By John Kaponi

The black cab industry tonight is up in arms at the delayed response of manufacturer LTI, who is responsible for the construction of the TX4 black cab. A recall of the 56 plated vehicles is now taking place, to prevent more TX4's combusting on the streets of the capital.

It is widely known that LTI have not identified the exact reason why the vehicles are catching fire, and it has taken an intervention by Transport for London for the these cabs to be withdrawn.  TFL have following a fire last night in London, suspended the licence of any 56 reg TX4 which has not yet been certified as safe. No 56 reg TX4s can legally carry passengers unless they have passed the safety inspection. 

A PCO notice is being sent out to all affected owners today advising them of what they need to doThe sentiment within the black trade is of deep concern, firstly for the safety of passengers and drivers and secondly anger that the manufacturers have not equipped service and maintenance garages with the knowledge and expertise to identify what the problems is with the TX4.

Questions are being directed at LTI why a recall on all 56 plated cabs did not occur much earlier without the spotlight of the press, when recorded cases in the black trade press were published.  Indeed the livelihood of six hundred drivers may now be severely curtailed, in an economic recession that the cabbies are already predicting up to a 30 per cent drop in trade on the streets of London.

Moreover the black cab trade has also shown an inability by its various trade bodies to speak with one unified voice and lobby for LTI and TfL to act earlier and prevent what could be a public relations disaster for the trade, and crucially reassure the public that travel by a black cab is safer than a bus.

TfL this evening have issed a statement to the London Daily News:

"As well as carrying out a close inspection of all 56 reg. TX4s, LTI has brought in a forensic engineer to examine a number of the burnt engines to determine where the fires are starting.  The PCO has also instructed an independent fire safety expert to carry out our own investigation into these fires.”

"If LTI’s and our own investigations leave us in any doubt as to the safety of this type of vehicle we may have to withdraw our approval.  This is not a step we would take lightly, but we cannot take any chances with the lives of taxi drivers and their passengers."

No one has been injured by the fires that have occurred affecting TX4 cabs, to date  twelve fires have been recorded nationwide, eight of which have been in London

Photo credit: Peter Rose of TX4 on fire