Taxis have an important role to play in urban public transport.
That role has now been recognised in London, with the Public Carriage Office's responsibility for licensed taxis passing in July 2000 from London's Police to Transport for London. The PCO's long-standing remit for licensing taxis and their drivers is being expanded to cover private hire cars too. During the visit to the Public Carriage Office, near King's Cross, visitors will hear about the history of London's taxis, the licensing systems, the rigorous knowledge of London which intending taxi drivers have to demonstrate and the plans being implemented for licensing private hire cars and their drivers. The visit will conclude with a tour of the exacting vehicle inspection facilities.