The Public Carriage Office (PCO) is a United Kingdom body responsible for licensing taxis within the London metropolitan area. The PCO is part of Transport for London and is responsible for licensing the familiar London taxi or "black cab" and is also in the process of licensing private hire or "mini-cab" services. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Transport for London (TfL) is a government body responsible for the transport system in the City of London, the capital city of the United Kingdom. ... In the United Kingdom, a hackney carriage is a taxicab licensed by the Public Carriage Office in the London Metropolitan Area or by the local authority (shire district councils or authorities) in other parts of England and Wales, Scottish Executive in Scotland, and the Department of the Environment in Northern...

History

Since 1600 public carriages for hire have been a feature of London life. The discarded coaches of aristocratic families, complete with their coat of arms, were among the first hackney carriages to ply for hire. They were the forerunners of the French hackney carriage or cab (cabriolet) which first appeared in London around 1820. // Events January January 1 - Scotland adopts January 1st as being New Years Day February February 17 - Giordano Bruno burned at the stake for heresy in Rome July July 2 - Battle of Nieuwpoort: Dutch forces under Maurice of Nassau defeat Spanish forces under Archduke Albert in a battle on the... In the United Kingdom, a hackney carriage is a taxicab licensed by the Public Carriage Office in the London Metropolitan Area or by the local authority (shire district councils or authorities) in other parts of England and Wales, Scottish Executive in Scotland, and the Department of the Environment in Northern... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

The first horseless cab, the Bersey electric powered vehicle, appeared in 1897, followed by the first internal combustion engine cab in 1903. At that time London still had more than 11,000 horse drawn cabs. The last horse drawn cab was removed from service in 1947. There are now over 20,000 licensed vehicles on London's roads. 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ...

Regulation of the trade passed to the Metropolitan Police in 1850 and was undertaken by the Public Carriage Office, which was originally located in an annex to New Scotland Yard in Whitehall called "the Bungalow". It moved to 109 Lambeth Road in 1919, remaining there until 1966, when it moved to its present home, 15 Penton Street, Islington. 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link goes to calendar) // Events January January 1 - In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. ...

On the formation of Transport for London on the 3rd July 2000 the licensing authority changed, however the day to day licensing function remained with the Public Carriage Office. Transport for London (TfL) is a government body responsible for the transport system in the City of London, the capital city of the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

With the introduction of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 the role of the PCO has extended to include the licensing of private hire operators, drivers and vehicles. Implementation of the legislation has been phased, with operator licensing near completion and driver licensing at the end of a consultation process. Over 2000 operators have applied and It is estimated that there are about 40,000 drivers and a similar number of vehicles. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

To cope with the additional volume a new integrated taxi and private hire information technology system (TAPITS) has been developed. Alongside this, are plans to develop a computer-based Knowledge of London testing system that will interface with the proposed integrated system.

External links

• Transport for London's Public Carriage Office Website. The above article is a modified version of their webpages and was made with their permission.