How to call a London taxi

If this is your first time in London, here are some tips on how to call and get on the famous London black cab . It is quite an interesting experience to be able to stop one of these iconic black taxis that have become one of London's best features.

To stop a taxi, first see if the 'TAXI' light is on. This will tell you that the taxi is for rent. Then simply extend your arm to stop the cab and once the driver sees it, it will stop. Be aware of where the cab stops, as drivers will not stop at crosswalks or places that are dangerous to other road users.

Once the driver has stopped for you, talk to him at the front window and explain where you want to go before getting into the back of the cab. A typical London black taxi can seat five people; three people in the rear seat and two more opposite, in the folding seats. The wide windows in these taxis will give you a glowing view of the bustling city as the driver enters and exits the busy and famous streets of London.

Incidentally, black London taxis cost more simply because all drivers have purchased The Knowledge. This means that they have taken the trouble to study and memorize the 25,000 streets of London that are six miles within Charring Cross. It takes two to four years to earn The Knowledge, and is often considered to earn a college degree in 'London'. As a passenger, you will benefit from reaching your destination using the shortest and most convenient route.

There is a minimum fare of £ 2.20 at any time and fares are generally calculated based on time of day, distance and speed of the driver's journey. Rates tend to be higher after 10pm and on holidays.

 

Around the world in a taxi (Part II)

Let's move to another continent to see what kind of interesting information we can find about the sophisticated taxi industry. You will discover great countries in Europe and their particular characteristics regarding this means of transport.

The modern gasoline-based cabin with a meter first appeared in France. At first, they were mainly used by soldiers, especially as a means of transportation during the famous Battle of Marne. Even the famous New York City was buying taxis from the French in the 1900s. Today, its most representative model is the famous Peugeot 406. In Paris, in 2011, the price was $ 8.70 - $ 14.49 for 3 miles.

German taxis have had various colors over the years. From black to pale yellow / contemporary beige, they differ from other European countries through the existence of an orange TAXI sign that lights up when the driver is not serving any other customer. The most used brand for taxis in Germany is Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as you can see in the image.

In Norway, taxis can be recognized on the streets with the help of stickers representing the logos of private rental companies, as the legislation does not require that they be painted in any particular color. Although called drosje, most Norwegians use the word taxi. Even though drivers use gauges, there are certain fixed rates for trips from the city to the airport and from the airport back to the city.

Romanian taxis respect the New York City trend of using the color yellow for taxis. Exceptions can be found in Brasov and Arad, where the cabins are painted white. Most of the time, the model is a Dacia Logan, a well-known national product. In Romania, drivers use meters and charge a higher price for trips that take place overnight.

Russia is known for its gypsy taxis. Quotes are discussed primarily with customers, before boarding the taxi, so there are no fixed prices per mile. Drivers generally drive taxis to earn extra income, which is in addition to their full-time professions. In Moscow, as in Romania, there is a custom of taking street passengers in cars that are not taxis, but individual private property, as long as they are directed to a common destination. Although countries like Great Britain do not agree with this type of transport due to possible dangers. In fact, there are rare situations involving victims or crimes.

The meters are used only in the largest cities in Spain ($ 6.52 - $ 10.14 / 3 miles), the agreed price is a common practice in small cities. An interesting thing is that each area has a certain type of color for its cabins: black and yellow doors in Barcelona, ​​white with a yellow stripe in Seville, white and a red stripe in Bilbao, Madrid and Almería are just a few examples. The most used models that can be seen on the streets are Skoda Octavia and Seat Toledo.

In the UK, the industry is basically divided into two major categories of means of transport: so-called black taxis and private rental companies. The former are a symbol for the British people and are preferred by citizens and visitors, although their contributions are very high compared to individual employers that offer better prices. The only downside to the latter is that reservations must be made in advance.