Taxi Motorcycle

**m8internet** · 17th July 2010, 11:01

I thought I was seeing things last night
A motorcycle with a TAXI plate

I don't know if this is a trial or one-off

Are there any other local authorities which have issued such licences?

**Duncan** · 17th July 2010, 11:22

Been around for a long time, especially in London. Unless it's changed, you can't just hail them, have to book over the phone (like a mini-cab/private hire). Guy turns up, you stick on a helmet and get on the back and off you go. Sooooo much quicker getting around in city centres than a normal cab - obviously not much good for when you arrive at an airport with a couple of suitcases though! lol

**m8internet** · 17th July 2010, 11:34

I am aware of private hire motorcycles, where you phone up and place a booking (as per the licence), there are already quite a few in Edinburgh

However, this was a TAXI
This must be the first one in Scotland, but certainly not a lot of publicity about it!
Equally, as is typical with Scotland, it may be a trial for the rest of the UK

As a TAXI this had an orange light on the front, so unlike a private hire car, would be able to pickup on demand
Great in the summer and dry conditions, useless otherwise (in Scotland)

**Duncan** · 17th July 2010, 12:40

Not seen a hailable one myself then, although could be that they are now also available in London and I just haven't noticed whenever I've been up there.

**m8internet** · 17th July 2010, 14:43

From what I can see Taxi Motorcycles were banned by TfL from January 2005 to new applicants
As at June 2010 this position does not appear to have changed

**Silver Vectra C** · 18th July 2010, 04:49

i wouldnt like to drive 1 of them motorcycle taxis

how would you know if a.your passenger was drunk b.on drugs c.a madman any of these could put my life at risk

same other way round i wouldnt be a passenger either

**silverhairedracer** · 18th July 2010, 19:12

If it was "taxi" plated it should have ~
Roof light stating it is a taxi
For hire light
Taxi meter
Going to be difficult for the passenger to ask the usual "Been busymate ?" & and what time you working 'till ?,
Would be interesting if some 20 stone punter hailed you !!
Might have been plated but as Private hire.
I think I will stick with vectra as a Taxi thank you

**m8internet** · 18th July 2010, 19:37

Originally Posted by silverhairedracer

Roof light stating it is a taxi
For hire light
Taxi meter

The light doesn't need to be in the roof, but it must have a light displayed at the front
More recently the requirement is for such a light front and rear
As such this motorcycle had those, so met that requirement

The hire light should be on the nearside
Again it met this requirement as it was within the rear mounting, clearly visible but it was showing "On hire" in blue (no passenger though)

The taxi meter wasn't visible but I assume it was also in the rear housing

I have sent a request to Glasgow City Council, as I have the licence number clearly displayed as a TAXI and not a LPHC, different colour plates apply depending on licence type

As previous, I suspect there is only one and someone applied for it in respect of a contract and this was the most suitable vehicle
"Need to get to the airport quickly, no luggage it is already there"
Presumably there is some reason why this could not be issued as a LPHC licence (the obvious answer is it is not a car!)
Useful if a pilot needs to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh airport in a hurry, and it is known there may be heavy traffic
The panniers on the sides would probably be just large enough to carry all the pilot bags, or other arrangements are in place to get his luggage to that destination