Taxi
The word taxicab is a compound contraction of two distinct terms. Taximeter and cabriolet merge to form the modern name. The meter component traces back to the German word Taxameter. This German term itself derives from an earlier variant called Taxanom. The root word Taxi comes from the Ancient Greek word taxis. Taxis means to place in a certain order or command an orderly battle line. Thucydides used this term in his historical writings about military campaigns. Herodotus also referenced similar concepts regarding the payment of taxes. The second part, cabriolet, originates from French cabrioler meaning to leap or caper. Italian capriolare describes a somersault action. Latin capreolus refers to a roebuck or wild goat. In most European languages today, the word signifies a convertible car rather than a carriage. Paris equipped its first vehicles with meters on the 9th of March 1898. These early machines were originally named taxamètres before renaming them taximètres on the 17th of October 1904. Harry Nathaniel Allen imported 600 gas-powered New York City taxicabs from France in 1907. He borrowed the specific word taxicab from London where usage began by early 1907. A popular myth claims the name honors Franz von Taxis, a 16th-century postmaster for Philip of Burgundy. His nephew Johann Baptiste von Taxis served as General Postmaster for the Holy Roman Empire. Their surname derives from ancestor Omodeo Tasso from the 13th century. Historical records show no direct link between these postal families and vehicle naming conventions.
Horse-drawn hackney carriage services started operating in both Paris and London during the early 17th century. The first documented public service appeared in London in 1605. Carriages became available for hire from innkeepers in 1625. The first taxi rank emerged on the Strand outside the Maypole Inn in 1636. Parliament passed the Hackney Carriage Act in 1635 to legalize horse-drawn vehicles for hire. An Ordinance for Regulation of Hackney-Coachmen received approval in 1654. First licenses were issued in 1662. Nicolas Sauvage started a similar service in Paris in 1637. His vehicles carried the name fiacres after a shrine to Saint Fiacre. Hansom cabs designed by Joseph Hansom arrived in 1834. These two-wheel vehicles offered speed and agility through traffic jams. A single horse could pull them making journeys cheaper than four-wheel coaches. John Chapman modified Hansom's original design to improve practicality. The cab spread to continental European cities including Paris, Berlin, and St Petersburg. New York City adopted these vehicles during the late 19th century. The Daimler Victoria became the world's first motorized-powered taximeter-cab in 1897. Gottlieb Daimler built this vehicle which began operating in Stuttgart that June. Gasoline taxis reached Paris in 1899 and London in 1903. Harry N. Allen imported New York taxis from France in 1907. Bristol Engineering manufactured domestic versions starting in 1908. Fred E. Moskovics designed these early American models. Albert F. Rockwell owned Bristol and his wife suggested painting them yellow for visibility. Electric battery-powered taxis appeared at the end of the 19th century. Walter Bersey introduced Hummingbirds to London streets on the 19th of August 1897. Samuel's Electric Carriage and Wagon Company ran 12 electric hansom cabs in New York City in 1897.
Paris taxis played a memorable part in the French victory at First Battle of the Marne. On the 7th of September 1914 Military Governor Joseph Gallieni gathered about six hundred taxicabs at Les Invalides. These vehicles carried soldiers to the front at Nanteuil-le Haudouin fifty kilometers away. Within twenty-four hours approximately six thousand soldiers and officers moved to the front line. Each taxi transported five soldiers with four seated in the back and one next to the driver. Only the back lights remained lit during this operation. Drivers followed the lights of the taxi ahead through darkness. The Germans were caught off guard by this unexpected movement. Most taxis demobilized on the 8th of September though some continued carrying wounded and refugees. The French treasury reimbursed the total fare of 70,012 francs. This event became the symbol of solidarity between army and citizens. It marked the first recorded large-scale use of motorized infantry in battle. The Birmingham pub bombings occurred on the 21st of November 1974 killing 21 people and injuring 182. Fire officer in charge requested Taxi Owners Association transport for injured patients. They needed to reach nearby Birmingham Accident Hospital and Birmingham General Hospital. Eyewitness accounts confirm emergency services faced unprecedented peacetime demands. Forty ambulances proved unavailable so civilian drivers stepped forward. The military impact remained small within the huge scale of the Battle of Marne. Yet morale effects proved enormous for the French population.
Cities like London and Tokyo have implemented specific regulations dictating size and fuel efficiency. London's Conditions of Fitness set standards far stricter than private vehicle requirements. Emissions and accessibility standards define modern fleet choices. Checker cabs dominated New York City from the 1960s to the 1980s. Unique attributes make vehicles built to fit city requirements ubiquitous to livery fleets. These cars often become iconic images of their cities themselves. New York City efforts to mandate hybrid and wheelchair-accessible vehicles faced partial success. London and Tokyo produced unique vehicles meeting modern emissions and accessibility requirements. LEVC TX and Toyota JPN Taxi exemplify these successful adaptations. Older models rotate out of big cities into smaller markets as replacements arrive. Modifications of existing minivans like Mercedes Vito London Taxi serve as stopgap measures. Nissan NV200 also introduced as alternative products but largely rejected by customers. Wheelchair taxicabs are specially modified vans or minivans in most cases. Passengers load via lift or ramp at rear of vehicle. Latest generation features side loading with emergency egress possible from either side door. Wheelchair secured using belt and clip combination or wheel locks. Some taxis transport only one wheelchair user plus four to six additional passengers. London taxis became fully accessible since January 2000 with all fitted with pull-out ramps. Three-wheeled Coco taxis operate in Havana Cuba while bicitaxis appear in Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl Mexico.
Before radio dispatch innovation arrived in the 1950s drivers used callboxes. A special telephone sat at taxi stands for contacting dispatch offices. Two-way radios first appeared in taxicabs during late 1940s enabling efficient communication. Computer assisted dispatching emerged in the 1980s improving fleet management further. Magnetic pegs tracked locations on metal sheets engraved with maps of zones. Computerized systems now track status through digital terminals instead of physical boards. Frequencies generally licensed in duplex pairs allow dispatcher-to-cab and cab-to-dispatcher communication. One frequency handles outgoing messages while second handles incoming responses. Drivers cannot talk directly to each other without separate CB radio equipment. United States Taxicab Radio Service assigns pairs for specific purposes. Business frequencies in UHF range also licensed in pairs allowing repeaters. Smartphone applications connect drivers directly with passengers for job dispatching. Companies like Gett, Easy Taxi, and GrabTaxi provide mobile apps. GPS tracking monitors taxis even when not using central call centers. In offices using radio dispatch, locations tracked via magnetic pegs on board. Computerized dispatch tracks status by computer system rather than manual methods. Call to Top of the 2 means first cab in line at stand number two picks up passenger. Taxi frequencies generally licensed in duplex pairs allow dispatcher to talk to cabs. Second frequency used for cabs to talk back meaning drivers cannot speak freely.
Supporters argue deregulation causes lower prices because more taxis compete on market. Operating costs decrease incentivized by competition pressure enhancing reputation quality. New innovations emerge such as shared-ride markets and special services for disabled people. Demand increases as prices fall and quality improves according to advocates. Consensus suggests taxi deregulation less impressive than hoped initially. Possible reasons include overestimation of what deregulation could deliver. Strong cab-driver subculture provides its own form of informal regulation called Last American Cowboys. Deregulation advocates claim service level increases most in poorest city sections. Effect highest during peak hours and bad weather when demand peaks. Black market taxis become legal possibly eliminating safety problems. Cities save money without planning or enforcing strict regulations. Nearly all deregulating cities saw increased taxi numbers and employment. Monopoly advantage for license holders reached $590 million in early 1980s New York City. City has 1,400 fewer licenses than existed in 1937. Proponents argue main losers are car-less poor and disabled people. Taxi owners form strong lobby network marginalizing drivers and users. Regulators usually do not wish to rise against taxi-owner lobby. Politicians avoid negative opinions from taxi driver groups. Seattle deregulated taxis in 1980 resulting in high supply and variable rates. Price gouging occurred especially on airport routes with circuitous routing. Poor treatment of passengers led Seattle to re-regulate in 1984. St Louis deregulation produced 35% rise in fares causing complaints. City Council froze new taxicab licenses in 2002. Sweden study showed average fares per hour increased after 1991 deregulation.
Common questions
What is the origin of the word taxicab?
The word taxicab is a compound contraction of the terms taximeter and cabriolet. The meter component traces back to the German word Taxameter which derives from the Ancient Greek word taxis meaning to place in order. The second part cabriolet originates from French cabrioler meaning to leap or caper.
When did Paris equip its first vehicles with meters?
Paris equipped its first vehicles with meters on the 9th of March 1898. These early machines were originally named taxamètres before renaming them taximètres on the 17th of October 1904. Harry Nathaniel Allen imported 600 gas-powered New York City taxicabs from France in 1907.
How many soldiers did taxis transport during the First Battle of the Marne?
Within twenty-four hours approximately six thousand soldiers and officers moved to the front line using taxis gathered by Military Governor Joseph Gallieni. Each taxi transported five soldiers with four seated in the back and one next to the driver. The French treasury reimbursed the total fare of 70,012 francs for this operation.
Which cities have implemented specific regulations for taxi size and fuel efficiency?
Cities like London and Tokyo have implemented specific regulations dictating size and fuel efficiency. London's Conditions of Fitness set standards far stricter than private vehicle requirements. LEVC TX and Toyota JPN Taxi exemplify these successful adaptations meeting modern emissions and accessibility requirements.
When was radio dispatch innovation introduced to taxicabs?
Before radio dispatch innovation arrived in the 1950s drivers used callboxes at taxi stands. Two-way radios first appeared in taxicabs during late 1940s enabling efficient communication. Computer assisted dispatching emerged in the 1980s improving fleet management further.