DOES SIZE MATTER? London taxi rank measurements leave TfL under scrutiny
Updated: Oct 7
Transport for London (TfL) has faced fresh scrutiny over its standards for taxi rank sizes, following a challenge raised through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by an unknown member of the public.
The individual questioned the accuracy of TfL’s guidance regarding space allocation per taxi at ranks across London.
The query, which builds on information from a previous FOI response, highlighted discrepancies in the actual lengths of several London taxi ranks. The requester noted that, contrary to TfL’s assertion of a 5,000mm standard length per taxi, ranks at locations such as Upper St Martins Lane and Southwark Street measure considerably longer, at 5,330mm and 6,090mm respectively. Both these ranks are single-cab facilities.
TfL’s official response acknowledged that while a standard length of 5 metres is used in design planning, the actual layout and size of taxi ranks can vary significantly. These variations, TfL explained, are due to practical factors such as site constraints and specific design requirements.
Could these already larger taxi ranks expand vehicle options for London’s cab market?
The dimensions of London’s taxi ranks play a significant role in determining the type and size of vehicles eligible for use in the city’s iconic black cab fleet. Taxi ranks, essentially the designated waiting areas for licensed taxis, are designed with specific space allocations per vehicle. These measurements, in turn, impose practical limitations on the types of taxis that can operate effectively within London’s streets.
Transport for London (TfL) has consistently referenced a standard rank space length of 5,000mm per vehicle when designing new ranks. This figure effectively sets a cap on vehicle size, making it crucial for manufacturers to produce taxis that fit within this parameter. The market has thus predominantly catered to designs that adhere to this constraint, ensuring that vehicles can easily access and occupy available rank spaces.
However, recent observations have highlighted a discrepancy in this standard. It turns out that many taxi ranks across London exceed the 5,000mm space, with some even reaching over 6,000mm in length. This suggests that, in practice, there is greater flexibility in rank sizing than initially understood. Such discrepancies could have significant implications for the types of vehicles permitted to serve as London taxis.
If most of London’s taxi ranks are indeed longer than 5,000mm, it opens up the possibility for larger vehicles to be considered for licensing as taxis. This would potentially widen the scope for manufacturers to design more spacious vehicles, which could offer increased passenger comfort, improved accessibility features, and even better integration of electric or hybrid technologies, which often require larger chassis.
A change in vehicle eligibility could also encourage diversity in the market, attracting manufacturers who may have previously been excluded by the tight restrictions on vehicle length. This could result in increased competition, driving innovation and even reducing costs for taxi operators. Moreover, longer vehicles could provide added benefits like more luggage space, a key consideration for airport transfers or group travel.
