Ford MAXiCab: New zero-emission black taxi “is ideal for London” as UK cities relax turning circle requirement
The new Ford MAXiCab is “ideal for London” according to a black cab manufacturing veteran as cities across the UK relax turning circle requirement.
TaxiPoint recently spoke with Roy McMaster of Cab Direct, an industry veteran with over 35 years of experience in taxi manufacturing and retailing. McMaster, whose career spans roles at LTI, Penso, and now Cab Direct, provided key insights into the forthcoming Ford MAXiCab—a zero-emission vehicle designed with accessibility and versatility in mind.
McMaster described the Ford MAXiCab as “ideal for London” and other major UK cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and Liverpool. The vehicle’s standout feature is its wheelchair accessibility, which McMaster hailed as the best in the market. Its zero-emission status also positions it as a forward-thinking solution in an era of increasing environmental focus.
However, McMaster raised concerns about London’s adherence to its mandatory taxi ‘turning circle’ requirement. While other cities have relaxed this rule, allowing a more diverse range of vehicles, London’s regulation continues to limit options. McMaster questioned whether it’s time to offer greater choice, as seen in cities like Manchester and Glasgow, to better align with the 2010 Equality Act and improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
Pilot production of a full GB Type Approved Ford MAXiCab WAV Special Purpose Vehicle is set to commence early this year, with full-scale manufacturing scheduled for completion by the end of Q1.
This development raises important questions for the taxi industry, particularly in London, about how best to balance tradition, innovation, and accessibility in the years ahead.
McMaster said: “Yes, the Ford MAXiCab is ideal for London, it’s fully zero-emission and it has the best wheelchair accessibility space. It will also be ideal for other big UK cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool. These cities have road systems like London, yet they gave up the ‘turning circle’ requirement years ago.
“The challenge for London is supporting the 2010 Equality Act while maintaining the mandatory ‘turning circle’ rule. People with disabilities should have the same access to public transport as everyone else, yet London has over 30% fewer taxis per head of population than the other 4 major cities I mentioned. These cities make it a matter of choice, allowing taxis with and without the ‘turning circle’. Having worked on both sides of the fence I can see the relative merits of both, so why not let it be a matter of choice like they do in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool?”
