In 1956, one hire car was successfully fitted with a two way radio, leading to a new era of radio hire cars. Twenty-seven of these radio hire cars worked from the owners' homes as well as from ranks in the city, and picked up hails; these were then called public hire cars or taxis. Fares were calculated by the operators and were based on a return trip. Within the next year, Deluxe Taxis and Black and White Taxis were introduced and started servicing the public.