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PCO Notice 30/08

Transport for London Public Carriage Office

Under bonnet fires in TX4s

Taxi manufacturer LTI has informed the Public Carriage Office of a number of engine fires in TX4s with a ‘56’ registration. The manufacturer is recalling all London TX4s in this registration range to allow further investigation and a thorough safety check of the engine compartment components. While there have been no injuries to date, measures are being put in place to minimise the risk to both passengers and drivers.

There is a need to inspect all ‘56’ registered TX4 taxis, and LTI will be contacting owners to arrange these checks. In particular, owners of very early production TX4 taxis (VIN range 200000 to 200500) will be contacted to bring the vehicles in for immediate inspection before continuing using them for passenger service.

TfL/PCO will make facilities available at Penton Street for LTI to carry out some of these inspections and LTI will also make arrangements with its main dealers to use their facilities to carry out inspections and any necessary repairs.

Based upon LTI’s advice, the PCO requires all of the vehicles in-scope, that is ‘56’ registered TX4 taxis, to have completed the LTI check and to be signed off by LTI, and for this to be noted by the PCO. The early production vehicles (see VIN range above) must be signed off by LTI by Friday 19 September and the rest of the ‘56’ registrations by Friday 26 September.

Any vehicle not signed off by LTI may have its licence suspended by the Licensing Authority and will therefore be unfit for passenger service.

LTI further advises all taxi drivers that, in the event of smoke originating in the engine compartment of any cab, the driver stops the cab; removes him/herself and any passengers from the cab; does not lift the bonnet; and calls the fire brigade.


Ed Thompson Taxi & Private Hire Director
12th September 2008
For previous PCO Notices visit tfl.gov.uk/pco

Latest from the PCO courtesy of Mr Flanagan of the GMB.

PCO Notice 31/08

Supplementary notice: under bonnet fires in TX4s

Following a further fire in ‘56’ registered TX4 taxis, the PCO is suspending the licences of these vehicles.

The licences for all ‘56’ registered TX4 taxis are therefore suspended subject to the requirements set out below.

While there have been no injuries in any of the fires so far, both the licensing authority (TfL) and the manufacturer (LTI) want to minimise the risks to both drivers and passengers.

What owners must do next:

a. if your taxi has been inspected and certified as safe by LTI at Mann and Overton

You may continue to use your vehicle in passenger service.

b. if your vehicle has not been inspected and certified that all engine safety checks have been carried out by LTI at Mann and Overton

You must not use your vehicle in passenger service until LTI has completed this inspection and you have obtained this certification.

LTI may already have offered you an appointment. If not, you will be offered an appointment shortly. LTI will be working at Mann and Overton until all in-scope taxis have been checked and signed off. See attached statement from LTI.

If you have any queries about your LTI appointment, the LTI call centre number is 0121 322 0710 (hours of operation are: 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm Saturday & Sunday).

Precautions for drivers (of any vehicle, but particularly those vehicles referred to above):

LTI advise all taxi drivers that, in the event of smoke or unusual noises originating in the engine compartment of any cab, the driver:
• stops the cab quickly and safely;
• immediately removes him/herself and any passengers from the vicinity of the cab; and
• calls the fire brigade.

The PCO appreciates your co-operation.

Mary Dowdye
Head Standards & Regulation
18 September 2008