Claim's Cabbies Corner. UPDATE! Rank Rumblings

[warren t claim]

After flicking through the local taxi driver FB group I noticed that someone posted several photos of Wirral hacks that he took many years ago. I was shocked to see a picture of my first ever hack!

 

[High Jetter]

5 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

After flicking through the local taxi driver FB group I noticed that someone posted several photos of Wirral hacks that he took many years ago. I was shocked to see a picture of my first ever hack!

 

Youngster. My first PH was a Mk 1 Cav, first hack a Mk 3. Great pic for memories tho

[warren t claim]

2 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Youngster. My first PH was a Mk 1 Cav, first hack a Mk 3. Great pic for memories tho

I'm just enjoying reminiscing over the countless back seat encounters with the ladies I enjoyed in X918UMB twenty years ago.

[warren t claim]

 

[LightBulbFun]

2 hours ago, warren t claim said:

After flicking through the local taxi driver FB group I noticed that someone posted several photos of Wirral hacks that he took many years ago. I was shocked to see a picture of my first ever hack!

 

huh for some reason I thought it would be black! always feels a bit "wrong" seeing a FX/TX in Yellow, what next your going to show me a black painted Checker cab with a London Style "Taxi" cab light on the roof?

on a more serious note X918UMB last MOT was in 2013, last V5 issued in 2012, but still showing on the DVLA as SORN without any markers against it, what do you think happened to it? still extant in a garage/lockup somewhere, or long since cubed but someone has not done their paperwork properly?

[warren t claim]

16 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

huh for some reason I thought it would be black! always feels a bit "wrong" seeing a FX/TX in Yellow, what next your going to show me a black painted Checker cab with a London Style "Taxi" cab light on the roof?

on a more serious note X918UMB last MOT was in 2013, last V5 issued in 2012, but still showing on the DVLA as SORN without any markers against it, what do you think happened to it? still extant in a garage/lockup somewhere, or long since cubed but someone has not done their paperwork properly?

The last owner used it for spares. I'm pretty sure the engine will now be in a TX2/4 now.

[warren t claim]

Along with my old TX1 the lad put up some other pics of local hacks circa 2010 which I'll share here and comment what I remember about that particular cab.

This one lasted well. It was owner driven for most of its life.

A picture from the infamous yard owned by Billy Kelly.

If you were second off behind this on the rank the next punter who walked up wanted to go any distance then the driver would broom the job down to the next cab as he didn't trust this Metrocab on any fare longer than about ten miles. Wise man!

The blue 04 plate TX2 was still on the road until last year sporting a blue repaint applied with a roller!

 

[warren t claim]

At first glance I thought this my my old Fairway. Mine was L reg and had those dodgy "MiniPeaks" headlamp surrounds, not applied by me of course! 

The woman who drove this was a snotty cow. 

Plate 95 IIRC. Note the wheels? Yep! Drum brakes! 

[warren t claim]

IIRC, this was the last ever Wirral plated Metrocab. 

We had a few GAE registered cabs. This one was in the best condition.

Owned by a mate of mine called Tony. This ex London TX auto was IMMACULATE when he owned it. Not seen it in a while.

[LightBulbFun]

42 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

Plate 95 IIRC. Note the wheels? Yep! Drum brakes! 

August 1996 registered! thats got to be some late registration madness? I was under the impression drum brakes where replaced by disks on the Fairway in 1993, leading to the Fairway driver, the final rivision of the FX4, unless LTI kept offering the Fairway Non-driver for a time afterwards? amazingly its still taxed and tested too  despite being quite crispy if its MOT history is to go by!

 

[warren t claim]

3 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

August 1996 registered! thats got to be some late registration madness? I was under the impression drum brakes where replaced by disks on the Fairway in 1993, leading to the Fairway driver, the final rivision of the FX4, unless LTI kept offering the Fairway Non-driver for a time afterwards? amazingly its still taxed and tested too  despite being quite crispy if its MOT history is to go by!

 

He kept it alive for well past its sell by date. Plate 95 is on his E7 now.

[High Jetter]

2 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

He kept it alive for well past its sell by date. Plate 95 is on his E7 now.

I think that's the second one you pictured with an HC reg, Eastbourne. I lived here since late 60's, no FX sellers round here that I recall.

[warren t claim]

This article about driving a taxi back in the 90s appeared in out trade journal. Although I didn't start until 2001 I can relate to a lot of this. Maybe this will ring a bell for @NorfolkNWeigh and @High Jetter?

TAXI DRIVERS LOOK BACK ON THE 1990s: “A licence to print money”, maps in the glovebox and diesel at 45p a litre

Taxi drivers from across the UK have reflected on working during the 1990s, describing a trade defined by cash, independence, and camaraderie. In a conversation sparked by TaxiPoint, drivers offered a detailed glimpse into an era that now feels worlds apart from the current app-led and heavily regulated industry.

 

 

 

The 1990s was a period that contrasts significantly with today. Drivers frequently mentioned how much more money could be made back then, especially during busy weekend shifts. “I earned more on a Friday and Saturday night than I do all week now,” one cabbie said. Another recalled earning £1,000 a week without breaking a sweat, working in an industry that allowed drivers to set their own hours and keep what they earned without commission cuts.

 

Many drivers commented on the all-cash nature of the job. Card readers were non-existent, and digital bookings had yet to arrive. With no third-party platforms involved, apart from those choosing to work the radio circuits, all income went directly to the driver.

 

 

 

Vehicle costs were also far lower. Common fleet favourites outside of London included the Ford Sierra, Vauxhall Cavalier, Nissan Bluebird, Peugeot 405 and even the Lada. Drivers noted diesel prices as low as 45p a litre, and insurance costs were minimal by today’s standards.

 

Technology, or the lack of it, was another standout feature. A-Z maps were the norm, and local knowledge was essential. Satnavs and smartphones were not available, so learning the area properly was a basic requirement. “You had to know where you were going,” said one driver. Others remembered working with two-way radios and CB units, which were used not only to receive jobs but also to stay in touch with fellow drivers.

 

 

 

Several drivers praised the support network provided by radio circuits. “You were never alone,” said one, describing the banter, help and sense of community, especially when responding to incidents or difficult customers. If a driver ran into trouble, help wasn’t far away. CB radios were often used to call for backup, and drivers would step in to support one another.

 

Social behaviour among customers was also said to be different. The set closing times for pubs and clubs created a predictable evening rush, with less anti-social behaviour than some drivers report now. Regular pub pickups were common, with drivers shouting out names like “Taxi for Dave” inside to locate passengers. One driver remarked that tips were more frequent and generous, partly due to the cash-based system.

 

 

 

The 90s was also a time of more localised working. Drivers stayed within familiar areas and were less likely to cross borders. Local knowledge gave them an advantage, and many said competition was fairer. There was a sense of order, where drivers knew each other and respected unwritten rules. One remembered that no black cab overtook another on the way back to a rank unless waved on by the cab in front. A rule still in place now, but more cab drivers are pushing the boundaries of etiquette than ever before.

 

However, not all memories were positive. The early part of the decade was shaped by high interest rates and a national recession. Some drivers described the early 90s as tough, with long hours and not enough work to go around. In Belfast, the job was described as high-risk due to political unrest, with drivers at risk of being targeted.

 

 

 

The final years of the decade began to show signs of change. Private hire began to grow, and some early examples of rule bending were highlighted. One cabbie recalled PHV drivers using private car parks to unofficially ply for hire, sometimes with CB radios hanging from mirrors as a signal. Another noted how touting was common in some areas, well before enforcement increased.

 

Looking back, most agreed that the trade was more straightforward. Vehicles were easier to maintain, regulations were lighter, and running costs were manageable. With no platforms like Uber and fewer cross-border licensing issues, drivers had greater control over their work and income.

 

There was a strong sense of pride in being part of the trade during that period. Many described the era as one of mutual respect, with drivers looking out for each other and building lasting friendships. Today, in contrast, some feel standards have dropped, customer trust has declined, and the trade has lost much of its identity.

 

 

 

The 1990s serves as a reference point for many taxi drivers still in the industry. Whether they see it as a golden age or simply a different time, one thing was clear: the trade was once much more profitable, more local, and more united.

 

 

 

Cabbie Jason Smith summed up the era best: “The 90s was when I started. I thought it was like a licence to print money. I’d never earned so much in my life and it was all in cash. Cheap uncomplicated cars and cheap diesel. I felt young as there were loads of moaning old taxi drivers saying how bad it was and how good it was 20 or 30 years ago. Now I’m one of the old moaning ones saying the same.”

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/taxi-drivers-look-back-on-the-1990s-a-licence-to-print-money-maps-in-the-glovebox-and-diesel-at

 

[High Jetter]

23 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

Maybe this will ring a bell

Yup, thanks. I was cabbing from 1987 to 1990, mainly PH. Eastbourne had pretty strict licensing back then, and the number of hackney plates was rigidly controlled, so much so that full and half plates were changing hands for 5 figure sums, as it reflected what they could earn. You could get a new PH plate (as I did) but I think previously they'd had a premium too.

I wouldn't say as a PH driver I was rolling in it, though it was an OK living for a late 20s guy with no dependants. PH rates were lower than hacks, to encourage trade away from the 2 firms and a handful of independants.  I can't remember the fuel prices, but have probably got my notebooks from that time somewhere.

I went to a new firm starting up at one point, run by a mate of mine from school. To drum up trade one of us would park up by a nightclub or something and if approached we'd book another car to come and take them - not technically plying for hire but the hack drivers took a very dim view and violence was threatened.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I got my PH license in 1993 and have to agree it was fucking great!  My radio rent had to be paid by 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon, so my working week started at 06.00 on Friday , I always earned it in time , £80 , I think.

Id then start earning my wages, clubs closed at 02.30 so home by 3, usually with about £150 after fuel. Which was of course petrol in my 2.0i Granny Ghia.  Saturday would be another couple of hundred- all cash. As for plying for hire outside clubs , Milton Keynes only had about 30 Hackneys, all old white men that had been doing it since the 50’s and didn’t want to or need to work at night. It was a free for all , the Police often encouraging you to take unbooked fares to clear the pissheads away. 
I might do a few hours on a afternoon, just because there was a likelihood of a couple of Heathrows , still cash. That was usually it for the week unless a big bill or to pay for a holiday or something came up.

What helped massively was The New Labour Government letting you estimate your self employed earnings for a year if you started a new company , which I did annually and paying Family Credit for all your kids ( I had 4)  Best part of 2 Grand a month, thanks Tone and Gordon.

I used to do a bit of trading and often bought a Montego or Sierra from the auction on a Tuesday night got it plated later that week then hammered into working it for a week or so to pay for it ( £1000/1500) Once I’d covered the cost I’d rent it out at £100 a week , there was always demand for cars. At one point in 1997 I had 9 cars and an LDV minibus out working. There’s no way that could be done these days with 5/6 year old cars costing over £5000 and repairs on modern shit would be a bit more than Sierras, Cavaliers and Montegos. Tyres and front pads were down to the driver and other maintenance was minimal ( I never changed a cambelt) and can’t remember any major breakdowns, a few accidents. The worse being two cars going through the same fence in the ice within 10 minutes , I almost put my Senator into the same field when they called me ! Luckily a couple of days fitting secondhand bumpers lights and wings on the Sierra and Cavalier saw them both back out earning and £200 covered the fence.

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I got my PH license in 1993 and have to agree it was fucking great!  My radio rent had to be paid by 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon, so my working week started at 06.00 on Friday , I always earned it in time , £80 , I think.

Id then start earning my wages, clubs closed at 02.30 so home by 3, usually with about £150 after fuel. Which was of course petrol in my 2.0i Granny Ghia.  Saturday would be another couple of hundred- all cash. As for plying for hire outside clubs , Milton Keynes only had about 30 Hackneys, all old white men that had been doing it since the 50’s and didn’t want to or need to work at night. It was a free for all , the Police often encouraging you to take unbooked fares to clear the pissheads away. 
I might do a few hours on a afternoon, just because there was a likelihood of a couple of Heathrows , still cash. That was usually it for the week unless a big bill or to pay for a holiday or something came up.

What helped massively was The New Labour Government letting you estimate your self employed earnings for a year if you started a new company , which I did annually and paying Family Credit for all your kids ( I had 4)  Best part of 2 Grand a month, thanks Tone and Gordon.

I used to do a bit of trading and often bought a Montego or Sierra from the auction on a Tuesday night got it plated later that week then hammered into working it for a week or so to pay for it ( £1000/1500) Once I’d covered the cost I’d rent it out at £100 a week , there was always demand for cars. At one point in 1997 I had 9 cars and an LDV minibus out working. There’s no way that could be done these days with 5/6 year old cars costing over £5000 and repairs on modern shit would be a bit more than Sierras, Cavaliers and Montegos. Tyres and front pads were down to the driver and other maintenance was minimal ( I never changed a cambelt) and can’t remember any major breakdowns, a few accidents. The worse being two cars going through the same fence in the ice within 10 minutes , I almost put my Senator into the same field when they called me ! Luckily a couple of days fitting secondhand bumpers lights and wings on the Sierra and Cavalier saw them both back out earning and £200 covered the fence.

Are you @warren t claim's brother? 🤣

[warren t claim]

2 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I got my PH license in 1993 and have to agree it was fucking great!  My radio rent had to be paid by 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon, so my working week started at 06.00 on Friday , I always earned it in time , £80 , I think.

Id then start earning my wages, clubs closed at 02.30 so home by 3, usually with about £150 after fuel. Which was of course petrol in my 2.0i Granny Ghia.  Saturday would be another couple of hundred- all cash. As for plying for hire outside clubs , Milton Keynes only had about 30 Hackneys, all old white men that had been doing it since the 50’s and didn’t want to or need to work at night. It was a free for all , the Police often encouraging you to take unbooked fares to clear the pissheads away. 
I might do a few hours on a afternoon, just because there was a likelihood of a couple of Heathrows , still cash. That was usually it for the week unless a big bill or to pay for a holiday or something came up.

What helped massively was The New Labour Government letting you estimate your self employed earnings for a year if you started a new company , which I did annually and paying Family Credit for all your kids ( I had 4)  Best part of 2 Grand a month, thanks Tone and Gordon.

I used to do a bit of trading and often bought a Montego or Sierra from the auction on a Tuesday night got it plated later that week then hammered into working it for a week or so to pay for it ( £1000/1500) Once I’d covered the cost I’d rent it out at £100 a week , there was always demand for cars. At one point in 1997 I had 9 cars and an LDV minibus out working. There’s no way that could be done these days with 5/6 year old cars costing over £5000 and repairs on modern shit would be a bit more than Sierras, Cavaliers and Montegos. Tyres and front pads were down to the driver and other maintenance was minimal ( I never changed a cambelt) and can’t remember any major breakdowns, a few accidents. The worse being two cars going through the same fence in the ice within 10 minutes , I almost put my Senator into the same field when they called me ! Luckily a couple of days fitting secondhand bumpers lights and wings on the Sierra and Cavalier saw them both back out earning and £200 covered the fence.

There's no fucking way I'd buy taxis to rent out in 2025.

20 years ago it was a decent moneyspinner running a fleet of Mk1/2 Mondeos but no way would I chance it with Mk5s. 

[High Jetter]

4 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

There's no fucking way I'd buy taxis to rent out in 2025.

20 years ago it was a decent moneyspinner running a fleet of Mk1/2 Mondeos but no way would I chance it with Mk5s. 

The trade's fucked now. So many satnav dependants who have no clue of the area and overcharge when they take you the wrong way.

[warren t claim]

And I'm back driving a hackney again.

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, warren t claim said:

And I'm back driving a hackney again.

Did you have to cum over it tho? 🤣

[Pieman]

Looking forward to more of your stories soon!

[BorniteIdentity]

On 28/09/2025 at 13:48, warren t claim said:

This article about driving a taxi back in the 90s appeared in out trade journal. Although I didn't start until 2001 I can relate to a lot of this. Maybe this will ring a bell for @NorfolkNWeigh and @High Jetter?

TAXI DRIVERS LOOK BACK ON THE 1990s: “A licence to print money”, maps in the glovebox and diesel at 45p a litre

Taxi drivers from across the UK have reflected on working during the 1990s, describing a trade defined by cash, independence, and camaraderie. In a conversation sparked by TaxiPoint, drivers offered a detailed glimpse into an era that now feels worlds apart from the current app-led and heavily regulated industry.

 

 

 

The 1990s was a period that contrasts significantly with today. Drivers frequently mentioned how much more money could be made back then, especially during busy weekend shifts. “I earned more on a Friday and Saturday night than I do all week now,” one cabbie said. Another recalled earning £1,000 a week without breaking a sweat, working in an industry that allowed drivers to set their own hours and keep what they earned without commission cuts.

 

Many drivers commented on the all-cash nature of the job. Card readers were non-existent, and digital bookings had yet to arrive. With no third-party platforms involved, apart from those choosing to work the radio circuits, all income went directly to the driver.

 

 

 

Vehicle costs were also far lower. Common fleet favourites outside of London included the Ford Sierra, Vauxhall Cavalier, Nissan Bluebird, Peugeot 405 and even the Lada. Drivers noted diesel prices as low as 45p a litre, and insurance costs were minimal by today’s standards.

 

Technology, or the lack of it, was another standout feature. A-Z maps were the norm, and local knowledge was essential. Satnavs and smartphones were not available, so learning the area properly was a basic requirement. “You had to know where you were going,” said one driver. Others remembered working with two-way radios and CB units, which were used not only to receive jobs but also to stay in touch with fellow drivers.

 

 

 

Several drivers praised the support network provided by radio circuits. “You were never alone,” said one, describing the banter, help and sense of community, especially when responding to incidents or difficult customers. If a driver ran into trouble, help wasn’t far away. CB radios were often used to call for backup, and drivers would step in to support one another.

 

Social behaviour among customers was also said to be different. The set closing times for pubs and clubs created a predictable evening rush, with less anti-social behaviour than some drivers report now. Regular pub pickups were common, with drivers shouting out names like “Taxi for Dave” inside to locate passengers. One driver remarked that tips were more frequent and generous, partly due to the cash-based system.

 

 

 

The 90s was also a time of more localised working. Drivers stayed within familiar areas and were less likely to cross borders. Local knowledge gave them an advantage, and many said competition was fairer. There was a sense of order, where drivers knew each other and respected unwritten rules. One remembered that no black cab overtook another on the way back to a rank unless waved on by the cab in front. A rule still in place now, but more cab drivers are pushing the boundaries of etiquette than ever before.

 

However, not all memories were positive. The early part of the decade was shaped by high interest rates and a national recession. Some drivers described the early 90s as tough, with long hours and not enough work to go around. In Belfast, the job was described as high-risk due to political unrest, with drivers at risk of being targeted.

 

 

 

The final years of the decade began to show signs of change. Private hire began to grow, and some early examples of rule bending were highlighted. One cabbie recalled PHV drivers using private car parks to unofficially ply for hire, sometimes with CB radios hanging from mirrors as a signal. Another noted how touting was common in some areas, well before enforcement increased.

 

Looking back, most agreed that the trade was more straightforward. Vehicles were easier to maintain, regulations were lighter, and running costs were manageable. With no platforms like Uber and fewer cross-border licensing issues, drivers had greater control over their work and income.

 

There was a strong sense of pride in being part of the trade during that period. Many described the era as one of mutual respect, with drivers looking out for each other and building lasting friendships. Today, in contrast, some feel standards have dropped, customer trust has declined, and the trade has lost much of its identity.

 

 

 

The 1990s serves as a reference point for many taxi drivers still in the industry. Whether they see it as a golden age or simply a different time, one thing was clear: the trade was once much more profitable, more local, and more united.

 

 

 

Cabbie Jason Smith summed up the era best: “The 90s was when I started. I thought it was like a licence to print money. I’d never earned so much in my life and it was all in cash. Cheap uncomplicated cars and cheap diesel. I felt young as there were loads of moaning old taxi drivers saying how bad it was and how good it was 20 or 30 years ago. Now I’m one of the old moaning ones saying the same.”

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/taxi-drivers-look-back-on-the-1990s-a-licence-to-print-money-maps-in-the-glovebox-and-diesel-at

 

Some interesting things there that I hadn't thought about for a long time.

Even in 2002 - four years after the Good Friday Agreement - I couldn't get certain cabbies to take me to certain places around Portadown.  It was the same for take-aways too! Having a ring around to get a cab out was sometimes entertaining* but - once people got to know you - it certainly became easier.  

I was never a regular taxi user tbh; I'd walk two miles home after a night out and spend the saved fiver on another two pints of strongbow or whatever shit I was drinking at 17.  But in Felixstowe it was all Bluebirds and Carinas, very few Sierras and precisely no LTI/FX4 stuff.  I'd never even sat in one until I was 18 and going for a job in London.

[timolloyd]

Don’t get me wrong - I love reading the stories in this thread and I don’t like to see any industry suffer. 
 

But a lot of what’s cited as ‘the good old days’ in that article, is now the opposite for punters like me.

Plentiful taxis, not having to spend ages ringing around, payment by card (including tip!) without fannying around with cash. Quieter and more comfortable taxis, especially in London.

[warren t claim]

One month back on the hacks, and what's changed in the last 18 months since my last stint?

18 months ago on the rank I usually work, 25% of the hacks were TX1,2&4s. Now it's highly unusual to see one plying for hire during the day. The other main rank still has about a 30% hardcore TX crew.

The last tariff rise has seen the night rate clock up in 25p increments, which makes the fare on the meter look strange.

The office isn't asking me to cover 5/6/7 seat overnight work like it used to. In fact, I've not had an airport job all month.

Still just about making a living though!

 

[High Jetter]

How many cars have you killed tho? 😄

[BorniteIdentity]

6 hours ago, warren t claim said:

One month back on the hacks, and what's changed in the last 18 months since my last stint?

18 months ago on the rank I usually work, 25% of the hacks were TX1,2&4s. Now it's highly unusual to see one plying for hire during the day. The other main rank still has about a 30% hardcore TX crew.

The last tariff rise has seen the night rate clock up in 25p increments, which makes the fare on the meter look strange.

The office isn't asking me to cover 5/6/7 seat overnight work like it used to. In fact, I've not had an airport job all month.

Still just about making a living though!

 

Is GETT a thing up there? 

It is the only app that we are allowed to use to book cabs/PH cars here.  I talk frequently to my drivers and they get a lot of work from it.  Overnight gigs are quite lucrative.

[warren t claim]

21 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

Is GETT a thing up there? 

It is the only app that we are allowed to use to book cabs/PH cars here.  I talk frequently to my drivers and they get a lot of work from it.  Overnight gigs are quite lucrative.

Not made it here so far.

[warren t claim]

Picture the scene. 

It's chucking out time and I need diesel. I pull into a Texaco and start filling up. Just as I'm filling up a pissed couple walk out of the Texaco shop, and seeing my orange light on, decide to jump in. In their pissed state they fail to notice that opening the sliding door when the fuel nozzle is inserted is a bad idea. 

The last time I pulled out that fast was with a woman from New Brighton who waited until I was on my vinegar's before telling me she wasn't on the pill!

[Dobloseven]

6 hours ago, warren t claim said:

Picture the scene. 

It's chucking out time and I need diesel. I pull into a Texaco and start filling up. Just as I'm filling up a pissed couple walk out of the Texaco shop, and seeing my orange light on, decide to jump in. In their pissed state they fail to notice that opening the sliding door when the fuel nozzle is inserted is a bad idea. 

The last time I pulled out that fast was with a woman from New Brighton who waited until I was on my vinegar's before telling me she wasn't on the pill!

All the vehicles I've had with sliding doors have had an interlocking mechanism to stop that happening.

[beko1987]

Bonus points if you splashed <something> all over her as you did it 😂