to turn around here.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

Secondly: the interior of these cars is incredibly spacious. There are high ceilings and low floors. There are numerous handles on the doors so that the passenger can hold on while driving, boarding, and exiting. In the back seat, three adults will sit in a row without any problems. 

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

And if you are traveling together, you can generally fall apart impressively. Cabs are full of legroom, as they are specially designed for passengers. This distinguishes them from most other taxis in the world that use conventional passenger cars (such as Ford and Toyota), which give priority to the inhabitants of the front seats.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

There are two more hinged seats on the partition between the driver and the passenger compartment, which can comfortably accommodate two more passengers. In total, five people get into the salon. Taxi drivers do not take passengers to the front seat.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

It is unusual to ride with your back to the direction of movement, but there is no discomfort from this.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

In London, as in other cities of the world, Uber is gaining popularity. Moreover, unlike New York, it is much cheaper to ride it in the capital of England than by taxi. But with Uber, you will never get such a comfortable car, you will sit in the back seat of some recent immigrant. Cabs are like a business class in moving around the city.

In general, taxi drivers are a special guild. To become a taxi driver in London, you must pass a special exam on the knowledge of the city streets. Do not forget that London streets are confusing because their network has developed over the centuries! Compared to it, the flat road grid in New York is just a kindergarten. Drivers sometimes prepare for the taxi driver’s exam for years, acquiring the so-called The Knowledge, or “knowledge.” As a result, the vast majority of London taxi drivers are the indigenous inhabitants of the city, or at least the “real” British, because you can’t catch a taxi here a month after arriving in the country.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

Londoners call their cabs “black cabs”. This nickname dates back to the 19th century when cabs were wagons, and drivers were coachmen (remember, Sherlock Holmes liked to ride his own business.) Despite the “black” in the old name, cars can be of any color. Sometimes bright advertisements are glued to them.

Why the London cab is the best taxi in the world London, Taxi, Cab, Long Post

Today in London more than 20,000 of the best taxis in the world ride with the most polite and orderly drivers. I strongly advise you to catch one of them, if you will be there. The main thing is not to take a taxi to the airport, it will be sky-high expensive. And in the center, you can drive between 10 - 20 pounds. Many of them take credit cards, but not all, so ask in advance.