If the light is on, it means it’s available for hire.

Once again we’re talking about the famous London black cab. I recently asked two of my friends if the light on a London cab’s roof, saying “taxi” - in their view - is orange or yellow, since I could not quite decide myself. One of them said it’s yellow, the other said orange. So I’ve settled on Yeorange.

I am quite sure most of us here in London have experienced the mystery of the Yeorange light. It’s actually quite a simple rule: The extend to which you will see cabs with their Yeorange lights on is directly related to how urgently you need one.

When you don’t need a cab, almost every cab you see has its Yeorange light on. When you need a cab, very few of them do. When you desperately need a cab, none have their Yeorange light on.

Just to add to the fun, the higher your level of desperation, like for instance when you’re semi-drunk and it’s 2 AM with a wind-chill factor of - 20 and you’re miles away from home, let alone a bus stop, the fewer cabs you’ll see. Let me correct that - you’ll actually see loads of cabs coming by, but none with their Yeorange lights on.

It’s just the way it works.

The joy of seeing the Yeorange light in a moment of desperately seeking a cab is sweet.

- Riaan
London

Related posts:

1. Let There Be Light.
2. Lights out, London!
3. Some Light Reading
4. Tipping the Light Fandango
5. I want to ride my bicycle