Compiled and Researched by Jack Petersen

The advent of Taxi Cabs in the State of Queensland began about thirty years before the turn of the century. This of course was long before motorised vehicles; in fact, horse drawn taxis had been used in Europe in the early 1800's. Australia adopted the use of them once cities were established, and in the case of Queensland, Brisbane introduced the first horse drawn taxis, which plied through out the city area. These also included Hansom Cabs, a more elaborate type with a closed in cabin for the passengers, having two small front doors and glass windows and their driver sitting high at the back. This type of vehicle was a standard type used in England. Its use was confined mainly for upper class people; such as Luxury motor vehicles which are operated as hire cars nowadays.

It is interesting to note that Hansom Cabs were still being used in Brisbane until 1935, and were emanating from a rank outside the Supreme Court in George Street.

Motor vehicle taxis were introduced into Australia not long after they were put into service in Great Britain and Europe.

First Motorised Taxis

In 1906, Sydney inaugurated motorised taxicabs, followed soon after by the other states including Queensland, in approximately, 1907.

The taxis of the period including a variety of types, with tourers and sedans, the latter were mainly French built Renaults, which were designed as taxis, not unlike the Hansom Cabs. Brisbane had a number of them that plied from the ranks outside Parliament House in Alice Street, and The Supreme Court in George Street. As applied to the Hansom Cabs, the Renaults catered mainly for gentlemen of standing, including Judges, Barristers and other notables. The drivers wore uniforms with leggings, the same as those worn by chauffeurs of horse drawn carriages.

It is worth mentioning at this stage, that each large taxi company had telephones installed in a steel box type cover at city and suburban ranks, direct to the switch control rooms in the city.

Although motor vehicle taxis were being used at the time, horse drawn taxis continued in use in Brisbane until the early 1920's, however, only a few. The country towns still had them a little longer.

The progress through the years included many types of tourers from the 1910 era until the late 1920's, with British and American cars predominating. Makes featured such names as Buick, Dodge, Talbot, Vauxhall, Saxon, Ford, Chandler, Studebaker, Chevrolet, Hupmobile, Whippet Oldsmobile, Marmon, Pontiac, Hudson, Oakland, Erskine, Rugby, Essex and Chrysler.

Sedans were added during the late 1920's and included similar makes of vehicles.

This was the case with all cars being imported into Australia until World War II began. The American cars proved more suitable to Australian motoring conditions especially for taxi work.

General Motors Corporation built thousands in Australia, as did the other American companies including Ford and Chrysler.
Prior to a taxi company being formed in Queensland, owners of taxis simply had signs on the vehicles indicating "For Hire" painted on the side, front and rear.

Prior to 1924, all taxis plied for hire without a means of recording the mileage, other than the driver himself calculating the fare according to how far he drove his passengers. There was a fare scale, however, the driver could charge whatever he thought was nearest to the amount specified. This no doubt, brought about the introduction of meters.

Ascot Taxi Service

The first taxi company in Queensland, was Ascot Taxi Service and was formed in 1919 in Brisbane by two motor mechanics. Edmund William Henry Beckman and Edward Roland Videan. They built the Ascot Garage at Racecourse Road Ascot, which was on the left side between Beatrice Terrace and Lancaster Road. They set up business in motor repairs, soon after they purchased their first hire car. followed by two Willys Knight tourers and an Overland which was actually the first sedan taxi in Brisbane. These four cars comprised the Ascot fleet.

Eddie Beckman was also interested in aviation, so in 1924 he travelled to Sydney and purchased an ex World War' trainer aeroplane, an Avro 504 K single-engine, 2 seat biplane registered G-ADDER and engaged West Australian pilot, Horrie Millar to establish Brisbane's first aerial service for charter and joy flights -thus providing an air taxi service and a taxi cab company.

In 1926 Edward Videon left the Ascot Garage. leaving Eddie Beckman to carry on the business with his brother-in-law Charles Dabelstein
The Avro G-ADDER aeroplane was sold to notable Australian airman Charles Ulm and in 1928, a second Avro 504 K, G-A UEW, was bought for hire under the name of Ascot Aerial Service.

The depression year 1930 caused the business to go broke. It was bought by William Wilton and Jim Jeffry. They continued the company as an exclusive taxi service for the rich and famous of the Ascot and Hamilton areas, using black luxury cars including Oldsmobile, Pontiacs and Plymouths with drivers dressed in double breasted suits, a black cap and leather gloves.

In the ceiling of the garage were a few remains of the old aeroplane. It was decided to use the shape of the propellers in a decal for the side of taxis, with a white diamond band.

In 1935 the business was moved into the city to Edward Street near the corner of Margaret Street, however, the cars remained operating from the garage at Ascot.

The following year (1936), land was purchased at 73 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley. The front office and switch room were then built. A row of petrol bowsers were installed -brands included:- Shell, Caltex, Mobil and Purpull. The switch room was operated by staff during the day and the taxi owners at night until 12 midnight, the bowsers closed at 6pm.

An attractive sign was erected in the front of the building. circular in shape, it had Ascot Taxi Service around the outside with telephone number B1404 at the bottom. The two old aeroplane propellers were attached to the sign, which was illuminated by Neon tubing providing bright lighting. Making this building the company's permanent home has proved successful for over fifty years. Many innovations and improvements have taken place. One highly important aspect is that the Ascot Taxi Service was the first taxi company in Queensland to install and introduce two-way radios in taxis. This was in 1953 with PYE equipment. At this period many of the taxi fleet were large American cars including pre-war models in excellent condition.

The colour scheme of Ascot remained all black with a white stripe with black centre spots on each side of the cars and propeller decals on the front doors.

The first colour change took place in the early 1960's, this became green and yellow, remaining until the middle 1970's, when changed to off white. The company changed colour once more when the name of Ascot Taxi Service was changed to Q Cabs on 6 June 1992. They became light cream with maroon emblems of Q Cabs on both sides, bonnet and boot.

Thus this company has been operating over 70 years, creating a fine record for a Brisbane Taxi Company.

Yellow Cab Company

During the 1920's the Yellow Cab Company imported their taxis from the U.S.A., which were built especially for taxi work by the Yellow Cab Co. in Chicago. This was in 1924; the vehicle was the A2 Brougham (mustard pots) -a sedan with the driver separated from the passengers by a window with the baggage compartment in front beside him. The meter was along side the window by the drivers side. The taxis were also the first fitted with meters in Australia. The vehicle was known as a Yellow Cab, having been built by the company with that name plate on the front of the radiator. The engines were also built especially for the type and were similar to the Willys Knight. The driver's compartment did not have side windows.

The Broughams were taken out of service in 1936. Four 1927 American Durant sedan taxis were used until this period. also when they were replaced with a fleet of 1935 and 1936 Ford V-8 sedans and other American makes. However, one Brougham remained in use until 1939. This had an electric starter, the others were crank started by hand which proved time consuming each time a car was called to pick up a passenger.

In 1934 the Yellow Cab Company absorbed the Reel Taxi Company, which had about 25 cabs mainly 1926 Dodge sedans painted blue and black top and mudguards with black checks on stripe below windows. This company began operating about 1926 from a depot in Upper Edward Street in the city, which became the Yellow Cabs depot until ceasing business in 1946.

In the pre-war period the Yellow Cab Company in Brisbane was owned by John Morgan; the Manager was Reginald Brooks and the Superintendent was Jack Upton. The company had 300 cabs.

However, in 1950 the Yellow Cab Co. was reformed when the Ampol Petroleum Co. took control and built a garage in the city with eight cabs. Taxi phones were installed at ranks only , as the company did not have two-way radios in cabs until the mid 1950's.

The present Base Terminal at Coorparoo was officially opened by the then Minister for Transport, Mr Chalk in July 1960. At this time the Company had a fleet of 153 cabs operating at one shilling per mile and a communication base or radio room with facilities for two-way radio operators and three telephonists despatching an average of 2,000 radio calls per day or an average of 13 radio calls per cab per day

The radio room was officially opened by the Minister for Transport, at the time, Mr Bill Knox, in November 1968, providing modern switchboard and two-way radio equipment costing approximately $40,000 which extended facilities to four radio operators and eight telephonists. The fleet now was 240 cabs with an average of 4.000 radio calls per day or 17 radio calls per car per day.

The original phone number for Yellow Cabs in the 1930's and 40's was very easy, being B2222.

The Yellow Cab Company has now become the largest cab fleet in Brisbane and introduced the first computerised data dispatch from the control room to taxis. The system was designed to increase efficiency and provide a better and safer service for the public and increase drivers security. The computers have been installed into the fleet of over 580 taxis.

The history of taxi cabs in Brisbane proves interesting, for smaller companies came and went during the 1930's, mainly because of the depression from 1929.

Previous Cab Companies

The companies included Rex Taxi Co. with only a few cars, Golden Gate Taxis, only a few cars, including two 1935 De Sotos. The colour scheme was black with orange mudguards. Returned Serviceman's Legion Taxi's -This company started approximately in 1928 and continued until 1939. The colours were mid blue, black top and mudguards with diamond stripe around sides. The company was reformed after World War II. These cars were all black with the emblems on the front doors. The colour was changed about 1949 to yellow with green mudguards. The depot and garage was at South Brisbane.

The company was absorbed by Miller Bros Hire Co. in the early 1950's. One of the original taxis of the company, a 1927 Auburn sedan, is being restored in Brisbane.

The Regent Taxi Co. started in the early 1930's, the colours being all black with diamond stripes around sides and an emblem with a crown on the front doors. The cars were mainly Hudsons and the company closed about 1939.

All the companies operated mainly from the city ranks and did not have a phone service.

The Blue and Black Taxi Service began in 1929 and operated until approximately 1939. The company was not to be confused with the Blue and White Company. The colours were mid blue with black top and mudguards and "Q" emblems on the front doors. Taxis included a variety of 20 American sedans. The owner of the company was Pop Blinkins.

Blue and White Taxi Company

The Blue and White Taxi Co. was inaugurated in May 1929 It's colours were mid blue with black top and mudguards with white stripes and black dots around sides. Various types of American cars were operated. This company became very popular and had a large number of 1936 Hudson Terraplane cars during the late 1930's through the 40's and still in use until 1950. One in particular had done over 500,000 miles and still looked good. Taxis were allowed up to 15 years service as taxis at that time. I actually have had a ride in the Hudson mentioned. In fact, I have ridden in many taxis since I was a very young fellow, including some rare makes used as taxis such as - a 1936 Auburn, 1938 Packard. 1939 Oldsmobile and a 1941 Nash.

The Blue and White company was originally in George Street, City, opposite the Hotel Cecil; the depot and garage being underneath Garden Flats. It was from 1929 until 1950 when a new building was built at the corner of Eagle Terrace and Key Street, North Quay.

It is interesting to note that Bells Hire Service, a Hire Car Company was in the same garage in George Street. prior to Blue and White Co. Bells operated for some years during the 1920's. In fact, it was the same company that had horse drawn Hansom Cabs in the Brisbane city area in the 1920's until 1935.

Following the Blue and White companies move to North Quay, it was thirty years later, in fact, in July 1983 that the company merged with the Black and White Cab Company. During June 1947 Blue and White received a record 16,9874 calls. At the time that the Blue and White Company went to North Quay. both companies agreed to share the same switch work.

Two-way radio was fitted to both company's taxis in 1956. In this year the Black and White Go. received 37,762 calls and the Blue and White Go. received 28,718.

A privately owned Rolls Royce with a meter was used as a taxi in the late 1930's in Brisbane. Also, a 1926 Daimler tourer with a meter was still operating in Brisbane at that time, mainly from the Central Station Rank.

Black and White Taxi Company

The Black and White Cab Company was formed in Brisbane in late 1936 by George Holden, coincidentally not connected to General Motors Holden. The cars he owned he sold to drivers. They were 1936 Oldsmobiles and 1936 Hudson Terraplanes. The depot and petrol bowser only was in Turbot Street, City, beside the B.A. F .S. Dispensary in George Street. After approximately 18 months they moved to Leichhardt Street near the City View Hotel. Servicing there was for greasing and motor repairs only. This depot operated for ten years
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A workshop was then set up at the corner of Downing Street and St Pauls Terrace, which was used until 1950 when the depot and garage was established in Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

The original office and switch room in 1937 was in the Strand Building at the corner of Queen and Albert Streets in the city. This was originally the Strand Theatre in the 1920's and earlier in the silent movie days - I'm just mentioning this in passing.

The Manager from 1950 at Barry Parade until 1976 was Harry Aiken
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Various types of cars have been operated by the Black and White Co. through the years including 1934 Oldsmobile, 1936 Ford V-8 , 1936 Chevrolet, 1936 Plymouth, 1936 Dodge, and a 1938 Pontiac following through the years with the above types each year, including a 1938 Packard. All these cars were American. In 1949 Holdens and Vanguards were added to the fleet. Falcons were added in 1961 as well as Fairlanes, Valiants, and Ramblers. Current makes are mainly Falcons and Holden Commodores
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The name of the company is now called "B and W' Cabs derived from both the Black and White and Blue and White Cab Companies.

To reflect on taxi fares in the Mid 1930's, flag-fall was 9 pence (18 cents), with the same per mile. An example being, Ascot to the City, 4 shillings and three pence (43 cents).

Taxi drivers worked up to 100 hours a week for a three pounds per week wage (6 dollars). Many worked 15 hours a night; 5pm to 8am next day or 8am through to 8am the next day and sometimes slept in the cabs. At times they only had one fare (passenger) during the night. and a short run at that
World War II changed things a lot once the American Servicemen arrived from December 1941 until the end of 1945.

Taxis were hired by the servicemen for local and long trips to the coast and back; thus increasing wages for the drivers as well as tips.
Many taxi drivers of course joined the services and left the companies with a shortage of man power. However, the big companies survived. There was a restriction of petrol to taxis of 60 gallons a month during the war.

Gas Producers were even fitted to some taxis and hire cars which entailed putting a large tank on the rear of the car. The gas was produced by charcoal in the tank.

Brisbane Cab Company

With the growing demand by the general public for taxis, a new Cab Company was formed in Brisbane and called Brisbane Cabs, beginning operations on Saturday 8 June 1991.

This meant that although motorists in the intervening years since the end of World War II had grown to a high proportion, taxis were still required to transport people, in particular, passengers to and from Airports, sports and amusement locations. and drivers who had consumed alcohol.
The colour scheme of the taxis was all white, with a yellow and green logo on both sides.
Brisbane Cabs ceased operation at the end of November 2000.

Country Taxi Companies

Taxi Services throughout Queensland are numerous and operate in all main city centres, as far north as Thursday Island. off North Queensland.
The largest of the Taxi Companies outside the Brisbane area is Regent Taxis at Southport, on the Gold Coast. The fleet comprises over 170 cabs.
Regent Taxis was formed in 1946 by Amos Curry and Tony Corones. Six small taxi fleets running 15 cabs were taken over and in 1970 Yellow Cabs of Coolangatta joined the team. In 1976 Regent Taxis became a shareholding company. The Regent Taxi Company in Brisbane was not connected to this company.

Other large Taxi Companies include Standard White Cabs of Hermit Park with over 110 cabs and Black and White Taxis of Cairns with over 100 cabs.
Mention must be made of a current taxi driver who has been driving taxis continuously for over 40 years. He is Allan (Walter) Ingram of Mount Morgan in the Rockhampton surrounding district.

Allan Ingram is now over 80 years of age and owns the Taxi Service at Mount Morgan. He could possibly be the oldest active taxi driver in Australian still driving cabs every day.

He actually first drove taxis prior to World War II in 1939, and has owned a number of various makes of cars over the years.

Country, city and town taxi operators maintain appropriate numbers of cabs in their fleets compared with population numbers in the State Capital.
Queensland Taxis compare more than favourably with other State Operators in service, vehicle safety, and driver responsibility, setting standards to follow.