Taxi Driver Online

London Cabbie here;

Having driven both vehicles over the years, there are a few issues to consider, where the vito may win slightly on 'mod cons' and fancy extras in the drivers compartment, fuel efficiency very slightly better, the TX is not far behind and improving. The size of the vito has caused problems, down the small side roads, and in some places a 'no go area' (southwood lane to give it a mention), at the end of the day both vehicles are well matched, MB hasn't got the turning circle right yet, in my opinion they have over complicated the issue, BUT;

After driving around in my new Vito, and being looked after by MB, road side assistance included, it slowly become noticable, how the public were less welcoming and I felt something was missing, the buzz of the job had dropped. One word can describe the choice of TX over Vito, 'ICONIC'! The Vito is nothing more tha a modified van and until MB establish the real selling point and change the shape of the vehicle, it's TX all the way for me. An Icon of London is the black cab and i've learnt that through experience, much like, red telephone box's, routemaster buses, and even big ben.

Ok, the Vito carries six rather than five, but compared to the ICONIC value it fails miserably. The popularity of the TX is spreading and since the Chinese bought shares in the LTI (London Taxi Industry) company, it has proved popular internationally, and is known as the 'London Taxi' (even in Beijing).

In brief this post is to urge other London cabbies to appreciate the value of the meaning of ICONIC, the design of the TX basicaly means London and is understood that way throughout the world.

Regards

Daniel

I get that, but I think the Merc takes more a variety of wheelchairs, an extra punter, and uses far less fuel.

Over time that has got to be financially better surely?

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IDFIMH

No, because the iconic value is worth more, perhaps not to the individual short term but for the entire trade long term it is!