Iconic vehicle manufacturer saves the capital’s largest Knowledge school

London’s longest-running taxi driver training school, Knowledge Point, which had been facing closure, will be able to remain in business thanks to an agreement with the London Taxi Company, the maker of London’s iconic black cabs. Knowledge Point has trained London’s black cab drivers for more than 30 years and will reopen at the London Taxi Company’s Islington dealership on 18 January.

The Knowledge school was threatened with closure due to redevelopment at its premises in central London. Recognising the strategic importance of retaining London taxi driver’s largest training centre, the London Taxi Company will accommodate the Knowledge Point at its Brewery Road dealership, which is just yards from its original location.

It can take over three years to learn the 25,000 streets within the six-mile radius of Charing Cross. The Knowledge sets apart black cab drivers from mini cab drivers in London and breeds a culture of professionalism and integrity which customers value. The standard of training they receive enables high quality, flexible employment for 25,000 aspirational drivers in London and makes for a hugely interesting and rewarding career where no working day is the same as the next.

Knowledge of London graduates know the most direct route to any location without relying on a satellite navigation, which could potentially steer drivers in a poor direction in heavy traffic. Their training means they are fully equipped with the skills and expertise for the immediate hire market in a complex city like London and where passenger safety is the priority.  

All drivers in the capital must complete the Knowledge before legally taking the wheel of a London taxi. With the London Taxi Company’s all new zero emissions capable TX5 on sale in 2017, licensed taxi drivers will be integral to improving the city’s air quality and carbon footprint, securing their position as the best taxi service in the world for years to come.

The London Taxi Company is keen to support good quality job creation in London and will be promoting new initiatives to help attract and train the London cabbies of the future in conjunction with Knowledge Point

Peter Johansen, Chief Executive of the London Taxi Company, and architect of the agreement with Knowledge Point said:

“We are extremely pleased to be able to help keep Knowledge Point open. The Knowledge is a proud tradition among London black cab drivers, and still as relevant today as ever before. This intensive training sets them apart from mini cab drivers, making them indispensable to London and the UK, and provides highly skilled professional jobs for 25,000 taxi drivers in London. London is a complex and increasingly congested place and for that we need qualified drivers the public can trust to operate safely and efficiently.”

Knowledge Point, which opened in 1983, has seen 9,000 black cab drivers graduate to London’s roads. Its new facility within the London Taxi Company’s dealership is open to trainee drivers with immediate effect.

Malcolm Linskey, Founder of the Knowledge Point, said: “We’re very grateful to the London Taxi Company for stepping in to rescue the centre following some uncertainty at the end of last year. We’re now we’re seeing some confidence return and so we’re looking forward to welcoming new and existing students back to Knowledge Point at its new home.” 

To celebrate the opening of Knowledge Point’s new premises, the London Taxi Company is offering Knowledge graduates £1,000 towards the cost of a brand new TX4*. For more information please call 0207 700 0888,  email ukenquiries@london-taxis.co.uk or drop into the London dealership to discuss the offer with the Customer Relationship team.

Address: The London Taxi Company, 39-41 Brewery Road, London, N7 9QH  

http://london-taxis.co.uk/knowledge-school

*Terms and conditions apply

ENDS

About the London Taxi Company

The London Taxi Company (LTC) has a long and proud history of producing purpose built taxis designed to meet London’s Conditions of Fitness (CoF). Since the original Hackney Carriage the vehicle has gone through many development cycles to improve driver and passenger experience.

The company is committed to customer care and continuous improvements in accessibility, comfort, emissions performance, manoeuvrability and durability of its vehicles without compromising its famous shape and brand. LTC are proud to serve the world famous London taxi trade which sets the global benchmark for taxi services. Success in this market has been the foundation for developing a strong presence in other UK regions and export markets.

Outside the UK the London Black Cab is now being utilised in over 40 major cities worldwide. The next investment cycle will see the company develop and produce a purpose built zero emissions capable taxi designed to meet new ambitious emissions standards being rolled out in major cities across Europe, including London.

LTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The London taxi is currently manufactured in Coventry and manufactured under license in Shanghai by its sister company Shanghai London Taxi International, with a flagship dealership in London and centres in Manchester, Coventry and Edinburgh supported through a UK and international service centre network. The London Taxi Company is the trading name of The London Taxi Corporation Limited.

For media enquiries please contact:

Alex Michaelides                                                       David Ollier

Torque Agency Group                                                London Taxi Company

+ 44 (0)20 7952 1078                                                 +44 (0) 207 700 9881

amichaelides@torqueagencygroup.com                    dollier@london-taxis.co.uk