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An In-Depth Look At Our Eco Fleet

Reading Time: 5 minutes

At ABC Taxis, we prioritise efficiency as well as the comfort of our drivers and passengers alike. As a company, we are conscious of the effects of road transportation on the environment. That is why our eco fleet of taxis consists entirely of top-of-the-range hybrid cars and efficient minivans. Curious about our eco vehicles? Join us on an in-depth tour of their key specifications and highlights to find out what makes them comfortable, efficient, and environmentally friendly.

(Please note that all of the below vehicles are available with a variety of options, and we have selected particular ones to give you an idea of their specifications. The below specifications do not apply to all of our cars.)

Toyota Auris Estate

The Toyota Auris Touring Sports (aka estate) hybrid is well-known as a reliable and competent vehicle. The more recent revival of the Corolla in hybrid form (which also features in our fleet), has largely replaced the Auris as Toyota’s go-to hybrid car. However, the Auris still has many admirable features, including its unfussy, functional design and spacious interior.

The Auris hybrid is often complimented for how relaxing it is to drive thanks to its supple suspension and minimal noise both inside and out. It also has a spacious boot which makes it perfect for taking passengers to the airport or train station.

Specifications (1.8L VVT-i Hybrid):

Power	134bhp / 100 kW
Battery capacity	6.5 Ah
Top Speed	112 mph
0-60 mph	11 secs
CO2	93 g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 5
Fuel consumption	70 mpg
Luggage Capacity	507 L

Because the Auris has been around since 2009, it is not the most efficient of the hybrid vehicles available today. However, Toyota is a trailblazer in the world of electric cars, having released the first hybrid Prius in 1997. The Japanese manufacturer has proven time and time again that they are committed to constant innovation, and this can be seen in the newer hybrid Corollas.

Toyota Corolla Estate

Named Car of the Year 2020: Hybrid Winner by WhatCar?, the Toyota Corolla Estate Hybrid is an undeniable industry leader. The especially efficient and smooth-driving new models have taken the Hyundai Ioniq’s place at the top of the ranks. Unsurprisingly, the car has excellent reviews, with frequently mentioned pros including its efficiency, super smooth handling, seamless transitions between electric petrol and electric power, spacious interior, and roomy boot.

Specifications (1.8L VVT-i Hybrid):

Power	120 bhp
Battery capacity	3.6 Ah
Top Speed	111 mph
0-60 mph	8.5 secs
CO2	76 to 83 g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 6 AM
Fuel consumption	55.4 to 65.9 mpg
Luggage Capacity	598 L

Hyundai Ioniq

The Hyundai Ioniq is also a leader in its field and a muti-award-winning one at that. The best thing about this hybrid vehicle is its ability to drive on electric power only, and therefore to travel decent distances (up to 39 miles for the Plug-In Hybrid) with zero emissions. In many ways, it is similar to the Kia Niro – both cars are sold in three electrified forms: a hybrid model (petrol engine + electric motor), a plug-in hybrid (with a bigger battery that can be charged externally for more range), and a pure electric vehicle (EV).

Unlike many hybrids, which are fitted with CVT, single-speed gearboxes, both versions of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid have a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, making it much smoother and quieter than the average CVT. The interior design of the Ioniq furthers the car’s exceptional efficiency, with lightweight materials selected specially to reduce the vehicle’s weight and fuel consumption. The car also has great aerodynamics, with a class-leading drag coefficient of only 0.24.

Specifications (Hybrid 1.6 GDI):

Power	141 bhp
Battery capacity	1.56 kWh
Top Speed	115 mph
0-60 mph	10.8 secs
CO2	84 g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 6d-Temp
Fuel consumption	78.5 mpg
Luggage Capacity	443 L

Toyota Prius

As we have already mentioned, the hybrid Prius has been around for over 20 years, and it has evolved significantly over that time. Named Green Car of the Year 2016 by Auto Express, the Prius can drive at up to 36mph on electricity alone when sufficiently charged (if you’re gentle on the accelerator), meaning it is exceptionally quiet and relaxed for driving in the city.

At motorway speeds, the petrol engine kicks in for additional power, but drivers say this is unobtrusive and still relatively quiet, emitting little more than a faint drone during steady driving. If you floor the accelerator, however, the CVT gearbox will send the revs shooting up and cause some engine boom. The Prius Hybrid is popular for its low servicing costs and excellent fuel economy, even when set to four-wheel drive. The Prius is also the most efficient non-plug-in hybrid.

Specifications (1.8L Petrol Hybrid Automatic):

Power	122 bhp
Battery capacity	7.2 Ah
Top Speed	112 mph
0-62 mph	10.8 secs
CO2	75 – 84 g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 6DG
Fuel consumption	59.6 – 67.3mpg
Luggage Capacity	502 L

Mercedes-Benz Vito

The Mercedes Vito is a popular minivan among taxi firms, as it is designed to be ideal for urban operations and frequent recurring trips in terms of its efficiency. There are many options to choose from in the Mercedes Vito range, including diesel engines, the fully electric eVito, panel, crew, and tourer vans, and even the black cab edition.

The Vito Tourer van offers comfortable seating for up to 9 people, as well as plenty of room for luggage. It’s available in various options, including three vehicle lengths and two trim lines, meaning the van is customisable and versatile. Many of these models include BlueEFFICIENCY packages as standard, meaning they come with smart eco features such as ECO start/stop which turns of the engine when stationary, a smart alternator which recharges the battery when coasting or braking, and rolling-resistance optimised tyres.

Specifications (114 Tourer Pro L2 Auto):

Power	102 bhp
Battery capacity	N/A
Top Speed	120 mph
0-60 mph	11.8 secs
CO2	171 g/km
Emissions standard	Euro E6
Fuel consumption	44 mpg
Luggage Capacity	550 L

KIA Niro

When talking about efficient cars and especially top-of-the-range hybrids, the KIA Niro is another one that is sure to be mentioned. Thanks to its SUV-like design, the Niro has a comfortable, spacious interior that allows for a natural seating position in the front and the back, as well as an excellent view of the road.

The Niro Plug-In Hybrid, like most EVs, is practically silent in electric mode, and even its fuel engine is very quiet, making it very pleasant to drive. The regular hybrid, too, is often praised for the seamless (and nearly imperceptible) way the petrol engine and electric motor work together via its six-speed automatic gearbox. Like most hybrids, it also has a regenerative braking system to recover energy.

Specifications (1.6 GTI Hybrid 3):

Power	139 bhp
Battery capacity	8.9 to 15.6 kWh
Top Speed	101 mph
0-60 mph	11.1 secs
CO2	100 g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 6
Fuel consumption	65.7 mpg
Luggage Capacity	382 L

Summary

By riding with ABC Taxis, you can rest assured that the utmost care has been taken to ensure efficiency and comfort. We care not only about customer satisfaction, but we are also committed to doing our part to reduce non-renewable energy consumption, harmful emissions, and even noise pollution thanks to our expertly selected fleet of eco-cars.

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A Brief History of British Taxis

Reading Time: 4 minutes

When most people think about England, certain images like the Big Ben, the queen, red phone booths, double-decker buses, and black cabs will undoubtedly spring to mind. The taxi is as much a British phenomenon as afternoon tea or Sunday roast, having driven people from point A to point B since the 17th century.

Millions of people rely on taxis to get around, but where did they come from? Join us on a ride through history as we uncover the complete journey of the taxicab in London.

Beginnings: The Original Hackney Coach

The first taxi was the simple horse-drawn carriage known as a Hackney Coach. (Of course, Hackney was the area of London notorious for its stables.) The concept was born during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when wealthy Londoners struggled to keep up with the costs of maintaining horses, coaches, and drivers, and began to capitalise on their investments by making their coaches available for hire by lesser members of the gentry.

Depiction of an original four-wheeled Hackney Carriage, circa 19th century.

The First Taxi Rank

In 1625, there were around 20 Hackney Coaches for hire, operating largely out of inns and hotels. By 1634, a wealthy Londoner by the name of Captain John Bailey came up with a new, more systematic idea which seems so familiar to us now: the taxi rank.

Bailey owned four Hackney carriages, which operated from the Maypole Inn, and charged set tariffs for travel to different areas of London. He began a system for his cabs, making drivers follow certain rules and regulations, and decorating the carriages in eye-catching designs for recognition from customers. This is arguably when taxicabs transformed from a local phenomenon to a much more commercially-minded business.

Dropping Wheels: A New Design

Hackney carriages remained pretty much identical to how they were first developed for about two centuries, until they saw a significant transformation in 1823. A new, faster carriage with only two wheels arrived from France. Its name came along too, with the French word cabriolet quickly evolving into our still commonly used ‘cab’ and ‘cabbie’.

The French model was adopted in England, most prominently influencing Joseph Aloysius Hansom of York to design and patent the notorious two-wheeled Hansom Cab. The Hansom Cab rapidly gained popularity and began to replace the Hackney Carriage, offering more stability and speed than its predecessor. They could be drawn by one horse alone, improving cost-effectiveness. Another major innovation in the taxi business around this time was the introduction of taximeters, which used mechanical clockwork to measure fares according to distance.

The Hansom cab also offered far more convenience for passengers, with a more protective cab, folding wooden doors to protect passengers from the elements, a roof hatch for communicating with and paying the driver, and a driver’s lever allowing him to open the doors for passengers. Hansom Cabs were very successful and continued to operate in London as well as other cities in the British Empire until the introduction of motor vehicles in the early 1900s.

Premature Futurism: The First Electric Cab

The Bersey, named after Walter C Bersey, was built in 1897 by the London Electrical Cab Company. It was the first attempt at commercialising electric taxis in the UK. Bersey cabs used traction batteries which were suspended from springs under the vehicle, and could travel up to 12mph. It weighed about 2 tonnes and could cover about 30 miles on a single full charge.

Unfortunately, like most prototypes, the cabs were overly expensive, heavy, and unreliable, leading to several road accidents. The car was known as the ‘Hummingbird’ for the noise it made, but the name was not around for long. The vehicle quickly fell out of favour with taxi drivers and customers, and was abandoned entirely by 1900. Interestingly, electric cabs did not return to London’s streets until last decade (over a century later).

The Introduction of Motors

In 1903, London cabs began to use combustion engines, which were far more reliable than their electric predecessors. The first examples of engine-powered cabs to appear in London included the prominent French Prunel, as well as British models called the Rational, Simplex, and Herald.

In WWI, production of taxis came to a standstill while manufacturers switched to military production for the war effort. It was the 1920’s before London taxis were developed further and new cab designs appeared on the streets. There have been many variations and innovations of the London taxi, but the 1948 Austin FX3 is considered to have inspired the distinct style of current cabs.

Although the Austin FX3 had many rivals, it dominated the streets of London, and so did its new and improved 1958 successor, the FX4. By 1997, London Taxis International developed the TX1 model, followed by the TX2 in 2002. These models saw significantly improved interiors, allowing for far more passenger comfort as well as additions like digital screens. The latest variant, the TX4, will be the last of engine-powered London cabs.

Back To Electric

With increasing concern surrounding fossil fuels and emissions, and increasing pressure to innovate, the electric London taxi is making a big comeback. Zero-emissions is the new standard, and taxi manufacturers are keeping up with electric models like the LEVC TX and the Ecotive Metrocab.

More and more vehicles use electric energy rather than petrol around the country and the world, and this includes black cabs as well as taxis. Hopefully, passengers, drivers, and fleet owners alike will continue to drive innovation in more eco-friendly, sustainable transportation solutions. At ABC Taxis Norwich, for example, we are committed to doing our part to make a change thanks to our up-to-date fleet of eco-cars.

Thank you for joining us on a journey through the ages, all the way back to the Elizabethan era when the first Hackney carriages were born, to the electric cars of the future. Happy cabbing!

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Top Tips for Brand New Taxi Drivers

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Life as an ABC taxi driver is an open door to new experiences. You’ll get to see every inch of Norwich as you drive people to where they want to go. You will be an integral part of peoples’ journeys to and from their destinations, and whether or not they arrive at their destinations promptly, and satisfied with their journeys. However, the job you’re taking on is also not without risk. While most members of the public are regular, everyday people looking to get from one location to another, it’s also without doubt that some will attempt to exploit, rob or harm you. Here are some top tips for brand new drivers to ensure that you’re providing the best service you possibly can, whilst also remaining as safe as you possibly can.

Know Your Area

One of the keys to providing an excellent taxi service is to know the area in which you operate like the back of your hand. While the days of taxi drivers needing this knowledge in the most literal sense are gone, your sat nav won’t always be reliable or accurate, and your passengers still want to arrive at their destinations, rather than a five-minute walk away. Studying the area you’re covering will provide you with an instant vault of knowledge to access that will vastly improve your service, allowing you to pick the best routes that will allow your passengers to reach their destinations in the most timely possible manner.

Kick the Tyre

Make sure to check your vehicle inside and out before you start your shift. Hopping into the driver’s seat and taking off like a rocket is a surefire way to burden yourself with equipment failures and car trouble along the way, wasting time that could be better spent ferrying potential passengers. Taxis are constantly in use and in service, so the potential for failures is much higher than your regular old car. In order to provide the best possible service, perform a quick roster of checks every time you start a shift.

Be Alert

While driving a taxi might feel exactly the same as driving your own car, you’re providing a service to others. Careful driving is even more essential in your taxi than it is when you’re off the clock. Remain alert at all times to goings-on on the road and on the pavement so that you and your passengers are as safe as you can possibly be.

Keep it Clean

No one wants to step into a taxi and be assaulted by unwelcome smells and dirt. While you might let your personal car fill up with empty takeaway bags, coffee cups and empty packets, your taxi should be a haven of cleanliness to ensure that your passengers have the most pleasant possible experience. And that goes for cleaning up their mess too. Taxi driving isn’t all sunshine and roses, and sometimes grubby passengers will leave their mess for you to clean up. Keeping on top of this is a chore, but a necessary one for the comfort of your passengers and for the reputations of you and ABC.

Cash Bags and Receipt Pads

While ABC is a thoroughly modern company, with its fleet of electric cars and digital payment system, there are many who still carry cash on them, and they’ll want to use it in your taxi. Keeping bags of cash and change is a necessity for any driver, and keeping them well-organised is even better. This will allow you to deliver change to your passengers as quickly and efficiently as possible, saving dead time between journeys and increasing your efficiency.

Don’t Flash the Cash

Another undeniable factor in taxi driving is your susceptibility to crime. Taxi drivers operate at all hours of the day and night, and while most people are perfectly kind, courteous and pleasant, there’s a chance you’ll run into some unsavoury characters. Those looking to rob taxis are almost always looking for cash. They know there’s a good chance you have it on you. This is another reason why it’s so necessary to keep your cash well organised; it allows you to conceal it more effectively. It’s best not to discuss how much cash you may or may not have on you with any passenger, they might be sizing you up to see if they can attempt a robbery.

Study Emergency Procedures

In the event of any emergency during your shift, it’s vital to be aware of safety procedures. These procedures are there to help you deal with any emergency you might encounter, and following them is the best way to resolve any issue quickly and effectively. Being able to recall these procedures accurately and implement them competently is the mark of an excellent taxi driver. It’s not just about commitment to the daily rigors of the job, it’s knowing exactly what to do in an emergency, and keeping a cool head and a steady hand whilst doing so.

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Why Your Local Taxi Company Is Better Than Uber

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Over the past few years in major cities all over the world, there has been a lot of noise about the influx of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft taking business away from long-running local taxi firms. While Norwich is probably too small of a city to ever have to deal with this issue, it has been big news in places like London, Manchester and Birmingham, to name but a few. The appeal of the app-based rideshare companies is easy to see: open an app, press a button and a few minutes later a car turns up and gets you to where you want to go much cheaper than if you were to call a cab. That’s how it’s supposed to go on paper, anyway. Unsurprisingly, here at ABC, we feel that when it comes to the competition between traditional cabs and using an app, a traditional cab wins every time. Not convinced? Read on to hear our reasons why, and hopefully you’ll have a change of heart!

You get some actual human to human contact

While it seems that technology nowadays is specifically geared towards limiting human contact when carrying out everyday tasks, the fact that traditional taxi companies have someone, often an office, you can call with any issues is a huge plus. Imagine you lose a valuable item in an Uber and don’t realise until a couple of hours later, you have to rely on the driver answering a call from an unknown number in order to get it back if it hasn’t already been picked up by another customer and pocketed! Having a reliable point of contact for when something goes wrong provides much more peace of mind, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar city, so think twice before ordering that Uber!

You get to take advantage of cab drivers encyclopaedic knowledge

It’s a well-known fact that cab drivers in London have to memorise every road within a 6-mile radius of the centre of London and be able to recall from memory the fastest way to get from A to B, and that’s before they even get a license! Local cab drivers are more often than not from the area, so if you need to get somewhere fast, there’s nobody better to take you.

You can be assured of your safety

Licensed cab drivers have a duty of care towards their passengers, and it is part of their job to make sure that they do everything in their power to ensure you get to your destination safely. Rideshare companies do not have the same obligations to license their drivers, or the same level of scrutinisation when it comes to hiring. So if you’re in a city that you’re unfamiliar with, the best step you can take to ensure your safety is to use a license cab provider based in the area. While 99% of drivers for app-based rideshare companies will work under the same duty of care to their passengers as a licensed cab driver, a small minority may not, and it’s better to be safe than sorry!

You can budget more effectively using a taxi

Most taxi providers will be able to tell you exactly how much the fare will be in advance, unlike when you use an app. Furthermore, local taxi companies very rarely, if ever, hike their rates based on how much demand there is on their service like the apps do. This means that you’ll avoid opening your app and staring in horror at the fact that prices have been quadrupled because it’s Saturday at 11 pm and everyone’s wanting to go to town.

More availability of larger vehicles

While the availability of standard cars on apps like Uber and Lyft will often mean you have a very small wait, often only 3-5 minutes, when it comes to trying to transport more people you’ll often be left high and dry. Local taxi companies exist in order to provide a great service to their clients, and as such, they will often have a fleet of larger vehicles for groups of up to 8 people to make sure everyone gets to the party on time and together!

We hope we’ve convinced you to think twice next time you go to open that app and book your rideshare. Local taxi companies thrive on the patronage of their valued customers, so if you can get a local cab, do it and enjoy the fact that, in the process, you’re supporting a local business that employs local people. Win!

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The Do’s And Don’ts Of Taxi Rides

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Whether you need a ride home from the shops with your heavy shopping, headed to the airport on holiday or returning home after a big night out, a taxi is a great option for when driving isn’t convenient. Whether you’re a taxi regular or a total novice, it goes without saying that you want to have a pleasant journey every time, so to aid you in that we’ve compiled a quick and easy do’s and don’ts list to cover any eventuality that might occur next time you find yourself in need of a ride!

Chatting To The Driver

DO – feel free to speak as little or as much as you want to. Taxi drivers love having a chat with their passengers, it’s a great way to pass the journey and makes a long day behind the wheel much more pleasant. With all the different types of people that take a taxi, it’s a great opportunity to learn about other people’s lives which is endlessly interesting!

DON’T – deliberately distract the driver. While a conversation is great, being extremely loud or trying to get the driver to take their eyes off the road is extremely dangerous. At all times the driver’s priority is getting you to your destination safely, so chat away, but if the driver needs to take a moment to focus on the road, ensure that you allow them to do their job in the safest way they can!

Having A Drink

DO – enjoy a drink before taking your taxi. We’re all human, and it’s only natural that if you’re on your way out, or on your way home, you’d want to indulge yourself a little and have as much fun as possible. Taxi drivers love the fact that they can be a small part in your great night out!

DON’T – get too drunk. We’ve all been there, your mate’s a little too far gone and vomits all over the taxi, incurring a pretty hefty fine. It’s a horrible situation for everyone – the driver can’t earn while their car is dirty, and you’ll have to find an alternative route home. If you feel like you’ve had a little bit too much, drink some water and try to sit outside to sober up before setting foot in your cab!

Giving Directions

DO – let the driver know if you have a preferred route at the beginning of the journey. We want to get you from A to B as quickly as possible, so if you know a great route, please let the driver know! After all, if you know the area, you’ll likely be able to help them out! Whatever we can do to accommodate you and make your journey more pleasant, we will gladly oblige!

DON’T – shout directions at the driver while they are driving. It seems obvious, but while the driver is in motion, it’s extremely important not to distract him. It’s understandable that if heavy traffic is encountered and you know a great alternative you’ll want to let the driver know, so if this is the case ask them to pull over so you can advise them in order to allow the driver to maintain 100% focus while driving.

Late Taxi

DO – call the office for an update. They will know exactly where your cab is and be able to indicate an accurate ETA. If traffic is heavy or there is an accident sometimes lateness can be unavoidable, but the office should have an idea as to why any delays have taken place so they are the best place to start.

DON’T – be aggressive towards or call the driver. If you have the driver’s number do not call them to ask them where they are as they are more likely than not driving and will not be able to respond. Do not behave negatively towards the driver if they are late as when driving there are a number of factors outside the driver’s control and it is more than likely this was the cause of their lateness.

Big Parties

DO – call the office and request a larger cab in advance of your journey. Most cab companies will be able to accommodate larger parties, however due to the generally lower availability of these vehicles, advanced booking is essential.

DON’T – assume you can cram more people in the taxi. It is illegal for taxi drivers to carry more passengers than their car can officially accommodate, so do not ask if one of your friends can sit in your lap or go in the boot. While it may seem amusing, doing so would risk the taxi driver facing prosecution, so it’s best not to go there!

If you need to get somewhere but driving isn’t an option, contact ABC via phone, our app or our website to book a great value taxi quickly and easily.