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So long, Fairway
8th October 2014
After seventeen years together, London Taxi driver Lesley Bennett has said a very fond farewell to plying for hire in her beloved Fairway.
Bought from new, the R registration Fairway enjoyed a fine farewell in central London, with many well-wishers waving and clapping as it went by on its last day.
Lesley commented, ““I became a taxi driver 24 years ago after realising I needed a reliable profession to pay my mortgage and bring up my two boys. I quit a job in Fleet Street and have never looked back!
“Passengers and tourists loved my Fairway and they would fight to get into it on a taxi rank. It was one of the last Fairways on the streets of London and it’s done me proud – I feel sad that I have to take it off the road but I’m pleased to say I’ll still be able to use it for weddings.”
The Fairway, which has 400,000 miles on the clock, has hosted passengers including Hollywood actor - and Lesley’s personal favourite - Dustin Hoffman. It will now be decorated with ribbons and flowers – handmade by Lesley after she recently completed a floristry course - to transport brides to church on their wedding days.
“It’s been more than just a taxi to me. It must be the most photographed cab in London; it’s part of London’s heritage and I shall keep it for as long as it will run!”
Lesley has now invested in a brand new TX4 – once again in white. Lesley’s beloved Fairway is one of the circa 3,000 taxis to come off the road under regulations set in the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy for London, which aims to meet strict European air quality limits by 2020.
‘64 plate TX4 Elegance is available with a 4 year, 120,000 mile manufacturer-backed vehicle warranty (extendable at point of purchase to 180,000 miles), unlimited mileage core engine warranty, 1st year’s road tax and one year’s RAC cover.
For more information, contact The London Taxi Company’s Customer Relationship team on 0207 700 0888 or emaillondon@london-taxis.co.uk