Either write to Call Sign at Brunswick House or email us at
callsignmag@aol.com
Smoking in taxis?
After many months, the House of Commons has finally decided on the rules
concerning the prohibition of smoking in public places. Despite pressure and
interference from Scottish MPs over what will only concern England, the
outcome as I understand it is that smoking will be banned in all enclosed
public spaces and work places. I was wondering how this will affect the taxi
trade?
Since any member of the public is entitled to hail and enter a cab
and as it is also a place of work, it would seem to follow that smoking in
all taxis will be prohibited with the ban covering drivers as well as
passengers. Perhaps drivers will be allowed to smoke when on their way home
but not when they are available for hire?
Can any of our distinguished Board members confirm that this will be the
case?
Laurence Kelvin (W88)
Laurence, because nothing is yet 100%, the Board are unable
to answer the question. I also asked the PCO and Simon Buggey, Senior
Service Delivery Manager at the PCO told me: "The latest information from
the Department for Transport indicates that it is the Government's intention
to include taxis in the smoking ban. As far as I am aware, the legislation
has yet to be drafted so we will have to wait for further developments."
It will be interesting to see whether driver’s wives / partners
will be able to smoke whilst in the back of the cab if out socially …Ed
Thanks for the help…
I needed assistance recently (Saturday 25th February to be precise) when my
exhaust pipe fell down. As a result, I would like to thank the Call Centre
staff and all the drivers who offered to help and especially the driver who
came to help.
John Addis (N26)
Satisfied customer…
Just to say thank you for all the help you have provided me with this week.
As a Westminster TaxiCard user, I find the service a lifeline in getting
about. My husband broke a toe last Monday and I needed to not only take him
to hospital, but to deal with the day-to-day things he normal does for
me. Your drivers provided a wonderful service…
Patricia Knight
London NW8
Pleased we could help and hope your husband’s toe heals soon to ease your
woe! …Ed
Parking Tickets: Do The Wardens Actual Target Taxis?
Whilst undertaking a TaxiCard trip from Queen Square, I parked directly
outside the main entrance of my pick-up at number 8 and went into the
reception / waiting room to make contact as per my instructions. I looked
around for anyone who showed signs of waiting for a cab. Nothing there, so I
moved over to the reception desk and waited until the receptionist finished
dealing with a lady booking in for her appointment. I then asked for my
passenger, giving his name and the extension number I had been given, but no
luck. They did not know the passenger, who hadn’t contacted the desk. They
then shouted out the name to those waiting, but again nothing. On the way
out, a delivery driver told me to watch out for the wardens. I had been
inside about 3 minutes in total.
Sure enough, one of these green-coated specimens was standing
across the road from my taxi and he turned his back to me as I came out and
went around to the front of the cab to try an advise arrival. Once
done, I called across to the green-coated one that I was picking up a
disabled passenger on a TaxiCard. Initially, he tried to seem uninterested,
but when he realised I was not about to go back inside the building, he slid
over with the dreaded ticket curled up in his hand as if he was going to try
and palm it to me without me noticing. Looking directly at it, I refused to
let him give it to me and he stuck it under the wiper blade.
I then had a bit of a verbal go at him saying that it was because
of people like him (or words to that effect) that the disabled, elderly and
other disadvantaged people ended up waiting a long time for taxis in places
like this as drivers didn’t want parking tickets.
His reply was: "So what are you worried about, you
don’t pay them." He was looking at my door logos and clearly indicated to me
that he was fully aware that I would be passing the ticket onto DaC.
Thinking about it later, I formed the distinct impression that this
was partly why he had given me a ticket, reasoning to himself that as I
would not be paying it, I wouldn’t be concerned about it. As I was not
inside the building for more than 3 minutes, he must have sprinted up to the
cab within seconds of me pulling up and entering the hospital, took the
necessary details and moved away again to fill in his form and print it - no
doubt hoping to deposit it back on the cab and scoot away before I came out.
Given that most of the square is connected with medicine in one form or
another, this must be a site for easy pickings by these ******* (fill in as
you see fit).
All around the square, there are minicabs waiting for people. These
cars have a permit on the dash from Camden Council allowing them to sit
there whilst waiting to be given instructions about their next passengers.
Incidentally, it is unlikely that these ladies and gentlemen are CRB checked
as they are considered to be contract drivers and currently as such, do not
come under PCO licensing conditions. Quite rightly, the PCO has objected to
this loophole and an amendment to the 1998 Private Hire Bill closing
this loophole is progressing though the Gas House. This ridiculous situation
also occurs outside London where the 1976 Miscellaneous Provisions
rule. Surely if the relevant authorities see fit to close this loophole in
London, they should also do so for the rest of the country?
Eddie Lambert (V37)
Thanks for the email, Eddie, it gives a good example of why DaC now appeal
every PCN. Whilst I accept your point about why this warden may have singled
you out with a ticket, ironically, I also received an agency press cutting
on the same day that I received your email. This was from the
Ham and High (dated 24 Feb).
It told of a licensed minicab driver (Omar Mohammed) who claims
that the wardens of Camden are trying to "force him out of business." Why?
Because he claims that he has received three parking tickets for dropping
his passengers at St Pancras on the taxi zone. His claim is that he is a
"fully licensed cab driver." He told the paper that he "now can't sleep at
night because I feel like a criminal." However, a Camden Council spokesman
said: "Only licensed hackney taxis, buses and vehicles used as part of
the Channel Tunnel Rail Link works are permitted to enter that part of
Pancras Road. As a licensed public hire vehicle (minicab), Mr Mohammed’s
vehicle does not fall within those exemptions and this is the reason why
Camden has not cancelled the parking control notices." What I think I’m
trying to say is that the wardens are after everyone! …Ed
QLink
I thought I’d give you the outline of how we came to hear about QLink. We
first saw it advertised in a golf magazine and Alec wondered if it would
help with his golf even though his handicap was already seven. So when
Charles Clark introduced himself in my taxi. I knew what he was talking
about as I had seen the ads. At the end of the journey, Charles began
talking to me and said he had noticed the Dial-a-Cab screen in the front
plus the Cabvision screen in the back, not to mention my mobile phone and it
was all enclosed within a "tin box" – ie my taxi. He asked if I noticed
feeling more tired or lethargic when I had finished work?
There was no hard sales pitch, he showed me the pendant and
explained how it worked in simple terms. I already had an idea how it worked
from the golf mag.
Anyway, both myself and my partner Alec decided to buy one
each. Alec noticed an immediate difference, as he had been feeling very
lethargic (knackered!) over a long period. He had actually been to the
doctor twice, but was told it was just the long and unsociable hours he was
working. I also noticed differences, but not as quickly as Alec who now
doesn’t feel anywhere near as tired as he used to. He feels more alert and
focused when he’s working. Unfortunately he hasn’t played much golf recently
due to an injury, so he can’t say if it has improved his golf.
Pat O’Toole (T44) and Alec Wilkey (W83)
It was Pat O’Toole who first alerted Call Sign to QLink and
we decided to put it to the test. Some of the results should be in this
issue …Ed
Taxi depreciation
At this moment in time, one of the great cab debates is whether there should
be more competition in the manufacturer supply of London taxis; so perhaps
the following will help the undecided.
In May 2004, I purchased a ‘Bronze’ TXII for £30,691. Twenty
months later and with 45,000 on the clock, I was offered £19,000 in part
exchange for a new cab – a decrease in value of over £11,500 in less than
two year. For those who advocate the call for more competition with LTI,
surely it should be game, set and match to them…
Ken Hardy (G36)
My cab is now just over 2 years old with similar mileage (my
45,000 service was at the same time as my second year overhaul), so I do
have sympathy for you, Ken. However, whilst not defending any of the LTI
agents whose brief is to make money for their companies rather than just to
be nice to us, the second you drove out the gates of the garage with your
cab, over £4,500 stayed behind in VAT. Our fight should be with customs and
excise to zero rate taxis every bit as much as it is with M&O or KPM. I
remember talking with Steve Norris on the subject when he was the Minister
of Transport. He said it would never happen, but that he couldn’t blame us
for trying. After all, how many bus drivers have to buy or hire their bus
before they climb into it? And, Ken, I think most people would accept that
you would get more selling the cab privately, but with that comes more
hassle. You pays your money …Ed
No longer an Arbitrator…
Having now left Dial-a-Cab completely in order to devote maximum time to a
growing family business that I am very much involved in, I fully accept the
explanations given in view of the manner these things become a reality ie I
am no longer an Arbitrator having left DaC. Like so many, I personally am
not too overjoyed at changes - even though at times, commercially, they do
become necessary.
My years at Dial-a-Cab were certainly most enjoyable and very
pleasant for me. I met many wonderful and really terrific guys and will
remember them for the future years ahead. To name but a few.... Phil Messias,
Harry Kauffman, Jack Taylor and Rashpal Chana (my friend who was killed in a
taxi accident) - God Rest Their Souls. There were also numerous guys and
girls who have been part of my life over a large number of years. It’s
certainly ironical that in the January issue of Call Sign on page 10, the
Dial-a-Cab Flashback recounts the time when I, having formed the
commencement of the London Metrocab Club in association with a couple of
other guys, wrote one of my many articles on the formation of that club.
Anyway as always, I wish the Society only the best for the future.
Apart from the few idiots that have existed over the years, the
Gentleman’s Circuit has remained thus, for which I consider myself and
obviously others, proud enough to have contributed.
Ronald S.Colman (ex-J09)
When is a rate not a rate?
Last year I decided to chop in my old fairway and go for the TXII. I phoned
up KPM and asked what their interest rates were on a new cab and was told
4.85%. I then went onto the Internet to check the best rates available, this
turned out to be 5.5% from Moneyback bank (Alliance and Leicester) and so I
decided to go with KPM. I went down and signed up. All I wanted to know now
was how much the monthly payments were on £22,000 over five years. £458
sounded ok; after all I was getting the best rate available?
Seven months down the line and I needed an £8,000 loan for my
daughter’s new car. I looked up on the net again, 5.5% was still the best
rate, so I decided to dig out my agreement papers to see if I could get the
same deal with Black Horse as I did on the cab. To my shock (and
embarrassment) I saw that I was actually paying 9.7% apr and that the
interest I was paying on my £22,000 was £5580.40, almost £2,500 more than I
would have paid had I had gone with Alliance and Leicester. I phoned KPM
sales and asked what the interest rate was on their new cabs. Again 4.85%
was the reply. I now went down to KPM to have a rant only to be told by a
stroppy manager that the agreement I had signed, clearly stated that the apr
was 9.7% and that I should have read what I was signing. He also explained
that the rate quoted was the base rate (which meant nothing to me). Yes, I’m
a mug, I only had to times £458 by 60 to see what it was actually costing
me, so I urge you all to read the small print and not be taken in by the
sales pitch.
Alan Bioletti (P87)
I think that advice applies to small print everywhere …Ed
Addison Lee article
Having read the article Addison Lee declare war on Dial-a-Cab in the
March Call Sign, I wonder if my meter is wrong? As somebody
who does work from SW15, I am not getting £40 or so on the meter for jobs
going into the West End from there. Do you think I had better get
it checked?
Stanley Roth (Y53)
Phone Addison Lee – the prices they quoted suggest that they have their own
meters anyway! …Ed |
The world - according to Stanley…
Re the Nick Steventon (J65) criticism of my article (Feb Call
Sign), all I can say is that if he doesn’t like what I write, he
shouldn’t bother to read it. Let’s be honest, Victor Lewis-Smith who writes
for the Standard, is the greatest literary cynic I know and he gets paid for
it. But saying that I’m putting all this hard work in for ‘sweet FA’ and
knowing that my fellow DaC drivers will benefit from my words of wisdom,
makes it all worthwhile. Nick obviously lives in a world where no one and
nothing is up for examination and so far as he is concerned, everything is
fine and dandy – including the PCO, M&O and Mayor Ken, who in one fell swoop
will be removing thousands of roadworthy cabs from London’s streets.
As for my J-reg fairway, I have just spent over £1300 on its
overhaul and it runs just like a Roller! I feel sure that if left alone, it
would last another 5 years. Don’t talk to me about emissions, my cab is
definitely smokeless. If it wasn’t and considering that I am a night driver,
does that mean that my taxi would be having nocturnal emissions? As for that
wonderful piece of engineering – namely the TXII – with its latest Ford
engine, you can keep it. I’ve heard so many complaints about it that I’m
surprised that anyone bothers to buy it. I’ve been told however, that it has
been approved by none other than Mr Calamity himself, David Blunkett, who
says that as the engine is so noisy, he can hear it coming a mile away…
Stanley Frankel (K46)
Stanley, when you asked me whilst waiting for passengers in
Great Marlborough Street whether you could write an anti-TXII letter, I
looked at your J-reg and asked what you would be basing the anti-LTI letter
on. According to you, it was on what you had heard. So I replied that it
wouldn’t serve any purpose because your knowledge of the TXII matches mine
on the subject of the mating habits of ducks. Do you think it is fair to
criticise a vehicle that you haven’t got and have not even driven? All Nick
Steventon asked was why I give space to you when all you do is have a pop at
other drivers (and now their cabs)! He could be right …Ed
Sgt Hillson and parking on ranks…
Thank you to Sgt Hillson for being so great as to let us know how you are
going to improve transport in London for we nice cabbies who park on a taxi
rank to have a pee or some lunch. First, I would suggest to him that he
stops police cars parking on taxi ranks. I’m not having a go (or not too
much) but it is far easier to put other people’s houses in order when your
own should come first. We all see police cars parked on our ranks and on
double-yellows and outside ATMs etc. If Sgt Hillson finds this action by his
peers hard to believe, I’m sure all DaC cabbies with cameras or
camera-phones could provide him with the necessary evidence.
We cabbies have been policing the ranking system quite well for
over 300 years. If a butterboy or new cabby takes a liberty (yes, we
have some dim cabbies as well as coppers) and leave their cab on a busy - or
even slow - working rank, he is told in no uncertain terms just how things
are run. If the problem persists, then yes, the police are needed but this
is very rare and not a priority.
We, I believe, have quite a good relationship with the ‘old Bill’
and don’t want it spoiled. I was personally commandeered on 7 July by the
Chief Incident Co-ordinator of the City of London Police when parked on the
Hanover Square shelter. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. We
are working under the most stressful conditions that London has ever known
other than the Blitz. Besides security concerns, officious wardens and
cameras nicking us just for setting down, we don’t need our police ignoring
criminals in favour of an uncomplicated easy nick whilst we chill for a
while on a quiet rank.
Jon Trevor (W94)
Sgt Dave Hillson replies: The regulations for leaving
unattended licensed taxis on ranks are very specific - it is not permitted.
The issue is that, leaving vehicles unattended on both working and
refreshment ranks causes obstruction, security issues and prevents those
hard working drivers putting on them in the first place. I am inundated with
complaints from licensed drivers about this issue. The complaints vary
from those of licensed taxis parking on ranks to go shopping, using
refreshment ranks to consume their own food and leaving them overnight as
free parking spaces. It is a problem that will not be ignored. The issue of
lack of toilet facilities for drivers is a Westminster Council issue.
And ticketed for parking on a rank…
I don't know if you can answer this: I was given a ticket on a taxi rank in
Bromley, the rank has no restrictions and the warden that issued it was a
council warden. The question is can council parking attendants issue cabs
with parking tickets when parked on a taxi rank?
Jerry Healey (A92)
Sgt Dave Hillson replies: The answer is yes. However, in
Westminster they rarely do. The argument is that if a cab is unattended on a
rank, then at that time it is left as such, it is not being used as a cab
and therefore a ticket may be issued.
My first AGM…
This years AGM was indeed my first, but unlike some other members I will be
going next year. Being an activist for a non-cab trade union, the ODRTS
AGM was a little different from what I am used to. The language and
hostility were, to say the least, inappropriate and if it wasn't for the £50
fine for leaving the meeting early, I would have done so. I also feel that
sandwiches and refreshments at lunchtime would have been a nice gesture
and I felt a little embarrassed seeing attendees eating food they had
brought and paid for themselves.
It was an extremely long meeting and as you would expect, very
passionate. But had the Chairman not been responsible for answering a
majority of the questions, this time could have been shortened. In my
experience, the Chair chairs the meeting and the secretary answers the
questions. Some speakers were allowed to contribute in debates where their
issues had no relevance. Even though Brian Rice acquitted himself in a very
admirable, almost faultless manner, how can he be so intensively
cross-examined and enforce the meetings standing orders at the same time?
Also there was the issue of members voting via the postal ballot system and
then by a show of hands on the day.
Even though the hostility was disappointing, I can see how it
arises. To put it simply, it would not be tolerated at other meetings I have
attended, but then again all parties deal with one another's representations
with a great deal more respect. Brian Rice's has a disrespectful, flippant
attitude to people who he disagrees with and by calling people "cavemen"
just compounds the issue. Messer's Gillam and Co were right to bring forward
resolutions that they thought were acceptable through the democratic
process. Members should be encouraged to bring forward things they feel
strongly about through the AGM. They should also feel free to write to Call
Sign without feeling they might be made a fool of.
Then there is the issue of "transparency". I think that Brian Rice
is making a big mistake by not answering questions about how much he earns.
To me, it’s not a matter of finance but a matter of accountability. He is
simply not answering a question put forward by members and this just makes
people suspicious. What would Brian have said about Tony Blair refusing to
answer a question about his son being vaccinated for MMR? Mr Blair was
persuading the public to have one injection instead of three, but refused to
say what treatment had been administered to his youngest, even though there
was an alleged link to autism via the former!
Again, I read in March Call Sign a very eloquent letter
about Heathrow scrubs by Peter Moll (K35). The Board answered by saying that
the status quo remains but don't even give him the courtesy of a reason why.
Surely this can’t continue?
Any member who writes to Call Sign should be given an answer to
which he / she gets a complete answer to all the issues raised and a reason
why it is being offered. If it is more appropriate that the answer be kept
out of Call Sign for whatever reason, the member should be contacted
personally and this noted in the letters column. I have written to Call Sign
on a number of occasions and the respondents answer was based on the answer
he wanted to give, bearing in mind that this would bring an end to the
matter.
Finally, there has been much talk about doing away with job
rejections, increasing monthly job figures per driver etc. My understanding
is that it is the Board’s job to get work covered and there is a financial
surplus this year. As members of ODRTS, we are not entitled to a dividend.
As members of ODRTS, by us driving the streets of London we actually do the
work that creates a profit. So why don’t the board redistribute this
profit via incentives through £15 minimum fares or guarantee the
£9.30-£9.80 on a TaxiCard job? The Board will make themselves very unpopular
by forcing members to do work practices they don't like. As a driver, it is
a simple question - should I do this AD job and run the risk of getting paid
£8.80 for waiting 25 minutes or do a job that you can see will go £8.80 for
waiting 25 minutes or take a street job which will go £8.80 that I haven't
waited 25 minutes for? Surely it’s all about the hourly rate, and with a £15
minimum it is a decision that in the current financial climate, should be
very obvious.
Richard Potter (T51)
Brian Rice replies: Nice to see the observations from someone
attending their first AGM, Richard, and I would agree that the way we do
things here are somewhat unusual - but it has always been that way. As much
as I would like to have stopped for a lunch break, that was not possible due
to the amount of business and the time constraint, as we had to vacate the
building by 17.00hrs. Regarding the redistributing of our profits via
incentives, that is all very well but if we go along that route, the Inland
Revenue would argue that by invoking minimums payable by DaC, we are
distributing profits and we would lose our Mutual status.
Finally Richard, the only point that I am not sure about in your
letter is when you state: "Brian Rice acquitted himself in a very
admirable, almost faultless manner." What do you mean 'almost'
faultless…!
And from the other side…
I suspect that like the majority of DaC members, I have not
felt the need to write to Call Sign because I am very happy
with my lot. I joined DaC in September 2004 after having been a Suburban
driver from 1998 and then deciding to do the All-London Knowledge in 2002.
Soon after getting my coveted green badge, I applied to join DaC because I
thought that any circuit with a waiting list must be worth joining. And I
must say that it was the best decision I could have taken.
I don't know about the majority of members, but I am getting bored
and irritated by the antics of the minority few. Take Steve Painter’s letter
in the March Call Sign. Steve calls these individuals a handful
who passionately speak on our behalf. No Steve, they don't speak on my
behalf. Contrary to what you suggest in your letter, I, like many others,
took the time to read through all the rule changes that were proposed and
voted according to what I believed was right for the Society. I didn’t vote
for the sake of it or to avoid the £50 fine. Some people have a funny view
of democracy; if the vote goes against them then it must be because the
people are lazy or not bothered. As you mentioned, there were over 1000
votes in favour of the Board with around 400 against - could that be because
the majority have voted for what they believe is best for the Society, or is
it only the passionate handful who know what is good for us? I would
venture to suggest it is the former and not the latter.
So we now know that the Chairman earns £34 per hour and Board
members earn £26 per hour. What a bargain! In fact the only thing this
pathetic argument has proved is how little we pay the person under whose
stewardship we have seen the best period in the history of DaC and this
during a time when City executives are getting paid handsomely for at times
getting things spectacularly wrong. Anyway, as the increase every year is in
line with the meter increase, a calculator and back of an envelope should
avoid the embarrassing arguments next year and the need to advertise the
Chairman’s (incorrect?) salary outside Waterloo station. Any driver who
works hard during the evening shift can’t be far off earning what the
Chairman gets per hour, thanks to the efforts of the BoM and the rest of the
staff at DaC - and this is in February when we are supposed to be having a
kipper season! I think the majority of us are very happy and appreciative of
the work being put into the back of our cabs and I daresay Concierge has to
be responsible for this to some extent. And by the way, where else would you
find the dispatchers singing to you while begging you to cover your work!
Thanks guys and gals, you do a wonderful job.
There also seems to an issue with DB using private hire for
prebooked long distance jobs. Isn’t that just a fact of life? All firms have
a choice and you just have to accept the fact that they may decide to use
PH. It’s about time we moved with the times instead of harping on about the
good old days. When I joined ComCab soon after getting my yellow badge in
1998, I worked in Croydon and that work was phenomenal. As a nightman, if
you were prepared to hang around until the early morning, you would
inevitably get an airport or one into the City from the SW area. There was
so much work in the early morning that even suburban drivers greatly
benefited.
Then came the sad events of 9/11 and the work began to dry up. What
did we as an industry do at this time of hardship? Under the leadership of
the LTDA, we went and got rate 3. Fabulous! What an own goal - we
practically handed the roaders to PH. The rules have since changed and I can
only congratulate the Board on their foresight in bringing in Concierge. We
can’t stop our accounts using PH, but at least with Concierge we have
maintained some influence and a good earner. And as the figures show, it has
actually managed to put more work into our cabs. I want a Board that,
instead of thinking the world owes us a living, is actually proactive in
working with clients to ensure we have some influence in there. And I think
we have a Board that is doing just that.
Over the past year, we have been through an enquiry by the FSA
which, apart from the cost,
|
probably resulted in the loss of an important account. We
have read matters relating to DaC discussed in other publications by a
certain individual, we have heard constant carping at the BoM and yet last
year we voted the Board in and this year we have voted by a huge majority in
line with the Board’s recommendations. Most sensible people would accept
that as a vote of confidence in the Board. I would therefore urge the vocal
few to accept the will of the membership (and majority) and for the good of
the Society, to let matters rest. We can neither afford nor need another FSA
enquiry. I can only hope that what Mr Cox hinted at the AGM was only said in
the heat of the moment and that in the cold light of day, he will decide
against dragging the society through another FSA enquiry. Gentleman, this is
not the Houses of Parliament - we have a Board of Management, we do not need
a shadow Board of Management.
Divyesh Ruparelia (V59)
Brian Rice replies: Thank you very much - what else can I
say?PowerPill or emission technology?
The point you make is well put (Editor’s reply March Mailshot): How
does TFL / PCO tell if cabs are complying with the Euro-emission standards
when using these PowerPills? What immediately comes to mind are roadside
spot emission checks, these can be easily carried out and any offence duly
reported. There could also be paper checks ie receipts obtained via purchase
of pills etc. Compliance procedures are not really our problem.
An appropriate and far less expensive solution to the problems of
emission compliance has presented itself and following the Call Sign
tests, it obviously works. With all the resources that TFL and the PCO
expound, it is surely not above their technical expertise to find a way
around this minor detail.
David Baker (D22)
I tried to get the PCO to comment, but those whose field it falls into were
away. The question will certainly be asked again …Ed
To Finz or not to Finz – that is the question…!
It seems apparent to night workers that there is a lot of work in EC5. I
think the first thing Mr Rice will say is "look at all the work you have" or
Mr Cain will say "get on the gravy train." Well let’s look at this in a
realistic way. The reason there is work in EC5 is very simple - drivers
don’t go there any more. Since the increase in rate 3, drivers will no
longer drive by someone with their hand up in order to run to the Finz.
With the increase of fixed prices for a certain legal firm that has
moved close to the river who want to go home on the cheap, I wonder if I
went to this legal firm and asked if they could you do some litigation on my
part on the cheap... well I don’t think so somehow. It seems obvious to
anyone that has worked the Finz on a regular basis that the quality of work
has dried up. I agree your Sales department are doing a great job in taking
on new accounts, but where’s it going? Into cars? I was under the impression
this was a cab driver’s circuit, however I seem to have got it all wrong.
I quote Mr Shaller (R75) in the January Mailshot: "How things have
changed…"
Patrick Noble (S55)
Brian Rice replies: I am disappointed, Patrick, that you are
not happy with the amount or the quality of work we are providing. You
suggest the work is going in cars, well if it is then how do you account for
the fact that our turnover - that is the amount of work that we have put
into our member’s cabs - has risen by £2m over the same period last year (up
until the end of January). Secondly, the law firm you are referring to have
had their fixed prices increased considerably and waiting time lowered
before the FP is removed. In fact so much so that members have actually
commented on how good the FP's are! Incidentally, Patrick, I’m not sure how
you gather your information because according to our records, you do not
undertake fixed price work, so I am a little confused. Neither can I see how
you are drawing your comparisons, because again according to our records you
have been on the circuit for less than two years, so how do you come to your
conclusions? It is a fact that not too many years ago at this time, drivers
had a job booking into EC5 as the system would only allow 99 cabs to book
in!
Finally, I really do hope that things improve for you in the future
and that you become more contented, after all, if you are not happy being a
member of the best radio circuit in London with the most amount of work per
mobile than any other - I really do not know what the answer is.
A few issues…?
I, like the other two drivers featured in Call Sign in recent months, left
ComCab to join DaC. I would like to raise a few issues that can, hopefully,
be taken as constructive criticism and not blatant whingeing. When I first
applied to join DaC, I rang up for an application form but was told that I
would have to collect one from reception. I had no problem with that and
duly did it, returned it to DaC and eagerly awaited my acknowledgement
together with an aprox time when I might be accepted onto the circuit. No
reply came either by post or phone.
A few months later, I decided to buy a new cab and rang DaC to ask
if it was worth me refitting to ComCab or was I close to my DaC fitting
date. Again I received no reply. Then out of the blue 10 weeks later, I
received a phone call asking if I was still interested in joining DaC as
there were now vacancies. I later heard that this was caused by the
expulsion of drivers caught "at it." I had no hesitation in joining because
I had heard about the quality of work (especially the Virgin train account
of which I was fortunate enough to have a few goes at), the reasonable subs
and the 10% gratuity. To be honest, when I joined DaC, I did not even know
that it had Society status, so I could not be classed as a carpetbagger.
Like the other two drivers that left ComCab and who I would guess
did so at a similar time (although I do not know them), I find myself
agreeing with their criticism of the signals etc. I know that you must get
fed up hearing the same thing over and over again, but if it is said often
enough then you must accept that there is a grain of truth in it.
Brian (sorry for being informal) seems to take it personally when
anything is said about the equipment and signals etc. I personally thought
that the terminals together with AVL distribution we had on ComCab was
better, but that is not to say that ComCab was a better circuit either
jobwise or in the way it is run. In my opinion, DaC wins hands-down on both
scores.
I have noticed that since the new year, early mornings have been
very quiet. I used to get regular rides in from E99 with one in particular
for DB, which was about 5 minutes from where I live. I never hung up for the
trip and often got it even when number 5 in the queue. I last took this
gentleman to work just before Xmas, wished him well and said that I hoped to
see him in the new year. When I hadn’t picked him up for a few months, I
felt concerned for his welfare and wondered if he had left DB or had an
accident. I now discover via Call Sign that he has to - or is advised to –
use a car, so contrary to what Brian has said, it does affect us – although
that is not Brian’s fault. Perhaps the Sales team or Society as a whole
should flex its muscles to see whether the car companies could cope with, or
indeed would want, all of the work? I think not! Anyway, resigning myself to
the fact that I had been spoilt, I now drive in empty and book into E14 or
E1.
Today at around 2.45am, I booked in E14 and into E140 at 3am. I sat
at Canary Wharf until around 4.30am and with no job offers coming, pulled
off and booked into E1 and finally out of desperation, accepted a job from
E14 to LCA at around 6.30am. In between, I had rejected two cash trips, one
from E14 to E14 and another to SE9 (whilst booked into E1). These were the
only job offers in over 3.5 hours. There was nothing from CC or MS.
I’d like to ask a question on the Society’s policy of running cabs
further than the job goes. Last week I was booked into E1, when offered a
job from Grove Road E3 going AD. It went back to Cabot Square. That is fair
enough as MS said AD. The next day I was dropping off in Liverpool Street
when a job was called that could not be covered in E15 and which went to the
Bids – even though there were cabs showing as being in E15. I bid for and
got the job that said Manor Road E15 going AD. Yes, we know what we all hope
it will be, but you guessed it – it was West Ham Station to Stratford
Station and I had run from Liverpool Street! I didn’t get onto the
dispatcher to rant and rave as that isn’t my style and I do believe that
these things even themselves out. But I would like to know if there is any
policy on cabs running further than the job goes?
My last question before leaving you in peace, is whether
street-hailed credit card rides count towards the 40 job-per-month total, as
the way the early work is going at the moment, I will be begging punters to
pay by card to avoid receiving a letter from Mr W…!
Ian Skeels (J74)
Brian Rice replies: Interesting letter Ian. I am sorry for
the lack of communication when you first endeavoured to join us. What
happened? Well I don't know, but I suspect that when you are the most
'sought after' radio circuit in London, sometimes people can become a little
blasé. That will now be rectified, but if in the future no one in Driver
Services speaks to you - then you’ll know the reason why!
Regarding the work, if you read my Chairman's Report you will see that we
are doing particularly well, however, if you book into a zone and get very
few job offers in 3.5 hours, then I suggest you are working the incorrect
hours. After all, we are in the service industry and we need to give the
public a service when they require us and not vice versa. As regards our
policy on covering work, well we do not expect a driver to run further than
the job is going and that is all I can really say about it, bearing in mind
that
we do have GPS and we do know where drivers are at all times.
Regarding the trip you weren’t hanging up for, all I can say is
that this particular gentleman seems to have disappeared off the face of the
earth! He is not travelling in either a car or taxi - bearing in mind that I
have access to both. Do Addison Lee still have their Motorbikes!
I get the impression that overall, you are happy with DaC and if you are
happy then so are we.
Finally Ian, you say that I take it personally when our equipment
is criticised? Well, yes I do. You say that ComCab have got it right and we
haven't – well sorry but I have to disagree again and would you expect
anything different! The difference between ComCab and us was that when they
put their system in, they sent the company skint and it had to be sold to
Singapore. We put a new system in that was far in advance of anyone else -
and still is - and we have gone from strength to strength with ComCab
drivers such as yourself leaving a "superior" circuit to join us? Are you
telling me that I got it wrong! Hmmm.....
Where are the flowers…?
I am writing this letter to you without my husband’s knowledge. I often read
Call Sign and Mailshot after my husband has finished with it and over the
years have noticed how members that have been in hospital for operations
have received baskets of fruit or flowers and noticed in this month’s Call
Sign, 3 people had written offering thanks for their flowers. My question is
whether there is a selected group who receive flowers or fruit because
between May 2003 and Jan 2006 my husband has been off work three times –
twice for 3 months and once for 4 months, 10 months in total. My husband’s
letters and medical certificates informed the office of this and I posted
them to DaC for him, so I know they went. Never mind fruit or flowers, my
husband never even received a get-well card! Perhaps he hasn’t been on the
circuit long enough, just 29 years! Please don’t think that we are hard up
for these items, it’s just the principle. I thought that all DaC drivers
were treated equally, but obviously not. I will be interested in your reply.
In any case, keep up the good work as Call Sign makes very
interesting reading and thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Mrs E.Meir (Mrs A34)
I looked into your husband’s case, Mrs Meir, trying
desperately to find a reason so that DaC could put the blame squarely on
your shoulders! But sadly I can’t because it was DaC’s fault! Your husband’s
letters were received but sadly – and no one can now know why – they weren’t
acted on. Nuala and Val in Driver Services are usually very good when it
comes to this type of thing and they hope that you can accept their
apologies and that your husband being missed was just one of those
unfortunate things that happen in a busy office. Hopefully your husband
won’t need to test the system again, but in the meantime we hope that the
flowers you were sent now in good health will partly compensate …Ed
Give business to those who give you business?
I wonder if you can print this letter for me in Call Sign? I acquired a
credit card (MasterCard) a few months ago and am very pleased with the
conditions. And guess what – it is the Morgan Stanley credit card! What I
would like to suggest is that every driver on DaC should have one and use
it. You also get a small percentage of money back. So why not give business
to those that give us business, because if they are doing well then so are
we and if they are down (God forbid), we will also be down! So to all our
drivers, please help yourselves. To save you looking for phone numbers, it
is Freephone 0800 389 4496.
And by the way – I am not getting any commission for this!
Sid Nathan (K88)
Nice sentiment Sid… but I didn’t know you were a Mason! …Ed
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