Copeland Cabbies Don't Have to Pass Test White Haven News DESPITE a petition from Copeland tax-drivers, councillors are expected to refuse a request that all drivers take a Driver Standards (DSA) and local knowledge test.
Lost on City Roads? Blame Your Brain The Hindu Researchers in Britain have found that two key parts of the brain "talk" to each other and allow people to remember routes as well as plan new ones, but if either of these is not working, the ability to find the way around gets impaired.
Roads Are Damaging My Cab Islington Gazette Mark Thurbin, 39, who drives a black cab and spends much of his time driving in Islington, says that potholes on the borough's roads are causing damage to his cab and needless speed bumps are a pain to negotiate.
Major Taxi Fight Forecast London Free Press The last time London cabbies tried to change the industry there was a divisive union drive and someone was charged with making a death threat. Last night's debate at city hall over proposed
Targeting Sherlock Holmes' Carriage Wood & Vale LONDON's only Victorian horse-drawn taxi is being put out to pasture because it is not allowed in the Royal Parks.
London Cabbies Selling Las Vegas The Washington Post Ever since the gambling mecca's tourist board brought him for a visit, his friends have called him "Steve Vegas," one of a growing number of London cabbies hired to be word-of-mouth ambassadors for foreign destinations.
February 08, 2008
If you want to know how tough it is to navigate London, just think about the route from my favorite hotel (The Stafford) to my favorite curry house on Brick Lane. It's only 3.9 miles, but there are 15 turns (if you count the slight right at Piccadilly and the slight left at Old Street).
Ever wonder how London's Hansom cabbies always know where they're going?
Thank The Knowledge, the brutal test they have to pass to get their All London license (also known as the "Green Badge"). They have to know 25,000 streets within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross. They also have to know places of interest - hotels, museums, theaters - and important landmarks -Lord Nelson's statue, Churchill's War Room, Hyde Park Corner - within a quarter mile radius of the start and finish points of any one of the 320 runs. What makes this all the harder is the fact that London isn't set up on a grid, like New York.
It takes about three years' of study to pass The Knowledge, most of it spent driving around in unpleasant weather on a scooter, poring over rain-soaked maps.
How can any one person know every street in London? Their brain grows.
According to a University College London study, Hansom cab drivers have a larger hippocampus compared with other people. That's the part of the brain associated with navigation in birds and animals. And if they didn't start out with a larger than average hippocampus, they grew one.
"There seems to be a definite relationship between the navigating they do as a taxi driver and the brain changes," said Dr. Eleanor Maguire, who led the research team. "The hippocampus has changed its structure to accommodate their huge amount of navigating experience."
Of course, there are a few tricks. Students use the pneumonic "Little Apples Grow Quickly" to help them remember the order of theaters on the north side of Shaftesbury Avenue: Lyric, Apollo, Gielgud, and Queen's.
As hard as it is to pass The Knowledge, it's worth it. On average, London cabbies earn about £200 over a 12-hour workday, or about £55,000 a year (before expenses). That's a marked change from the days when cabbies worried about Kipper Season. That's the age-old term for the slow period, usually in January and February, when tourism (and fares) is off. The term came about because cabbies had to eat Kipper (usually herring or mackerel) because they couldn't afford better food.
I don't think Kipper season's much of a concern anymore. Hansom cabs cost about a third more than minicabs. But I think they're worth it. You see, my favorite curry house is in White Chapel, within walking distance of the five Jack the Ripper murders. So it pays to get where you're going the first time.
Cabbies Protest Over Cameras tvtechnology.com In London, they call it the “ring of steel”—a network of closed circuit video cameras that constantly watches the public activities of private citizens.
Back to School ICCoventry.co.uk TAXI drivers in Coventry have been given the chance to boost their skills with a national qualification. Coping with difficult passengers, handling luggage and disability awareness are all part of the 12-week course at Charterhouse, the business unit of City College, in London Road.
London Taxi: Rush Hour Game Zone You must collect customers and take them to famous London destinations within the time limit to get paid. Featuring different routes and obstacles, busy traffic, picking up and dropping off multiple customers.
London Cabs Headed to China just-auto.com At first glance it's a strange combination, a London taxi being displayed in Detroit by a Chinese company.
At least you've reined in some common sense.
Although public health insurance may be a measur...
— Boswell
February 08, 2008 2:36 PM
What City Has the Best Cab Drivers?
56% 22% 0% 0% 0% 22% 0%
Boswell said...
Another reason why London is the most civilized city on earth. Can you imagine New York City Cabbies having to pass a similar test? Then again if you start paying drivers
the equivalent of 55,000 Pounds a year you might have some pretty willing students.
YES....THE SIZE OF BRAINS IN CABBIES...WELL KNOWN TO BE THE GUAGE OF HOW CIVILIZED A CITY IS...NOT BY HOW WELL THE POOREST ARE TREATED...EH KELSO?
THEY STILL MAY HAVE THE COOLEST BUGGY THOUGH...
Boswell said...
At least you've reined in some common sense.
Although public health insurance may be a measure of civility. But, if you want to get into the humane area, I might have to re-think most civilized city. Probably a city that has very few poor people, or none. Let's leave it at the most civilized cabbies.
I didn't know there was a rabble rouser in the midst.
more on the honor rollRABBLE RABBLE RABBLE