Call Sign August 2015

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Uber's phone number

how little they were prepared to work for rather

I try to keep any writing I may have put on inter-

than lose accounts. Rant over and I feel better

net sites separate from those in Call Sign, but

now. Your comments are welcome…

comments made by TfL representatives at the

latest GLA meeting at City Hall on Wednesday 8

New Horizons and the Mayor

July did irritate me, so I’m repeating what I said

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated

on the Licensed London Taxi Drivers internet

by space travel and wondering what was up

list, a closed group on Facebook.

there and whether we were alone in our solar

The previous Sunday (5 July) on LBC, Leon

system. By the same token, over the past decade

Daniels had wriggled out of giving the Uber

I have been fascinated by the Mayor of London

landline telephone number - even though he

and constantly wondered what he actually had

admitted that the regulations said they had to

up there below that blond thatch. I make no

have one. He claimed that they did have one; he

bones of the fact that I like Boris and voted for

knew what it was and had even used it! However,

him, probably thanks to his visits to taxi water-

he kept repeating that there was no requirement

ing holes as he strove to win his initial term. I

for it to be made public, even though its purpose

believed much of what he told us at the time.

was for members of the public wanting to pre-

Surprisingly, Boris and the recent incredible

substantial distances with no run-ins and then

book a car. Presenter Ian Collins, who made no

NASA mission to photograph dwarf planet Pluto

cover trips at possibly reduced fares.

secret of his liking for black cabs, continually

have much in common. Firstly, the New Horizons

All noble stuff and I’m sure genuinely meant by

pressed him to reveal what it was, saying that

mission has taken almost nine years to reach Pluto

many. But I often asked what would happen to cov-

Uber customers had a right to know it. But he

- well it is around 3 billion miles away. And the

erage if it got busy again and those same drivers said

refused and kept saying it wasn’t difficult to

way things are going with the building of the

that account work was their priority and that so far as

find… but he just wouldn’t give it out.

Mayor’s cycle superhighways, it will soon take

Docklands was concerned, drivers “were there any-

Then the story moves on three days and from

around nine years to travel along the embankment

way.” Of course, if it were to get busy then they

LBC to City Hall. Sir Peter Hendy has now moved

from Temple to the Tower - around 2.5 miles!

wouldn’t be there because going back several years,

on to his 4 days-a-week job for Network Rail at

Then there are the emissions caused by traffic

we often had to struggle when it was busy. It was of

around town anywhere the Mayor’s cycle lanes

around £25k a day, leaving Mr Daniels and his

little use to have 20 drivers booked into E14C when

sidekick Garrett Emmerson to answer the same

are being built. They are horrendously high,

22 jobs were called at 9pm and traffic outside was

question, this time from the Deputy Chair of the

bringing with them the regular huge fines we

heavy, as it often is. But I digress...

have to pay to Europe for massively breaching

London Assembly's Transport Committee and

I was recently at a special performance of the

NOx limits. But when New Horizons reached

Mayoral candidate, Caroline Pidgeon. She asked

totally brilliant Curious Incident of the Dog in

Pluto at its closest point on 14 July at 11.49am, a

why he hadn't given out Uber’s number when

the Night Time at the Gielgud Theatre in

hit record from the

1980s

- The Final

Ian Collins asked him on live radio.

Shaftesbury Avenue. Linda and I were surround-

Countdown - was played in celebration of the

Astonishingly, he suddenly gave it out - not once,

ed by celebrities from the worlds of television and

achievement. Who recorded that hit? Glam rock-

but twice! He then announced to the mainly taxi

pop with the only difference between us being that

ers Europe! However, New Horizons passed

driver audience that he hoped that would be an

we had to pay for our tickets! If you haven’t seen

Pluto at 28,000 mph, whereas we can but dream

end to people asking him for it!

this play, then you really must. But still I digress...

of travelling to the Tower at an average 2.8mph

So my concern is twofold; what exactly hap-

Coming out of the theatre at just before 10.30

on a good day!

pened between the Sunday and Wednesday to

and seeing a row of up-market minicabs, I knew

The journey to Pluto has mesmerised me and

suddenly make TfL’s MD of Surface Transport

that getting a taxi wouldn’t be easy so we walked

astonishingly, there is still a third link between

happy to give the number out after doing every-

a short distance away from the theatre but still

New Horizons and BoJo. On 4 March 2011, the

thing he could to avoid doing so just three days

saw no empty ones. So I decided to use the Call

ship passed Uranus. Many believe that the

earlier; and secondly, do Uber want it made

Sign account - not something I do very often -

Mayor should have passed it as well…

available because if you do get through, the

as it was a hot evening and just standing around

chances are that you will get a pre-recorded mes-

looking for a cab isn’t much fun. So I phoned,

Friends… who needs ‘em!

sage telling you to email them. So much for a

gave my account details etc and waited… and

Passed to Call Sign by several Dial-a-Cab drivers,

pre-booking facility - something PH are sup-

waited. After 15 minutes I phoned the dispatch-

this Tweet comes from the Editor of a newspaper

posed to have a landline for.

er just to confirm that the job had been covered.

that has always supported London licensed taxi

If they don't want it publicised - and it does-

It hadn’t been but he told me to hang on as six

drivers. Stephen Pollard has been the Editor of

n't appear that they are too keen otherwise

drivers were looking at it - no, I don’t know how

the Jewish Chronicle since 2008 and is a Spurs

they would advertise it themselves and any-

they do that either - but who were obviously

fan, which should make him a nice guy, used to

one who has tried to find it will tell you how

empty or they couldn’t have looked!

putting up with suffering! But I think he lets him-

difficult that is

- then should we do the

Sadly, none of the six apparently fancied going

self down with his Tweet - and I quote:

unthinkable and publicise it all over the inter-

from Shaftesbury Avenue to Dial-a-Cab in East

“When Uber arrived, I stopped taking

net? So for those that would like to make use

Road. Why? Well they probably wanted to stay in

black cabs. Cheaper, faster, more comfort-

of the Uber landline number, it's 020 33 22

town or go to busy areas such as Chelsea etc.

able, better all round. Boris and @TheLTDA

8237. For those who missed that, it’s 020 33

However, that isn’t much consolation to an

can’t stop the future.”

22 8237. But if you do tell anyone about it,

account holder who doesn’t have access to dis-

Perhaps the good Mr Pollard should take a look

tell them not to tell anyone! After all, it’s

patchers but just has to wait. Hearing that, I looked

at an issue of Cosmopolitan from a few months

apparently a secret! If you do, you will be

again for a passing cab. They were still few and far

back where they published an article on Uber

invited to leave a message…something nice

between until a cab with no light on stopped and

headlined: ‘Uber have introduced handy hints on

please!

asked if we were looking for a cab and which way

how not to get raped in their taxis!’ He could also

And to the GLA Transport Committee Chair, Val

we were going. After thinking about it, he decided

see our Tweet of the Month on page 25.

Shawcross, how dare you refer to TfL as flabby

that East Road wasn’t too far away from his route

Everyone is entitled to their view. Mine is that

and unprofessional… we wanted to say it first!

home to Ilford. I cancelled my DaC booking and

Jewish Chronicle readers who pay the horrendous

later found out there had been 27 rejects on it.

weekly cost of £1.90 to read the paper should con-

At last!

For one brief moment, I could understand

sider the freebie options carefully because they are

Well we waited long enough, but it did finally

why people were using other carriers. They

easier to read, cheaper and better all round. The

look as though our services were being required

don’t look at safety, knowledge of the streets or

JC and @stephenpollard can’t stop the future.

again out there on London’s streets - but as

even a nice car - they just want to get home. It

Hang on, where have I heard that before…!

usual, just as it got busy, the schools break up

left me wondering whether any of the six drivers

And to Cosmo; it’s ‘cars’ not Taxis…!

and we suffer again! But it brings back to me the

who took a look whilst I was hanging on (and

number of letters Call Sign received from dri-

how many others out of the other 21 rejecters)

Alan Fisher

vers saying how they would be prepared to run

had written to me when it was quiet telling me

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign August 2015

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

Cashless payments

TfL’s Routemasters

As many of you are probably aware, there has

battery problems

been a Consultation process undertaken by

Sometimes life throws you unfortunate aspects

Transport for London regarding the accep-

that you can’t help but smile at. One such inci-

tance of Credit Cards in all London Taxis. I

dent occurred recently when we were informed

believe the outcome will be a foregone con-

that Mayor Boris Johnson’s new Routemaster

clusion in favour of that happening. I also

believe that TfL will want to implement this

hybrid buses

- those that he so proudly

announced to the world not that long ago - have

change as soon as possible, probably by the

end of the year - although I would have

suffered battery malfunctions.

There are about 800 of them currently in ser-

thought next April to be more realistic.

Whilst on the subject of cashless payments,

vice and their diesel/battery hybrid engines were

there seems to be another way of making a

supposed to mean that the diesel would be used

cashless payment - one that is appearing with

infrequently; only at such times that the battery

the utmost regularity. Currently at Dial-a-Cab

ran out of power and that wasn’t supposed to

we are in a position to take Credit Card and

happen very often.

At the time of writing they have not yet come

Now TfL’s Leon Daniels has confirmed that the

Contactless payments, however there has

been another form of cashless payment

back to us, but in their defence they will be

power supplies on up to 80 of the Routemaster

moving their operation to new premises in

have had to be fixed or replaced. He also admit-

around in the form of Barclays ‘Pingit’. The

only problem with this method of payment is

Southgate at the end of August and no doubt

ted that concerns had been previously raised

they are a little pre-occupied at present! But of

about the battery performance on earlier vehicles.

that the driver has to carry a bespoke Quick

course, we look forward to hearing from our

Response Code (QR Code) so that we can

Of course, we shouldn’t laugh, but after

match the trip to the driver in order for pay-

north London friends.

everything TfL has put this trade through over

ment to be made.

the years, a small smile could be in order!

In the meantime, Apple Pay has appeared

Logos

on the scene and looks like it could become

Holiday Season

At the time of writing, we have in excess of

highly used by members of the public, being a

150 mobiles sporting our new Logos. We are

We are now well into the holiday season and

system that appears to be somewhat less cum-

not actually recalling the fleet at the moment,

although the work has been quiet in recent

bersome to operate.

but if a taxi goes to Roman Way for any ter-

years due to several different factors, we all

The manufacturer of our Chip and Pin

minal problem then we will automatically fit

expect that the next few weeks will be even

machines, Ingenico, have been working on a

the new logo. However, if you happen to be

quieter with everyone appearing to be away

project which was originally named Spider

in the vicinity of Roman Way then you can also

on holiday. No doubt many of you with chil-

but for some unapparent reason has now

make a visit to have the new logo fitted.

dren of school age will also be away on holi-

been renamed as Snoopy! I must say these IT

I must say the response from Members to the

day, so perhaps a sizeable chunk will be taken

people do love a codename - and the Dial-a-

new logo in the main has been very favourable,

out of the quiet period for the rest. But on the

Cab IT department are no exception.

much better than when we introduced our old

down side, you have probably had to pay

Snoopy will be the process of pre-authori-

logo after which I was inundated with complaints.

more for your holiday due to it being the

sations for Credit Cards and the ability to be

They finally subsided after three months, so this

height of the season! If you are going away, I

able to receive a payment by Apple Pay; both

time around the acceptance has been much better.

hope you have an enjoyable break.

these processes will be dealt with by

Finally, we are in the process of designing a

Barclaycard, but at the time of writing

Brian Rice

new website to coincide with the new logo, as

Barclaycard has not yet authorised or passed

you can no doubt appreciate we need a site

Chairman

the Ingenico-built software.

that coincides with our new logo. But for the

They are both currently in the process of

Dial-a-Cab

time being we are sporting two logos.

testing and there is little we can do until

Barclaycard accepts and passes Ingenico’s

software. The situation is out of our hands - or

anyone else’s come to that - until Barclays

recognises Apple Pay which they surely must

do in due course. So until that day arrives, we

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

are not in a position to accept Apple Pay, but

please also bear in mind that an Apple Pay

transaction is limited to contactless readers

Unit 10, Ford View Industrial Estate, 83 New Rd Rainham, RM13 8ET

such as the PEDs you have in your taxis.

I am led to believe that the Apple Pay system

Tel: 01708 553037

is extremely secure and will not have a limit on

transactions, although I’m also told that most

FREE AIR FILTER WITH EVERY SERVIC

WE ALSO HAVE CABS FOR RENT

vendors will initially limit the spend to £20, the

same as contactless, although the £20 limit will

TX1 servicing from £48

TX1s, TX2s, TX4s and Vitos

be increased to £30 in September of this year.

TX2 servicing from £70

Rentals from £165 per week

TX4 servicing from £90

Merger

All Work Undertaken

There is not too much news to relay to you

Servicing - Running Repairs - Overhauls - Small Fleets Welcome - Discounts Available

regarding our merger with Mountview other

All TX1, TX2, TX4

than to say that they have put their proposals

Starters - Batteries - Alternators - All with 2 year Warranty

to us, proposals that we did not consider

appropriate. Consequently, we then put some

counter-proposals to them, which they are cur-

Fax: 01708 551443

Web: www.PaulsTaxiSpecialists.co.uk

rently considering.

Call Sign August 2015

Page 5

With a spate of rumours concerning the Mercedes Vito rear steering upgrade doing the rounds on

DaC, we decided to ask Penso - who are doing the upgrade in Coventry - what the truth was…

VITO UPGRADES IN COVENTRY

Quite a number of Dial-a-Cab Vito drivers

have been talking about the new upgrade

to their rear wheel steering system. All

this has come about after the demise of

KPM as a Mercedes dealer and Penso,

along with Mercedes-Benz, had put

a deal together to engineer a who

package of improvements to t

system on the rear wheels of a Vi

at the beginning of 2015.

Initially, the new improvemen

were being completed by Mercede

dealers in the London area, but no

it seems that Penso’s own engineer

ing team in Coventry has taken

over. One DaC member, Robert

Jones

(H74), who went up to

Coventry for the upgrade to his

Vito, told Call Sign:

“At first I thought Coventry was an

awfully long way to go to get these

changes to my cab, but when I saw they

were putting two men on the job and

DaC's John Davis (inset) was one of the first to take his Vito to Coventry

were changing the whole of the rear

wheel steering system, I was pretty

impressed. It was all done in half a day, so

all concerned that coming up to

tion has been exceptionally positive. We

I really didn’t lose more than a day off the

Coventry, where we had our own engi-

try and ensure we book all drivers before

road. Since then I’ve been using the new

neers and electronics people to hand, was

their annual inspection date is due, but

system and it is much better and quieter.

a faster more efficient way to do quite a

demand has been very high. As a result,

So far, it really works very well.”

major job. The work is being offered to all

we’re upping our capacity to do more

When Call Sign contacted Roy McMaster

Euro 5 Vito owners, whether you are in or

upgrades and that means we expect to

of Penso, he told us that the package of

out of warranty. It is being done as a

have the whole of the fleet upgraded with-

changes to the rear wheel steering included a

goodwill gesture.”

in a year.”

series of measures to reduce water ingress to

Penso are running two slots in the day for

Another DaC member, John Davis (V41),

the system, as well as design changes to other

drivers: One at 7:00am in the morning for

who had the upgrade to his Vito completed

components to make the whole rear wheel

early starters and the other from midday. Roy

on 19th June, told Call Sign:

steering mechanism smoother and more

McMaster added: “You definitely get the

“The upgrade has been entirely success-

durable. As for coming up to Coventry, Mr

work done and can return back to

ful on my cab and I feel so much more

McMaster told us:

London within the day. We’ve now booked

confident about using the system. The

“We ran a pilot scheme with the Vito

over

400 jobs up here and for those

visit to the factory also gave me a greater

Taxi Club and around 20 of their mem-

who’ve had the work completed, the reac-

insight into how the rear wheel steering

bers. It went so well that it was agreed by

system works and I think all Vito drivers

should be pleased at what Penso has done

for their cabs.”

If you are a Euro 5 Vito owner, you can

Diesel rip

arrange an upgrade by calling on the

Upgrade direct line on 02476 217762 or

the Penso offices on 02476 217760.

off?

Diesel may have come down a bit of late,

Call Sign

but its wholesale price has fallen below that of petrol, yet taxis and diesel car

owners are not seeing that reflected at the pumps.

August 2015

According to the AA, fuel retailers are “plundering” motorists' wallets with unjustifi-

Editor: Alan Fisher

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

ably inflated diesel prices in garages, so much so that in their estimation these unnec-

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

essarily high prices have seen British drivers overcharged by around £250 million!

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

Now, with the support of 32 across the board MPs, campaigners have demanded a

Website:cwww.22-callsign.co.uk

competition enquiry following claims of ‘opportunistic and unfair profiteering’ within

Printers: Premier Print Group

the industry. The AA, RAC and FairFuel UK are all seeking an urgent response from

25 - 31 Violet Rd, London E3

competition authorities.

Design: Aldan Publications

The AA considers that drivers are being ripped off by up to 6p per litre of diesel and

Tel: 07958 300 428

that it should sell for around 2p a litre less than petrol, yet on average the pump price

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

is around 4p more than petrol. According to the RAC Foundation, that means retailers

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

have been making almost six times more profit from every litre of diesel than from

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

petrol and costing taxi drivers around £7 a week more than it should.

either manually or electronically without the express

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign August 2015

Page 6

LA BELLE

Jery’s

World

FRANCE BANS

LE CHOMP!

…or no eating

while driving!

he land of le fromage, le baguette

and l’escargot, ie la belle France, has

of all things banned eating - well eat-

ing while driving to be precise. The

new legislation will see drivers caught having

a chomp while motoring hit with a €700 fine

(around 500 baguettes at £1 a throw)!

French authorities have also banned other

activities including the application of make-

up on the move(!!!), listening to music that

can be heard outside of the vehicle, wearing

a blue tooth / headphones and reading a

map. It also applies to cyclists.

Dial-a-Cab drivers travelling through

France won’t be able to plead ignorance and

that includes not smoking in the vehicle if a

child under 12 is in there. That is in addition

to the regulations introduced in 2012 when

the government made it compulsory for dri-

"Thanks to the Mayor's cycling superhighway, we've had to come from Dalston to

vers to carry in their car an alcohol breath

DaC via Vauxhall! Bet MI6 was suspicious!!!"

test kit, a warning triangle in case of break-

downs, headlamp converters if it isn’t a

French car with the correct headlights and a

hi-vis vest.

KEVIN GILBY

And just for those who have updated their

satnav devices to detect speed traps during

their driving holiday in la belle France, it is

8 Dec 1962 - 5 Jun 2015

also illegal en tant que responsable d’une

In last month’s Call Sign, Richard Potter (T51) wrote of the death of taxi driver

voiture (ok, while in charge of a car!) to use

Kevin Gilby who was so tragically killed in a

any form of speed camera detector - even if

two vehicle collision in Chislehurst on the

it’s built into your satnav or you have a smart-

morning of 5th June.

phone app. If caught using either device, you

Kevin’s wife, Amanda and her family would like to

could face a fine of up to 1000 baguettes!

thank everyone in the trade for their support.

And to save you asking, Call Sign has dis-

Amanda says she has been overwhelmed by the

covered that the ban even applies to the love-

kindness of Kevin’s fellow taxi drivers both from

ly Haribo fizzy Schtroumpfs and even the

leaving flowers and messages for her and the fami-

same makers Frites! Is nothing sacred!!!

ly, to the support - including taxis - at the funeral.

If you do intend driving through France,

As Richard said last month, we all send our sincere condolences to the family…

then you have been warned…

Call Sign August 2015

Page 7

Win tickets to see One Direction at the O2!

They’re the biggest band on the

planet bar none and when they

play you can be certain that

tickets are at a premium! Well

not to Call Sign readers because

we are giving away two pairs of

tickets to watch Louis, Niall,

Harry and Liam play live in con-

cert at their ‘On the Road Again’

world tour at the O2 arena on

Tuesday 29th September in a

simple to enter competition.

Was it:

members of the Dial-a-Cab staff and their

If you have been to the O2, you will

A. The Voice

families (please say who you are related

B. X Factor

to). The tickets are only for Tuesday 29th

know that with a capacity of over 15,000

September and under no circumstances

C. Opportunity Knocks

you can be seated so high up that instead

must they be sold.

of an interval ice cream, you could well

The competition is open to all drivers,

The Editor’s decision is final.

prefer some Oxygen! But have no fear,

Call Sign’s tickets are in the VIP section,

Hammersmith flyover

where not only will you be close to the

stage and have an excellent view to this

renovation almost complete

totally sold out gig, but you even have

your own entry point to save queuing as

The final major piece of work to complete the renovation of Hammersmith

well as access to the VIP restaurant.

Flyover will take place over the August weekend of Friday 7th until Monday

To win one of the two pairs of 1D

10th. It is to finish the replacement of the two five tonne expansion joints with-

tickets, just tell us the name of the

in the carriageway that allows the structure to flex as traffic moves across it.

talent competition that in 2010 they

The eastbound closure is between 22:30 Friday to 05:00 Sunday, while for

finished in third place and went on to

westbound traffic the closure is from 22:30 Saturday to 05:00 Monday…

be the biggest band on the planet!

Call Sign August 2015

Page 8

GARY AND A DAY WITH THE MET POLICE!

…for a motorbike ride!

h dear! Being a member of any club

has its ups and downs, so when a

message dropped onto my iPad

inbox from the Herts and Beds

Advanced Motorbike Club, I did what I nor-

mally do - scanned it and forgot about it! But

what later caught my eye were words that

would contain wisdom a few months later:

“Fancy a day with the Metropolitan Police?”

Those few words would cause alarm bells to

ring in the ears of any London taxi driver! Not

since I bought a pair of Farah trousers down

Millwall thirty years ago - only to get them

home to realise they were seconds and the zip

was where the pocket should have been - have

I ever had anything to worry about from the

Met Police… well maybe once or twice while

on a Dial-a-Cab job!

I’m sure that like me, you could pick out

some bits of the job the Police do that you

have fancied, like riding a horse down The

Gary and PC Cosham (really!)

Mall - albeit only

on a Wednesday morning, or

maybe wizzing down Park Lane on a motor-

riders! Each module was taken by a differ-

blue line was about to be stretched with me at

bike. Personally speaking, I’ve always fancied

ent officer in his own style, which made it

the back.

bursting through a gangster’s door, standing

far from boring or a lecture. The parts I

The second of the two rides after lunch

at the end of the bed and calling out: “Get

found most interesting - especially being a

(included) in Hatfield was the best bit. But did

your trousers on son, you're nicked!” And if it

cab driver - were those that your eyes miss

I learn anything? Well yes. Was it a good day? I

was the bloke who sold me those Farahs, then

when you focus on what you think is the

can sum that up with the words I sent to the

even better!

whole picture.

Bike Safe London team on their Facebook

But the words Metropolitan Police Bike

After the classroom talks, even though they

page: “That was a great day out, thanks guys.”

Safe Day had an attraction. So with some trep-

were done in the social bar, it was out on the

And I never thought I’d say this, but thanks

idation, I signed up and fully expected to see a

bikes - don't be stupid… your bikes not theirs -

to TfL for standing by the Bike Safe London

retired octogenarian sucking a peppermint and

around town centres with two riders and one

team. But Mr Mayor, if you could spare a little

smelling of Deep Heat rub-in cream, dressed in

police officer. I just knew I had drawn the short

more money for the likes of PC Cosham (real-

a white shirt and obscure bowls club tie with a

straw when paired with a young female secre-

ly!) who in 8 hours did more for road safety

set of pens in his top pocket for all occasions

tary from St Albans called Kat and PC Cosham

and public relations then any poster on the

and secreted somewhere on his person, a Vick

(really!) who had already told me he rode

side of a police wagon could do in a hundred

ram-it-up-your- nose stick!

sports bikes in his spare time - or at least when

years.

As 0845 on the duly appointed Sunday

his wife let him out. Oh dear, a copper with a

And to Officer Cosham (really!); I owe you a

arrived, l found myself at the Metropolitan

sports bike and a sense of humour!

cup of tea and a cake at the very least…!

Sports Centre, Bushey. With its 1970s theme,

I was now just chomping at the bit to do

they must have spent a fortune on the décor -

some country lanes; this was going to be funny

Gary Cox (O46)

or then again, they may have saved a fortune

as I just knew there would be no time for a

Call Sign Online

on just not refurbishing it since the 1970 World

comfort break along the way. The thin

Cup! Having said that, I’d just like to do a quick

support ad for the rehabilitation wing for

injured officers; I am informed that you can

rent the facilities fairly cheaply.

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

With a Swedish Yamaha bike festival going

on in the grounds, half of those there looked

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

dead to the world, while the other half were

variable bank interest rates?

staggering in for breakfast dressed like Iron

Well wonder no more! If you are a subscriber, journeyman or

Maiden - and old blokes queueing for the loo

after ten pints and a curry the night before isn’t

member of staff at Dial-a-Cab, then you qualify to join the

a pretty sight to behold.

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union. Any member of your family residing

Even before we had the school register, one

at your address also qualifies for membership!

instructor remarked that they had great cricket

Then if you are over 18, have been a member of the Credit Union for

pitches there and it would have been worth the

over 3 months and have established regular savings, you can borrow

£35 entry fee (including lunch) for the Bike

up to 3 times your total savings…

Safe Day just to see his face when it eventual-

ly dawned on him that he may well have some-

The cost?

one camped on the spot where he once hit a

Just 1% per month on the outstanding balance (or APR of 12.7%).

six! But Bob - who turned out to be the joker

Loans can be paid back early AND there can be an annual dividend on your shares.

in the pack - just dived with gusto towards the

window to check before returning to set the

The question is: Can you afford NOT to be in it…?

pace for the day ahead.

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

The day started with the words: “This is

not a test and you're not here to be tested,

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

just to give you a few pointers.” After all,

Member’s funds protected up to limit set by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme

bikes take up only 2% of road space but

DaC Credit Union Ltd, Peterley Business Centre, 472 Hackney Rd E2 9EQ

take up 24% of accidents - although I never

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Registration number 213263

did find out how many were pizza delivery

Call Sign August 2015

Page 9

ondon must choose between chaotic

Tory MP warns…

Uber or its heavily-regulated but safe

black cabs because the two could not

operate side by side, a Tory MP has

Choose between black cabs and Uber

warned. Charles Walker, MP for Broxbourne,

said that while cab drivers had to pass the

Knowledge and undergo background and

financial checks, Uber was brazenly ignoring

the rules and flooding the capital with mini-

cabs.

He warned that City Hall officials were hav-

ing to deal with up to 1,200 new minicab reg-

istrations every month, while Uber straightfor-

wardly ignored most regulations. Mr Walker

said that if Uber was preferred, there should be

a genuine free for all releasing cab drivers from

the current regulations on themselves and

allowing them to put “any old piece of rubbish

on the road.”

Speaking in a late-night Commons adjourn-

ment debate, Mr Walker said: “For 400 years,

MP Charles Walker: "London must choose...!

London has recognised the need to have a

properly-regulated and licensed taxi service. I

try but it will end in tears.”

their punishment for being stupid, weak, old

suggest our predecessors were not fools in this

He continued by saying that without the

or frail. This is not the London I want to live in,

matter. London can't have it both ways; it can

enforcement of regulations on all kinds of taxi,

but unless we take regulatory enforcement

fares would rocket, cars would be unsafe, dis-

seriously, I fear it is the one we are going to

Renting or

ability access would be hit and people would

get.”

be less safe. He said that enforcement officials

Transport minister Robert Goodwill said he

sharing a DaC taxi

had neither the resources nor the sanctions

understood Mr Walker's desire to raise his con-

available to properly uphold the rules - telling

cerns in the Commons, but added that licens-

Several Dial-a-Cab drivers have written over

MPs there should be the ability to get rule

ing was the responsibility of Transport for

the past few months of the difficulty in

breakers off the roads for good. He said there

London.

obtaining a second hand taxi after their cab

was currently no penalty for not meeting the

He said: “London's taxi service is recognised

hit the 15 year limit. As a result, Call Sign

rules.

as one of the best in the world, with high vehi-

will be happy to give the details of any driver

“I want to be clear; I want to derive reassur-

cle standards - including disabled access and

whose cab will soon be approaching the end

ance from a licensed and regulated black cab

skilled drivers. By learning the world famous

of its life and who is looking to permanently

taxi trade. Of course, it's not a perfect trade but

Knowledge of London, the taxi drivers there-

rent another driver’s cab in the next few

it's a very good one. I want to know that when

fore earn the unique right to ply for hire on the

months.

my children are out in London, they will

streets of the capital. Private hire vehicles offer

However, if you are thinking of buying a

always have the option of easily finding a black

a different service, also with high standard but

new taxi and would rather go into a

cab to take them home or back to the place

allowing a customer to choose who they travel

deal as partners with another DaC dri-

they are staying. And I want to know they will

with. This combination of taxi and private hire

ver, then we’d also be happy to put your

pay the price on the meter, not a meter price

ensures that the needs of as many Londoners

name, mobile phone number and the

artificially inflated through surge pricing as

as possible can be met.”

area you live in to see if there is anyone

near you with similar thoughts.

Uber drivers did during the

2014 Sydney

He added that the market was changing due

Post your details to Call Sign at DaC

hostage crisis and in London by 300 per cent

to new technology and that the industry had to

House or email us at

during last week's tube strike. Thank you

adapt while pointing out that change brings

callsignmag@aol.com.

Uber, thank you for nothing! I want to know

challenges. He said TfL and other licensing

my children are being driven by a professional

authorities were faced with accommodating 21st

Terry Catherall (Y90) has

a two year old Vito with

with four years' training, because my children's

century technology in 19th-century legislation.

one year left on the lease.

safety is important to me.”

Mr Goodwill said a consultation had been

He is undecided as to

He continued: “Why shouldn't fares be left

carried out in the capital which may deal with

whether to give it back,

to the discretion of the driver? Only the fools

some of Mr Walker's concerns, adding that the

buy the other half on his

will be left to pay the higher rates and that's

results would be published later this year.

own, buy the other half of

the Vito with a partner, lease another new

Vito or just rent a cab. If you would like to

talk to Terry about possibly sharing, let Call

Sign know and we’ll pass along your interest.

Terry lives in the Elm Park (Hornchurch) area.

James Griffin (T97) has been on DaC for 10

years and is interested in

the joint purchase of a

new taxi. James lives in

the Carshalton area.

Bernie Silver (G08) has

been on DaC since 1975

and will be looking for a

cab to rent on DaC from

24th August. He lives in

the Barkingside area has

a full no claims bonus to

transfer if that helps.

Call Sign August 2015

Page 12

Service update

Since I last wrote to you (May Call Sign),

there has been a great deal of activity within

the Sales department. On 1st July, an account

DaC Sales Report

we previously serviced in the City com-

With Keith Cain

menced using us again. We have also since

attended a ‘supplier’s day’ at their offices

The vast majority of Dial-a-Cab members

where the DaC team demonstrated our

give an excellent service and it is they that

online booking tool and showed how simple

sustain our account base while encouraging

it is for account holders to set up their indi-

them to use us again and again. To the few

vidual profiles.

who believe their practise is correct, well it

We also demonstrated to them how quick

isn’t. Please don’t do it. If the Sales team or

and easy it was to order a taxi with just three

Account Managers receive any more com-

simple clicks and I have to say that seeing the

plaints about drivers voicing their criticism to

surprised look on their faces at the simplicity

account clients, then I’m sorry to say that a

of being able to order our taxis is a credit to

complaint will be issued and the driver(s)

DaC’s IT director, John Bankes and his team.

responsible will have to face their fellow

Bearing in mind it was designed and written

peers and attempt to justify their actions in

in-house, that really is an excellent achieve-

front of them at a Complaints meeting.

ment.

I know this has been said time and time

We have recently completed two tender

again, but it really does take months - some-

documents from major taxi and car users,

conduct can be prejudicial. While it may

times far longer - to negotiate with clients to

where they have asked us about supplying a

be frustrating to accept a fixed price jour-

open an account. A few words spoken during

booking platform. Their focus this time has

ney that actually goes a lot less than the

a 20 to 30 minute journey can be all it takes to

been on the functionality and flexibility of the

meter, we ask members to please refrain

close that account within days. Every one of

system, together with how it can automatical-

from making comments to passengers. All

our drivers is a Public Relations officer for

ly manage the business rules of the client -

that does is make them feel uneasy and

Dial-a-Cab and as I said, we appreciate the

‘business rules’ being the control the system

force them into looking at using alterna-

vast majority who do all they can to help. But

has of managing their personnel.

tive suppliers. I am still trying to under-

please, even if you feel that something is

Recently we had the opportunity to view

stand the reasoning behind drivers mak-

wrong, do not take it up with the passenger…

other company’s platforms and reports from

ing these types of comments, but one

our IT team have been very positive about our

thing for certain is that it will not see

own in comparison to those. Some think we are

Keith Cain

fixed prices being increased. It is in fact

behind in our technology, but I have to say that

doing the complete opposite.

Head of Sales

in many areas of this subject, we are streets

ahead.

Another recent pleasing discussion I had

with a client was with regard to our main pri-

vate hire competitor having problems meet-

ing service levels. It was the case that on

many recent occasions their drivers were

Call Sign asks…

arriving around thirty minutes late for pre-

booked trips. We all know why that is and

THE POLLUTION KILLER: BUT WHICH IS IT?

long may it continue, but their clients are

new study by Kings College commissioned by TfL and the GLA has confirmed that

becoming dissatisfied at having to wait for

not only is pollution a killer, but that so far as London is concerned, twice as many

what they regard as a cheaper option.

people as previously thought lose their lives each year due to long-term exposure to it.

We are pushing the longer journeys for

According to the study’s findings, two key air pollutants are responsible for the deaths; they

costs below the meter. We have contacted a

are the fine particulates known as PM2.5s and the nitrogen dioxide (NO2). They are said to

vast number of clients regarding this and are

come mainly from diesel vehicles and there is undoubtedly much truth to that.

seeing some repeat business. It goes without

A previous study in 2008 put the number of deaths due to long-term exposure to air pollu-

saying that the corporate sector want to use -

tion as 4267, whereas by 2014 the figure had risen to 9500. London Mayor, Boris Johnson,

and indeed prefer to use - a black cab for their

said:

travel around London, but often use private

“This is a snapshot of the true impact of air pollutants on our health. I’ve been criti-

hire purely because of the perceived cost.

cised for cleaning up taxis, upgrading bus fleets and my plans for the world’s first

Having reviewed many trips since being back

Ultra-Low Emission Zone in 2020, but this study shows imperatively why these bold

in Sales, it is very clear to me that for journeys

measures are required.”

of up to 5 miles, the black taxi is very com-

The Mayor announced that 9,000 zero emission capable taxis would be on the road by 2020

petitive. It’s between 6 and up to around 18

and that more hybrid buses would be put into London’s fleet with 1,400 older buses having

miles where it differs considerable. For jour-

already been retrofitted, thereby reducing their emissions by up to 88 per cent.

neys over 18 miles and with us offering fixed

Call Sign’s question to the Mayor is this: This survey hasn’t taken two minutes and City

mileage rates, we have certainly become far

Hall must have known that pollution was getting worse. You need only stand close to many of

more affordable.

the numerous sets of roadworks killing London to see and indeed smell that. We understand

about the tragedy of deaths caused by pollution and although 9500 on its own is just a num-

After the Lord

ber, taken individually that means 9500 people have left devastated family and friends.

So could the Mayor’s office explain to us the logic of building cycling superhighway

Mayor’s Show…

lanes that will take around 12 months, cause more pollution than this great city has

After that positive news, it was rather disap-

ever known before and then tell us that cyclists don’t actually have to use them?

pointing to hear that the Sales team have

Yes, taxis and buses do contribute to pollution - but they always have. The question is why

received some difficult feedback from

the number of deaths from pollution has doubled? Mr Mayor, just look around London; look at

account clients, which has been problematic

the myriad of unnecessary roadworks and then ask yourself again why the tragedy of 4267

to deal with. These involve drivers being crit-

people has risen to 9500. Yes, we accept some of the blame, but then again we have never

ical and very opinionated to their passengers

had a choice of vehicle. But you had the choice of virtually stopping London’s traffic and caus-

about the cost of a particular fare. Not know-

ing chaos in order to build lanes that don’t need to be used and wasting £0.2billion in the

ing who the individuals are in the back of

process. Is it just me or are we being hoodwinked into believing that we are the cause…

your taxi, it really is not acceptable to do that.

Alan Fisher

Not only is the driver bringing the

Call Sign Online

Society into disrepute, but this type of

Call Sign August 2015

Page 13

The London Taxi Company confirms pricing for its…

CLEANEST TX4 EVER

Following two years of develop-

“In developing

ment and an investment of

the Euro 6 TX4

more than £10 million, the

we have focused

not only on

London Taxi Company has con-

meeting the lat-

firmed that the Euro 6 compliant

est regulatory

requirements

TX4 will go on sale from 1st

but also on deliv-

September 2015. It will retail at

ering to our cus-

£42,795 for the company’s most

tomers a taxi

that will be

popular model, the TX4

smoother, qui-

Elegance Automatic.

eter and more

The price of the Euro 6 TX4 reflects the

efficient than its

increased build costs involved in producing a

predecessors.”

vehicle that delivers superior environmental

Further details

performance. The new model offers a NOx

about the Euro 6

emissions reduction of two thirds compared to

TX4 will be

the current model through the introduction of

announced at the

a new 2.8 litre diesel VM engine.

time of launch.

Commercial Director, Richard Gordon

Euro 5 TX4s are

said: “We have invested heavily to ensure the

available

Euro 6 TX4 delivers much lower NOx emis-

at a time when we’re also spending signifi-

£39,195 while stocks last.

sions than its predecessor, making it the

cantly to develop our Zero Emissions Capable

Contact: ukenquiries@london-taxis.co.uk

cleanest cab we’ve ever produced. This comes

taxi for 2017.

for further information…

LTC welcomes Mayor’s

support for the taxi trade

The London Taxi Company has expressed delight that Mayor of London, Boris

Johnson, has reinforced his support for the licensed taxi trade by keeping the 15

Peter Johansen

year age limit and introducing an £8000 grant to anyone buying a new Zero

Emission Capable (ZEC). In addition - but not attached to the £8000 deal - there is

to be a taxi scrappage scheme beginning at £5000 for anyone scrapping a 10 year old cab, going

down to £1000 for a 14 year old cab. This is, of course, in addition to any value remaining in the

taxi. The makers of the iconic TX4 are also pleased with TfL’s

announcement that they are to double their enforcement team in

the capital’s war on illegal touting.

Immaculate White

Commenting on the announcement, CEO of The London Taxi Company, Peter

Johansen, said:

Cab Available for

“The Mayor’s announcement should provide a confidence boost to the licensed taxi

trade in London following a tough first half of the year. The proposal to continue with

Weddings

the 15 year age limit will enable drivers to better plan their buying cycle and bring back

some much needed certainty to the market.

“The confirmation of taxi grants and a potential scrappage scheme for older vehicles is

another vote of confidence in the significant investments the London Taxi Company is

making to bring about the next generation of ultra-low emission iconic London taxis.

“These latest developments follow impressive work undergone by trade organisations

in collaboration with manufacturers and policy makers to support the trade as we move

forward with new technologies and products.

“We now urge TfL and the Mayor’s Office to deliver on these proposals and to con-

clude the final stages of the age limit consultation quickly so the trade can focus on

delivering the low emission, high technology future we all want to see.”

The London Taxi Company’s parent company, Geely, is investing £250 million

to research, develop and assemble a Zero Emissions Capable taxi here in the UK,

which will meet new emissions regulations being rolled in London and other

major cities across the world. The future London taxi will be available in the UK

in late 2017 and will set a new global benchmark for purpose built taxis and

Female driver

environmental performance.

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

The project is the largest-ever investment in the UK taxi industry and follows signifi-

Contact Debbie (W18) on

cant spending to develop a new Euro 6 compliant taxi on sale later this year.

07956 317040

Call Sign August 2015

Page 14

THE NEW LONDON

TAXI! BOARD GAME

Your chance to win a game…

You can

The London Taxi! Board Game is

win one of

a new game full of fun and

two Taxi!

knowledge for all the family of

Board

Games

12 years and up. It goes on sale

for the first time later this

month.

Created by an Edinburgh black cab driver,

the game was first piloted in Edinburgh and

Glasgow, where it outsold the local

Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit in major stores

throughout Scotland. Now with new features

and a redesigned board and box, the new

London edition is about to be launched.

Taxi! Board Game contains 600 local his-

tory and general knowledge questions

about London and just like driving a taxi,

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

the better your knowledge is, the better

your tips and the more you earn. When

your fare ends, you must answer a question

Free Travel for Taxi Drivers

on London to gain a tip.

This may seem like a sweeping statement, but are we the only

As all members of the public know, taxi

bona fide employees of Transport for London to not receive

some form of concessionary travel? We pay for the privilege of

drivers have an opinion on every subject

being a part of TfL yet don’t receive any of the other benefits

so if you land on one of the Sound-Off

and perks that the direct labour force of this group enjoys.

squares, then it becomes your turn to

You may ask why we should get anything of that nature anyway.

sound-off like a cabbie - or if you are a

Well I don’t think I’d be too far wrong in saying that the vast majority

Dial-a-Cab driver already, then just do

of we taxi drivers live in the green badge suburbs of Kent, Middlesex,

what you do anyway and sound off!

Surrey and Essex. There will also be a proportion of drivers entitled to a

Sound-Off cards contain a hundred varied

freedom pass or over 60s pass. Has the Mayor’s office and the emission groups ever stopped to

subjects and on being told the ‘Sound-Off

calculate the amount of pollution that all of we Taxi drivers put into the atmosphere via our nor-

subject’, you have 30 seconds to mention

mal and daily routine of coming to and fro to start our shifts? And if not, why not?

as many of the six key words printed on

If we all live an average of 40 return miles from London, that works out to around 5

the card as you can. Every key word you

million miles of emissions between 25,000 taxi drivers working a normal 5 shifts per

mention increases your takings.

week. Surely it would be in the best interests of all of us for0 the Mayor’s office and

As you in DaC-land already know, driving a

Green groups to review the situation.

shift in a taxi is a combination of luck and

They should be looking to provide ample and free safe parking areas for us to park

knowledge; turn left you may get a £5 fare,

our taxis alongside a concession, or even free travel pass to our local home areas.

turn right and you could get a £40 tour! This

This point of view may seem radical to some, but look at the savings just to us - let alone the

is reflected in the ‘Taxi! Board Game’ by the

country in lower emissions. There would be less fuel used, less wear and tear on the taxi, less

Give or Take squares. Keep the card for

maintenance and lower servicing costs. And of course, there would probably be a longer work-

yourself or pass it to a fellow player. Is your

ing life for those taxis that struggle to even get to 15 years. But the bottom line would be far

luck in? You may gain… OR you may lose!

less emissions caused by our dead mileage. But then again, I may have missed the point; all the

above could produce monetary savings to the wrong people…

The winner is the player who has earned

the most money at the end of the agreed shift

Sunday Shopping

time, eg 1 hour or 90 minutes.

The debate is going ahead about increasing Sunday shopping hours to try and boost the econ-

For more information about Taxi! visit

omy. Those arguing in favour claim that more money will be spent and more part-time jobs

www.taxiboardgame.co.uk or contact:

created.

gordon@taxiboardgame.co.uk. The game

In the centre of London and many other major shopping cities, there is no doubt that tourist

will be available to buy soon from London

money would be spent over longer shopping hours on a Sunday and those in favour would

retailers and is currently available on

probably have a case. However, as I watch all the major supermarkets delivering door-to-door

Amazon UK.

in my suburbia house every day of the week - especially Sundays - with more and more people

Call Sign has two copies of Taxi! Board

buying online, I wonder if the change in legislation is actually worthwhile.

Game to give away. To win one, just

I do however question, when arguments are being raised about Sunday shopping,

answer this question taken from the game

why London is always burdened with the responsibility of increasing UK revenues.

correctly and your name will be entered

Over recent years, my wife and I have spent a lot of money visiting various destinations in

into the prize draw.

Britain. After spending a day sightseeing, we get back to our hotel and nothing riles us more

A £4 tip question: Guess Who I've had

than wanting to go and have a peruse around the local shopping centre and to probably

in My Cab? This former World Darts

spend some money, only to find that unlike London, the shops are closed at 5.30!

Champion was known as ‘The Crafty

It’s hardly surprising that tourists flock to our major cities to see our wonderful sights, but

Cockney’.

isn’t it just as surprising that most of these cities close so early. The target should not be

Please email your entries to callsign-

increased Sunday hours, but increased weekday hours; this in turn will increase employment

mag@aol.com or send them to the usual

opportunities nationally…

Call Sign address at Dial-a-Cab House by

Tom Quigley

Monday 13 July.

Call Sign Online

Good luck…

Call Sign August 2015

Page 15

fter 15 years on Dial-a-

Cab, Ann Watkins

Ann and a

(M78) has had her

share of trips that

involve far more pressure than

you’d like! Then thinking about it

Pressure Trip!

briefly, she admitted to Call Sign

that a job she had done recently

beating heart sank further. There in front

certainly fell into that category.

me was a large lorry completely blocking th

“An American gentleman came up to me at

road and leaving me stuck!” Ann’s voic

Paddington Station and asked how long it

relayed her exasperation of the time.

might take to get to City Airport and

“As I shuddered to a stop, my passeng

whether I accepted payment by credit card. I

threw open his door, jumped out of the ca

said yes to the card payment and estimated

and ran towards the truck driver remonstra

about 45 minutes for the length of the trip -

ing with him to move out of our way as h

but quickly added that depended on the traf-

had a plane to catch and that otherwise h

fic conditions. That was just as well as it

would call the police. His choice of word

turned out,” Ann told us.

was not repeatable for a family magazine,”

“As we got under way, the passenger

Ann told us with the first glimpse of a broad

explained that he had been travelling all night

smile at the memory!

due to aircraft delays, had jumped on the

“I overheard a none-to-pleasant exchange

Heathrow Express into Paddington but had

of words, which quickly turned into a slang-

still missed his planned London meeting and

ing match as the truck driver pointed ahead

was now trying to catch up by flying straight to

and that’s when I realised that the lorry was

Dublin for further meetings; so time was of the

itself waiting to get through

- its path

essence to catch his flight from City. I quietly

blocked by another lorry in front of it - and

prayed all would be fair sailing. I hadn’t heard

then us!

of any major problems, so it was fingers

“Eventually we got back on track and I

crossed!

hoofed it into City Airport with literally

“We made steady progress until reaching

seconds to spare. I offered to reduce the far

Commercial Street where the traffic seemed

by the credit card charge given the delays, but

run off towards the terminal. But I also felt

unusually bad - even for there - so I suggest-

the passenger refused my offer and just

good that I had achieved a high level of cus-

ed we turned into Hanbury Street to make

thanked me and simply said that he appreci-

tomer satisfaction!” Ann drove off still grin-

our way through the back streets to return

ated I had done my very best and that he was

ning at something that probably happens to

onto the main road. The passenger agreed,

there in time.

a DaC driver somewhere each and every day.

but as I turned into Hanbury Street and was

“I breathed a sigh of relief as the pressure

committed to the manoeuvre, my already

slowly vanished and I watched the passenger

London: World’s most

HACKNEY ROAD TAXI TYRES

expensive short break!

It may be the City that so many

FOR THE BLACK CAB TAXI TRADE

still want to come to that has

often made it the world’s most

popular City, but London now

• Austones for the TX

has another title; but this time

a not quite so welcome one -

• Barums for the Vito

the most expensive place on

earth for a short break!

According to a recent survey

• Michelin and Continental

compiled by TripAdvisor, our

also supplied

City topped a city break table, followed

by Paris, New York and Stockholm. Also up there for cost were

Copenhagen, Zurich, Helsinki, Toronto, Oslo and Sydney But none

•

4-wheel laser tracking

were as expensive - according to the survey - as London.

The cities were judged according to cost of a meal with wine for

for the Mercedes Vito

two plus cocktails, two short taxi journeys and a one-night stay

in. a four-star hotel.

The cost of the short break package for London was £312, with Paris

• Puncture repairs

on £306, New York £301 and Stockholm fourth with £287. The London

meal for two with wine came to £77, the two cocktails setting visitors

back £23, two taxi journeys of two miles each costing £22 and a hotel

• Also free tyre checks

room at £189.

Of the top 10, Stockholm had the most-expensive meals (£103), New

York the dearest hotels (£218) and Oslo the most-expensive taxis (£34).

Find us downstairs the

The least expensive city was Hanoi (Vietnam) with the short break cost-

ing just £92, with the meal coming to just over £20.

DaC Credit Union at

TripAdvisor spokesman James Kay said: “This year's results show that

The Peterley Business Centre,

Asian destinations are still the most affordable, while European destina-

tions continue to top the most expensive list.”

472 Hackney Road, E2

Of course, one problem with cities such as London, Paris and

New York is that however expensive they are, tourists still love

0207 729 5237

them and surveys such as these are really just page fillers!

Call Sign August 2015

Page 16

TONY ARNOLD AND TWO WEDDINGS!

her long-time partner Mark, with guest

t the time when HRH

of honour being their son and Tony’s

Prince Charles was get-

grandson Alex.

ting married to Lady

“As lovely as the day was when I

Diana Spencer, Dial-a-

picked up those dresses in 1981, it just

Cab driver Tony Arnold (F03) was

couldn’t hold a candle to seeing my

beautiful daughter get married to Mark.

sent to collect the bridesmaid’s

That really was totally magical.”

dresses from account customer of

Tony Arnold has been on DaC for

the time, Elizabeth and David

many years and in the October 2002

Emanuel in Davies Street,

Call Sign, we began a series that fol-

Mayfair.

lowed Tony and two Chinese students

Tony told Call Sign: “Thanks to that account

from Beijing (China) to

trip, I got to visit St James Palace twice with

where Tony’s cab h

the dresses and each time I had to wait within

been flown to

the Palace for the Ladies in Waiting to make

Chinese TV stati

adjustments to the dresses before I had to

CCTV, all the way ba

return them to the Emanuel’s. But quite amaz-

to Trafalgar Square v

ingly, whilst waiting for the dresses to be tried

Russia and Finland!

on by the bridesmaids

(Lady Sarah

Several years late

Armstrong-Jones, Sarah-Jane Gaselee,

we reported on Ton

Clementine Hambro, India Hicks

and his taxi visitin

and Catherine Cameron), I was offered and

both Ghana an

accepted to have tea and sandwiches with the

Australia, where he

Queen Mother and Prince Charles equerry!

had been commis-

“My grey taxi of the time with its DaC stick-

sioned to teach the

ers on was parked in the grounds of

local cabbies how to

Marlborough Road for all to see. Certainly

drive like London’s taxi drivers do.

one of my more pleasing taxi account rides!”

Our congratulations to Tony…

Tony with daughter Samantha at her wedding

But now Tony has celebrated a wedding of

Inset: The other wedding in 1981!

Jamie Corum

his own when daughter Samantha married

Call Sign Online

New York cab driver Michael Higgins writes for Call Sign…

Editorials

slammed

NY taxis

Uber... shmoober!

in favour

of Uber

This is a classic example of what famous TV ‘sewer worker’ Ed

Norton means when he says...

'Down in da sewer, we have an old saying... all that glitters is

not gold!' INDEED!

I believe a few calls were made and a few golf games played in

order to get simultaneous editorials into allegedly competing

What about Gett? What about Lyfte? Why didn't their compa-

newspapers on the fourth of July holiday weekend!

nies get mentioned in these so-called editorials? Just Yellows!

That happened over here in the New York Daily Post

First generation immigrants and people of colour have always

and its supposed rival, The Daily News when on the same

made a great living and future in the New York City Yellow cab

weekend both laid into the taxi business in favour of

business. Don't let a few West Coast shills destroy our City... and

Uber. Ring a bell in London, does it?

our industry with their globalist, elitist, apartheid share-ride scam!

Anyway, I just wish the News and the Post would use softer

paper (if ya get my drift)! They have degenerated into worthless

Michael Higgins

rags and have the nerve to charge $1 for a freggin' newspaper

Editor, New York City Taxinews

that my cats won't even wipe their asses with!

Call Sign Online

You Dial-a-Cab guys in London want to know what’s it about?

Well Uber is finally feeling the heat over here and their

investors are asking a few serious questions about finance... like

Keith Reading

wtf is going on? Where’s their money going and why are there

Professional Toastmaster

riots in the streets? Uber is even looking at Chinese investors

Master of Ceremonies

because their American investors ain't that keen on the deal

anymore!

Tele: 01279 465 938

You couldn’t help notice that the two 'editorials' came

soon after a City Council hearing and on that holiday

Mobile: 07774 860 374

weekend.

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

What about America? Our troops? Our history? Nope, it's

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

all Uber, all the time. That's the playbook. Uber is just hyped-

up globalist crap. Their 'work' is drying up, their drivers are

Fellow of the Guild of

going broke with depreciating vehicles to show for their

Professional Toastmasters

'sweat equity'.

Call Sign August 2015

Page 17

Ladies and

Mike Son asks…

Gentlemen

Due to the Call Sign sabbatical, it has been

some time since I last wrote to you. So I’d like

to give you a further view with regard to activi-

Are you missing out?

ties within the Dial-a-Cab Sales & Marketing

Department. I can tell you that with Keith in

compete in London with over 82,500 mini-

charge of the department, we have been work-

cab/private hire drivers in over 65,500 licenced

ing extremely hard to secure more work for the

vehicles and over 3,000 private hire operators.

membership.

Although very difficult, often due to unfair

Transport for London

competition, we all have to deal with the

For so long now, various trade organisations

extremely cheap costs PH offers; nonetheless I

and their representatives have been battling

do believe we are making some improvement.

hard to save the London taxi industry and

I’m aware that many of you may not see an

together with Licensed taxi drivers, have organ-

immediate financial improvement, but let me

ised demonstrations against TfL’s laissez-faire

assure you that everything possible within the

attitude towards the Licensed black cab indus-

resource of Sales & Marketing is being under-

try. There have been hundreds of Uber com-

taken and in the coming weeks we are hopeful

plaints from the public, press releases sent to

that there will be some noticeable progress.

media outlets about the possible demise of our

It really is important to realise - if indeed

trade, yet it still it goes on. So what is the next

you don’t already - that for many people

destination and the cost, which of course you

step should any impending court rulings be

the use of credit cards is now the preferred

can accept or reject. If you accept an

detrimental to our industry?

method of payment for goods and services.

‘Economy’ trip, which in the main will be a

It’s possible there could come a time when

It amazes me when I’m on a rank or flagged

longer journey, please do not complain to our

London taxi owners have just about had

down by a cab passenger at how many dri-

staff that the fixed rate accepted was below the

enough of the unacceptable attitude of TfL

vers still refuse that form of payment.

meter. Although we cannot compete with

towards both the public and the taxi trade and

It is not only non-radio drivers who refuse

some PH trips, for example from EC1 to

even consider taking off their Licence plates.

credit card payment, even some of our own

Heathrow for £35 or from EC1 to Stansted for

They could continue to serve the public, how-

members still do. I have to say to those

£52, there are trips we could take at below the

ever it most certainly would be a free for all

Refusniks that you are definitely missing a trick.

meter fare.

with no fair pricing structure and no licensing

Not accepting credit card payments allows

We are now getting more enquiries from

authority. It most probably wouldn’t happen in

Uber and the like to take more work from right

both existing customers and other members of

my lifetime, but it could happen if the liveli-

under your noses. I know things are tight, but

the public. These trips would have previously

hood of London taxi drivers was even more at

you do get paid for the trip the following week.

gone directly to minicabs without even con-

risk than it currently seems to be

Also, you will read in both Keith Cain and

tacting DaC. The more of these bookings we

Allan Evan’s article about fixed price trips. You

take, the more chance we have to win back

Mike Son

may be offered fixed price fares which could be

much needed work now and in the future. We

below the meter fare. The trip will have the

need to remember that the Sales team have to

DaC Sales Dept

An occasional review from a struggling 14 handicapper at some of the marque golf courses I've

had the privilege to play in my golf days away from the taxi…

SIMON’S GOLF COURSES

Have you ever played a course that is bunkerless? Berkhamstead is one,

but the sheer majesty of the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Course situ-

ated just a few miles from East Grinstead, in my humble opinion just

cannot be matched. There are two courses here; the shorter west course

is ideal to play in the morning if playing 36, which would be a very fine

course if you only played that. But the main course - The Old - is really

the one you must play.

The course has a rich history; Abe Mitchell was an artisan mem-

ber here and that’s the chap who stands upon the Ryder Cup and

the old country mansion clubhouse. It simply says 'class'.

Play it in late summer with the Heather in bloom (an abundance of the

purple club grabber here). I've not played a more picturesque inland

course anywhere.

Onto the links and you may think that the lack of bunkers make it an

The 11th hole is stunning in its beauty

easier days golf? But nothing of the sort! The Open qualifying was

played here until recently and although it begins with some makeable par holes, the course soon bares its teeth.

If they allow you, then play off the white tees - though many carries to reach the fairways are long, the tees from the back are usually

elevated and provide some stunning vistas. I can't think of a better view from the high 11th ‘par 3’ 249 yarder in all my years playing.

One of my favourite holes here - the 17th - is a long 486yd ‘par 4’ blind tee shot that needs some draw, leaving a long iron or

wood to a green with a bank to the right and a fall-away to the left.

Most of the greens are surrounded by humps and hillocks all covered in Heather. They are framed superbly and trying to play a pre-

cise shot shows what a frustrating game this can be.

I'm going back in September 2016, a date in my diary that has been underlined in bold felt pen!

Happy golfing…

Simon Wallis (M11), Call Sign Online

Call Sign August 2015

Page 18

TfL consultation on…

Taxi licensing changes ahead of ULEZ

ransport for

A ZEC taxi is considered to be a pure elec-

these vehicles are currently eligible for up to

tric or hybrid vehicle capable of running in

£5,000 plug-in car grants from the

London has

zero emission (at tailpipe) mode for all or

Government.

launched a

part of the time (maximum 50g/km CO2 and

Whilst the new ZEC PHV criteria will allow

Consultation on

minimum range of 30 miles).

a greater choice of vehicles, at present there

TfL is working with a number of manufac-

are no suitable models in the marketplace

oposed changes

turers and is confident that ZEC taxis will be

that can be licensed to carry six or more pas-

to taxi and private hire vehicle

available for sale from 2017, well ahead of the

sengers (although some full electric vehicles

licensing ahead of the Ultra Low

proposed requirement in 2018. With the

exist). Therefore, TfL is proposing a two year

number of manufacturers involved, the mar-

sunset period exemption from the ZEC

Emission Zone (ULEZ), which will

ket is set to grow and so give cabbies

requirement for PHVs licensed to carry six or

be introduced in central London

unprecedented choice in selecting vehicles.

more passengers until 2020.

on 7 September 2020.

As part of the proposal, funding would be

The specifications for ZEC taxis and PHVs

The Consultation, which closes on

made available to enable up to £8,000 in

will be confirmed once the final licensing

Tuesday 11 August, contains two key pro-

grants for cabbies wishing to buy ZEC taxis (a

requirements have been agreed.

posals. The first is that, from 1 January 2018,

£3,000 ‘top-up’ to the £5,000 Office for Low

The second proposal is to retain the exist-

all newly licensed taxis - and new Private

Emission Vehicles

(OLEV) plug-in car

ing 15 year age limit for all taxis and to

Hire Vehicles

(PHVs)

- must be Zero

grant).

encourage retirement of the oldest most

Emission Capable (ZEC). The proposals will

Following discussions between the Mayor,

polluting taxis through a voluntary decom-

be supported by a £65m fund secured by the

TfL and the two trades, PHVs would still be

missioning scheme. From 2017, drivers of

Mayor to encourage the take up of new vehi-

required to be ZEC (i.e. plug-in hybrid or bet-

taxis over 10 years old would be able to

cles that will make the Capital’s taxi fleet the

ter), however the Mayor is proposing to align

claim up to an additional £5,000, with the

cleanest and greenest in the world. The fund

the PHV ZEC criteria to match that of the

precise amount depending on the age of

comprises of two parts; to help drivers

Government’s Plug-in Car Grant criteria. This

their vehicle. This is intended to reflect the

upgrade to the next generation of ZEC taxis

will allow a greater choice of vehicles includ-

current challenges facing the trade while

and to ‘decommission’ the oldest vehicles

ing popular models such as the Toyota Prius

tackling London’s air quality in the most

from the fleet.

and Mercedes-Benz S-class. PHVs purchasing

effective and sustainable way.

In March

2015, following a positive

Consultation process, Mayor Boris Johnson

confirmed that the world's first Ultra Low

Emission Zone would be launched in central

TX1 gas conversions

London on 7 September 2020, significantly

improving air quality and helping to protect

Last month’s Call Sign revealed that

the health of Londoners. It will require vehi-

those drivers on the verge of reach

cles travelling in the Congestion Charge Zone

ing the 15 year limit of their TX1

of central London to meet new emission stan-

cabs can now have them converted

dards 24 hours a day, seven days a week or

to LPG from diesel and gain the

pay a daily charge.

cab an extra five years of licensing.

By 2020, TfL is committed to ensuring all

Ever since then we’ve had drivers

300 single decker buses operating in the ULEZ

are zero emission (eg electric) and all 3,000

asking if it was genuine and the

double deck buses will be hybrid, including

answer is definitely yes.

800 of the Mayor’s new Routemasters. In addi-

The first Dial-a-Cab driver to have

tion, TfL are now proposing the retrofitting of

the conversion was Garry Farr (R87).

400 Euro V buses that operate outside the

He told us that his engine was now

ULEZ to bring them up to Euro VI emission

noticeably quieter than his old diesel

standards, delivering air quality benefits well

one and that there was now a

ahead of 2020.

noticeable improvement in accelera-

With the new proposals, the overall ULEZ

tion. Garry said he was delighted

package is projected to nearly halve emissions

with his cab’s conversion.

of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from vehicle exhausts

The company carrying out the conversion is Battersea Autogas in Elcho

in central London. This means more than 80

Street, Battersea. It can be done on TX1s only and needs to be completed anytime

per cent of central London is expected to meet

up to one day before the 15th birthday of the taxi according to the date of first regis-

the NO2 annual legal limits in 2020. The ULEZ

tration on the logbook - not according to the plate.

would also lead to significant reduction in the

Bookings are required from up to 2 months in advance due to the number of drivers

number of people living in areas of poor air

that want the gas conversion to LPG. There is very little administration involved and

quality (where levels of NO2 exceed legal lim-

you do not require any TfL authorisation to have the cab converted because Battersea

its) by 72 per cent in central London and 54

Autogas are approved by TfL and as long as your cab is within the above criteria, the

per cent London wide.

TX1 can be converted and you will be able to get the extra 5 years out of it.

Dial-a-Cab drivers living within the ULEZ

The cost is £6000 + VAT, which takes it up to £7800. It sounds a lot but means that

will be granted a three year sunset period with

your cab’s extra 5 years will cost you £31 a week - substantially cheaper than renting,

a 100% discount to give them more time to

even adding the usual expenses. The price includes an engine replacement for a radi-

change their vehicle to meet the required stan-

cally modified and fully reconditioned engine that has been converted from diesel to

dards.

one that runs on petrol and LPG, but from the same Nissan TD27 family. It comes

The Consultation ran for a total of 6

with a warrantee of 20,000 miles or one year.

weeks, and closes on Tuesday 11 August.

Enquiries to Battersea Autogas on 0208 871 2233

It will be available online at:

1-4 Elcho Street, Battersea, SW11

www.tfl.gov.uk/ultra-low-emission-zone.

Call Sign August 2015

Page 19

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

DRIVER, CAN YOU

DELIVER THIS…

front door was up half a dozen steps, so he

It was a winter’s afternoon at around the

hoiked the thing up onto his shoulder and

time I began wondering what culinary

started up the steps, which were steeper than

delights the good lady wife was preparing,

he thought! It started to slip and then…

that I was allocated a delivery from the

CRASH! Another account lost!

City to Mill Hill. Yesssss!

At a third floor flat in Little Venice, a

It was from the venerable and long estab-

woman asked if I could deliver a five foot

lished law firm of Tregunter, Cathcart and

diameter pine table top to New Kings

Fawcett. I waited at reception for the package.

Ask most people what cab dri-

Road. I said I would have to charge a bit

The lift doors opened and out stepped a pret-

vers do and they’ll probably say

more for that job!

ty young woman with glasses perched on the

“Why,” she screamed?

end of her pert nose and an envelope in her

we take people from A to B. And

“Well, how many guys brought it up to

hands. She wore a white shirt and very close

that is largely true. But there is

here,” I asked.

fitting jeans.

another side to the job and

“Three,” came her reply. I ended up bounc-

“Hi,” she said, “Iona Tyte-Jeggings.” Well I

that’s deliveries. Not so much

ing it down three flights of stairs…

could see that… but what was her name!

But the king of deliveries - as well as of all

“Please give this to Mr Greengrass personal-

these days, but they do make a

other work - was the BBC. All manner of stuff

ly.”

welcome change and there used

was picked up or delivered - usually starting or

I arrived at a dilapidated semi with an over-

to be some cream jobs.

finishing at the TV Centre. There were flags

grown garden and paint peeling off the win-

One of our customers was Thorn EMI.

from Stratford, cakes from Charlton, historic

dow frames, behind which hung filthy nets. I

Their London base was a factory on the Great

newspapers from Barnet or heavy cans of film

could just detect a dim light burning inside so

Cambridge Road with another factory in

from top floor cutting rooms in Wardour

I rang the bell and eventually a man opened

Gosport, Hampshire to where we sometimes

Street. There were also many other set-downs

the door half an inch. He was unshaven with

delivered. We often had to pick up packages

in the area such as Kensington House,

wild hair and despite the cold weather, he

from railway stations first, with the general

Woodstock Grove and Sulgrave House. One

wore a T-shirt and shorts.

rule being that if there were less than 18 of

evening I had to take something to the rather

“Yes,” he asked through the tiny gap? I gave

them then you took them to the Red Star par-

grand sounding Night Despatch at Lime

my best Dial-a-Cab smile, showed him the

cel office at Waterloo. If there were more,

Grove. I'd never been to this one before and

envelope and asked politely if he was Mr

then it was that trip down the A3!

imagined a hectic place full of leather clad

Greengrass. He studied it closely before reply-

And then there was Longmans the Florist

couriers. It turned out to be a cupboard!

ing that no one of that name lived there and

beneath Holborn Viaduct. They were regular

On another occasion I had a pick-up off

never had.

clients as well - especially on Valentine's Day!

Uxbridge Road. A guy came out and lined the

“He sometimes gets letters sent here, but it's

Actually it was quite fun. They would load the

back of the cab with plastic sheeting before

not me.” And with that the door slammed shut!

cab with flowers (lots of Roses naturally), give

then loading it up with freshly dug spinach

I reported back and was told to try again but

you a delivery sheet and off you went around

and me then taking it to the Eastenders set at

got the same result. I then realised that I was

the City. You then presented the blooms to

Elstree. They then put it on the fruit and veg

attempting to serve him with a legal document

smiling and often embarrassed young ladies,

stall - leaving me with snails crawling up the

but that he was refusing to take it! I was told to

while their colleagues looked on either grin-

cab windows!

put it through the letterbox. So in the noble

ning or even hiding some jealousy. When you

We and the rest of the trade eventually lost

tradition of the London cab driver, I started up

finished that first lot, you went back and got

the BBC account. Things were not helped by

the engine, ran up the path, posted the let-

some more. At the end of the day it worked

the activities of a driver and part-time

ter… and then drove away as fast as I could!

out around £5 a delivery with little mileage.

despatcher I will call Dave - mainly because

But occasionally there were problems. A

that was his name. He told us that if he had

Geoff Levene (W32)

friend of mine had a radio job to pick up a

deliveries going to, say, Stratford, Ilford and

Call Sign Online

three feet long terracotta plant holder. He got

Romford then he would go to Romford first!

it into the cab with no problem and arrived at

We didn't believe him but it was true and the

the customer's house in St Johns Wood. The

Beeb got wise. He was swiftly kicked off…

TAXI AIR

Call Sign’s Danny in British 10K run

CONDITIONING

anny Fresco has been

All makes and models

working on Call Sign’s

serviced and repaired

lay-out for as long as

Mobile service - we

Alan Fisher has been the Editor, so he

come to you!

deserves a worthy mention following his suc-

cessful run in the recent British 10k run

Call Mick Wheeler on

through the centre of London. It was the

eighth time he had run in the event.

020 8715 0079

Danny was running in aid of the Sue Lion

Covering London

Leukaemia Fund and completed the course

in a very respectable 55 minutes 37 seconds.

and the Home Counties

Call Sign August 2015

Page 20

London Taxidrivers’ Fund fo

LTFUC 20

f you thought you spotted a Honey Monster running around

Sainsbury’s (Low Hall) Chingford car park on the morning of 1st

July - the hottest day for nine years - you weren’t hallucinating

from the heat, he was there to have fun and to wave off 300

very excited children on the 49th LTFUC legendary annual outing to

Southend-on-Sea!

The Committee, together with 113 drivers including a number from Dial-a-Cab, arrived at 6am

to decorate their cabs. Sainsbury’s (Low Hall) kindly made us their charity for the year and we

are very grateful to Manager Andy Smith and his team for all their help and support throughout

the year, particularly on this outing. Special thanks also for letting us use their car park, supplying

breakfast and water for the outing and to the Sainsbury’s staff that came along in the cabs as

helpers.

On hand to entertain the children were clown Jolly Jack, the Furry Tail Folk, Miss

Ballooniverse and the Honey Monster from Halo Foods. Our sincere thanks to them all for

keeping the children entertained. We were also delighted to be joined by the Worshipful

Company of Tin Plate Workers (alias Wire Workers) in the shape of Master Jeremy Balcombe,

who was accompanied by Peter Wilkinson. Our thanks go also to the Mayor of Waltham Forest,

Cllr Saima Mahmud.

At 10am, the balloon-decorated taxi convoy set off with horns blaring. We were unable

to have a police escort this year, but thanks go to Police from the Valley Ward, NPT North

C Team; PS Tony How, PC Loraine Verghse, PC Karl Kitchen, PC Siraj Nasir, PC Sam Manzur

and PCSO Shashi Tailor for escorting us at the beginning. Thanks also to Green Flag and

the Red Cross for joining us and also Ears Communications for the loan of their radios for

the day.

We arrived in Southend just after midday and drove along the sea front to be greeted by hun-

dreds of waving sun worshippers, many who had left the beach to come and watch the convoy.

Many later sent lovely comments on social media. Arriving at Cliffs Pavilion, the children were

met by Southend’s adorable Salvo the Clown, more Furry Tail Folk and clown Jolly Jack and we

thank them all so much for entertaining the children in that severe heat, especially the furry clad

animals - phew!

After lunch the children were ferried down to Adventure Island for a fun filled afternoon and

we thank the management and staff there for their help and assistance. Thanks here must also go

to Brian Houssart MBE, Hon President of the Southend Taxi Charity Fund for Children for his

support in supplying the transport and also to Southend Council for the use of the Shorefield

Road car park.

As I walked around Adventure Island, all I could hear were screams of excitement! Vouchers had

been given for ice creams, donuts, candyfloss and drinks so no wonder the children had continu-

ous smiles on their ice cream covered faces! I must give extra special thanks to all the wonderful

drivers and helpers who made sure that the children were looked after. Special thanks also to Cab

104 Marvin Houston and his helper Michelle Scully for supplying a welcome extra 250 bottles

of water.

At 4.30, the tired and weary drivers and children returned to the Cliffs Pavilion for tea and a

disco, where we were delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Southend, Councillor

Andrew Moring and his wife Louise and we thank them for giving up their valuable time to be

with us.

Then it was time for the presentations by the Mayor and Mayoress. The best dressed taxi went to

Cab 52, Matthew Ellis. He won the Terry Stapleton Rose Bowl, a bottle of Champagne and a

voucher for £150 or a cab service and MOT. Out thanks to Vince White Taxis of Waltham Abbey

for donating this prize. Matthew’s helper, Faye, received a box of chocolates. Second prize for best

dressed taxi went to Cab 113, Bonnie McCormack and she received a Shield, a bottle of

Champers and her helper Megan received a box of chocolates. The third prize was a general draw

into which all the drivers’ names had been entered. The winner was Darren Pearson and he won

an overnight stay for two at Mayfair’s Connaught Hotel and our thanks go to the management for

their generous donation. Darren later told me it was the first outing he’d been on and he loved

it so much that he wondered whether we were doing one the following week!

Then it was disco time and we thank Dave Davies and his team who once again did a

Call Sign August 2015

Page 21

or Underprivileged Children

outhend Outing

magnificent job. There wasn’t a space on the dance floor and as much as try, I still can’t

master the Macarena! Out in the foyer, children were queuing to have their faces painted

and we thank brilliant face painters, Jacqueline Walsh of A Wacky Jackie and Hannah Clark

of Fable Faces. Thanks also to Jackie’s son Jake for doing the balloons. Southend’s Salvo

the clown was also in the foyer making balloons and had an endless queue all afternoon

and our grateful thanks go to him as well as the video team, Paul, Ellie and Victoria for

working tirelessly all day and capturing some magical moments. Special thanks go to

LBC’s Steve Allen for giving us some wonderful mentions on his morning show. They also

go to Heart Radio for their coverage and to Hayley Print for their very kind assistance.

Then there are our sponsors who we thank for their wonderfully generous support and we

include the anonymous donor who covered the costs of the driver’s diesel.

But all good things must come to an end and at 6pm a conga lead the children out of the room!

Before leaving, each child was handed a stick of Southend rock and we thank Councillor Paul

Van Looy for kindly donating these to the children. Sincere thanks as always to all our brilliant

helpers for taking care of the children, especially in such severe heat.

We have received numerous letters and emails since the outing and would like to share

one of them with you:

One of the taxi drivers, Claire, wrote saying: “The kids I met and cared for on the day

touched my heart. I’ve only ever helped blind people to cross the road before, so spend-

ing the day with a blind child literally opened my eyes to another side of the life that we

take for granted. I’m so proud to be a cabby and so proud to take part in such a beautiful

charity.”

Well Claire, we’re proud to have you and all the wonderful drivers who gave up a day’s work to

make this outing possible. Claire also informed us that a little boy called Lewis in cab number 50

had made a song up about the day and Abba’s I believe in Angels was changed to I believe in taxi

drivers. Pure magic!

We welcomed many new drivers this year, some who said they couldn’t wait for next

year! We can’t emphasise enough just how grateful we are to all of you. Without you, there

would be no outings!

Unfortunately, our Hon President Bill Tyzack BEM (ex-C06) and his wife Grace were unable

to join us on the day and due to circumstances beyond their control, Hon Chairman Sim

Yiannikaris (ex-E53) and two other committee members were also unable to be with us. All were

missed.

It was an amazing outing and the smiles on the children’s faces all day long were a joy to behold.

I know the children would want me to say a great big thank you to everyone for enabling this

magical day to take place. And of course, well done to the Committee on another great outing!

We’re proud to say that next year we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of our leg-

endary outings to Southend-on-Sea. So bring it on…!

Raymond Levy

LTFUC Press Officer

The Flower Mill

Creating Beautiful Flowers For Weddings

Tel:

07854 738895

Web: www.theflowermillessex.co.uk

Email: theflowermill@yahoo.co.uk

Covering Essex & The Surrounding Counties

“It is at the edge of a petal that love waits”- William Carlos Williams

Call Sign August 2015

Page 22

orman Beattie lives in Canada, but

s probably one of the world’s

Marie White mystery

biggest experts on the history of the

London taxi business. He often

sends interesting facts to Call Sign but a

Was Marie

recent piece forwarded onto us from the 19

White the first

May 1887 issue of Canadian newspaper, the

lady taxi driver?

St Andrews Bay Pilot - which Norman

believes was probably copied from a UK

This female

paper of the time - posed an interesting ques-

tion for this magazine involving former Dial-

Jehu who for

many years wore

a-Cab Board Member, Marie White.

Marie had come to DaC in 1983 via London

conspicuously

the badge of a

Wide - the forerunner to ComCab - and

replaced Alun Roberts in our 1988 Society

driver and held

the reins in skil-

elections. For almost two years, Marie ran the

DaC welfare scheme. But she was not only the

ful competition

with the men,

first DaC female BM, she had also been the

first female taxi driver to gain a coveted

who no doubt

vociferously

Green Badge - achieving that distinction in

along Bayswater Road. I did a u-turn, but

1977 when some of her biggest detractors

denounced her at cab stands and railway

when he saw me he apologised and told me

stations, has recently died, but not before

were actually the taxi drivers of the time! They

that the whistle was aimed at the cab and

were convinced that a lady taxi driver would

she demonstrated a woman’s rights.

not me personally!”

Norman was researching something totally

be bad news, often quoting the old chestnut

Her husband Jack had died some years earli-

unconnected and the clip just popped up on

about what if a male passenger wanted a lady

er and the sight of Marie with her pet terrier in

Google. So the question must be who this

of the night!

the front of the cab became a common sight

woman, described as *Jehu was?

But Marie wasn’t fazed; her husband Jack

with drivers as she couldn’t bear leaving it at

Norman told Call Sign: “I remember reading

was already a taxi driver and nothing was going

home alone. Marie became ill and died of can-

about Marie White, so the question is did this

to put her off. Her only problem was that she

cer in 1993, however her legacy as being the

1887 lady have a London badge or did other

didn’t like the idea of going around on a

first lady Green Badge driver lives on. But

municipalities issue them? Did she get the

moped, so she did the first 10 months of the

therein lays the new mystery…

badge legitimately or did she appropriate a

Knowledge in an Austin Mini and often spoke

The St Andrews Bay Pilot article from 1887

badge originally issued to a man? One would

about the number of times she was stopped by

read:

think she'd have to be legitimate given the hos-

police who would ask why she kept stopping

and starting. She once admitted to Call Sign

The only woman cab driver in England

tility to women documented in Phil Warren’s

has just died. Visitors to Epping Forest will

book and referred to in the snippet; it's not

that she was afraid that someone might accuse

her of looking for male clients!

recall, as one of the peculiar institutions of

likely she would have been allowed to get away

that vicinity, the female Jehu who for many

with anything illegal.

When she passed out, she and Jack became

the first-ever married couple to both drive a

years wore conspicuously the badge of a

“Sean Farrell may have to change the name

driver and held the reins in skilful competi-

of his column to Brethren and Sisteren of the

London taxi. Speaking to Call Sign many years

later, Marie smiled at the memory of male faces

tion with the men, who, no doubt, vocifer-

Whip! Seriously though, there must be quite a

when they saw a woman driver pull up at a

ously denounced at cab stands and railway

story behind her and Sean looks like the guy to

time when there was just her…

stations this demonstration of a woman's

dig it up.”

“I remember one gentleman whistling

rights.

*According to Wikipedia, someone who

through his teeth to attract my attention

Or, according to the Newtown Register (New

drove a horse-drawn cab for hire was

when I was going in the opposite direction

York) on 26 May 1887:

a cabdriver or Jehu.

Looking after your leased cab…

GETTING TO THE ‘HUB’ OF THE MATTER

“If you decide to lease your cab rather than buy it outright, there are some things I’ve learned along

the way that might be useful to others,” Mark D’Arcy (O44) told Call Sign. “While my own experi-

ences relate to the Mercedes Benz Vito, I would think similar guidelines probably apply to the

London Taxi Company TX4 as well.

“For instance, when you collect your new vehicle, the leasing terms will be made clear and in

the case of MB, they have produced a video explaining what they expect of their leaseholders.

These include very limited body damage and things like scuffed bumpers or scraped wheel caps

being pitfalls that leaseholders need to be aware of. As one example, the tight turns at St Pancras

Eurostar can be disastrous for hubcaps, so be cautious there.

“My only gripe is that the video features a commercial vehicle rather than a taxi, and while I

accept that a taxi is on the road an extended number of hours too, I believe that taxi drivers tend

to take that bit more care with their vehicle as it is in their own interests to do so!” Mark grinned

knowingly.

“So in my case, I spent £800 bringing my previous cab up to scratch before I took it back prior

to collecting my current taxi. I had the bodywork brought back to MB requirements and gener-

ally made sure things were neat and tidy - all at my own expense. When I collected my new cab

a few days ago, I immediately put the brand-new hub-caps supplied with the new taxi onto my old

vehicle as I handed it back. Then I placed the old hubcaps that I had taken great care of, onto my new cab. If you leave the old

hubcaps on, MB will possibly charge you £58 for each one - a staggering £232 for the four - and any bodywork repairs will be at Merc’s charges. So you

may find yourself better off to have any work done yourself to bring the cab up to scratch before you swap it for a new leased cab.

“The old KPM didn’t seem to be quite so picky, but MB appears to have tightened their Terms and Conditions, so it pays to be careful and know the

score or you may find an unwelcome letter on your doormat several days after returning a lease cab in which MB will say they have had to bring the

cab up to return standard. This can be potentially costly!

“Yes, perhaps I am over-cautious, but that’s better than being at the mercy of Mercedes Benz; so the watchword has to be: Carefully does it!”

Then Mark drove off - very carefully - with his unmarked hubcaps still glistening!

Alan Green (E52), Call Sign Online

Call Sign August 2015

Page 23

Boxing trainer and 10-year Dial-

In a sensational championship winning month for DaC’s boxing trainer,

a-Cab driver Alec Wilkey (W83)

Alec Wilkey…

has told Call Sign that his fight-

ers had “a successful May.”

ARETI UNIFIES

Sorry to disagree Alec, but

after four of his fighters picked

up titles in the space of a week,

THREE WORLD TITLES!

we would call that absolutely

Alec (centre) and his

sensational!

Championship winning

But it has to be ladies first because his first

stable with Areti proudly

female boxer, Greek fighter Areti

holding her 3 World

Mastrodouka sensationally captured three

Championship belts!

World Titles in her hometown of Athens after

beating her Spanish opponent, Loli Munoz,

But Alec Wilkey’s stable still

via a unanimous points decision. Areti came

hadn’t finished in this sensa-

away with the WBF, WIBF and GBU World

tional month when welter-

Championship belts after an exciting super-

weight Adam ‘Raw’ Salman

featherweight unification match at the

scored a sensational KO victory

Panathinaikos FC stadium hall. At the final

on the same show, halting

bell, it was unmistakably Mastrodouka’s hand

Michal Voskya with 1 second

that would be raised by referee Toni Tiberi.

left of the first round to take

All 3 judges voted in her favour and the

the 3rd round. The referee was forced to stop

the vacant International Bronze Masters

Greek southpaw was presented with the WBF

the contest and Connor was declared the

title. Salman proved too quick and strong for

and WIBF belts to the delight of the Athens

new champion!

Voskya after landing heavy right hands

crowd to add to the World GBU title she won

The third of Alec’s fighters to take a title

throughout and with Voskya flagging on the

last time out. She can now really call herself

came when 22 year old Johnny Coyle won

ropes, the Morden man pounced and

the World Champion!

the Light-Welterweight Southern Area belt

unloaded a barrage of punches causing refer-

Another fighter from Alec’s stable, former

at York Hall after beating the previously

ee Lee Cook to step in and save Voskya further

Southern Area Champion Danny Connor,

undefeated Phil Bowes. Southpaw Coyle

punishment.

captured the British Masters Lightweight

showed his superior boxing skills, especially

Congratulations to Alec, to his fighters and

title at York Hall by stopping Andy Harris in

on the inside with his uppercuts and hooks.

especially his World Champion, Areti

the 3rd round after Harris suffered a cut

Johnny claimed the title over the 10 rounds,

Mastrodouka…

above his left eye. Connor, 29, displayed slick

although the slick Bowes remained a constant

boxing skills set up by an effective jab and

threat. Alec told Call Sign that he believes

landed punches at will to cause damage to

David Wilkey

Johnny Coyle now looks ready to fight for big-

Harris, including a real stand-out uppercut in

Call Sign Online

ger titles.

In this series, Cab Guide, City of London Guide and City of

flat on the floor above no longer had support,

causing one corner of the block to rip through

Westminster Guide Bob Woodford looks at infamous peace

and collapse like dominoes just before 6am. It

time London explosions…

resulted in the deaths of 5 people that morning.

It happened when most people were still asleep,

but had it been an hour or so later with many in

their kitchens having breakfast, the death toll

could have been very much higher. Amazingly,

Ivy Hodge survived the blast and was later treat-

ed in hospital for shock, cuts and burns. But

Blast!

she’d had a very lucky escape and many of her

neighbours were left wandering around at

ground floor level in their nightclothes even

though the lifts had stopped working, totally

dazed and confused.

uring World War Two, about 25% of the housing in the old London Borough of

Volunteers at a nearby school handed out food

West Ham was destroyed as a result of enemy bombing, In fact, some 14,000 houses

and clothing for those who were immediately

were destroyed and over 500 acres of land was cleared following a devastating Blitz

made homeless and police cordoned off the area

period. Most of the houses that survived were in poor condition and without mod-

to locate other survivors and secure the public

ern amenities. How many Call Sign readers are old enough to remember outside toilets?

from further danger. Local stevedores and dock-

In the post-war period, the Council implemented modern building programmes but by 1965 when

ers were quick to respond to help clear the rubble

the London Borough of Newham came into being, there were around 8,000 names on the Council's

as doctors and nurses helped treat the injured.

housing list. So a reminder to those not too familiar with East London local authority politics - the old

Home Secretary James Callaghan was on

Boroughs of West Ham and East Ham were combined to provide the new Borough of Newham. The

the scene within hours and immediately

Architects, Taylor Woodrow Anglian, used the newly developed Larsen-Nielson System, which was

a rapid industrial building technique providing a solution to the housing shortage using a high degree

ordered a team of experts to find the cause

of prefabrication. It was chosen for the construction of over 1,000 new homes in Newham.

within 24 hours. An inquiry into the cause

The first phase of the rebuilding programme started with the demolition of the Clever

of the disaster discovered that gas had

Road area of Custom House - the result being that Ronan Point in Butchers Road was one of

escaped into the flat due to a sub-standard

nine identical tower blocks that were constructed.

brass nut joining the flexible connection

They all stood over 200 feet tall, with 22 floors and containing 110 flats. Ronan Point was assem-

from the gas cooker to the gas supply pipe,

bled from pre-fabricated concrete panels lifted into position by crane and held together by bolts. It was

and the explosion occurred when Miss

an easily assembled structure that was more like a giant Meccano set than a serious work of architec-

Hodge struck a match to light her cooker.

ture. It was handed over to Newham Council on 11 March 1968 and like most 12-year old boys, I had

Younger readers need not go in search for

hours of fun with my own Meccano set back home in Bermondsey.

Ronan Point and its neighboring 8 tower blocks

But disaster struck at approximately 5.45am on Thursday 16th May 1968 on the 18th floor

- they were demolished in 1986.

flat rented by a 56-year-old cake decorator, Miss Ivy Hodge, when there was a Blast!

Bob Woodford

The force of the explosion blew out the non-load bearing walls of the kitchen and living room and

also the load bearing outer walls of the kitchen and bedroom. The consequence of this was the corner

Call Sign Online

Call Sign August 2015

Page 24

It was sad to hear of the death of Sid Gold

Following the death of DaC stalwart Sid Gold at the age of 93,

(E20). I only met Sid once other than in pass-

Allen Togwell looks back at a time long since gone…

ing and that occasion was, oddly enough,

when I felt sympathetic towards someone

being punished for breaking the rules.

It was nearly 30 years ago. I had just

joined the Board and was fairly new to

Sid Gold

chairing Complaints meetings. On the list

of one such meeting was Sid Gold. It was

in the days of two way voice dispatching

and there was a gap between when the

and the Finz!

Moorgate Rank finished and the Finsbury

Rank started. During that gap, several

ed the trip. When Sid arrived outside the door,

lucrative trips were dispatched from

there were several very irate faces waiting, fists

known addresses within the city. It was

were thrown and that continued into the

also in the days of the notorious Finsbury

reception. But Sid didn’t back off, bruised and

Mafia.

battered he met the passenger and completed

I personally only went on the Finz once;

the trip.

that was when I first joined the circuit to get

The faces however, intent on controlling the

experience of how the various ranks would

Finz, used the rules ironically that they were

benefit me. And on that one occasion I was on

forever breaking and put Sid on complaint for

the rank, multiple jobs were called and I was

giving a false position. The Complaints officer

allocated a trip to Gravesend from Royex

at that time said he had no choice but to put

House. I was in the process of taking details

Sid in front of a Complaints committee - and

from Barbara on the back channel when one

one that I chaired.

of the faces in front of me stuck his head in my

Sid didn’t deny it and after lengthy delibera-

cab and said to me: “Are you new on the circuit

tions by the committee, I had the unfortunate

mate?” I said yes. He then said: “Well, er, Fred

task of telling Sid he was being suspended for

here does the Gravesend’s and you will do

On the day in question, a regular trip came

two weeks. He didn’t complain and accepted

Bromley.”

out from a City address at

8:45 to

the punishment like a gentleman.

I still had my finger on the button and asked

Sittingbourne. The dispatcher was taking

positions from the faces who had it all set up,

As for the actions of the faces against Sid, it

Barbara if she’d heard it? She said yes and the

didn’t do them any favours because several

guy walked away.

when suddenly out of the blue the dispatcher

weeks later after details of the incident had

I didn’t go on there again; I just couldn’t

heard Sid come in with his E20 call sign.

reached the Head of Transport, the account

be doing with all the agro. But not Mr Gold!

“Where are you E20,” asked the dispatcher?

was closed.

He was apparently getting fed up with all

Sid said he was outside the door, when in actu-

the shenanigans going on and decided to

al fact and unbeknown to the dispatcher, he

Allen Togwell

play the faces at their own game.

was about two miles away. But he was allocat-

Call Sign Online

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 is from the July 2006

Call Sign…

THE SUFFRAJETS (AND??) TO BLOW AWAY

THE CHARTS!

From their rehearsal studio in Corsham Street behind DaCs HQ at Brunswick

House, four gorgeous, feisty young ladies transform themselves into a mind-blowing

all-girl hard rock group whose latest single, Worthy, is about to storm up the charts.

These are The Suffrajets.

Worthy has been playing on MTV and VH1 before even hitting the stores and is a

hot favourite that according to pop music Bible NME is a certainty to hit the number

one spot! The Suffrajets started out as an idea in the minds of two thirteen year old

teenagers - Gemma and Alex Gillings. They had long fantasised about being in a

band instead of doing schoolwork! But fantasies sometimes come true and at the

age of 19 they signed up with Sony Records and recorded in Los Angeles

with Mark Stein, Tim Bogert, Vince Martell and the man described by many as

the world’s greatest drummer, Carmine Appice - together better known as Vanilla Fu

A Channel Four documentary - We Are The Suffrajets - followed them on the roa

band had for their music, whilst exposing them to a whole new audience. Even legendary Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson became a fan of the

band, booking them in for several sessions on his northern radio show. But just as things were taking off, the band suffered a tour bus accident on the

M25 that saw them nursing broken bones. Soon after, Gemma left to join Pete Doherty’s Babyshambles, playing to huge crowds and attracting media

interest. But she missed The Suffrajets and as soon as they were back in one piece, she returned!

Speaking to the girls, their friendliness and willingness to pose for a Call Sign photo shoot or just talk to a magazine that they knew hardly had a

huge circulation, impressed us. Perhaps it was the honour of being photographed with Chairman Brian Rice! We think they’ll go far.

Brian told Call Sign: “They are really nice girls who look as though they have the ambition and talent to go a long way. If ever they want

a taxi, they know where to come. And I’m always happy to hold Gemma’s stick…!”

Photo: L - R Alex Gillings (rhythm guitar/vocals), Vicky Kingston (bass guitar), Gemma Clarke (drums - together with a strange looking

man in a suit holding her stick) and Claire Wakeman (lead guitar/Vocals)

Call Sign August 2015

Page 25

aC driver Sean Farrell (B39) looks at trade history from a different angle

Brethren of the Whip

taxi meter said they would go bust if the patent

women” would harangue any man in civilian

1915

were to be suspended, but the Comptroller of

clothes and give him a white feather to show

Last

August,

the Patent Court didn’t believe them and

that he was a coward for not being in uniform.

Brethren of the

allowed the LMCPA to pursue their plan.

It was too much for Richard Roberts - he com-

Whip looked back

Cabs were becoming scarce as more and

mitted suicide that evening.

100 years to the

more cabmen signed up to join the Army.

1915 also saw London bombed from the

start of the Great

Over

3000 cab drivers from London

air for the first time ever. In a Zeppelin raid

War and its effect

(around a quarter) had already joined the

on 13th October, an unidentified cabman

upon the taxi trade.

colours and recruiting sergeants were regu-

who wasn’t working at the time was found

This August we

larly seen trying to enlist more cabmen

dead in the street having died from blast

once again go back

whose expertise in driving and basic

injuries.

a century and look

mechanics would be invaluable to trans-

at how the trade was bearing up to the first

port regiments. Those drivers joining up

Whistling for a cab…treason!

full year of war.

left just a few driving the cabs and one

With the ever-increasing numbers of soldiers

The only meter in use in taxicabs was the

large cab firm claimed they had 300 cabs

returning from the front with injuries, more

German manufactured Bruhm meter. That

sitting idle in their yard. There were calls

and more buildings were being converted

caused much resentment among drivers and

for women to fill this gap.

into hospitals and convalescent homes. Such

their passengers. The secretary of the London

For the first time, women were going into

places were to be found all over London but

Motor Cab Proprietors Association asked

occupations that had been a male reserve since

all suffered from the same blight - the cab

that the patent protecting the hiring rights of

time immemorial. No trade or profession -

whistle! It had been custom for porters and

the meter and of its design be suspended. The

except for London taxis - was beyond these

linkmen to give a series of blasts for a cab -

LMCPA proposed that they form a manufactur-

early pioneers of female emancipation. The

one for a taxicab, two for a Hansom and

ing company with the proprietors being the

Home Secretary was repeatedly asked why no

three for a growler! With fewer cabs on the

shareholders. The English distributors of the

women were permitted to drive, his only

road, competition between the porters and

response being that the Commissioner of

linkmen to get a cab increased into a cacoph-

Tweet of

Police would not licence them. It was later

ony of noise that lasted most of the night -

revealed that as a condition of the enlistment of

much to the disturbance of the wounded sol-

the month

cab drivers and other transport workers, there

diers. Hundreds of column inches were writ-

Call Sign is often sent copies of Tweets

would be no change to licensing conditions

ten on “The Cab Whistle Menace.” Eventually

whilst they were away fighting. This appears to

a law was passed that made it illegal to whis-

doing the rounds, but we think that this

be the only reason why women were not dri-

tle for a cab (in case it was confused with an

one deserves an award as Tweet of the

ving cabs. Why temporary measures could not

air raid siren warning)! It was included with-

Month as it shows Uber to be a

be introduced for the duration of the war does

in the Defence of the Realm Act. Whistling for

“young” company. That’s probably why

not seem to have been considered.

a cab could then be classed as treason.

they had the excellent LTDA radio ads

War conditions caused their own problems

banned by the Advertising Standards

Sean Farrell (B39)

on the streets where black-outs were main-

Authority. The ads told how good taxis

Call Sign Online

tained during the hours of darkness. Quite a

were… but should have mentioned how

number of people were allegedly killed after

young Uber drivers were!

being hit by cabs in the darkened London

streets, including several soldiers on leave from

the trenches. Unfortunately, in a number of

these cases the driver did not stop. Some were

eventually caught but others appear to have

escaped punishment.

Henry Phillips hit and killed an 82 year

old woman whilst driving on the wrong

side of Harrow Road. He didn’t stop, but

not too far away he crashed his cab into a

lamppost. When the police arrived, they

found him to be drunk. In court the 27 year

old pleaded guilty to manslaughter and

amazingly he was spared a prison sentence.

Mr Justice Darling remarked that although

the cabman was a married man, he could

perhaps redeem his character by joining

the army and perhaps inspire men younger

than him that they should do something for

their country.

One man who tried to enlist was Richard

Roberts, but he failed the medical because of a

weak heart and he feared his cab driver’s

licence might be taken away from him. In July

1915, two women insulted Richard for enjoy-

ing the easy life whilst men were dying fighting

for his freedom. These

“white feather

Call Sign August 2015

Page 26

Call Sign recently heard that Dial-a-

Cab’s longest serving driver had

Alan Lewis:

turned 80 and although he doesn’t

go out quite as much as he used to,

Alan Lewis (A44) does still go out

onto those London roads to cover

53 years on DaC!

work - just as he has been doing

since joining what was then the

The young Alan

Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service

and his TX3

about to join

on 30th August 1962. On day one

ODRTS in 1962

he became A44 and retains that

same callsign.

The sprightly 80-year old, who looks

much younger and with a clarity of mind

belying his years, told Call Sign of the

days when our offices were at

172

Pentonville Road by the corner of

for the day and

Affleck Street and about Alan’s Cafe,

expect the same cab

which was owned by Aldo Boca and just

to be waiting for him

across the street. The young Alan Lewis

upon his return!

and his ODRTS friends would all meet up

“That same sce-

there for tea breaks and a natter. In fact,

nario could happen

during the really early days, Founder-

at Victoria Station

Chairman Bonnie Martyn would have

also when the client

Board meetings there! Renowned DaC

decided to visit

names and stories from the past flowed

Brighton or even the

from Alan’s tongue as if it were only yes-

continent!

There

terday. Former Chairmen Jack Taylor and

well. But little touches of humanity such as

was no Eurostar in those days - or the type

Martin Gellman were just two of them.

those can make you feel that bit better.”

of traffic wardens we get nowadays!

“The Boca brothers started on the

Talking of the time he bought his first

So why does he still go out to work?

Knowledge after we cab drivers began visit-

cab, Alan said he had bought a four-year

“Well to be honest, I can’t stand shopping

ing their cafe. We’d go into the ODRTS

old FX3 from Levy’s Garage at York Way

whereas Helen does like it. So she goes out

radio office to collect our credit money and

in 1960. “In those days you had to wrap up

to the shops and I go to work! Then we’re

then nip across the road for a cuppa and a

really warm in the winter or you could

both happy!”

chat,” he continued. “I actually brokered a

freeze. Fingers and toes would often go

Alan’s hobby is playing Bridge. “Perhaps

‘marriage’ there between Bill Tyzack (ex-

numb and there were draughts every-

when I do eventually decide to hang up

C06), who was looking for a day-man to

where!” “Today’s cab is like travelling exec-

my -, I will have more time to pursue the

share his cab with and a friend of mine,

utive class by comparison!”

game. But I don’t foresee that happening

Harry Barrs, who was looking for a night-

Alan went on to recall some of the more

anytime too soon, because it would involve

man to work with. I was also partners with

eccentric account clients of those distant

leaving DaC and that would be hard - very

my late brother Phil Lewis, a nightman

times, including one individual who he

hard indeed.”

known as Phil the Pipe, before going on my

said would book a cab to Liverpool Street

Currently Alan’s health hasn’t been the

own for a few years and then joining up

Station as a wait and return. The client

best and we wish him well…

with Laurie Klein for over 30 years.”

would then put a chalk mark on the tyre of

Going onto Dial-a-Cab specifically, Alan

the cab to ensure the cab did not go any-

Baghwat Singh

added: “I absolutely love it; I would not be

where and then he would go to Cambridge

without the radio

- not just any radio

Call Sign Online

because ours is by far the best. I know you

would expect me to say that, but it’s none

the less true! It isn’t just the work, it’s how

we are treated.

“For example, when I had an eye opera-

tion for a detached retina some years ago,

DaC Chairman Brian Rice personally

phoned to chat and check on my welfare,

which I thought was really nice and it cer-

tainly impressed my wife Helen into the

bargain!

“Then there was the time I developed a

serious illness and there were rumblings

about me possibly having to leave the cir-

cuit because I was unable to complete my

quota of trips. It was very busy at the time

and terminals were in short supply. To his

eternal credit, Call Sign Editor, Alan

Fisher was instrumental in keeping me on

the circuit and I have never forgotten that

gesture.” Alan’s voice broke with emotion

as he thought back to those times.

They were tough times back then and of

course it was really hard on the family as

Call Sign August 2015

Page 27

Primary sponsor: Grahame

Morris. Other sponsors were

MARC AT THE

John McDonnell, Ian Lavery,

Teresa Pearce, Jeremy Corbyn

and Kate Hoey.

HOUSE FOR ED 142

An Early Day Motion is a motion

expressed as a single sentence

Early Day Motion 142: Passenger Safety

and tabled by Members of Parliament that

formally calls for debate “on an early day.”

and Private Hire Industry Regulation

Although they do not get debated in the

House too often, they often draw attention

to particular subjects of interest. In this

case, London taxi drivers were lobbying

MPs on passenger safety and PH regulation

and to define plying for hire.

Several of the drivers were from Dial-

a-Cab including Marc Turner

(R97),

Chris Allen (Y27) and Adam McGann

(J09). Marc told Call Sign about the day

when London’s finest lobbied MPs for

ED 142…

“In every dustbin there's a ‘daffodil’.

On Tuesday 14th July, in the elegant

grandeur of Committee Room 11 at the

House of Commons I observed the

blooming of a daffodil that may ulti-

mately save our trade.

We were all assembled for a lobbying /

meeting regarding EDM 142, an initiative

two years into the making of Mike Bailey,

Chairman of RMT taxi division and John

McDonnell MP (Hayes & Harlington) to

define and enshrine in law our exclusive

right to ply for hire. The occasion was

Marc outside the HoC expressing the views of most taxi drivers

graced by participation of 8 labour MPs,

amongst them was father of the House

A fellow driver next to me,

86 years

and minicab industry; supports the

Gerald Kaufman, Mayoral candidate

young Bob, clapped and hollered like he

existing regulations whereby private

David Lammy (Tottenham), former taxi

had another 86 years left in him. Most trade

hire vehicles (PHVs) may only pick up

driver of 11 years Clive Efford (Eltham)

reps spoke; the LTDA, Unite and GMB.

passengers when pre-booked rather

and to my absolute delight, my own MP

LCDC Chairman Grant Davis best con-

than from a rank or in response to

Wes Streeting (Ilford North) who probably

veyed my feelings when telling all those

being hailed; recognises that such regu-

has the highest number of taxi driving con-

present how he now felt more optimistic

lations provide passengers with impor-

stituents in the land!

for the future of our trade now than he had

tant safety protections against unregu-

The Tories were conspicuous by their

prior to his arrival that day.

lated drivers who have not undergone

absence! Helen Chapman

(TfL) also

So Dial-a-Cab drivers and indeed

extensive criminal record and medical

attended and at times appeared rather

those who read Call Sign online, it’s up

checks or had to pass a formal taxi

uncomfortable at the continual lambasting

to us to now urge our MPs to sign and

driving assessment like licensed taxi

of her masters. Lewis Norton (RMT branch

support EDM 142. With its hopefully

drivers; welcomes Transport for

secretary) impressed - he being a young

eventual placement in law, it will be eas-

London's public opposition to any move

man who has held his badge for just 3 years.

ier to get to grips with tech disruptors

to confuse the distinction between the

He made the point that putting into law our

who are currently riding roughshod

two services; notes with concern, that in

right to ply for hire would define terms and

over us.

spite of this, TfL is failing to carry out

conditions of our employment. Every other

Can I also add a thank you to RMT

its licensing and enforcement functions

industry has them, so why not us?

Chairman Mike Bailey. I had turned up

and is allowing PHVs to operate within

David Lammy MP, a man of obvious orato-

with Chris Allen at Parliament not expect-

the immediate hire market; believes

ry stature honed during his years as a bar-

ing to be allowed in, so we would like to

that this is primarily due to the absence

rister, held the room in raptures until veer-

thank Mike for facilitating our entry - even

of a statutory definition of plying for

ing off into electioneering and was then

though the HoC security took away my

hire; further believes that this will

abruptly halted by an indignant RMT com-

whistle! I had it for the RMT procession that

undermine public confidence in a safe

mittee member. David spoke of his time as a

took place from TfL’s Windsor House in

and secure licensing regime and will

young man in Tottenham and how his

Victoria Street to Parliament itself.

ultimately undermine the viability of

mother would have gone ballistic had he

Unfortunately I was a bit late and missed

the current taxi service; further notes

used a black cab; until he discovered for

the walk, but security gave me a receipt for

that the number of people applying to

himself of taxis being one of the joys of life!

my whistle when they confiscated it and

study The Knowledge, the geographical

During the meeting, everyone that wanted

returned it on my way out! All very civilised

training for licensed taxi drivers, fell

to speak had their say. One topical question

as you’d expect from the Mother of all

from 3,326 in 2012 when Uber started

asked from the floor was whether the recent

Parliaments…

operating in London, to 2,159 last year;

UCG demos were working, to which John

To everyone out there, be lucky...”

and calls on the Government to bring

McDonnell replied that whilst he wouldn't

The wording of ED 142 was:

forward urgent legislation which pro-

have wanted to see us all arrested, the

That this House is concerned that

vides a clear statutory definition to

demos did work. The resulting applause was

smartphone apps such as Uber are cir-

protect the distinction between taxis

deafening… not to mention heartening!

cumventing the law governing the taxi

and PHVs.

Call Sign August 2015

Page 28

OPERATIONS AND COMPLIANCE

It is even more important during the

Hello Ladies & Gents,

With Allan Evans

present climate that all trips are regularly

monitored and run-ins and booking-in

Price policy and

procedures are correctly followed. Clients

have regular access to trip reports that

longer trips…

show this information and I am sure you

The competition are offering prices that are

agree that it is very important that the

difficult to compete with, so much so that our

data is true and correct.

new fixed price policy is quite probably more

important than ever before if we are to make

the positive inroads into the existing market.

‘Street’ credit card

We know that there are many clients who

trips

prefer to use our taxis and with our new pric-

Can I please remind you that if you’re clear-

ing policy we have certainly been offering some

ing a ‘Street’ card trip, it is most important

longer trips to you, the Dial-a-Cab members.

not to allow the passenger to leave your taxi

Many more airport trips are going to licensed

without first checking that the trip has

taxis and we hope that the increase in numbers

cleared correctly. If the receipt is void or the

will continue as the year progresses.

transaction has been cancelled and the

Please remember that all Fixed Prices are

you will continue to support it.

authorisation code is not showing, the pay-

rejectable without penalty. They are based on

ment has failed. With an authorisation, the

It is time that we tried to regain some of

the most direct routes to be as competitive as

trip can be processed manually at this end if

the longer trips and put them back into our

possible and like any other similar type trip,

necessary; equally, with a printed and signed

taxis, journeys that will take you home or

so long as you accept the price in good faith

manual receipt, the trips can also be present-

bring you in. It is, I believe, what many of our

then the route you take is not set in stone.

ed to the clearing bank.

regular account customers would prefer if

At this particular time, we are concentrat-

given the choice.

ing on trips to all airports as well as journeys

Holidays

going to and coming in from areas outside of

I guess by now many of you are looking for-

the M25. If during the journey you are asked

New logos

ward to a hard earned holiday after what can

to go onto a further location, please contact

The new logos and seat ads are now available

only be described as a particularly volatile

the dispatchers who have the ability to check

to be fitted at Roman Way and it will make

year in our trade. Hopefully it will help to

and amend the price if need be.

much more of an impact if as many of you as

recharge your batteries for a much busier

It really is important to bear in mind that

possible display them on your taxis.

period when the schools return to normal…

without your help, this will not work; but

It seems that just lately there are a number of

Allan Evans

after talking to many drivers over recent

vehicles that have been spotted without the

months, it does seem that most of you are in

DaC logo and as you are aware, it is a rule of the

DaC Operations /

agreement with this project and I hope that

Society that all cabs display them at all times.

Compliance Manager

Complaints results

A complaints meeting took place at DaC House on Tuesday 21 July 2015. These are the results.

NFA means no further action…

Name/call sign

Description

Verdict

Anthony Coleman (J06)

Driver books into SW19 for long

2. Warning

periods of time and accepts a

3. Severe reprimand

regular trip, rejecting many

6. 2 weeks susp

alternative trips in the zone.

11. 1 week susp

Rules: 2, 3, 6, 11

Richard Levy (Z50)

Driver repeatedly signs on at

2. Reprimand

home address in E50N, puts

3. NFA

meter on and STC EC2. Rules

11. 2 week susp

say you must be able to reach

furthest point of zone in 15 mins.

Rules: 2, 3, 11

Ronnie Taylor (F88)

Driver regularly books into EC5

2. Reprimand

from various locations when

3. Reprimand

outside the zone. Rules say you

11. 3 week susp

must be in EC zones for EC5.

Rules: 2, 3, 11

James Forrest (P05)

Driver booked in WW00 from

2. Reprimand

Hammersmith flyover, at M4

3. Reprimand

(junc 1) and M4 (junc 2). Rules

11. 3 week susp

say you must be within Perimeter Road

Rules: 2, 3, 11

Call Sign August 2015

Page 29

he recent series of demonstrations

The United Cabbies Group explains…

by London’s taxi drivers against

Transport for London were finally

being taken seriously by the Mayor

Why taxi demos were cancelled

and his underlings at City Hall, even to

Tom Watson MP

the point where drivers sporting the

Totally Failing London stickers on rear

cab windscreens were having their photos

taken and receiving warning letters from

the licensing authority. The trade organi-

sation behind the original demos was the

United Cabbies Group and they have now

put out a press release signed by UCG sec-

retary Angela Clarkson explaining why

the protests that had been scheduled for

a further two dates in July, were can-

Merralls,

our

celled. This followed a UCG meeting with

C a m p a i g n

West Bromwich MP Tom Watson, who

Manager, made

offered to help but said that the demos

it clear that we

needed to be put on hold first…

reserved

the

right to resume

“As you are aware, the UCG Committee

action at any

took the decision last Wednesday to suspend

time and with-

the demos planned for July 14th and July

1. He would write without delay to inform

out

notice

28th. This decision received a mixed reac-

the Mayor he had now taken up our con-

should our agreement be broken.

tion. The main reason for the disappoint-

cerns against TfL. As he said in the letter, he

However having met Tom twice, I do not

ment / incredulity from some members and

could see we had genuine concerns about an

think he will let us down in anyway. Had this

non-members was understandable; they

inadequate regulator and demanded to know

offer come from another politician, we would

thought the reason we had suspended action

why an MP from West Bromwich had more

have refused point blank. Every trade organi-

was because MP Tom Watson was going to

interest to help the iconic London Black Cab

sation at the inaugural meeting with Tom

write a ‘Get a grip’ letter to Boris. That was

than the Mayor of the very city they work in?

Watson found him to be a man of integrity

not and is not the case. The letter to Boris

2. He will meet with the new Chair of the

and trustworthy. This brings me onto the

was merely the first of a list of assurances

Parliamentary

Transport

Select

next reason for our decision.

received from Tom.

Committee to discuss the less than transpar-

Trade unity is the keystone to the success

We were asked not to divulge the

ent relationship between TfL and Uber. As

of our battle with TfL. It is also the thing that

details of the meeting in order that pro-

we all know, something is - shall we say - curi-

TfL do not want. They thrive on fragmenta-

cedures could be put in place. We are now

ous about the inaction of TfL to ban Uber

tion. All agreed on June 15th that we would

in a position to give full details of our

when so much evidence is available.

like Tom to help us. Had we continued with

meeting of July 1st where Tom Watson

3. He will ask the Transport Select

direct action after getting a senior politician

gave us the following assurances:

Committee to conduct a full inquiry into TfL,

to fight our corner, it may have destroyed the

their management and the findings of the

unity built up during the last few weeks. The

GLA Report that found them ‘not fit for pur-

aim of the demos was to bring to the atten-

JIMMY

pose’ and ‘woefully inadequate’. Those of you

tion of and seek help from the highest body

that have seen a Parliamentary Select

in the land and this was achieved much more

Committee in action will know that these

quickly than we could have envisaged. We

PULLUM

people have teeth and bite extremely hard.

gave ourselves five demos to start with, but

No one relishes being called in front of a

achieved it in three because of the incredible

Jimmy Pullum

Select Committee.

support from the trade. Drivers from ALL

Senior left Dial-

4. He will table questions to Parliament,

orgs stepped up to the plate and got us to

a-Cab in July

both written and spoken. Three questions

where we are now. This would have been

2008 and within

have been sent to the Secretary of State for

impossible without their help.

3 years had

Transport already. These were:

Finally, may I say Uber is not the prob-

retired altogeth-

1. 2nd July: What discussions has the Dept

lem, they are simply a symptom of the

er from the

for Transport had with representatives of TfL,

disease known as TfL. Sort out TfL and

trade. Sadly,

the Mayor, the Licenced London Taxi Trade

you sort out Uber.

Jimmy was

and Uber in the last 12 months?

So ask yourselves one question. What is

later struck

2. 2nd July: Will he place in the Commons

more likely to bring TfL to account; two fur-

down with

Library all correspondence between his

ther demos by us or intervention by

cancer but as if to show that he wasn’t

department and Uber within the last

Parliament, which can change laws and the

forgotten, his cremation service on July

months.

structure of our so-called regulator?

21 at Eltham took place in a hall where

3. 3rd July: Will he bring forward legisla-

We are currently lobbying London MPs

not only was every seat taken, but

tion to amend the definition of plying for hire

directly and the fruit of that should be

many were left standing in any available

in the Taxi industry.

announced soon. We are also in discussion

spaces that they could find. The car

He will also ask questions on the floor of

with other Hackney Carriage organisations in

park was filled with taxis, many bearing

the House where, under Parliamentary

London and crucially, nationally. An escala-

the DaC logo.

Privilege, the most searching and embarrass-

tion may involve co-ordinated action with

A poignant piece from Jim’s son and

ing questions can be asked and answers

these nationwide organisations.

daughter, Jimmy Junior and Suzanne

sought. Tom Watson was the MP that exposed

Ladies and gents, we made a judgement

brought tears to many and showed

phone hacking in the Murdoch empire and

call and think we have called correctly. If we

how missed Jimmy will be.

also the Westminster Paedophile Ring. He is a

do not see progress in sensible timescales

To all his family, we send the con-

man who fights for truth and transparency.

(always mindful that there is a parliamentary

dolences of everyone at Dial-a-Cab.

Tom’s reputation and the assurances he

recess in a few weeks) we will invoke our

RIP Jim…

gave were the reasons we decided to give

right to resume direct action. We will update

him a chance to do what is needed. Trevor

you on the situation as it unfolds.”

Call Sign August 2015

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House

or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

Heart and

where's my money!” On a packed street with

ories of Dad's time with ODRTS as it was

people suddenly watching, that did the trick

and how much Dad truly loved being on

heartless…

- although probably only because she had

the circuit.

Hi Alan

just withdrawn some.

I remember his good friend Bernie

I thought I would keep you up-to-date with

She is overweight, not very clean, wears a

Conway who became a dispatcher and

my medical condition. On or around 23rd

Parker coat, has a passing resemblance to

how Dad would sign on in the old days by

May 2015 I received a phone call from TfL

Waynetta

(the character from Harry

pushing a little round black button on the

giving me news of results they had received

Enfield’s show) and looks a bit like you’d

dashboard of his cab and say: “How's me?”

from their medical assessment department.

imagine a druggie would look like. Judging

The banter over the radio waves was like

Low and behold it wasn't good news for

by the end of Roy’s article, I doubt we’ll be

listening in to a huge family rather than a

me. The nice lady at the end of the phone

troubled by her again…

company. Dad smiled so much when work-

explained that it would be best for me to

Jon Robinson (E88)

ing with you guys. He loved being a

send in my Badge voluntarily, rather than

Anyone have a story about an unusual

London cabbie and told so many stories

TfL having to inform me by post. So I sent

bilk? I suppose I could always tell you

from a lifetime out there on the streets.

it in voluntarily - but they still then wrote

about my bilk to Manchester! …Ed

There were his early days in a Beardmore

asking me to surrender it!

taxi and the time he took a fare all the way

The reason for all this was because after

to Bradford, only to have the passenger -

my medical last October and following

Sharing a new cab

who had said he was ill - jump from the taxi

some tests, the doctors said that my heart

Hi Alan,

at the other end, run into a house, never to

muscle was only working at 20 to 25%.

After reading the July Call Sign, I’m glad to

be seen again! When Dad called the police,

On the medical form it says the LVEF

see I’m not the only driver thinking of shar-

the people in the house denied ever seeing

(Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction) should

ing a cab due to the way things are at the

anyone going in there. Dad was skint as his

have a reading of 40% minimum. Hence

moment. Please add me to the list in the next

money had gone into buying the petrol to

they’ve asked for my licence. Yet I have not

issue.

get there, so the policeman that came to

had any symptoms to tell me anything was

I have a two year old Vito with one year left

investigate gave Dad money for petrol to

wrong and even the doctors don't know

on the lease.

get back to London! Dad phoned us at

why this has happened. So they are sending

My options are open, as to whether to give

home to say he would be back very late,

me for an MRI scan at the Royal Brompton

it back or buy the other half, rent a cab, buy

finally arriving home at around 4am.

Heart hospital to see if they can see any-

the other half of the Vito with a partner or

There were so many stories from a life-

thing else. They say that with medication I

lease another new Vito.

time out in the cab, like the night Dad and

can get back to normal, although of course

The main sticking point for me is if I were

Mum came home after going out for the

they can’t guarantee it.

to give up my DaC membership; that would

evening. It was raining hard and outside

So my message to all those lovely Dial-a-

mean losing any cash benefits if we merged

Dad's house was a guy and his wife with the

Cab drivers out there is to get plenty of

or sold the circuit. After being a member

bonnet of their car up. Dad asked if they

exercise so as to keep that heart pumping

since May 1985, I was looking forward to

were OK and the guy said he was waiting

at its maximum.

zero subs from two months ago but lost that

for the AA, so Dad told them to come in

Chris Passfield (Y25)

before I even got it! I suppose the only way

and have a cup of tea in the warm while

Hi Chris, I hope the MRI helps you get

around this would be a rule change. I know

they waited for the breakdown to arrive.

you can be a journeyman, but that is not full

your badge back. Please keep us

While having tea, Dad asked where they

membership.

informed …Ed

were going to and the man said they lived

Please forward this to the Chairman for

in Downing Street. “Really,” said Dad?

me; I’m sure other drivers feel they are in the

“What number?” The man replied that it

same boat.

was number 10 and that they had an apart-

Attempted bilks

Terry Catherall (Y90)

ment on the floor below Maggie

Hi Alan

Brian Rice replies: You’ve stumped me

Thatcher's! He was in charge of number 10

I read the story in the July Call Sign

there Terry. I don’t know what to say

and Dad and Mum and Peter and his wife

(Passenger bites DaC driver) about Roy

because everything you state is quite cor-

became good friends. Every Christmas

Carter (H79). I think I must have had a

rect! However, if you do decide to share a

Mum and Dad would get a Christmas card

lucky escape because going by Roy’s

cab then Membership can be in joint

from 10 Downing Street with a picture of

description, I think she was also in my cab

names, but there will have to be a ‘lead’

the different rooms in the Prime Minister’s

having jumped in at Goswell Road while I

Member regarding the joint names who

house. Amazing!

was waiting at a set of lights. A cab in front

will be the only one that can vote or

As I said, Alan, thank you so much for

wouldn’t stop for her! She asked for

receive any cash benefit. But no doubt

your lovely article about Dad and your con-

Santander in Tottenham Court Road.

there would be an agreement between

tinued friendship to him over the years. He

When we got there, I was told to wait out-

the two…

had so many great things to say about you.

side while she went in. There had been £10

When speaking of you, he’d call you a won-

on the meter when we stopped, but

Sid Gold

derful man. Thank you so much for all you

because of the large queue inside by the

Hi Alan

did for Dad.

time she came out that had risen to almost

I have just read the touching remembrance

Larry Gold

£20. But she didn’t then come back to the

story that you wrote about my Dad in the July

USA

cab; instead she tried to slink away. But I’d

issue of Call Sign. Thank you so much for

I’m not that good, but thanks anyway

been watching her, jumped out and made

writing it and also putting Dad on the cover

Larry! Sid Gold was a character - some-

her pay by calling out in a loud voice: “Oi,

of the Magazine. I also have such great mem-

thing we don’t see so much of nowadays

Call Sign August 2015

Page 31

Mailshot

because we have all become so alike. There is another story

Enjoy your retirement, Terry. I don’t know whether you are

about Sid inside this issue (page 24), this one told by former

right or wrong about this trade but I do hope your decision

BoM member Allen Togwell …Ed

to give up your Bill was the correct one. I have been asked

that question many times over the years and my advice has

always been the same; if you can afford to renew your Bill

New logo

then do it, because you never know when a few weeks work

Dear Ed

may come in handy. If you are not likely to be in a position

Is it me; I thought the idea of a new logo was to help us stand out

when you might need extra money, then just enjoy retire-

from the rest or at least be easy to identify from a distance. But who

ment …Ed

on earth thought this was a better logo? If we can't get this right, no

wonder we are struggling.

I fully agree with you that the “dial” had to go, but it could have

Gas cabs

been so much better. It needs to be recognisable; if you compare

Hi Alan,

with other circuits then it's just not there. It's a job for an expert to

I just wanted to thank you so much for the article on Battersea

sort out and I feel the key to a good logo was completely missed.

Autogas in Call Sign. The number of enquiries for LPG conver-

Steve Bryant (Y41)

sion has grown a lot lately and I am sure the page caught the

I disagree Steve. Although I never disliked it, I wasn’t mad on

attention of many. We believe our gas technology in cabs is such

the new logo at first because I wasn’t sure that it told you any-

a game changer that many drivers still need to hear about it to

thing - and in all honesty, as you get older you become less

fully understand its advantages, so we are obviously delighted to

keen on change! But as I have got used to it, I’ve realised that

have our business recognised and to inform owners of TX1s that

logos no longer give you information; they are purely for iden-

they do not need to take their taxis off the road because after our

tification and this identifies us and gives the website. It also

conversion process, they can claim an extra five years.

looks good in the dark with just street lighting on. But Steve,

it’s all down to personal choice. I’ve spoken to other drivers

Marco Giachino

that have your point of view and to just as many - probably

Battersea Autogas

more - who like it. But I do remember that when the last logo

For those interested in gaining their TX1 an extra five years

came in, drivers were up in arms over it calling it gaudy and a

of licensing, there are details on page 20 …Ed

few other choice names. But as those same people got used to

it, they came to like it. I’d be interested to hear your view in

around six months or so when the whole fleet will have been

fitted for some time …Ed

And…

Hi Alan

I have yet to get the new logos fitted onto my cab, but from what I

have seen on the cabs of those who already have it on, I think it

looks good and possibly more importantly, it looks up-to-date. The

old one looked nice but was becoming rather passé and certainly

tired. Well done DaC…

Alex Constantinou (N05)

See what I mean Steve! …Ed

Retirement

Dear Alan

I read with interest Steve Shaller’s view on his retirement (July

Call Sign). I have to say that I have never regretted retiring - not

even for one minute - so much so that I have not renewed my Bill!

So I am now after 42 years officially no longer a London Taxi Driver.

Which is just as well, because I am truly shocked at what is hap-

pening to the trade when a friend of mine tells me the extra hours

he is having to work and the money he takes. I tell him I was earn-

ing that 15 years ago!

Over the years, a few people (mostly young men) have asked me

whether it was worth doing the Knowledge and my answer was

always yes; work hard and you'll always make a decent living.

Recently a friend’s son asked me that question and for the first time

I said no, because the long term future of the cab trade looks bleak.

When I was doing the Knowledge, older cab drivers would often

say: “You’re wasting your time son, the game’s finished.” Perhaps

after all these years, they are finally right?”

Terry Farmer (ex-T55)