Birmingham coat-of-arms will not be seen on city taxis
Oct 4 2010
Black cabs will not be allowed to bear the City Of Birmingham coat-of-arms despite claims it would be good for the image of the city.
City council chiefs put the block on a plan that would have seen the city crest emblazoned on cab doors because they have no control over the quality and use of the cabs.
The council’s own licensing committee has pushed for the measure to be adopted and vice-chairman Bruce Lines (Cons, Bartley Green) argued that it would only bring Birmingham into line with other cities such as York and Nottingham.
He said: “They would be promoting the city and good for city’s image and would show visitors that the taxi is licensed by the City Council. They say they have no control over cars, but they do through the licensing system. We make sure they are safe and the drivers are trained to a high standard.”
But the council’s business management committee turned down the request – saying that as well as being privately owned vehicles, many cabs also have advertising on the doors and bonnets which would detract from the crest.
It also pointed out that many taxis have shared Solihull licences leading to confusion with the Birmingham crest used in a neighbouring borough.
Ravi Johal, secretary of Birmingham- based TOA Taxis, said the decision was disappointing but added there were other issues to consider.
He said: “I’d love to have the livery on the side of my taxi, I’m a Brummie myself and it would make me proud."
“It would make them look professional but on the other side of things the living drivers are making right now is not sufficient."
“They make a revenue from advertisements on cab door and that can bring in enough money to pay for their insurance and it’s needs must.”
Source; http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top- ... -27393614/
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