London to ban old black cabs

London's taxi regulators are to withdraw 2,600 ageing black cabs in an attempt to reduce air pollution in the capital. No black cab over 15-years-old will be licensed by the Taxi and Private Hire Office — taking off the road 2,600 taxis this year. Now Mercedes-Benz has launched an initiative to help London cabbies keep the city moving and at the same time delivering cleaner air. Following discussions between Transport for London and Mercedes-Benz the new scheme will see cab drivers offered a £1,500 discount off the purchase price of a new low-emission Vito Euro 5 taxi in exchange for the driver agreeing to carry Mercedes-Benz advertising for 18 months. John Mason, TfL's Director of Taxi and Private Hire, said: “London's cabbies are rightly regarded as the best in the world and I know from my discussions with the trade that they want to play their part in making the capital a clean, green city. "Age limits were introduced at the start of this year and the oldest, most polluting cabs will no longer be licensed."