THE LONGEST PARTNERSHIP IN THE CAB TRADE?
Forty years on! Ivor Belkin (L) and Lou Gitlin
It was a warm, summer day in September 1961 and two young drivers were
dispatching on a Saturday at the ODRTS headquarters in Pentonville Road.
Young Lou Gitlin had already been dispatching on a part-time basis since
1958 - two years after getting his badge - while the suave and debonair Ivor
Belkin was having his first taste of a Saturday shift, having done the odd
weekday stint since late 1960 standing in for anyone who was away sick.
But their paths hadn't actually crossed until that Saturday
when Ivor finished his stand-in shift and Lou was about to start his regular
one. That was exactly 40 years ago this month and the Saturday shifts are
still run by Ivor Belkin (day) and Lou Gitlin (evening)!
It's true to say that it wasn't until some years later at our then new
premises in Shirland Road, Maida Vale, that they made up the permanent
Saturday shift, but there have been more Saturdays during the past 40 years
when they have said hello than not!
Lou and Ivor get on well but are not social friends, however,
Call Sign is sending them both out with their wives for a slap-up meal to
celebrate what must certainly be the longest partnership in the cab trade...
NB...The top five in the hit parade back on that
September 1961 day were:
1 Johnny Remember Me (John Leyton) 2 You Don't Know
(Helen Shapiro) 3 Reach for the Stars (Shirley Bassey) 4 Wild in
the Country (Elvis Presley) 5 Kon Tiki (Shadows)...
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DIAL-A-CAB / MANN & OVERTON LINK
The link between Dial-a-Cab and main LTI agent M&O, is now going
very well with a steady stream of DaC drivers phoning the Service
Department in Holloway Road to order a replacement cab fitted with the
latest DaC touch-screen terminal while their own cab is being serviced or
in overhaul.
DaC have fitted two new-type DaC terminals onto two almost
new M&O TX1 taxis (fitted with DaC logos and air con). When a DaC
driver takes his taxi into M&O for a service or overhaul (usually
completed in about four days), provided you give notice, you will then be
able to carry on working on a DaC radio taxi rather than have to trawl the
streets in a non-radio cab. The scheme is on a first come - first served
basis, so a selection of dates may be an advantage.
M&O have asked Call Sign to remind drivers that when they
hand the spare cab back, please, please switch off the terminal or the
next driver could possibly be looking at a flat battery!
You can contact Mann & Overton's Service Department on
020 7700 0888 to book your DaC terminal taxi.
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FANCY A COMPLETE MAKEOVER FOR TWO?
Call Sign has always given away far better prizes and had far
better competitions than any other trade magazine, but rarely have we
given away a prize such as that which we hope to announce details of
next month.
But to whet your appetite, how does the idea of a
complete makeover by a top West End salon for both you and your wife
(or partner) which would normally set you back £500, together with
dinner for two at a top restaurant AND OF COURSE, a Dial-a-Cab taxi to
take you to and from your home, hit you?
Fancy the idea? Then just post, email or drop into Call
Sign's cubby hole in the DaC Driver's reception, the name and address
of you and your partner and your connection with DaC. One lucky couple
will then be chosen in a draw.
The winning couple must agree to be photographed before,
during and after the makeover and agree to the publication of any
photos. We'll leave you alone for dinner! |
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