History of taxis

The first ‘taxi’ appeared on the streets of London in the form of a horse drawn coach in the 17th Century.

They were coined ‘Hackney Carriages’, derived from the French term hacquenée meaning ‘ambling nag’. Three centuries later and the custom continues, making the licensed taxi trade the oldest regulated public transport system in the world.

In 1625 there were as few as 20 taxis available for hire, operating out of inn yards. In 1636, the owner of four hackney coaches brought them into the Strand outside the Maypole Inn, and the first taxi rank had appeared. He established a tariff for various parts of London, and his drivers wore a uniform, so they would be easily recognisable.

When drivers began using lighter cabriolets, two-wheeled vehicles from France, at the beginning of the 19th Century, they became affectionately known as ’cabs’.

In 1851 Sir Richard Mayne introduced the ‘Knowledge of London’ a formal qualification that currently takes up to four years to pass. This fulfilled a need at the time for educated drivers who could carry passengers to their destination quickly and efficiently with detailed recall, but could also recommend places of interest, mainline stations and hospitals.

Continuing Mayne’s work, Radio Taxis has added to its door-to-door service by coupling the ‘knowledge’ and experience of a licensed taxi driver with the latest technology. This is evident from the minute you make your call to when you arrive at your final destination.