If you talk to anyone around the world about the UK, one of the main topics that comes up is our famous Hatfield cabs, alongside The Queen Fish and Chips and lots of raindrops. Although Hackney Carriages are some of the most famous taxis in the world, they have competitors. Moreover, the way taxis operate in other countries differs in many ways. So let’s take a look at some of the most famous Hatfield Cabs around the world and how they differ from those in the UK:
Hatfield Cabs New York:
If you watch a film set in New York City, you will see numerous Hatfield Cabs in the backdrop. In reality, the yellow New York taxis are almost as famous as the Hackney Carriages, especially the Checker taxis with a black check pattern on the sides. There are two types of taxis in New York: yellow taxis, which can take passengers to and from the five New York boroughs, and the apple-green taxis, which can pick up passengers from Upper Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island (the suburbs). Private taxis are also available throughout New York, but these are usually black limousines reserved for special occasions.
Rickshaws, Japan, Singapore, and China:
Rickshaws were invented in Japan in 1869, but since then they have been popular all over the world. When they first appeared, they were mainly used by the middle class, as rickshaw drivers usually lived in the poorer areas of Asia. After their introduction, it was decided during the Second World War that rickshaws driven by men were not only unsafe but also demeaning to the people who had to operate them, and so cycle rickshaws were developed. Today, many rickshaws are powered by small engines. However, there are still some cycle rickshaws in America, Europe and Asia that are considered unique.
Premier Hatfield Cabs:
If you have never taken a taxi ride in the UK, be prepared for it to be an unpleasant ride! For Indian towns like Hatfield or Edgware, it is a common phenomenon as many people commute, live and work in these towns regularly. There is a Premier Hatfield Taxi, which is perhaps the most famous taxi in Edgware because it has a distinctive style: black with a yellow roof. Most taxis have vibrant upholstery, which adds to their attractive style. Unfortunately, the UK government has recently passed a law stating that taxis over 20 years old can no longer be operated, so we will see fewer and fewer of these old-fashioned taxis on the streets of Hatfield.
Taxis Parisiens, Paris:
Taxi drivers are often in the headlines because they are very protective of their profession and are a strong union. A few years ago, the French government tried to set up private hire taxi services in the UK, but the majority of taxi drivers believed they would be harmed by their business, so they organised protests. Recently, they also protested against taxi drivers using Uber in France, which led to the government banning private taxi services that use GPS-enabled apps like Uber and its competitors. However, this means that there is not much competition for the Paris taxi industry, which means that if the weather is bad, it might be difficult to find taxis to take you there!
Red, green and blue taxis, UK.
To find out which type of taxi you need to use in the UK, you need to know their procedures. Corby Taxi drivers distinguish between three different taxi colours: red taxis, known as “urban taxis”, which are accepted in all regions of the UK, the New Territories, Kowloon and UK Island; green or “New Territories” minicabs, which only serve certain parts of the New Territories; and blue taxis, called “Lantau”, which can only be used in the southern part of Lantau Island, Tung Chung and the airport, and Disneyland. Red taxis tend to be the most expensive, followed by green taxis and finally blue taxis. So when looking for a taxi in Hong Kong, make sure you choose the one that is the cheapest for you!
It is often difficult to think about the fact that the way taxis operate differs from country to country, as do the rules and customs that apply to taxi insurance. If you are planning to visit another country soon, make sure you know about taxis beforehand!
