Further reflecting the shake-up affecting Melbourne’s taxi industry, the first traditional London cab has arrived and is doing business in Victoria’s capital.
The London Taxi Company Australia – sole distributor for the cars down under – started trials this week to gauge customer reaction to a ride in the latest version of the famous taxi.
“We’d like to trial at least 100 here in Victoria as a sample patch and then work from that,” Evan Simeon, CEO of The London Taxi Company Australia, told reporters.
“We have just landed a London taxi in Melbourne for evaluation [and] the Taxi Services Commission has just approved the London taxi for use as a conventional taxi in Victoria,” he added.
Mr Simeon said the introduction to the purpose-built fleet follows a “very encouraging” trial in Perth where the company put nearly 100 cars on the road.
“They fit one driver plus five passengers in the rear in a separate compartment that is separated from the driver with a security barrier,” he said.
The CEO added that the London-style taxi would cost the same as a normal taxi but offer “a limousine service”.
The cost of fitting out and importing each taxi is estimated at $55,000.
The Taxi Services Commission has scotched reports that any subsidy from the Victorian government would be on offer for operators wishing to purchase a London taxi.
“It will be up to the industry to decide whether there is a market for this type of vehicle in Victoria,” a TSC spokesperson told Neos Kosmos.
“What makes this type of vehicle stand out is that it’s purpose-built, and as such, it has design features that enhance safety for both drivers and passenger.
“For example, the driver is separated from the passenger by a purpose-built screen.”
George Karas, managing director of national taxi insurance provider Taxicare Australia, told Neos Kosmos that he welcomed the idea.
“We saw them in Perth and think they would look great in Melbourne. There might be some modifications needed, but it looks like a good vehicle for customers and operators.”
Meanwhile Sandy Spanos, spokesperson for Victorian Taxi Families, who have opposed many of the state government’s reforms to the taxi industry, said she was not convinced by the initiative.
“Australia has a unique and exceptional taxi system, we are not London, and these cabs are not acclimatised to our harsh weather conditions,” said Ms Spanos, who added that while “the London taxis might be cheaper to buy,” they are not as reliable as the traditional car used as a taxi.
“This is not the type of taxi we would like to see on our roads as these drivers struggle to make a living due to the high cost of keeping the car on the road.”
The London Taxi Company is currently supplying vehicles to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Azerbaijan.