10/10/2022
The world of public transportation has a rich history, and the iconic taxi driver badge is a testament to this. For decades, these badges served as a crucial identifier for licensed taxi drivers across the United Kingdom. The introduction of the 1930 Road Traffic Act marked a significant turning point, leading to the division of the country into 13 distinct Traffic Areas, each assigned a unique letter for identification. This article delves into the fascinating evolution of these badges, with a particular focus on the Northern Traffic Area, and explores the reasons behind their changes.
- The Genesis of Traffic Areas and Badge Codes
- From Oval to Round: The Badge Transformation
- Material Evolution: From Traffolyte to Plastic
- Badge Numbering and the Northern Traffic Area
- A Closer Look at the Traffic Area Offices and Their Territories
- The Discontinuation of Badge Issuance
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Genesis of Traffic Areas and Badge Codes
Following the landmark 1930 Road Traffic Act, the UK was segmented into 13 Traffic Areas. Each area was allocated a specific letter, which would later be incorporated into the design of driver and conductor badges. This system aimed to standardise and regulate the burgeoning public service vehicle (PSV) industry. The Northern Traffic Area, for instance, was designated with the letter 'A' and its issuing office was located in Newcastle. Other significant areas included Yorkshire ('B' in Leeds), North Western ('C' in Manchester), and the familiar Metropolitan area ('N' in London).
From Oval to Round: The Badge Transformation
Initially, PSV badges were crafted as oval enamel designs, attached to a leather hanging strap. These early badges featured the distinguishing letter of the traffic area, followed by a unique number. An example from the Northern Traffic Area showcases this early design. However, this hanging style was phased out on January 1st, 1935, replaced by the more recognisable round badge that many will recall. The primary impetus for this switch is believed to have been a practical safety concern. It is widely suggested that drivers, particularly when manually starting older buses with a 'starting handle', would sometimes find the hanging badge swinging up and striking them in the face, causing injury. While the exact truth of this anecdote remains unconfirmed, the logic behind it is certainly plausible, highlighting a proactive approach to driver well-being.
Material Evolution: From Traffolyte to Plastic
The materials used in badge manufacturing also evolved over time. Early round badges were typically made from a substance known as 'Traffolyte'. This was later superseded by 'Formica', and in much more recent times, the badges were produced from plastic. These material changes not only reflected advancements in manufacturing but also likely contributed to the durability and cost-effectiveness of the badges. The font styles and the colours of the badge edges also varied throughout the years, a reflection of different manufacturers being employed to meet the demand.
Badge Numbering and the Northern Traffic Area
The badge numbering system commenced with the number 1001. This meant that the first badges issued were not simply numbered 1, 2, 3, but started from a higher sequence. The provided information shows an example of an early badge from the Northern Traffic Area, numbered 2088, which would have been issued around 1935/1936. This indicates that within the first year or two of the round badge's introduction, over a thousand badges had already been distributed in this single traffic area.
A Closer Look at the Traffic Area Offices and Their Territories
To provide a comprehensive overview, let's examine the addresses and the extensive counties covered by the various Traffic Area Offices. Each office is associated with a two-digit badge code. For clarity, we present a breakdown:
| Traffic Area | Badge Code | Issuing Office Address | Counties Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHERN (A) | AA | Low Friar House, 36-42, Low Friar Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5XR | Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland, Westmorland, part of North West Lancashire and part of the North and West Riding of Yorkshire. |
| YORKSHIRE (B) | BB | Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF | Yorkshire (except parts in Northern TA), NE Derbyshire, NW Nottinghamshire. |
| NORTH WESTERN (C) | CC | Arkwright House, Parsonage Gardens, Deansgate, Manchester, M60 9AN | Anglesey, Caernarvonshire, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire, NW Derbyshire, Lancashire (except part in Northern TA). |
| WEST MIDLANDS (D) | DD | Cumberland House, 200 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1TD | Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire. |
| EAST MIDLANDS (E) | EE | Birkbeck House, 14-16 Trinity Square, Nottingham, NG1 4BA | Nottinghamshire (except part in Yorkshire TA), Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough (small part NW), Oxfordshire, Rutland, Bedfordshire (SW part), Berkshire (NW part), Buckinghamshire (except part in Metropolitan TA), Derbyshire (except parts in Yorkshire & NW TA), Lincolnshire (except S Holland). |
| EASTERN (F) | FF | Sussex House, Hobson Street, Cambridge, CB1 1NR | Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire (except parts in East Midland & Metropolitan TA), Essex (except part in Metropolitan TA), Huntingdon and Peterborough (except part in East Midland TA), South Holland (Lincs). |
| SOUTH WALES (G) | GG | Dominions House, Dominions Arcade, Queen street, Cardiff, CF1 4XW | Brecknockshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Radnorshire. |
| WESTERN (H) | HH | The Gaunts' House, Denmark Street, Bristol, BS1 5DR | Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorsetshire (except part in South-Eastern TA), West Hampshire (small part). |
| SOUTHERN (J) | J | Somerset House, Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire | Oxford, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Chepping Wycombe (Bucks), Beaconsfield, Marlow, Slough, Eton, Wycombe, Hambledon (Bucks rural districts). Oxford, Reading, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton (County boroughs). *This area was short-lived and closed on 31st December 1933.* |
| SOUTH EASTERN (K) | KK | Ivy House, 1-5 Ivy Terrace, Eastbourne | Hampshire (except SW part in Western TA), Isle of Wight, Kent, Sussex (except parts in Metropolitan TA), Berkshire (except part in East Midland TA), Dorsetshire (SE part), Surrey (SW part). |
| SCOTTISH (SUB OFFICE) (L) | LL | Greyfriars House, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB9 2ZS | Aberdeenshire, Angus, Banffshire, Caithness, Clackmannan, Fife, Inverness-shire, Kincardine, Kinross, Moray, Nairn, Orkney, Perth, Ross and Croarty, Sutherland, Zetland. *Office closed end of March 1984; work transferred to Edinburgh.* |
| SCOTTISH (M) | MM | 24 Tophichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HD | Argyll, Ayrshire, Berwickshire, Bute, Dumfriesshire, Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Kirkcudbright, Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Peeblesshire, Renfrewshire, Roxburgshire, Selkirkshire, Stirlingshire, West Lothian, Wigtownshire. |
| METROPOLITAN (N) PSV & (T) TROLLEYBUS/TRAM | N / T | P.O. Box 643, Government Buildings, Bromyard avenue, Acton, London W3 | Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey (except part in South Eastern TA), Bedfordshire (S part), Buckinghamshire (SE part), Essex (SW part), West Kent, North Sussex. |
The Discontinuation of Badge Issuance
The era of the PSV badge eventually came to an end. The issuance of conductor badges ceased on July 31st, 1980, followed by the discontinuation of driver badges on March 31st, 1991. This marked the conclusion of a significant chapter in the history of public transport regulation in the UK, with identification and licensing processes evolving to new digital and administrative systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the oval badges replaced?
The oval badges were replaced by round ones due to safety concerns. It was believed that when drivers swung starting handles on older buses, the hanging oval badges could fly up and cause injury.
What materials were used for the badges?
Early badges were made of 'Traffolyte', later replaced by 'Formica', and eventually by plastic.
When did the issuing of PSV badges stop?
Conductor badges stopped being issued on July 31st, 1980, and driver badges on March 31st, 1991.
What was the purpose of the different Traffic Areas?
The Traffic Areas were established by the 1930 Road Traffic Act to divide the country for regulatory purposes, with each area having a specific letter code for identification, including for the badges issued to drivers and conductors.
Did the Northern Traffic Area cover parts of Yorkshire?
Yes, the Northern Traffic Area covered part of the North and West Riding of Yorkshire, in addition to Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland, Westmorland, and part of North West Lancashire.
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