AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Cab-Rank Telephones.

16th January 1913
Page 1
Page 1, 16th January 1913 — Cab-Rank Telephones.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

London cab-ranks with shelter accommodation have generally been eabless, during the past few weeks ; the shelterless ranks, with one exception, remain unequipped with telephonic communication. At a time when there are few taxicabs to be had, except after a scouring of the streets, the question of additional cab-rank telephones may appear to be an academic one, but we have occasion to make this further brief reference by reason of a recent official intimation on behalf of the Postmaster-General.

Considerable interest was aroused, in the early part of last year, by the announcement in the House of Commons that the Postmaster-General was prepared to extend telephonic facilities, for the purpose of calling cabs, to upwards of BOO new stations. It was naturally concluded that this was intended to be an undertaking, for the convenience of the public, at the expense of the Department. That view, however, has been dispelled, for it is stated, with all authority, that the intention of the Postmaster. Generalmerely is to erect the telephones in cases where somebody is ready to pay for them The offer, which one must admit appeared to be of the magnanimous order, is thus reduced to dimensions which justify the remark "Thank you for nothing."

The cab-rank telephone set, which was installed at the cost of the Commercial Motor Users Association, in the main Kensington highway, not far from Olympia, early in the month of November, 1910, is still the only example in London of telephonic facilities for the calling of a cab from an ordinary rank where no shelter is erected. There are, of course, a limited number of ranks which have telephonic communication to the shelters that adjoin them. The one grain of comfort, from which we still have considerable hopes for the future, is found in the fact that at the present time the Government is

bearing the cost of the set to which we refer, for the C.M.U.A. undertook to pay the cost only for the first two years, which period has expired.


comments powered by Disqus