Birmingham taxi drivers kept on the road

Black cab drivers in Birmingham are spending less time off the road thanks to a new service offered by a city taxi dealer.

To ensure drivers don’t lose out on fares and that passengers aren’t left waiting, Mann and Overton Birmingham has introduced a new Express Fit service.

It means drivers of London-style, purpose-built taxis can call in without prior appointment and get either a service or common problems fixed there and then, at competitive prices.

Front ball joints, brake discs and pads, rear shock absorbers and wishbone brushes are among the jobs included in Express Fit at the dealership on the Junction Six Industrial Estate, in Electric Avenue.

It is already proving a hit with drivers after being launched just last month.

“Any time spent off the road by a driver with a taxi means they cannot work,” said Roger Bull, dealer principal at Mann & Overton Birmingham.

“The knock-on effect is that there are fewer taxis on the streets so members of public don’t find it as easy to get a ride when they need one.

“The Express Fit service means that if a driver finds a problem, he can call in straight away without appointment, we can take a look and, if it is one of the jobs covered by the scheme, get them back on the road in the quickest possible time.

“This even extends to services. Because black cabs are built to be taxis unlike other makes which are converted for use as a cab, they are used to the rigours of constant driving and are among the most reliable vehicles on the road. They already have less “down-time” than vehicles converted for use as taxis. This service is aimed at heading off any problems to ensure they continue running smoothly.

“We have factory-trained technicians to fit the parts and believe through this new service we are keeping more taxi drivers on Birmingham’s roads and are doing as much as possible to ensure the safety of the city’s fleet of black cabs.”

Through Express Fit, drivers can save as much as £60 over the usual cost of fitting brake disc and pad sets with genuine LTI Vehicles parts.