Liverpool cabbies were left bewildered at the North West Taxi & Private Hire Exhibition in the city last weekend.  Visitors to the Cab Direct stand struggled to understand why Liverpool City Council’s Licensing Committee continues to block the way for drivers wanting to use the modern Peugeot E7 Hackney Carriage, despite the fact it operates successfully in 95% of UK towns and cities.  

Promoted to raise funds for the annual taxi driver’s outing for underprivileged children, the show was well organised and attended by drivers from across Merseyside.  Yet while operators in boroughs such as The Wirral, Sefton and Wigan were able to go ahead and place orders for the modern E7, cabbies operating in the city centre were left asking “Why on earth can’t we have this up-to-date vehicle in Liverpool?”

It’s the same question put to the Council’s Licensing Committee earlier this year by Glasgow manufacturer Cab Direct, supported by more than 300 Liverpool taxi drivers and by local wheelchair users.  The Council’s refusal to grant the E7 a Hackney Carriage Licence is currently being challenged through the courts.

Cab Direct’s Donald Pow, who was at the event, commented: “It’s ironic, to say the least, that drivers kept asking us ‘when will I be able to buy one of these cabs?’. Clearly we’d love to able to answer that but for whatever reason, we still can’t sell our purpose-built, safely accessible taxi here in Liverpool”. 

Cabbies were genuinely impressed by the modern comfort, storage and safety features the E7 provides. Many drivers reported how angered and frustrated they felt by the lack of choice of vehicle available to them in the city, they can currently only opt for the old-style TX4 taxi. The Peugeot E7 from Cab Direct also offers taxi operators a lower purchase price, superior fuel economy, longer service intervals and reduced CO2 emissions.

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The Ford Journey has been designed to offer an economical multi-purpose taxi at a fantastic price.  With easy wheelchair access and huge luggage capacity, the Journey combines all the features required by the modern day taxi driver with versatility that’s second to none. 

Ken Winfield from Colchester recently took delivery of his new Ford Journey and he can’t praise the vehicle highly enough.  Ken, who previously drove a Peugeot E7, decided that the time had come to semi-retire.  So when he was looking for a new vehicle the Journey seemed like the ideal choice.  Ken comments:  “I couldn’t be happier with the Journey, it really is superb - particularly given the price.  And the running costs are excellent too – both for fuel economy and servicing.  I wish I had bought one sooner.”

Ken continues:  “The Journey is absolutely ideal for what I want.  I have various contracts for wheelchair accessible work and the Journey fits the purpose perfectly.  All my regular customers love it – I’ve had nothing but positive comments.  I really am over the moon.” 

With the choice of a one-piece folding rear ramp or adjustable twin telescopic ramps, the versatile Ford Journey can accommodate wheelchair passenger, driver and up to two other passengers.  Alternatively, it can carry driver plus four passengers with a huge luggage area.  So whatever the job, you can be sure that the Journey will fit the bill.

With changing council regulation afoot across the UK Ken would definitely recommend the Journey to anybody currently driving a saloon car looking to make a change:  “The Journey has all the space of a saloon car and offers easy wheelchair

access too.  Having spoken with saloon car drivers in the area, the feeling is that the Journey is the best alternative – both on price and functionality. It looks great, it drives great and it is just so simple around traffic.”

Ken is delighted with his new Ford Journey and his customers are full of praise too.  And at such an amazing price, why look any further?

For further information on the Ford Journey freephone 0800 916 3058, email info@cabdirect.com or visit www.cabdirect.com