Page 21
Call Sign March 2012
COMPLIANCE OFFICER'S REPORT
on the normal run-in on the customer's
amongst others - are constantly being moni-
invoice. Rightly so, they queried the amounts
tored. On this particular occasion, I don't even
and after meeting with the head of procure-
feel it is necessary to remind you all of the
ment, we were able to fully explain that this
booking-in procedures, because they are now
was a genuine oversight on the trips in ques-
so well known. But I will remind those to
tion and fortunately they were understanding
whom it applies to that you will be brought to
on this occasion and will again continue to use
task and there are really no valid excuses,
our services.
because in this instance you will be caught
banged to rights and dealt with in the correct
It is imperative that you press the arrival only
and proper manner. I have always said that our
when you are physically outside of the pick-up
procedures are in place to make it a fair and
and not when you are some distance away.
even playing field for all of us. And this will
Please remember that unless notified to the
always be the case.
contrary, the allowed maximum run-in is £4.20
on all normal account trips (with the exception
JPM on the move...
of Taxi-Card journeys). The maximum amount
Hello ladies & gents,
showing on the meter must not exceed this
Finally, over the next six months JPMorgan
Arrivals
amount at booked time or on the actual arrival
will gradually be re-locating their staff from 10
for an ASAP trip.We are all human and can mis-
Aldermanbury to Canary Wharf and into the
Over the past few weeks it has become increas-
judge something as difficult as London's traffic,
Lehman Brothers building. It is a move that
ingly apparent that some of you are still forget-
so if you have misjudged the run-in, then the
has already started and which should be com-
ting to press your Arrival button (Code 21)
meter must be reset accordingly if you arrive
pleted by late September. As the year progress-
when physically outside of a particular location
before the booked time or if you exceed the
es, work out of JPM at Canary Wharf should
or pick-up address. None more so than very
steadily increase and you will be updated on
allowed amount on a straight-away journey.
recently at a large law firm in the City, which
their progress on a regular basis.
subsequently led to them suspending their
E14 / EC5
Drive safely and be very lucky...
account with Dial-a-Cab.
Incorrectly booking into the popular E14 and
Although the meter amounts were correct
Allan Evans
EC5 zones is again raising its ugly head! A small
and within the limits, on a number of occasions
DaC Compliance Officer
minority of you seem intent on ignoring regu-
because the Arrival and PoB were captured at
lar warning messages that these zones -
the same time, it showed up as an overcharge
VITO YEAR-END
SALES INCREASE
But some are recalled with engine problems...
Vito distributors, Eco City Vehicles, have
with an EBITDA positive result previously
said that despite continued difficult condi-
expected by ECV. The warranty issue has
tions in the automotive sector, the group
since been addressed and is expected to
saw slightly improved vehicle revenues dur-
have little impact in 2012.
ing the second half of 2011 and closed the
The cash position remains tight due to
year fairly strongly.
the challenging conditions in 2011 and
A KPM spokesperson said: "Demand for
ECV is reviewing its funding arrangements
the new Euro 5 Mercedes Vito gained
with the full support of its bank and the
momentum as the taxi trade faced the
KPM Discretionary Pension Scheme. First
onset of new age limits and more stringent
announced in June 2010, a loan facility is
EU vehicle emission legislation from 2012.
provided by the Pension Scheme with ben-
The Vito Euro 5 complies with the new EU
eficiaries being the executive director
emission standards, as well as providing
shareholders of the group and three
other benefits such as improved fuel effi-
founders of KPM - Keith (Marder), Peter
ciency, comfort and six seater capacity."
(DaCosta) and Michael (Troullis). The pen-
Eco City Vehicles claims to have
sion scheme has so far provided ECV a
increased its market share of new London
long term loan of £1 million with a further
taxi sales to 23% for 2011 as a whole, up
announcement due shortly.
2% compared to the first six month period
Mercedes Benz have also recalled some
last year. Added to that, the latest three
Vitos due to the vehicle's engine lubrica-
month's Vito sales saw the Mercedes vehi-
tion being affected during the start up
cle's market share increase further to an
when the taxi is parked on a slope with a
estimated figure exceeding 30%.
low engine temperature. On these taxis,
During 2011, ECV was said to have been
new software has to be added to the
impacted by higher-than-expected warran-
engine's electronic control unit. The proce-
ty costs incurred by One80 Ltd, its intel-
dure is said to be precautionary and will
lectual property subsidiary.
cause the engine to momentarily speed up
As a result, EBITDA for the second half is
when switched on and where the engine
expected to be broadly neutral, compared
oil temperature is low.
