A Black Cab In China Town, London

A Black Cab In China Town, London, originally uploaded by mambo1935.

China Town street scene in London.
Here you can see a famous "Black Cab" (Hackney Carriage) to the lower-left of this photo. Don't miss it when you visit London!

Black Cabs (Hackney Carriages)
Motorised hackney cabs, traditionally all black in colour, have the popular name of black cabs, although other colours also appear, most frequently when advertising campaigns call for the respraying of large groups of cabs in vivid brand liveries.

In most of the United Kingdom hackney-carriage operators use conventional four-door saloon cars, but London (and some other cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh) use specially-designed hackney carriages manufactured by just one company - LTI. These vehicles allow up to 5 passengers in the back. Luggage usually goes in the passenger compartment, but travel in the front next to the driver — these vehicles have no front passenger-seat, although a door has replaced the original open side. All models can also accommodate wheelchairs in the back. Black cabs have a turning circle of only 25 feet.

In London, hackney-carriage drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate they have an intimate knowledge of London streets.

There have been different makes of taxis through the years including:

Beardmore
FX3
FX4
FAIRWAY
METROCAB
TX1
TX2