CALL SIGN EXCLUSIVE!

With emissions taking over from printed receipts as by far the most important topic in the cab trade and with the bottom falling out of the second-hand Taxi market, Call Sign thought it would be interesting to ask unsuccessful Mayoral candidate, Steve Norris, for his view on the subject… The new emissions regulations proposed by Ken Livingstone are an unreasonable imposition on drivers and I have consistently stated that I would not have introduced them had I been elected in May. We all want cleaner air, that is not the issue. The issue is what costs can reasonably be laid on individuals in pursuit of that cleaner air and by insisting on modifications likely to cost many drivers up to £3000, the mayor is acting unreasonably. The move to Euro III standard by the end of June for older cabs	TAXI EMISSIONS – STEVE NORRIS GIVES HIS VIEW
	Steve Norris: "I would not have introduced Ken's emissions regulations." is too aggressive. Euro II would be less onerous and delivers the massive majority of the clean air benefits. The notion that all these costs can be recovered through the meter is pathetically disingenuous. It assumes that price is not an issue for passengers - that demand is infinitely	elastic. That is not and has never been the case. Ask drivers who were forced to put the Level 3 rate on from 8.00pm what reaction they got - and how much business they did? The truth is that, as ever, Ken Livingstone displays a distaste for the licensed trade that is genuinely troubling. By accident or design, he inherited the best taxi service in the world. The way he is going, you won't be able to say that for much longer. Here's a piece of advice for our intemperate mayor: when the clock's ticking, don't fix it. Do something about the appalling crime levels in this city and the legions of empty buses we are all paying for that do nothing but worsen congestion and you might - just might - do some good for a change. Steve Norris

Is Technology Taking Over? Read on and see where you fit into the debate…

How to trace your lost kids (or anyone else)…!
Ever wanted to know where your kids are, or if you’re suspicious where the wife or hubby is? Well if they’ve got a mobile phone, it’s easy to find out by just visiting www.followus.co.uk .
Put simply, the way that followus.co.uk works is that you enter a mobile telephone number on their site and it displays the location of the mobile on a map. Simple, easy, but great technology for the masses. So how does it identify where you are and how accurate is it?
It all depends on the number of mobile phone masts in the area of the phone. In central city areas accuracy can be within 100 meters, whilst in rural areas accuracy can reduce to kilometres, particularly where the mobile phone signal strength is poor.
Now, if you’re like me and are very conscious of privacy, then don’t worry - they’ve thought of that. You can’t just track any mobile phone willy-nilly. Once
you’ve submitted the number to

track, the mobile will receive a text message asking the mobile owner whether they agree to being tracked – they simply reply to agree or ignore.
How much does it cost? Followus.co.uk appear to be the cheapest provider of this technology on the ‘Net so far. There’s no registration fee and each number added to your account costs £1.50 whilst every location request costs 30p. These charges are significantly cheaper than their competitors, www.verilocation.co.uk and www.mapamobile.com .

Intrusion of privacy or great technology?
Still on the same wavelength, are you a supporter of the ID card? Well initially I was, but I’ve now got serious concerns regarding its possible misuse and excessive costs. The only period in British history when its subjects have been required to carry identity cards was between 1939 and 1952 as part of the National Registration Act (1939). This new ID card scheme will put everyone in the UK on a database with his or her fingerprints and eye

recognition details.
The ID Cards Bill has been passed in the House of Commons by 224 votes to 64, but still has to go through the Lords. Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, says it will be vital in the fight against terrorism, benefit fraud and identity theft. Yeah, right…!
Maybe I’m just too cynical, perhaps my mistrust of politicians is unfounded, perchance the thought of a police state frightens me? Visit www.no2id.co.uk to get involved and find out more about this legislation - or is it just another disguised tax?
So you could soon be tracked by your mobile and identified by the national ID card. Am I paranoid or do all Chelsea supporters become like this after a good season? I can’t remember!

Be lucky and see you next month.

Vince Chin
Call Sign Website Manager

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