Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 7:29:14 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

London's Stodgy Cabs Get Overhaul

Posted Sep 2, 08 6:36 AM CDT in Arts & Living,  World 

(Newser) – London's black cabs, with their jump seats and garrulous drivers, are one of the emblems of the city. But they're also gas-guzzling polluters, reports the New York Times, so this month the eco-conscious British capital is introducing a new taxi to its streets: a minivan designed by Mercedes that bears little resemblance to the classic black cab.

The new taxi can carry six passengers, but detractors argue its carbon emissions aren't significantly better than the black cabs. And after earlier moves to eliminate London's red phone booths and hop-on-hop-off buses, traditionalists are worried about the loss of another icon. "We’d lose our identity," said one cab driver, who said the Mercedes has "no distinction to any privately hired car."

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
London's classic black cabs are being phased out for a more ecologically friendly Mercedes-designed minivan.   (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
London's classic black cabs are being phased out for a more ecologically friendly Mercedes-designed minivan.   (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
London's classic black cabs are being phased out for a more ecologically friendly Mercedes-designed minivan.   ((c) Larsz)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Great Britain • London • Mercedes Benz • taxi • Daimler • taxi cab


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »