Everyone’s
familiar with the Black Cabs seen around London but if you think they are the
same as any other taxi service around the globe then think again. Many would argue the London’s Black Cabs are
the most reliable and professional cab service in the world and there’s good
reason for that.
Anyone
interested in perusing a career as a Black Cab driver will need to pass a
grueling test known as “The Knowledge of London” or “The Knowledge” for
short. This test has been given to
prospective Black Cab drivers since 1865.
Most candidates spend anywhere from 2 to 4 years in preparation
for this intense exam. Candidates must
know 25,000 streets, 100,000 landmarks and 320 main routes. They are required to know every minute detail
within the 6 miles radius of city center.
You won’t find any GPS or Sat Nav devices in any Black Cab. Your
driver will know the city well enough to know the best route to your
destination, how to avoid traffic and will get you there in record time. No need to google an address to give to the
driver either, just let him know where you are heading and rest assured he’s
familiar with the location and will know the best route to get you there.
You’ll find
these elite drivers to be a wealth of information. They are a great source for information
about the city, travel advice, recommendations or just to hear a few amusing
stories. You are always guaranteed an
interesting conversation on your journey.
The look of
the traditional Black Cab has changed in recent years. Today not all Black Cabs are black. You’ll find many in an array of colors or
multi colored. Often they are covered in
advertising.
Almost all
Black Cabs are owned by the driver and operate as their own independent
business. When you step inside a Black
Cab it’s almost as if you’ve just entered the driver’s home. I’ll never forget the look on a driver’s face
the time I hopped in a cab with a friend visiting from New York when she began
unwrapping a turkey sandwich she had in her bag. After being scolded for her lack of Black Cab
etiquette, she argued that she always eats while riding in NYC cabs and couldn’t
understand why there was an issue. I’m
sure he got a lot of millage out of that story by using it to entertain his
next several passengers.
With all
those years of hard work and preparation Black Cabs are, needless to say, not
the most economical way to get around London. If you are trying to stick to a budget on
your London holiday then there are a host other more cost effective ways to get
around the city but no trip to London is complete without at least one Black
Cab adventure.
Experience
London as a local by choosing one of International
Vacations Home Exchange’s England properties for your next home swap. Stay in this
contemporary waterside flat or this central
London 2 Bedroom flat and after a day of sightseeing you can trust a Black Cab to get
you home safe and hassle free. Just be
sure to never eat your lunch on the ride, it’s a dead giveaway you’re a
tourist.
Thank you
travel writer Lisa Medeiros. Follow her
on Twitter @lisamedeiros_
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