Call Sign July 2012

Call Sign July 2012

Page 3

from the editor's desk

Things to come?

they want to go to the stadium, let them go to St

Yes, it's nice to be back after having June off

Pancras like ordinary people and take the world's

press with them. Of course they could let taxis

and yes, I did miss the buzz I still get from

putting out each issue of Call Sign.

use the ORNs and we'll get them there in double-

But now it's July and I'm sure I don't need to

quick time. Or they could join the flying pigs...

say what it is that starts at the end of this month!

Buses? What a load of boxes...

In days of yore when picking up passengers from

Liverpool Street or Stratford who asked to be

Mike Leo (Z09) recently wrote to Call Sign to

taken to Hackney Wick dog track, could anyone

tell us that an appeal against a PCN for him stop-

ping in a yellow box junction in East India Dock

in their wildest dreams have envisaged that where

the dog track stood in its moulding glory, one day

Road for

52 seconds had been overruled.

would stand the 2012 Olympic Stadium! Well,

However, he took a note from the April Call Sign

where Dean Mussett (M40) asked Westminster

there's no need to use your imagination because

it's now here and our only concern should be

Council via a Freedom of Information request,

about how it affects the taxi trade.

how many PCNs they had given to London buses

We know about the Olympic Route Network and

for stopping in the boxes? After all, hardly a day

goes by when you aren't stuck at a junction

how that will cause London to snarl up as

Olympic athletes and executives make their way

thanks to a bus plonked right in the middle of a

to Stratford. What we haven't yet been told offi-

yellow box. Westminster's answer was that from

December 2010 to December 2011, they had

cially is whether those same executives will have

any priority access on the way back to their Park

that after reading this, Transport for London will

issued just one ticket to a bus! We don't know

Lane / Knightsbridge hotels in the evening in case

explain to the security just who we are and what we

whether it was embossed and framed!

they should be late for din-dins at Le Gavroche or

do. Perhaps a drawing? My 7 year old granddaugh-

So Mike Leo wrote to Tower Hamlets asking the

maybe Joel Robuchon's L'Atelier gaff in West Street!

ter, Imogen, could probably help them out with

same question under a FOI request. The east end

We also know that there will be facilities for set-

that! Or Call Sign has lots of photos...

council didn't just send Mike an answer for one

ting down and picking up at the Olympics, but

Oh yes... how did Hannah do? Well, no thanks

year, they sent him a total for the last FIVE years!

will the security - that is being hired provided

to the stadium security, she became the first ath-

And the answer? 120 PCNs were issued to buses

applicants can stand up for 20 seconds without

lete to break a world record at the track after fly-

in that period - or if you prefer, 24 buses per

falling over - actually know what a taxi is?

ing round in 18.56 seconds! Hopefully that's a

year! Hmmm? That works out at almost half a bus

We will soon also have the Paralympic Games

sign of things to come over the next two months

per week, so keep an eye out the next time a bus

and without meaning to sound condescending in

- our athletes winning medals and not security

blocks you in at a box junction and we can run a

even the slightest way, that will probably involve

being pillocks...!

survey as to which end of the bus gets the most

tickets - front or back! If you miss it, then they'll

passengers with disabilities going to watch, per-

haps some even in wheelchairs. After all, we are

Accessible transport?

be another chance next week!

the only 100% wheelchair accessible form of

Ok, there's a lot about the Olympics here and

transport. And of course we should remind our-

let's be honest, I have an ultra- low threshold

And in a packed programme...

selves that as taxi drivers, our vehicles come

when it comes to having a moan. We tried when

Hopefully there's something for everyone inside

under the auspices of the Equality Act 2010.

it came to the ORN and got a few crumbs thrown

this issue of Call Sign. Besides around five pages

Most of that is commonsense and stuff that we

at us regarding right turns together with the usual

of reader's letters in Mailshot, there is also an

would do without needing to know exactly what

compliments from the Mayor's office (wonderful,

advert from DaC driver Steve Denison (W65)

it entails. So will the Olympics and Paralympics

excellent, nice chaps etc), but when it comes to it,

that some may want to print off and possibly give

security know what a taxi is?

it has always been us against authority. The

copies to their passengers. It shows the difference

Let's go back to a story that would have

world's passengers consistently vote us as the

between us and minicabs. Congratulations to

appeared in the June issue - except that we don't

best and I honestly believe that LTPH agree with

Steve for not being prepared to just sit down and

have one of those! So better late than never, let's

that, but are afraid to say anything that might

do nothing!

talk about

19 year old Hannah Cockroft.

upset the applecart - for applecart read private

Also, with the 15 year limit beginning to bite,

Beautiful and talented, Hannah is one of the

hire. The problem is that as soon as one matter is

we have an update from former DaC driver

favourites for the 100metres wheelchair race at

pushed away, another appears. For example, the

Stanley Roth who is pushing to get a TX1 and

the Para Games. Yorkshire born Hannah has cere-

world can now get information about the Games,

TX2 converted to run on gas - while at the same

bral palsy, but has never allowed that to slow

including travel hotspots etc at www.getahead-

time getting an extra five years on the cab's life for

down her ambition of being one of the world's

ofthegames.com. Everything you'd want to

anyone who has the same operation!

top wheelchair athletes. She has even been

know about transport during the Games is there:

In addition, Peter Begley (K98), who knows

referred to as the new Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Underground, DLR, Overground, Buses, River

far more than us about how taxis work, tries to

But despite holding two World

services, Dial-a-Ride and National Rail. I guess

help those looking to buy a new cab as to

Championships, Hannah has to do what every

that covers all London's transport? Whaddya

whether a TX4 or a Vito would be best for them.

athlete does before an event - the basic task of

mean there's one form of transport missing? And

He also looks at the Peugeot E7, which is hoping

getting to the stadium!

a 100% wheelchair accessible form as well? Ah

to be licensed for London should the Conditions

On May 8, the Olympic Stadium had a “test”

well, it couldn't have been that important!

of Fitness ever be dropped.

Paralympic event. Hannah was due to travel in a

In the meantime, if yours or your cab's licence

Oh, and one last thing! Most issues of the maga-

coach, but it broke down. So what did she do? She

zine carry a Flashback article reprinting old articles

expires shortly, make sure you allow that bit more

called a licensed taxi to take her to the stadium. The

from Dial-a-Cab magazines going right back

extra time to book a trip to SGS or to get your

driver seemed delighted at this test of how to get

licence renewal application in.

through ODRTS Newsletter in the 1950s to

into the Olympics and Hannah was relaxed as she

ODRTS Monthly in the 1960s, News ‘n Views in

explained to the driver about the coach.

Olympic rehearsal?

the 1970s and Call Sign ever since the 1980s. This

They reached the security barriers and the driver

Yes, it peed down and viewers around the world

issue's Flashback has one of the newest ones we

told them he had one of the athletes in his cab, but

watching the Queen's Jubilee celebrations must

have ever used - from 2003, which to Flashback is

they wouldn't allow him in. Hannah told them she

have thought June was mid-winter in the UK. I

like yesterday! It was written specially in 2003 for

was scheduled to be in the 100 metres and that she

was more interested in how crowds left the

Call Sign by an Australia cab driver who had been

had already missed her warm-up time, but nope!

Embankment viewing areas after the event fin-

around during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and

“No taxis in here mate!” So Hannah had to get out

ished. The answer was that it was total chaos; but

issued a warning as to what we should expect.

and find her own way to the track.

that was nothing compared to how the Olympics

Reading it now could make us wonder why we

After the race, Hannah said that it had been the

will be for the best part of seven weeks. I know

never took more notice at the time.

worst preparation she'd ever had before a race. She

it's a total waste of time, but it isn't too late to

See you next month...

missed the warm-up and had to just get her num-

overturn the Tsars of the International Olympic

bers on and go straight onto the track for the race.

Committee whose main interest appears to be the

Alan Fisher

Is that what is going to happen to us? Let's hope

athletes - great - but also their own interests. If

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign July 2012

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

The Island

However, that situation has led to some coverage

At the time of writing, I have been informed by one

problems at certain times and anything you can do

to alleviate the situation would be very welcome.

of our clients that is in the process of moving their

You don't need me to tell you that our business

operation to the Island, that they will require a

rolling rank operating very similar to one of their

could turn into a downward spiral; we lose mem-

bers due to the economic climate, consequently our

neighbours that we also service at Canada Square.

coverage suffers, when the coverage suffers we lose

This scenario came about because a new senior

Banker is now employed by the Bank that is cur-

clients, and when we lose clients, we then lose

rently in the process of moving, but who originally

more drivers ad infinitum.

The only people than can halt a downward spiral

came from the Bank situated in Canada Square!

No, I am not writing the above in code and I apol-

are you, the Dial-a-Cab members. So if you can put

ogise if it is a little hard to follow, but everyone

yourself out occasionally, it could make all the dif-

seems to be a little sensitive these days when it

ference. I know business has been quiet, but at cer-

comes to actually mentioning names.

tain times of the day we need better coverage

The new Banker that has recently been employed

because we are still spending several thousands of

by the Bank in the process of moving, was so

pounds every couple of months on premiums to

impressed with what we delivered at his previous

cover the work.

establishment, that one of his first tasks was to start

Terminals

the process of negotiation for installing a rolling

are with us for 52 weeks of the year and not just

At the moment, everything appears to be on track

rank at his new Bank.

once in a lifetime. My hope is that we can still sup-

regarding your new terminals and as you are proba-

At the time of writing, it seems fairly certain the

ply a reasonable service otherwise there could well

bly aware we have some on test at the moment. But

rolling rank will be implemented, however I cannot

be a high price to pay following the conclusion of

we have decided not to fit any to the fleet before the

be certain of the date at this stage, but it looks as

the Games.

commencement of the Olympic Games and instead

though it could be 1st July - which is around the

same time you will receive this issue of Call Sign.

Whilst on the subject of the Games, LTPH inform

will wait until the close of the Paralympics before we

me that any members who receive their ‘pack' from

consider installing any new terminals.

We have put forward our proposal for the rank

and all we need at the moment is for the Bank to rat-

them regarding renewal of their licenses, should

Joe Skeggs

ify the situation, which at the time of writing has not

deal with the renewal immediately because as you

I was very sad to hear that Joe Skeggs (V34) had

yet been forthcoming. As soon as the situation

can imagine, there will be heightened security dur-

ing the Games and your life will be made a little eas-

passed away. DaC drivers will remember Joe from

becomes clear, you will of course be notified - prob-

ably via your terminal as we may well receive very

ier if everything is up to date.

the many times he got up at AGMs to have a pop at

something or other - often my name got men-

short notice that they wish the rolling rank to be

You may also be aware that the contract SGS had

tioned! But there was always that wink of the eye

implemented.

with LTPH is coming to an end next year and the

afterwards that showed a mutual respect.

new contract has been awarded to NSL. I believe

Olympics

that is the same company that operates the system

Joe may well have been upset at something that

This is the last Call Sign before the Olympics com-

at Heathrow. NSL will actually take over the opera-

happened, but once the AGM was over he was back

telling you a funny story or a joke. The word ‘char-

mence and even at this stage, we are unsure of the

tion on 28th February and the SGS contract will ter-

acter' is often bandied around, but in Joe's case it

situation and no-one has any real idea of the traffic

minate in April.

represented an accurate picture of a lovely man. My

conditions that might ensue. I, like most of you, was

under the impression that a booklet was being pro-

Coverage

sincere sympathies to his family...

duced to inform all interested parties the details of

Due to the current economic situation, we have lost

Finally, I hope you have a very busy Games period

the Games, regarding venues, times etc. Hopefully

some members over the past few months. They, like

and that the traffic is not too horrendous. But please

by the time you read this, you will have received it.

any other businesses, look at their overheads and if

give a special thought to your Account Clients that will

However, at the time of writing we have not

they believe they can save money then they will

hopefully still be ours long after the Games have gone.

received anything and there are only six weeks to

make that economy.

go. I am really getting an uneasy feeling about the

Personally, I believe that to be a very short sight-

Brian Rice

situation and I'm also very concerned regarding the

ed view, but you would probably expect me to say

Chairman

service we supply to your customers, the ones that

that anyway.

Dial-a-Cab

Spare DaC taxis

Drivers often ask about taxi garages where Dial-

a-Cab taxis are available for use while your cab

is off the road, so if you need a DaC-fitted termi-

nal try phoning one of the following garages for

availability…

For any non-fault accidents try either:

Chief Taxis: -------------------0800 055 6221

Cab Aid: -----------------------0800 028 3253

Overhauls or accident repairs:

Cricklewood Carriers: -----

0208 452 5461

KPM: --------------------------

0207 375 1179

Justcabs (formerly L&P):-- 0207 739 0210

Howard Kott of Justcabs is also happy to rent out a

DaC taxi if not being used as a loan cab

Call Sign July 2012

Page 5

What would the Mayor think of this taxi?

102 year old taxi for £20,000...!

Never mind the 15-year limit, a 102 year old black London taxi has

been discovered in an old barn in Gloucestershire. This rare cab

of a bygone era has now been restored and put up for sale where

it is expected to fetch over £20,000. It still retains its original taxi

meter and switches in the back so that passengers could indicate

to the driver the direction they wished to go.

It has a top speed of 40mph and is the only one left of its type

as most of this particular taxi were destroyed or have just faded

away.

The cab is in excellent condition with most of its original

leather interior intact. It possesses a 16 hp engine with a three-

speed gearbox. It has wooden wheels with pneumatic tyres and

paraffin lamps both in the front and rear. The auction was held at

The Castle Combe race circuit in Chippenham on 30th June.

87 years past the 15-year limit!

Legalise London Brothels for Olympics!

Nevada brothel owner, Dennis Hof, says he

With a projected 900,000 visi-

wants to start a new and fully legal brothel in

tors expected to visit our capital

London during next month's summer Olympics.

during the Olympics, Hof esti-

Mr Hof claims that it “would stop human traf-

mates he would make much more

ficking by international criminal gangs.”

than he could during a similar

Mr Hof, 65-year-old owner of the Moonlite

period at the Nevada brothel

Bunny Ranch in Nevada, promoted legal pros-

where he employs 500 girls.

titution during a debate at the Oxford Union

While prostitution isn't illegal in

and told Call Sign that he is on a mission to

the UK, operating a brothel, pimp-

convince Mayor Boris Johnson that legal

ing or streetwalking is, as is paying

brothels could be just what London needs dur-

for sexual services from someone

ing the Games..

who has been coerced into prosti-

“Illegal brothels are disgusting,” said Hof,

tution. Mr Hof believes that estab-

“the girls are not tested for diseases and

lishing legal brothels around met-

they're trafficked and forced into it. I'm saying

ropolitan London for the duration

Mr Hof, who says he only dates prostitutes, came to

that it doesn't have to be like that. We can

of the games would provide safe sex for

London with Carni Parker who he claims is his number

provide the client with a clean, safe and fun

tourists and Prostitutes - as well as pro-

one girl at the Moonlight ranch.

experience.”

viding much-needed tax revenue!

TfL

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

tout

376 Strand, WC2

We Invite Dial-a-Cab drivers and their guests to our

reporting

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

Taxi drivers are reminded that by

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

logging on to

and go over the years, we are happy to be able to

www.tfl.gov.uk/cabenforcement

offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill

and clicking on Report illegal

activity, you can report suspected

We are certain that you will be delighted

touting activity directly to TfL

Information and intelligence gathered

through this online reporting tool

enables the TfL Taxi and Private Hire

Compliance team to strategically manage

deployment and target those areas that

are of the greatest risk to public safety.

The Metropolitan and City of London

Police deployment also takes into

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

account reports received through this

tool to conduct intelligence-led opera-

Salieri Restaurant

tions. Over seven thousand arrests have

376 Strand, WC2

been made in the last eight years for

touting and cab offences in London.

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

Call Sign July 2012

Page 6

Jery's World

Thanks for voting me back in chaps, but I didn't really mean I would get rid of roadworks! I thought you guys had a sense of humour!

A university experiment into satnavs leads Call Sign to ask

Are Addison Lee passengers at risk?

began to notice a difference in their

driving ability. A lot of effort has gone

into designing visually-friendly satnav

devices, but our research highlights

the importance of the way in which

the auditory instructions are given.”

Every Dial-a-Cab driver will soon have

a satnav incorporated into their new ter-

minal, but it will rarely be needed

because of our Knowledge of London.

With drivers from the UK's largest private

hire company, Addison Lee, relying

almost entirely on satnavs, we must ask

how safe they are when it comes to

transporting passengers?

Call Sign

Concentrating on satnav directions?

July 2012

Satnav systems aren't infallible and can send drivers the wrong way, but a shock report

Editor: Alan Fisher

Address: 39 - 47 East Rd, London N1 6AH

from both Lancaster and Royal Holloway Universities show that they can also impair

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

the user's driving ability.

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

An experiment showed that drivers' performances were affected when listening to sat-

Website:-www.dac-callsign.co.uk

nav directions when volunteers were set tasks by a computer which mimicked instruc-

Printers: Premier Print Group

tions given by a satnav. The results showed that when people were following complicat-

25 - 31 Violet Rd, London E3

ed satnav routes, they tended to drive faster with more steering variations, as well as

Design: Aldan Publications

being less likely to notice pedestrians who might step out.

Tel: 07958 300 428

Dr Polly Dalton from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway said:

Email: dfdannyfresco@gmail.com

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

“What's interesting is that people were able to follow one simple instruction

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

without any significant impact on their driving, but as soon as they had to

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

remember a compound instruction consisting of two sequential directions, we

either manually or electronically without the express

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign July 2012

Page 7

"COLUMBO" MARC AND THE LADY!

Or the trip to a strict adjudicator...

were in dispute” and reminded me that the

signs had been there since 1987 (as if I ever

DaC driver Marc Turner (R97) has

knew). She was tearing my defence to shreds

been in Call Sign many times with

and began to dominate me (yes, I know I

should be so lucky)!

incidents varying from chasing Luton

With the proven successful combination

taxi drivers away from picking up

of clutching at straws and praying for

trips on a busy London Saturday

divine intervention, I retorted that perhaps

night, right through to annoying an

as it was in the early hours and there were

no signs on the images and footage, the

Addison Lee driver by telling him to

bulbs had probably gone on the signs?

get off the taxi rank at South

Madam looked at me with seemingly incred-

tos of the junction with the straight ahead sig-

Kensington's Marriott Hotel. Mr

ulous disbelief, before exclaiming with the

nage taken on the sunniest, cloud-free day in

Addyman then tried to run Marc

mildest hint of boredom that she would write

history. So I decided to go to adjudication and

over! Now Marc tells of his latest

play for high stakes - or £130 to be exact!

to Camden's Department of Works and check

on the maintenance of the signs over the peri-

Barry H was very helpful in constructing my

battle with authority...

defence. In the past on DaC PCNs I`ve been

od. Then it was the briefest of acknowledge-

“Our ‘friends' at Camden Borough have

ments:

“Case adjourned for

28 days,

successfully represented by Barrie Segal. This

never been beyond sending out dubious PCNs

Goodbye!” I left feeling somewhat disappoint-

time I decided to represent myself, as I thought

with rather dodgy evidence to we licensed taxi

ed; I knew I was on a sticky wicket and that Her

it might be a good and useful experience!

drivers. On this occasion they alleged that I

I came face to face with the adjudicator at

Ladyship was probably just postponing the

had turned left into Shaftsbury Avenue from

inevitable.

09.15 on Saturday 14th April. She, an imposing

Bloomsbury Street, ignoring the straight ahead

middle aged lady possibly reminiscent of a St

But then on May 4th, I received the judge-

signs at 02.37 on the morning of 8th October

Trinians headmistress, while I, just woken from

ment in the post. Camden had not responded

2011. I phoned the LTDA's Barry Hooper and

a kip in the cab on a very cold morning after

to the adjudicator's request for more info,

he viewed the images. He said I had a decent

the mother of all nightshifts and then having

therefore the contravention did not occur and

case for an appeal. Camden had used the cam-

walked from the city to Angel. It wouldn`t be

as a result the PCN was cancelled! Happy Days!

era that makes them a fortune nabbing

too unfair to say that I more resembled Peter

Guys and girls, we have to stand up to

motorists in the yellow box.

Falk's detective, Columbo!

these modern day highway robbers. Even

Even though the images showed my unfor-

The Lady was strict and obviously not pre-

the adjudicators are aware that the bor-

tunate left turn, the straight ahead signs were

pared to suffer fools gladly. Although I

oughs are a bunch of chancers. If you don't

not in view in any of the available pictures.

remained calm, she was undoubtedly pulling

take it all the way, then the boroughs will

When I denied the charge, the best Camden

ahead on points. She proclaimed that “neither

win. Appeal, appeal, appeal...!”

could do was to send me some beautiful pho-

my misdemeanour nor the straight ahead signs

Marc Turner (R97)

Martin Cordell & Co.

ACCOUNTANTS

Does your accountant supply you with the following?

Over forty years of experience with the Licensed London Taxi Trade.

Processing of self-assessment returns.

Advice on trading as a Limited Company with its tax advantages and potential pitfalls.

Preparation of accounts.

Initial consultation dealing with loss of earnings claims (due to accidents on the road etc.)

Letters to banks, building societies

and other lenders.

Specialist in-house facilities to deal with Inland Revenue enquiry cases.

(This is expensive and time consuming. Ask your accountant how much he will charge should this

unpredictable event occur).

A three hundred and sixty five days a year service.

A'‘nightshift'

service.

Offices in North and East London.

First consultation free of charge.

Martin Cordell & Co . . . Do!

All for one yearly fee

The London Taxi Trades Premier Accountants

(24 hour answering service for prompt service)

020 8980 7161

(24 hour answering service for prompt service)

1-5 Alfred Street, Bow, London E3 2BE also at

Front Office, First Floor, 9 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4AS

www.martin-cordell.co.uk

Call Sign July 2012

Page 8

Unlike the photo that admits to not being real, John's £50 note was nothing but a...

Fake!

“I'm annoyed with myself more than anything else,” John

ok to him - especially

Barry (O51) admitted to Call Sign, “because usually I am

when you are being

very careful, but these blokes were very convincing and knew

hooted to get a move

what they were doing.”

on..

John's tale took place in the evening just as the light was

“No doubt they

fading. He stopped after being hailed on Holloway Road by

will try that scam

three smartly dressed men who although they had obviously

again,” said John

had a drink, certainly didn't look at all inebriated.

before leaving Call

“They asked for Columbia Road E1 and offered to show me

Sign's reporter, “so

the way - something that has never bothered me although I

I hope my experi-

know some drivers take offence. Throughout the journey

ence will be a warn-

they were full of chat and general banter and I responded

ing to others. I

only when appropriate. They directed me to the one-way

often work late

Shipton Street. Two of them got out of one door while the

into the night and

third came around to my side. They each made with their

early morning and

hands to feel their pockets and one kept saying that they

do not usually have

should not forget to get a receipt. Then one of them ‘found'

problems. I'm care-

a new style £50 note and apologised for not having anything

ful but I am also pre

smaller. By now there was a van behind beeping me to hurry

people a chance. Perhaps I shouldn't be quite so tolerant...”

me up, so I quickly held the note up to the light and the

Call Sign checked on the Bank of England website where

watermark looked decent, so I speedily gave them the change

great play is made of the additional security features embed-

and they hurried off towards the nearby pub.”

ded in the new-style £50 note. It has only been in circulation

John then drove off, stuffing the note into his shirt pocket

since November 2011, but such is the speed and sophistica-

as he went and made for the Texaco garage on Shoreditch

tion of modern day forgers that even recently introduced

High Street. But when he handed the £50 note the cashier,

Tender with supposedly improved and advanced security

he was told that the note was a dud and politely asked if he

measures, can apparently be forged. That must surely be a

could pay with real money!

wake-up call for anyone handling high denomination notes…

“I was astonished,” said John, “and rather hacked off as you

might imagine! I raced back to the pub thinking and hoping

that they might still be there, but the bar-tender said he saw

three men running down an alleyway across the road after

they got out of my cab. It was a very polished performance,

which they had apparently practiced numerous times. I

realise now that all their searching through pockets for

money was an act when all they wanted to do was palm me

off with that fake £50. In better circumstances, it would have

been an act worthy of an Oscar nomination! But at the end of

the day, I'm still mad with myself for being so easily caught

out like that."

In daylight, the green strip that runs down the note from

top to bottom was not quite right, but given a quick glance as

John had done the night before, the new-style note looked

DaC Credit Union

"best in the country!”

Although the Dial-a-Cab Credit Union AGM took place over two

months ago and would have been reported on in the June issue had

there been one, Call Sign can't let go the fact that in his report at the

meeting - held at DACCU's Hackney Road office - the representative of

their Auditors Appleby and Wood, Terry MacPherson, told members

present that they should be proud of themselves for probably now

being accepted as one of - if not THE - best run credit union in the

country!

With membership now close to 1000, those in DACCU who in addi-

tion to being able to take much larger loans than ever dreamed of in its

early days, also have access to possibly the best savers rate in the coun-

try.

DACCU President Terry Dodd (W15) and Treasurer Brian Flanagan

(T79) told Call Sign after the meeting that they were proud of the

credit union's success and the Auditor's words. They emphasised that

they were always happy to welcome new members. Their ad is in every

issue of the mag...

Call Sign July 2012

Page 10

"I like to keep fit,” Micky Doyle (ex-A47)

told Call Sign as we chatted at Dial-a-

Cab's Roman Way depot, "it keeps me

DaC's sporty

looking and feeling younger than my 74

years. But my faithful old Fairway is com-

ing off the road very soon, so I'm going to

take a 6 month sabbatical to allow me

more time to pursue my hobbies - which

septuagenarian!

are an expensive indulgence - but I enjoy

the lifestyle of athletics, golfing and scuba

diving. I can always come back to cabbing,

although after 50+ years, a change of rou-

tine will be welcome!”

Micky's time on DaC goes back to

Affleck Street and historic ODRTS charac-

ters such as Jack Taylor and Jack Russell

or voice dispatcher Johnny Thwaites still

sprung readily to his mind.

“Jack Russell and I were in the same

army regiment, the Royal Inniskilling

Fusiliers, although I joined sometime

after him. When I left the army, I

promised myself I would never polish

another piece of brass, so from the day I

got my taxi badge back in 1960 to this

very day, I have not cleaned it - even

though I still take great pride in what it

represents.”

Micky continued by telling us that his

Now: Mickey is taking 6 months off

National Service time in the army includ-

ed a stint at Spandau Prison in Berlin,

the place where Hitler's deputy, Rudolf

Hess, was held prisoner.

“I have enjoyed my years on Dial-a-Cab

but now it's time to take a breather from

the cab and focus even more on my sport-

ing interests. I attend the gym five days a

week, play golf at every opportunity and

am passionate about scuba-diving, which

I took up when I reached 70 - diving usu-

ally in exotic places around the world!”

Micky is a British Sub-Aqua Club quali-

fied diver to 35 metres depth and has also

completed several 100 mile annual walks

as a member of the Long Distance

Walking Association, which he added on

as though it was akin to a stroll down to

the corner shop.

Before driving off, Micky mentioned

Then: Fifty years ago, Mickey and friends wangling

that in addition to the occasional celebri-

ties we all pick up, he has picked up three

although they weren't serving as PMs at

big fan,”

he called out

his Fairway

Prime Ministers in Ted Heath, Jim

the time. But none were as important to

pulled away...

Callaghan and Alec Douglas-Hume,

him as picking up Petula Clark - “I'm a

Leon off to retirement!

Brian Rice once claimed that there are far more over-fifties in the taxi business than under-fifties. Well

another long time Dial-a-Cab driver has now retired with Leon Singer (D92) being the latest to decide

that relaxing is a better way of passing his time than driving a London taxi!

Leon told Call Sign: “I am taking this opportunity to thank Dial-a-Cab for the support they have given

me over the past 57 years. It has been a great experience working with the team. The years have passed

so quickly and I can't believe I am signing off for the last time. I will miss the comradeship of the dis-

patchers and through the magazine I would like to wish you and everybody at DaC including staff and

drivers all the best of luck for the future. But I don't know how you will cover the work without me!”

Enjoy your retirement, Leon...

Call Sign July 2012

Page 11

Allen Togwell's Looks at Motivation

your life. I know a number of drivers who

Driver motivation

when stuck with nothing to do in their free

During the 40 odd years I've held a Bill, I have

time, would go and do a few hours on the

heard a lot of whinging in the cab trade about

cab!

everything on earth, including of course the

When you are in company and especially in

proverbial ‘the cab trade is finished' that I, and

the company of other cab drivers, the conversa-

probably every one of you heard when we did

tion soon steers to cab trade issues, events and

the Knowledge. Yet if any of these whingers were

experiences. I personally can't think of any

to stand back and take stock of their lot and

other profession that dictates conversation as

then compare it to the many thousands of peo-

much as the cab trade does. The freedom of hav-

ple they see trotting out of stations or standing

ing a badge allows the driver to indulge in a

at bus stops every morning in all weathers like

huge number of activities outside of the cab

zombies on their way to a job that many do not

trade that apart from making the person an

do by choice but simply to earn a living, they

interesting individual, also release boredom,

would realise exactly how well off they really

increase motivation, increase self-esteem and

are. Admittedly driving a cab can be a solitary

above all put a smile on your face, which is what

life in as much as having no interaction with fel-

prised by the response from both male and

your passengers, your family and our clients

low workers, but this is often compensated by

female staff, it was fun, it was an opportunity to

would like to see.

the many interesting people you carry. Being

show off baking skills and it was for a good

self-employed, there is also the freedom to work

cause with £350 raised and donated to Sport

as and when it suits you, the manner in which

E-reading

relief. But equally important is the relaxing

In the recent past, I've mentioned the issue of

you dress, the hours you wish to work and of

atmosphere it creates in the workplace, which

reading and that apart from being an excellent

course having nobody to answer to.

in turn helps to increase motivation.

source of entertainment and relieving boredom

However there is one common factor that

This same philosophy can apply to self-

particularly when sitting on a rank or waiting for

affects both the employed and self-

employed people who work alone, such as cab

a client, books are also a good talking point

employed, no matter what that work

drivers. There are for example, many cab drivers

when meeting other readers. In recent months,

involves. Be it a cab driver, office worker or

that start work exactly at the same time every

there has been talk about paper books becom-

a premier league footballer - and that com-

day and stick to that religiously as though they

ing a thing of the past now that e-readers are

mon factor is motivation.

were clocking in at a factory, which is what I did

taking over the market. Most avid readers such

We often hear that money is the biggest moti-

when I first got my badge. But after a year, I

as I will say they prefer the feel and smell of a

vator. Yet talking of footballers, Andre Villas-

paper book and the enjoyment from visiting

decided to do the opposite. One day I would

Boas just before he was sacked as Chelsea man-

bookstores and libraries, plus books can also be

start at 7am, the next day 5am and another day

ager said that Chelsea were losing matches

shared. And it was for that reason that I had no

6am and so on. The same with the times I fin-

because the players who earned £millions each

interest whatsoever in e-books such as Kindle

ished and the routine when stopping for lunch.

year were not motivated enough, which dispels

or Kobo's etc. But that was before I was given

Unlike several of my close cab driver friends,

the theory that earning big bucks is a motivator.

one recently as a birthday gift. And I have to

who no matter how slow the work was would

admit it is a fascinating piece of technology. The

Being unmotivated is akin to being bored and

always meet for lunch at the same café every day,

ability to download books in a matter of sec-

the definition of boredom is impaired physical

which meant there would be occasions when

onds is very convenient, especially on the occa-

and mental efficiency, fatigue, commonly

certain work would be ignored just so they

sions that book stores or libraries are closed. It

caused by monotonous routines, which is one

could get to the café at the allotted time.

is easy to carry, the font size can be adjusted and

reason I'd guess why so many cab drivers in

I could never see the logic in this and only

the battery lasts a month before recharging.

repose look so miserable!

joined them if I happened to be in the area. Also

Initially, when Kindles came on the market in

Most people suffer boredom at some time in

in an effort to break the habit of a regular rou-

the UK in 2009, they were quite costly com-

their lives and when bored, there comes a feel-

tine, particularly in the summer, I would buy a

pared to the latest slim line version that can

ing of everything being an effort, no enthusi-

hold up to 1400 books and be bought for little

takeaway meal and sit in a park or if I could find

asm, no motivation, they become passive and

more than the cost of a trip to the flyers. I men-

a parking space, eat lunch in a museum or art

blame everything and everyone for all their ills,

tion the above because I honestly believe e-

gallery or somewhere similar, which are also

while forever coming up with excuses why they

books are an ideal companion for people on the

ideal places to meet other people. That particu-

shouldn't or cannot do this or that - including,

go - especially cab drivers.

larly applies to the Tate Gallery which used to

I might add, giving much attention to their

have two long tables in the cafeteria where on

appearance; they just can't be bothered. A fair

Slowcoach?

finding a space and asking if it was free, within

description I would say for many within our

In my last article when I mentioned the London

minutes of sitting down you would have a com-

own cab trade.

2012 Olympics, I forgot to end with the strange

mon interest with the person on either side and

it was easy to strike up a conversation. I also

tale concerning the 1912 Summer Olympics in

Staff motivation

made it a habit to break the time spent sitting

Stockholm. It involved Shizo Kanakuri who

At Dial-a-Cab, like many companies, motivating

behind the wheel. I would park up for 15 min-

disappeared while running the Marathon and

staff is an important part of running a business,

utes, take a break, go for a walk or even some-

was listed as a missing person in Sweden for 50

because apart from increasing productivity, rais-

times go into a church and listen to an organ

years, until a journalist found him living quietly

ing morale, improving customer service and

recital. I was never an airport face, in fact I prob-

in southern Japan. Overcome with heat during

staff loyalty etc, it costs more to replace staff

ably never ranked up at the flyers on more than

the race, he stopped at a garden party to drink

than to keep them. It's important to keep staff

a dozen times in 40 years. And if I worked late,

orange juice, stayed for an hour, took a train to

happy and this can be achieved, not necessarily

I only went on the Finz on the odd occasion.

his hotel and sailed home the next day feeling

with financial incentives, but by organising

The beauty of driving a cab is how varied you

too ashamed to tell anyone he was leaving.

schemes that involve the staff having fun; break-

can make your day and how easy it is to avoid

Then in 1966, Kanakuri accepted an invitation

ing a repetitive and what at times can be a bor-

making the job repetitive and getting bored. I

to return to Stockholm and complete his run.

ing job by doing something different. An exam-

also found getting out of the cab, being active

His final time was 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 8

ple of this you would have seen in the May edi-

and coming into contact with people had a pos-

hours, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds. A record

tion of Call Sign and the Great Dial-a-Cab

itive effect on my appearance.

that will surely last forever…

bake-off, organised by Christina Simms and

One of the most common negatives about

her Human Resource colleagues.

being a cab driver is that it can become so

Allen Togwell

Being one of the judges, I was genuinely sur-

self-consuming, if allowed it can take over

DaC Marketing

Call Sign July 2012

Page 12

Areti Mastrodouka, who is trained by Dial-a-

Cab driver Alec Wilkey (W83), put on an

emphatic display in only her second profes-

sional bout with a resounding stoppage win

Win number two

against Julija Cvetkova at Bethnal Green's

York Hall recently. Areti was looking to build

on her successful debut back in March and did

so in style with referee Marcus McDonnell hav-

for Areti!

ing to step in to call a halt to the fight late in

the second round as Cvetkova was in no posi-

tion to continue.

The ref lifts Areti's

The 36-year old female fighter made the trip

hand in another

from Athens to London in order to train for

victory! Trainer Alec

the fight against the experienced Latvian. Areti

Wilkey looks on..

- nicknamed The Master - recently joined the

setup at the TKO Gym in Canning Town after

deciding to turn professional. After a flourish-

European fighters. She

ing amateur career that included a silver

fought a great fight and

medal at the World Championships,

finished it well.”

Mastrodouka decided to make the transition

Also performing on the

into the pro game under the tutelage of coach

day were other boxers

Alec Wilkey and manager Johnny Eames.

from the TKO Gym camp

She won her first bout against Kristine

including

Danny

Shergold with a points victory and was confi-

‘Cassius' Connor who

dent coming in against Cvetkova, who had

to gain some rhythm towards the end of the

fought for the vacant

previously been in the ring with some experi-

round and it was evident it was going to be a

British Masters Welterweight Title against

enced fighters and taken many the distance.

one-sided contest after that.

Tyler ‘Tornado' Goodjohn. Connor, who is

Despite being only 20 years of age, Cvetkova

‘The Master' came out firing in the second

also trained by Alec Wilkey, displayed some

had already fought in 13 professional contests

hoping to build on her first round perfor-

good boxing skills and used his jab to good

prior to her match with Mastrodouka.

mance, aiming some sharp hooks to the body

effect to come out on top over the 10 rounds

The female match-up in the feather-

of Cvetkova which looked to be taking their

in a thrilling main event getting the judge's

weight division was scheduled for

6x2

toll on the smaller Latvian. Southpaw

decision by a point (96-95) and taking the title.

minute rounds and was to be the second

Mastrodouka was

keeping her opponent on

Menay Edwards recorded another win

bout of the afternoon. A packed crowd -

the back foot and landing some scoring left

against opponent Remigijus Ziausys, taking

including some DaC drivers - took to their

hands and then after a barrage of punches,

his tally to

8 wins and 1 loss, while Eric

seats for the 8 fight card featuring some

Cvetkova eventually went down. She beat the

Mokonzo was unlucky on his debut, getting

good match ups and different styles.

ref 's first count but after another slip and

stopped in the second round by Darren

Areti got off to a slow start as both fighters

more pressure from the Greek fighter, the ref-

McKenna but not before he had floored

fathomed the style of their opponent. But

eree had no other option but to stop the fight

McKenna in the first.

Mastrodouka then took the initiative, finding

towards the end of round two.

Areti is currently seeking a sponsor in

her range with the jab. The first incident of sig-

Areti told Call Sign after the bout, “My

order to take her career to the next level

nificance came late in the first when Cvetkova

opponent was experienced but I thought I

and chase her dream of becoming world

hit the canvas. Although Mastrodouka threw a

dealt with her well. Hopefully I can now

champion. If you are interested contact

punch, it appeared to be more of a slip from

get a few more wins and in the future, a

Alec on: 07944791360...

Cvetkova, but the referee scored it as a knock-

shot at a world title.” Trainer Alec added,

down and gave the Latvian an 8-count. This

“Areti showed her class against a decent

David Wilkey

gave Mastrodouka confidence and enabled her

opponent who has fought some good

Mike and the Peacock

SAVINGS!

“I could hardly believe my eyes” Mike McGlynn (F60)

told Call Sign, paraphrasing actor Richard Wilson

from the TV series One Foot in the Grave.

★ KITCHENS

“I was going along Abbotsbury Road when suddenly a

peacock appeared in the road just ahead of me. It

& APPLIANCES

ambled unhurriedly towards the centre of the road,

★ BEDROOMS

stopped momentarily, turned in my direction and fanned

his tail feathers. I don't know if he was trying to impress

★ WORKTOPS

me before giving me a real snooty look from his pene-

★ DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS

trating eyes as if to say you're in my way, before casual-

★ PLANTATION SHUTTERS

ly strutting off as quickly as he had appeared!”

Mike, still laughing at the vision, continued with

★ ALL TYPES OF BLINDS

his tale. “I narrowly missed hitting him, or at least

★ AWNINGS

crushing some of those colourful tail feathers with the

wheels of my cab. But he seemed quite unfazed as I bore down on him,

You are welcome to visit

although my own blood-pressure shot up because I'm not used to seeing jay-walkers of the animal

our showroom at:

variety wander in front of the cab! He must have escaped from Holland Park aviary, but goodness

knows how he did it. The way he was flashing those fancy feathers at me, I reckon he might have

Unit 8 Tripes Farm,

had a peahen girlfriend on his mind somewhere on the other side of the road! Had I been going

Chelsfield Lane,

any faster, he would never have made it to see her but would have ended his days hanging upside

Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS

down in a posh game and butcher shop somewhere in W8!”

Mike, still giggling at the unusual street walker, suddenly had a final thought.

Instant Kitchen and

“Perhaps he was just looking for a cab! I bet that's another ride I've lost...”

Bedroom & Blinds UK

Call Ian (R50) on 01689 897111…

Call Sign July 2012

Page 13

When it comes to sheer guts and determination

to see the job through to the end, DaC driver

Del Oldfield (D32) probably ranks up there

Del's Marathon

with the best of them, having struggled to com-

plete the 26+ miles of the 2012 Virgin London

Marathon after going seriously lame early on in

the run.

“No, it wasn't too easy,” Del admitted to Call

pain for Whizz-Kidz

Sign, “but there were a lot of people relying on

me to finish the race, not to mention quite a lot

of money at stake that my chosen charity,

Whizz-Kidz, desperately needs to continue its

excellent work. So I closed my mind to the

pain, focussed on the task in hand, and carried

on regardless!”

Wincing once again as he was reminded of

that pain through talking to Call Sign, Del con-

tinued: “This was my first London Marathon,

having applied in my own right and getting

through to the ballot stage. But then Whizz-

Kidz offered me one of their slots, which meant

I didn't need the ballot. I jumped at the chance

to raise funds for such a good cause! In fact, I

had only been training since November 2011,

although I have been playing football regularly

throughout the season.

“I was among 562 Whizz-Kidz entrants who

all met up at Greenwich Park prior to the run

Del proudly holds his Marathon medal after running most of it in severe pain...

for a photo shoot; then during the run itself,

members of the Whizz-Kids organising com-

advice for a few seconds and then thought

At this point, we gave Del a few seconds as we

mittee cheer you on at several points along the

about the Charity, the fund-raising and the huge

could see that the memory was becoming

route. That really does help you.

support from my family and friends. I disre-

painful.

“At around the five mile mark my left knee

garded the advice however well meant it was,

“It took me 6 hours and 31 minutes to com-

began giving me increasing discomfort from a

but there was just so much riding on my com-

plete the 2012 London Marathon and I raised

previous injury, then both my leg calves started

pleting the course.

around £2000 for Whizz-Kids in the process. I

to cramp up so I was in real trouble by the thir-

“I have to admit being close to tears with the

would like to publicly say a very big ‘thank you'

teenth mile and needed a twenty minute pit-

pain, and I did wonder what damage I might be

to all the family and friends who supported me

stop for the St John Ambulance people to

doing, but I walked and even hobbled the rest

both emotionally and financially throughout

this challenge.”

help sort me out. There wasn't a huge amount

of the course with my family literally walking

And finally Del began to smile broadly.

they could do about my knee and when an offi-

alongside me for the last 600 yards to the finish

cer took a look at it - by then heavily swollen -

line. They were on the spectator side of the

Whizz-Kidz (www.whizz-kidz.org.uk) is

he advised me not to continue to run for fear of

crowd barrier, while I pounded the tarmac of

a charity for disabled children with limited

causing lasting damage. I thought about the

the competition course!”

mobility...

0207 474 6592

CHECK OUT OUR REDUCED PRICES!

MAJOR £112.50

TX4:

10K

£95.00

20K

£110.00

30K

£105.00

40K

£230.00

50K

£95.00

60K

£120.00

70K

£415.00

80K

£230.00

90K

£105.00

Prices are exclusive of VAT

No hidden extras!

Rental cab available by arrangement

Some of our services include:-

✓ Overhauls ✓ Tracking/4 wheel alignment

✓ MOT testing on Class 4 vehicles ✓ Smoke test

✓ TX11timing chains/belts ✓ TX11 heater control valves ✓ TX4 servicing & engine rebuilds ✓ Tyres supplied & fitted

To book: Ring Chris on 0207 474 6592

E3 Taxis

Unit 3D Standard Industrial Estate, Henley Road, E16 2ES

Open Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-1pm

Call Sign July 2012

Page 14

From this to that!

...or from Hackney Wick to the Olympic stadium!

A trip to Hackney Wick Stadium used to mean either an evening at the

animal repellent or animal killer! Sharp pointed instruments are

dog or speedway track. It also used to provide taxi work from Liverpool

banned, as are axes, hatchets, cleavers, swords and sabres. Naturally, no

Street Station and all parts of east London. As you approached the nar-

crowbars or portable power drills / saws and blowtorches are allowed.

row pre-East Cross Route roads around Eastway, signs to the dog track

Just as obvious, bolt and nail guns are also on the prohibited list as are

advertised parking for 2/6 (12p) with track admittance for 1/6 (8p).

baseball and softball bats... but you knew that already!

If you go to where the track was today, you won't find any sign of the

No explosives or detonators - private or military and including mines

old traffic but instead will see the amazing Olympic stadium. In the old

and grenades - can be taken into the Olympic stadium and of course, no

days, the only things you couldn't take in were... well you could take

alcohol or food specifically designed to save you money can accompany

anything you wanted in provided it fitted through the turnstiles. In the

you. Everyone entering the stadium will be searched.

Olympic stadium, you can't take devices capable of discharging a pro-

Mind you, the old stadium had some rules too - if you could provide

jectile, firearms, bows and arrows, harpoons, spear guns or devices

the right money it would be appreciated. Oh yes - you could take your

designed specifically to stun such as lasers or stun batons. Neither can

kids together with their bags of sweets and drinks in free of charge, but

you take any kind of chemical spray - such as mace or pepper spray - or

would they mind putting their rubbish in the bins provided...

Every issue of Call Sign takes a look back at ODRTS history through the pages of the magazines of

the time with a flashback

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

This month's Flashback returns

asked him about the Sydney

closed. Even those that

Olympic Games and whether

remained open had

to 2003 and an article by Call

their cab trade benefited...

what they laughingly

Sign's Australian correspondent

"They were a total disaster

referred

at the time, David Gawthorn.

for Sydney cabbies, the whole

Olympic

Route

city shut down for the period

Networks

which

He wrote about the Sydney

that the Games were on and just concen-

banned cars and taxis. They

Olympics just 3 years earlier

trated on the big event. Even Sydney's pub-

were the final nail in our coffin

and issued a warning to Dial-a-

lic transport, which is notoriously bad, ran

because we were just stuck in never-ending

properly for the duration of the Games! In

traffic hold-ups and who is going to pay to

Cab drivers...!

addition, all transport was free on produc-

do that?

tion of an Olympic ticket - and very often if

And it wasn't just we cabbies who com-

you didn't have a ticket! The system strong-

plained; many retailers, restaurants, bars,

From Call Sign, July 2003

ly favoured public mass transport rather

cafes and pubs that weren't in the immedi-

The disaster that was

than the inferred 'expensive' cabs. In fact

ate area of the events and the city saw their

the Taxi rank was about a kilometre from

takings drop as non-sporty tourists just

the Sydney Olympics...

the main stadium and many people who

stayed away, with those that did come pay-

With London now officially in the race

might have considered taking a cab, took

ing horrifically high hotel prices."

the free train instead. Who could blame

So what about London? As Transport for

against Paris, New York, Moscow and others

for the 2012 Olympic Games, drivers may

them?

London will obviously be looking to Sydney to

My wife, youngest daughter and I

see how they planned the event, it looks like

well be thinking that nine years from now

could be a real boom-time for the taxi indus-

made the pilgrimage to Sydney and

London's taxi drivers may have a battle on

stayed about 80 kilometres out. Even

their hands rather than a windfall! Perhaps

try.

But is that how it worked for other

though we had no intention of going to

we shouldn't wait until 2012 to make our

any of the events, we got to travel free

point? If London is confirmed as getting the

Olympic cities? Taxi Driver David

Gawthorn was born in the UK but

on the trains to get into the city! Not

2012 Games - and admittedly that is still a

much use to cab drivers!

year or so away - then the time to start

resides and works in Melbourne,

Australia. He is also the author of a book

Apart from bits and pieces of Olympic

putting our case will be as soon as we hear if

work, there was also less of the regular cab

we have won and not the day before the

on his Australian taxi experiences and

has his own weekly radio show. Call Sign

driving work as so many streets were

Games commence

Call Sign July 2012

Page 15

Obituary

JOE SKEGGS

I, like many other drivers, must have been shocked and saddened to receive the news of Jo

Skeggs death - a DaC driver who was a great character in my eyes.

I knew Joe from the time he joined Dial-a-Cab in 1987 and seeing it was the month of April,

could have expected a fool. But Joe, in his flat hat, dark rimmed glasses and quite often brow

leather jacket, was far from being a fool.

He could stand up at an AGM and gain the drivers' attention with his humour and then hit them

between the eyes with the real point of his verbal assault. He had no fear of the Board, if he had a

point of view he would make it known. But he would always be polite and courteous.

Many a time when I was your Complaints/Compliance Officer, I was on the receiving end of a

tongue lashing, but we would always end up staying the best of friends and there was never any

grudge held.

He even told my wife one day that he thought she must have been a Saint to have put up with

me for so many years!

The taxi trade, Dial-a-Cab and myself, will have lost an ally, a fighter for justice and to

me, a very good honourable friend. Everyone, including my wife Anne and myself, would

like to send our condolences to his family on their sad loss.

Tom Whitbread

KPM Vito Verifone warning

PM have issued a warning to drivers purchasing a Vito on their latest Agility lease scheme through KPM with

Mercedes Benz Finance, where a guaranteed repurchase by the company after three years is involved. The warning fol-

lows an article in trade newspapers allegedly from Verifone who claimed their card payment system had been

approved by Mercedes.

KPM are now saying that is incorrect and no such approval has been given and that the fitting of the Verifone system can

damage interior trim panels. The company said that Verifone “making good” may still not suffice. They added that the Vito's

warrantee may be affected and could involve what the company describe as an “unexpected charge” at the end of the Agility

contract.

Call Sign July 2012

Page 16

Where do we

Thinking of buying a new taxi but undecided between the euro 5

start? These two

Vito and TX4 versions? Peter Begley (K98) has a few of both and

vehicles are vastly

different to each

gives his unbiased view below...

other in almost

every way but yet

are designed to

perform exactly

the same task

TX4 or Vito:

that being to con-

vey the public to

an array of desti-

nations, generally

around London. So if you are fed up with the

What should I buy?

everyday routine of driving around our streets

and would like a change, what options are open

to you as a London taxi driver?

any taxi licensed to ply for hire in London to date.

Vito to retrieve it!

Well, we could change our shift from days to

We as a drivers need to decide what job of work

The diesel filler cap is not only on the wrong

nights or vice versa. We could start working the

do we want to do, as both these taxis excel - but

side - which leaves you vulnerable when filling - it

airport instead of trawling the streets. We could

in very different ways.

is also far too low down. The boot is accessed via

choose to do radio work or perhaps take advan-

a huge slab of metal and glass clad in plastic that

tage of technology and use one of the increasing

ought to be automated as it's so big. The space is

numbers of app-based companies competing for

useful but vastly reduced as it houses both the

a share of the London taxi market. Any of these

spare wheel and prehistoric folding ramp - a mas-

could be considered as change... but are they?

sive step backwards not to mention a pain in the

As our job is tied to London, any move of

arse to use. It also has some very sharp edges.

location is affected by the need to work in the

Forward vision is superb and the wipers do a

capital. So what can we really do? The answer

great job - and very quietly. The climate control is

is not much really - we're stuck with our lot.

very easy to use and what's even better, passen-

So what about changing the place we actually

gers have no control over it! I haven't bothered to

work, because we now have the option of an

discover how the cab does it, but the heater blows

additional office in which to perform our

hot air in the morning even though the vehicle

work duties.

hasn't been used for hours, a genius idea for early

I am of course referring to the latest version

starters.

Mercedes Vito 113 cdi which is euro five com-

The Mercedes Vito

The engine is a joy; it's very quiet, yet powerful,

pliant. So does it offer anything to us that the TX4

As an over-all package from purchase to driving

responsive and pulls well in any gear. The brakes

from the London Taxi Company doesn't? Well,

and servicing, the Mercedes experience takes

are simply brilliant and if pressed aggressively,

the answer is a resounding yes! It offers a host of

some beating. It is an indulgent luxury to have a

they will lift you off the seat! The meter is mount-

things that would help us perform our duties as

man from a Mercedes dealership turn up at your

ed in an awkward place but you get used to that.

taxi drivers to the more than ever demanding

door in the morning, take your Vito away and

The rear doors are not as big an issue as they're

public of London. But hold your horses before we

then return it later that day serviced and cleaned

made out to be; generally speaking, the public

get carried away too much; the long established

at no extra charge!

who use cabs regularly are used to them now and

market leaders, LTI, have also recently introduced

TX4 drivers did read the last sentence correctly

a newer updated version of their TX4, which is

most users now know it's a taxi. However, I still

- Mercedes come to you!

also euro five compliant. So do these two very dif-

see hands go up after passing a punter - who then

The Mercedes Vito is everything you would

ferent taxis offer us an opportunity to update or

raise their hands as the 'iconic' shape of a TX4

rightly expect it to be for a former van that has

change our ‘real' place of work - our office so to

comes into view. This happens even more when

speak?

been 'customised' into a luxury taxi. It is quite

the passenger approaches from the rear.

modern in comparison. Once sat behind the

Quite some time ago I jumped ship from

Then there is the Rear Wheel Steering that

wheel of the enormous Vito, the dashboard is

LTI and purchased a euro 4 Vito, which I

the Vito uses to ensure it complies and passes

both impressive and huge. It has modern gadgets

enjoyed both driving and owning. When it ini-

the conditions of fitness test. It plays up on a

such as cruise control - however, I have never

tially hit the streets, I resisted for a while but

regular basis - on some days it can go off ten

even turned that on! I see no point of having it in

eventually purchased one - I like shiny things!

or more times. The real let down is that no

a taxi designed to work in London. It might pos-

But I really didn't expect the jump from euro 4

one in the servicing department of the east-

sibly get used by drivers that work the airport.

to euro 5 to be quite as dramatic as it was. The

end selling dealership seems to know why

It also has a speed limiter, which I found

euro 5 Vito is a pleasure to drive. So any compar-

and they still find it acceptable to leave unin-

extremely useful and easy to use. The steering

ison I make of the euro 5 Vito to the TX4 would,

formed customers sitting for hours in their

wheel houses buttons that control the stereo -

of course, be biased in favour of the euro 5 Vito?

waiting room. This is NOT the Mercedes way.

which isn't DAB but really should be considering

Wrong!

It is, in my view, shockingly bad considering

I always approach any judgement I make or

the high cost of the vehicle. It also controls the

the money the Vito costs.

consider with an open mind. A fair and honest

telephone Bluetooth, which is really impressive.

But in summary, I have enjoyed driving my

appraisal has to be free of bias, or any purchase

You can turn the sound of the call up and down

Vito's. They really excel on roaders and I achieved

from judgement could be an extremely costly mis-

via the stereo buttons. The name or number of

44.1 mpg on a recent run up the motorway. In

take because both of these vehicles are in my hon-

the caller is displayed on the stereo, which can

est opinion, vastly overpriced in a market that his-

also be set to dim automatically at night fall.

town, my euro 5 Vito was getting around 30mpg.

torically is monopolised. Having said that, it's

The power steering is incredibly light for such

I also often get asked if I can be pre-booked as it

where we find ourselves.

a big vehicle and makes driving around London

is so spacious and comfortable.

I'm now currently test driving an early euro

almost joyful! I also found the standard parking

5 TX4 Elegance courtesy of LTI. I mention it as

sensors very handy, as are the folding door mir-

The London Taxi Company TX4

‘early' as I'm informed that LTI are pursuing a

rors around the small busy streets. There is plen-

Now onto my experience of the newly updated

policy of asking owners and drivers for their

ty of storage with a glove box that could almost

version of LTI's euro 5 TX4. The TX4 itself has

feedback so they can update and improve this

house a family of four; but much of the storage is

been in service since 1995 - albeit with three dif-

current model of TX4 as they produce it.

useless when driving unless you possess the arms

ferent engines. The engine changes have been the

So which of the two vastly different vehicles is

of an orangutan as most of it is out of reach. And

only real differences up to now as it's basically the

better suited to the rigours and demands of life as

God forbid you drop anything in the footwell,

same vehicle as it was when first launched. This is

a London taxi? The answer is not that one is bet-

you have to stop, get out and take what feels like

probably because of the huge costs involved in

ter than the other, as they are both far superior to

a Wainwright walk around the vast width of the

Continued on page 17

Call Sign July 2012

Page 17

Almost halfway through her 101st year, Call Sign now has to say...

GOODBYE MILLIE

May 9 was a sad day for the London taxi trade, even though many outside of Call Sign's band of readers may

not even know why. But it marked the day that Millie, the beloved mum of Gerry Dunn (S84), bade farewell

to this life and joined husband Lou somewhere out there.

Millie Dunn was a cabdriver's wife in the true sense because Lou was always out trying to do something or

other that would benefit the taxi business, always having a meeting lined up with someone. Millie never com-

plained at the number of burnt dinners she had to throw away!

But so far as the early history of Dial-a-Cab was concerned, it was when Lou and several other dri

vers formed the Radio Owner Drivers Association that this Society became more than just a

pipedream.

In 1952, in order to get “onto the radio”, you had to be a fleet driver with either York Way Motors or the

London General Cab Company, both of whom ran their own radio circuits. There was no such thing as an

owner-driver's circuit. It was then that Lou and those few friends decided that a circuit for owner drivers was

important for the progression of the trade.

History tells us that soon after that time, Bonnie Martyn joined RODA before realising its potential and

together with a handful of other stalwarts, founded the Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service - which later

become Dial-a-Cab.

It was in January 2003 that Lou was shown around DaC by Brian Rice and then just a few months later,

both Millie and Lou were special guests at the celebrations built around this Society's 50th year. It was that

night that Lou told Call Sign about his life before surprising us by saying that he could never have done it

without the 100% backing he always had from Millie.

Before the year was out, Lou had passed away at the age of 93 leaving Millie to cope for herself. And she

did! She had a large family to help, but made it clear to Gerry that whilst she loved seeing them, she was

only 91 and more than capable of looking after herself and living comfortably on her own!

Millie Dunn made her final “public appearance” at this year's London Taxidrivers' Fund for Underprivileged

Children's Mad Hatter's party in January at the Grosvenor House. She had reached the magical age of 100, but wouldn't allow that to stop her going

out. She asked Call Sign to pass on her thanks to DaC for the bouquet they sent her, while we joked about where she would be going to celebrate

her 101st birthday. She died peacefully four months later.

True that Millie was in the background when compared to the work Lou had done, but as Lou said, he couldn't have achieved a fraction of it with-

out her! So whilst our sympathies go to Gerry, his two sisters Pamela and Bernice and to all Millie's family, we also celebrate an amazing life...

Ron Yarborough

Call Sign Online

TX4 or Vito Continued from page 16

ter than before. And it didn't rattle - apart

ing is still very poor. The new TX4 euro 5 still runs

from one little rattle in the partition, which

hot, maybe hotter than before. This in part is due

weirdly is the same one as my Vito euro5 pos-

to the location of the particulate filter, which is

sessed near the money tray!

just below the driver's right foot and can reach

This new TX4 is by far the smoothest and sure

temperatures of up to 800 degrees.

footed TX4 I have ever driven and I never thought

In conclusion, the latest offering from LTI must

I'd be saying that in a million years! So well done

be viewed as a work in progress. It's been really

to LTI. I was really enjoying the drive until I

quite a pleasant place to work but is drastically let

pushed it a bit harder. It wallows from side to side

down by a usually harsh engine note when in low

gear and especially when under strain.

when pushed hard on corners and doesn't seem

But the story isn't quite over because I was

to like being on motorways as the buffeting winds

then given the very latest TX4 euro5 to try. I have

make it feel somewhat unstable.

now been driving it for four days and I'm very

changing and testing any new vehicle. Now how-

The key fob that up to now has been made

impressed! The harsh engine note remains and

ever, LTI along with its new partner Geely has had

from what seemed like a cheap bit of recycled

sounds worse when cruising at 60-70mph on the

to change. But why? Well there are two reasons -

plastic, is now quite nice and works very well in

motorway. Talking to your passenger can become

emissions and the Mercedes Vito taking the fight

its operation. The key on the other hand,

a bit of a shouting match. But I am still very much

to them. So really they've had change forced on

although also changed, is no better than the old

of the opinion that the TX4 is a far better taxi for

them. But have the changes produced a vehicle

one it is replacing.

working in town. That's not to say that it isn't

able to stand its own against the new entrant in

But I do have a big issue with the interior and that

capable of undertaking motorway journeys,

the London taxi market? So let's have a look at the

is that although it's made of superior materials

because it is. It's just that the Vito with its superi-

latest offering from LTI aka The London Taxi

than before and screwed together far better, it is

or and more refined engine, which sips diesel as

Company.

really dated and missing many standard and mod-

if it were a fine wine returning in excess of

The first thing I noticed even before I got into

ern fittings and gadgets that could prevent me

40mpg, takes motorways in its stride.

the new TX4 is that the shut lines (gaps between

from purchasing a car if it didn't have them as

So the time has come to nail my colours to

the bodywork panels) have been vastly improved.

standard.

the mast. Am I going to purchase a new TX4

It makes we wonder why we were so accepting of

Here is a quick list of things that LTI still

euro5? Yes, it's certainly its father's son, but

the previous TX4s enormous gaps between the

have to replace for the TX4 to take that last

it's also an extremely good cab and much eas-

external panels.

step to be able to compete much more close-

ier to work in town, which is my main hunting

I sat in the driver's seat - which I found to

ly with the Vito.

ground. Anyone who says the Conditions of

my surprise was really, really comfortable and

Air conditioning should by now have been

Fitness are obsolete is kidding themselves

supportive. In fact I found the driver's seat

updated to climate control. There should be an

and I for one am surprised to realise the

more comfortable than that of the Vito! The

airbag in the steering wheel - which should be

extent to which I have missed the rear steer-

single added feature of a proper armrest to

replaced as it is of poor quality and feels really

ing. So with that in mind, I have placed an

help the driver's posture whilst working gets

dated to hold. The front and rear fans are still very

order for two new TX4 euro5 Elegances with

top marks here for LTI. The interior panels,

noisy. Both front windows would benefit from a

LTI at Brewery Road, one of which I shall

dashboard and partition look the same but

one-touch up switch. There is very little storage in

pushing around the streets of London myself.

not only are they made from better quality

the driver's compartment. Legroom is still poor

materials, they are fitted together much bet-

for the driver while the internal and external light-

Peter Begley (K98)

Call Sign July 2012

Page 18

The longer I am a London taxi driver the more

Those who believe the Conditions of Fitness are on the way out...

I question why we collectively accept such

poor quality service from those who come to

us in the guise of trade saviours - be that deal-

CALL SIGN LOOKS

ership garages, small garages, bodyshops,

spare part and meter suppliers, many of whom

offer their services for just eight hours a day,

AT THE PEUGEOT E7

five days a week in support of a trade that

functions 24 x 7 - year in year out.

tainly looks to have been

As a trade we have suffered enough. But

made on the cheap.

now they say that the wait is over! Well, God

The salesman I spoke

help us if the answer to our prayers is the

with said the E7 would

Peugeot-based E7

from Cab Direct!

be offered in London as

Let me say I had a good look round the E7

an automatic at extra

but did not actually drive it. Also, this is my

cost. He also confirmed

personal opinion and I have no foundation

it did not comply with

on which to base my opinion other than

the COF required in

instinctive gut feeling.

London (I admit to being

This cab has enjoyed success in most other

in favour of the COF as it

UK cities, however London is not like any

helps to maintain a stan-

other city and the taxis required to work here

dard) and that the E7

must be in a league of their own. Some sectors

requires servicing every

don't like or agree with this and they are enti-

12k miles with no service

tled to their opinion. This one, though, is

unused E7! The rear seating is made up from

package offered. The cost of this 'cheap alter-

mine. And let me assure you that is the way it

separate seats that can be moved into varying

native' is £35,995. Add in the servicing costs of

is... end of!

combinations, which in a family situation

approximately £2500 - £3000 and it's likely to

could be of benefit. However, in a London taxi

be almost as expensive as both of the taxis cur-

There is a great need for all London to

it would cause all sorts of grief in use with

rently on offer in London, which in my opin-

see for themselves the Peugeot based E7

hinges and clips breaking - not to mention the

ion are over-priced anyway but without the

being offered. You know that expression:

number of times that punters would keep ask-

cost to the vehicle producer of developing and

“Surely it can't get any worse, can it?” So

ing the driver to retrieve items from the

testing plus production costs of the coveted

let's make a start...

boot/rear. As for the seats being flexible, in

turning circle.

Although the driver's seat feels comfortable,

London we drive taxis and not minicabs - it is

I don't smoke and I never have, as I

the driver's cabin itself feels very cramped

just not required in a London taxi. Full stop.

know I won't like it. It's the same for the

compared to the space in the latest LTI TX4 or

Myself and two close friends found ourselves

Peugeot E7. I didn't test drive it as I know

even worse when compared to the cavernous

even closer than we thought possible when sat

I won't like it and will not purchase it, it is

Mercedes Vito! As you look around, you're sur-

together in the three rear seats. My head was

that horrible. So my message to Cab Direct

rounded by oceans of poor quality plastic, the

wedged against the roof lining at a very

is stay away from London with that pile of

likes of which I have not seen since I toured a

uncomfortable angle. Everything about this

rubbish. We're not as stupid or desperate

Ford plant in the 1980s, Billy Ocean was riding

vehicle feels cheap and nasty - I mean really

as you obviously think we are...

high in the charts and I had a rummage

nasty. On the bonus side, the switch that came

With all its design issues and very poor quality

around in the Escort spares bin!

off in my hand was quiet easy to put back - well

interior fit and trim, I've also had feedback

The manually operated sliding rear doors

it was the first time. Even if the poorly finished

from drivers I've spoken with who have one in

open to reveal a rear cabin that has an enor-

E7 had the coveted turning circle which it

other parts of the country and who tell me that

mously high entry step coupled with an

does not, it would still not make it into my

they experience severe warranty disputes with

extremely low headroom height, which is very

garage. It just feels too poorly assembled. If

Peugeot, who for various reasons do not want

worrying indeed. I can see these two com-

the Rear Wheel Steering offered by Mercedes

to cover varying parts on a vehicle bought as

bined causing severe difficultly for a large

accounts for as much as 12k of its price, the E7

one type of vehicle and converted into a taxi

number of passengers whether young, old,

be should be offered at about £22-24k maxi-

by an outside party.

disabled or just slightly intoxicated.

mum.

As a footnote; I'm not sure why, but the E7

The pull out sliding ramp seems like a good

But it isn't all bad news, I did find two things

on show at Southbank had the window sticker

idea, but in practice produces a ramp that is at

I liked a lot in the Peugeot E7 - those being the

of £35,995, yet in TAXI Newspaper it is adver-

such an incredible incline, I thought it must be

rear spoiler and the alloy wheels. But the thing

tised with an on the road price for a manual of

a preproduction mule. The use of poor quali-

I find remarkable is that the E7 might be

£25,495 or an automatic with an OTR price of

ty plastics continues inside the rear cabin. The

offered to us as a cheaper alternative to both

£27,495...

flip seats felt ready to break - this in a new

the LTI TX4 and Mercedes Vito. Well, it cer-

Peter Begley (K98)

Karen motorcycling to Germany to help MS

Time's running out

Beginning on 2nd August, Dial-a-Cab driver Karen Menpes (E01) will be riding her motorbike to

to take the TX4 test drive!

Germany and then onto Scotland in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The total distance facing Karen before arriving at the finishing post is around 1600 miles, but she is

So far The London Taxi Company has

absolutely determined to finish the ride and help raise some much-needed funds for the MS Society.

given away almost £3,000 to drivers

Karen's brother, John Tadman, has been badly affected by MS and the MS Society has been an invalu-

who have taken the TX4 (Euro 5) Test

able source of help to both her brother and many other sufferers.

Drive, but time is running out to get

Multiple Sclerosis is a condition of the central nervous system where the coating around nerve fibres is

your hands on £100 in Tesco vouchers.

damaged, causing a range of symptoms. Around 100,000 people in the UK have MS. It's normally diag-

The campaign will end on Thursday 12

nosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40 but once diagnosed, stays with you for life. However,

July when there will be a final grand

modern day treatments and specialists can help to manage the symptoms. No cure has yet been found, but

prize draw and three lucky winners will

research is progressing fast, so any donations would help towards that aim and be greatly appreciated.

be selected to win either £500, £1,000

Just go to www.facebook.com/motorcyclecharityuk and follow the link.

or £2,500 in their choice of travel

Anyone who would like to ask questions can call the MS Society helpline between 9am and

vouchers. See the ad on the back cover

9pm on Monday to Fridays. Tel 0808 800 8000 or email helpline@mssociety.org,uk.

for details of how YOU could win...

Call Sign July 2012

Page 19

You can sometimes

After 55,573 deaths, Dial-a-Cab's Gary Cox says..

just sit looking at

four walls; how

often have you

Finally Bomber Command

heard that? Well, as a

Dial-a-Cab taxi dri-

ver driver it's three

gets its memorial!

glass walls that just

keep

changing.

“Make use of all the local ingredients

Those words were spoken to me during tea by

and talk to all the locals about recipes,

the great director, producer and screenwriter,

because if you're ever inclined to do a din-

Sir David Lean.

ner party its always handy if you're enter-

I have put it in my locker of life and kept it

taining international gentlemen and their

in my minds' eye, alongside that poster of a

spouses,” came the immediate response.

girl scratching her bum whilst holding a ten-

Then she sprung up and out of the cab, paid

nis racket and whose house I never went to

the fare, while at the same time giving me the

for afternoon tea - her loss not mine!

recipe for quick fire lemon curd!

I would love to say at this point that I pulled

All those years later, that lady had got a

down the window and just said where to guv!

real present from her country - a memori-

Alas those days have long gone. You know the

al to her daddy as she still called him.

type, 98 in the shade, ramrod back and shoes

Oh yes, don't forget Help for Heroes because

At last Bomber Command gets a

to match. Oh... and a tie that says I'll kill for

we're still making them out there somewhere

memorial

your freedom and democracy and I'll defend

in the world. Don't you feel a little green with

who gave her a man sized Scottie paper hanky

your right to say whatever you like - even if I

envy for our hero who's done her bit for her

out of my man sized box. The old girl went on

bloody well disagree with you. Then a calm

nation as she would surely refer to us. Then

to explain her career - as she called it - being

and measured voice arrives:

again, you could be a hero for all I know!

“Would you be so kind as to drop me off

married to an RAF chap. Once we had

It's never easy not opening your mouth in

touched base about the kids, dogs and life on

at Piccadilly and take my good wife to

what can be one of the loneliest jobs in the

Cheyne Walk please.”

and off bases around the world, we moved

world at times; but the rewards can be great if

So off we go, dropped the chap off along

onto the hellholes around the planet. And I

you can get the passenger to impart their

Piccadilly with his Telegraph under his arm. At

found out that hubby was not allowed to take

knowledge. Me? I got a lemon curd recipe and

this point, any cab driver will know where

the stock, as she referred to the family!

a job to LAP the following week - a result all

he's off to, marching up the stairs and into the

I looked in the mirror as an old girl suddenly

round, methinks.

club.

turned into a lady who, had she been stuck in

Thank you David Lean - shame you never

As we pulled away, I snatched a glimpse of

Singapore when the Japs arrived in WW2, well

made me a hero in one of your films. We

the new Bomber Command memorial. Bang

I don't think I'd have fancied their chances! I

could have done a remake of Reach for the

on cue the lady, who has not said a word, says

rather sheepishly asked what advice she

Skies. I would have looked good in that uni-

to me: “Oh look, that's for men like my

would give to someone going to live abroad?

form

daddy.” For a moment in time I was as proud

Other than my winning the lotto, there was

Roger and Out! Roger...

as punch, as the tears flowed down her face.

little chance of it happening but still worth

James Bond was out of the way so it was me

keeping in the locker just in case!

Gary Cox (046)

Credit card usage on the up

Red Tuition

According to credit card payment specialist

Identifiers

CardSave, taxi drivers have seen a marked increase

in card takings with turnover almost doubling in the

A plea from Knowledge Point

first quarter of this year compared with the same

period last year. This is according to an analysis of

card payments at over 540 taxi companies around

the UK. CardSave CEO, Clive Khan, told Call Sign:

“With more consumers preferring to use cards,

taxi companies such as Dial-a-Cab that accept debit

and credit cards are seeing the effects on their rev-

enue. Card payments are increasingly important for

licensed firms and we expect more taxis to adopt

As the debate rambles on in Call Sign

card payment solutions over the next year.”

about Green and Yellow badge identi-

A recent YouGov poll found that 62% of the

fiers, Knowledge Point would like to

UK public tend to carry £20 or less in cash on

make a plea for some consideration to be

them, while 93% carry at least one card.

given to knowledge trainees. Whilst it is

Mr Khan continued: “The public feel increasingly comfortable using their cards for lower

true that you don't have to display an

value spends and on things which they would previously pay for with cash - like taxi jour-

identifier if you are not working, knowl-

neys. For drivers, the case for accepting cards is strong and removes the need to stop at

edge trainees when under tuition or on a

ATMs and the PCN problems that entail, or just having to put up with punters caught short

taxi driving test will have either a tutor or

on cash.

an examiner in the back that could easily

“In recent years, the option to pay by card was a luxury, but Britain is swiftly moving

be perceived as a passenger. So

towards becoming a cashless society and there is now strong customer demand for card

Knowledge Point taxis will be carrying

payment technologies. Our Small Business Payments Index indicates that business owners

red identifiers when being used for

with card payment facilities can significantly increase their total business revenue.”

tuition or taxi driving tests in the hope

The survey reveals the prevailing public sentiment towards cash as a soon-to-be outmod-

that drivers who spot them will give due

ed form of currency. A majority of the public (57%) believe that cash will become extinct at

consideration to their trainees - after all

we have all been there at some time in

some point in the future - with 50% predicting that this will be by 2035!

the past!

Call Sign July 2012

Page 20

COMPLIANCE OFFICER'S REPORT

on page 39, a hearing took place on Thursday

deferred payment holiday! This will be on

17th May with a subsequent Appeals meeting

agreements signed up before the 31st August

on Friday 1st June for two of the members. It

and subject to status and business users only.

was interesting that two members due to

The offer is for taxi purchases only. This will

attend the hearing decided to cease their

give buyers a chance to upgrade now and not

membership rather than face their fellow

pay a single penny for 3 months!

peers to fight their case, something which

If interested, contact Ian Butcher, the

probably speaks for itself. All other findings

Development Manager of Taxi Finance at

by the committee on the day were accepted

Singers Corporate Asset on 0870 600 1218

or upheld at the Appeals meeting.

or 07584 346179.

You can read about Singer Asset

Finance at www.singersaf.co.uk

New terminals

I'm sure you are all aware that we are soon to

be fitting a new terminal into your taxis and

Hello ladies & gents,

many of you have enquired as to which

meters are fully compatible with the new sys-

tem. At this moment in time, the following

I'm sure that by now many of

meters have been successfully tested by our

you will have been or are just

IT department. They are still waiting to fully

about to go on a well-deserved

test additional meters providing that the soft-

ware in the meter is successfully upgraded by

summer break. I hope that if it is

the relevant manufacturers. The four meters

in the UK, then the weather

so far listed are shown in alphabetical order,

improves for you!

but I am sure you will be looking for the best

available deal. The four are Cygnus,

Digitax, Global and Viking.

Claire and Kevin

Joe Skeggs

Some of the older meters will be super-

Finally, I'd like to finish on a happy note. One

I must first start on a very sad note; I am sure

seded by later models, but as I have men-

of our regular Marshals, Chris Grote (C66)

many of you would have known Joe Skeggs

tioned, DaC's IT department is working hard

and his wife Ann celebrated the marriage of

(V34). Apart from being a long standing

with other meter companies and the list will

their daughter Claire to Kevin on 20th April.

member of our Society, he was one of the real

gradually grow as additional meters meet the

My wife and I were lucky enough to be invit-

characters. Joe sadly passed away after a

Dial-a-Cab protocol.

ed to the wedding. Our families have been

lengthy illness on Saturday 2nd June and on

friends for many years and I can only say that

behalf of the Board of Management and

they did their daughter and new son-in-law -

everyone who knew him at Dial-a-Cab, I

Buy a taxi now and

also a London taxi driver - proud with no

would like to pass on sincere condolences to

expense spared! It was a fantastic day and as

his family and friends. Joe was never afraid to

pay later!

you can see from the photo, Chris was flying

air his views and he will be greatly missed.

Singers Asset Finance are offering any Dial-

the Dial-a-Cab flag (see cover... Ed).

a-Cab member that wishes to buy a new or

Complaints

used vehicle from either a taxi dealer or

Allan Evans

As you can see from the Complaints Results

direct from another driver, a

3 months

DaC Compliance Officer

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

A GOOD DAY?

We all want a good start to the day. On Sundays I only do a few taxi hours in the morning, so it‘s really essential for me.

And I wasn't complaining the other week when in Hendon at 6am I trapped a young Irishman. The combination of a few

drinks and the broadest brogue I've ever heard - and I was brought up in Cricklewood - meant it took a while to decipher

that he wanted to go to Ealing. As we went round the North Circular, he told me firstly that he was actually English (yeah right) but ‘Daddy' had decided to move

to Ireland. Secondly he said how much he hated foreigners. I think there was a moral there somewhere but I'm not too sure what it was! Then after a vigorous

debate over the fare, he finally paid and I headed east.

As I hit Acton, four young Italians asked the price to Gatwick! We agreed on a sum (very favourable to them) and off we went. They soon all fell asleep and

I eventually dropped them off safe and sound after a nice quiet journey. So by the time I drove back down Brixton Hill, I had that feeling that it was going to

be a good day, especially when two men in their forties and a younger girl suddenly put their hands out. They looked as if they were going to a station for a

day out. One man leaned in and speaking fluent Scouse said: “Awright pal? We wanna go to West Norwood!” I gave a silent gulp, “...and then Railton

Road.” My gulp became a silent screech! But there was more: “And then onto Camberwell. Is that OK,” the scouser asked with the knowing wink that I

wouldn't say no! I squeaked an ‘ok' that got stuck somewhere in my gullet as my thoughts of that good day slowly went into reverse.

From some dark and dusty comer of my hippocampus, I dredged up the way to West Norwood and was directed to a block of flats. Scouse Number One

went in and whilst waiting, I picked up the conversation between Scouse Number Two and the Girl Who Was Probably a Prostitute.

It appeared that Scouse Number One was getting some money so they could buy ‘the stuff' in Brixton. What, I wondered, could ‘the stuff' be? I know what I

like to buy on a Sunday morning - beigels and smoked salmon! Was there a place on the front line where alongside the curried goat, rice and peas and

Jamaica patties where they did egg and onion, chopped liver and maybe some lokshen pudding?

In Brixton, the Girl Who Was Probably a Prostitute took the money, walked up the road and disappeared round the corner. We waited. Scouse Number One

got out and smoked nervously, while Number Two twitched and sweated. And then, just like a mirage shimmering on the horizon, she was back with a grin

not as wide as Buckingham Palace. Sighs and a sense of relief filled the passenger compartment and on we went to Camberwell.

As we drove along Coldharbour Lane, Scouse Number One leaned forward. “Eh pal, wouldya settle for thirty quid?”

I looked at the meter showing thirty two already. I made a decision. “OK,” I said, “but I want the money now.”

It appeared over my left shoulder. Now the Girl Who Was Probably a Prostitute spoke saying that it wasn't very nice of me to ask for the money up front. It was

only with the greatest effort that I didn't respond to her by inferring that I thought that was normal business practice in her line of work! But the words never

materialised as I heard myself say that her friend didn't seem to mind.

And that was it. In Camberwell we went our separate ways. I suppose night men are used to that kind of thing. As for me, I'll stick to days...

Geoff Levene (W32)

Call Sign July 2012

Page 21

Camden, Westminster and City of London ask Mayor Johnson…

Ban 10-year-old taxis!

Councils at Camden, Westminster and

black cabs account for a significant concentra-

converted vehicles could be serviced! As a

City of London have written jointly to

tion of dangerous particles from vehicle

result, most had problems that couldn't be

Mayor Boris Johnson calling on him to take

sources in the air in Camden. If the Mayor and

sorted out.

more action over London's poor air quality

TfL are serious about improving air quality,

As the Mayor has only just brought in the

and have included in that a desire to review

they should be offering incentives and assis-

15-year limit, it would seem unlikely that he

the new 15 year age limit for taxis and

tance to London cab drivers to help them

will accede to this new request. Perhaps one

reduce it down to 10 years! The letter calls

reduce pollution while keeping the capital

answer would be to reduce traffic flow and if

for funding or grants to be offered to taxi

moving.”

the three councils aren't sure how they can

drivers to help them upgrade their cabs in

Camden have now offered to help taxis,

do that, Call Sign is sure that we can help

addition to new technology being brought

however, the last time they offered assistance

them out by providing representatives of this

in to help reduce pollution.

was via Call Sign when the council paid for 15

trade with some common sense - something

The letter states: “We need to focus on the

Dial-a-Cab taxis to be converted to gas. What

that often seems to be lacking in the three

worst polluters and our evidence suggests that

they failed to provide were garages where the

councils..

A refurbished studio apartment in

Putney Vale, just moments away

Studio

from the A3 and bus routes into

both Putney and Kingston, has been

put up for sale by a Dial-a-Cab dri-

apartment in

ver. The property comprises a large

studio area kitchen and luxury show-

er room. It has its own parking

Putney Vale

space.

Price £159,950. Contact Tony (R09) on

07811 474 516 for more details...

for sale

THE PLAYBOY IS BACK

And looking to work with the taxi trade...

Very few of us choose to become London taxi drivers when we leave school, but the Knowledge seems to be something we just fall into.

Before driving his taxi, Alex Constantinou (N05) had a career as a croupier, working in many London clubs - and even on the QE2! Now

combining the two, Alex has visited the Playboy Casino in Old Park Lane for Call Sign...

“I eventually went on the Knowledge, but one of my good friends, Adam, stayed in the industry and has now become the Gaming

Director of the newly opened Playboy Casino on the site of the old Rendezvous Casino in Old Park Lane. The name Playboy was at its

peak in the seventies and early eighties when along with the draw of the tables and Bunny Girls, Hugh Heffner made the club one of

the best and most famous nights out on the town in London - even our editor was a member! (Ed's note: I told you not to say anything!)

So it was great to get a call from Adam to come and look around the club and have a meal. He has always supported the taxi

trade and hopes to get a rank put outside the Playboy as well as organising a driver incentive for dropping off well-groomed passengers who are look-

ing for a great night out with the option of eating, drinking, gaming or even dancing in the Cottontail club. At the moment it is a member's only club,

but that is all going to change in August when Salvatore's Bar and the Cottontail will be open to the public and you will only need to be a member

to go into the casino.

For the meal, I was accompanied by fellow ex-croupier and Dial-a-Cab driver Andy Gorman (B76) who didn't have to think for too long

when I asked him to join me for the outing!

After welcoming us to the Playboy Adam gave us a tour before we'd sit down to eat. Downstairs accommodates Salvatore's Bar - where the amazing

Salvatore Calabrese is said to be one of the world's greatest cocktail mixers! Also on that floor is the Cottontail club, a venue for acts such as Rizzle Kicks

and the Rat Pack. Then we went upstairs to the Player's bar and gaming floor with its private rooms and of course, the Dining Room restaurant...

As we sat down amidst some amazing lighting, we knew we were in for a treat as we instantly recognised Executive Chef Judy Joo as one of the

Channel 4 Iron Chefs. Judy was trained by Gordon Ramsey and looking at the menu, you could see his influences - but with the undoubted Judy Joo

stamp on some of her American-Korean dishes!

I started with the American Shrimp Cocktail while Andy went for the Baked Oysters Rockefeller. We agreed that both dishes were presented immaculately,

but of more importance were packed full of exquisite flavours. All the main courses sounded just amazing, but we were probably only allowed one each so

we had to pick wisely! I opted for the rack of lamb with an Asian marinade, miso aubergine and bok choy. Andy, who thought he was still dreaming until

realising he might wake up too soon, decided to go for it and had the grilled whole lobster with garlic butter and steamed vegetables. There is ‘really nice'

and then there was this! Both plates contained food from heaven, absolutely cooked to perfection with each mouthful tasting like the mythical manna that

heaven emits.

I won't bother describing the desserts other than to say that if you have the room, then it is well worth a dip with a Snicker! All the while, we could also

taste the atmosphere of our surroundings and both Andy and I agreed that it made the dining experience even better - if that were possible!

No one can pretend that an evening at the Playboy is cheap, but it is an experience that you'd be hard pushed not to enjoy. Even so, there

are appetisers ranging from £10 to £40, whilst main courses begin at £12 and go up to £100 for the Wagyu New York Strip, a loin steak that

is aged a minimum of 35 days before being hand cut! It sounded amazing, but we might have been seen as pushing our luck a bit had we

selected it! There are also the ultra-British fish and chips or the US equivalent of a cheeseburger, which probably has as much in common

with a Big Mac as DaC has with Addison Lee!

We left the Playboy feeling that we had not just had an unforgettable meal at one of London's premier and iconic nightspots, but had been part of an

experience.

Our thanks to Adam and it's nice to hear of a top London venue wanting to support the taxi trade while we help put such an iconic club back onto the

map. And yes, the Bunny Girls still look great!”

The Playboy Club London, 14 Old Park Lane. Tel: 0207 491 8586…

Alex Constantinou (N05)

Call Sign July 2012

Page 22

Well, perhaps that heading is somewhat mis-

leading because it gives the impression that

The DaC and GetTaxi

Dial-a-Cab and GetTaxi are buddies - and they

aren't. GetTaxi isn't like the plethora of taxi

apps fighting for position in our tiny market; it

involves fitting hardware into your taxi and as

connection???

such not only does it classify as direct competi-

tion to DaC, but any driver caught with GetTaxi

equipment in their cab could face a meeting

with Allan Evans and possibly even a date with

the Complaints Committee!

So Call Sign took a trawl back through its

files to find out when - or indeed if - any prece-

dent has been set. And indeed it was a trawl -

back to when the majority of current sub-

scribers were small children or more probably

not even yet born! Back, no less, than 58 years

to the year 1954!

Can you remember a time when there was

just one TV channel with the birth of ITV still

12 months away and the BBC about to broad-

cast the UK's first-ever “soap.” That came when

The Grove Family hit the black and white 11-

inch screens of those that could afford a set!

Microsoft's Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were

both still a year away from being born into a

world where the only computers took up a

complete room and even then were less pow-

What does BBC's 1950's soap The Grove Family have to do with GetTaxi?

erful than any of today's modest laptops.

David Fiertag, who had previously been the

ODRTS and Dog 21 on Radio Cabs. Fellow

Microsoft was a meaningless name.

Society's Treasurer. He was spotted by a fellow

CoM member Alec Cobden put down a

The charts - then known as the Hit Parade -

driver as not only having ODRTS Pye radio

proposition that David Fiertag should be

showed Eddie Calvert's Oh Mein Papa as

equipment fitted in his taxi, but also that of

expelled and the rest of the CoM carried it. As

being at number one, with Frankie Laine and

Lew Levy's York Way Radio Cabs, who also

yet there was no Complaints department.

Answer Me holding down second from

used Pye radios. Lew had been taken to New

David had his £1 loan returned and as a gen-

Winifred Attwell's Let's Have a Party at three.

York in 1950 by Pye to see how radio could

tleman, went immediately to Marylebone

Bill Haley and his Comets were still 9-

change the way taxis operated. One year later

Mews where Pye's engineers removed an

months away from their UK debut single,

and York Way Radio Cabs on TERminus 8800

ODRTS driver's radio equipment for the first

Shake, Rattle and Roll and almost 18-months

were launched to London with a swish do at

time. His place on the CoM was taken by

away from the record that changed music for-

Mayfair's Empress Club. Lew copyrighted the

Charlie Young (A24).

ever, Rock Around the Clock.

name Radio Cabs and so far as Call Sign

So yes, there is a precedent set for anyone

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been rel-

knows, the name cannot be used by any taxi or

found with another company's equipment fit-

egated this year, but in 1954 the club won the

Football League First Division title - that year's

private hire company as part of their name.

ted. It may not be the disgrace it was then, but

Premier League - for the first time in the club's

On 2 April 1954, an emergency meeting was

it won't be classified as much of an honour if

history. Also that year, Roger Bannister

held at the Pentonville Road office to discuss

Allan Evans finds out!

became the first person to break the four-

David Fiertag having two sets of equipment fit-

Jamie Corum

minute mile, the rationing that had been intro-

ted to taxicab registration KGT 797. He alleged-

duced at the onset of WW2 came to an end and

ly also had two callsigns - he was Dan 5 on

Call Sign Online

Winston Churchill became the first - and still

the only - British Prime Minister to reach his

80th birthday while still in office.

So what happened at Dial-a-Cab - then

known as The Owner Drivers Radio Taxi

Service - in 1954 that brings Call Sign back

to GetTaxi?

It was in March 1955 that the famous blind

MP of the time, Sir Ian Fraser, came to 172

Pentonville Road for the official ODRTS open-

ing, but we're travelling back even further to

just after the time on 26 January 1954, when

our first job was dispatched. No MPs were

available at the time, so Chairman Bonnie

Martyn arranged a delayed official opening

through a friend at the BBC - which much later

was to become the Society's first account cus-

tomer. In the meantime, it was all unofficial.

Within weeks of that first job going out,

an incident occurred that was considered

to be so serious that it involved Bonnie

Martyn receiving a letter from George

Steadman, head of the London Carriage

Office, informing him that ODRTS faced

closure because of it!

The “incident” involved popular Council of

Management member - they hadn't yet

referred to themselves as Board members -

Call Sign July 2012

Page 23

The latest in an ongoing Call Sign series about DaC driver's strange

customers and jobs!

I WON'T

BE LONG... hic!

and fed up with his antics. I offered to let him

would shake it out of him!”

out of the cab there and then!”

“He can then sleep it off in one of our cells

“I laugh about it now,” Melvin Green

Continuing his tale of woe to Call Sign,

overnight,” one of the coppers said as they

(E55) told Call Sign while relating a story

Melvin said: “He had fallen onto the cab floor

each grabbed an arm of the fare, frog-march-

from the past, “yet at the time it was anything

from the force of my stopping so abruptly

ing him unsteadily towards the nick and his

but funny.” He smiled broadly, his mind

and it was from the carpet that he proffered

overnight accommodation!”

going back to the incident from his nocturnal

sufficient money to tempt me to carry on

cabbing career of some years ago.

Then came the drunk`s final request that

with the journey, so off we went again as I

turned the whole incident into one that the

“l stopped for a street hail on Edgware

stuffed the notes into my shirt pocket.

Dial-a-Cab driver can`t forget for a combina-

Road near George Street. The fare requested

“However, a few minutes later he began

tion of irritation and laughing! The drunk, his

Rickmansworthand I agreed to take him. He

complaining again by which time I had really

legs struggling to keep him upright turned

said to take the A40 / M25 and he would

had enough, so I made my way to finding

towards Melvin and said:

direct me from there when I asked if he had

Uxbridge police station. That was an achieve-

a preferred route.

“I won't be long; you can wait and take me

ment in itself because with him still sounding

home!” Melvin started giggling to our

What I didn't see in the dark was the half

off in the back, my blood-pressure was going

reporter at the optimistic comment!

empty bottle of wine he was hiding under his

up very quickly!” Melvin`s voice was

jacket! Anyway, off we went and of course he

“With the drunk safely out of sight and in

now quivering as he re-lived the trauma.

soon fell asleep in the back. As we

the care of the boys in blue, I slid the cab into

“I breathed a sigh of relief as the familiar

approached Hillingdon roundabout, he woke

gear and drove away, still unsure how I was

blue lamp on the front of the building beck-

up rather confused and began hitting the

feeling - but grateful that I had got paid!”

oned out of the gloom. Two policemen came

central partition with the wine bottle

out to me and tried remonstrating with the

If you have a favourite story about a job you

shouting off about me going the wrong way

passenger, whose attitude towards them was

have done, let Call Sign know...

and where were we etc. He said he didn't

also less than friendly. One of the policemen

recognise the area. So I pulled into the kerb-

turned to me and asked if I had been paid,

side, stopping sharply as l did so because by

otherwise he smiled and suggested that they

now I too was feeling somewhat flustered

DaC's Lee fails in world record attempt!

Regular Call Sign readers will know that Wembley FC goa

keeper and Dial-a-cab driver Lee Pearce (J71) are one and

the same! Wembley are now sponsored by Budweiser and

play under the watchful eye of the team's Technical Advisor

no less than former Spurs manager and star midfielder,

and much later, Barcelona manager, Terry Venables.

At this year's FA cup final at Wembley Stadium,

Lee was involved in a world record attempt that

took place during the match in which Chelsea beat

Liverpool. During half-time, three separate chal-

lengers took part in an attempt the break the world

record for the most goals punted from midfield in

60 seconds. The current record of 11 was by Real

Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas in Beijing, China

last year.

Organised by Budweiser, the three goalkeepers

selected for the record attempt were Lee Pearce,

Richard Alford, who won the slot in a competition

and former Everton FA Cup winning star Neville

Southall.

So at half time, the three goalies stood on the halfway line in front

of 90,000 fans attempting to punt the ball into an empty net and to beat Casillas record of 11

goals from his hands to his boot and into the net in 60 seconds! Sadly all three failed to get any-

where close with Neville Southall on 6, getting closest!

Earlier, Lee was involved in another Budweiser competition at the Power League pitch

just outside the main stadium. This one involved fans queuing up to take penalties against

him with signed footballs by the cup finalists going up for grabs.

The funniest part of the day was when Lee saved the penalties of three friends - but then delib-

erately allowed their wives to score! Luckily the men had a sense of humour!

Call Sign July 2012

Page 24

Call Sign ran a report in our February issue

when Dial-a-Cab driver Martin Hizer (M47)

had the catalytic converter stolen from his

TX2. That was just one of a spate of taxi cat-

cons being stolen at the time from vehicles

WHERE'S

while they were left unattended, usually

overnight.

It seems the thieves have now returned to

this lucrative source of supply, especially in the

Essex borough of Havering where, other than

northwest London, taxis are in their most

MY CAT?

plentiful supply.

This time round it was Robert Webb (A03J)

“These items are around £1000 a time to

who told Call Sign that, rather amazingly, he

replace and can be removed in less than a

had driven his MB Vito taxi for several days

minute, so if thieves are stealing around 50

without realising the taxi was short of its cat-

units a night, that can be a good result for the

alytic converter and even then, he was only

villains,” Robert added. “If the items are then

alerted to the loss when a fellow taxi driver

sold to less scrupulous scrap metal dealers

and near neighbour knocked on his door to

who don't ask too many questions, the market

warn him about the thefts! Alas, it was too late

for these stolen emission controlling ‘Cats'

for Robert, even though he had parked his cab

will surely flourish.”

just yards from his own front door!

Robert walked off looking like a man who

“The cab was running fine,” said Robert with

had just spent £1000 for no reason. Police are

a puzzled look, “but when I checked the

tending to agree with Robert's synopsis that

underside, there it wasn't! When I phoned to

the thieves aren't doing it to resell the catcons,

enquire about the price and stock of the item,

but purely to sell on as scrap metal. They also

I was given to understand that these thefts are

added that theft numbers have more than

rife in the area and reaching almost epidemic

quadrupled in less than two years.

proportions! If correct, that makes it a very

Unlike personal radios, a catalytic converter

worrying situation.”

can't practically be removed from your taxi

Robert is now investigating ways to protect

Robert's Catalytic Converter was stolen

every night. But there may be an answer. See

his vehicle. Although cars are also being tar-

from his vito

below...

geted, it's not quite as easy to remove them as

they sit lower on the road, but a taxi has that

the ‘Cat' with bolt-croppers can be achieved in

much more ground clearance and removal of

about 30 seconds.

The

CATLOC

Protecting your

Catalytic Converter

Call Sign has published several articles about

verify details of registered items, owner-

drivers who have had the catalytic converter

ship, status (reported stolen or lost)

stolen from underneath their taxi. Another

quickly and efficiently under strict securi-

appears inside this issue. But now there is an

ty protocols - all for just the price of a phone

answer.

call!

It does appear that the reason for the thefts

Call Sign was told that the device can be

is due to the increasing price of metal rather

fitted with just the use of a 13mm spanner.

than any shortage of the cats. The converters

We have also been informed that the device

contain rare metals including Palladium,

has been approved by LTPH for use by the

Platinum and Rhodium and represent a fairly

Vito only.

easy target for thieves. The reason more van-

More details from Protectavan, Orsett

ish from Vitos rather than from LTI is because

Fruit Farm, Orsett, Essex RM16 3BH

they are easier to reach on those vehicles with

Phone 01375 891 646 or email

a higher gap underneath.

info@Protectavan.co.uk

But a new product called Protectavan

CATLOC has come onto the market and

encompasses the catalytic converter in a

TAXI AIR

strong stainless-steel wrap which is then

• Roadside repair

secured to the chassis with an equally strong

• Roadside assistance

stainless-steel cable. The device uses high

CONDITIONING

security shear-nuts, making thieves tools inef-

• Running repair recovery

fective. ISR Marking is included as standard

• All makes and models serviced

• Accident recovery

with the CATLOC device, it engraves the

and repaired

• Pay as you go to membership

Catalytic Converter with a unique identifica-

• Mobile service - we come to you!

tion code that can be used to trace the owner

• Credit card taken at roadside

of the catalytic converter should it be stolen

and for increased protection and added deter-

rent, the CATLOC comes with the

Call Mick Wheeler

International Security Register marking and

0845 094 5307

registering system as standard. Calls to 07000

on 020 8715 0079

We make wheels turn

111333 at any time of day or night will be

answered by highly trained operators who will

Covering London and the Home Counties

so you can earn.

Call Sign July 2012

Page 25

Another batch of views from Tom that do not necessarily reflect the views of DaC...

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TOM WHITBREAD

At the beginning of every other month I get an

should act. As many of you know, I hold great

Email from the Editor informing me that he

respect for the Royal Family having worked for

needs an article for the next month's magazine.

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother for 17 years

So by the time that you get to read the article, it

on a part-time basis and holding a Royal Warrant

is at least one month old so you may think that

for her.

I've plagiarised articles from other magazines or

If you would like to read more of my life

newspapers. (Thomas, I think we should bear in

working for Her Majesty, then you can by get-

mind that you don't actually send it until around

ting hold of that very fine magazine CallOver,

2 weeks after I ask for it...Ed). But you'd be wrong

which is aimed at future taxi drivers who are

as my views are often on paper before the ones

on the Knowledge. You can usually pick up a

you see in other reading matter. So with that in

copy in the Dial-a-Cab Drivers Reception. It

mind, carry on reading in the knowledge that it

even has bundles of information which will

was my views first!

assist you in your daily work routine.

Olympics and Europe

And the fault lies with...?

I thought that it was just me who was getting a bit

We have the spectacular array of troops and uni-

roads leading to the Olympic site. We must

fed up with the entire Olympics PR, which claims

forms, with the backdrop of our historical build-

not forget that we still have long standing

it is going to be the best thing for England since

ings. Who could hold a better pageant; remem-

prestigious clients who will be trying to keep

sliced bread. So seeing that I am on the wrong

ber the Royal Tournament that used to be at Earls

their business afloat, which includes needing

side of 21 by a few years, I thought it was me that

Court and the work we got from it? This pageant

our help.

was just being a misery. So I went about deliber-

probably made the European Union jealous. But

But what did give me a good feeling was the

ately asking family, friends and people I met how

all that could soon come to an end due to BBC

spectacular display over the four days of the

they felt about the Olympics? This is going to be

(Blair, Brown & Cameron). They have cut back

Queen's Diamond Jubilee; my one mistake was

a shortened version, as I will have to leave out

on everything to do with the armed forces so

to watch the river pageant on the BBC. To say it

the profanities due to children and religious per-

they can send your money abroad or use it to

was amateurish is an understatement; they used

sons who read this magazine. But I may give you

keep all the politicians, civil servants, mandarins,

young ladies as presenters who didn't have a

a taste by replacing letters with the symbol

consultants and legal aid lawyers in the manner

clue, even down to remembering the names of

that they now expect to live in.

the people they were interviewing. It was inter-

It was apparent that I am not in the minority

I can imagine Winston Churchill and the mil-

mingled with silly bits about cooking, painting

on finding how many others are sick of hearing

lions of soldiers who died in two World Wars

and what was supposed to be a comedy sketch

about every little detail and how much money is

spinning in their graves. They died fighting a dic-

on history - a waste of licence payer's money and

being wasted at a time when the country is in

tatorship so we could have freedom in our lives.

that's assuming the cameras showing the items

dire straits. But to my amazement and without

But these three weak Prime Ministers have con-

continued to work as many didn't. I just wish I

any prompting, many stated that they were sick

tinually been dictated to by Brussels and a tubby

could have wrestled the remote from my wife's

and tired of the smarmy B*****d Lord

German woman called Angela Merkel. They

hand and switched over to Sky!

Sebastian Coe, a man who spends more time

then roll over and accept it.

But you have to admit that when it comes to

promoting himself and informing you how many

If ever another war was to erupt over the

putting on a pageant, we still come out on top;

well-known friends he has.

Falklands or somewhere else that was under our

the precision and colour was spectacular. Then

We also have traffic problems that will cause so

protection, we would have a re-enactment of an

you had the Queen herself, a lady of 86 who has

many firms to lose money and good will from

episode of Dads Army as our soldiers run for-

the energy of a much younger person. She could

their clients. This is including we Licensed

ward with substitute wooden model guns shout-

only have been surpassed by Queen Elizabeth,

London Taxi Drivers. Already we have posts with

ing out Bang!

the Queen Mother who was still active and com-

pennants informing us that Lea Bridge Road and

So how long will it be before Brussels runs

pleting her Royal duties at 100 years of age.

thousands of other roads are in the Event Zone.

every aspect of our taxi trade, dictating how

Of all the other Kings and Queens throughout

So bang goes my Thursday shopping trip to

much we can charge foreign tourists and which

the world, our Queen has kept the respect and

ASDA at Leytonstone, while Lord Coe swans

German or French car we must drive?

dignity of all sensible people worldwide. We do

along an empty Olympic lane to the Stadium to

not read of any indiscretions committed by her,

quaff his Champagne and pâté de foie gras whilst

maybe by her children or grandchildren, but she

Tom Whitbread

watching the sport.

has remained a Head of State to be held up as an

DaC Board Member

Like every true Englishman, I would love to

example of the way other countries leaders

see England win gold medals, but with our his-

tory of never having a government that supports

the training and encouragement needed for our

athletes, that seem a little unlikely. Other coun-

Cable car service opens!

tries including the USA, Australia, Russia and

China get behind their athletes and supply them

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has fulfilled

with the facilities they need to excel at their

his pledge to build and open the UK's first urban

sport. This does not happen in England; our ath-

cable car service when the Emirates Air Line

letes have to rely on charity. Then if we get low

opened to the public on 28 June, providing a

standards and a miniscule number of medals,

vital new river crossing for east London.

Lord Coe will disappear and all the BBC pundits

The five minute 1km river crossing, which links

will give you the biggest load of hogwash having

the Greenwich O2 and Royal Docks Excel, will

wasted your licence money on it first.

have capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per

The BBC plan well ahead and they knew they

hour in each direction. The ‘Gondolas' will travel

had two great events in London this year - the

160 feet above the Thames and run every 30

Queens Jubilee and the Olympics. So last year they

seconds. Initially the cable car will operate 7

relocated most of the cameramen, technicians

days a week, from 0700 to 2100 Mondays to

and presenters up to Salford. Why didn't they leave

Fridays, 0800 to 2100 on Saturdays and 0900 to 2100 on Sundays.

it for another year and save the expense of accom-

The fare is £4.30 (£3.20 on Oyster).

modation and travel for these people coming back

Those who want the experience of an extended journey to enjoy the fantastic views of the City

to London?

including Canary Wharf, Thames Barrier and Olympic Park will have the option to take a non-stop

So I hope in the coming month you do not

return journey. It will also provide more work for taxi drivers as tourists go to try it out...

lose interest and concentration due to the

terrible traffic congestion surrounding the

Call Sign July 2012

Page 26

STEVE'S TAXI

Classic FM... and me!

FOR HIRE AD

The advert you see on this page was dreamt up by Dial-a-Cab driver

“I have a philosophy,”

Steve Denison (W65). While we cannot suggest you put it up in a place

Cliff Giffin (C55) told

where tourists to the capital can see it during the tenure of the London

Call Sign “and that is

2012 Olympics as it hasn't been shown to LTPH, with so many drivers

that when things get

having their own PCs and printers nowadays, you could always copy it

a bit stressful on the

and give one to any passengers who look like they may not understand

rear seat, I stay calm

how taxis operate.

and professional

If you'd rather get it emailed to you, just send your email address to

while doing the best

callsignmag@aol.com and ask for the taxi for hire ad. And yes, well done

I can for my passen-

Steve...

gers - particularly

account clients.

“So when passen-

TAXI FOR HIRE

gers approach me

looking obviously

harassed, for what-

We will be hosting visitors from all parts of the world to the UK in

ever reason, I make

the next few months.

sure they're sitting comfortably and

then whack up my music radio on Classic FM or sometimes BBC

Please alert them that a Taxi is only a Taxi if it has a

Radio 3 and you can virtually see the stress drain away from

‘For Hire' light and a meter to display the fare.

them as they soak up the atmosphere of a symphony or sonata

wafting through the speakers. Generally, they leave the cab in a

All licensed London taxi drivers (Hackney Carriage)

have the Knowledge of London and are regulated by

much better frame of mind than when they got in and quite

TfL (Transport for London) and they will be wearing a badge:

likely it could set them up for the rest of the day!

“There is nothing I can do about traffic conditions - and they

Their badge numbers will also be displayed on the front and rear

really have been bad these last few weeks - or any other unex-

screens of the vehicle.

pected road problems that can delay our progress towards the

intended destination. So when things start to get a bit heated in

There are 4 models of Taxi on the streets of London

the back, I assure them I'm doing the best I can, that their anxi-

ety is not helping get them there any quicker and then I gently

turn the radio volume control up a couple of notches, and

bingo! That often works a treat.” Cliff smiled at the thought.

All other makes and models are not taxis

“There is one account client who frequently gets into the cab

long after the booked time and then expects to whizz along the

streets, often getting agitated at the slightest delay. This doesn't

wash with me at all, so on goes the radio, up comes Classic or

Radio 3 as the mood befits and voila, peace in the rear carriage

Translated in any language:

means peace in the front for me as well!

“Staying calm when you're under pressure is all part of the

Taxis are Taxis only if they have a For Hire light

job and gentle music wafting around inside the cab is a great

Always use a LONDON TAXI

way to stay cool and reduce any tension.”

Cliff walked back to his taxi with a knowing smile while

whistling Mozart's symphony number 40 - in G minor of course!

Have a great time in our country

Former Dial-a-Cab driver, Bob Woodford, writes a regular column for Call Sign from his home in

Languedoc, France and his taxi somewhere in London…

CALL SIGN EN LA BELLE FRANCE

I raised my gaze one

no surprise really; pubs (landmarks to cabbies) are

“Should Addison Lee taxis be able to use

wet evening (it was

closing down in all corners of London as they are

Bus Lanes?”

raining in London - just

in the rest of the country! We built an Empire on

What chance indeed, when the whole single

for a change!) after

the strength of loyal drunken men, but now the

reason they can't use bus lanes is because they

setting down a fare in

punters need milky coffee at £3 a mug (mugs

aren't taxis! Madness! Griffin said in an Evening

Webber Street, to look

alright!).

Standard article that he 'was ready to rock' - he

towards the 'Bell' pub-

As I looked at the building site that used to be

got that line from Alan Alda in The Tower Heist

lic house - a watering

my local, a guy in a car pulled alongside me to

- and in another article stated that he would

hole I have to admit

ask directions to 'South Work' road - I didn't

instruct his drivers not to use the bus lanes 'in

was one of many I frequented in the hostelries

realise he was a minicab driver till he pulled away

the spirit of co-operation!' Are you sure John?

of Lambeth and Southwark in my distant past.

in the opposite direction to my instructions!

Co-operation because you now agree to obey

But it wasn't there! Only the facade was hang-

Talking of minicabs, this guy John Griffin has

the law? What a tosser this guy is!

ing onto dear life awaiting the wrecking ball -

got some neck over this bus lane issue, hasn't

A bientot...

probably the next day!

he? I know a lot has been said in the cab trade

Sadness really, that was the emotion I could

press - long before my thoughts - but what

not hide as I realised that I could never (not that

chance have we got when lazy journalists such

Bob Woodford (Ex-P49)

I would ever want to) have another pint of

as Joshua Rozenberg in the Guardian (26th

Saint Genies de Fontedit

Guinness in the 'Bell' again! But it was probably

April) writes:

Languedoc, France

Call Sign July 2012

Page 27

In the April issue of Call Sign, Dial-a-Cab dri-

ver Terry Catherall

(Y90) told how he

planned to cycle to Paris beginning on 30th

August to raise money for the Royal British

TERRY ALL

Legion. The Legion has long been tied into the

London taxi business, especially following the

cessation of hostilities at the end of WW2. The

Legion helped many of those who had fought

for their country but who, on discharge, came

SET TO GO

back to Civvy Street with no job to return to, by

offering financial support as well as assistance

As he prepares to cycle to Paris in aid of the British Legion!

in getting them onto the Knowledge.

Terry's red and black bike - nicknamed

Poppy - was made especially for the event

Terry cycling to Paris to raise

by Russell Coe of Vandome Cycles. On the

funds for the Royal British

trip, Terry will be cycling via the war

Legion

memorial at Calais, where he will pay

respect to the fallen heroes with a second

paid by me, which is only fair as it's

stop at the war memorial in Beauvais.

me who's having all the fun! If any

Terry's cycle ride ends on day four at L'Arc

DaC driver or their families can help

de Triomphe with a poignant wreath-laying

me raise funds for the Legion, it

ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown

would be so appreciated.”

Soldier.

Terry originally set his target at

Terry has been in training since February in

£1000 but has already passed that!

preparation for the event. Now he has told Call

You can help Terry reach his new tar-

Sign:

get of

£2012 via Virgin Money

“Training is going well, I'm doing longer

Giving. Donations are quickly

rides, faster times and the hills are getting easi-

processed and passed onto the chari-

er. But the weather is getting in the way a bit

ty. Virgin Money Giving is a not-for-

and I find myself at the local gym doing spin-

profit organisation and claims gift aid

ning classes more than I really wanted to. But

on a charity's behalf where the donor

it is good for stamina building.

is eligible.

“Fund raising is coming along nicely, though,

You can donate at:

with some very generous people out there.

www.virginmoneygiving.

However, even the small donations mean a lot

com/terrycatherall

to the Royal British Legion. All expenses are

In aid of Children with Cancer UK...

JOHN COMPLETES LONDON MARATHON

I completed the course in 6 hours 42 minutes 41 seconds. So if any of

my friends and colleagues would now like to donate, they are more than

welcome - preferably by using the Virgin ‘money giving' link which you

can find at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/johnthetaxi. If you

donate this way, you claim 25% tax via gift aid from the government

making it by far the best way to donate.

ue to there being

As for next year, I hope to get a place and run in my own right

o Call Sign in

raising money for our very own cab trade charities, mainly being

une, we are a bit

the London Taxi Drivers Fund for Underprivileged Children and

ate reporting on

Dial-a-Dream.

one of the Dial-a-

So everybody watch this space in 2013 in memory of Jack Pitcher, who

Cab drivers who

benefited so much from these two charities before he sadly died a few

ran in the Virgin

years ago.

London

Finally many thanks to Call Sign for its sponsorship...

Marathon and

who this maga-

John Davis (V41J)

zine sponsored.

John Davis

(V41J) isn't

new to doing

Keith Reading

something

Professional Toastmaster

for a good cause

Master of Ceremonies

and several years ago jumped out of a plane in aid

of a young disabled boy, Jack Pitcher. This year he decided that the

charity Children with Cancer was a worthy enough cause for him to

Tele: 01279 465 938

run over 26 miles.

Mobile: 07774 860 374

John told Call Sign: “I have always wanted to do the Marathon but

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

just never got around to it! In order to get a place, our very own cab

trade character 'Roger the Rabbit' pointed me in the right direction to

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

the charity of Children with Cancer. I started training 24 weeks prior to

the event.

Fellow of the Guild of

April 22nd had come round far too quickly. I didn't tell anybody or

collect any money prior to the Marathon as I thought it'd be unfair if I

Professional Toastmasters

didn't finish; Admittedly I wasn't the best trainee, but I did it!

Call Sign July 2012

Page 28

Former fireman Richard Potter and life behind the

Green v yellow badges

The ID scheme has been working for a

few months now, with green badge hold-

ers happy to put the cards in their front

POTTERS WHEEL

and back windows. However, there have

been a number of sightings of yellow

thought was a bit strange. In fact I could-

badge drivers not complying at all or

n't find anywhere else that sold the TSP

putting yellow IDs in the front window

2004, yet the TSP 2005 was available in

but not the back. Putney High Street out-

most places. I checked the Hoover web-

site to find a page displaying the TSP

side the station, the old Arndale,

range with the TSP 2004 and TSP 2005

Stratford and Lewisham Stations, City

models next to each other and with

Airport and Clapham Common ranks

exactly the same specification. So I

have been the problem areas. Personally

phoned up Hoover and spoke to their

I think that LTPH are going to have their

sales department. They informed me that

work cut out trying to check IDs against

the TSP 2004 and TSP 2005 were indeed

driver's badges and bills and the problem

exactly the same; however the TSP 2004

of yellow badge holders working out of

was exclusively produced for Currys!

the sector only occurred in the first place

Now bearing in mind that the price guar-

because there were very few checks.

antee only applies to some model prod-

why can't green badges cover the other

My suggestion is for LTPH to make a

ucts, I thought this was pretty poor prac-

island ranks?

request for both green and yellow badge

tise and by having their own model prod-

drivers to volunteer to be accreditation

ucts, it simply allows Currys to charge

Currys price promise?

checkers. The marshalling system admin-

you £70 more, thus making the price

istered by taxi drivers at Heathrow has

I have always been an internet buyer sim-

promise worthless. I'm astonished a com-

worked well for years, so if funds are

ply because items are cheaper and being

pany like Currys will go to these lengths

an online buyer has brought down the

to avoid having to refund a price promise

tight at LTPH they could train people to

price of High Street goods. Recently I was

and what is in theory, to mislead their

help assist them. I think it would be good

shopping around for a new Hoover in

customers. I made an official complaint

for the trade if we could show some self-

Currys, as my old one had finally packed

to Currys but have not yet received an

governance and give LTPH a help to clean

up. Currys do a price promise and say

answer. So next time I will go back to

up our act. I am all for the identifiers, but

they won't be beaten on it, so I felt pret-

doing what I used to do, have a look in

feel that if we could be trusted to keep an

ty confident I was buying something I

Currys and then go home and but it

eye on this issue then it would leave

would not find cheaper online. But when

cheaper online!

LTPH time to deal with issues of a bigger

is a price promise a price promise? I

nature ie PH touting.

brought a Hoover TSP 2004 for £119.99

Richard Potter (T51)

The ID scheme has brought a new

and when browsing, put in a price check

Ed's note: Soon after Richard com-

focus on where yellow and green badge

on Amazon. It came up with a result that

plained to Currys, they reduced the

sectors are and most of the problems

Macro in Croydon was selling a Hoover

Hoover TSP 2004 from £119.99 down to

occur where yellow badge ranks are close

TSP 2005 for £48 and there were no

£54.99. However, they never saw fit to

to green sectors or island ranks, which

other matches for the TSP 2004, which I

apologise...

are yellow ranks actually situated inside

green badge sectors.

From what I've seen, these ranks

were initially meant to be for yellow

badge holders to service street hir-

ings, but it has become apparent that

these island ranks are being used by

suburban drivers on other radio cir-

cuits as leapfrog ranks where it gives

EARLY TREATMENT MEANS SPEEDY RECOVERY

them a greater chance of getting radio

Treatment for pain & discomfort doesn't have to be expensive

work in a GB area rather than that

work going to green badge holders.

The Centre offers fully qualified therapists in Physiotherapy,

Even though they are entitled to do

Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Remedial

this, I would question whether the

Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hydrotherm, Massage

Island ranks system is working effec-

Therapy, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

tively and if not, they should be with-

drawn.

Call us on 020 8507 8169

With the lack of work, GB holders can

or mobile 07973 639 473 for an early appointment

easily cover these areas now, so why the

Email: andy@bptconline.co.uk or fax: 020 8507 9650

need for them? Clapham Junction, a

Out of hours enquiries welcome

green badge only rank, is a good example

of a rank that in the past was regularly, if

Barking Physical Therapy Centre

not illegally, serviced by yellow badge

90 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8SF

holders. It is now serviced successfully by

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9am till 8pm and Saturday 9am till 2pm

green badge holders on their own. So

www.bptconline.co.uk

Call Sign July 2012

Page 29

Just before the Queen's Jubilee celebration in June, DaC Board

Views on life as seen through the

Member Mike Son was invited to a garden party as a representative

eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...

of the LTFUC. He told Call Sign about it...

Kupkake's

MIKE AT THE PALACE

My wife Maxine and I, together with LTF

Chair Sue Angel and her husband Ger

were excited to have been nominated

Korner

attend HM Queen's Garden Party in la

May. We were extremely lucky with t

weather; in fact it was a bit too hot!

The Garden Party took place between

and 6pm, although the Palace gates ar

open from about 3pm onwards. Th

Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, accompa

nied by other members of the Roya

Family, entered the garden at 4pm on the

dot when the National Anthem struck up

from one of the two military bands play-

ing selections of music throughout the

Don't mention the Olympics!

afternoon.

Roll up and be attentive

It was a great day, especially for all the

listen to the spiel,

ladies that attended and I am sure the

make sure you're not retentive

fellows enjoyed it as well. I must say the

so you'll forget how good you feel.

Queen looked absolutely beaming and

the Duke really looked well. What was

You've been conned for several billion

surprising was that together with the

other members of the Royal Family,

and there is no place to run,

just how far they had to walk when

you're just one of 6 plus million

greeting the many dignitaries and we

paying for the "fun."

fairly ordinary folk!

It was also nice to see WCHCD Master Eddie Crossley together

With road closures like a war zone

with his lady at the garden party and being introduced to the Queen and Prince Philip. Although

and a city under siege,

Eddie and I had a chat, no, we didn't talk about the cab industry (well maybe a bit)!,

taking forever just to get home

Drinks (no alcohol), sandwiches and pastries were served in ornate marquees plus some VIPs

and delays beyond belief.

were invited to the Royal Pavilion to meet the Royal Family. I thought I would gain entrance if I

were to mention that I knew Brian Rice, but no luck. They said only Brian himself would have

They offered us more money

an open ticket!

we said "just let us do our job,”

The day ended far too quickly and the following day was back to reality - driving the cab!

don't restrict our working practise

Mike Son

we don't want the public robbed.

DaC Special Projects

I wish the French had won the bid

or anyone but us,

how about the details carefully hid

so we didn't make a fuss!

Sacre Bleu!

Twenty contracts sealed our fate

signed by smiley Ken,

only revealed when it was too late

to challenge or alter them.

C'est la Français...

He knew about the Olympic routes

he knew we would object,

Tooley Street's London Dungeon recently commissioned a thrill engineer in Professor

but he bowed and kissed their boots

Brendan Walker to see how different nationalities reacted to its gruesome shows. The

as our working lives he wrecked!

Professor conducted a series of tests into the ‘scare thresholds' of visitors and came up

with a top 10 of those that showed the most - and least - fear.

Challenged about the cost

The tests involved the use of live rats and maggot-infested meat and the results -

Ken said the price of a Walnut Whip,

taken from heart rate, sweat levels and facial expressions - were put together to get a

but that was before he lost

scaredy-cat top ten with research concluding that the French were easiest to frighten!

the Mayoral leadership.

They were followed by Italians, Brazilians, the English and Scots. Americans and

Germans proved to be the hardest to scare.

So prepare for the Olympic Games

London Dungeon general manager Ben Sweet said: “The results have enabled us to

prepare to lose your wage,

introduce an international rating system across our shows, so guests know what level

as you sit and roast on station ranks

of scare they are in for. It will also be useful for our team of actors, enabling them to

turning another page...

ramp up or tone down the experience for different groups.”

"Don't mention the Olympics in my cab!"

So next time a French passenger asks for the London Dungeon, enquire if they have

Kopyright Kupkake 2012

life insurance!

Call Sign July 2012

Page 30

Drivers who often do the Dial-a-Cab evening

run to take Contact Centre staff home will

know the name of Gerry Hansen. Gerry

lived in SE13, which he gradually renamed

Gerry Hansen

from Catford to Ladywell Village! But no one

ever had to worry about how to get there as

Gerry always liked to go the same way and

would give directions before drivers left - but

always in a way that couldn't possibly offend

anyone. And if they wanted to talk about

retires

Millwall FC then he'd be your friend for life!

Now Gerry has decided to call it a day

and go into retirement after almost 15

Gerry at his leav-

years and the Board decided to make him

ing party with

a surprise leaving party.

Chairman Brian

“I had no idea,” Gerry told Call Sign, “I really

Rice

was amazed and very touched that they should

go to so much trouble for me. Having said that,

DaC have been so good to me over the years

that perhaps it shouldn't have surprised me.”

Gerry explained further: “In 2003 I had a

heart attack and DaC were very kind to me,

saying that my job was safe and that I could

return whenever I felt ready. Then when I

asked if I could go part time as I didn't think

I should push my health too hard, again

there was no problem. I can honestly say that

this has been a really wonderful company to

work for. Mind you, working with such love-

great help for a good working environment.”

with his sister in Wales. Our best wishes go to

ly people in the Contact Centre is always a

Gerry now intends spending more time

him for a long and happy retirement...

Granddad Christian!

Christian Barrett (L17) has been with Dial-a-Cab for around twenty years. His daughter,

Esther Barrett, works for DaC client Deutsche Bank and recently wrote to Call Sign:

“My dad, Christian Barrett, is a taxi driver on Dial-a-Cab. He recently became a

granddad for the first time after my sister Becky had a little boy, Joe! We recent-

ly took Joe on his first trip to the City and I wonder if he is now Dial-a-Cab's

youngest ever taxi driver!”

We don't know whether Christian knows about his grandson's photo being in this

issue, but we hope Joe is booked into the correct zone because just being gorgeous

won't be accepted as an excuse!

EMBASSY GARDENS…

A place to remember

While Call Sign was enjoying its summer vacation, Dial-a-Cab dri-

vers were taking a complimentary breakfast and a sneak peek at

one of London's most prestigious new developments.

Launching in the autumn, Embassy Gardens will offer 2000 stunning riverside homes

planned by the UK's foremost Master planner, Sir Terry Farrell. Strongly influenced by

the architectural style of New York's meatpacking district and London's Victorian and

Edwardian mansion blocks, Embassy Gardens has a unique and distinctive style and will

be London's newest landmark destination. At its heart will be the new architecturally

stunning US Embassy.

With an enviable central location on the banks of the Thames and being close to

London's cultural Southbank, Embassy Gardens takes in spectacular views of

Westminster to the east, Chelsea and Pimlico to the north and the iconic Battersea

Power Station to the west.

Embassy Gardens comprises approximately 15 acres, transforming almost 200

hectares of central London real estate.

Call Sign July 2012

Page 31

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

with Tom Quigley (Y33)

the leading world travel consultants, who

played on Hackney Marshes, Wormwood

could not help him as they had never done spe-

Scrubs, Purley Way or any other large playing

cialist trips to such a rough area of the world as

field area generally turning out for a local pub

Whitechapel! Enjoy the games, but take

side that would sponsor the team for the price

ORN to the abyss!

care...

of the kit and a bit of grub laid on back at the

Well it's finally upon us! Virtually every cus-

pub. The usual raffle would cover other costs.

tomer is asking if we are going to work or are

The pub recuperated the money in takings and

we ready for the Olympics? Well of course I'm

How to cause a fias-

prestige in winning a local Cup final.

going to work as like most of us I cannot afford

The serious effects on this lack of support

co...

to have six weeks off! But I'll probably adjust

from landlords/ladies and governors have

With the fiasco on the Central line when a

my hours to suit the conditions. As for being

made the running costs of local grassroots foot-

water main burst leaving 1000s stranded at

ready, I've made some preparation works;

ball much more expensive. The general price

Stratford waiting to go to Leytonstone and

whilst the majority of visitors will be here for

for a pitch on an individual match basis, nor-

beyond, what would you have been prepared

the Olympics, there will also be plenty of

mally met by the home side, is now around £80

to bet your house on? Right in one - some

unscrupulous rogues visiting - be that pick-

alongside the cost of a referee (£30). Align that

idiots closing the Green Man Tunnel on the

pocket gangs, shoplifters, credit card fraudsters

with the price of match balls at £15 to £20,

A12 because it was scheduled and forcing

or the many other money making scammers.

training night (if you can afford it) for a flood-

those picking up stranded relatives into a huge

So I have my infrared torch, a note marker pen,

lit area runs out at £50 an hour and team kit is

traffic jam! What a predictable life it is...

a closer inspection of credit cards from street

£450. Most local teams now have a signing on

jobs - preferably backed up with another form

fee of £30 and £10 a week subs.

of ID (passport) etc. As usual, my doors are

Lack of alcohol

Along with the advent of health and fitness

permanently locked both before pick up and

clubs competing for the sports minded per-

during the journey (for the passenger's safety

destroying football!

son's money, the support of this money from

as well, as it's not unheard of for gangs to open

Allowing alcohol to be promoted in the form of

the pub trade has kept many a local playing

doors and snatch bags etc.

advertising and major sporting occasions are

field's running costs viable, staving off the

If you think I am going over the top or being

strange bedfellows, especially in the world of

threat of supermarkets and local developers

pessimistic, well the whole point of the ORN

football. We have Carling and Budweiser spon-

whilst ironically the remaining pubs seem to

was to make sure dignitaries get back to the

soring cups, Amstel promoting the Champions

thrive on showing live football on TV! Support

safe areas of London to wine and dine the

League and other major brands and brewers

to keep more public houses open should be in

evening away! It reminds me of Jack London's

who have been used in countless promotions.

the national interest, otherwise a non-support-

1903 book The People of the Abyss where the

There is a strong political and health cam-

ed grassroots football system will fold and if

American author in 1902 decided to live in the

paign to stop the use of alcohol in such a major

you put into the mix other hobbies and sports

East End of London, struggling to get a wary

mediums. Whilst I have no vested financial

such as darts, pool, quiz nights, Crib leagues

Hansom Cab to take him there. He had advice

incentive to write this in support of the alcohol

and what bowls or cricket club wouldn't fold if

from the police that it would be safer to spend

industry, there has for too long been a silent

it wasn't for bar takings? To me, working at the

the day there and come back to his Mayfair res-

slow kill of grassroots adult football with the

deep end of grassroots sports, the link between

idence at night, but not to worry because as he

demise of pubs. They are now closing at the

alcohol and sport is definitely not all bad...

had now visited them they would be able to

alarming rate of four a day. The effect is that

recognise his body should anything untoward

with the closures, there are fewer Sunday

Tom Quigley (Y33)

happen! He even went to Thomas Cook, then

morning football teams. Many of us have

Got oil, grease or diesel on your hands? Worry no more cos we've got the answer!

Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand wipes

Nice-Pak International, Europe's leading manufacturer of wet wipes, has created the ultimate tool for tackling oil and grease

Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes are specifically formulated with motor professionals in mind - and who can be mor

professional than a London taxi driver!

Designed for hard working hands, the tough and effective wipes work quickly and effortlessly to remove a number of tough

soil types including oil, grease, diesel/petrol - even adhesives and paints!

With a 2-in-1 ActionScrub™ formula, one side of the extra large and thick, citrus-scented wipe includes a tough scrub-

bing texture to remove stuck on dirt and residue, while the other is smooth and gentle enough for cleaning the hands,

face and arms. A Pro-Klean Moisturising Formula™ also helps to protect and moisturise hands with aloe vera and nour-

ishing vitamin E.

Easy to store and ideal for quick on-the-go cleaning, one convenient wipe will do even the toughest of jobs and the re-

sealable pack, which features on packs of 30 and 60 wipes, means that they won't dry out, resulting in a long lasting and

reliable product that is ready for use at any time.

Andrew Freeman, commercial manager at Nice-Pak International, told Call Sign:

“Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes have been created especially for professionals. They work hard at get-

ting rid of tough dirt in environments where water for hand washing is scarce and time is also precious. It's

essential that motor professionals have the ability to keep their hands clean to avoid contamination of materi-

als while at work and the transfer of grime when arriving home at the end of the day. Dirt that traditionally has

very difficult to remove, such as oil and grease, can now be cleaned away without the need for harsh chemicals and the citrus scent also helps masks

any lingering smells. Nice-Pak International is the largest manufacturer of wet wipes in Europe and Grime Boss has been developed with expertise

and scientific know-how, guaranteeing a reliable and proper wipe that gets the job done.”

Call Sign did some quick tinkering under the bonnet, enough to get an uncomfortably greasy hand. We reached for a Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes and

sure enough it all came off leaving a nice lemon fragrance!

Made in the UK, Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes are available in packs of 10 (£2.99), 30 (£4.99) and 60 (£8.99) and are available to buy at lead-

ing stockists. For further information on Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes, just visit www.grimeboss.co.uk.

Call Sign July 2012

Page 32

London taxicabs have a history of being recog-

Former Call Sign Editor Gerald Craig reviews the latest book from

nised the world over as an integral part of the

Bill Monroe

London's busy scene. Each taxicab ever pro-

duced has in its own way been an iconic vehi-

cle. So it was my pleasure to be asked to review

a new book about the iconic FX4 taxi. Written

FX4 BLACK CAB:

by cab driving author, Bill Monroe, FX4 Black

Cab Enthusiasts' Manual (Haynes £21) is a

definitive guide to the taxi that was such a dis-

tinctive part of the late 50s through to 1997 as

Enthusiasts' Manual

part of the daily working lives of thousands of

London's cabdrivers - including me!

amongst its man

tions of London taxi drivers have earned their

initial faults was

living from and in my opinion, the name

Bill Monroe has certainly done his research

the corroding,

belong to London's taxi trade and should have

well, evidenced by the attention to meticulous

rusty seals on

never been part of anyone else's description.

detail and accuracy in his writing. He has man-

both sides of the

And as it says on page 18 of FX4 BLACK CAB,

aged to produce a work that is full of fascinat-

vehicle. But the

any FX3 taxi purchased in the 50s came in any

ing insights into the chequered history of a taxi

cab gradually

colour - provided it was black!

workhorse that includes both the Austin and

improved and

The obligatory dark colour that would come

Carbodies' versions, as well as the FX4R, FX4S,

Bill writes of the

back in the years to come and bite the trade in

both versions of the Fairway and the FL2 hire

design

and

its rear axle because it suited the emerging ille-

car!

development of

gal minicab opposition to deliberately tag the

Bill's book is packed full of excellent photos

the FX4 and the

taxi trade's vehicles separately as black cabs,

and schematic mechanical illustrations that will

struggles that took place

even though the trade's fleet was rapidly chang-

please the FX4 aficionados amongst Call Sign's

behind the scenes before the new concept for

ing over to many multi- coloured cabs. This

readership. As an artist, I was fascinated by the

a modern taxi eventually emerged from the

was a ploy by the opposition, egged along by

original coloured sketches of the proposed

drawing board and rolled off the production

the media to add credence to their vehicles as

FX4 drawn by designer Eric Bailey. His remit

line.

being a mock sort of cab - something the

then was to be sure to incorporate in a new

This book is a must read for all past and

gullible public fell for hook line and sinker in

modern taxi design, four doors and a fixed

present taxi drivers and I believe that Bill

the 60's. It was - and is - an erroneous termi-

windscreen. That innovation for a taxi would

has done a great service in recording for

nology that still lingers on the windows of

make it so different from its FX3 predecessor

posterity the story of the FX4 Black Cab.

many private hire offices today and apparently

with its draughty, open-spaced step where the

His book is a nostalgic, iconic, taxi trip

without anyone doing much about it.

passenger's luggage was tied on. Mind you, it

down memory lane.

As for FX4 Black Cab, I highly recommend

was a cab I enjoyed driving before I eventually

Excuse me if I digress a bit from my review to

Bill's well written and informative book. It is a

went on to experience the new FX4 that from

explain why I have deliberately put the words

really good read.

the driver's point of view, was so much more

taxi and cab together. I believe that historically

Any problems in obtaining the book then

luxurious to do our job in - even though the

they describe the type of vehicles that genera-

go to: www.haynes.co.uk

FX4 I purchased gave me nothing but trouble -

RETURN OF THE GAS CAB???

And an extra five years licensing...

Former Dial-a-Cab driver Stanley Roth (ex-Y53) has been pro-

moting the advantages of taxis running on Liquefied petroleum

gas (LPG) ever since he first came to the circuit in 1998. When

he left in 2009 to help promote the gas concept with GasTech,

his views hadn't changed. In fact, his love of gas cabs goes back

Maintain your TX4

many years - well beyond his arrival here.

for just 99p per day!

Now Stanley has a converted TX1 and TX2 currently

out on 10,000 mile working tests. The driver told Call

Everyone knows that proper maintenance of a

Sign it was a pleasure going to work and that he was

vehicle will save money and protect residual val-

also spending less on fuel.

ues in the long run. Now you can spread that

Stanley added: “The aim is to get cleaner and quieter cabs

cost over three years for as little as 99p per day

onto our streets. The NOx output of a GasTech LPG engine is

with The London Taxi Company Service Plan.

90% cleaner than both Euro 5 new diesel taxis and in addi-

Essential routine servicing, including the use of

tion, the owner of a converted gas cab can get an extra 5 years life on

genuine parts and the right grade of oil, prolongs

the life of any vehicle and given the gruelling

the cab. Once the test cabs have undergone and passed their 10,000 mile working road tests, we will

duty cycles experience by London taxis, this level

begin conversions to help make London a cleaner and quieter place.”

of maintenance becomes all the more important.

According to the Mayor's Clearing the Air, taxis cause 20% of the two worst pollutants. Firstly there

The costs of maintaining your vehicle can, howev-

is NOx and then there's the miniscule particulate matter PM10, which has the greatest chance of end-

er, seem expensive when you're presented with a

ing up in the lungs if breathed in. Diesels pump it out, but Stanley's cab has none at all.

lump sum two or three times a year.

Call Sign had a quick run out in Stanley's gas TX2. It took some getting used to seeing the wheel-

The new Service Plan represents fantastic

chair ramp extension sitting alongside the driver as there is no other room for it. The cab battery is hid-

value for money at less than £1 per day when

den away in the trunk somewhere and the cab also has a 15 litre emergency' petrol tank. There was

purchased with a new Euro 5 TX4 taxi and is

no spare wheel that we could see.

designed to help spread the cost and protect

On our short test run, the cab was very quiet although slightly less responsive than a diesel cab. Then

drivers from inflation.

again, we are comparing it to a TX4. Generally speaking, our experience was a very positive one and

A London Taxi Company Service Plan can be

had it meant getting an extra five years over and above the allocated fifteen, we might have been

utilised at any of the company's 60+ Approved

tempted at looking into a purchase. However, the test still has some way to go.

Service Dealer agents across the UK.

In 2001, Camden Council in conjunction with Call Sign, offered Dial-a-Cab drivers the opportunity

For more information or to purchase a

of having their taxis converted to LPG with the Council paying the cost and drivers just paying the VAT.

plan, contact any London Taxi Company

dealer. Visit www.london-taxis.co.uk to

Around 15 drivers actually had the conversion, but several had issues - mainly with the engine cutting

find your nearest retail outlet or nearest

out when going round corners. Those problems no longer exist and it could be a way out for those

Approved Service Dealer.

with older cabs.

Call Sign July 2012

Page 33

During the

2012 Games,

TfL have now said how the ORN/PRN will affect us. All text in bold

ndon will be turned into a

is from Call Sign...

assive sporting and cultural

enue. This will have a major

mpact on roads, so TfL will

Olympic and Paralympic route network

be putting in place the

Olympic Route Network

will face a £130 Penalty Charge Notice.

avoid delays. The work will not affect pedestri-

(ORN) and Paralympic Route

It will take between 10 and 14 days to create

an access, but may affect bus stops along the

Network (PRN). The ORN is

all the Games Lanes. There will be advanced

ORN and information will be provided on any

109-mile network of roads

warning signs along the route advising which

affected stops.

linking Games and accommodation venues. It

dates the works will take place.

From mid-July, motorists should avoid

is vital to ensure all athletes, officials and the

central London, roads around the ORN and

world's media get to their events on time and

Other key road changes

Games venues. Motorists should also avoid

keep London moving.

From Saturday 7 July: Traffic direction

areas around the road events on competi-

through the Kingsway Tunnel will be tem-

30 miles of the ORN includes Games Lanes

tion days, such as the Cycling Road Races

porarily reversed to flow southbound only.

(available only to vehicles carrying the

on 28 and 29 July.

This will be vital for assisting movement to

‘Games Family' - the athletes, officials,

Every day of the Games is different, so if you

and from the Media Hub in Bloomsbury.

media and some sponsors).

must drive, plan ahead and allow more time.

The road will return to normal in mid-

Go to getaheadofthegames.com to find out

August after the Olympic Games and the

When will the ORN/PRN operate?

how you can avoid the road hotspots during

change is not required for the Paralympic

The ORN and Games Lanes will begin operat-

the Games.

ing on Wednesday 25 July, and will end on

Games.

Tuesday 14 August. They will not be in force

From Monday 16 July: The M4 Games

Planning ahead

between the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To ensure that everyone begins to plan their

Lane will come into operation owing to the

The smaller PRN will also begin operating two

Games time travel, please pass this information

arrival of the Games Family which include

days before the Paralympic Games on Monday

on to colleagues and regular contacts, and pro-

athletes, officials and the world's media.

27 August and will end on Tuesday 11

mote it through any available communication

From Tuesday 24 July: The designated

September. Once events are completed at a

channels you may have. All properties on or

particular venue, ORNs will be removed.

pedestrian crossings and parking/loading bays

within 400 metres of the ORN/PRN will receive

along the ORN will be suspended and blocked

letters outlining the works schedule and offer-

Creating the ORN/PRN

off overnight. TfL will remove each section of

ing advice for residents and businesses to help

A programme of temporary road changes

the ORN after it is no longer required. These

needs to take place ahead of the creation of the

them prepare ahead and during the operation

works will take place over a number of nights.

ORN/PRN. This includes installing tempo-

of the ORN/PRN. More info at getahead-

It will also be necessary to re-instate some of

rary traffic islands and barriers to simplify

ofthegames.com (see From the Editor).

the network for the Paralympic Games and

junctions and changing around 1,300 sets

Keeping London moving

works will take place overnight from 24

of traffic signals to prepare for the expect-

TfL is committed to keeping London moving

August to 26 August. The PRN will be fully

ed increase in traffic.

throughout the Games. To help achieve this,

operational and enforced from 06:00 on 27

To keep any impact to a minimum, work is

the Games Lanes will operate as flexibly as pos-

being carried out over a 4-day period begin-

August.

sible and be open to traffic when demand from

ning on Friday 20 July and finishing on

There will be additional changes to roads

Games Family vehicles is low and capacity is

Tuesday 24 July. Most of the works will take

and local parking around Olympic venues.

available. Signs along the route will advise

place overnight but depending on weather

These are being put in place by the organisers

motorists when Games Lanes are open to reg-

conditions and restrictions in certain areas,

of London 2012 to ensure that resident and

some daytime working may be required.

ular traffic throughout the day.

business parking is protected and the venues

I apologise in advance for any inconve-

can operate safely.

Creating Games Lanes

nience that these essential works may cause.

Full details of changes and timings can be

From Sunday 1 July, road markings will be

You can find details of the planned changes

found at london2012.com/local-residents.

put down along the ORN to create the Games

on the ORN/PRN, the latest on the build pro-

Lanes. This work is weather dependent so it's

Advice for road users

gramme timetable and other Games-related

not possible to specify the exact dates but

During the implementation programme,

travel information at GetAheadofthe

works will take place overnight between 21:00

roads will remain open but there may be

Games.com. You can also follow @GAOTG

and 06:00. Games Lanes will not be opera-

rolling lane closures and local diversions,

on Twitter, sign up online for email bulletins

tional and enforced until Wednesday 25 July,

which will be signposted. Local access to prop-

or call 0843 222 1234.

so you will be able to use them until this date.

erties will be maintained but please do not

David McNeill

During the Games, vehicles that drive in

park along the ORN/PRN as cars may be

Director of Public Affairs &

the Games Lanes, load, park or stop illegal-

removed. If possible, do not travel on the route

ly on the ORN/PRN will be removed and

while the work is taking place. This will help

Stakeholder Engagement

CallOver now available at DaC

May's Call Sign contained a small article on the

st of places where the monthly mag is left. If you

launch of new magazine, CallOver, aimed at

have a son, daughter or even a neighbour who

those on the Knowledge. But when a message

is doing the KoL then keep a look out for

went out via driver's terminals to say that there

CallOver in Driver Reception and pass a copy

were some copies in the Dial-a-Cab driver's

along to them. You may also find it useful!

reception and that if they knew anyone on the

CallOver is a welcome addition to all the stuff

Knowledge, this magazine would be a useful too

owledge students accumulate...

for them, all the copies were snapped up before you

Baghwat Singh

could say leave on the left Northumberland Avenue!

We have spoken to Editor Frankie Peet and DaC is now on the

Call Sign Online

Call Sign July 2012

Page 34

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House

or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

Tom and scruffy drivers

Dear Alan

For Tom to even suggest there is little dif-

quicker? No, because it's still fully zonal.

Board member Tom Whitbread may take

ference between me/us and a private hire

When every other provider is boasting of

pride in the fact he is not one to hold back

driver (who can get a licence in a few weeks

the latest GPS, Apps and what have you,

on his comments (April Call Sign). He also

and that because they wear a suit and have

how do we sell our service to a potential

believes that in time he will be vindicated

the use of a Satnav think they are equal to

client? “You may not get the nearest cab,

for his controversial view that scruffy and

me/us) is an Insult. I'd be interested to

but the one that's been waiting the longest

casually dressed DaC drivers are the main

know exactly how many accounts we have

in the zone because we think it's fair on the

reason we have lost so much work to PH.

lost solely due to scruffy drivers. I'd be sur-

driver!” Many times drivers have written in

No one can deny that a few of our drivers

prised if there was even one. I believe the

Call Sign of ways to secure work and win

could be considered scruffy and that many

reason for TW's verbal attack on driver's

lost work back. None to my knowledge

more choose to dress casual. But for TW to

choice of attire may be due to an inability to

have been tried. I conclude my long drawn

claim those drivers who choose to dress in

fathom out any viable reason for the loss of

out rant by saying that as TW opened the

a more casual way, such as a track suit,

work to PH. My opinion is that radio drivers

door to not holding back on comments, I

jeans, trainers, or polo shirt are solely

historically paid their subs for both account

would say that just maybe some of the

responsible for the loss of our work to me

and cash work, drivers preferred radio cash

Board are now past their sell buy date

sounds like someone void of any ideas

(as opposed to street cash) with a run-in

when the best they can come up with to

other than to criticise and blame the very

and normally a good tip. It was worth the

win work back is to have us all dress like

people whose efforts provide him with a

run. It also was a very good way to promote

Man from C&A! Maybe it's time they consid-

comfortable living. There may well come a

the circuit; customers were loyal and regu-

ered making room for some younger mem-

time when TfL implement a dress code for

lar users and many even opened accounts.

bers with new ideas and vision and actually

taxi drivers, but until such time, if TW (and

Then the £2 surcharge was implemented, a

encourage them onto the Board to redress

AT) wish to set themselves up as the style

great new source of income for the radio

the balance? Failing that, spend some of the

police, by all means let them be the ones to

circuit but not so good for the customer

money sitting in the bank doing nothing

face and challenge drivers on their attire.

and driver - who also lost out on the tip.

and headhunt people with a proven record

For TW to have the audacity to suggest

The customer was unhappy with £5 - £6 at

who can promote and sell the service we

that drivers who choose to dress in a more

start of the journey but the circuits didn't

know we can provide.

conservative way (I happen to be one), that

and wouldn't listen to the concerns of the

Ian S Connelly (T21)

we should make it known to our fellow and

drivers. So over time drivers found radio

Thanks for taking the time to write such

more casually dressed drivers that because

cash uneconomic and returned back to the

a long but interesting letter, Ian. I was

of their choice of attire, they are the ones

streets for cash. Consequently, the service

going to ask the Chairman to reply, but

destroying our work is in my opinion an

then changed my mind because when

deteriorated. This seems to have coincided

outrageous suggestion. Tom, in my view,

you use the word historically in regard

with the licensing of PH and so customers

should be promoting us. Instead he states

to DaC drivers, I think my 38 years here

now wishing to be picked up at their door

that because of the use of satnavs by PH,

- out of 41 since getting my bill - quali-

don't ring us, they ring PH.

this somehow eradicates the difference

fies me! So please don't think I was

As for accounts, how many times have I

between licensed taxi drivers and private

born as Call Sign editor, the majority of

read that tendered accounts were lost due

hire. The difference is that every day hun-

my time here has been as just another

to us not compromising on a deal such as

dreds of passenger's appointments, meet-

the recent UBS client who it seems did not

driver. However, my editorship does

ings and getting to work on time are only

allow me to see stuff I had no idea about

want to pay a driver's gratuity? So we pull

possible because of the skill and knowledge

prior to getting the job and in any case

out to allow other circuits to snap them up.

that we drivers have spent years learning in

the Chairman would like to add some-

I wonder how many drivers doing up to a

order to become a taxi driver. We are con-

thing at the end. Two for the price!

few hours on EC5 wouldn't mind a USB job

stantly thinking of quicker or alternative

So far as Tom Whitbread's article is

minus a £2 or so gratuity? And the reasons

routes as we encounter traffic jams. How

concerned, it says at the top of the page

given for our complacency? We want the

many times do passengers stuck in an unex-

that his views are his own and that they

rate for the job and if things do get better it

pected traffic jam ask if there is another

shouldn't be assumed as reflecting

will be difficult to raise our prices. Surely

route? The driver knows exactly whether to

simple economics dictates in a supply and

those of the BoM. I don't stop you say-

turn left, right or U-turn. The same request

demand market and when things eventual-

ing whatever you want and neither do I

to a PH driver would probably be answered

ly do get better, we do what everybody does

stop Tom. Re-reading it, I don't think for

with: “Sorry, but the Satnav says NO!”

and stick our prices up. How long can we

one second that he put driver's dress-

Besides the use of bus lanes, we also

go on taking this stance? We even had the

ware down as the only reason, but his

drive a purpose built vehicle which sepa-

London Underground account that we did-

article was about the way some dress

rates us from our passengers, so what we

n't bother putting a tender in for. And the

and how they let us down. I agree with

wear makes little difference and unless we

reason given? It's yellow badge work and

you that most passengers just see the

are on a meet and greet, most passengers

low fixed prices. So through this recession,

backs of our head, but I do know of

will only ever see the back of our heads.

RT drivers enjoy early jobs in and late ones

complaints received from account

This separation gives passengers the priva-

home.

clients about the way some of our dri-

cy they would not enjoy in a PH car. Also,

For years the Board have dithered over a

vers look and of at least one corporate

just because a PH driver wears a suit does

new system, so when we do get our new

that asked if we could advise arrival

not make them immune from smelly feet

terminals, which seems to be just an

rather than have our drivers enter their

and any personal hygiene issues. We may be

upgrade with a Satnav and one we might be

reception! That is an insult to smart dri-

a bit more expensive, but when time is

able to see in the day, I'm sure it will be very

vers such as you, but nonetheless a fact

money we are by far the most cost effective.

nice but will the customer get a cab any

that shames us. But you're right in that

Call Sign July 2012

Page 35

Mailshot

Continued from page 34

wearing a suit doesn't mean your feet

and almost beg drivers to attend, after

don't smell!

all it's just once a year. But no, they

Satnavs? You may well remember my

voted for postal balloting years ago and

views on drivers with one stuck onto

obviously are happy with that. So it is

their screens as minicabs do, I believed

difficult to get on, but I see few even

Whitbread's Taxis versus PH and your

they would harm us and give the

bothering to try. On the other hand,

good self with should we just become mini-

impression that we needed them. That

most of DaC is now run by professionals

cabs said it all. All along the same lines and

has come true with many passengers

with the part played by the BoM getting

something that I believed would start to

getting into the cab and giving a post-

smaller. Sorry to go on Ian, but as you

happen as soon as PH became legalised -

code as though we are all minicabs.

know, I enjoy a chat! ...Ed

unless the trade fought back.

Hopefully our new integrated terminals

Brian Rice adds: Hi Ian, I notice that

Punters, in the main, are only interested

will make them far less conspicuous.

you seem to interpret Tom's personal

in getting from A to B as cheaply and as

Cash work? No, I don't like the £2

view on dress for all the ills of Dial-a-

quickly as possible. So long as they can

either but all the circuits have it and

Cab and our trade. You have been with

open a door to get in and sit on a seat, they

even Addison Lee have an £11 minimum

us for five years now, so you must have

don't care what the vehicle is or how - in

charge that now covers just the first two

an idea of how we work and perhaps

the main - the driver gets there. Account

miles - it was three miles until a few

some things do need changing. If you

clients hold a slightly different view; they

months back. That hardly represents a

feel as strongly as your letter suggests,

want the above but they also want a clean

cheap ride, but the difference is that

then perhaps you should consider

vehicle and a clean, smartly dressed and

their drivers will take anything. When it

standing for the BoM next year and

polite driver no matter how impolite some

comes to cash, we are fussier and cover-

endeavour to influence change. I also

of them can be! The licensed taxi trade is a

age of those rides is not good and to be

notice from your past correspondence

service industry and as such has to compete

honest, I don't remember it ever being

on the Call Sign website that you are a

with others in the same game. As a radio

popular on DaC except during the

strong advocate of As Directed and Non

circuit, DaC is in direct competition with

morning rush hours when drivers tried

Rejectable trips 24 hours a day except

PH and they will never be beaten by the

to guess whether it was an LAP or not.

for the last hour of a shift. It would also

trade using the old weapon - that we have

Pretending that it's just the £2 is hiding

appear from your current letter you are

done the Knowledge. Satnav has seen to

in favour of scrapping gratuities and

that, so they have to be beaten at their own

the fact that we have never been a cash

circuit. Suddenly it's quiet, yet cash

working more cheaply. I believe those

game starting with smartly dressed drivers

suggestions would go down like a lead

and clean cabs. The trade still has an advan-

trips still go round and round the sys-

tem. On the rare occasion I accept a

balloon with the majority of members,

tage over satnavs, via radio and the

but what do I know! Consequently,

Knowledge. Roadworks, demos and acci-

cash ride, I put the meter on when I get

endeavouring to manage Dial-a-Cab is

dents etc that occur around London at any

there to save the problems you write of.

Should we have tendered for LT? As

not just about coming up with ideas, it

time can be instantly dealt with by altering

is coming up with ideas the members

course, satnav does not have that capability.

the trips don't apply to the hours I

work, perhaps I'm not the right person

will embrace.

Also, as you so rightly pointed out in the

I have no doubt you mean well Ian and

article about AL, long journeys may be

to comment, but I have spoken to sev-

I know the Editor has answered your let-

cheaper via PH, but short journeys are

eral RTG drivers who say that when it's

quiet then it's just about better than

ter, but I would like to leave you with a

cheaper by cab and less time lost if the PH

thought as there wasn't a Call Sign in

driver is stuck in traffic that he knows no

nothing. Some fares give not much

more than 60% of the fare. If we were to

June and you will probably read this in

way of getting around! Unfortunately, the

the July issue although I'm writing this

trade is having to fight with one hand tied

tender we'd have to go in even lower, so

piece at the end of April. So I hope you

behind its back with regard long journeys

how much should we go in at? Half?

Where does it stop and what happens if

can understand and bear with me. I'm

because the meter is not regulated by the

just leaving home to watch QPR away at

trade, so longer journey fares will always be

it gets really busy and Olympic fever

hits? Coverage of cut price jobs will

Chelsea and whilst there, I am going to

a problem.

be you Ian! By that I mean that while I'm

Be proud of the fact that as a London

plummet and drivers will ask why we

sitting in the stand as a spectator, I am

licensed taxi driver, you are unique in the

tendered? And Ian, do you really believe

that if it suddenly gets busy that you can

going to be the best player on the pitch by

world. We all worked hard for that badge

a mile! Think about it Ian, if you can real-

and as Mr Wicks told us at our first PCO

just change the prices you tendered for

the account at? I don't think so. And

ly change things and have so many ideas

interview all those years ago, 6 out of 10

(which of course must be acceptable to

people in that room would never get a

whilst on the subject of RTG drivers and

the majority of the membership), stand

badge. Don't be somebody who can find

GPS, why do the largest number of dri-

vers joining DaC come from RTG if their

for the BoM next February.

their way around London - anybody can do

Ed's note: I reckon that even Postman

that! We trained to be people who know

system is so good? I believe that one day

we probably will go over to a GPS dis-

Pat could have been the best man on the

our way around London.

pitch as QPR went down by 6 - 1...!

Fight PH, win back the work and be lucky

patch system, but you won't see me

cheering from the rooftops. Then again

out there...

Call Sign is all about opinions, but you

Howard Sales (Ex-A11)

The opposite view

certainly wouldn't read a letter such as

Queensland, Australia

yours in the RTG mag.

from down-under...

In addition to being a driver on DaC,

As for getting younger Board mem-

Hi Alan

Howard was also a driver trainer when

bers, I agree with you. But I don't see

I have just finished reading the April Call

we first went from voice to data trans-

any queue of drivers with the talent

Sign Online and what an interesting read! I

mission before he finally emigrated to

needed to get onto the Board. Every

just wanted to say that I agree wholeheart-

Australia. Like many other former dri-

time there is an AGM - especially an

edly with Mike Pollington (K17) - why are

vers, he keeps up to date with our

electable one - I get on my high horse

you wasting time with ID stickers? Tom

online version ...Ed

Call Sign July 2012

Page 36

Mailshot

Continued from page 35

Hailo and DaC

Give me a sign!

Hi Al

Hi Alan

May, but was told by driver services that I

I picked up an account customer from EC5

Just thought I'd mention the subject of road

would have to wait eight days until 31 May.

the other night and he started a conversa-

sign theft and difficulties in finding loca-

I needed the bond urgently because my cab

tion about Hailo. He went on to say how

tions outside London. I would usually have

was in a garage after I lost all power to drive

good it was and asked why I wasn't on it. I

used my satnav; however I was reliably

it while on an account job. The AA got me

agreed it was a fantastic app as I had seen

informed by my passenger that I could pick

to my home address from Kensington and

both the driver and public app, but that I

up the Rainham junction from the A13. It

the next day I got it to my garage. This was

wasn't interested even though some of my

was late at night, I was not tired and my

three days before I went on a 3 week holi-

colleagues are on it and had boasted how

eyesight is very good. I saw no signs for

day. On returning home from holiday, I was

good it was. Getting to the point, he said

Rainham off the A13 and missed the junc-

faced with a repair bill of over £2,000. I did

that his company may go over to Hailo alto-

tion by about 4/5 miles, seeing as I was on

not have the full amount to pay for the

gether because it is a much simpler book-

a very fast road and do not live in Essex. I

repairs, so requested payment of my bond.

ing system as you don't get asked so many

had no idea why Rainham is not signposted

It was then I was told by Viv at Driver

questions such as the exact pick up,

off the A13 since it is literally north of the

Services that it would be an eight day wait.

address, name, account etc and that it is

A13 until I found some internet links

I explained to her the circumstances, but

cheaper. As this was a fairly small account, I

regarding metal thieves stealing road signs!

she said there was nothing she could do. I

thought that maybe it could possibly work.

I remember walking though Bethnal Green

then asked Viv if I could to speak to Allan

My questions are that when our new system

very recently and finding loads of missing

Evans. I explained it all to him but he said

is up and running, will the DaC app make it

drain grills at the side of the road!

he had no idea we had to wait eight days for

easier to book a cab, will there still be a

Just thought, I'd mention the road sign

the bond and he said he would look into it.

12% charge on credit cards, will we ever be

issue in case a driver tries to get someone

On Wednesday 25 May, I checked my bank

going full GPS so avoiding the need of hav-

home using the 'road sign' method. It's sat-

account again and still no bond. I then

ing to book into zones and will there be a

nav for me from now on!

phoned Driver Services again and spoke to

separate visit to get retrained to use the

Karen Menpes (E01)

Nuala. I asked to speak to Mr Evans but he

new system?

Thanks for the letter Karen. According

was off that day so I explained it all to Nuala

George Georgiou (L01)

to senior Essex detective DCI Mark

and she said to leave it with her and she

Brian Rice replies: The Hailo App looks

Wheeler, metal theft is a serious and

would get back to me later that day - and

good and I am sure customers will like

growing national problem and Essex has

she did! She informed me the bond would

it, as some of the expense when order-

been badly affected by incidents

be in my bank account on Friday, that was

ing a taxi will be transferred from them

increasing over the past few years with

the quickest it could be done. Thank God

with the cost borne by the driver. For

around 1,300 reports of metal theft

for Nuala, she always comes through!

instance there is not any run in, there is

reported across the county since the

However, that still did not help me. If I

no gratuity and the driver waits at the

start of 2011.

waited until Friday, it would be a week

pickup for five minutes before even

TfL also wrote to Karen and admitted

without work. I had already lost two days

putting on their meter. The driver then

that the junction of the A13 with Ferry

work so far that week and couldn't afford to

pays 10% of the fare and gratuity to

Lane was not signposted for Rainham

lose another three days. So why is it that

Hailo, plus another 4% if there is a

because its prime purpose is to serve

DaC has £1000 of my money in their

Credit Card transaction. Hailo does not

the industrial areas to the north and

account, paying no interest and I cannot

have to supply any equipment to the

south of the junction. TfL said they did-

get access to it in an emergency for eight

driver as the driver will supply the

n't want to encourage traffic to use

days? That cannot be right.

phone and air time. Yes, it is a fantastic

Ferry Lane as a distributor road to

My son has now loaned me the money

deal for the customer and for Hailo. The

Rainham and beyond. TfL also added

and I'm off to get my cab now, but if he had

only loser is the driver. The Hailo sys-

that since this section of the A13 had

not been able to loan it to me I would be

tem will work when it is quiet, but come

been opened to traffic in the late 1990's

sitting on my hands until Friday the earliest.

rain, heavy traffic or just busy and the

there had been no other recorded con-

I believe this rule should be changed.

service to the customer will fail, as I

cerns raised about the lack of signing to

Peter Rowe (O75)

believe the average taxi driver will not

Rainham and Upminster, presumably

DaC Financial Controller Warren Smith

work for nothing when there is a better

because most road users were familiar

replies: A driver can request their roller

alternative available - whether that be

with the local road network or because

bond when it reaches £1000. If it is

radio or the street.

they relied on satnavs. So TfL consid-

required and the roller bond is not at

You have probably realised, George,

ered there was no justifiable case to

the £1000, cash to the value of the dif-

that Hailo cannot accommodate pre-

allocate funding for amending the exist-

ference must be deposited at Driver

bookings as the app can only direct the

ing signing! Well, Call Sign has heard

Services and then we will release it. All

vehicle to where the customer is at the

some excuses in its time, but that must

requests

(phone, email, fax, carrier

time they use the App. We have an App

jump straight into the top five! ...Ed

pigeon etc) have to be in by Friday mid-

which I have seen working and it has

day to be paid in the bank by Tuesday.

been built in-house at Dial-a-Cab.

Roller Bond

Exceptions are Bank Holidays, Easter

Initially we will only use it for Credit

Card bookings and it will probably be

Hi Alan

and Xmas. However, in cases of a gen-

Why is it that drivers have to wait so long

uine emergency, speak to Nuala (as you

available at the end June/July. Regarding

the cost of the transaction, as I have

for their roller bond? I requested mine be

did) and she will try to get an earlier

paid into my bank account on Monday 23

authorisation...

stated above Hailo charge the driver 4%

Call Sign July 2012

Page 37

Mailshot

Continued from page 36

plus 10% of the fare and gratuity. At the

moment, all radio circuits charge the

customer 12.5%. We will have to give

some thought to our transaction charge,

because if we charge too little it will

Thirty five years on

Yellow badge identifiers

deter customers from having a credit

account with us.

Hello Alan

DaC

We will be retaining our zonal system

I was fortunate enough to get a job to City

Dear Alan

and there will not be any need for re-

Airport on 2nd May and heard on the radio

I have now retired after being a taxi driver

training as the new system is a simple

that the DLR was not running due to a fault,

for 45 years, of which the last 35 were on

continuation of our old system, howev-

so thought I would try my luck and go onto

Dial-a-Cab. I would like to thank you for

er, we will have staff available for any-

the LCA rank - not something I have done

editing Call Sign; I have enjoyed so much

one that wants further advice regarding

many times before in my career. The rank,

reading yours, the drivers and Board mem-

the new system.

in my opinion, moved relatively quickly

ber's views. You do such a great job in mak-

We have a customer App, but would

from putting on to getting a job - around 60

ing Call Sign so informative.

you like a Driver App? The only purpose

minutes. But what an eye opener those 60

So as a farewell to my happy time with

that would serve is we could supply any

minutes were!

DaC, I would like to send my best wishes to

London Taxi driver with the App and he

Because of the way the rank is laid out,

everyone for good health and happiness for

would not receive credit work, but be

you can sit and watch every cab that heads

the future.

able to receive cash and credit card trips

down to the front of the rank and it didn't

Ellis Cohen (ex-L24)

for a fee. However, if the trip went to a

take me long to notice that many cabs do

Thank you for your kind words Ellis.

Dial-a-Cab member, then the service

not bother with identifiers. Yes, I know that

The best of luck to you for the future

would be free. If that were to be imple-

City Airport is serviced by both Green and

...Ed

mented, it would be for members to

Yellow badge drivers and some may say that

decide if you wanted that situation. You

Arbitration appeal

my finding just 18 taxis in the space of 60

would have to vote on it as I believe it

Hi Alan

minutes at a busy airport is nothing, but

would call for a rule change, as drivers

Thanks for putting my ‘non-brush' with a

you stand at Hyde Park Corner in the morn-

that only had the App on their phones

Civil Enforcement Officer - ie traffic war-

ing, or watch taxi after taxi exiting the feed-

would not be members of Dial-a-Cab,

den - into the April Call Sign. I had popped

er park at Heathrow and see how many

neither would they have our equipment

into the opticians in George Lane, South

don't have identifiers on them. Very few! So

in the cab. You should not automatical-

Woodford, when I spotted a lurking warden

I can but wonder why as you go further out

ly believe the above is our future strate-

sniffing around fairly close by. So I went

towards Yellow Badge sectors, the number

gy, I am just relaying my thoughts on

straight back out and drove off. I later

of taxis without identifiers increases in fre-

how the situation could evolve in the

received a non-payment letter. I appealed

quency? Is it just purely by chance that

future.

saying that the warden hadn't attached any

Yellow badge drivers are more forgetful

Finally George, we are beginning to

PCN to my vehicle and the optician also

about placing their identifiers on display, or

struggle in the mornings in some areas

gave me a note to confirm that nothing had

is it that they purposely don't wish to dis-

with coverage, is that because some

been put onto my windscreen. The council

play them in the belief that if they should

members are doing Hailo work instead

rejected my appeal saying that they took

be lucky enough to get a job going into

of ours? If so, how do they get them to

the word of the warden who said that he

town, that they will chance their arm and

do it with their no run in, free waiting,

handed the PCN to me. As it said in Call

their licence and continue working in an

no gratuity and then 10% of the fare and

Sign, what chance do you have when they

area that they should not be working in?

don't believe what an optician says he saw!

And are they fooling themselves in thinking

gratuity to Hailo, whereas Dial-a-Cab

offers £4.20 run in and 10% gratuity and

Anyway, I appealed to PATAS and

that because they have no identifiers on dis-

Adjudicator Edward Houghton. He accept-

play but working in a Green badge area,

the fare paid in full to the member? Yet,

as I have said, we still struggle!

ed my appeal and hopefully it might help

that the cabbie behind them will think that

another driver. The case number was

the poor bloke has forgotten to put his

2120134320 and PCN AF56057740. His

identifier on that morning when in actual

Some you Wynns...

Adjudicator's Reasons were:

fact the driver is actually taking down their

Hi Alan

“It is not in dispute that the vehicle was,

details to put onto the TfL tout website

A recent letter in Mailshot from Mickey

briefly, in contravention nor is it in dispute

later on!

Lappin (E46) caught my attention. He

that the Appellant left the opticians to

Name and details provided to Call Sign

mentions a Wynns cleaner but not specifi-

encounter the CEO by his vehicle. His case,

and LTPH/TfL

cally which one. I wonder if it was Diesel

as it has been from the outset, is simply that

The driver who wrote the above letter

Clean 3? I think his problem may be differ-

he then removed the vehicle before a PCN

is the same one who revealed the extent

ent from mine as he mentions black smoke,

could be issued. The CEO has recorded

to which taxis with either Yellow identi-

whereas my cab drives fine but the EOBD

handing the PCN to the driver. Having heard

fiers or none at all were picking up

light sometimes comes on. Did his light

the Appellant in person in some detail, I find

along Lower Richmond Road following

come on? Oddly, the light goes off after my

his evidence persuasive and it is supported

the end of the Boat Race. We gave him

meal break. Could you please ask Mickey...

by the evidence of the optician. On balance I

permission to keep his identity secret as

Alasdair Kay (C47)

am unable to be satisfied to a substantial

he may not have made himself too pop-

Mickey isn't sure of the exact name, but

degree that the impending PCN was handed

ular with some suburban drivers. We

it says diesel fuel injector and EGR valve

to the Appellant before he departed and the

know who he is and following his first

cleaner on the tin. And no, his light

Appeal is therefore allowed.”

report, TfL have now said they will be

never came on but his TX2 runs like a

Gerry Tobin (L32)

clamping down on those caught picking

dream. So Alasdair, why don't you eat

Well done Gerry, the answer to everyone

up out of their area - other than with a

before you start work, then the light

is that unless you are happy that it was

legitimate reason - or not displaying any

will go off straight away! ...Ed

a fair cop, then you must appeal ...Ed

identifiers on their cab ...Ed

Call Sign July 2012

Page 38

Mailshot

Continued from page 37

And more...

Just go to www.dac-callsign.co.uk and

you can read the latest issues - and the

Hi Al

Re the article in the last issue of Call Sign

old one too ...Ed

about Yellow badges in Putney plying for

Using GetTaxi?

hire along Lower Richmond Road, I was on

New drivers

Dear Sir,

the City Airport rank recently and spotted

Alan

A recent terminal message from Brian Rice

16 taxis with no identifiers...

Why when drivers are struggling to get a liv-

informed us that a customer in EC4 was try-

Jon Robinson (E88)

ing on Dial-a-Cab these days, has a full page

ing out the services of GetTaxi and compar-

Call Sign told TfL about both Putney and

glossy advert been placed in TAXI mag invit-

ing their service to us. It is extraordinary

LCA (and Twickenham in the last issue)

that there is a fleet of licensed taxi drivers

and we are pleased to note that they are

ing new members to join straightaway with

who provide us with competition and who

now going to take action. Hopefully just

the added carrot of a free radio fitting?

are prepared to pay a 10% fee on account

a word in those driver's ears will suffice

Whatever happened to the days of holding

rides with no run in. I have just compared

- if they don't do it again ...Ed

back on new members when it was quiet?

my latest two-weekly statement with the

Please don't insult the membership by say-

package offered by GetTaxi. After stripping

ing new members are needed or that it's for

From Metro's ‘Good

out the waiting times, fixed prices and DaC

the Olympics. Tell us it's just greed driven

street hails, I would be a staggering £360

Deed Feed'

to rake in more subs, never mind there's no

worse off as a proud GetTaxi driver! What

A huge thank you to Dan 52 at Dial-a-Cab

increase in work. You certainly won't admit

to make of the mindset of these people?

for returning my phone to the hospital, I

that it's slowly but surely dwindling on a

Kamikaze

comes

mind.

am just so grateful to you and the lost prop-

daily basis before our very eyes. So the bot-

The man in EC4 can decide on service lev-

erty girls at the taxi company...

tom line is no more new accounts, but

els of course, but the market has certainly

Julie, Northamptonshire

you're taking on all and sundry. So come on

changed. Is our Society too unwieldy to

Thanks to all the drivers who sent in the

Brian, let's hear it...

meet the challenge? Despite recent tinker-

above clip from the Metro newspaper's

John Stowers (K40)

ing around the edges, we are still operating

Good Deed Feed and well done to Steve

Brian Rice replies: Ok John, here it is!

as if the corporate client wants to use

Crisp (D52) for being the recipient of

Since the downturn in the economy

licensed taxis instead of an environment

such a nice mention ...Ed

from 2008 onwards, the size of our fleet

where we have to persuade them to use us.

has decreased by over 33% but we have

There are obvious changes to gratuities,

Shalom from Israel...

incentives, masking destinations and fixed

allowed the fleet to shrink as the Board

Hello Guys

prices that would increase our competitive-

is fully aware of how difficult things are.

I cannot call myself a regular reader of Call

ness. Unpopular? In the short term for sure,

However, there comes a point when a

Sign as I just receive the occasional copy

but growing volumes and market share in

level has to be maintained in order to

from my brother-in-law (ex G12). I retired

this market is not going to be easy.

maintain income and of course, our ser-

from the trade in 2008 and have lived in

Jeffrey Petit (L77)

vice levels. We lost even more members

Israel ever since. I drove a cab for 33 years

Jeffrey's letter was one of several similar

recently when the Westminster TaxiCard

and have worked on all three circuits. I was

ones received in response to Brian Rice

scheme joined the remainder of the bor-

a nightman to R34 for a number of years

sending out a terminal message about

oughs and of course the 15 year age

and W18 in the early days. I also shared a

coverage and using the example of one

limit for taxis is also having an effect on

cab with Harold Harris. Call Sign is a great

City account. Call Sign spoke to the

read and I still get worked up reading

DaC as older members are not replacing

Chairman afterwards and his raison d'e-

about the touts, the likes of Addison Lee

those vehicles when they come off the

tre was to point out that we were failing

and the appalling behaviour towards the

road.

to cover enough work (we had spent

trade by traffic wardens. It is also interest-

What is also amazing during the last

£6000 on premiums) and that drivers

ing to read about yellow badges picking up

few months is that we have spent over

shouldn't be surprised if customers

in green badge zones, which has been

£6000 in premiums just to cover the

looked elsewhere. The only saving grace

going on for yonks but I think is a reflection

work! We have now reached a fleet level

(if that's any excuse) is that while cus-

on how tough it is out there. If I may just

that will have to be maintained, other-

tomers are looking to save money,

add re the Westminster account; when I

wise member's subscriptions will have

apparently the other company's record

was on ComCab we had the London

to rise even further and of course your

of coverage isn't very good and at the

Transport account and in many cases you

customers want more for less and there

time of writing, the client is still using

were paid 75% of the metered fare, it was a

DaC. Would masking destinations make

is tremendous pressure on the income

blinding account but we lost it to Radio

coverage better? Are you someone who

we receive from clients.

Taxis where the percentage was cut even

doesn't do fixed prices? Mailshot is

I am thankful that we were prudent

further. There is nothing you can do about

always happy to publish driver's letters

with the Society's income during the

it but just carry on.

...Ed

good years, otherwise we could not pos-

I still regard myself as reasonably young

sibly have afforded to allow the fleet to

being in my late 60s. I'm glad to have had

The Eccleston Square

dwindle to its present size without a

the privilege of retiring, but it is also inter-

considerable increase in subscriptions.

esting to keep abreast of the trade by read-

Hotel and a lost jacket...

It is fortunate during this double dip

ing Call Sign.

Hi Alan

recession that your Society has consid-

Bernie Goodman.

I'd like to write about an incident at the

Israel (Ex-R34J)

erable reserves.

Eccleston Square Hotel. In April, my son

Nice to hear from you Bernie. As you

Incidentally, John, the adverts you are

and his girlfriend booked a night at this

emailed me, you obviously have access

alluding to led to ten enquires and of

hotel after going to a wedding reception

to the internet so no longer need to rely

those ten, five have been fitted. So there

nearby. As it was just for the night, they did

on your brother-in-law to read Call Sign.

you are John... you've heard it.

not unpack their bags but my son hung his

Call Sign July 2012

Page 39

Mailshot

Continued from page 38

jacket up in the wardrobe. The following

responsible after finding items left by

morning he forgot the jacket and only

guests. I have been back in touch with Ms

realised the following day. He called the

Byrne, who stands firm that she will not

hotel and was told that they had found it in

compensate. She has now said that the jack-

the room and had entered it into their left

et was never found despite my son, his girl-

property book. They advised him that they

friend and me all being told by different

held left items for 1 year. He explained that

members of staff at the hotel that it had

week. Good advice but apparently point-

his girlfriend would come to collect it with-

been found the day after my son checked

less as well as SGS won't book you in with-

in a couple of weeks. When she went there,

out. Apart from claiming legally, which I

out an official LTPH letter anyway...

she was told that they could not find it and

don't know if we can be bothered, I feel

Bernie Silver (G08)

that until a member of their household staff

frustrated to just let this go. So I would like

came in, they couldn't help her. The follow-

to ask drivers to pass on this story to any

Medicals?

ing morning I called in and got the same

customers who are thinking of staying at

Hello Alan

story. This went on for over a week with me

the Eccleston Square Hotel. Certainly if my

I'm having a slight problem finding out at

calling and being given the complete

son had read that this was the attitude of

what ages we need medicals. I've rung TfL

runaround. Finally I asked for the name of

care at this hotel, he would not have

who are rather vague. I'm 60 years old with

the manager and was told it was a lady

booked a room there!

no prior medical problems. I thought my next

called Olivia Byrne. As she was away for a

Debbie Hope (W18)

medical would be at 62, but I'm getting con-

few days, I emailed her explaining the situ-

For such a longstanding hotel, I find

flicting answers from fellow drivers. If you

ation. I got no reply so called on her return.

their attitude somewhat bemusing ...Ed

could answer my question, I would be oblig-

Again I was fobbed off but persisted and

ed...

finally spoke to her. She basically said that

Allowing extra time?

John Woodgates (T43)

even though the jacket had been found and

That was good advice from LTPH to allow

Call Sign asked LTPH/TfL Licensing

logged into their book, they could not find

extra time for anything that needs doing

Manager Michael Stack for the answers.

it and that no compensation would be

around the time of the Olympics. So I

They are 50, 56, 62, 65 and then annual-

given to my son.

applied for my overhaul date just over 6

ly. TfL apologised if John had received

I contacted Citizens Advice who told me

weeks prior to the date, but they told me I

vague answers and also for him being

that the hotel had a duty of care and was

couldn't do it and to try again the following

sent the wrong licensing pack ...Ed

COMPLAINTS RESULTS

A Complaints meeting was held on 17 May 2012. The results are below…

Name/call sign

Nature of Complaint

Verdict

Paul Groome (T78)

Driver booked into EC5 when true location

2 weeks susp

was Redbridge roundabout & accepted a trip

Driver booked into EC5 when true location

was The Mall & accepted a trip

Rules 2, 11

Gary Beckett (W33J)

Driver booked into S50W when true location

1 week susp

was Hatton Cross & accepted a trip

Rules 2, 3, 11

Michael Appleby (L73)

Driver accepts fixed price trips & as soon as

2 weeks susp

he POBs, soon to clears into a favourable zone.

upheld on appeal

Then uses temp off to hold queue position

Rules 2, 3, 11

John Sawyer (T36)

Driver booked into E14 when true location

2 weeks susp

was SE16 & accepted a trip

Driver booked into E14 when true location

was Rainham (Essex) & accepted a trip

Rules 2, 3, 11

Keith Kew (J42)

Driver booked into S50C when true location

3 weeks susp

was St Johns Hill & accepted a trip in S99

upheld on appeal

Rules 2, 3, 11