Each of us had to call a taxi cab at least once. Some use this service less often than others, e.g. to catch a train or plane, and for some, this is a regular means of transport. Today I will tell you about the most unusual taxis in the world.
On March 22, taxi drivers celebrate their professional day. It is believed that on this day, more than 100 years ago, the first taxis appeared in London. They differ in terms of class, price, and purpose. There are vehicles for hospital checkouts with carry-beds in the salons, models with spacious trunks for transportation of bulky goods, etc. In the list below, I have mentioned some unusual taxis from around the world that can satisfy the needs of the most demanding passengers.
On 23 December 1834, the British architect Joseph Hansom applied for a patent for the “Hansom safety cab” which has gone down in history as a “hansom cab.” This was an unusual horse-drawn two-wheeled carriage. For the time being, it was a strange but the best means of transport for driving on the streets of London – fast, safe, and easy to pass each other even in courtyards, preventing “traffic jams.” Since then, the design has undergone many changes, but a hansom cab is still unique even today. Sometimes creative pursuits are caused not that much by creativity itself as by necessity.
- Tanksi. In London, this unusual taxi appeared thanks to an advertising campaign organized by a video game company, Electronic Arts. Before the official release of their Battlefield 3, the company’s designers decided to send real tanks which would provide taxi services on the streets of the capital. It is worth mentioning that this advertising move did not surprise the prudish British public. The cost was not too high, so anybody could go for a ride. By the way, everyone who arrives at Heathrow Airport in the UK can take a taxi without a driver.
- The fastest taxi cab in the world is the Ferrari Enzo supercar. Its speed reaches 220.5 mph (355 km/h). There are only 400 cars in the world. In order to ride one, speed fans will have to go to the Arabian Peninsula. Some say that’s just a rumor though, and if you want a really fast trip, you should, probably, go to Prague, the Czech Republic, they have Bugatti Veyron minicabs there. Or hire this guy in the video below.
- Karaoke taxis are especially popular in Singapore. The salon has built-in special screens, lighting. and music. I wish everyone could call that every time they didn’t have enough fun for the evening.
- In Austria, they have erotic taxi cabs. Black Cadillac limo is completely toned and soundproof. The salon is decorated with red velvet or luxurious leather upholstery, equipped with a mini-bar and video system with an adult movie collection. Such an entourage contributes to a very intimate ride! Also, in Vienna, there is a GinTaxi transportation company that provides their refurbished London taxis for hire. That’s where you can taste real Hendrick’s Gin while enjoying your ride through the city.
- To this day, rickshaws still exist in eastern countries. Though it’s not that tough as it was before – modern versions like cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are pretty widespread these days. According to bikesbros.com, motorbike taxis are very popular in many countries around the world. This is a fast and inexpensive way to travel which is very much appreciated by customers. In Thailand, you can find auto-rickshaws almost everywhere. The disadvantages of these taxis include problems with the transportation of large luggage. But traffic jams are not a threat at all.
- In Switzerland, taxi drivers are getting more involved in the “business” of preserving the environment and massively switch to electric cars. Today, this country is a leader in the number of taxis with electric motors. For example, a ship called SeaBubbles, which works on electric power, is absolutely eco-friendly and has received approval from the cantonal authorities. The water taxi cab is equipped with the OCTOPUS system developed by ABB to collect and analyze the most important information about a vessel and its environment in order to optimize navigation.
Other countries also keep up with Switzerland. Thus, eTaxi, the green taxi system, recently appeared in Hong Kong.
- Ireland’s Ecocabs offer to use their e-tricycles for free. Such a taxi cab allows you to lead a healthier lifestyle and help save the environment.
Such vehicles are also called “city cruisers.” You can find them in cities like Berlin, Tokyo, Frankfurt am Main, etc. These bike taxis have a speed of about 15.5 mph (25 km/h) and also successfully avoid traffic jams. Up to 80 taxis like that run daily in Berlin.
Similar models of taxis drive through the streets of Havana, the capital of Cuba. Here, such a vehicle with a passenger cabin is called “Coco Taxi.” It’s designed for 2 passengers and a driver. This type of taxi is the slowest and most “dusty”, but it is best suited for tourists who want to get acquainted with the local attractions.
- There are many variants of water taxis, e.g. boats, Venetian gondolas, and even water scooters. Such transport is widespread mostly in Italy, as well as in the U.S., for example, New York. The peculiarity of this type of taxi is that being a water type of transport, it is a taxi that runs not on pre-prepared routes but on the one given by the passenger.
- Try to find a regular taxi in Venice. You can’t, right? The gondolas are not a luxury here, but a means of transportation (a trip on such a boat will cost you quite a bit).
- Aero-taxis are becoming increasingly popular today. Originally they appeared in the U.S. (Florida), but today such services are in Brazil, Europe, and Asia. An unforgettable excursion in such a taxi will surely stay with for years. You can fly around your own possession, go hunting or meet your business partner.
- Autonomous flying taxis are being built all over the world. While their safety is still a question but, undoubtedly, but they are definitely the future. For example, in the spring of this year, the first public demonstration of an autonomous flying taxi took place at a stadium in Vienna, which gave an idea of the future of urban transportation. It is known that several large companies, including Boeing and Airbus, are already working on their own versions of this technology.
EHang, a Chinese company, have also presented their own smart creation at the Generali Arena football stadium in the Austrian capital. EHang 216 is equipped with eight sets of rotors that produce 90 dB of noise, which is lower than the noise from a regular helicopter but still too loud, making it difficult for passengers to feel comfortable. In the future, the developers hope to reduce the noise level to 75 dB. In addition, the company says that eventually, this type of drones will carry passengers at low altitudes and distances of up to 21.7 miles (35 km), but before that, they have to obtain permission from the authorities.
The demonstrated aircraft weighs 749.6 lbs (340 kg). Depending on the cargo, the drone can travel between 31 and 43.5 miles and can reach speeds of up to 93 mph (150 km/h). EHang 216 is equipped with a 17 kW battery – the power consumption of the drone is comparable to that of an electric car.
- Pet taxis. Judge for yourself, many animal owners often have to take their pets in different places. It can be a vet clinic, exhibition, pet hotel, etc. But not everyone feels comfortable riding in public transport with a healthy cat or dog, let alone exotic pets. Ordinary taxi service does not always agree to transport our four-legged friends. Therefore, pet taxis are available in some countries to make life for both pets and their owners easier.
- In Mexico, Beetle taxis called “Vocho” are pretty widespread. Cars of this model have been riding all across Mexico for more than half a century. If a passenger is not a fan of Vochos, it is unlikely that this car will become something outstanding for him. But Mexican taxi drivers are distinguished by their super-convincing friendliness and specific sense of humour.
- Once in Japan, you shouldn’t look for taxis with regular LED lamps. Creative Japanese attach very unusual and funny lamps shaped like dogs, frogs, spacecraft on their taxi roofs, and their fantasy is not limited to that.