Call Sign December 2015

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

It’s a bit silly, I know, but since

tions would have been less than half. Our next fare

increase is expected to raise fares by an average 8p

December 1997 this magazine

for a £10 ride, so we should obviously reject that

has celebrated Christmas / Eid /

and advertise that we have had no increase for two

years. But does anyone out there have an answer?

Chanukah / Zarathosht Diso /

Rohatsu in the 1 December

Karhoo

issue! We just have this silly

After a recent evening out, I got back to find 12

missed calls - five of whom left voicemails with sim-

feeling that 1 January might be

ilar messages involving a company with a new com-

a bit late and in any case we

parison website to be released in

2016 called

Karhoo. Like Uber, this is said to be a technology

missed Diwali altogether. So

company claiming to have around 200,000 private

here we are and regardless of

hire cars AND TAXIS on its system. But the reason

which religion you follow, I

for the missed calls was that Karhoo had apparently

established partnerships with several car AND TAXI

hope your God provides you

operators. Among the names mentioned were New

with a good December...

York car companies Carmel Cars and Dial7 along

with London companies Addison Lee, ComCab

Confirmation of the ULEZ

in from outer boroughs. But neither is this about

and Dial-a-Cab! The idea is that Karhoo has none of

minicabs or Uber - it’s about Liverpool’s taxi prices.

the drivers working for it, but that they are still

requirements

We used numerous cabs in our four days.

employed by the car / taxi companies they work for.

We now hear officially that the world's first Ultra

They are plentiful and cheap. Make that plenti-

It is really a comparison site.

Low Emission Zone will be introduced to London

ful and very cheap - so cheap, in fact, that I had

Very little surprises me nowadays, but I assumed

in 2020. It was also confirmed by TfL that as of 1

to wonder how they made it pay.

that if we were to suddenly go on a platform run by

January 2018, all new taxis licensed will have to

I spoke to several drivers and they were very

Uber lookalikes, that I would at least have heard a

be zero emission capable and no new diesel taxis

friendly, but all agreed that making it pay when it

whisper. When I next saw Brian Rice I asked if he

will be allowed in London.

was busy was tough, let alone when it was quiet. But

knew about Karhoo and if it was true that we were

TfL say they have secured £65million of funding

most also said that because they were cheap, more

we going in with them? The Chairman knew of them

to help taxi drivers achieve the Mayor’s target of

people used them rather than wait for buses. One

but said we weren’t and that the first he knew of

9,000 zero emission capable taxis by 2020. The

example was when we went from our hotel to the

DaC’s “involvement” was when he was shown some

funding will provide up to £5,000 to taxi drivers

Royal Court theatre on a really busy evening peak

online text! I had also seen that online PR, but by

who are prepared to give up their cabs when they

hour. The trip must have been around two miles

the next day the piece still had the identical text -

reach 10 years of age rather than waiting until the

and we crawled much of the way - yet the meter

but was minus the name of Dial-a-Cab! He obvi-

15 year limit arrives. The nearer to the 10 years,

didn’t even reach £5. And on the return journey just

ously has ways and means!

the higher the amount will be available. There will

before 11pm, it was even cheaper because there was

Call Sign has also seen a ComCab letter to its dri-

also be a £5,000 plug-in car grant via the Office for

no traffic and the meter was still on Rate 1 - I forgot

vers which made two claims; firstly that they had

Low Emission Vehicles. A top-up grant of £3000

to ask if there was a Rate 2. I was giving ridiculous-

captured law firm Freshfields

(taken from

may also be added to that.

ly large tips - around 50% - because I felt so guilty!

Mountview) and secondly that they were going to

However, while most drivers can see why

Now I’m not suggesting that we slash our fares,

be part of Karhoo. There is something very sad

London should reduce its emissions, many are ask-

but we need to accept that they are so high that

about the Freshfields capture, because although

ing why an organisation that is hell-bent on reduc-

many are frightened off. How often do prospective

there are still three taxi radio circuits, the best they

ing emissions is licensing new private hire vehicles

passengers now ask how much the fare will be

seem able to do is to take accounts from each other.

at a rate of knots never before seen anywhere - let

before getting in? Far more than ever before,

If ever there was a reason to say that three should be

alone London. Even TfL’s own estimates expect the

because they automatically assume that we are

two - if not one - then surely that is it.

number of PH vehicles to be substantially above

expensive - and of course we are, especially if you

But Karhoo sounds like Uber and looks like

the 100,000 mark by 1 January 2018 and close to

hit traffic. And boy, do we hit some!

Uber. Of course that doesn’t mean it is Uber, but

120,000 by 2020. TfL is trying to cut down emis-

A recent passenger got in my cab at the top end

what it probably does mean is that taxis will be

sions by increasing the number of PH cars inside

of Dean Street at around

6pm asking for

on it as a back-up - after all, we’re hardly going

central London by many thousands - now closing

in on 92,000 - and blaming the increase in poor air

Hampstead Way. With a terminal message saying

to be the cheapest option. Nevertheless, part of

quality on taxis! And then there’s Camden

that Wardour Street was shut at Broadwick Street,

me still isn’t sure, but I’m pleased that if we are

Council’s Tavistock Place scheme that is going to

I had little choice but to use Charing Cross Road

to ever be associated with a comparison site

make Euston Road even worse and its emissions

and because Soho Street was shut, I had to go via

such as that then it will at least be because WE

even higher. Are they looney... or are we for

Greek Street and Old Compton. Charing Cross

decided to do it and not because some face in

putting up with it?

Road was chocca thanks to the single lane open

New York decided that we would. I hope

crossing into Tottenham Court Road. Roadworks

ComCab’s decision to become part of the

Cheap Liverpool

just before Howland Street then pushed every-

Karhoo platform doesn’t damage this trade

One of my favourite cities is Liverpool and I recent-

thing into the centre with the result that there was

beyond any hope of repair.

ly went back there on a four day trip with Linda - I

the longest queue of buses in the two offside lanes

I also hope that the info I have in that they won

had to take her because she paid! With clear blue

that I had ever seen!

Freshfields by offering no run-ins, no waiting time,

skies, walking from our Crowne Plaza hotel

With the traffic not improving once we got into

no gratuity and no admin charges isn’t true, because

through the near-by Albert Dock with its restau-

Hampstead Road, she suggested going via

that would mean they took the account from anoth-

rants, shops and bars, passing galleries, museums

Primrose Hill - something I was delighted to hear

er taxi radio circuit even though they will lose

and an amazing collection of statues, the ‘Pool is an

because at least that meant the responsibility was

money on every trip they cover. That would be

amazingly relaxing place. If you like The Beatles,

now hers! But Primrose Hill was solid, as was East

worse than sad and leaves me fearful for the trade

then it’s even better because they are still all over

Heath Road when we finally managed to get to

because it would mean the world famous London

from The Beatles Museum, to The Beatles restau-

Haverstock Hill. The end result was a fare of

taxi trade is now run by Singapore and China. But

rant to The Cavern in Mathew Street - just a few

almost £40! She was very nice and said it wasn’t my

at least the Chinese are keeping us as taxis...

metres away from the original which is now just a

fault, but she could no longer take a chance of hav-

plaque on a wall! And if you like shopping, well the

ing to pay that much again. So that was another lost

Too late!

shopping centres go on and on and on!

customer - one who had expected to pay up to £25

I now see that the emergency services including

But however nice the trip was - and it was really

if the traffic was bad so she wasn’t someone who

ambulances and police are complaining that the

nice - this piece isn’t about that bit of Liverpool, it’s

was looking for a cheapo ride. But £40?

Mayor’s Cycling Superhighways are holding them

about the taxi service. Uber is new there and will

Of course I could have knocked something off,

up. It’s a shame they didn’t take notice of us earlier.

undoubtedly spread; private hire is prevalent but

but that isn’t really the answer and in all honesty I

the taxis and minicabs live reasonably peaceably so

don’t know what is. But the equivalent fare in

Alan Fisher

long as they don’t cross licensing borders and come

Liverpool for the same distance and traffic condi-

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign December 2015

Page 4

As you are all aware, Licensed London Taxi

Over half the fleet are now fitted with the

Drivers have to renew their licence - or as we

new logo and I believe most of you must like

call it, the

‘Bill’

- every three years. Well,

them as I have only heard of one complaint

about three weeks ago (from the time you are

and that was a letter to Call Sign some time

reading this piece) my renewal dropped

ago. Our stationery has now been re-branded

through the letter box as my Bill expires in

along with our App, so all that now needs to

February 2016.

be done is our website and we are in the final

When you open the envelope, your heart

stages of completing that.

sinks when you see the size of the contents;

It will be a totally new site - not just the old

fortunately, on

closer inspection most of the

one with a facelift. Hopefully, it will be user-

contents are instructions with just the appli-

friendly as over half the trips we now com-

cation form that needs to be completed.

plete come via our App, online or street hail

However, before you get to do that you

Credit Cards - oh how this industry has

must complete your application for what was

changed in recent times! What with the way

I considered to be an error and you will be

formerly known as the Criminal Records

we take work and of course the unfair com-

surprised to know that they didn’t seem to

Bureau (CRB) check, but now known as the

petition we have to deal with on a daily basis

care; after all it was not their identity that

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This

- I’m of course referring to the 90,000 mini-

could be stolen or their bank account that

check can be completed online by stating

cabs, with over

600 Private Hire licences

could be emptied!

which documents you intend to produce at a

being produced on a weekly basis. No won-

Anyway, I said that I would only put a

Post Office to be checked - in my particular

der the congestion in London is the worst I

cheque in the post and asked who I should

case I nominated my passport, driving licence

have ever seen it with minicabs, roadworks

make it payable to? They very reluctantly

and a utility bill. It was made clear that the

and the introduction of the Cycle

informed me it should be made payable to

documents produced had to be the originals

Superhighways - and not forgetting the

‘London Taxi and Private Hire’ and then

and not scanned copies.

cyclists themselves! We will soon be in con-

added the proviso that if I sent a cheque it

So the next day, I went to the Post Office

stant gridlock and that won’t do much for

could hold up the issue of my licence, which

and produced the documents - which were

pollution levels either, so let’s just hope that

as we all know is meant as a ‘frightener’ to

in order - and paid the £56.85 fee. I would

TfL can sort out all the problems in 2016;

most taxi drivers.

then have to wait to receive my ‘E’ number

after all, most of the above are only here due

When my ‘E’ number is eventually sent

via email. When the number is received, it has

to their incompetence!

to me, I will be sending a cheque and not

to be entered onto the application form for

Finally, I would like to take this oppor-

entering my Credit or Debit Card details

renewing the licence, but at the time of writ-

tunity to wish all Members, Staff and

ing I have not received my ‘E’ number, which

that could be cloned and/or my identity

their families a very happy Christmas

I understand takes around four days to arrive.

stolen (no comments please)!

and a healthy New Year and as a flash-

When I got home from the Post Office I

So ladies and gentlemen, when you wish to

back, it was Christmas 2007 that Dial-a-

thought I’d take a look at the application

renew your bill please give some thought to

Cab paid £521k in bonuses to Members

form, which I must say seems straightforward

how you do it, because it is no good trying to

for covering account work in the run up

- until I arrived at the last page which con-

lock the stable door once the horse has bolted.

to Christmas! How things have changed

sisted of the payment method.

Exaggerating? Well the Editor sent off

in the last eight years and all of it can be

It seems that you can pay at a Post Office

his medical form to the same people and

directed to the Mayor and TfL!

when you use their ‘Check and Send’

they have lost it! One month later they

method, which then adds a fee of £7.15p to

sent Alan a letter threatening that if he

Brian Rice

the £272 licence fee and they will then collect

didn’t send it, he could put his licence at

Chairman

the whole fee from you. But I didn’t need

risk! And they want me to send my bank

them to ‘Check and Send’, so that method

details!!!

Dial-a-Cab

was not needed.

The other means of paying according to

the application form, I found to be quite stag-

gering; you can pay by Credit or Debit Card

and in both instances they require you to

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

submit your details in written format. They

require the card’s sixteen digit number

together with the Card Verification Code -

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

that’s the three numbers off the back of the

card - and finally the ‘valid from’ and ‘expiry’

Tel: 01708 553037

dates of the card.

You are then expected to send that to

FREE AIR FILTER WITH EVERY SERVIC

WE ALSO HAVE CABS FOR RENT

Sheffield in the post, bearing in mind the

application form has your name, address

TX1 servicing from £48

TX1s, TX2s, TX4s and Vitos

and date of birth; you also have to include a

TX2 servicing from £70

Rentals from £165 per week

scanned copy of your DVLA licence. I must

TX4 servicing from £90

confess I was appalled that TfL could be so

naïve (or was it me) that they required the

All Work Undertaken

above information in written format, which

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

certainly does not comply with the Payment

All TX1, TX2, TX4

Card Industry Data Security Standard

Starters - Batteries - Alternators - All with 2 year Warranty

(PCIDSS). They even expected you to post

the information to them.

Fax: 01708 551443

Web: www.PaulsTaxiSpecialists.co.uk

I was so appalled by this negligence that I

telephoned Sheffield to inform them of what

Call Sign December 2015

Page 5

After a successful trial period

The London Taxi Company has

Ascott Cab Company

extended its agreement with

Ascott Cab Company to serve as

an official retailer of the TX4.

continues as official

The original agreement, announced in

May 2015, was set up on the basis of a six

month trial period. Following the suc-

TX4 retailer

cessful completion of the trial, The

London Taxi Company has moved to

make the arrangement permanent on

the back of positive customer feedback

on Ascot Cab Co’s South London loca-

tion, strong commercial performance

and effective working relationships that

have been established between the com-

panies.

Richard Gordon, The London Taxi

Company’s Commercial Director, said:

“The response to the appointment

of Ascott Cab Co over the last six

months has been very positive. The

combination of their location, team

commitment and customer loyalty

gives us the confidence to move for-

ward on a permanent basis.

With the first deliveries of the new

TX4 Euro6 cab underway, interest is

strong in this new model that is more

powerful, smoother and the most

Andy Ascott from Ascott Cab Co. said:

delighted to be extending this partner-

environmentally efficient vehicle that

“We have been really pleased by the

ship and will continue to focus on deliv-

we have ever produced. It makes

response and support of our customers.

ering the highest standards of service to

sense to offer our customers the con-

Since our appointment we have received

our loyal customers.”

venient option of a retailer in South

more than 90 orders for new TX4 cabs,

For more information on the new

London in addition to our flagship

which demonstrates the value we can

TX4 Euro6 cab please contact uken-

London dealership at Brewery Road

add. Everyone at Ascott Cab Co is

quiries@london.co.uk

in North London.”

TFL: RECORD NUMBER OF TOUTS CAUGHT

98 per cent conviction rate!

Transport for London (TfL) has successfully prosecuted 46 rogue drivers

the MPS Cab Enforcement Unit arrested 267 drivers for touting and unlaw-

in just six months in a continued crackdown on illegal and non-compliant

ful plying for hire offences of which 253 of the arrests were for touting

cab activity in the Capital. They have been extremely successful in prose-

offences with 141 drivers summonsed for the offences to date. Of those

cuting drivers who are caught by the Taxi and Private Hire Compliance

cases, 61 have been dealt with resulting in 53 convictions (87 per cent),

Officers for illegally plying for hire. From April to date, 98 per cent of

seven cases were dismissed or withdrawn, a warrant of arrest issued to one

cases prosecuted by TfL have resulted in a conviction. These prosecutions

driver for failing to appear and 80 cases still pending.

are an essential part of a wide range of enforcement activity being under-

The activity carried out by TfL’s TPH Compliance team and MPS Cab

taken by TfL and the Police to tackle touting and other illegal cab activity.

Enforcement Unit is in addition to Operation Neon, an ongoing high visibili-

The TfL Compliance team stamp out illegal cab activity by

carrying out

ty multi-agency operation to deter illegal minicab activity in the Capital.

regular vehicle and driver licensing checks across the Capital. They also

work closely with the TfL-funded Metropolitan Police Service’s Cab

Enforcement Unit. Together they undertake joint operations on a regular

basis, informed by the latest intelligence on cab-related offending, includ-

Keith Reading

ing sexual offences, touting and unlawful plying for hire.

Earlier this year, London Mayor Boris Johnson announced the doubling

Professional Toastmaster

of TfL Compliance Officers from 41 to 82, as part of continued efforts to

Master of Ceremonies

increase enforcement within the Taxi and Private Hire trade.

Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations,

Tele: 01279 465 938

said: “I am pleased to see that the hard work of our compliance officers

Mobile: 07774 860 374

and the MPS Cab Enforcement Unit are producing some great prosecu-

tion results. This work reflects our commitment to cracking down on ille-

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

gal cab activity, which not only poses a serious risk to passenger safety

but undermines licensed, law abiding Taxi and Private Hire drivers. We are

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

using a broad range of tactics to deter, disrupt and apprehend drivers

who are touting or illegally plying for hire and we will push for the tough-

Fellow of the Guild of

est penalties available for anyone caught by our teams.”

Professional Toastmasters

In addition to the successful prosecutions by TfL, over the same period

Call Sign December 2015

Page 6

Jery’s World

“That Mr Evans may be a nice chap, but I’ve been doing this for hundreds of years and I’m just not going to

start doing it for a fixed price!”

Temporary Licensing Arrangements

fL has announced the introduction of temporary measures for existing Taxi and PH drivers if their

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) results have still not been returned. The measures are a

response to the impact that current delays at the DBS can have on drivers waiting for their licence to

be renewed.

DBS checks are the responsibility of the Home Office and individual police services. The Mayor is ensuring

every effort is made to reduce waiting times for these important safety checks with the Met drafting in around

60 additional members of staff to help and TfL has already taken a number of steps to ensure that licenced drivers aren't stopped from dri-

ving because of delays, discussing the issue with the Home Office and seconding a number of staff to the Metropolitan Police Service to help

process applications. The new measures will further ease pressure, whilst ensuring that the high standards required from drivers are main-

tained.

To be eligible for the temporary measures, drivers will have had to apply for their DBS at least three months prior to the

expiry of their previous licence. Drivers receive a renewal pack, which contains details of how to apply for the enhanced DBS

check necessary to continue their work as a licenced driver from TfL, four months before the expiry of their licence.

The temporary measures will only be available to drivers applying to renew their licence - as these drivers will have previously undergone a

DBS check and will initially be limited to two weeks in length. In the unlikely event that their DBS certificate is delayed further, drivers can

apply for a renewal. Drivers from both trades who are applying for a licence for the first time will not be eligible; however TfL will continue to

escalate these cases on their behalf.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The last thing we want to see is London's taxi drivers out of work. These temporary

measures are the most effective way of tackling the immediate issue alongside a dramatic boost to staffing levels at the Met. I

am confident that this approach will ensure that drivers are able to get back to work as soon as possible while maintaining pub-

lic safety.”

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport, said: “We are aware that a number of drivers have been

unable to work due to the delays in receiving their DBS certificate and that these delays are affecting them and their families.

These new measures will help these drivers while ensuring that the high standards required of drivers are maintained.”

While the temporary measures are in place, TfL will continue to work with colleagues in the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police Service

and the DBS to address the waiting times for DBS checks. As a condition of the temporary measures, drivers will be required to sign up to the

DBS update service in order to prevent a similar situation occurring in future.

As well as these efforts to minimise delays in the DBS system, TfL also launched a counter service earlier this year in order to assist drivers

with any licensing queries or problems.

Call Sign December 2015

Page 7

In last month’s Call Sign, Dial-a-Cab driver

Chris Passfield (Y25) - who has been on the

HEART PROBLEMS

circuit for 33 years out of his 41 years as a

licensed taxi driver - told us how in October

2014 following a medical, he was told there

AND TAXI DRIVING

might be a problem. Six months later he was

informed that his heart muscle was operating

And a possible answer to Chris Passfield...

at 20% to 25% whereas the left ventricular

ejection fraction needed to show a minimum

medication, Perindopril and Fellopodine.

reading of 40%. As a result, Chris had to hand

Amongst other things, they relax the heart

in his licence, even though he had never had

muscles and allow blood to flow more easily.

any physical heart problems.

I am unable to do a stress test (tread-

Following a visit to the Royal Brompton

mill) as I have a suspected torn adductor

Hospital, he was put on Warfarin along with

muscle in my groin. A more accurate test

other medication they had prescribed for him,

to check the heart is an Echocardiogram,

which they said should help prevent any heart

which according to the results, satisfies

attacks. Chris said that he now needed to

the escalation team at TfL.

know whether he could safely contemplate

I am under Professor Kim Fox and Dr

buying another taxi as his cab had passed its

Ranil de Silva’s team, who are both out-

15th birthday. He was philosophical about the

standing and seem to do all within their

situation, but was hopeful that there might be

power enabling me to retain my licence.”

some other drivers out there with a similar

We have passed Dave’s contact details over

problem or perhaps on Warfarin and who

to Chris Passfield and the above does seem to

could confirm that he would be able to get his

offer him some hope. If there is anyone out

licence back with the usual medical tests.

there in the same boat as Chris, then Dave has

New hope for Chris Passfield

What he didn’t want was to have to

given permission for us to pass his phone

involve himself in a large financial outlay

do not take Warfarin, I am on other med-

number over.

for another taxi, only to then be told that

ications and I must say the consultants at

On the lighter side, Dave added that his

he couldn’t drive it!

the Royal Brompton were amazing in

father took him over to Stamford Bridge in

Chris asked if there were any drivers out there

pulling out all the stops and giving me

1952 when he was five to watch Chelsea and

who could answer the question for him and

treatment so that I could keep my licence.

that he has had a season ticket from the year

another long-time DaC driver, Dave Freeman

Warfarin should NOT be an obstacle on

dot... and if he can take that stress, then he

(A46) has stepped forward. He told us:

retaining your licence.

can take anything!

“I am also under the Royal Brompton

As you are aware, each case study is dif-

Jamie Corum

with similar problems to Chris. Although I

ferent. I, for instance am on two types of

Call Sign Online

Call Sign December 2015

Page 8

The Call Sign Christmas Story

Santa spells trouble

It was the first time I’d ever

from the cab but I couldn’t

worked on Xmas Eve before.

even raise him from the seat

The only reason for it was

and it was obvious that unless

that my wife Mary and I had

a friendly crane driver passed

discovered that after

by, I was stuck with Santa

years, we didn’t really like

Claus. So I gave up and carried

each other very much and

on my way home.

had decided to split. I was

When we finally stopped, I

feeling a bit lonely and did-

felt qualified as an HGV driver!

n’t find it easy to stop think-

My hippo-sized freight was still

ing about her; after all, you

sound asleep and I had as

can’t be with someone for

much chance of getting the

20 odd years and just switch

£70 on the meter as I did of

off.

Anyway, all this

seeing the Queen in a kebab

Christmas goodwill and fes-

shop. I left the cab in the drive

tivity wasn’t helping and I

and opened my front door.

needed something to take

The house felt empty since

my mind off her. So I started

Mary had gone and even more

the cab and headed for the

so when I got into bed. Just

West End.

don’t think about it, I told

By now, my roly-poly Santa Claus was giv-

By 2am I reckoned I was having a good

myself; but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

ing me the hump and the only consolation

night, no awkward customers and no one

When I woke up, I immediately remembered

was that Peckham was in the direction of

throwing up in the back. I had just pulled

my over-sized Santa and glanced down from

home. However, after 10 minutes I thought

over in Hanover Square to take a drink from

the bedroom window. The cab was still there

my fare had become unusually quiet and

my coffee flask when it all started to go

but I couldn’t see if anyone was in the back, so

when I stopped at some lights, I turned

wrong. Coming towards me was this massive

I went down hoping that he’d gone, even

around to look at him. He glanced up, waved

figure dressed up like Father Christmas, com-

though so far he’d been nothing but bad news.

a bottle of whiskey and called me to have a

plete with white beard and black boots. He

At first, I thought I’d had a result because

drink with him!

put his hand up to acknowledge me and I

when I looked in the back, my dressed-up

All I wanted to do was get rid of him and I

watched with some amusement as he finally

Santa Claus wasn’t there. However, he must

was already feeling uneasy about getting

managed to get his 20 stone plus of human

have also fancied himself as a graffiti artist

paid. We were now past Camberwell Green

lard into the back of the cab.

because he had spray-painted the rear seat

so I stopped and asked which direction the

“What happened to your reindeer,” I

with a seasonal message. That was bad

posh part was; unfortunately, the only sound

asked him? He didn’t answer immediately as

enough, but he wasn’t much of a speller

was a snore from the red-coated lump

the effort seemed to leave him short of

either and that really did it for me.

stretched out on the seat.

breath.

It said Mary Xmas...

I’d had enough. I got out, opened the rear

”I’ve just come from a fancy-dress

Roy Granville

door and fell in as I stumbled on a bottle.

party,” he explained.

What a nightmare, I thought as I tried to wake

Call Sign Online

“Not going to work then,” I replied still

him. My next effort was to lift this monster

smiling!

But my humour was not hitting the right

With due deference to The Weather Girls and their 1982 disco hit...

spots with him, so it was down to business.

“Where would you like to go?”

IT’S RAINING MEN... ER... TAXIS!

“I live in the posh part of Peckham.”

ot on the heels of the new hybrid TX5

Now, as a Londoner I knew that such an

launch, which was reported on in the

area did not exist and I assumed he meant

November Call Sign, comes news of

the part where there was the least number of

the production version of the Toyota

murders. However, I refrained from saying

JPN hybrid taxi - one that bears a striking sim-

that as there is no point in antagonising pun-

ilarity to the Geely/LTC version - although like

ters. I headed south and we hadn’t been

the Vito, it was based on a van.

going long when the sound of a bell ringing

The new taxi, which will have its release first

like the last lap of a running race frightened

in Japan, is wheelchair accessible with sliding

the life out of me. I glanced round and there

doors and a low floor for easy entry and exit.

How the Toyota JPN Taxi will

he was holding a brass hand-bell.

Toyota also say they plan to incorporate a

look in 2018

“Turn it in, mate,” I shouted.

newly designed steering system that will

“What about singing then, is that okay?”

have a tight turning circle - although how tight that is hasn’t been revealed.

“Not really.”

There is an electric motor and a four-cylinder that runs on Liquified Petroleum Gas

“What about smoking?”

(LPG) that, it is claimed by Toyota, has been built for durability and stop-start traffic.

The taxi - which starts with a disadvantage in that it is built by the same company as

“Of course not.”

that building the Uber-favourite Prius - will be ready at around the same time as the TX5.

“This is not exactly a fun cab is it,” he

Whether Toyota will apply to have it for sale in London has not yet been decided.

said in an un-Christmas like, aggrieved

sounding voice.

Call Sign December 2015

Page 9

In this supremely competitive

environment in which we live,

Ringing Our Praises!

retaining client loyalty through

excellent customer service and

satisfaction is the watchword of

account client. I turned down the offer of

payment with a ‘don’t be silly’ or words to

every one of us, even more so in

that effect - which is probably not quite how

the light of a recent court ruling

one should talk to an account client! But I

regarding the “legal” status of a

think it was taken in the spirit I gave it.”

competitor…

Jackie laughed rather impishly at her own

Customer service was indeed at the fore-

comment!

front of Jackie Kott’s (Y88) mind when she

“But I felt quite relieved that I had not

returned a senior account client’s mobile

picked up anyone else prior to returning that

phone that had inadvertently been left in the

phone, or it might have been a different story!”

back of her taxi. When Jackie spoke to Call

When Call Sign spoke to the account

Sign recently, she recalled the event...

holder, he was overwhelmed at the

speedy return of a device that actually

cost more than the value of a family car!

“Half my life is on that phone, including

AGM

global business contacts, bank account num-

bers and PIN codes, together with much

more personal information. Had it fallen into

REMINDER

the wrong hands, I just do not want to think

of the possible consequences.”

The passenger subsequently sent a writ-

“I picked the customer up from

ten statement to Call Sign. For security

Marylebone Station, took them to some-

purposes, we have withheld names etc...

where behind Euston Station, set them

“In my experience of using Dial-a-Cab

down and made my way back to Marylebone

and other services, the case for Dial-a-Cab is

Station, thinking no more about it. As I

compelling. The drivers are superb, can

pulled up onto the Marylebone rank, the

adapt to traffic with their knowledge of

Lost & Found supervisor at Dial-a-Cab’s call

routes, so saving me a lot of time and are

centre called to ask me to check the back of

invariably punctual and courteous. Moreover,

my cab as the client had lost their phone and

the security of having each fare recorded is

wondered if they had left it in my taxi. I

All members should have

tremendous. Having left phones and iPads in

looked round, and sure enough there lay a

received the Notice of Annual

taxis - easily done - I have always got them

thin black personal communication device

General Meeting 2015 advising

back quickly from Dial-a-Cab. If time, confi-

staring back at me. It seemed to have a rather

that the meeting will again be

dence and security are important, I cannot

lonely look as if to say

‘I’m missing my

held at The HAC, Armoury House,

recommend them enough.”

owner!’” Jackie giggled at the thought.

City Road on Sunday 7th

“I immediately pulled off the rank and

February 2016 at 11am.

Alan Green (E52)

made my way back to the destination

address, to be warmly welcomed by the

Call Sign Online

The meeting this year will consid-

er an agenda excluding the elec-

tion of officers, but including as

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

usual, proposed Rule Changes

and Propositions.

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

variable bank interest rates?

Any proposed Rule Changes and

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

Propositions should have been

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

received at Dial-a-Cab House on

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

or before Friday 27th November

at your address also qualifies for membership!

2015 as per the Notice of Annual

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

General Meeting 2015 letter and

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

as in the November issue of

up to 3 times your total savings…

Call Sign.

The cost?

Please remember that if you do

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

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

not vote by post then you should

attend. If you do not attend or

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

vote by post, you will be liable

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

for a £50 fine.

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

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

Howard Pears

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

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Company Secretary

Registration number 213263

Call Sign December 2015

Page 10

EURO WIDE

OPPOSITION

City Link fly pitcher at the

Liver, Inset: City Link's

coach with Irish number

plates!

We’ve all seen the Terravision

coaches parked up at Finsbury

bus route but not directly flog-

Square, but Call Sign’s Gary Cox

ging the tickets.

(O46) saw something that could

City of London Corp’s trad-

cause concern after spotting a

ing arm said that it was unlikely

fly pitcher outside Liverpool

City Link would have been

Street Station. But he wasn’t

given a licence for the fly pitch-

advertising Terravision and their

ing, although they did add that

occasionally their Events Dept

cheap coach trips to Stansted

does take into account excep-

Airport; it was City

tional circumstances. But they

Link advertising

also told Gary that the company

THEIR cheapo

in question should not have

Stansted runs!

been doing their advertising

If City Link is famous fo

without first getting the correct

anything, it’s their failure a

paperwork.

business. Trying to find pro

All we can do is but won-

longed periods when they

der who on earth would pay

made profits with their par-

City Link even eight quid,

cel delivery service is difficult

taking into account their

and following several years

track record! But perhaps we

to bring in any loot, it was on Christmas Eve

should ask their former 2356

2014 when City Link went into administration,

members of staff who were

cruelly and quite infamously informing their

Following it up, Gary told Call Sign that

laid off on Christmas Eve for

staff on that particular day that most of them

their view on using City Link On second

information passed to him suggests that the fly

were out of work. Then on New Year’s Eve,

pitcher was from an agency employed by the

thoughts, Call Sign is sometimes read by

City Link announced that of their approximate

young people!!!

City Link group, whose staff was promoting the

2700 staff, just 370 were still employed leaving

2356 of their former employees with the worst

news they had ever had at any time... let alone

on Christmas Eve!

LTFUC Victoria

In the 21 March 2015 issue of The Daily

Telegraph, it was reported that City Link’s

creditors were unlikely to get even 2p in the

Station Collection

pound on any money they were owed. We’re

not quite sure who has taken charge of a

Thursday 12th November

company that seems always doomed to fail,

2015 saw the London

but the name has certainly returned and this

Taxidrivers’ Fund for

time they are trying to take passengers away

Underprivileged Children

from Terravision and to a lesser extent, from

committee with huge smiles

those Licensed London taxi drivers ranking

on their faces after selling

outside the Liver who are often happy to

most of their 2016

offer fixed prices to that airport - especially

Calendars and completing

for four handers who might prefer less hassle

a very successful fund rais-

re luggage etc.

ing day! Well done to all,

So back to Gary Cox and the fly pitcher.

including their amazingly

Firstly, was his advertising of cheap coach

credible Charlie Chaplin!

trips to Stansted Airport allowed by the City

More of these popu-

of London Corporation Secondly, it appears

lar calendars are going

they are using coaches from the Irish

to print and are avail-

Republic and Gary wondered why, if they

able from any commit-

can use buses from other EU countries on

their routes, how long before private hire

tee member at

follows the same path with the same bless-

www.ltfuc.org.uk in return for a donation.

ing of TfL and we become bogged down

Grateful thanks to the management and staff at Victoria Station and again to Steve

with weekend minicab drivers from France

Allen of LBC for his usual appreciated support...

and Belgium?

Call Sign December 2015

Page 12

To the “lovely people” of Camden Council!

Not forgetting TfL and the City of London Corporation!

Call Sign to Camden Council:

email in return telling us why they had to put

wheelchair users are able to move with-

this one-way in and the answer didn’t sur-

out outside assistance? No answer, so

“Wheelchair users can’t exit their

prise us in the least. It is “...an important east

we’ll never know!

taxi at the Tavistock Hotel

/ west cycle link connecting Marylebone,

So while Camden destroy that part of

because of your new one way

Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury, King’s Cross and

London and Mayor Boris Johnson does the

system...”

Angel.” So it isn’t a link for cars and taxis who

same everywhere else with his bike lanes, the

actually pay extortionate amounts for the

question has to be asked: What if there was a

Camden Council to Call Sign:

privilege of driving in London - not to men-

terrorist attack in London? Yes, we know that

“Tough! Park round the corner...!”

tion those who have to pay a congestion

cyclists will be ok, but what about the rest of

charge as well.

us who can hardly move as it is?

If you’ve been stuck trying to get to

They sent me a list of how many cyclists

Now they want to close Bank junction

Euston or Kings Cross from the Russell

use the route and how their own criss-cross

to all vehicles except buses and bikes. My

Square area, you will know only too well

cycle track is confusing. Of course, if it’s

question is: Are we still part of the TfL

about the sheer lunacy of Camden’s new

that confusing they could always remove it

transport system, because if we are, then

one-way system that totally dismisses cars

and the traffic would flow again.

you could have fooled me.

and taxis as irrelevant and shows the

This council of loonies also say that there

There is just one chance. Legal action! Can

council’s number one priority as bikes

needs to be more space for walking, but that

these authorities do exactly as they wish

(and we have their traffic free Tottenham

because the roads aren’t that wide they are

regardless of the problems they cause? And

Court Road system still to come).

banning cars and as a by-product, they will

should car drivers have to pay a congestion

But what if you have to drop a wheelchair

make these routes more attractive - useful

charge to sit in unnecessary man-made con-

passenger outside the Tavistock Hotel,

when you’re stuck in a huge jam while

gestion?

because as the taxi ramp is on the vehicle’s

cyclists go past you with a smile, a sandwich

But, you ask, what about the cyclists? Well

nearside, that would mean you having to

and of course, a phone!

what about them? If they are proficient, then

park facing the wrong way or forcing the dis-

Yes! But what about dropping a wheel-

they will have no problems. If they are idiots,

abled passenger to get out on the traffic side

chair-bound passenger outside the

then they shouldn’t be on the roads.

- something no taxi driver would ever allow.

Tavistock Hotel? The answer Stop on a

Is it now ok for the lunatics to run the

But no doubt, any Camden Councillor would

side street where there is a left hand side

asylum?

be happy to do so.

kerb! And who will push the wheelchair

Alan Fisher

So we asked Camden and received a long

to the hotel entrance because not all

Call Sign Online

Gainsborough School raises

money for LTFUC

n Monday 2nd November,

the London Taxidrivers

Fund for

Underprivileged

Children was invited to the Inclusive

School, Gainsborough Primary in

Stratford, East London to collect a

cheque for £2,047.50 that was being

donated by the school.

Many children from the school

had attended our Christmas Party

at the Grosvenor House and the

outing to Southend this year -

chosen because they do not get

the opportunity to go on many

outings.

The school was so overwhelmed

by the wonderful effect the out-

ings had on the children that one

of the teachers, Leia Jones,

Some of the LTFUC at the Gainsborough School

Learning Mentor and Admission

Lead, decided to raise some funds for us.

In July this year, Leia and another teacher, Julie Carver, along with their husbands and friends - a total of 14 in all - climbed over

the O2 roof strapped in safety harnesses and accompanied by safety experts, with the climb taking one and a half hours to complete.

We are very grateful to Head Teacher Ms Deborah Strain and the school, and also thank them for the lovely lunch they provided

which we had together with the children.

Raymond Levy

LTFUC Press Officer

Call Sign December 2015

Page 13

OPERATIONS AND COMPLIANCE

want to use our service again and again

ing this month of which the results are listed.

because they know how good and reliable

I firmly believe that all of you would rather

it is. Tell them that we have no taxi in the

the system be closely monitored than allow a

area enough times and they will wonder

free for all that in my opinion would be total-

why they bother with the account,

ly unacceptable. We are trying to get the pro-

because there is certainly no shortage of

cedures back on track and even many of the

choice for them. But give them reliability

members that have received complaints are

and you will have a big advantage over the

in agreement with what we are trying to

numerous competition options around!

achieve! I believe that says it all.

Please, just take an extra few seconds to

Booking-in, run-ins and CLJs are all list-

think before rejecting a trip. That might be

ed in reports that senior members of staff

the one that keeps the account with DaC...

receive and it is my job to decide what

course of action (if any) should occur

when and if complaints are generated or

Credit Card Trips

Hello Ladies & Gents

rules are violated. The safest solution is to

I have mentioned a number of times before in

I hope that work has picked up now that we

play within the rules and I do really

my Call Sign articles that Credit Card trips

are fast approaching the Christmas period

believe that most of you do.

are steadily growing from both the street and

and that the usual seasonal traffic conditions

through the system. As you are aware, the

are at least tolerable! Over the last month, we

Contactless card limit has now been raised

Driver Payments for

have seen increased taxi usage from a number

up to £30 and it will be of benefit for those

Christmas and New Year

of valued accounts - Hogan Lovell’s and Citi

members that are still to have their PEDs (Pin

The last statement for this year will be on

being two such clients and we are now servic-

Enabled Device) upgraded to pop in to

Friday 18th December and cleared funds will

ing Ashurst LLP from the Appold Street rank.

Roman Way sooner rather than later. It only

be in your account on Thursday

24th

I’m sure that if we look after these clients,

takes a few minutes and is becoming a popu-

December. The next statement will then be on

they will continue to use Dial-a-Cab taxis and

lar way of paying.

4th January 2016 and two weeks standard sub-

increase their usage in the coming months.

If the passenger’s card is not Chip and Pin

scriptions will be taken on Friday 18th. This is

But can I please ask you to remember

or is a foreign one, it is important that the card-

the same arrangement as last year, one which

one thing; clients don’t need an excellent

holder’s signature is obtained before they leave

worked very well.

service at times when there are lots of

your taxi. Without a signature, it is very hard -

empty taxis around. It’s at difficult times

Lastly, can I wish you and your families a

and sometimes impossible - to prove usage,

- especially during morning and evening

very happy festive period and a healthy

which inevitably will result in non-payment at

peak times - when taxis are hard to come

and prosperous 2016. You certainly all

a cost to both you, the member, and to DaC.

deserve it after such a tough year!

by that they are looking for something

extra special for their taxi transportation.

Compliance

Allan Evans

Get them that when others find it difficult

You will see below in this issue of Call Sign

DaC Operations / Compliance Manager

and you have a satisfied client who will

that we have held another complaints hear-

Complaints results November 2015

There was a Complaints meeting held at DaC House on 4 November 2015. These are the results including Appeals…

(Abbreviations: rep = reprimand, susp = suspension)

Name & call sign

Description

Verdict

Mark Lander (P77)

Driver repeatedly books into W8 and

2. Severe rep

W11 when true location is Hertfordshire

11. 2 week susp

Rules 2, 11

Keith D’Urso (M57)

Driver repeatedly books into EC2 when true

2. 4 weeks susp

location is Woodford/Redbridge/Waltham Way.

11. Expelled

Driver booked into CC00 (LCA) when true

Expulsion upheld

location was Angel Road by Walthamstow Ave.

on Appeal

Rules 2, 11

Wayne Ford (N41)

Driver regularly books into EC2 when true

2. Severe rep

location is close to Hatfield.

11. 1 week susp

Rules 2, 11

Susp reduced

on Appeal

George Brown (J39)

Driver accepted a fixed price trip to an outer

2. Warning

London zone and called the contact centre on

3. Severe rep

3 occasions complaining that he was unaware

of the new fixed price procedure. Driver also

complained about the price of the trip, which was

overheard by the client, causing him to complain.

Rules 2, 3

Call Sign December 2015

Page 14

It’s not that often that a female passenger

admits to her taxi driver that she is a loose

woman, but taxi regular and Birds of a

“I’m a loose woman!”

Feather star Linda Robson told Dial-a-Cab

driver Richard Potter (T51) exactly that -

although the meaning wasn’t quite as it

sounded!

“I took an As Directed terminal job at the

ITV studios at Kent House on the South

Bank,” Richard told Call Sign. “When I got

there, I was waved through the back gates

and told to park at the rear of the studios. I

saw a crowd waiting and asked a security

guard what was going on and he told me that

Linda Robson had just finished working on

the new series of Birds of a Feather and had

just returned to ITV’s popular afternoon

show, Loose Women.”

They wanted me to be part of a film, the idea

being that at the start of that days’ programme

it would be announced that Linda was expect-

ed back and they wanted to film her getting

out of a London Taxi calling out “wait for me”

and waving her Loose Women’s tea mug! TV

companies do sometimes cheat but they also

Linda exits Richard's taxi!

know what London’s most identifiable vehi-

cles are! As it happens, Linda Robson is a reg-

ular taxi user and her daughter, Lauren, works

“What was even funnier,” ended Richard,

and I was clearing the job, someone came up

in the Radio Taxis call centre.

“was that immediately the filming stopped

to me and told me that I couldn’t park there!

MORE BIKE LANES AROUND WESTMINSTER BRIDGE!

- yes, that’s £4billion and not £4million

ust when you thought you’d seem all the cycling plans

- investment in London’s road network

linked to the Mayor’s super highway scheme that many say

that TfL say will ensure our roads are

is killing London, TfL has now announced their latest block-

able to meet the needs of a growing

buster to improve cycle facilities even further.

population and which complements

It comes in the form of a further consultation that gives an option to segregate

other proposed local improvement

lanes on Westminster Bridge, to put in a new crossing for pedestrians and to make a

schemes from Lambeth Council and

new cycle and pedestrian-friendly junction at the southern end of the bridge.

others. You drive a car or taxi Tough!!!

TfL say that the improvements would open up “safer cycle links from Waterloo

Subject to the results of the public con-

Station and south London to the new East-West Cycle Superhighway, currently under

sultation, work could begin as early as

construction.”

summer 2016.

If it goes through, it will give cyclists a new route from Waterloo to Parliament

Square, the Embankment, Marble Arch, Paddington, Blackfriars and the City! The

exclamation mark is ours!

It will also have a link to the new “Central London Grid” cycle route along the

Immaculate White

South Bank.

According to TfL’s Surface Transport MD, Leon Daniels: “London is rapidly chang-

Cab Available for

ing and that is why we are modernising our roads to keep pace with it. We can turn

a potentially hazardous junction into a safer place for cyclists and pedestrians by

Weddings

redesigning this area. Our proposed safety improvements would benefit Londoners

and commuters of London’s busiest railway station, Waterloo, who would have bet-

ter walking and cycling links to and from the station.”

Mr Daniels didn’t say what benefit there would be to London’s motorists because

Call Sign is struggling to think of many - or should that be any! But cyclists, who

most London taxi drivers now believe rule the roost - will be well provided for as

they will now have segregated lanes and their own traffic signals by the south-east

arm of the Westminster Bridge South roundabout by the Park Plaza hotel. Just like

the Superhighway lanes, cyclists won’t have to use them and perhaps rather than

waste them, the Mayor’s cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan - who exclusively

revealed to Call Sign back in April that even though fortunes had been spent on

the Cycling Superhighways that cyclists didn’t actually have to use them - could

assign them to women pushing prams instead?

Unsurprisingly, the consultation also proposes a new trial 20mph limit for all traf-

Female driver

fic on the bridge, on part of Westminster Bridge Road, Addington Street and York

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

Road. We do not know whether that limit will include the Lycra-lads on their super-

Contact Debbie (W18) on

thin super-bikes because 20mph could slow them down somewhat.

07956 317040

The work is a part of TfL’s Road Modernisation Plan, which has involved a £4billion

Call Sign December 2015

Page 15

Alex Hayley’s Roots; Saga of an American family was published in

1976. A year later, ABC TV’s mini-series had a record breaking 130

million viewers in the US and millions more in the UK with its story

beginning in 1750 and the birth of Kunta Kinte into a life of slavery.

Roots follows his family’s battle against slavery through the years.

Call Sign’s Marc Turner recently spoke to an Uber driver and noted

a similarity to that original series. Marc’s story is true...

FROM ROOTS

Kizzy is a 27 year old male who hails from

Togo in West Africa. From the 16th century

TO ROUTES!

and for around 200 years, Togo was the trading

centre for Europeans searching for slaves to

export. It even earned Togo the name of The

Slave Coast. Kizzy doesn’t think much has

changed and describes his position nowadays

as being in 'servitude' to Uber. “That's what it

feels like,” he told me recently in the full

knowledge that his words would be repro-

duced in Call Sign. He went on to explain

those words...

“The UK is the mother of democracy;

everyone wants to be here for its liberty,

tolerance and safety. Uber welcomes

migrants and refugees with open arms,

allowing us to get a foothold - at least so far

as work is concerned and where 'good'

English isn't a necessity. Most drivers’ part-

ners have other jobs as it is impossible to

make a decent living on Uber unless you

work around the clock.”

Kizzy often has to sleep in his Prius in order

Uber drivers often sleep in their cars

to make his working hours pay. I asked him if

young women loved Uber.

There but for the grace of God go we... and

he felt exploited? He earnestly replied that it

was better to take Uber’s crumbs then to steal

“They can't resist the cheapness, despite

please don’t blame the messenger!

surge pricing or even feeling scared of the dri-

Seasons Greetings to one and all...

from his neighbours! He told me that he rents

his car but refused to talk about his insurance

vers. They all tend to make contact with loved

ones as soon as they enter my car because I

Marc Turner (R97)

status and added that working for Uber was

unpredictable, varying between slack and busy.

think they don't trust me! The majority of night

Call Sign Online

He said he prefers short rides with their £5

customers are young women. Their usage is

minimum, but dislikes ‘roaders’ because the

phenomenal. They may even be the deciding

fares are so cheap and just not economically

factor in this conflict.”

viable. He tends to call punters with an excuse

I had one final question to Kizzy; what were

if a job doesn’t suit him and gets them to can-

his hopes and predictions for the future? His

cel, earning himself a fiver! If they don't coop-

answer wasn’t one I really wanted to hear:

erate, he will pretend they’re not at the pick-

“Uber is dropping prices again to try and attract

up and scrub it. Contrary to rumour, Uber do

new passengers from all over London even

allow some rejection of jobs, but if drivers

though it will aggravate ‘partners’ with rising

continue to do so they will be deactivated

commissions. If we raised our fares and you

without notice.

dropped yours, we could meet somewhere in

Ratings are another pressure. If they

the middle. We Uber drivers shouldn't be ene-

drop, drivers get a call enquiring whether

mies with taxi drivers because we have one

they know their way around town. Kizzy

thing in common - our mutual hatred of Uber.”

admitted to me that he often hung up at

At that point Kizzy, genuinely tearful, admit-

Eurostar. When I asked why, he replied

ted that he didn’t want to be an Uber driver for

honestly that at hourly earnings of around

much longer. He found it to be so stressful due

£6 (well below average minimum wage) he

to his not being qualified for the rigours of

had to put himself where the work was.

responding to ‘immediate hire’. In other

I asked Kizzy what he thought of licensed

words, he didn’t know his way around.

taxi drivers? He rather touchingly gestured a

At that point, I thanked Kizzy for his time

bow and then pronounced: “You are the

and insight. We parted company - he to yet

undisputed kings! Taxis are the father, Uber is

another night’s sleep in his car followed by

the baby. If baby gets smacked for continual-

another day in Uber bondage. I wouldn’t

ly crying, it will scream louder. Baby needs to

dream of saying it directly to Kizzy for fear

be embraced and caressed and taught how to

of offending someone who had been hon-

behave properly.” I impressed on him that

est in his responses, but there was obvious-

was TfL’s responsibility and not ours! I was

ly a tenuous link from Alex Haley’s Roots to

then taken aback by Kizzy’s assertion that

Kizzy’s lack of Routes and Uber...

Call Sign December 2015

Page 16

Brian Rice and LTDA Gen Sec Steve McNamara

Barbara (left) and Charmaine from Barclays present Russell

with a cheque

Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund

DaC at 44th TDoY dinner & dance

On 7th November, around 90 guests enjoyed

Children - accepted on behalf of his fellow

a successful raffle where the first prize was a

the 44th annual Taxi Driver of the Year

committee members by DaC Board mem-

£1000 holiday voucher.

Charity Fund dinner and dance at the

ber Mike Son

- the London Taxi

Once again Dial-a-Cab was one of the

Holiday Inn, Regents Park.

Benevolent Association for War Disabled,

sponsors and Chairman Brian Rice was

Following a drinks reception and a

the Southend Taxi Drivers Charity for

present. Thanks were also made to spon-

minute’s silence to honour those connected

Children and the Albany Charity Fund.

sors Audrey Sherry, Dagenham Travel,

to the taxi trade that had passed away during

Mike Son told Call Sign afterwards: “Every

Radio Taxis Group, Tradex Insurance,

the past 12 months, everyone enjoyed an

penny the trade charities receive is very wel-

Ubiquitous, Quotax and Colts Cabs.

excellent five course dinner beginning with a

come and this is also always such an enter-

really delicious trio of melon with a sour

taining evening.” (Cover pic to see if Mike

enjoyed the evening… Ed).

The raffle winners were

berry compote, followed by an equally tasty

(with names as given on the ticket stub):

minestrone soup. A short rest and up came

In his speech, Russell explained why the

competition aspect for Taxi Driver of the

1st Steve - 03927

£1,000.00 Holiday

the main course of chicken (or fish or steak

Year no longer seems feasible - and that is

Voucher

depending on your preference), all accompa-

the small matter of the approximate £35,000

nied by scrumptious miniature roast pota-

2nd Lou - 02769 TomTom

that is needed nowadays to find somewhere

toes, carrots and sugar snaps. If you had

3rd Eugenie - 02401 Overnight stay &

suitable to hold an event that used to be one

room left, then there was an excellent dessert

Dinner at the Copthorne Hotel

of the highlights of the trade’s year and an

trio with ice cream. Tea or coffee followed

event that was regularly won by Dial-a-Cab

4th Rochelle - 03762 Jewelry

with chocolate mints!

drivers! However, they were still hoping that

Lady guests were presented with a cute

5th Julie - 01133 Overnight Stay & Spa

a sponsor could be found.

foldaway bag before all guests settled down

@ Macdonald Berystede

During the course of the evening, there

for an evening of dancing to the oldies but

6th Ashley - 03965 Hamper

was a popular tombola running in which

goodies of Deemer Street. If you needed a

Barclays Bank of Edgware promised to dou-

7th James - 00534 Box Cutlery

breather, then around an hour later there was

ble however much was taken. There was also

8th Jim - 03950

£50 Totes gift Voucher

more tea and coffee, this time with warm

Danish pastries! The only question is how

Russell and Barbara can do all that on a

Saturday evening in a top class hotel for just

Camden and Islington warning

£65 per person. Oh, and did I mention that

there were also several bottles of wine on

all Sign has been told by a

each table!

reliable source within a

Of course, no matter how entertaining, the

surveillance camera depart-

purpose of the evening is the charity and pre-

sentations were later made to five of

ment that all the speed

London’s taxi trade charities. Incredibly, in its

cameras in the borough of Islington

first

43 years it has given away well over

are active and that the whole bor-

£2million and 2015 was no exception as

ough is now 20mph. Fines have

TDOY Charity Fund Honorary Chairman,

Russell Poluck MBE (T55), watched by his

been reported on Old Street, in

wife Barbara, presented the five major taxi

Bunhill Row and also for doing

charities with £1000 each on the night with

25mph at The Roundhouse - which

probably more to come once the total for the

comes under Camden!

night comes in.

The charities receiving the fund boost

Your licence could be at risk.

were the East London Cabbies Outing, the

Please obey the signage...

London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged

Call Sign December 2015

Page 17

ccording to The Guardian,

Mayor Boris Johnson is consid-

Lease-a-Cab Go to TfL!

ering the possibility for TfL to

buy zero-emission taxis and

then lease them back to taxi drivers! This

would be part of TfL’s efforts to tackle

London’s air pollution. Since

2010,

London has been in breach of EU safety

limits and had to pay the resulting fines

for nitrogen dioxide, which is said to be

produced by diesel vehicles such as taxis.

The surprising response went to London

Assembly member, Stephen Knight. Mayor

Johnson told him: “TfL is currently consid-

ering the proposal to purchase and sup-

ply zero-emission capable taxis to taxi dri-

vers in London. This is a complex propos-

al and needs to be considered carefully

given that TfL is the regulator for the taxi

and private hire trades in London.”

TfL already operates a similar leasing

model for the new Routemaster buses. Mr

Knight welcomed the possibility of electric

Stephen Knight: Mayor told him he was thinking of leasing electric taxis to drivers

black cabs: He said:

“Switching London’s black taxi fleet

pollution in the capital. Electric taxis have

tion is the very high initial purchase price

over from diesel to electric vehicles is an

the benefit of low running costs, but the

of these new and innovative vehicles.”

essential part of tackling dangerous air

barrier to their fast and widespread adop-

I Have A Dream

DO YOU WANT

I have a dream to settle war.

TO PLAY IN A

No arguments, nor fighting, just happiness

and peace.

People dream of this wish to come true,

BAND?

But there will always be an ongoing war

forever and always.

Happiness will always be waiting for us,

But sometimes we just can't reach it from

all the horrors of war;

And these nasty people want to ruin

people's lives to keep themselves happy.

I have a dream that everyone gets along.

Yet again, no arguing,

no fighting. Just

happiness.

Do you want to join the band?

We shall stick

together and fight

his was in last month’s Call Sign but no one

responded, so we’re trying again because we

through hard times.

know there are some guitarists out there who are

Dream on and believe

looking to join a band. We need a bass player

in yourself, because

and rhythm / lead guitarist, possibly an organist as well.

together the world

We are based in the Woodford and Loughton area. You

could achieve so much.

don’t need to be another Eric Clapton, just reasonably

good!

By Imogen Fisher

We play rock and blues or anything that takes our

(age 10)

fancy! We’re all in our 60s and have been round the block

The above was

a few times, so no pressure there! But we’d really like to

written by Editor’s

start gigging again.

granddaughter Imogen

If you fancy having a go with us, please call Kevin on

following the Paris

07506 736421.

atrocities...

Call Sign December 2015

Page 18

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

With Tom Quigley (Y33)

through it so have to learn another route.

Bags and shoes

Long gone are the days of calling through the

Last month, I wrote about the introduction of

dirty dozen to get across Soho. That is due to

carrier bag charges in shops. The old adage was

Crossrail.

that you could tell a person by their shoes, you

But you can feel for the student with the

can now add bags to that adage with the emer-

increased number of closures going on at the

gence of everyone carrying a bag again. It

moment, that every time they go to look at a

reminded me of the days when I grew up and

road or point, it’s closed or the one-way sys-

everyone had a bag to carry something.

tem has changed especially around Aldgate

But things have moved on and every

and Loughborough Road areas.

person and group has their own status and

In fact, it’s got that bad, that on one appear-

statement with the bags they carry.

ance - and I don’t spread rumours about the

At the Gym, everyone has a sports holdall,

KoL - an examiner told a student to forget

but not just any holdall - it has to be one with

about road closures and just get him there in

a branded sports company name on it and

the normal way, as it would probably have

equipped with enough paraphernalia to go

changed again by the time the student got out!

away for a week! There are trainers, running

He was probably right...

tops, shorts, cycle shorts, swimming shorts,

Road closures

Have a great Christmas...

drink bottles, protein shake bottles and all to

Fed up with the road closures Well the guide-

spend an hour relaxing. Unless you are one of

lines for Knowledge students generally mean

Tom Quigley

the really fit people who only have a draw-

that if a road is closed for more than six

Call Sign Online

string bag

(sponsored, of course), perma-

months, then the students cannot call

nently dressed in lycra and ready for action as

they are busy people who do not have the

time to change!

Taxis banned from Bank junction

Then you get the rambler type of person

The City of London Corporation

who no matter what they are doing or where

has released plans to ban most

they are going, always have a rucksack/back-

traffic - including taxis - from the

pack on their shoulders and of course obliga-

Bank junction between 7am and 7

tory mountain walking shoes to negotiate the

pm. Buses and cyclists will still be

High Street!

allowed in.

No business person has a briefcase any-

If it goes ahead, it will probably

more; they have a flight bag with wheels to

mean corporate taxi accounts in the

carry all their chargers for their laptops and

City deciding that using a taxi is no

mobile offices inside the bag. Go to Holborn

longer feasible and instruct their staff

Station and you can tell a Freemason from

the big cases they carry, undoubtedly full of

to use buses where possible or minicab

important things like robes!

companies that don’t charge for traffic

Women no longer have a handbag; it’s a

hold-ups.

designer leather holdall with a shoulder strap,

If the scheme goes forward, it will confirm that both TfL and the City

generally larger than the old Wells Fargo

Corporation no longer count taxis as being part of London’s transport system.

money bags that always have to be searched at

There was a tragedy at the junction in June, when 26 year old Ying Tao was killed

the airport and measured as they may have to

by an HGV as she cycled to work. There was a “die in” by cyclists several days later

go in the hold.

and this closure appears to be the result.

Every one of we taxi drivers will have our

There were 105 collisions close to the junction over five years up to last November

money bag tucked under our arm or rest-

with 118 casualties, of which around half were pedestrians, one third being cyclists

ing on our stomachs as we order yet anoth-

and the rest motorcyclists.

er oversized pasta (as it’s healthy) that we

TfL will probably decide on whether to accept the plan by next spring.

don’t need.

I’ve noticed that the shopper’s trolley has

been upgraded too; it no longer just two

wheels, there are now four-wheeled ones that

you push and not pull! Some come with fold

down seats, all to assist the owner. Because

they don’t fit in the boot of your car, the con-

tents have to be unloaded individually. But

some have their own special boot bags to store

your oil, trolley jack, anti-freeze and of course

to separate your shopping and gym bag, as

that local Gym is too far away to walk to.

The bag that fascinates me is the Jehovah’s

Witness bag; whenever they roam your street

in a pack or knock on your door in pairs, they

all have the same regulation size black, non-

descript, leather case / holdall, unsponsored

with no trace of endorsement by the High and

Mighty. I’m not in their group, but I would

love to know where they are ordered from...

Call Sign December 2015

Page 19

I went into great lengths in my last Call Sign

report to explain in more detail the amount of

work involved in completing tender propos-

DaC Sales Report

als. Since then, we have completed a further

three new tenders and wait to be appraised.

With Keith Cain

The tender I referred to last time has now

short-listed us to make another presentation

Therefore, they have decided to not change

on the functionality of our systems. Having

supplier for a better service but would rather

made that presentation, the next stage is to

stay with their current car firm, pay less and

present our costs. This also has led to clarifi-

wait for as long as it takes to get a vehicle!

cation questions being asked with additional

The same goes for our own clients who

work being spent on resourcing for addition-

are also reviewing their costs. We are

al workings of the actual account.

offering more fixed price journeys and

I’m sorry if I am sounding rather vague,

having to make serious reductions in our

but I hope you understand that while I

administration charges.

want to keep members fully informed,

I also want to remind members there is still

there is still a great deal of confidentiality

in place a monetary sum for any introduction

by members for a company that opens an

to adhere to while the selection process is

being undertaken.

account facility with us. If there are any mem-

bers who can ‘talk the talk’ to a prospective

In this business, it is not a simple process

account holder, we will pay you for your hard

to obtain clients and clients are going to great

serious drop in service being given to them

work.

lengths to choose suppliers. Without doubt,

by the larger car firms. Having explained our

I would like to take this opportunity to

the trend out there at this time is still cost

own charges and services, many have said

send all members and their family’s sea-

and recently we have received lots of

they will think about it but a few have stated

son greetings and a happy and prosper-

enquiries from private hire account holders

that despite our pricing structure - which I

ous New Year.

requesting information about our services. In

hasten to add is very attractive - the cost of a

our conversations, it is apparent that the rea-

Keith Cain

journey from the city to west end, for exam-

son they are contacting us is because of the

ple, is still more than they have been paying.

DaC Head of Sales

DAC CREDIT UNION AND XMAS SHOPPING

Have your kids told you that they now need an iPad or laptop in their room for homework!

Yes Well this could be an expensive holiday season for you!

There are many reputable shops offering cheap laptops and iPads etc - but only if you pay outright. It’s when you

want to pay off that it suddenly become expensive. We’ve seen £800 packages with 48 monthly payments of £24.28

that end up costing £1165 - an extra £365. That’s just one example!

Now look at the Dial-a-Cab Credit Union. That £800 loan over 12 months at £72 would cost you just £53 extra in

interest. Even over 36 months, you would pay nowhere near PC World’s rate.

If the DaC Credit Union loaned you £1000 over 36 months, that would cost you just £34 a month and a total of £195 in interest,

probably around one third of the total interest the big electrical stores would charge you for not paying the whole amount up front.

The Dial-a-Cab Credit Union now has over 1000 members and enough funds to cover most loans. It costs you nothing to join and if

you do not want to borrow money, contrary to rumour, you pay no fine and you can just continue saving - and saving is the only compul-

sory thing about DACCU... you have to save a set amount regularly. How much you save is entirely up to you, but the more you save, the

more you can borrow! And of course your savings can be taken back whenever you want them or if you would like a loan, very often just

a quick phone call will do it - no dressing up and begging the bank manager or looking for loans with shark companies where 1000+ per

cent interest is normal!

The DACCU is for drivers and staff of Dial-a-Cab, but anyone in your family can also become a member in their own right with all the

loan benefits that it offers.

Hackney Road Taxi Tyres

The other benefit you can find here is the downstairs tyre service, Hackney Road Taxi Tyres. If you save with the DaC Credit Union, then

you can even have your new tyres fitted and pay for them from your CU account. Now that really makes financial sense. Or of course, you

can just pay for the tyres in the normal ways - cash or credit/debit cards.

It doesn’t have to be for your cab, they also supply any make of tyre for your car. Just make a simple phone call with the size and they

will call you back with three quotes - budget, mid and top of the range tyres and then it’s up to you. They can be ordered for next day

delivery on condition they are in stock.

DACCU closes Christmas Eve at 4pm and reopens 2 January. Have a very Happy Christmas; you know where we are if you

need us and as usual, be lucky... but be very careful out there.

You can contact the Dial-a-Cab Credit Union on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585, Hackney Road Taxi Tyres on 0207 729

5237 or go to the office at Unit 14, Peterley Business Centre, 472 Hackney Road, E2...

John Riley, Vice-President, Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

Nice work !

Nope! It isn’t really one of ours with a new phone num-

ber; Dial-a-Cab - the original one from 1953 - driver

Debbie Hope (W18) spotted this imitator heading

towards Tavistock Place recently. The cab with the

familiar name brought a passenger on a 100 mile trip

from Cheltenham. A nice job when you can get it!

For those that don’t know Debbie, she and her

white TX4 are available for weddings. See her advert

in every issue...

Call Sign December 2015

Page 20

Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over…

“IT IS NOW!”

The old West Ham dog track is

now a DLR station!

Haringey (1927-1987) in Green

Lanes, which is now the Sainsbury's

Store; Park Royal

(1931-1969)

which is now an industrial estate

just off the A40 heading west before

Hanger Lane; Stratford

(1953-

1966) was in Quartermile Lane in

Temple Mills; Walthamstow (1931-

2008) was originally the Crooked

Bob Woodford looks at London’s

Billet Greyhound & Whippet

Track where some of the most pres-

long lost sporting venues

tigious races in the greyhound rac-

ing calendar took place at 'The Stow'

Let me start with a question you might

the Ilderton Road end and having to ask him

(the façade is still intact and a listed structure

not immediately have an answer to: What

what the huge black box-like structure was

even after Boris approved plans for housing).

do Battersea Heliport, Southside

on the left as we walked up to the turnstiles It

Then there was Wembley

(1927-1987)

Shopping Centre in Wandsworth (former-

was actually the giant scoreboard to the New

which like Stamford Bridge surrounded the

ly the Arndale) and Makro wholesalers in

Cross Stadium (1938-1969) that has now

football perimeter; West Ham (1927-1987) in

Charlton all have in common The answer

been replaced by the Bridge Meadows hous-

Prince Regent Lane - now covered partly by

is they’re all on the site of former London

ing estate!

the DLR Station and track - this was also the

Greyhound Stadiums. Last month's article

If you have been bemused by the Angel

home of Thames FC, a former Football

has already highlighted Clapton Dog

Town Regeneration Scheme that forces you

League Third Division South side who hold

Track, which is now covered over by a

out into the Brixton Road via Villa Road just

the record for the lowest ever League atten-

social housing estate in Millfields Road.

opposite the St. Helens Road School, it cur-

dance of 469 in a match against Luton Town

So continuing with that theme this

rently sits on the site of the Brixton

in a stadium with a 120,000 capacity! Then

month, let's explore some more 'ghosts'

Greyhound Stadium

(1932-1939).

there was White City (1927-1984), a stadium

from London's lost sporting history.

4,000 fans showed up at its very first meeting,

originally opened by King Edward VII for

with 2,000 locked outside!

athletics with a swimming and diving pool

Wanna bet!

In more recent years, we lost the

infield; the land is now BBC property,

Wandsworth Stadium had a capacity of

Catford Dog Track at Catford

hemmed in by Wood Lane, White City Road

20,000. Greyhound racing was a very popular

Bridge (1932-2003), which was destroyed

and the A40.

spectator sport up and down the country at

by a fire and subsequently demolished -

Further afield there were tracks at

one time, particularly before WW2. In the

another stadium that once attracted huge

Dagenham (1930-1938), which was north of

Greater London area alone there were more

crowds before the legislation allowing

the Ripple Road; Greenford (1927-1928)

than 30 tracks. The SW18 stadium opened in

betting shops in the 1960s.

which was in Birkbeck Avenue

(now

1933, was bordered on the west side by

The so-called London Stadium (1936-

Jeymer Drive; Harlington Corner) (1935-

Buckhold Road and on the east side by

1977) was down in Sandy Lane, Mitcham,

1962) just south of the Bath Road near the

Garratt Lane, but on its southern perimeter

just a goal-kick away from the old Tooting &

Holiday Inn on land required by the Air

stood the beautiful Wandsworth Aqueduct

Mitcham football ground where former

Ministry to further develop Heathrow

constructed in 1887 to assist storm relief and

Millwall, Manchester United and Chelsea

Airport. There was Sidcup (1934-1935) in

pulled down along with the dog track in 1966

goalkeeper Alex Stepney began his career.

Foots Cray Road,; Southall (1931-1976 in

to construct what was then the largest cov-

Only Wimbledon Stadium survives in South

Havelock Road (now covered by Havelock

ered shopping mall in Europe.

London as a venue for greyhound racing -

Primary School); Welling (1932-1939) was

Just up in Lombard Road, alongside the

although this writer is convinced that

situated on Wickham Street where Beale

Thames, the short-lived Battersea

because of its situation on the east bank of

Close is now: Hendon (1935-1972) is now

Greyhound Stadium (1930-1939) had stiff

the River Wandle and therefore within the

competition with its local rival and was one

SW17 postal district, it should be known as

beneath the Brent Cross Shopping Centre;

of the many tracks forced to close just after

Tooting Stadium!

Watford (1928-1967) was at Vicarage Road

the outbreak of War and did not re-open.

Another track existed with an SW post code

while Edmonton (1930-1938) was available

Older readers might recall its short use as an

around the football pitch at Stamford

for Spurs fans and located in Eastbourne

Ice Skating venue long before the choppers

Bridge (1933-1968), a stadium capable once

Avenue where Barrowside Close is now.

arrived.

of holding 100,000 spectators when going to

Edgware and Feltham also once hosted

Down in Charlton and very close to the

the dogs was once more popular than going

small independent

(what were known as

Valley, home of Charlton Athletic FC and

to the football - which some say is ‘going to

‘flapping’ tracks), but of all the numerous

opposite the perhaps politically incorrectly

the dogs’ these days anyway!

tracks that once covered the metropolis, you

named Antigallican Pub, bordered by

We started the series last month at

can only watch greyhound racing these days

Gallions Road and Anchor and Hope

Clapton and the Hackney Wick

at Crayford, Romford and Wimbledon.

Lane is the Makro Store - which sits on the

Greyhound Stadium (1932-1997) was a

Next month I’ll explore some more

site of the old Charlton Greyhound

point in Waterden Road on the

‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’ when we’ll

Stadium that existed between 1928 and

Knowledge of course - its old site, once

look at some long lost teams that once

1971.

used for car boot sales soon after closing,

used many of the stadiums listed above -

South Londoners were spoilt for choice

was eventually swallowed up by the

but these were not football teams! Have a

when it came to watching greyhounds. I can

London Olympics International Media

great Christmas...!

remember the first time my Dad took me to

Centre for the

2012 Olympic Games.

Bob Woodford

The Den to watch Millwall, walking in from

Other tracks north of the River included

Call Sign Online

Call Sign December 2015

Page 21

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

Me, Sir John Chilcot and the Iraq Inquiry!

So in we went. I understood what she meant. There were piles of

've been giving it a lot of thought to

paper everywhere. On chairs, tables, on the floor, up the stairs. There

what could I do if I decided to get out

was even a cat asleep on one load. Then a man appeared; he looked

of the taxi game. I had considered

familiar.

Saudi oil prince as a new career. Nice

“I can't find 497,” he wailed. “I had it but now it's gone.” Then I recog-

cars, lots of girls, posh home in the West

nised him - it was Sir John Chilcot - he of the Iraq Inquiry. Mrs

End and plenty of holidays. But I don't

Chilcot didn't look pleased. “Well I'm not looking for it; I wasted last

know - those white robes give you a

weekend searching for 693. Find it yourself!”

washed-out look and the laundry bills

He appealed to me. “Please help me driver, I'll pay for your time.”

must be astronomical; so I'll pass on that

“But isn't this stuff top secret,” I responded “Don't worry about that,”

one.

he said! At that point Chilcot answered the phone.

How about a football manager? We've

“Hello... Oh Prime Minister, how are you Yes, I’m also fine, thank you.

all been there... “Wos 'ee doin'? Why dun-

Yes, it's coming along nicely, just a few things to tie up. Yes, it has taken

nee bring on Oscar? Ee's 'avin a laugh!” We all think we know best. Mind

a while. Oh, did I really say it was almost ready Well if you say I did, but

you, I wouldn't have got rid of De Bruyne and Mata. And I wouldn't

a few things have held me up... I had that problem with the car and then

know what to do with those multi-million pound pay-offs or the cars or

the cat got sick...” At which point even pussy gave him a funny look and

the girls or the home in the West End!

went out through the cat-flap!

So what else is there I suppose I could always fall back on being a

“Yes PM, of course, as soon as possible. Thanks for ringing... and

Rock Star. It's not generally known that I'm one of the world's great air

regards to Sam.”

guitarists. It all started back in the late fifties when I was heavily influ-

So I started looking everywhere for page 497. It took me an hour and

enced by Hank B. Marvin (what did the B stand for by the way) My ver-

twenty minutes but then I found a shopping list. Six eggs; wholemeal

sion of Apache is still talked about in air guitarist circles. And that was

loaf; matzo meal... and a tube of anusol! I turned the list over and there

just the start of it. There was Johnny B.Goode, which was of course

it was - 497.

accompanied with Chuck Berry's Duck Walk. The riff from The Kinks

Chilcot breathed a sigh of relief. The report comes out next summer

All Right Now and of course Fleetwood Mack's Albatross.

- thanks to me!

But as I got more interested in classical stuff, I learnt a new skill

Anyway I've decided on my future. I'm going into manufacturing. I'm

- the air violin. It wasn't easy, I can tell you, but eventually I mas-

going to turn out those signs that say: STOP HERE WHEN RED LIGHT

tered it. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven; I've taken them all on. I'm told

SHOWS. You never know, someone might want one...

I have a magnificent arpeggio and my cadenzas have to be seen

to be believed!

Geoff Levene (W32)

But one thing that has never tempted me was politics. However pop-

ular you might be, one day eventually they will all turn against you.

Call Sign Online

Even Churchill had only five good years and a lifetime in the wilder-

ness or mired in controversy. I once picked up Norman Lamont. He

was no longer in government and lived in Kensington Park Road very

close to the cab shelter. He was often to be seen eating a bacon sarnie

and stirring a mug of tea with a spoon secured by a piece of string.

As he came out, he looked up at the sky and asked me: “Do you think

I need my coat”

“Well," I replied,” It looks a bit ominous but you'll have to decide.”

He looked wistful as he said: “They're the only decisions I have to

make these days!”

Not far from there in Ken High Street, I recently picked up a

lady with six bags of shopping. We went to a house in Princedale

Road.

WINTER PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT

“Can I help you in with the shopping,” I asked, trying to be helpful.

“Oh thank you,” she said, “but I apologise for the mess.”

Friday 18 December 2015

Friday 29 January 2016

Friday 26 February 2016

Royal Oak

Friday March 18 2016

09.30 Coffee & bacon roll on arrival***

closes again

10.30 Shot gun start***

15.30 Presentation of Professional & Team prizes

£45 per person in a team of 2 amateurs

he Royal Oak cab driver’s eatery closed on 31

going out with a golf professional

October after being given around 10 days’ notice

Maximum full handicap 24 Men, 30 Ladies

to get out following Middle Eastern property

Format: Stableford 3/4 handicap. Best two scores count.

developers purchasing the site.

Please telephone if you would like an

This is the second time that the Oak has been shut

entry form or any further information.

down, after its first site at the Paddington Basin was

closed by Crossrail. After a long gap, they found premis-

Call Elaine Cochrane on 01992 466666 Ext. 249.

es close to Paddington Station. Now it’s goodbye to

The Hertfordshire was designed by Jack Nicklaus II. It is a par 70 spread over 6266

that as well.

yards of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, making full use of the natural

surroundings. The lakes and forests in the area, for example, make for wonderfully

The owners say they will be back, but admit that find-

challenging natural hazards. With full irrigation cover of tees, fairways and greens,

ing new premises won’t be easy. We wish them luck...

the course is in fantastic condition all year round. Read more about the course at

http://www.thehertfordshiregolf.co.uk/

Call Sign December 2015

Page 22

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

Brethren of the Whip

Occupational

off at great speed before crashing into anoth-

owned a number of properties in the area,

er cab. It was with great difficulty that the

employed her as a cleaner with other

hazard...

police back-tracked in the dark before even-

domestic duties.

When

Joseph

tually finding Williams. He died shortly after

At 5.50 on New Year’s Eve 1881, Louisa

Hansom designed

being admitted to St Mary’s Hospital.

Humphries finished those duties for the day

his

eponymous

In August 1881 a cabman named Cooper

at 16 Shouldham Street and reported as

coach, its success

was thrown from his box following a collision

such to her landlord (and employer) who

centred on the fact

with another cab in Regent Street. He was

was having dinner with his wife. Before she

that with just two

taken to St Thomas’s Hospital where he was

was relieved, Louisa was asked if she would

wheels, the coach

treated for a scalp wound. He complained of

go to the shops to buy some pork for the fol-

was finely balanced

pains on the left side of his chest and the sur-

lowing day’s dinner. Louisa agreed and

when harnessed

geon just bandaged these up and told him to

Saunders gave her 3shillings (15p) for it. No

which meant there was less strain on the

return the following day. The next morning,

sooner had he given Louisa the money than

horse and which made for a more comfort-

however, Cooper was in agony and his wife

he ran to the parlour door and locked it. His

able ride. To achieve this equilibrium, the dri-

took him to nearby St Mary’s Hospital where

wife was not unduly alarmed at this point as

ver was perched precariously high at the back

he died shortly after. A post mortem revealed

he had been “slightly eccentric of late.” Then

of the cab looking over the roof. Most of the

five cracked ribs and a punctured lung. The

without warning, Saunders pulled out a gun

fatalities that occurred to cabmen during the

injury to his head was more severe than the

and shot Louisa through the head at point

19th century were due to injuries received

house surgeon at St Thomas’s had indicated

blank range. Fearing for her own safety, the

from being “thrown from his box.”

and the apparently “drunk” Cooper was most

wife then attacked her husband - who fired

More often than not, the cabman would

likely severely concussed.

another two shots at her, both fortunately

have had more to drink than he should

missing. She managed to knock the gun from

Not all such accidents were fatal, but

have, but there was also the condition of

his hand and unlock the door, running into

some had fatal consequences. Take the

the streets to take into account.

the street screaming. Her husband chased

case of 61 year old Charles Humphries.

On the night of Easter Monday 1880, 65

Shortly before Christmas 1881, he was

after her and fired another shot, which again

year old Elijah Patrick was driving round

thrown from his box and his injuries were

missed her.

Cumberland Market (now Haymarket)

severe enough for him to be admitted to

When the police eventually managed to

when one of his wheels struck a large stone,

the Marylebone Infirmary - the hospital-

smash their way through two doors, they

said to be “in a dangerous position,” causing

wing of a workhouse then in Luxborough

found the bodies of Saunders, who had

Patrick to be thrown from his seat. He was

Street. People were not patients in infir-

shot himself and of Louisa Humphries,

immediately taken to the UCH but died three

maries; they were “pauper inmates.”

who was still clasping the 3s for the fol-

lowing day’s dinner.

days later.

With Charles in hospital, there was no

It was not recorded what led to Charles

In November of the same year, Henry

money coming into the household. He lived

Humphries being thrown from his seat, but it

Williams, coincidently of Cumberland

with his wife at 5 Newnham Street (now

started a chain of events that nobody could

Market, was found lying in the middle of the

Brendon Street) and despite her age, she

have foreseen.

Great Western Road. It was never found out

was forced to go charring in order to get

what caused him to be thrown; he did not

money to buy food and pay the rent.

Sean Farrell (B39)

smell of drink nor was he subject to fits. But

But help was close at hand. Her land-

after having been thrown, his horse charged

lord, Robert Saunders, an ex-butler who

Call Sign Online

DIAL-A-CAB ARTISTS

Ladies and Gentleman

Firstly, I am pleased to let you know the London Taxi Company now has a fully loaded Dial-a-Cab

loan taxi complete with a data terminal and DaC logos. Obviously this loan cab is for the exclusive

use of Dial-a-Cab drivers when your cab is having work done at the LTC.

And now for something completely different

Next spring, there will be an art exhibition and competition held at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, Britton

Street, EC1. It will be open to all competent artists, whether a taxi driver, member of the family or

anyone associated with the London taxi industry. In fact even regular cab passengers can enter!

The theme is London, Past and Present.

The artwork can be sketches, oil paintings, water colours, sculptures - in fact any artwork will be

considered. There will be a monetary prize for the winning artwork that is deemed to be thoughtful, well-constructed

and imaginative. Judging will be by well-respected and knowledgeable professional artists.

Those artists who exhibit will have the opportunity to sell their work to interested buyers and of any work

that is sold, a small percentage of the sale price will go to the London Taxidrivers Fund for Underprivileged

Children in an effort to help worthy causes.

You may be a promising artist who could equal the talents of Damian Hirst, Salvador Dali, David Hockney or

Tracy Emin.

You have 6 months to plan the work should you wish to exhibit. If you are interested in participating or would like some further information,

please send an email to m.son@btconnect.com and I’ll be happy to help...

Mike Son

DaC BoM

Call Sign December 2015

Page 23

The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled

Trib

ute to a hero

London is full of large statues dedicated to

alongside the harbour wall. McKenzie, armed

long-forgotten senior military figures, but the

with a Lewis gun, fought incredibly bravely

acts of regular military personnel are rarely

and accounted for about a dozen of the

commemorated with the same grandeur. The

enemy before the gun was shot from his

people of Bermondsey did much to rectify

grasp. He managed to find a rifle, bayonet and

this imbalance on Friday 23rd October when

pistol and fought on, kicking and punching as

a stunning statue was unveiled to honour a

he went, suffering wounds to his back and

local boy who won the VC in the First World

legs. He was nominated by his shipmates for

War.

the VC. Tragically he died just before the end

Able Seaman Albert McKenzie, at the

of the War, not due to his wounds, but from

tender age of 19, was the first London

influenza.

sailor to receive the Victoria Cross from

The Bermondsey community put on a mov-

King George V. He was part of the crew of

ing and dignified ceremony. The statue, creat-

HMS Vindictive, which led the raid on

ed by a local blacksmith, was unveiled by

Zeebrugge harbour. The plan was to cre-

Admiral Lord West and there was a full gun

ate a diversion by taking out German gun

salute on HMS Belfast.

positions, while British warships moved in

Family members and dignitaries gave

to block the canal entrance thus prevent-

speeches, including a representative of the

ing German submarines from leaving the

people of Flanders and the Deputy Lieutenant

port.

of Southwark, who read out a message from

Disaster struck when the smoke-screen was

Her Majesty the Queen.

Vets go back to the Oxford and

blown away by the wind and heavy casualties

John Berylson, chairman of Millwall FC,

Bermondsey club after the ceremony

ensued before the Vindictive managed to pull

himself an ex US marine and his chief execu-

tive, Andy Amber, were in attendance demon-

strating the support that this London club

gives to Britain’s military. And no ceremony of

LTC commits to fight

this kind would have been complete without

the Pearly King and Queen of Rotherhithe.

against climate change

As part of the LTBAWD, Dial-a-Cab’s

Terry Ward (W13) (aka Barking Bill) along

he London Taxi Company has joined forces with ten taxi

with Mickey Calvey and myself had the

companies in eleven markets to tackle climate change as

pleasure of escorting several of the chari-

part of the 21st United Nations conference on climate

ty’s veteran volunteer collectors to attend

the unveiling, and we were thrilled to be

change - COP 21. As a partner in the initiative, the com-

pany is committing to promote the uptake of cleaner, more effi-

invited back to the Oxford and

Bermondsey Club, where the committee

cient taxis across Europe and the widespread adoption of low

had prepared a marvellous reception. This

emission zones in European cities by 2020.

was the moment when the Taxi Charity’s

The London Taxi Company is investing £300 million into the

veterans came into their own, as they per-

development of its new zero emissions capable taxi, which will go on sale in 2017. It’s

formed a number of wartime songs much

new manufacturing facility in Ansty, West Midlands, is also being built with sustainabil-

to the delight of the assembled company.

ity in mind and is expected to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and will be ‘A’

It was a really wonderful tribute to a coura-

rated for energy performance.

geous local hero. When you are passing the

The climate change initiative is supported by the French Ministry for Environment

junction of Tower Bridge Road and

as the host nation for the COP 21 talks and has received assistance from the COP 21

Bermondsey Street, pause for a moment to

team in helping companies define the possible goals for the project. The eleven

remember another of the fallen.

founder companies will now invite all taxi companies worldwide to join them and

commit to reducing their fleet CO2 emissions. The London Taxi Company is the only

manufacturer currently signed up to the initiative.

Frances Luczyc Wyhowska

LTC Chief Executive, Peter Johansen, said: “As an environmentally aware company,

climate change is a topic that is close to the heart of our business. We’re investing sig-

nificantly to ensure we have the products to help solve climate change and poor air

Call Sign

quality in major cities worldwide. We’re incredibly proud to be part of this initiative

December 2015

and look forward to engaging with all its stakeholders worldwide.”

Editor: Alan Fisher

The initiative is led by French taxi company Les Taxis Bleus with involvement

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

from London Taxi Company, Taxis Bleus (Belgium), Taxi 31300 (Austria),

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

Fågelviksgruppen (Sweden and Norway), Central Taxis (UK), Taxi Central

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

Amsterdam (Netherlands), Taxiphone Centrale (Switzerland), Taxis Berlin

Website:cwww.22-callsign.co.uk

(Germany), Taxi 3570 (Italy) and Taxelco (Canada).

Printers: Premier Print Group

E6 6 LP

Design: Aldan Publications

No question? No answer?

Tel: 07958 300 428

Call Sign is always carefully proofed and we try for as few mistakes as possible.

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

Unfortunately, just before production of this issue, a computer accident deleted every

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

question mark! At the last minute we have tried to replace what we could, but have

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

probably missed a number due to the short time available before the magazine’s

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

timeslot. If so, we hope it does not spoil your enjoyment of the issue.

either manually or electronically without the express

permission of the Editor.

Alan Fisher, Call Sign Editor

Call Sign December 2015

Page 24

This drivers’ experience may be

of particular interest to night-

men, now that the evenings are

When the

getting ever shorter.

Imagine merrily buzzing around the streets

of London or - if you are lucky - the darker

roads of the countryside, when suddenly and

without warning your headlights both ‘dip’

lights go out...

and the main beam goes dim before disap-

pearing altogether! In addition, your interior

lighting fails and the passenger intercom

work from his days working at London Taxi

If you need to contact John, his mobile

goes silent!

Company former main dealers, Mann &

number is; 07702 348 061.

Well that’s exactly what happened to

Overton.

Alan Green (E52), Call Sign Online

Dial-a-Cab driver Alan Richards (W21) and

his 07 plate TX4. Alan told Call Sign what

happened...

“I’ve been on DaC for almost ten years now

and this had never happened to me before.

TfL finalise ULEZ requirements

One minute I was happily working, the next

it was like a wartime blackout except that the

street lights were still going, so it didn’t take

for Taxis and PH

too much working out to realise I had a prob-

The Mayor and TfL have confirmed to the taxi and private hire trades how they will play their

lem! It was pretty scary at first.

part in improving London's air quality when the world's first Ultra Low Emission Zone is

“I had the telephone number of a mobile

introduced in the Capital in 2020.

electrician, so having managed to crawl home

From 1 January 2018, all taxis licensed for the first time must be zero emission capable,

I called him at a more sociable hour and after

while new diesel taxis will not be allowed in London. For private hire vehicles, there are several

explaining my problem, he correctly diag-

milestones which will ensure that all vehicles granted a private hire licence for the first time

nosed the fault over the phone and was at my

after 1 January 2023 will be zero emission capable, regardless of age.

door within a few hours, which I thought was

In advance of the ULEZ requirements and to clean up the private hire fleet, all PH vehicles

pretty good going. He sorted the fault out

licensed for the first time between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019 must feature Euro

very quickly and I was ready to go back on

6 petrol or diesel engine, or a Euro 4 petrol-hybrid engine. From 1 January 2020 all new PH

the road.

vehicles - defined as those under 18 months old - licensed for the first time will have to be

“I assumed I was in for a mega-bucks cost

zero emission capable. Older PH vehicles - those over 18 months old - will need to feature a

Euro 6 engine when licensed for the first time between 1 January 2020 and 31 December

due to a major component failure, but I was

2022. They will also need to be zero emission capable from 2023.

worrying unnecessarily because the cost was

This follows a second consultation with the taxi and private hire trades, stakeholders and

very reasonable. The problem had been

the public on proposed licensing changes ahead of the ULEZ. The Mayor and TfL have secured

exactly as he had diagnosed over the phone.

£65m of funding to help taxi drivers achieve a target of 9,000 zero emission capable taxis by

When Call Sign spoke to John, the elec-

2020.

trician, he was very familiar with the

Up to £5,000 will be available to taxi drivers who want to decommission their vehi-

problem Alan had experienced. It is due

cle once it reaches 10 years of age, with the exact amount depending on the age of

to overloading of the fuse that supplies

the vehicle. As well as this, a £5,000 plug-in car grant is available through the Office

power to the lighting circuits and other

for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), to which a £3,000 'top-up' grant can be added.

services.

The 15-year age limit for taxis will remain in place, but the decommissioning scheme will

“The system is under powered, so when

encourage cabbies to remove the oldest, most polluting vehicles from the fleet and upgrade to

drivers switch on the lights and draw addi-

new zero emission capable taxis. The scheme is intended to tackle the problem of air quality in

tional power by using the intercom and other

London in an effective and sustainable way, while also taking into account the challenges cur-

stuff, the purple coloured wire from the fuse

rently facing the trade.

box - sited in the dash - literally melts due to

Mayor Johnson said: “The taxi and minicab trades have a crucial role to play in helping to

overheating and that’s when everything fails.

improve London's air quality. This is why we have made them a central part of our Ultra Low

The problem affects TX2s from ‘55’ plate

Emission Zone plans. We understand this will take time and that is why we are giving financial

onwards, as they are similar to the TX4 fuse

assistance to help clean up these vehicle fleets. The Ultra Low Emission Zone is the most ambi-

box as in Alan’s cab,” John explained.

tious measure of its kind in the world and we need everyone on board for it to be a success.”

Many drivers will be familiar with John’s

Call Sign December 2015

Page 25

Yep, it’s that time of the year again...

Christmas at the home of Charles Dickens

From 1 December until Twelfth Night (6

Dominic Gerrard and

January 2016) the first family home of

Mr Scrooge

Charles Dickens at 48 Doughty Street will

Tickets: Adults

£18;

host a celebration of Christmas and of one of

Children £10.

the author’s best-loved books, A Christmas

Costumed Christmas

Carol. The London townhouse into which

Tours of Dickens’s

Dickens moved with his growing family in

home

1837, now the Charles Dickens Museum,

A step back in time to

will be dressed for a beautiful Victorian

Christmas

1839: while

Christmas celebration of the historic rooms

Dickens and his family

in which Dickens lived and worked while he

are

attending

made his name. They will be filled with

Christmas ball, their

decorations, fragrances and sounds of a 19th

housemaid takes a break

century London Christmas.

from her duties and

Among this year’s highlights will be atmos-

invites visitors through

pheric candlelit evening openings; late-night

the

now-rarely-open

openings and tours of the House; special per-

his illustrations reproduced in the first edition

original door of

formances and readings of A Christmas Carol

Doughty Street - which Dickens used - to

by acclaimed Dickens performers; a Christmas

of A Christmas Carol. Dickens often wrote

into the night by candlelight and was fascinat-

enjoy an exclusive tour of Dickens’s ‘house in

walk through the streets of London and a

town’, dressed for Christmas and filled with

beautifully lively and festive day of celebration

ed by the effects created by flames. Guests will

be able to luxuriate in what he called ‘a ruddy,

festive greenery, authentic Victorian fayre and

and anticipation on perhaps the most exciting

the scent of citrus and spice.

day of the year, Christmas Eve.

homely...glow’ and experience rooms filled

with festive greenery, authentic Victorian fayre

Dates Saturdays

12/19 December from

As part of this year’s celebrations, the

10am-1pm. Adults: £18; Concessions: £14;

Museum will present A Christmas Carol

and the scent of citrus and spice.

Dates

16,

23 and 30 December from

Children £10.

Reimagined, a new exhibition exploring the

6.40pm. Tickets £20.

themes of perhaps Dickens’s most enduring

Costumed Christmas walk

piece of work. Written in six weeks in the win-

Exploring the streets and alleyways where

A Christmas Carol: Performed by Dominic

ter of

1843, A Christmas Carol sold 6,000

Gerrard

many of Dickens greatest novels unfolded.

copies in the six days between its release and

The walk will take in Saffron Hill with Oliver

A special candlelit performance of A Christmas

Christmas Eve that same year and has never

Carol by acclaimed actor and Dickens per-

Twist and Fagin; the little corner where Pip

been out of print since. Inspired by a damning

lodged with Herbert Pocket in Great

former, Dominic Gerrard in the rooms in

parliamentary report on child labour and

Expectations; and a look for Bob Cratchit as

which Dickens wrote. A magical re-telling of

growing awareness of child poverty, the book

he heads home on Christmas eve 1843, with

the classic Christmas story, directed by Tim

follows Ebenezer Scrooge on a path to

no idea that his employer, Ebenezer Scrooge,

Carroll with ingenious puppetry animating

redemption over the course of a tortuous (for

is about to undergo an overnight transforma-

the words of Ebenezer Scrooge.

him, not for us) Christmas Eve night. The

tion. Twisting through the old streets of

Dates 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 Dec

Museum’s exhibition gallery will be filled with

London, the walk will reveal how Dickens

at 3.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets £22 (incl

a wealth of new work, created by illustration

came to write A Christmas Carol and how it

Museum entry).

students from Central Saint Martins in

has influenced our celebrations of Christmas.

response to Dickens’s tale of compassion and

Dates Wednesday 23 December at 2.30pm.

A Christmas Carol: Read by Michael Slater

social awareness.

Tickets: £10.

Back by popular demand, the great Professor

Visitor information and event details:

Michael Slater MBE will bring A Christmas

Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum

Carol to life with wit and panache. A much-

When Charles Dickens moved into 48

Doughty Street, he was a little known

and A Christmas Carol Reimagined exhi-

loved annual festive treat, highly recommend-

bition

ed by all at the Museum and the many visitors

writer still using his pen-name, Boz. By

Dates 1 December 2015 - 6 January 2016.

who return to experience it each year. If you

the time he left, he was an international

Open seven days a week, 10am-5pm (last

are yet to hear Michael Slater bring the great

superstar, having finished The Pickwick

admission 4pm). Closed Xmas/Boxing

works of Dickens to life, this is your chance.

Papers and written both Oliver Twist and

Day, adults £8; concessions £6; children

Dates 12, 13, 14, 15 December at 3.30pm

Nicholas Nickleby at the house.

(6-16)

£4; under 6 free.

and 6.30pm. Tickets: £15 (incl Museum

During his time there, he surrounded him-

entry).

self with people; a procession of influential vis-

Christmas by candlelight

itors - actors, writers and socialites - came to

An unforgettable opportunity to make your

A Very Dickensian Christmas Eve

dine in his late-Regency rooms and relished his

way through Charles Dickens’s home by can-

A special day of Christmas celebrations

parties, particularly at Christmas. The rooms

dlelight at Christmas. Evocatively lit and lav-

throughout Dickens’s home. An opportunity

are still filled with the furniture Dickens

ishly decorated rooms will give a palpable

to immerse yourself in Christmas spirit and

bought for the house - most of the fireplaces,

sense of seeing Dickens’s beautifully restored

Victorian London with carol singing around

doors, locks, window shutters and fittings are

home as he did. Flickering lights will illumi-

the piano in the Drawing Room; theatrical

his and contain such items as the copper in the

nate the elegance of the interiors, as well as

performances throughout the house by

washhouse used to steam the Christmas pud-

the shadowy chambers of the Victorian base-

emerging theatre company Equapoise, each

dings enjoyed by the family each year, not to

ment and the heart of the home, the kitchen.

inspired by Dickens’s Christmas stories; invi-

mention the desk where he wrote Great

The rooms are filled with items from the

tations to come into the basement kitchen to

Expectations and other great works!

world’s most comprehensive collection of

learn how to make the perfect Christmas pud-

Tickets are available from 1 November

Dickens artefacts, including the desk at which

ding; hourly readings by Michael Slater of A

at www.dickensmuseum.com.

he wrote Great Expectations, his red leather

Christmas Carol; and not to mention healthy

More info at:

chair in the Drawing Room, his personal

glasses of mulled cider.

www.dickensmuseum. com 020 7405 2127

library of books and John Leech’s sketches for

Date: 24 December from 10am - 5pm.

events@dickensmuseum. com

Call Sign December 2015

Page 26

An occasional review from a struggling 14 handicapper at some of

Hindhead GC...

Over the months I have been writing for Call

the marque golf courses I've had the privilege to play in my golf

Sign, I may have laid claim to many of the

days away from the taxi…

courses as being 'spectacular’ or ‘stunning’

etc and I meant it! Well, after playing

Hindhead in September, I can honestly say

that this course is undoubtedly the number

SIMON’S GOLF COURSES

one on the list so far! Never have I played a

more picturesque course as this one.

Hindhead Golf Club has a close associa-

tion with Peter Alliss, television’s

undoubted voice of golf, and various pho-

tos and memorabilia are found within the

clubhouse.

The course itself is on two levels; holes 2 to

9 meander through deep valleys formed from

ice age glaciers, the banks are Heather cov-

ered adding to the truly breathtaking vista.

If you've been a good golfer and repaired

your divots and pitch marks, the golfing Gods

could take pity from an errant tee shot and

propel your pristine white ball back onto the

fairway from those steep valley banks. Don’t

count on it though!

The tee shot at the third is semi-blind from

a high tee - can there be any greater feeling

than seeing your white dot of a ball against a

clear blue sky after a well hit drive!

The course itself is immaculately main-

tained; from the 10th to the 18th holes

you play on the upper level of the course

- probably the harder part of the course -

Hindhead is number one on Simon's list... so far!

but it’s a course that doesn't beat you up.

Play within yourself and plot your way

- members and staff alike. With the Hogs

is a must play course...

round and you'll be rewarded with a score

Back tunnel on the A3, it makes the journey

Happy golfing...

close to your handicap.

there much easier than in previous years.

Simon Wallis (M11)

The club itself couldn't be more welcoming

I know I say this every issue, but this really

Call Sign Online

HACKNEY ROAD TAXI TYRES

Black Cabs are

FOR THE BLACK CAB TAXI TRADE

the number

• Austones for the TX

• Barums for the Vito

one Icon!

• Michelin and Continental

also supplied

he world famous London Taxi, the ground-

breaking work of Frank Pick’s posters and Harry

•

4-wheel laser tracking

Beck’s iconic Tube map have been named as

for the Mercedes Vito

London’s favourite transport Design Icons.

The three topped the vote after more than 10,000

• Puncture repairs

Londoners took part in the Transport for London and

London Transport Museum search. Sponsored by

• Also free tyre checks

Exterion Media, the Design Icons search is part of

Transported by Design, an 18-month programme of

Find us downstairs the

events, exhibitions and competitions that celebrate the

role of good design on the capital’s transport network.

DaC Credit Union at

Londoners voted for two months from a shortlist of

The Peterley Business Centre,

100 transport designs that had been carefully chosen by

472 Hackney Road, E2

industry experts, staff and the LT Museum.

0207 729 5237

Call Sign December 2015

Page 27

Simon Scott is one of the new generation of taxi drivers whose life is

captured as a blog! His story of when he was on the Knowledge is…

A Blogger’s Tale

and would try to have a lie in by refusing to

pipe instead of the engine. There was the

start in the mornings. Derek taught me a trick

time I hit a pothole in Earls Court and heard

that coaxed it into life involving squirting a

my thermos flask smash and soak all my

substance called Easy Start into the air

knowledge papers.

intake and partially turning the key in the

Yes, biking was definitely the way forward -

ignition to warm things up. It worked every

until of course the fateful day arrived and I

For some extra cash while on the Knowledge,

time; there would be an explosion of black

got 'a drop'. In Knowledge terms, a drop is

I got a delivery job that was based on the

soot from the exhaust and an awful rhythmic

when an examiner - in my case the scary Mr

edge of the city of London. Derek and Jimmy

banging sound from the engine and the old

Miller - decided that I was good enough to

were two London cabbies who had bought a

girl would burst reluctantly into life. It didn’t

take a step forward and he reduced my

newsagents shop in Fleet Street as an invest-

appearances to 21 days. This meant I was as

have a radio, the windows were on a spring

ment; my job was to deliver bundles of news-

and so I had to push them up and down man-

good as there - well that’s what everyone told

papers to their customers using Jimmy's old

me. I had my doubts though; after all it could

ually and the screen wash button was a

cab. The tyres were always on the edge of

plunger that produced a watery dribble at

all still go horribly wrong.

legality and the brakes non-existent.

Despite my reservations, I took a ‘wan-

best.

I raised this point with Jimmy, who took

But things were all going along well and I

gle’ cab from a local cab garage in Bethnal

great pleasure in telling a Knowledge Boy

Green. They gave me an ancient cab to

got off to a good start on the Knowledge, get-

that cab brakes were meant to be like that:

practice in on the condition that I would

ting

28 days from my first appearance. I

“Cabs aren’t built for speed!” I saw it as an

rent a cab from them for a year when I got

began to enjoy whizzing around on my

initiation into the trade and kept telling

my badge. Well it seemed like a good idea

moped. I had my share of set-backs though,

myself that as I stood on the brakes with two

at the time.

like the day I bounced off a group of German

feet and a prayer to force the old thing to

To be continued…

tourists on London Bridge and ended up flat

stop.

on my back in the middle of the road or that

Jimmy's cab was to become my template

Simon Scott (O40)

really cold day when I smelt burning flesh

for the future; it had a character of its own

because I'd accidentally touched the exhaust

Call Sign Online

Geely’s Beauty of

Killer minicab tout jailed for 8 years

China competition!

On October 22 at the Inner London Crown Court, Matab Uddin

59 from Grays in Essex was found guilty of causing death by

dangerous driving.

The court heard how police were called on 17 November 2013 at

01:45hrs to reports of a man injured on Essex Road, Islington. Police

officers and an ambulance crew attended and took the 27-year-old

victim, Oliver Farrell, to the Royal London Hospital. He died three days

later from head injuries.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit launched an

investigation. Mr Farrell had spent the previous evening celebrating

his brother's birthday and was making his way home from Old Street.

He was picked up by the unlicenced Uddin, who already had previous

The London Taxi Company / Geely is now

convictions for touting.

selling the new Euro 6 version of the TX4

A short while later, Mr Farrell got out of the cab to use a cash

with its 2.8 greener engine, lighter chassis

machine; however Uddin drove off leaving Mr Farrell in Essex Road.

and drivetrain and improved power out-

CCTV showed Uddin returning a few minutes later, pulling up next to Mr Farrell who leaned

put. They also announced to the world

through the open passenger window. Uddin then drove away at speed while Mr Farrell clung to

details of its 2018 hybrid emission-free

the car. After being carried along for 100 yards, he lost his grip and fell to the ground suffering a

taxi, the TX5 (see October’s Call Sign).

fatal head injury.

At the same time, LTC owners, Geely, were

Uddin failed to stop at the scene and made off. However the incident was witnessed by a taxi

encouraging tourists who were in China at the

driver who was driving behind Uddin. He took down the registration number.

time discovering the country’s beauty to send

CCTV on Kingsland High Road caught Uddin crossing a central reservation during his getaway. The

in their mobile phone pictures. Of course,

car reg taken by the taxi driver proved vital in identifying Uddin, who was arrested in connection

entering photos in the Amazing China: 2015

with the incident after handing himself in at a north London police station later that morning.

Mobile Phone Photo Contest meant that you

Detective Sergeant Chris Osborne of the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “I

had to have been visiting there and not just

would like to pay tribute to Mr Farrell's family, who have retained the utmost dignity throughout

nicked your best friends photo!

the whole investigation and court case. My thoughts remain with them. This case highlights the

Call Sign is mentioning the competition

dangers posed by unlicensed minicabs. People trying to make their way home, especially late at

because 100 winners will have their pho-

night should only use pre-booked licensed minicabs or black cabs. This is a tragic case for all

tos displayed on 50 London taxis and just

involved and it stemmed from the unscrupulous actions of Mr Uddin. Our investigation showed he

in case you didn’t know why the pics

was illegally touting and on this occasion drove off without any regard for Mr Farrell's safety. He

were there... well you do now!

then failed to stop and made clear attempts to flee the scene.”

But if any Dial-a-Cab drivers were in China at

The minicab tout was jailed for eight years. Oliver Farrell’s brother Ben said after the case that

the time and entered photos, please let Call

no punishment would ever bring their Oli back, but that they had been seeking justice for the

Sign know and even if they didn’t win a Geely

benefit of greater society and to reduce the chances of other families having to experience what

prize, we’d be happy to publish them - espe-

they had been through and will continue to go through.

cially if they involve taxis...

Our hope is that others will learn from this appalling crime. Sadly we have our doubts...

Photo: China News Service / Shen Zhen

Call Sign December 2015

Page 28

Elliot is a DaC driver’s son who was diagnosed with Nodular Lymphocyte predominant Hodgkins

Lymphoma two years ago. The family’s world was sent spinning, but Elliot is a fighter and followed

by the BBC’s The One Show, he recently completed a Rickshaw challenge. This is Elliot’s report...

ELLIOT’S ‘CHILDREN IN NEED’ RICKSHAW CHALLENGE!

Day 1

At 05.00hrs on Friday 6th November,

I set off from Lands End in Cornwall

along with five other young people to

start the BBC Children In Need

Rickshaw Challenge for 2015. We had

arrived the day before to collect our

riding equipment and to try to estab-

lish a bond within the team, but little

did we all realise what awaited us.

As Lucy rode the rickshaw out, we had

every type of weather known to man

thrown at us. It was cold, dark, wet and

windy so at least we were getting the

best of British weather! However it was

exciting too and as the night turned into

day, we could see just how beautiful this

part of the country was. But we were not

here to sightsee; we had a job to do! We

started strong, each taking our turn in

the saddle. After Lucy's start, Erin was

next, then George D followed by

Amira, then myself and finally George

G. We could hardly control our excite-

ment as we awaited our turn; at first this

was so very exciting and new, but would

Elliot and Pudsey ready to leave dad's taxi!

our enthusiasm last?

At the end of the first day, we arrived tired, wet and cold in

would not want to upset them. George D and I both went to bed real-

Padstow. We were greeted by Rick Stein who had laid on a super fish

ly early that night as we were due to start the dreaded day five at

dinner for all of team rickshaw whilst we did our first live outdoor

02.00hrs; this was the ride that all team members and support staff

broadcast for The One Show. I can really recommend his restau-

were not looking forward to at all!

rant if you ever find yourself in Padstow. It was superb. We’d com-

pleted day one; this was going to be easy... wasn't it?

Day 5

At 74 miles, the trip between Bristol and Winchester was the longest ride

Day 2

that had ever been attempted in the five year history of the CIN rickshaw

After our first night’s sleep in a strange and unusual hotel room that

challenge - around 15 miles more than the average ride; this was going

to be a tough one so it was down to myself and George D to get us under-

to me was in the middle of nowhere, we were up again at 05.00hrs for

way and make good going, this was whilst the other four team members

a 06.00hrs start. I was second on the bike today and so watched on as

had a sleep in until 07.00. Jealous Nah, not really, well actually...

Amira got totally soaked as we made our way towards Okehampton.

It was difficult starting at 02.00hrs but we started well and with kind

By the time it was my turn to take over, the weather had changed and

weather managed to get a good distance, around 32 miles, between

although windy, it was also dry! We made Okehampton and although

us and Bristol by the time the other members joined us at around

we were cold and tired, at least we made it! Day two was now over but

08.00hrs. They then took over and it was our turn to take a break and

exhaustion made for an early night, ready for another early start for

a well-earned warm cup of tea. By that evening, we were ahead of

the ride to Taunton.

time as we rolled into Winchester and even managed a few visits to

schools along the way. As we arrived in Winchester town centre, the

realisation hit us... we’d done it! We had got the worst ride of the chal-

Day 3

lenge out if the way! We were all elated and looking forward to a long

I was lucky as I was allowed to lay in for an hour to rest as the "big

hard sleep, but there was more work to do! Another live broadcast

one" was only two days away. When I rejoined the team, they were

whilst we turned on Winchesters Christmas lights.

already a few miles out from Okehampton on their way towards

Taunton, the weather was starting to settle down and we were finding

our comfort zones and starting to enjoy the challenge. It was now

Day 6

game on! The ride to Taunton was uneventful and seemed to go

We were now over half way to our finish at the ‘EastEnd’ - well Elstree

smoothly as we looked forward to another hotel, another hotel meal

studios and the Eastenders set actually; but you don't argue with the

and another hotel bed...

producers! Our bodies were starting to fall apart. My knees were

swelling, painful and heavily bandaged. There were too many other

numerous problems with other team members to recall them all in Call

Day 4

Sign. We were each asked if we wished to carry on, it goes without say-

The next morning saw us up bright and early ready for ride towards

ing what our replies were. We now had a blast down to Brighton to get

Bristol - the one before the ride we were all dreading. That night,

under our belts, so we left at 06.00hrs to complete the trip and rolled

George G cycled over the Clifton suspension Bridge and into the live

into the seaside city at around 19.15hrs where Amira met her family. She

outdoor broadcast for The One Show where he met his Dad, some-

was elated and tearful; she had missed them so much.

one that he had really been missing. The only team members who

were allowed a parent to travel with them were Lucy and George G as

they needed someone who was familiar with them to support them

Day 7

with their well-being. We had chaperones that were there to keep an

Once again after an early night, an early morning was the order of the

eye on us, they were like best friends - a real laugh, although you

day in readiness for day 7 - Brighton to Chatham Docks. I was the

Call Sign December 2015

Page 29

ELLIOT’S CHILDREN IN NEED RICKSHAW CHALLENGE! (Continued)

first rider to get us going, I was really looking for-

ward to the trip to Chatham as it’s a place I’ve

always wanted to visit, we had tried many times

before to make a trip here but always seem to get

caught at Bluewater shopping centre - and I hate

shopping! The journey down became quite an event

when team member Amira got really upset at the

thought of not seeing her family for another few

days, this affected us all but we regrouped, got her

into a support vehicle and carried on. We were all in

an emotional state but NOT going to allow tears to

beat us!

Without realising it, our team bond was com-

plete. We were now all thinking along the same

lines and looking out for each other as if we had

known each other for years. We were complete.

I was the rider taking the rickshaw into Chatham

Docks that day and could not believe it when I was

told to go up a ramp and onto HMS Ganet! As I

neared the top of the ramp and turned left, I spot-

Elliot with The One Show's Matt Baker and local firemen who followed the

ted my friend Aaron - a friend I met at Teens

rickshaw for a leg

Unite, an amazing organisation I wrote about in the

last Call Sign. He wouldn’t know I was there unless told as Aaron is

down and thanks to the support of Matt Baker - who I must add is

blind due to a brain tumour. I made my way over to him and spotted

such a lovely guy, the chaperones, the riding staff, the medical staff,

my Nan, Sister and then my Mum and Dad, I hadn’t known they were

the outriders, the fund raising team, the producers, oh and I nearly

going to meet me there and it really was a fantastic and tearful sur-

forgot to mention The Stig, yep, he was driving the camera car!

prise. I had missed them all so much. Matt Baker had to prise me off

May I also thank all of those that donated to my just giving page

Mum and Dad for my live One Show interview; after that we all went

as it was this that kept me going throughout the challenge. Each

back to the hotel for food and after my family left, I went straight to

night I’d call home for an update as my internet connection was

bed. I was so, so tired.

often poor and as the total rose, so did my resolve to finish the chal-

lenge. Teens Unite is and always will be a massive part of my life.

Last day

The next morning we all awoke to the realisation that it was to be our

Thank you everyone...

last day on the rickshaw. It was a sad start as we were all now really

Elliot

enjoying our time as part of team rickshaw and being with Matt Baker

Ed’s note: The total Elliot and co raised has now reached an

and all of the One Show support staff. It was like being a part of one

astonishing £3,750,000. Well done to all of them...

big family, even though our bodies were broken and we were so tired.

It was a day we were not looking forward to as it meant that soon we

we’d be separated, each to our own corners of the country and prob-

ably never spend another night together ever again; but our heads

were held high even though our hearts were on the ground.

We left Chatham at around 05.00hrs and made our way towards the

Woolwich Ferry, once across we got the news that the rickshaw was

to go through the Crossrail Tunnel! Amira was the lucky team mem-

ber to complete this ride so we all drove off to Stepney in the sup-

port vehicles to meet her there. When she arrived, we made our way

through Hackney onto Stoke Newington - right into Mildmay

Park, comply Newington Green leave by Green Lanes, forward

into...lol! A taxi family or what!!! We eventually arrived at Elstree and

managed to grab a bite to eat before our live arrival onto The One

Show where the amount we had raised was going to be revealed!

We went onto the stage and met Fearne Cotton who after a

short interview, revealed the amount we had raised. We were

after £2.1million as this would take the total money raised so far

by CIN rickshaw challenge to £10 million over its 5 years, but

what we achieved was amazing! We had raised £3,468,678!

Totally amazing! Dad says my face was a picture of shock, sur-

prise and happiness; it was undoubtedly the proudest moment I

have ever had - we had raised nearly 10% of the total amount

that Children In Need had for 2015!

Let's just say we partied hard and long that night, what a party it was too!

We were all in tears, Matt Baker and all the crew were there and for the last

time in our lives we were still one big happy rickshaw challenge family.

It's now been a couple of days since the end of the rickshaw chal-

lenge and although I am missing it, team rickshaw are all meeting up

tomorrow (Monday) for one final goodbye live on BBC's The One

Show, in actual fact it won't be a goodbye as we are now all firm

friends. What started out as 6 young people who were complete

strangers has now developed into a bond that will never ever break,

we have after all travelled together through 477 miles on a rickshaw,

shared tears, helped each other's broken bodies and now have mem-

ories of all this and more that will last a dozen lifetimes. This is all

Call Sign December 2015

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at Dial-

If anyone is interested or knows of anyone

that might be interested in renting

a-Cab House

Gordon’s TTT - even for just a few days

or email us at

each week - just drop a note to Call Sign

callsignmag@aol.com

and we’ll pass the details on.

As for driverless cars, I couldn’t help

John Davis

but notice Google’s involvement and the

Hi Alan

number of driverless cars on test out in

I found it hard to believe the front cover

California that have been involved in acci-

story in the November Call Sign regarding

dents! South Korean car manufacturer,

Lymphocyte predominant Hodgkins

John Davis (V41) and his arrest for “tout-

Kia, is another company that is interested

Lymphoma cancer. He was about to do a

ing,” when it was patently obvious that he

in driverless cars but even their Research

rickshaw ride from Lands End to Elstree

was just trying to assist a member of public

and Development GM, Seoho Choi,

Studios as part of the BBC’s Children in

late at night. Surely had he been touting, it

admitted that there would also be legal

Need. His group were followed by BBC’s

would have been for a rather more lucrative

issues involved. He said: “Malfunctions

The One Show and Elliot has written

job than Lavender Hill to the McDonald’s

will never be accepted and there's still the

about his trip in this issue ...Ed

by Wandsworth Bridge. We see minicabs

issue of who would be liable in the case of

touting all the time, yet all we get is the odd

an accident.”

Bob Woodford and

one or two being arrested. Yet a licensed

You may see some at places like

London taxi driver is arrested for daring to

Heathrow where they will take people with

‘It is now!’

ask what he assumed to be a member of the

disabilities out to their flights etc and

Hi Alan

public - rather than an undercover police-

there may even eventually be cars where

Re Bob Woodford’s article in the November

man seemingly looking for taxi drivers to

you can read the paper while the car dri-

Call Sign: They think it’s all over; it is now

‘pull’ - if he had his hand out as he wasn’t

ves, but we’ll all be long-gone before you

and the piece about Clapton Stadium,

sure!

can hail one in the street! ...Ed

which brought back memories. We use to

I was delighted to see that (I assume) you

rank up at Clapton Pond in Lower Clapton

also allowed the article to be republished in

Road to take punters to the stadium at 6d

Elliot and Teens Unite

several different online websites, because

(2.5p) a time, putting 5 in for half a crown

Dear Alan

the police - I assume under the auspices of

and the same coming back. It was a long

On behalf of all the staff and young people

the Mayor - should not be allowed to carry

walk down from the pond!

supported by Teens Unite, I would like to take

out such an outrageous arrest...

I also remember Haringey Stadium,

this opportunity to thank you for supporting

Alex Constantinou (N05)

which used to host speedway and stock car

our work by kindly making a donation of £50

My phone didn’t stop ringing following

racing as well as dog racing. That was in

to sponsor Elliot doing his Rickshaw

last month’s story, with 100% of those

Green Lane and is a now a supermarket

Challenge. At Teens Unite, we pride ourselves

calling thanking us for publishing the

and McDonalds!

on being the only charity to provide long-

story. I was also happy to give permis-

They were still the good old days!

term, ongoing support to 13-24 year olds who

sion for taxi websites to carry the story

Bernie Silver (ex-G08 now F13)

are fighting cancer from across the UK. We are

...Ed

But you told me you were only 27

there from the moment a young person is

Bernie! ...Ed

diagnosed, right through to post-remission.

Driverless vehicles

We are not medical staff; in fact we try to bring

Hello Alan

illness into our work as little as possible.

Heart problems

I recently saw a piece in The Observer about

Instead, we focus on providing these young

Hi Alan

the Uber court case in addition to another

people with a bright light at the end of what

Re the November article in Call Sign about

piece about apps etc. It said taxi drivers and

usually feels like a very dark tunnel.

Chris Passfield (TfL leaving me in limbo), I

other workers should realise that this will be

Through Teens Unite, young people with

have a heart condition (Atrial fibrillation)

the way of the world in the future; in our

cancer can meet others of their age in a simi-

and for a taxi driver who has a heart condi-

case it mentioned driverless vehicles that

lar situation to themselves and gain strength

tion, in order to retain their licence they

will be viable in ten years and that we will all

from each other. We organise activities and

have to undergo a stress test involving 9

have to adapt to that!

workshops where they can build friendships

minutes on a treadmill under the so called

I have made my plans; I am going to stand

with those who truly understand what they

Bruce Protocol. That is 3 mins flat at a nor-

on Waterloo Bridge wearing a PVC costume

are thinking and feeling, learn new skills,

mal walking speed, another 3 minutes at the

and heavy make-up with a hat in front of me

restore their confidence and self-esteem and

same speed but on a slight incline and lastly,

staring blankly ahead - if there's room there!

live a life beyond one of illness. Being the only

3 more minutes at the same speed but with

God help the Knowledge boys and girls,

organisation to offer this support means the

a higher incline. All throughout, you are

it’s only if the digital network crashes or pri-

demand for our services is constantly increas-

wired up so it’s like a 9 minute ECG. If you

vate hire are forced to make their workers

ing. As a self-funded organisation, your kind-

come through that satisfactorily, you will get

into employees - which they patently are -

ness and generosity means an enormous

your Bill back.

that our trade will be saved.

amount and your donation will help us reach

You have to undergo that every three

Anyway, while I am off sick (but still hop-

out to even more teenagers and young adults

years but must check with your doctor for

ing to eventually get back to work), I have let

fighting effects of cancer diagnosis.

his blessing as to whether you are fit enough

my cab out to a local driver. But with the cab

Thank you for being as dedicated to sup-

to undergo such a test. Try and wangle it on

still having a DaC terminal in place, it may

porting these young people as we are and we

the NHS because if you can't, it will cost you

be better to let a DaC driver use it and so

hope you will continue to support Teens

about £250. If you do have to pay that how-

through Call Sign, could I ask if anyone liv-

Unite in the future. Please do keep up-to-date

ever, you can put it on your accounts as a

ing in the southeast is looking to rent a very

on our latest news and events by visiting

business expense, as you are required to

well maintained Metrocab TTT, then I can

www.teensunitefightingcancer.org

have it to keep your Bill. I hope this helps...

work out a rent as appropriate. It may well

Debbie Pezzani

Brian Marcantonio (R73)

suit a semi-retired driver. Many thanks for

CEO and Founder

Thanks to Brian and other DaC drivers

any help...

Last month’s Call Sign ran an article from

who contacted Call Sign trying to help

Gordon Bennett (Y91)

a DaC driver’s son who is fighting Nodular

Chris ...Ed

Call Sign December 2015

Page 31

Mailshot

Thanks for giving me this chance to push

Chris Passfield

for DaC drivers and their families to com-

Hi Alan

plete a very important TfL consultation

I want to say thank you for highlighting my

document, Chuck. The question of

case in Call Sign; it just goes to show that

whether private hire drivers should be

writing and publishing cases like mine can

able to understand and speak English is

help to make people aware of other driver’s

just one of the questions in the TfL con-

problems and assist to help and advise them.

sultation on the future of PH. If you have

Three Dial-a-Cab drivers have made contact,

I couldn’t have put it better Chas, but

not yet filled it in (it can only be done

all of whom left their details with offers for

will anyone learn a lesson Organisations

online) then you can find it and an expla-

me to ring them if I wanted to talk. My thanks

such as TfL or Camden Council often talk

nation kindly provided by the LTDA at Call

go to Brian Marcantonio (R73), John

of “lessons learned” but sadly they never

Sign’s website (www.dac-callsign.co.uk). It

Vodden (E89) and Dave Freeman (A46)

do learn anything about it. Will Camden

must be completed by December 23 and it

and I will be phoning them all. But I have

realise what they are doing to London by

really is vital that every one of you, your

you to thank you for that, Alan, as you were

their pro-cycling Tavistock Place one way

family and even your friends completes it.

the one that opened other driver’s eyes.

and proposed Tottenham Court Road

This is our chance to get some rulings in

When I saw the article in Call Sign, I was

traffic exclusion schemes, or will TfL

our favour for a change.

really surprised and taken aback as I hadn't

realise what they are doing to London?

As for the Zafira recall; at the time of

expected all that space to be allocated to my

with the ludicrous mess they have made

writing Vauxhall had recalled around

problem! And what with the photo! Well my

of London through their cycling super-

220,000 Zafira B cars after a series of fires

granddaughter, Casey, looked lovely but I'm

highways? If we ever have an attack such

that had apparently broken out from

not so sure about me! But thank you again

as that in Paris, then God help us

behind the glove-box in the heating and

Alan, you should feel proud.

because no one will be able to move -

ventilation system. Vauxhall’s advice was

I am now waiting for the hospital to get

cancel that last remark because cyclists

for drivers not to use heating or air con.

back to me about the Bruce Protocol and I

will be ok! Then again, they’d be ok

The problem is that it was November and

see a nurse on 23rd November but not the

because they’ll shoot through London

is now December and those that act as PH

doctor until 21st December. I'll let you know

and prove that they didn’t need special

vehicles may contain passengers who

of any progress.

lanes anyway! ...Ed

could feel a bit chilly and ask for heating,

Thank you again Alan, God bless you and

which could take us back to Chuck’s first

your family and a Merry Xmas and be lucky to

point - what if the driver doesn’t under-

Padders problem

all you lovely drivers and staff at Dial-a-Cab.

stand English too well According to TfL,

I’m getting a bit peed off with the way the

Chris Passfield (Y25)

when the TX4s caught fire, no one knew

rank at Paddington works. On the few occa-

Our fingers are crossed that you get a

why whereas they do with the Zafira! So

sions there is a railway worker or early

good result Chris. Chris’s case was in the

they aren’t pulling them in but will keep

morning Marshal on the point organising

last issue of Call Sign (TfL leaving me in

an eye on the situation! Look, don’t shoot

things, it isn’t too bad. But in the evening

limbo) and while Chris thanks me, it’s

the messenger! ...Ed

when it’s just taxis, it falls to pieces.

the drivers that offered him assistance

Passengers don’t know which line of taxis

that deserve the thanks. Older drivers

to go to and very often when on the inside

often say that the camaraderie of years

Paris atrocities

line, you can’t see if cabs on the outside

ago has gone, but cases such as Chris’s

Hi Alan

lane are still in front of you before you take

show that when it comes to the crunch,

When the IRA were bombing mainland

a job. If you hear hooting and someone

it is still laying underneath somewhere

England - especially the City of London -

having a go, then you probably have!

ready to come out when needed ...Ed

streets were closed and blocked off because

My answer would be that after 9pm

they were using cars and buses as bombs to

when we are usually on our own, a cone is

Speaking English

blow up buildings etc. Move forward 35-40

put at the entrance to the nearside lane and

Dear Al

years and a new form of terrorism arises, that

all taxis rank at the outside one. Simple and

Re November Call Sign article: Should PH

of the suicide bomber. He needs no vehicle,

problem solved!

drivers speak English...

just a vest with explosives and guns that can

Malcolm Levan (F24)

On taking my Vito to Crayford a couple

be hidden on the person. With what hap-

How about they fix the entry TV outside

of weeks ago, I was standing at the counter

pened in Paris recently still fresh in our

as well! And Malcolm, I can let you have

chatting to someone I knew from the Ascott

minds, why oh why are councils still closing

a cone cheap! ...Ed

Cab Co, when two men that I would

roads with no left or right turns; and don't get

describe as being of Mediterranean or per-

me started on the bike ‘super’ highway. If, as

Looking for a taxi

haps Middle Eastern appearance walked up

expected, it happens here, how are public

to the counter. The man behind the counter

services supposed to evacuate people quickly

partner

gave one of them some papers to licence his

from the epicentre Roads should be re-

Hi Alan

private hire vehicle and told him where to

opened in the city, not blocked off to trans-

I've decided to sell my Vito and will be look-

fill the forms in. He looked blank, obviously

port, as should Southwark Bridge be made

ing to rent or share a taxi, preferably on

not understanding and turned to his com-

more accessible as this is one wasted bridge

Dial-a-Cab. Working hours are optional. I

panion who translated. We looked at the

as an exit south from the City itself.

live in Elm Park, Essex, am a non-smoker

man behind the counter incredulously and

Woe betide anyone in the Soho district as

and have a full no claims bonus. If there is

he just smiled and shrugged. Do TfL seri-

well with the crazy road system and thanks to

anyone out there who is interested, please

ously know that this is going on If I hadn't

Crossrail, hardly accessible at all except via

let the Editor know...

seen it, I wouldn't have believed it!

Shaftsbury Avenue - and we all know what a

Terry Catherall (Y90)

On another TfL note, it was recently

nightmare that can be in the evening. So

If anyone out there is interested in shar-

announced that Vauxhall have recalled

thanks again Camden Council and the City

ing a cab or wants to rent their cab out

thousands of Zafiras due to 140 of them

Corporation, and a big thank you to TfL for

and they live within a reasonable dis-

bursting into flames. Will TfL be taking all

allowing this to happen! I hope and pray I am

tance to Elm Park (eg Rainham or

Zafiras off the road like they did when 14

wrong in the scenario of the carnage to come,

Hornchurch etc) please let me know on

TX4s caught alight? Rant over!

but we must be prepared...

callsignmag@aol.com and I’ll pass it

Charlton Clark (F25)

Chas Kissin (Ex-P99J)

over to Terry ...Ed

The new Euro 6 TX4 is black and green! Its 2.8 litre diesel VM engine has been designed to be cleaner,

greener while delivering improved power output without impact on fuel economy.

It has been engineered with a lighter chassis and drivetrain, offering an improved, smoother

experience for driver and passenger. All this from just £159 per week.*

Book your test drive today and see for yourself.

TX4: A taxi from the people who only make taxis.

Book your test drive today:

The London Taxi Company

Call us now on 03300 245 944

Go online to London-taxis.co.uk

Visit Brewery Rd, London N7 9QH

Ascott Cab Company

Call us now on 0208 692 1122

Go online to ascottcab.com

Visit Blackhorse Road, London SE8 5HY

TheLondonTaxiCompanyUK

LondonTaxiCoUK

LondonTaxiCompanyUK

*Terms and conditions apply. Business users only. Finance offer available on Personal Contract Purchase, figures based on TX4 Elegance (automatic

transmission) at £42,795 OTR with a customer deposit of £3,295 followed by 48 monthly payments of £688.21 (equivalent weekly payments of £158.81) plus an

optional final payment of £16,830 based upon an annual contracted mileage of 30,000 (120,000 over term) and an Option To Purchase Fee of £10 on the last

A wholly-owned subsidiary of

payment. Deposits can be made from £0 and paid on collection; the above is an example deposit based on the finance illustration. Three year plans are also

available. Excess mileage charge of 6.0 pence (+VAT) per mile applies. If the vehicle is in good condition and has not exceeded the allowed mileage you will have

nothing to pay. Finance is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Finance is provided by Black Horse Taxi Finance a trading style

of Black Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. Other models are available.

Fuel economy information: TX4 (Euro 6) in mpg (1/100km): Urban 25.7 (11.0), Extra Urban 41.5 (6.8), Combined 33.2 (8.5), CO2 emissions: 222g/km.