Reports (as yet to be verified) are reaching Taxi Leaks towers and it's roving reporters that the fifteen year age limit is to remain.
Before we hold a 'ticker tape' parade, we must remember that this isn't a victory rather a continuation of the defeat suffered when some trade organisations conceded this with zilch in return.
Maybe TfL and the Mayor have realised that the cab trade is on its last legs and it's not going to have a long term effect as we won't be around.
We wonder if of course those cabs will have to pay to come into the ULEZ, rumoured not, but with this Mayor as we know he can't lie in bed straight so who knows.
So whilst not exactly good news, it's not more bad, in the current climate it's a small crumb of comfort.
As ever the news as it happens and before the trade rags on TaxiLeaks.
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Before we hold a 'ticker tape' parade, we must remember that this isn't a victory rather a continuation of the defeat suffered when some trade organisations conceded this with zilch in return.
Maybe TfL and the Mayor have realised that the cab trade is on its last legs and it's not going to have a long term effect as we won't be around.
We wonder if of course those cabs will have to pay to come into the ULEZ, rumoured not, but with this Mayor as we know he can't lie in bed straight so who knows.
So whilst not exactly good news, it's not more bad, in the current climate it's a small crumb of comfort.
As ever the news as it happens and before the trade rags on TaxiLeaks.
Editorial Comment :
We heard this rumours last week.
After many phone calls, it is alleged that pressure from both manufacturers Mercedes and Geely, plus guaranteed residence from the trade itself, has led the Mayor to rethink his call for a further reduction in the age limit on current vehicles.
Mercedes have reported a 50% drop in sales but have hit back with large discounts. It is now possible to buy a brand new Vito Taxi for virtually the same price as a TX4.
There are also rumours that LTI are about to drop their prices.
Drivers were worried that a 10 or 12 year age limit on Cabs would drastically reduce the resale value and have been holding back, until the situation becomes clearer.
Of course news that the age limit would remain unchained has come at a bad time for MetroCab who have just announced a new partnership with manufacturing specialist, Multimatic.
Multimatic Niche Vehicles (MNV) manufactures complete cars as well as body/chassis assemblies for low volume programs such as Aston Martin’s One-77, Zagato and GT12, the Lagonda Taraf and Ford GT. They supply engineering to customers as diverse as Red Bull Formula One, Tesla and Mercedes AMG.
Multimatic has a well-established manufacturing facility in Coventry, which is now undergoing a programme of expansion to accommodate the start of Metrocab production next year.
But, with the trade currently on its knees and no help coming from either the Mayor or TfL, most drivers believe the new vehicle will be priced outside of their financial ability to upgrade.
