Page 24
Call Sign December 2011
With LTPH / TfL offering an extension to 15 year old cabs, we
From 1 January 2012, a rolling age limit for
taxis will be introduced that will see cabs
ask if you will:
forcibly retired at 15 years old. And from 1
April the same year, all new or new to licens-
CONVERT TO
ing for London taxis must, as a minimum,
meet Euro 5 standards for emissions. This is all
part of the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy
GAS FOR AN EXTRA
(MAQS).
However, recently published on the LTPH
website was further information that could be
5 YEARS???
of interest to the more mature driver who
wants to continue working beyond retirement
age, or to enjoy a few extra years of life with
their existing vehicle.
best option at the time and while it had been
TfL/LTPH say that following a review of
reliable, he was not really happy with it and
responses from the consultation document,
was therefore not interested in any further
taxis that undergo conversion to an alternative
conversion.
fuel could be granted a further five years
"I will consider my brand options nearer the
licensing life, thereby extending the maximum
time re changing cabs," he said.
age limit to 20 years - subject to certain crite-
ria.
The choice of alternative fuels acceptable
for conversion are Liquid Petroleum Gas
(LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and
Biomethane. All conversions to vehicles must
be approved by TfL before conversion and
completed before the 15 year maximum age
limit is reached.
unknown make.
With these exemptions in mind, Call Sign
"At 62, I am happy to continue working
conducted a survey among Dial-a-Cab drivers
beyond 65 so I would definitely take up the
with older cabs to see if they would be likely
conversion offer as my cab has only three
to take up the offer and extend the life of their
years to go before it `officially' comes off the
taxi by up to five years - if they could get their
road. So yes, in principle I would be interest-
cab converted for £5000 or less...
ed to extend its life, but I wonder about alter-
Bernard Swain (R37), a sprightly 67 year old
native fuel availability. That would be a major
said that if he were younger, the £1000 per
factor in my decision making process."
year cost to extend the cab's life would be a
good idea.
"I am going to keep this 04 Reg TX2 cab for
as long as I can, so I am not interested in any
conversion at my age but I think it is a good
idea for some younger drivers. However, it is
almost a restriction of trade telling me that my
cab is good to carry 5 passengers one year,
but not good enough a year later at an arbi-
trary date."
Lawrence Short (E68) runs an `X' Reg TX1
and told us he would not be converting to an
alternative fuel supply, nor is he interested in
extending the life of his present taxi.
Finally Call Sign spoke to the youngest
"This cab is getting on a bit now so I will
member of our survey, 43 year old Daniel
run it for the next two or three years and then
Andrews (O92) who's `03' TX2 has just had a
look around for a decent, maybe two year old
major engine overhaul costing `mega bucks'.
replacement."
"Yes, I would be very interested indeed,"
Daniel said as he reached for his pocket cal-
culator to estimate the fuel savings based on
an annual figure of 30,000 miles.
"There are many other considerations to
Mike Bures (B1) loves his `X' Reg TTT Metro
take into account as well of course. I live in
and at 6' 6" tall, can squeeze into it with ease.
Kent, so availability of the alternative fuel sup-
"Yes, I would definitely convert to an alter-
ply would be important and I would need to
native fuel if it extended the life of this cab. I'm
know if there was a local specialist conversion
60 years old and look forward to many more
company, if they would provide a free taxi
years working and as yet I have no intention
while mine was been worked on, how long
to retire voluntarily any time soon, so I would
the work would take, finance arrangements
definitely consider the options available. This
and very importantly, tax relief on the cost of
engine has done 270,000 miles and is still
the conversion. I would also want to know the
going strong, so I will make a decision nearer
long-term effects and implications if any, on
the time based on reliability and efficiency."
Robert Roney (C14) said that his TX1 was fit-
engine wear and performance too."
ted with a turbo conversion about 4 years ago
Ian Morgan (M68) runs a `V' Reg TX1 that is
© Call Sign Magazine MMX1
at a cost of £2350 because it seemed to be the
currently fitted with an exhaust conversion of
