Call Sign April 2016

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

purpose of carrying passengers other than

PEDS

a licensed taxi or a public service vehicle.

Ok, let’s not beat around the bush... are you

1b: Operator means a person who makes

fed up with me constantly having a pop at

provision for the invitation or acceptance

London Taxis Private Hire - ie Transport for

of or who accepts private hire bookings.

London... ie Her Majesty’s Government!

However, John then continues that Section 4

Let’s face it, is there any other group of self-

(1) provides that the holder of a London private

employed workers like us in having so much of

hire vehicle operator's licence shall not in

what they do in their everyday job controlled by

London accept a private hire booking other than

outside sources, who at the same time appar-

at an operating centre specified in his licence.

ently have so little knowledge of what those

Section 1 (5) says that in this act ‘operating cen-

workers do; even worse, an authority that

tre’ means premises at which private hire book-

appear to care so little?

ings are accepted by an operator.

So yes, over the past few months I haven’t

So, asks John, where is this ‘operating cen-

stopped moaning and I can’t see myself stop-

tre’ as specified in Uber’s licence? Their

ping anytime soon. After all, name me another

organisation that puts out so many consulta-

address is 1 Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street E1

tions yet takes no notice of the responses and

8FA, but is this their operating address ie,

what is the address specified in the licence?

just goes ahead and does whatever they like in

such a pompous manner?

“Does this affect a booking via the App if the

We are on the verge - if not already there -

possible to be in a city such as London.

booking does not go through the official ‘oper-

of the number of licensed minicabs totalling

Other than helping someone with their

ating centre? Is a booking via the App recorded

100,000. For those of you who have only

luggage, there is no reason to leave the dri-

at their operating address or does it circle in

recently come into the trade, let me give you

ver’s cabin - or there wasn’t until LTPH ie

cyber-space and only get recorded at the operat-

a few facts: Ten years ago (2006), the number

TfL ie HMG put their oars in and told Dial-a-

ing address after the passenger has been picked

of licensed PH drivers was 31,100. At the

Cab that we will now have to place our cred-

up? The Act implies that a booking must be

same time (2006) there were 21,700 licensed

it card PEDS in the passenger compartment.

ACCEPTED (at the operating centre) before

taxi drivers. So to save you getting out your

Is that so terrible? Well, no, not if every pas-

being passed to the driver, so then what are the

calculators, over the past ten years PH drivers

senger was a respectable, nice person. Sadly

series of events when a customer books via the

have increased by around 68,000 whereas

not everyone is and it will be easy for a pas-

App? Food for thought?”

over the same period our numbers have gone

senger to say to the driver that the PED isn’t

As an expert of PCNs and parking offences,

up by around 3,500. Theirs are still increasing

working or their card is stuck and ask them

John has now published a must-have book

while our numbers are dropping and will con-

to take a look. The only way you’ll be able

that answers every question you could possi-

tinue to do so.

to do that soon is to get out of the cab and

bly have regarding the two. You can read

Yep, just to repeat that; in the past 10 years they

get into the back.

about it with details of how to get a copy

have increased by 68,000 compared to our 3,500

I don’t need to explain further. The only ques-

inside this issue...

whilst at the same time, Big Boris tells the world

tion is why LTPH ie TfL ie HMG feel that DaC’s

how hard he is trying to cap minicab numbers.

removable PEDs that can so easily be passed

Missing from TfL…

Well sorry pal, but that boat has gone and unless

through to the passenger compartment and

TfL’s proposed Budget 2016/17 and Business Plan

Mayor Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson can

which were originally passed by TfL, are no

has been published and includes the continuing

tell me that he is also looking to cancel the last

longer good enough? I know that Brian Rice

construction of Crossrail (Elizabeth line), the

30,000 or so licenses that his men have dished

argued at a meeting and followed that up in a let-

huge transformation of London Underground

out like confetti, then his term as Mayor will have

ter to LTPH ie TfL ie HMG that our PEDS had

with major stations being rebuilt and the

been an unmitigated failure. And I haven’t even

originally been passed by TfL, so why were they

Northern and Met lines being extended plus gen-

mentioned cycle lanes or roadworks!

suddenly no good placed where they were? The

eral modernisation and a new signalling system.

I’m just going to write of the small matter

answer is self-explanatory; firstly because they

Then there’s the

24 hour weekend ‘Night

of our safety while in the cab. Driving and

say so and secondly because they don’t care

being in a minicab is dangerous - dangerous

about our safety, just about their rules. No doubt

Tube’ services.

TfL are also doubling the station accessibility

for the driver who faces being attacked at any

it would be so different if our name was Rachel

fund from £75 million to £150 million, making

time and also dangerous for the passenger,

Whetstone!

who faces being attacked at any time - by the

In an email to LTPH GM Helen Chapman, I

more stations step-free and ensuring the Mayor’s

driver! I hadn’t realised the Chairman also

explained that I had not had one single com-

target of 50 per cent of rail and Tube stations being

intended writing about it, but the subject is

plaint against me from a passenger in my 45

made step-free by 2018 is on-track. Gospel Oak to

serious enough to warrant a duel attack!

years as a licensed taxi driver, but that if the

Barking Overground line will be electrified.

Last month’s Call Sign published a list of fig-

PED was placed in the rear compartment and

They have spent a fortune on replacement

ures that we had been told should not be put into

a passenger asked me to take a look at it for

Routemaster buses - albeit some 500 are said to

the public domain as they could cause some

whatever reason, I would refuse.

be faulty and returned! They are hoping to double

“alarm!” These were the numbers of minicab dri-

I just hope that I do not hear of any DaC dri-

TfL’s Growth Fund to £600 million for regenera-

vers that had been arrested etc. Had the majority

vers being hurt in any way after being asked by a

tion across London with £250 million towards two

of those been on Addison Lee, Brunel or any of

passenger to go into the back to look at the PED,

new Overground stations at Old Oak Common,

the green vegetable variety we would have soon

because it would undoubtedly be the fault of an

providing connections to HS2, Crossrail and

heard. That means that most were on Uber. But

organisation that is supposedly there to promote

national rail stations. Then there’s the £4 billion

and protect us as well as the public, even if at the

London roads improvement, always assuming

hey, this isn’t an anti-Uber piece either - not that I

same time they do screw us out of huge amounts

they can get cyclists to give some back! Mind you,

couldn’t fill up the page about some of the miscre-

ants driving cabs with TfL’s blessing, had I wanted

of dosh. I used to respect the PCO. What that for-

they won’t need to because there is another £1 bil-

mer organisation has now become doesn’t

lion to be spent on cyclists’ safety - probably

to. This is purely about safety - our safety - some-

deserve any...

teaching their mums to make sure they don’t let

thing that I believe LTPH, ie TfL, ie HMG couldn’t

give a toss about.

them go out without a vest if it’s cold! And you can

Uber and the 1998 PH Act

read inside this issue about the absolute fortune

So I’ve finally arrived at the piece that has

Courtesy of Dial-a-Cab’s PCN expert, John

they are looking to spend on new river crossings.

upset me. I know what people say about the cost

of cabs etc, but there is one aspect that to me is

Vigus, regarding the Private Hire Vehicles

Read the above slowly. Is there one form of

hugely important. I feel a thousand times safer in

(London) Act 1998 and how it does - or should -

TfL’s transport system that gets absolutely

affect Uber...

nowt that we don’t pay for ourselves? I

a taxi than I could ever feel as a minicab driver.

1a: In the Act, PHV means a vehicle con-

thought it wasn’t just me...!

The licensed taxi driver is as protected as he/she

can be and if you always keep the front doors

structed or adapted to seat fewer than

Alan Fisher

locked, then it is as though you have a button

nine passengers, which is made available

with a driver to the public for hire for the

callsignmag@aol.com

marked ‘safety’ because you are as safe as it is

Call Sign April 2016

Page 4

Reflections of the Chairman

equipped with a PED mounted in the back of

Credit Card Mandating

the vehicle by 3 October 2016! I immediately

You are all probably aware that as from

had a meeting with TfL and the attitude was:

April 2 there will not be any extra sur-

“Don’t blame us Brian, we’re just the messen-

charges placed on the customer for using a

gers, the Board of TfL agreed it.”

Credit Card to pay their taxi fare, other

Well, that was before I saw the video of

than the fact that every customer will have

the meeting and the siting of the PED was

to pay an extra 20p on the clock drop for 12

not even mentioned! I have subsequently

months; the 20p surcharge will then be

written to everyone I can think of concern-

reviewed by TfL to see whether it is

ing this matter, attaching all the correspon-

retained or scrapped!

dence from 2011 that gave us permission.

Everyone I know has always advised TfL that

It was two weeks ago that I wrote to TfL and

the surcharge for using a Credit Card (CC)

so far I have only received an acknowledge-

should remain with the customer using the

ment of receipt from Helen Chapman; once

card and that there should be no levy on the

again it shows the contempt that most of

driver who actually gives the credit, albeit a

TfL treats the Licensed Taxi trade.

maximum customer charge could be set by TfL.

So in a nutshell, TfL believe they can rescind

However, as usual, TfL have ignored advice

ket over. However, if they do then you can

the permission they gave me back in March

from the people that know and understand the

imagine the rest!

2011 (if I was a gambling man, I’d bet that TfL

trade best and have dictated instead of negoti-

The whole scenario has been extremely

never even knew they gave it in the first place)

ated. I’m totally convinced that all the

badly administered by TfL and the views of

to have the PEDs sited in the front of the vehi-

Consultation documents issued by TfL are a

people such as Dial-a-Cab, who were the pio-

cle. Have they any idea what is involved in

total smokescreen and that they know exactly

neers of CC acceptance for the past 25 years,

recalling our whole fleet to locate new lockable

what they are going to do from day one. Why

have been totally ignored. But then again, am I

holsters in the back of the vehicle, the time and

they bother talking to us (or not) I will never

surprised by the incompetence of TfL? Not in

expense would be enormous, not to mention

know, the Consultations are just a process of

the slightest...!

the extra danger our Members would be

going through the motions and what they have

This is the first year I can ever remember that

exposed to by having the PED in the passenger

to do!

facts about CC mandating and the fare increase

compartment.

So we now come to the charges for using

have come out from TfL in dribs and drabs -

What is the point of having something

a CC; as you know, all the radio circuits

extremely unusual. Consequently, I watched

passed by TfL when they can change their mind

charged the customer 10% and absorbed

the TfL Board Meeting where the Mayor was

on a whim; but are they really changing their

the Merchant Fee and without doubt, it was

present and some of the topics introduced by

mind or, if as I’d bet, they never even knew I

Dial-a-Cab’s biggest account producing a

TfL were not even discussed at the meeting!

had permission. This once again proves my

considerable income. Obviously that has

And there was me believing for all these years

point that if only TfL had spoken to me initially

disappeared and we now need another way

that everything had to be passed by the TfL

before they made the announcement, they

in which to introduce that revenue stream.

Board before it could be implemented... silly

might never have got themselves into this

We know that whatever we do will not be

me!

predicament. Once again they have shown

popular with some. After all, some

themselves to be incompetent by not speaking

Members complained about the 10% sur-

Can TfL be trusted? Can

to the relevant people in the trade before mak-

charge to customers, now look what we

they say yes but mean no?

ing any announcement. As I have stated many

have! We should always perhaps be careful

times in the past, they don’t negotiate... just

what we wish for.

When we were in the process of re-equipping

dictate!

the fleet some years ago, we decided to install

Many companies in the trade have not

a Chip and Pin or Pin Enabled Device (PED).

I just hope they stand by their initial deci-

announced what they are going to charge for

I always felt the PED should be in the front of

sion to grant the location of the PED in the

using a credit card, they are all probably wait-

the cab for driver security, that it should be

front, after all, the PEDs have been there for

ing to see what the competition charge before

kept in a holster and passed to the customer in

five years without one single complaint

announcing their own charges. However, at

the back of the vehicle or indeed through the

from a driver or member of the public. TfL

Dial-a-Cab we have announced what we intend

luggage window when needed. I was always

must honour their original decision...

to do as from 2 April, we are charging our

concerned that when mandating of Credit

Members £1 per day plus VAT (making £1.20 in

Cards by TfL was introduced and usage

total) and Dial-a-Cab will absorb all the charges

Brian Rice

increased, that there was always the possibility

made by the Banks. Before you start doing

of knowing that drivers HAD to accept them

Chairman

your calculations on the back of an envelope

and the more unscrupulous in our society

Dial-a-Cab

(the days of fag packets being long gone), you

could use that as an excuse to inform the driver

should remember that once you’ve completed

that the PED in the back was not working. That

six trips of any description, anything to do with

could then be an attempt to get the driver to

Call Sign

a CC transaction would have been paid. Forget

leave the front of the cab with possible dire

April 2016

about who gets what, once you have complet-

consequences following.

Editor: Alan Fisher

ed those six trips then you are in front. Of

Consequently, I contacted TfL in February

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

course, we have no way of knowing how this is

2011 and sought permission to site the PED in

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

going to pan out, because if CC transactions off

the front of the vehicle in a holster. I personally

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

the street go through the roof - as some expect

attended Palestra in Blackfriars Road along

Website: www.22-callsign.co.uk

- then Dial-a-Cab could find that we took a

with our Director of IT and a taxi equipped

Printers: Premier Print Group

E6 6 LP

huge gamble by not introducing a percentage

with the PED in its holster. They passed the

Design: Aldan Publications

fee to the driver.

vehicle and had no problems with the siting of

Tel: 07958 300 428

I have heard a rumour - and I stress it’s

the PED, giving their permission by passing it a

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

only a rumour at the moment - that one of

few weeks later with no adverse comments

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

the big players in the market place intends

(March 2011). I still have all the correspon-

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

to install their equipment in taxis free of

dence appertaining to the PED passing.

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

either manually or electronically without the express

charge and charge a very small percentage

So imagine my surprise when TfL

permission of the Editor.

to the driver in an attempt to take the mar-

announced that all London Taxis had to be

Call Sign April 2016

Page 5

Artemis Mercer, who with other taxi drivers’

wives started the #SaveTaxi Facebook group

last year in support of the taxi trade, launched

#SAVETAXI FUND EXTENSION

a drive several months ago in order to raise

£600,000 to fund the initial phase of launch-

But they need your help NOW!

ing a Judicial Review against TfL.

By the original closing date, the

only be available to licensed taxis. Artemis

Crowdfunder had raised over half the total,

said the Uber app did not implement insur-

but were then granted a 22 day extension

ance and public safety standards as rigor-

in order to raise the rest. An estimated

ously as those imposed on black taxis.

18,000 drivers have not given a penny!

Although the Crowdfunder campaign has

Artemis established Action for Cabbies as a

targeted London’s 25,000 licensed taxi drivers

private company to spearhead the

to raise the required money, many from out-

Crowdfunder.co.uk campaign. It bases the pro-

side the trade have also chipped in.

posed action on the grounds that TfL was

Action for Cabbies has warned that

wrong to grant a licence to Uber and its drivers

unless TfL's decision to grant Uber a licence

in 2012 as the licensing authority had failed to

is revoked, the black taxi industry will be

follow the correct procedures.

decimated “...and the iconic black taxi ren-

“There has always been a two-tier system

dered extinct.”

with private hire vehicles on one side and black

The latest total, which is looked after by a

cabs on the other,” Mrs Mercer, whose hus-

reputable legal firm, was well on its way to

band is a taxi driver, told Sky News. “TfL did

£400,000. But there are only a few days left

not follow those regulations in 2012: it went

with the Fund closing on Thursday 7 April. If

from being a law-enforcer to a law-maker and

you can help, go to:

in doing so it compromised public safety and

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/Action-

cost black cabbies the opportunity to compete

for-Cabbies and click on Pledge to support

on a level playing field.”

the fund.

The group will again repeat that Uber dri-

Your livelihoods may depend on it...

vers use a meter of the kind that should

Artemis Mercer

LTC £44m deal to go to Oz!

The London Taxi Company, owned by the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has signed a deal

worth over £44million to expand the TX4 down to Australia. A minimum order of 1,000 taxis is

to be supplied by LTC in the first five years of a ten-year distribution deal.

The deal gives London Taxi (Aust) Ltd the exclusive rights to sell and distribute the iconic TX4 throughout Australia and New Zealand,

with LTC in Coventry producing the first order of 200 cabs during 2016.

Peter Johansen, LTC CEO said: “Our vision is to see our iconic London taxis on the streets of all major cities around the world and this

agreement is another huge step towards that goal. We have enjoyed a good relationship with our outgoing Australian distributors who

have helped us to open up the Australian market and we wish them well. We now look forward to working with the new owners of

London Taxi (Aust) Limited in the coming years as we build up the London taxi brand in cities across Australia and New Zealand.”

One hundred TX4 taxis are already in use in Perth, Western Australia and LTC say it has been a “receptive market.”

London Taxi (Aust) Limited is owned by Elgan Potter and Ross Prendergast. In a statement, the duo said that nothing symbolises a

high quality professional taxi service as the London TX4 does and that they were delighted to have signed the ten-year distribution agree-

ment.

“LTC is an ambitious company with exciting future plans which bodes well for our future business development. Together, we look for-

ward to raising standards in the taxi industry in Australia.”

The London Taxi Company is currently investing £300m in product development and in the creation of brand new research, development

and production facility at Ansty Park, Coventry. They are looking to develop and produce a purpose built ultra-low emission taxi capable

of meeting London’s ambitious emission standards.

London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children

DRIVERS WANTED

Drivers, we welcome you to come and join us on our outings that give

many special needs and disadvantaged children some wonderful fun-packed days out.

As well as giving a great deal of pleasure to so many children, we promise you will have a

brilliant and fun-packed day out yourself.

TUESDAY 17th MAY 2016 TO WOBURN TAXI SAFARI

WEDNESDAY 13th JULY 2016 TO SOUTHEND

Without you there are no outings, so please contact our drivers' liaison:

Steve Bell on 07811 508772

Or enter your details on the volunteer page of our website:

www.ltfuc.org.uk - a Sponsor Page can also be found there...

The Hon President, Hon Chairman and Committee look forward to seeing you

Call Sign April 2016

Page 6

Jery’s

World

“Yeah Jack, they’re only cab drivers, what do they know - we’ll offer them a few hundred quid each and a free fish dinner

for their building. They’ll snap it up...”

“Not sure Charles, cos they’ve already been offered nearly £19million and that’s a lot of fish!!!”

Acceptance of Credit Cards / Handling Fees

am sure by now you have been made aware that Transport for London (TfL) has ruled

that from 2 April 2016, Credit Cards must be accepted without any additional admin-

istration / surcharge being applied, resulting in passengers paying the meter fare only.

In addition, to assist drivers to recoup the cost of accepting Credit Cards, TfL

have increased the flagfall from £2.40 to £2.60.

The Board has looked at various ways of processing your Street Hail Credit Card rides

with the sole intention of you not losing any part of the fare as a percentage processing

charge. Consequently, the most acceptable method agreed by the Board was to charge

all drivers a Credit Card processing fee of £1 per day (plus VAT), which enables you to

retain in total the cost of each Street Hail Credit Card trip. Bear in mind that you will

recover the daily processing fee within the flagfall of your first five trips of the day.

The only method open to the Society to charge the additional £7 per week is

to add this amount to your current weekly standard subscription, which will

then appear on your weekly statement. As the revised charging structure for

Hail and Ride trips will commence on Saturday 2 April 2016, your revised sub-

scriptions will be charged initially on your statement dated Friday 8 April 2016.

Credit Card trips accepted via the terminal will continue to attract a 7.5% adminis-

tration charge; however, this will not apply to any Street Hail trips.

Please also bear in mind that all signage referring to the previous charge made on

Credit/Debit card acceptance must be removed on Saturday 2 April.

Howard Pears

Finance Manager / Company Secretary

Page 7

Call Sign April 2016

Washington: Police in Michigan have said that

Shock as Michigan killer claims...

an Uber driver who carried out a shooting

spree in February has told investigators that

the ride-sharing app forced him to commit

murder! Police charged Jason Dalton, 45,

UBER MADE ME KILL!

with killing six people and wounding two dur-

ing his rampage in the city of Kalamazoo, 150

Jason Dalton claimed that the

miles west of Detroit.

Uber app forced him to kill 6

Dalton confessed to the murders and

people in Michigan

said that the Uber smartphone app had

ance adjuster, to undergo a mental

instructed him where to go to shoot vic-

competency exam, prosecutors

tims after “taking over his mind and body,”

said earlier this month. He faces a

the Detroit Free Press reported citing

mandatory life sentence in prison

police reports obtained through a public

without parole.

records request.

Dalton’s shooting spree prompt-

Dalton told police that on opening the Uber

ed President Barack Obama to

app, he saw a symbol resembling a devil's head

urge governors to fight gun vio-

and claimed that’s when the problems started.

lence. However, Republican law-

The app, he claimed, would give him an

makers, many of whom are backed

assignment and would literally take over his

by the powerful National Rifle

whole body, Dalton is said to have told investi-

Association lobby group, have

gators.

blocked Obama's attempt to pass

He carried out the shootings outside an

gun control legislation.

apartment complex, a restaurant and a car

dealership between driving customers for

Uber during a five-hour period.

The police reports also said that after the car

Credit Card Signage

Dalton had planned to use failed to start, he

took another that left his wife without trans-

As of 2 April 2016, Credit Cards must be accepted without

portation. Speaking to her at his parents'

house after the first shooting, he warned she

any additional administration / surcharge being applied ie,

would not be able to return to work, their chil-

passengers paying on a card will pay the meter fare only.

dren could not go back to school and that she

All interior signage relating to the previous surcharge

would understand why by watching television

(10%) for accepting Credit/Debit card acceptance, must be

news. Investigators say they are still trying to

determine a motive.

removed by Saturday 2 April.

A judge has ordered Dalton, a former insur-

Call Sign April 2016

Page 8

By the time you read this, most

- if not all - of Dial-a-Cab’s taxi

Upgrade Underway!

fleet will have been upgraded

to accept the GPS signals.

Cabs are being converted at the rate of

around two hundred mobiles a week or even

more as circumstances at the Roman Way

depot allow, with technicians working flat

out to complete the task as soon as possible.

This, of course is in addition to regular main-

tenance tasks, new and re-fit installations

together with the odd problem-solving

enquiry!

The image shows just how busy the fitting

bays were at the start of the upgrade pro-

gramme, with several cabs being attended to

at the same and every square inch of floor

space being utilised to maximise the speed of

the fleet conversion while at the same time

No room to swing a cat at Roman Way! Luckily there aren't any there to swing!

minimising the down-time for drivers.

“With the economic climate for the cab trade

as tough as it is at present,” Stuart Reason

(B26) told Call Sign, “as well as full use of

regular taxi ranks, you also get ‘pop-up’ ranks

in unusual places.

“I was setting down at the Wolseley

Restaurant on Piccadilly and passed a few

cabs waiting outside the St James’s eatery as

they formed an orderly - if temporary -

queue ready to provide an instant service to

patrons of that upmarket establishment!”

Stuart continued with his story but then

gave a different slant to the problem

undoubtedly linked to the current down-

turn in our trade:

“The doorman eagerly stepped forward to

open the cab door for my passenger and

that’s when we started chatting for a few sec-

onds. It appears that he too is feeling the

effects of the downturn because it used to be

that when he stepped out into the road to hail

a passing cab for a Wolseley client, he would

often gain a tip from the punters for doing so.

Stuart Reason

Now with taxis outside his door on their infor-

mal ‘pop-up’ rank, there was no reason - at

least in the mind of the public - for him to ‘call

a cab’ because they were already right there!”

Stuart told this magazine that he hadn’t

thought how the downturn in our trade could

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

have an effect on the wider economy as we

usually only worried about our own situation.

After hearing Stuart’s tale, Call Sign spoke to

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

the doorman of a nearby hotel who asked that

we not mention either his name or that of the

hotel. He said that one problem they had -

Tel: 01708 553037

one that rang a bell with us and similar to the

doorman at The Wolseley - was the number of

FREE AIR FILTER WITH EVERY SERVIC

WE ALSO HAVE CABS FOR RENT

people calling Uber because only they knew

the vehicle they were waiting for and often

TX1 servicing from £48

TX1s, TX2s, TX4s and Vitos

just jumped in quickly thereby avoiding the

TX2 servicing from £70

Rentals from £165 per week

doorman’s outstretched hand!

But back to Stuart! He told us that The

TX4 servicing from £90

Wolseley was originally a car showroom back

in the 1920s and a branch of Barclay’s Bank

All Work Undertaken

until 1999, with the Grade II listed building

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

opening as a restaurant in 2003.

All TX1, TX2, TX4

“It’s surprising what you can learn talking to

Starters - Batteries - Alternators - All with 2 year Warranty

a doorman for a few seconds,” Stuart said

with a smile!

Alan Green (E52)

Fax: 01708 551443

Web: www.PaulsTaxiSpecialists.co.uk

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2016

Page 9

DaC Board Member Mike Son met with TfL Director for Taxis and

PH Peter Blake before the TfL board meeting on 17th March and

prior to the LBC investigation into PH licensing

MIKE SON TALKS TO TFL

Topographical Skills

TfL Response: Your comments are noted.

Clearly, should TfL take forward the proposal

Assessment Centres:

to withdraw the exemption, such details will

Mike Son proposal: There are approximate-

need to be taken account of.

ly 150 Assessments Centres, of which many

In the meantime, we are adding an extra

are actually minicab offices. Applicants are

resource to check that those PHVs entering

given help with filling out the PHV Driver

the Congestion Charge Zone and that claim

Application form, possibly due to the fact

exemption, are indeed on a booked journey.

eing very aware of the hard work vari-

there may be a lack of the English language.

ous taxi trade organisations and their

There is also minimal Topographical training

representatives have been and are

given. Training is from two hours to half a day

NSL Passing Station

continuing to undertake in order to

with just map reading and no driving test. Yet

Appointments

protect our taxi industry, I am, however, also

applicants are guaranteed a 100% pass rate.

Mike Son: It appears there is a 20% failure

extremely concerned about the issue of

There is negligible TfL staff monitoring of

rate when vehicles are taken to the Passing

licences to both Private Hire drivers and their

these Assessment Centres. Fees vary - as an

Station due to some drivers not having the

vehicles, in addition to the minimal checks

example, training and assessment is £129

appropriate documentation with them.

undertaken by the two groups. There are also

(including VAT) whereas assessment is only

There is a need for some resolve on this issue

other areas where I was apprehensive...

£69 (including VAT).

as it impacts the extended time it takes for an

So I decided to write to Transport for

There is no expectation that PH drivers can

appointment for taxi licencing.

London’s Taxi and Private Hire Directorate

attain the high standard of competence that the

London Licenced Taxi Driver will have

Peter Blake: As we discussed, it’s impor-

as an individual Stakeholder, with my own

achieved after 3 to 4 years of learning the

tant to know we would want to take the

personal views and some proposals.

Knowledge and the Advance Driving

opportunity to encourage compliance in the

I must stress at this point I was not repre-

first instance, before going down the route of

Proficiency training. Nevertheless, to consider

senting any organisation within the taxi

public safety and an increase in accidents that

charging for failures due to lack of docu-

trade, just my own view and concerns. With

ments. We are stepping up the message to

involve Private Hire drivers, Topographical

this in mind, I was very much surprised to

Skills Assessment training should incorporate

drivers on the need for proper documenta-

receive a reply and an invitation to meet with

tion in our communications with them, ie in

at least some basic vehicle driving training

the Director of Taxi and Private Hire Service

our OnRoute magazine and weekly emails.

before the issue of a PHV Licence.

and Compliance, Peter Blake.

We are also encouraging trade reps we

Peter Blake: We are already working to

During our meeting, the various items we dis-

engage with to spread the message to drivers

enhance the topographical test. As I am sure

cussed were as follows:

and proprietors. Should we not see an

you will know, Private Hire drivers already

improvement in the number of vehicles failed

undergo enhanced DBS checks; we will

Private Hire Operators

due to documentation in the coming months,

increase our monitoring testing and auditing of

Licences:

then we will re-examine the potential use of

current test centres, as well as those centres

a financial incentive.

There are around 3000 existing PH Operators

that have moved to becoming training schools,

for which the licence fees are as follows:

which do not administer the test itself.

Mike Son: Thank you...

Small (two cars max) Standard

PH Congestion Charge Exemption

Mike Son

Licence application fee (non-refundable)

Mike Son: Withdraw the Private Hire

Congestion Charge Exemption.

DaC Board Member

£838

Grant of licence fee (5 years)

£650

£1988

Total:

£1488

£2826

Can you afford not to get a copy!!!

Mike Son proposal: Due to the low value

Produced by Dial-a-Cabs PCN expert, John Vigus,

of Private Hire Operator Licence fees, these

this book is all you need to know about moving

should be increased dramatically to meet

with the high demand of TfL staffing levels

raffic and parking regulations in one easy to

and the ability to check licences, establish-

read guide!

ments and monitor all PH business activities.

Licence renewals should be reduced from

five years to one year.

The Motorists Guide to Moving

Peter Blake: There are proposals on

Traffic And Parking Regulations

updating the regulations governing London’s

PH trade for TfL Board approval on 17 March

Hard copies £8. Electronic versions to

2016. One of the issues includes altering the

Dial-a-Cab drivers are £5 per copy. Orders

structure of licence fees paid by operators of

different sizes to better reflect the costs of

via Driver Services with payment deducted

compliance and enforcement activity. While

from your DaC account.

we are not proposing to change the length of

operator licence, it is something we will keep

in mind following the already planned

Can you really afford not to get a copy!!!

changes based on the size of operator.

Call Sign April 2016

Page 10

Better than before but...

was being upgraded to accept the forthcom-

my cab passed its’ annual re-licencing, when

ing GPS signal changeover.

the technician said that DaC’s current posi-

“Many years ago, I went to the South Coast

tioning of the PED card reader would not be

with a fare when we were still operating on

viable soon because under new regulations

the old analogue signal, which had a range of

coming in regarding compulsory credit card

about 30 miles if you were lucky,” the Dial-a-

apparatus, the card reader has to be ‘in a

Cab driver recalled.

fixed position within the passenger compart-

“On arrival at our destination, I had to

ment and within the field of vision of the pas-

phone in the meter reading to the dispatcher,

senger.’ He pointed out the obvious that both

who advised me that he had noted the details

ours and ComCab’s were clearly not!”

and that when returning and a bit closer to

Call Sign checked the situation and accord-

London with a recovered signal, I should

ing to a spokesperson for the Society, we had

clear the meter reading in the normal way

originally been given the OK to keep our PEDs

and he would check all was well. No such

where they are, obviously a much safer option

complicated procedures nowadays with our

because it is not only more convenient to use

present network and I look forward to the

by the passenger given its’ flexibility via the

new GPS system being even better as we

cable, it is also under the control and watchful

Robert is concerned about forthcoming won’t have to remember constantly booking

eye of the driver at all times.

PED regulations

in as we move from zone to zone, which will

The Editor and the Chairman have comment-

“This 02 network thing is fine, coverage is

be much better the before.”

ed on the situation on pages three and four...

throughout the UK- if we’re lucky enough to

Then Robert’s tone changed as he recalled

Baghwat Singh

get a trip that far,” Robert Meehan (W24)

a recent visit to his local Passing Station.

enthused to Call Sign when we met while he

“It left me a little confused, even though

Call Sign Online

Two new river crossings for East London?

ccording to a recent TfL report, East London could see two

" Vital to

new river crossings at Gallions Reach and Belvedere to pro-

London's

vide new, quicker road and public transport links and support

future

new housing developments by 2025, following overwhelming

prosperity..."

public support in a recent TfL consultation.

Consultation on the proposals, which closed in February, showed 88

percent of those responding supporting a new crossing at Gallions

Reach to link Thamesmead and Beckton, or at Belvedere, linking it

to Rainham. Around 77 percent supported new crossings at both loca-

tions, which would cater for public transport and road users and help

secure London’s future success.

TfL’s work has shown that both proposed crossings would provide

significant benefits to local people and businesses and help support

jobs and homes on both sides of the river. The crossings would

incorporate a network of new and extended bus services and could

also provide opportunities for new walking and cycling links as well

as a potential extension of the Docklands Light Railway from

Gallions Reach across the Thames to the new station at Thamesmead.

In the meantime, TfL is extending the life of the Woolwich Ferry service. Work

was recently completed to the jetties and loading bridges on both sides of the river

and TfL has now begun the bidding process to purchase two new boats to replace

the existing 1960s vessels, to keep the service running into the 2020s.

Outgoing Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “There is no doubt that new river

crossings in the east are going to be vital to the future prosperity of our rapidly-growing city.

As well as improving transport links for all, they will unlock swathes of land for develop-

ment, leading to new jobs and homes and improve areas for businesses and communities.

Gallions Reach and Belvedere are just the start of a series of crossings that are going to

prove a real boost to the capital and I’m delighted that Londoners have given us their

unequivocal backing.”

The plans for the new crossings at Gallions Reach and Belvedere form part of the Mayor’s

wider proposals for the future of river crossings in the Capital. The vision, which was out-

lined last year in TfL’s Connecting the Capital report, proposes 13 new tunnels and bridges

across the Thames - increasing the total number between Imperial Wharf and Dartford

by more than a third and the number for pedestrians and cyclists by nearly 50 percent.

These include public transport crossings such as Crossrail and a number of potential pedes-

trian and cycling crossings, such as the new bridges connecting Nine Elms with Pimlico

and Rotherhithe with Canary Wharf.

Following approval at the TfL Board last month, work is now underway to submit plans to

Government for permission to start building the proposed Silvertown Tunnel. This tunnel,

which would link the Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks, is vital to relieve pres-

sure at Blackwall, which is currently east London’s only major road crossing and which

would help support the delivery of thousands of new homes and jobs.

Call Sign says: New crossings are undoubtedly needed, but we can’t help wondering

whether it is the public who will end up paying never-ending fortunes to cross, just as

they do at the Dartford Crossing. And with so much investment money in their hands,

we can think of a forgotten part of the Mayor’s transport system that could use some

financial assistance...

Call Sign April 2016

Page 12

Taxi nearing its 15 year limit? Can’t afford a new one? Call Sign and the DaC Credit Union may just be

able to help your cab get an extra 5 years...

LPG TAXI CONVERSIONS ARE COMING!

all Sign has received a stream of

and moving off is that

phone calls over the past

quietness, but I won-

months from Dial-a-Cab drivers

dered what would hap-

asking if there was any way they

pen if I put my foot

could extend their cab’s

15 year life,

down? Would it have the

because either they were too old to con-

same power that a TX4

template buying a new taxi or perhaps

has and the answer was

couldn’t justify the cost at present. So we

undoubtedly yes! From

looked into whether an LPG conversion

a gentle 20mph, my foot

and the 5 year extension that comes with it

pushed down on the

could be an answer.

throttle and the cab shot

Taxis are said to be one of the worst pol-

forward but with very lit-

luters on our roads and while we are certainly

tle engine noise. The

not alone, there is undoubtedly a substantial

feeling was of driving a

amount of truth in it. The claim is that in cen-

car.

tral London we account for almost 35 percent

Both Paul and

of PM10 emissions and around 15 per cent of

Andrew spoke of the

NOx emissions. The new models of TX4 and

environment, some-

Vitos are much improved, but involve a huge

thing we’ve all heard

outlay and until the electric versions come out,

many times before and

then the stigma will remain. But we had been

yes, we’d all like it clean-

told that an LPG conversion would cut emis-

er; but do we take much

sions substantially - PM10 by a whopping 99

notice? Then Andrew

percent and NOx by 80 percent.

went outside and came

So Call Sign held a meeting with Paul

back with four small

Oxford and Andrew Sanders who were repre-

containers. Paul made

senting Autogas Ltd; but there was a third

the point that one rea-

guest - a 2010 TX4 that had been converted to

son the public aren’t

run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

overly bothered that

Andrew uses it as his company car, covering

much with emissions is

what he told us were many thousands of trou-

because they can’t see

The two filled jars on the left contain emissions from an

ble-free miles, including trips to Holland. The

it... but we were about

unconverted cab. The two almost empty ones are from

cab had already been to Millbrook testing sta-

to and yes, it really

the LPG cab

tion to check for improvements since convert-

shocked me!

ing. It would have been Euro 4 in 2010, but

Two of the jars contained NO2 and fine par-

London. Currently there are around 65 pumps

testing when bought second-hand showed it

ticulates gathered from taxi emissions after

but the probability is that most drivers fill up

operating then below Euro 2 emission stan-

500 miles on a TX1, whilst the other two con-

with diesel at the same garage and the same

dards. After conversion to LPG, the taxi met the

tained the NO2 and fine particulates following

would apply once you had found a local LPG

Euro 6 standards and had fuel savings of

500 miles on the LPG conversion. The results

site. I was given a list of sites and there are no

around 20%!

in the jars were staggering. Before conversion,

parts of London that don’t have LPG pumps.

looking at the two jars it was frightening to

So how far are we away from conversions

think that we were breathing that in, but to

becoming reality? Well, Autogas met with LTPH

then pick them up and feel the actual weight

the previous week and by the time you read

was just shocking. The two jars following con-

this, someone in London will be trialling a con-

version did have some NO2/particulates, but

verted TX2 before it then goes back to LTPH /

such a tiny amount that you could hardly see it!

TfL for a durability test. If successful, Call Sign

The soot is the unburnt product that comes

was thinking of possibly holding an open day

out of the exhaust to become part of the air

at the Dial-a-Cab House car park once work

around us. And those results (see photo) were

has been completed. Interested drivers would

just from 500 miles, so to then multiply it by

be able to come and test-drive the vehicle and

22,000 cabs in London... that is pretty scary!

even meet Credit Union officials if needed.

The cab starts on petrol, but once the

So to the part most drivers are interested

operative temperature is reached, automat-

in... finance! The total conversion cost includ-

ically switches over to LPG and gives the

ing the new engine and fitting etc is £8,000 +

The Editor in the converted LPG cab

average London taxi driver more than two

VAT taking the total up to £9,600. Autogas

days before needing to refill. The small

don’t provide any finance deals, so if you don’t

petrol tank would need refilling even less

want to empty your bank account then we

The conversion...

as it’s hardly used. Andrew told Call Sign

have another option. We’ve spoken to the

The conversion consists of replacing your

that the most he has had from a tank of

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union and they are pre-

diesel engine with a brand new Opel petrol

LPG was 401 miles and that equated to 12p

pared to lend any interested drivers the money

engine that is capable of 290 brake horse-

per mile at 56p per litre, but he did empha-

needed. Of course, if you aren’t a member

power, although detuned as 100mph +

sise that included a lot of motorway driving

then you will need to join (their ad is in every

taxis aren’t really needed on the North

and that driving around town with its stop-

issue). In order to borrow from any credit

Circular Road! But it will give you the same

ping and starting would obviously be less.

union, the requirement is that you have had to

torque as a TX4 but without any shudders

But even at 350 or so miles, that certainly

have saved one third of the total you want to

or vibrations and will probably sound even

removes any recharging you might have to

borrow.

quieter than your car!

do on an electric taxi.

continued on page 13

The first thing you notice after starting it up

The downside is the number of filling sites in

Call Sign April 2016

Page 13

It’s always seemed to me that if

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

you eat in the same place every

day with the same crowd and

The tale of Big Dave...

then one of you changes his

hours or decides to eat else-

the luggage scam. That particular piece of

where, then it’s like they van-

chicanery had three vital elements:

1. The FX3 with its open luggage

ished off the face of the earth!

compartment.

And that’s kind of like how it

2. A Geecen meter.

was with me and a guy I'll call

3. A “Connaught” - ie a stranger in town

who didn't know the ropes.

Big Dave...

So Manny was on the point of Liverpool

It was the early eighties and I was, shall we

Street and up walks a young Dutch guy with

say, in between marriages and spending a fair

a suitcase. Manny steps forward and grabs the

amount of time in the Granby Grill. I'd go in

case.

there about eleven and again at six and Big

“Good morning sir, where would you

Dave was always in there. He was tall, thin

like to go?”

and lugubrious and reminded me a bit of

“Victoria Station,” comes the reply.

Walter Matthau. He also had an engaging

“Certainly,” says Manny, “I'll just weigh

stammer and a near permanent cigarette lit.

the case.”

He was probably 20 years older than me,

He puts the case on the “scales,” starts the

but we got along very well. He was a great

ing out of safe deposit centres. I didn't probe.

meter and presses the extras button. Because

raconteur with a lifetime fund of experi-

I just enjoyed his company.

the thing about the Geecen was you didn't

ences and stories. But not only could he

In 1945 he joined the Army, but this tall,

have to keep pressing the button, you just kept

talk - he had that rare quality - he could

skinny Jewish boy with the stammer was a tar-

your finger on it and the amount shot up.

also listen. Big Dave had a lovely laugh if

get for the bully boys. So he shacked up with

“OK,” Manny says with obvious experi-

you amused him. And he could do it with-

a girl and went AWOL, but ran out of money

ence, “that'll be one and ninepence for the

out his eyes wandering to the door to see

and came down to borrow some from a

case. Pay me when we get there.” It was all

who’d come in or breaking off to engage

friend (of whom more later). But he walked

done with courtesy, grace and charm. As he

someone else in conversation. When peo-

through Kings Cross, which crawled with

used to say: “Always leave them with a

ple do that to me, I just stop talking and

Military Police. Two of them watched him as

smile.”

wait to see if they say sorry and ask what I

he walked by. Then he made a mistake - he

One last thing about Big Dave. Long before

was saying! Mostly they don't.

looked back at them and was soon back with

I met him and before it was fashionable, he

Anyway, back to Big Dave. The reason I

his "mates" and saw out the war and the rest

had gone through a messy divorce and years

opened this piece as I did, was because of

of his service there.

later was still paying her maintenance. He

Dave's unusual working methods. What he

I wanted to invite him to my wedding to

kept tabs on her because his friend was her

did was to work long days from about April to

the good lady wife, but it was in the winter so

cousin and he used to say that it was like hav-

Christmas and then disappear until the

he was off the scene. I saw him a few months

ing a spy in the enemy camp! But he would

spring. When he came back onto the scene,

later, but then one day I mentioned him and

never pay her personally - only via the Court

people would always ask him where he had

someone said that he had died. I was really

and only after receiving a final demand.

been and he would always reply that he’d

shocked and saddened. Perhaps those ciga-

“I am determined,” he said in all serious-

been to Spain. But he confided to me that it

rettes got him in the end.

ness, “to die owing her money!”

could have been Israel or the US or any-

Now what about that friend - let’s call him

I think he got his wish...!

where he fancied but told them Spain

Manny Wolf. He also became a cab driver. He

because there were so many tales about him

was, and hopefully still is, a lovely charming

always circulating. He was rumoured to be

fellow. He was also what you might call

Geoff Levene (W32)

very rich. Others claimed they saw him com-

“hooky” and famous for what was known as

Call Sign Online

LPG TAXI CONVERSIONS ARE COMING!

continued from page 12

We asked DACCU for repaying estimates on a round £10,000 so you would need to have saved over £3,000 to get that, but you

could actually put that into your savings as a lump sum. With current interest rates so low, you really won’t be losing much in that

respect.

Paying back the loan? Well, put it this way, if you do not intend buying a new cab and your current cab is running out of time, then you’re

looking at renting an older one at up to £190 per week or £265 for a 2016 model. Or there is the Credit Union.

Borrowing £10,000 over 48 months will cost you £264 a month. If you want to repay over 36 months, the monthly cost is £333,

while drivers thinking of paying it off over 24 months are looking at a monthly cost of £470, while those that just want to get it

over with and can afford to go for 12 months, that would set you back £890 a month - pretty much the cost of an ever-increasing

TX4 rental, except that you’d be paying it for just 12 months and not forever!

Former DaC driver, Stanley Roth (ex-Y53) has driven a gas cab for many years. He told Call Sign: “Since 1957, I realised how harmful

diesel was, not just from fumes but also the noise and vibration. So I started driving petrol cabs. In 1970, garage owners W H Cook started

to buy petrol FX4s and add LPG to help cut pollution. I was the second owner-driver to convert. My present taxi is a V reg TX1 which was

converted to LPG using the Australian GasTech Engine over 5 years ago. LPG is the most practical and cleanest road fuel for a taxi as it

has the lowest NOx output and is, in fact, 90% lower than a Euro 6 diesel and also with no PM10s...”

More info as we get it...

Alan Fisher

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2016

Page 14

Well, the answer

Eddie Lambert wonders whether, just like Uber...

to the question is

that I don’t know!

I have no real

COULD DIAL-A-CAB

knowledge of UK

tax laws, other

than that I pay

what’s requested

GO OFFSHORE?

from me at the

Journalist / comedian / activist, Heydon

zero rated!

end of January and July each year.

Prowse, went to the town to see if he

Once this had been done, the money was

According to specialists in tax law, UK reg-

could inspire some of the local traders to

forwarded onto the Isle of Man accounts.

ulations in tax run to around

78,000

join a project to take their businesses off-

One person from the operating company - in

pages of often conflicting rules and regu-

shore. The aim of this wasn't to reap huge

the TV programme they decided to call them-

lations, so it’s no wonder that those with

rewards for the townspeople, but to point

selves Fair Tax Town - would have to attend

huge amounts of money going through

out to HMG and the Revenue and

an AGM in Amsterdam once a year.

their hands find ways of retaining those

Customs office that current tax laws were

The operation revolves around

sums within their corporate bodies.

far too easy on the multinationals. They

“Intellectual Property Rights.” This is an

It’s fairly apparent to those of us who have

decided to set-up a “Town Company” con-

ethereal or intangible concept that can be

modest amounts of earnings that something

sisting of a handful of local businesses

hard to define and therefore difficult for

needs to be done, firstly to simplify the tax

and to go “offshore.”

tax authorities to judge. Dial-a-Cab’s busi-

system and secondly to ensure that those that

This they did by first going to the Isle of

ness model, compared to the likes of

have the most, pay the most! Hopefully, that

Man to form a corporate company - very easy

Addison Lee and the other Private Hire

would ensure that the UK has the resources

as it only took an afternoon at the Isle’s

operators out there, is based on the driver

to run properly for everyone and not just a

Financial Centre - very conveniently situated

having studied and absorbed the

small minority.

adjacent to the ferry port at Douglas. The cost

Knowledge of London. It is my contention

Back to the headline of could DaC go off-

of setting up the accounts was less than £500

that this must come under the heading of

shore just as Uber does? The question comes

plus an annual fee. Of course there was also

“Intellectual Property” as it must differ

about as the result of a BBC2 documentary

travel and accommodation costs to add on.

slightly from driver to driver.

called “The town that took on the taxman.”

The next step was to establish something

Whether it would be practical for DaC to use

The town concerned was a small one in Wales

known as a Dutch Sandwich. This involves

this route to save Corporation Tax, I don't

called Crickhowell. It was not a cloned town

travelling to Amsterdam to form ‘Holding’

know. But I do know that if it is, then it could

and apart from a Boots, there were no other

companies. These were companies in name

make a difference to DaC’s survival from the

chain stores in town - and that was the way they

only and in one example shown in the pro-

current financial situation in the form it cur-

liked it. They had already seen off one of the

gramme, there were around 28,000 compa-

rently is. It would also help put pressure of

big four supermarket chains that wanted to

nies housed in one modest three storey office

HMRC and Her Majesty’s Government to sort

open there. Nevertheless, Crickhowell has

block crammed full of computers, but with

out the current situation with regard to compa-

become famous...

only 3 people working there!

nies such as Uber, Google and Amazon etc.

This small town in Powys sits at the other

The point of the exercise was to estab-

After all, HMRC may not mind those

end of the A40

between Abergavenny

lish themselves as a Dutch company for

huge organisations getting away with

and Brecon and has found that degree of

tax purposes. Then all profits would be

some tax, but they wouldn’t want us ordi-

fame for being the first British “settlement” to

sent to Holland electronically in the first

nary folk to be able to do it as well!!!

use tax avoidance schemes that are often

instance, as this apparently removes the

used by big business in order to avoid paying

funds from any liability of Corporation

Eddie Lambert (V37)

taxes. It was said to be in protest as to how

Tax (20 percent in the UK). Usually, any

Call Sign Online

large corporations were legally allowed to

money sent abroad like this then

While DaC’s tax situation is more com-

use loopholes in order to avoid paying UK

becomes liable to something called

plicated than the above in regard to cor-

tax. Does that remind U of any particular

Withholding or Retention Tax, which is

poration tax, the principle of Eddie’s

minicab outfit?

usually 25 percent, but Holland has it

article remains relevant ...Ed

LTDA Members Lobby Parliament

On Tuesday 8 March, the largest congregation of LTDA members seen for many a year amassed

in the splendour of Central Hall at the Palace of Westminster.

The LTDA had organised a lobby of MPs with Members and MPs not letting them down. The day bode

well when with two colleagues entering the security screening area, a policeman enquired whether we

were cabbies? We owned up - only to hear him utter under his breath: “Good luck lads, get rid of them!”

And no, he wasn't referring to some of the incumbents at the House!

The exercise of this LTDA lobbying initiative was for members to persuade their MPs to com-

mit to taking action that licensing authority, TfL, had failed to do.

We had to adhere to the protocol of lobbying by making for an area where lobby cards were filled in. I

was promptly reprimanded by a rotund bobby for trying to take photos, ironically by a sign that pro-

claimed no photography! That tickled the friendly bobby!

But rules are made to be broken, Uber have conclusively proved that adage! I took a picture of my

Lobby card and promptly tweeted it to my MP, Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North. To my amazement,

Wes tweeted back saying he was on a committee but would be down soon.

We didn't have to wait too long and his taxi driving constituents, including me, weren't disap-

pointed. Wes Streeting is well-informed, engaged, energetic and very generous with his time.

He was empathetic to our plight and on March 22nd aired our grievances in the House of Commons

by introducing a 10 Minute Bill (see page 29).

Following the meeting, Wes Streeting said: “Uninsured drivers, unfair competition and poor quality

are driving black cab drivers off the road. Ilford North is home to one of the largest numbers of black

cab drivers in London and we need to make sure that there are fair conditions and everyone is on an

equal footing.”

Marc Turner (R97)

Call Sign April 2016

Page 15

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

of the magazines of the time with a Flashback…

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

This month’s Flashback is from the August 1964 issue of ODRTS News Magazine...

Beat hoping to be amused

Bernard Braden, Barbara Kelly and

and entertained, BUT...!!!

ODRTS

R. Barnett (C37)

News Magazine published a letter in the June edition

from Mr Bernard Braden in which he criticised our use of

Reply from the

the word reliability, the cost to him of the ODRTS taxi

Control Room

service account facility and asked why our pre-booked

jobs are only called ten minutes before the booked time.

Dear Sir,

Having read the letter

He also mentioned his wife, Barbara Kelly, calling an

ODRTS cab and after it failed to appear, she had to start

from Mr Bernard Braden, I

walking until a taxi from “another circuit” picked her up

would like to bring some-

“having picked up the signal!” Since then, we have

thing to both yours and

received numerous responses and are publishing two rel-

their notice. It concerns an

incident around three

evant ones - a drivers view and a synopsis of events re

Miss Kelly’s cab from the ODRTS Control Room.

weeks ago. A cab was

Joe Toff, Editor ODRTS News Magazine

booked for Mrs Braden

(aka Barbara Kelly) at

Dear Sir,

10.55am and as is usual, the dispatcher called the job 10 minutes

With regard to Mr Braden's letter in June, we should ask ourselves

before time. A cab was in the Outer Circle and arrived at Chester

if we stand or fall as an organisation if credit facilities are not

Terrace within three minutes. We phoned to advise that the cab

taken up by the Braden household or if they seek a more reliable

was outside and was informed that Mrs Braden didn’t mind the

service elsewhere. I am confident that their absence would not be

cab being there a few minutes before time, but would the driver

noticed, but cannot say the same for the many satisfied and

stop his meter until the booked time. She was informed that this

respected clients and friends who are always ready to praise our

couldn’t be done and we were instructed to send the cab away

efforts and sometimes show their appreciation by tipping the dri-

and send another one at the booked time. We then suggested,

ver in addition to the automatic gratuity. The fabulous amount of

after dismissing the cab, that she phoned for one when she was

6s or 6s 6d for transporting Mr Braden from home to office or

ready. This she did and you know the rest...

vice versa is still 1s 6d or 1s below the lowest minimum fare

Derek Ford

ODRTS Control Room

advertised by our unlicensed and unreliable opposition. A few

weeks ago I answered a call for Chester Terrace; I gave my posi-

tion at Madam Tussauds and was asked to cover the job quickly.

On arriving at the Braden household with 2s 6d on the meter,

ther manservant asked me to wait. Mrs Braden eventually

appeared and asked to be driven to Hinde Street. After driving

about 100 yards, the meter tripped up to 3s 6d and Mrs Braden

began to complain about the amount on the meter. I explained

the run-in procedure and waiting time but she more or less insist-

ed that some sharp practice was going on. As I could make no

headway, I called the dispatcher, explained the position and told

Exclusive Taxi Insurance Scheme

him within my passenger’s earshot that I had the feeling Mrs

dedicated to DAC members only

Braden was convinced I was a dishonest person. He suggested I

make some adjustment at the other end, to which I replied in a

very loud and firm tone: “Certainly not!” By the time we reached

Hinde Street, Mrs Braden was sweetness itself, most apologetic

and rewarded me with a 1s 6d tip. But gone was the image I had

✓ 5% Discount for members

built up of a kind and homely personality, a priceless image that

✓ Additional discount for existing protected Bonus policies

entertainers struggle and strive for and gone for the price of a

measly bob. This incident does not seem to fall in with Mrs

✓ Public Liability

Braden's eagerness to have a cab five minutes early rather than

✓ Breakdown Cover

five late.

I suggest we write to Mr Braden in the nicest possible terms

✓ Much more available

urging him to give our competitors a trial and when he is dis-

satisfied, as I am sure he soon will be, come back to us a wiser

Call below for quotations

and happier client - a little more patient during peak hiring

hours and happy in the knowledge that we will be more eager

to cover his requests for cabs if we are not treated as ”Ali Baba

Hillier Buchan Ltd, 18, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent. DA5 1LU

and the Forty Cab Drivers,” that crazy old pantomime joke

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority - Firms Ref No: 304318

which seems to perpetually run through his mind and his

Company Registration No: 4319231

Braden Beat show.

There was a modicum of truth to his letter, of course, as

Tel: 01322 553313

there often is when writing of dis-satisfaction at a service of

some kind. After all, how often have I been watching BBC on a

Saturday night and then turned to ITV to watch On the Braden

Fax: 01322 523315

Call Sign April 2016

Page 16

The DaC Sales team have been very busy speak-

ing with new prospective clients, in addition to

a large number of our existing ones.

DaC Sales Report

Now that our new Senior Sales Executive is

becoming more familiar with the industry and

the services we offer, he has begun contacting

With Keith Cain

companies and building relationships with

them. That is how this industry works within

interest. What they liked most was the one stop

the corporate sector. Nowhere have we found

shop service we offer. They knew of us and

where an account is opened at the first visit;

what we used to offer JPM on the Island and

you first make the initial contact. That in itself

were keen to explore this in more detail. Never

is hard enough, as individuals no longer allow

count your chickens... but the initial contact

their contact details to be given out. You have

was positive and I will build on it.

to be a detective by nature to find new ways of

At the time of compiling the report, we are

getting the contact information. Once you have

completing three tender documents. One is for

it, then you have to get past the rejection stage

a rail company; one is for an NHS hospital

of them not being interested.

whilst the third is for a major bank.

Again, it is the skill of knowing which

As a point of information for Call Sign read-

type of carrot to dangle, although having

ers, no one, when asking you to complete their

said that, most carrots seem to involve cost

tender, ever takes into consideration that you

- the first word we seem to hear!

may just be busy doing other things, because

of discussion relates to the approaches being

Each day, our customer service side is con-

deadlines being given to return completed ten-

made by our competitors and at the moment,

tacting existing clients informing them of our

ders are getting shorter and shorter. What is

that is Uber who are making a conservative

pricing for longer trips, whist at the same time

also rather disappointing with the tender

making updates to our account contacts. We are

effort for the corporate market.

process is the amount of information we are

also making clients fully aware of all our facili-

One Mayfair client told us that Uber were

required to supply. Questions such as how we

ties, which includes being able to book via our

offering them £33 from W1 to Heathrow

run the business with regard to our business

Smartphone App and our online booking tool.

Airport and if an invoice at the end of the

continuity plan, our environmental policy, our

General feedback has been very good and all

month was required, then a very small

Health and Safety documentation, our liability

seem very pleased with the service. In saying

administration charge is made for supply-

insurances and our data protection policy to

this, I feel there may be too many that can

ing it. Clients often admit that even with

name but a few. But of course, so often all they

relate to our early morning service, which is

the cheap Uber prices, not all their staff

really want to know is how much will the ser-

not always as impressive as our overall service.

want to use them - primarily because of the

vice cost!

We also encourage clients to allow us to

bad publicity surrounding them - and they

Every section is scored, but the pricing sec-

pay them a visit so that we can better demon-

often do not put up any objections. In one

strate and explain all the services we provide

way that’s good, but not so good in another

tion unsurprisingly scores the most! Score low

over and above putting a vehicle outside the

there and it does not matter how high you

way because no matter how we look at it,

door. And in the majority of occasions, this

the account usage with us has dropped.

score elsewhere. However, we do not refuse

has been welcomed by clients.

any opportunity to tender for business... no

I have also had meetings with a couple of

Unsurprisingly, when we get the opportunity

matter what.

very large users, one of whom is based on the

to meet with them, they open up far more than

Island. The opportunity I had to show them

Keith Cain

when speaking on the phone. A common point

exactly what we can offer was met with much

Head of Sales

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

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

SIMON’S GOLF COURSES

Moor Park Golf Club: The High Course

There are two courses at Moor Park (The High and The Low ones), but the

one you want to play is the High course.

But let’s start with the Clubhouse; it was built in the late 1670s for the

Duke of Monmouth, who was beheaded soon after completion -

although there is probably no connection between the building and the

beheading other than they both start with the letter B! In actual fact,

James Scott, the First Duke of Monmouth and son of Charles II was

beheaded for treason on 15 July 1685 after failing in an attempt to over-

thrown his uncle, James II, at the Monmouth Rebellion.

But where were we? Ah yes, the Clubhouse! This is probably the

most impressive clubhouse in the British Isles aside from St

Andrews. Changing hands through the centuries, it was also the

HQ for Operation Market Garden in the latter stages of WW2.

The course is a Harry Colt design, opening in 1923. Colt courses have

a common denominator - clever contoured greens, usually higher than

the holes, fairway and surrounded by bunkers.

Moor Park High course is no exception. It’s not a sloggers course; strategy off the tee will leave you in the ideal position to play your approach in.

A few holes go up and down, quite steep valleys and as it’s on clay, I'd suggest playing in between Spring and Autumn, maybe on

their ‘twilight deal’ that I think is still going.

There are some very good holes here; a particular favourite from memory is the par 3 on the back nine. 180-90 yards over a deep dell to one of the

most severe 2 tier greens I've played. A really enjoyable course...

Happy golfing

Simon Wallis (M11)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2016

Page 17

Book Review

THE MOTORISTS GUIDE TO...

MOVING TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS

ohn Vigus is Dial-a-Cab’s parking

expert and the person who deals with

our PCN appeals. Over the past year,

the number of driver’s parking fines

that this Society has to pay has gone down to

virtually nil - ok, there was one last month!

We can safely say that John knows his stuff

having successfully challenged a total of over

12,000 PCNs from taxis to scaffold lorries!

So when we heard that he’d written a

book on the do’s and do nots of parking

and driving, we had to take a look. And

sure enough ‘The Motorists Guide to

Moving Traffic And Parking

Regulations’ does what it

says on the tin! There is no

situation that we as pro-

fessional drivers could

find ourselves in that isn’t

covered in this astonish-

ing book.

Published in an A4 for-

mat so that none of the

many signs we need to

recognise have to be

John Vigus explains to Call Sign how his book will help taxi drivers

squeezed in, this 116 page

book is a complete guide

to not only what you can

tions), parking bays, mov-

Moving Traffic And Parking Regulations

and can’t do, but also

ing traffic (including box

are priced at £8. Alternatively, the book can

what you should do if

junction regulations and

be made available to Dial-a-Cab drivers in

you’re naughty and

cycle boxes), bus lanes and

electronic form at a cost of £5 per copy.

caught! Do you have a

parking on private land.

Orders will be taken via Driver Services

chance with an appeal

Most of you will know

and payment can be deducted from your

etc.

that I have been readily

DaC account. Perhaps more to the point

John also explains in his own words -

available on the phone to

should be can you afford not to get a

rather than the official gobbledegook we

give advice, to assist and represent dri-

copy!!!

tend to get - exactly what some of the many

vers who have received PCNs and I will

parking terms used on street signs and refer-

Alan Fisher

continue to do so.”

ences on PCNs actually mean. Also there are

Call Sign Online

Hard copies of The Motorists Guide to

the numerous signs we pass each and every

day as we drive around London, often not

really understanding what they even mean!

We probably often wonder if they are made to

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

deliberately be confusing so that we don’t

understand them and consequently disobey

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

them unintentionally - but still have to pay!

variable bank interest rates?

Call Sign spoke to John recently and

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

asked him about the book...

“Since the use of CCTV for parking con-

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

traventions was seriously curtailed in

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

April

2015, all London enforcement

at your address also qualifies for membership!

authorities have been agressively pursu-

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

ing moving traffic violations. Many of the

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

moving traffic penalty charges that have

up to 3 times your total savings…

been issued could have been avoided and

so I produced a guide detailing the finer

The cost?

points for all motorists - with advice for

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

taxi drivers in particular. Taxi drivers are

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

on the road for hours at a time and

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

although familiar with many routes, can

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

still be caught out on occasion. Having

dealt with many thousands of adjudica-

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

tion appeals, I have learnt what adjudica-

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

tors will and will not accept as a defence.

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

The guide is in 7 parts: The legislation,

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Registration number 213263

red routes, stopping waiting and Loading

restrictions (including bus stop regula-

Call Sign April 2016

Page 18

With PH licensing now almost at 100,000, Call Sign asked in an FOI Request...

JUST HOW MUCH DOES TFL

GET FROM PH LICENSING?

ver the past few years, the num-

they made that up by sheer numbers and

ber of minicabs being licensed

the figure literally took off, heading

in London has been going

upwards by almost

£1.3 million

through the roof (up 68,000

£1,256,000 to be precise! To re-emphasise,

over the past 10 years). It doesn’t need

that was the increase in just 12 months!

Call Sign to tell licensed taxi drivers how

According to the FOIR, by law all the income

that has affected this trade and how in

has to be spent on licensing and TfL cannot

reality, Transport for London under the

make a profit, so licence fees “are therefore

leadership of Mayor Boris Johnson has

adjusted accordingly.”

done what even Adolph Hitler couldn’t -

So that infers that TfL spent their 2015 PH

decimate this 360 year old trade!

income of £6,505,000 on just licensing. Having

So we sent a Freedom of Information

heard how much some of the TfL Board earn,

Request to TfL to see whether the huge

could it be that Uber - probably quite happily

increase of PH licences is bad news for every-

- pay the Board’s huge salaries???

one. So, very few Dial-a-Cab drivers will be

Year Income from PHV licensing

surprised to know that our bad news was

2013

£6,013,000

equally good news for our licensing authority.

awful lot of minicabs! But that isn’t the whole

2014

£5,249,000

We asked for the itemised incomes from PH

story.

2015

£6,505,000

licensing over the past three years and unsur-

Strangely, there was a decrease in 2014

prisingly, TfL’s income from 2013 to 2015 shot

thanks to a reduction of £14 in the PH vehi-

So we have to wonder what exactly TfL did

up by almost £500,000! That represents an

cle licensing fee, but by the following year

with the extra £1,256,000 in 12 months!

Simon Scott is one of the new generation of taxi drivers whose life is captured as a blog! His story

of his early days as a taxi driver is captured here as…

A Blogger’s Tale

doors and force the windows down.

tle, I’ll remind

1988

you because

I looked in the back for some direction, but they

I had begun working a little earlier in the day -

as I looked in

were all on the floor with their hands hiding their

getting in a few hours before breakfast had

my wing mir-

faces. Miraculously, I had managed to avoid run-

become my routine and I enjoyed it. The last fare

ror I could

ning anyone over by the time I got to the traffic

before my trip to the Piccolo was a special one;

see absolutely no one, despite

lights, but they hadn’t even told me where we

once the money had changed hands, I always

there being at least a dozen press men there!

were going! I slowed as the lights turned red and

put it on the dashboard and viewed it as break-

They had disappeared in a cloud of toxic diesel

a head appeared in my rear view mirror asking for

fast. Once there, I would lean back in my seat

fumes!

Stratford.

and mentally thank that last punter as I forced a

Later that night with my feet up on the coffee

But as I waited at the lights we had a repeat

piece of toast into my mouth before setting sail

table, I saw the whole incident again on the

performance. One of the rear windows was forced

again and starting to think about lunch!

News at Ten. I may have still been a butterboy

down and cameras were being held inside the cab,

It was in this state of mind that, as I cruised

but I’d made it. I had appeared on television at

flashes illuminating the back like a Christmas tree. I

along Newgate Street, I noticed a young lady

last...!

forced the lights to go green through sheer

waving her arms at me. She was quite breathless

To be continued…

willpower and for those who don’t remember the

as she leant into my nearside window and whis-

emissions that an FX4 could produce at full throt-

Simon Scott (O40)

pered: “Can you go around the block and wait

Call Sign Online

at the top of the Old Bailey for me please?”

Now, I do get a bit suspicious when someone

asks me to help them, especially when it’s my

job anyway; there was definitely something she

wasn’t telling me but I said of course I would

and off I went.

I positioned myself at the top of the Old Bailey

and could see the entrance clearly, there was the

usual crowd of people milling around and I won-

dered what all the secrecy was about... when all

of a sudden she came rushing out with her arms

going like a windmill. I released the handbrake

and shot off down the hill as fast as my FX4

could handle it. I noticed some movement from

the press people who had obviously seen her as

well. As I got close, she ran back to the door

and re-appeared with three people from inside

the court. All hell let loose as the rear door flew

open and slammed shut with my new occupants

inside. The press were all over my cab, flashbulbs

lighting it up; they were blocking the road in

front, the side and behind me trying to open the

Call Sign April 2016

Page 19

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

With Tom Quigley (Y33)

“may be a bit rough and wide, I’ll get you

What’s the point...?

there!”

Needless to say, the response I get from a lot

Another student was on their first

of trade members when I tell them in conver-

appearance; the examiner introduced

sation that I run a Knowledge college

himself and said that he would be asking

is: “What! Are people still signing up? What's

the questions. The student responded by

the point??? Have you told them the game is

introducing himself as the candidate and

dead?” You get the picture because many of

said that he would be answering them!

the comments are obviously watered down

Then there was a young guy in our group

for publishing in a family magazine such as

who turned up without a tie. He looked

Call Sign.

around the room at the other candidates with

As someone who has always tried to remain

their suits and ties on and realised his error.

positive, I have to remind the pessimists that

In a panic, he went through his pockets and

they were once in that position and the jobs -

luck was on his side, as, this being his only

or lack of them - that my students have current-

suit - one that he last wore for a funeral - and

ly got are generally worse than the career they

there was a tie in his pocket!

are trying to pursue. Or that due to the pres-

One young lady student was so nervous

sures of modern day working conditions, of 24

Yes, it may have meant less work, but at least

that she went to the toilet in a haze, only to

hour technology, mobile phones and emails,

be met outside by a female examiner asking

the playing field would have been equal...

that some of the students are perhaps looking

where she had been. Replying politely to the

for a complete change.

examiner, the young girl said she had been to

Tales from the KoL Chair

Can I remind all you Dial-a-Cab drivers out

All of us will have Knowledge memories of

the toilet. She then went bright red when

there that we are privileged; apart from the cur-

realising that she had been into the men’s

our appearances, our time in “the chair” and

rent financial restraints, we wake up each day

and that the ladies toilet was at the other side

the strange and funny stories we either

with a choice of whether or not to work, to

of the corridor!

remember or choose not to, even though

select what time we start and what time to fin-

Yes, there are horror stories to tell - some

most will be a blur! The great thing about

ish and have no emails or phone calls unless

funny, some sad. Where nerves got the best

teaching and listening to students is that I can

we choose to have them.

and worst out of the students, with hypno-

relax and chuckle at their experiences, even

We never have to phone London up and say

tists, chanting, pinching of thumbs, curling of

though it’s only been a relatively short time.

we can’t come in because our children aren’t

toes, so much so that one student was

Stories I can relate to come flooding back;

too well, neither do we have to book our holi-

requested to stop swearing silently under his

a new student who had only been with me

days in February as we can’t clash on the same

breath as the examiner could hear him!

for a week was asking advice on how to con-

weeks as our work colleagues.

Of course there are the allegedly good

Often, we just don't appreciate what we’ve

duct himself. This guy, an ex-professional

examiners and the proverbial tough ones.

footballer and reasonably successful as a City

got until it’s under threat or lost completely;

Unfortunately, in these days of social media

yes we are under attack and work is a struggle

trader, took on board my comments about

and Twitter accounts, the stories of woe are

calling the examiner Sir or Ma’am and not to

at the moment, but there are many in our busi-

instantly out there - no longer confined to the

ness who have moaned consistently through-

sit until requested to, so much so that when

Star Cafe or to your immediate cops and fel-

out my time in the trade, complaining about

the examiner called him in, he went straight

low school students. Instant news isn't always

too many drivers passing the KoL. I wonder if

in and sat down! The examiner told him he

a good thing...

they sit in their Taxis now and regret saying or

shouldn't be sitting down yet and especially

thinking that, because they are now of a mind

not there... as it was his seat and the answers

were in front of him! The same student on his

Tom Quigley

that if more people passed the Knowledge, the

less there would have been a demand for alter-

next appearance couldn’t

‘see’ the run

Call Sign Online

natives.

required but told the examiner that though it

The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled

LTBAWD Vets Visit North Cheam Sports Club

On Thursday 3rd March, The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled and a

large number of veterans were invited to The North Cheam Sports and Social Club for a

special lunch.

Committee member, Dave Hempstead, had arranged for local Yellow Badge taxi drivers

at Morden to supply a shuttle service from the station to the club, a gesture that was greatly

appreciated by all concerned and all of whom sent their thanks to Dave and the drivers.

At the club, the Vets made their way to the club bar before sitting down to a lunch of pie

or sausages and mash, followed by a delicious cheesecake - all supplied and cooked by the

staff of the sports and social club and served by the ladies of Barclays Bank. The Committee

would like to thank them all for their hard work.

The Hon Secretary of The LTBAWD, Paul Davis, then made a short speech thanking Tony

and Sue Millard and all the sponsors for helping to create such an enjoyable time. During

lunch, the visitors were entertained by two singers with many of the vets joining in and

everyone enjoyed a sing-song.

When it was time to leave, once again the local Morden taxi drivers arrived to help trans-

port guests back to the station. Again, the LTBAWD Chairman and committee cannot thank

these gentlemen enough for their help on the day as they also do to everyone at The North Cheam Sports and Social

Club for making such a wonderful day...

Derek Leone

LTBAWD Hon PRO

Call Sign April 2016

Page 20

OPERATIONS AND COMPLIANCE

Hello Ladies & Gents,

high premiums were added to the trip with more

It is now a year since the new Fixed Price journeys

urgent messages sent out. After nine rejects and

were introduced and on the whole most of you

almost fifteen minutes after the booked time, the

fully agree with our pricing and waiting policy. As

trip was accepted but unfortunately the client could

you know, we’re dealing solely with trips to all

not wait any longer for the taxi as he was worried

Airports and journeys to and from destinations

that he and his family would miss the start of the

outside of the M25 - fixed price journeys to and

performance. The trip was cancelled and an alterna-

from inner London areas will be treated in the nor-

tive service was used. He asked me why a taxi in the

mal way and if the waiting time exceeds the accept-

vicinity, even from the ranks at Paddington or

ed levels, the fixed fare will be removed and revert

Marylebone stations, could not be sent. With a £15

to the meter. I monitor these trips very regularly

premium and increased run-in, it was difficult to

and we are definitely seeing an increase in their

give him an answer. His young son mentioned

usage. I believe that you should evaluate the trips -

Uber, but as a staunch user of DaC for many years

not just the full meter fare, but on the actual

he continued to wait for us to cover his journey -

amount of time the trip takes to complete. In this

unsuccessfully

climate, we are offering a fair price for trips that previously were covered in

My point is that irrespective of the run-in and the £15 premium, it was also

a private hire vehicle. I’m convinced that at the right price, many account

a very nice journey and with that many rejects from taxis not far away, it

clients would much prefer to travel in a DaC taxi for many obvious reasons

could eventually push him and other accounts who experience similar issues

and this allows them to travel safely and securely in one of our taxis.

from us, over to a competitor - which is not what we need in this climate!

Even in this climate, we have coverage problems in certain areas at various

I am sure you appreciate where I’m coming from and I’d urge you all once

times of the day or night. Sometimes it surprises me that lucrative work is

again to go that extra mile to cover all trips and let’s firstly keep all of the

rejected time after time.

accounts happy.

Conversely, I must also add that it is not all bad news, because we

This is the scenario

have also received emails commending our members on providing an

Two weeks ago on an early Saturday evening, a VIP client who works for a

excellent service.

major account booked a taxi from NW3 to the Southbank area. Fleet mes-

Compliance

sages were sent out prior to this booking with full details of the journey. After

The Contact Centre are regularly monitoring the system, especially run-ins

a number of rejects, the run-in was increased and the first of two reasonably

and booking-ins, so I would ask you all to abide by the Procedure Rules.

Please remember that outlying zones are physical at all times and to correctly

book into inner London zones, you must be able to reach the furthest part

of the zone within fifteen minutes. Before booking in to EC5, you must be

Taxi insurance

in any of the EC areas and to book in the LHR you must be within the

perimeter road.

Allan Evans

for DaC drivers

Operations / Compliance Manager

On behalf of Dial-a-Cab, Hillier Buchan Ltd in

Bexley have negotiated exclusive rates for DaC

members. We believe our rates are competitive in

today’s market for experienced licensed Black Cab

drivers.

At Hillier Buchan, we understand every driver’s circumstances are

different; therefore our policies can be tailored for the individual dri-

ver. We offer a 5% discount for DaC members, with additional dis-

counts for existing protected Bonus policies.

Hillier Buchan was established in 2002 by David Hillier and myself

with in excess of 50 years experience as high level Brokers working

in the City of London for major broking houses. We have established

a reputation for professionalism and service in our chosen fields.

We have extensive London Market contacts; consequently we are

able to offer our clients a quality of security from companies that are

all available in the world’s pre-eminent insurance market. As a result,

our clients achieve quality of security and service upon which we

pride ourselves and a competitiveness of premium that our clients

find particularly attractive in today's climate.

Our philosophy is to build long-term relationships using balanced

service teams providing continuity and expertise. Compare our

prices and give us a call. See our ad inside this issue on page 15.

Phil Buchan

Hillier Buchan

01322 553313

Call Sign April 2016

Page 21

Marc Turner (R97) is passionate about this trade and leads all the

trade demos from the front by banging his drum. He is unsurpris-

ingly known online as the Drumslayer...

Drumslayer says...

tory, night men are finding it tougher than

ing them to move, otherwise their car reg

those on days. The 18 - 30 year olds are more

gets photographed and they get reported. In

prevalent after dark... and we all know who

the main, they acquiesce.

they are choosing to go home with. But I

So getting back to the missed trick. Are

think we’re missing a trick.

you an early morning man (or woman)?

When I'm out on weekends in the wee

Well, on a Saturday and especially Sunday

small hours, there's definitely a scarcity of

morning, why don't you venture out a few

Licensed Taxis. Private Hire is there in

hours earlier and fill the breach - and it’s

on tariff 3.

abundance and becoming ever-more

When the kids see PH touting on ranks and

brazen. Police officers from the Cab

no visible sign of enforcement, they presume

Enforcement Unit and the Met Police

all is normal. Yet when they see one of us, the

themselves are conspicuous by their

hands go up just like the old days.

absence. Transport for London has cow-

We won't win this fight if we don't turn.

obody in their right mind could

ardly retreated, thereby capitulating to

We need to make a presence... and be in it

dispute my assertion that our

lawlessness.

to win it!

trade is currently enduring the

Private hire are creeping onto ranks, some

mother of all kipper seasons.

sheepishly, others with attitude. Who's going

Marc Turner

Probably for the first time in the trades’ his- to stop them? I give it a go by politely request-

Call Sign Online

LBC investigation shows up TfL licensing

A shock LBC investigation has shown just how easy it is

to illegally gain a private hire driver’s licence in London

and to then drive passengers around in a minicab with

Transport for London’s blessing after they issued it.

The LTDA had claimed that one in 10 London minicab drivers may have

been driving illegally, so LBC sent their Political Editor, Theo Usherwood,

to the TfL test centre at Heston - but with someone else's car, someone

else's log book, someone else's MOT and no proper insurance! Yet the

reporter left the centre with a licence and appropriate stickers “proving”

that he was a “genuine” London PHV!

Mr Usherwood, whose last appearance in Call Sign came when he was

verbally abused by the Mayor’s cycling supremo, Andrew Gilligan, after

asking what he thought about the non-usage of the first cycle lane to

open, then took his newly licensed London minicab and parked close to

Bank Station. In no time he was approached on four separate occa-

sions! On the investigation tape, Theo is heard to ask one passenger

why they approached him and he said he assumed it was a cab because of the PH

roundel. The passenger sounded amazed when LBC’s reporter explained how easily he had obtained the licence from

TfL, supposedly the taxi and private hire’s licensing authority.

The following morning, LBC’s Nick Ferrari on his morning phone-in show spoke to TfL’s Director of Service Operations for Surface

Transport, Peter Blake and showed him little mercy! Mr Blake tried to wriggle out of the situation by telling Nick that the investiga-

tion had “highlighted an issue that relates to drivers, vehicles and operators being licensed separately, which is the current legal

requirements we go through. We continue through our promotional campaign to explain to people not to get into a vehicle that isn’t

pre-booked because it wasn't safe.” Nick Ferrari told Mr Blake that he was missing the point and that it was the simplicity of

Usherwood gaining a licence that was so disconcerting! As for drivers getting their cars “passed” to avoid congestion charging, Mr

Blake made no response to Nick Ferrari when he raised the point. Did Mr Blake not know that the Mayor had said they would look to

block that loophole by making all PH vehicles pay CC?

Mayor Boris Johnson joined the debate later on when he told LBC that following their investigation, he was looking to change the

rules on those getting minicab licences. He said he was concerned about the ease with which the licences were apparently given out

and said that they were looking to make it so PHV would have to have Hire and Reward insurance at all times. Whether that would

have made any difference to Theo Usherwood getting a licence wasn’t gone into.

LTDA General Secretary, Steve McNamara, also spoke to LBC, telling the broadcaster that it was a scandal that in 2016 TfL were

unable - or unwilling - to regulate the PH industry to even minimal standards to ensure that Londoners were safe. He went on to say

that the LBC investigative report highlighted just how easy it was for anyone to get a vehicle licensed as a minicab by TfL without even

the most basic checks such as ensuring the vehicle was insured.

“Your reporter could have been released from prison that morning for any number of serious offences and been driving a TfL

licensed minicab the same evening, at best the risk to the public is that their minicab is uninsured,” Steve added.

TfL say the situation has now been changed, but the disgrace is that it was ever allowed to happen and it leaves us wondering just

how many other PH drivers got their licences that way and how many of the numerous Uber accidents happened to drivers getting

their licences that way? And how much longer must we put up with an authority like TfL who seem to be inept at anything they do?

Call Sign April 2016

Page 22

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

Brethren of the Whip

der form as abrasive cleaner, Bar Keepers

and were both violently sick. They were

Brothers

Friend (still being produced today). It was,

kicked out. Shortly after, they were found by

and is, a useful cleaner for removing rust.

a cabman, Edward Rowse, lying in a door-

in Arms

Harry and Walter

“You know this is poisonous,” said the

way in Maiden Lane. He shook them and

chemist, “there’s enough there to kill a dozen

assisted them up. Harry could just about

Richardson did

everything together.

men.”

walk. He clutched hold of a lamp post and

“I know that,” said the Richardson brother,

exclaimed: “Rowse, old man, me and Walter

They became cab

drivers together and

“every chemist tells me it is poison. I want it

have taken oxalic acid.”

for cleaning the brasswork of my cab.”

Rowse and other cabmen assisted them

worked the same

“You’ll only need two pennyworths for

into the back of Harry Richardson’s cab.

rank, Southampton

that,” replied the chemist, after all, there

Their first thought was to treat it as some

Street in Covent

were only the lamps, handles and ‘butterfly’

kind of drunken prank and let them sleep

Garden. Harry, at 43, was the older of the two.

(a guide for the reins on the roof of the han-

it off. But it was soon plain the brothers

He lived in Wakefield Street at the top of

were not ‘larking around’. The two broth-

Grays Inn Road and worked for a proprietor

som) that needed to be cleaned in such a way.

ers were in agony and embraced each

“I want some for a pal outside,” replied the

named Alder. He was a widower and had a son

other. A cabman decided to drive the cab

fighting in the second Boer War in South

cabman. After handing over his 4d, the broth-

to the nearby Charing Cross Hospital.

er took the oxalic acid and with his sibling,

Africa.

Harry was dead before he reached hospital,

Walter was four years younger. He lived in

returned to the Bedford Head. There they

Walter died shortly after being admitted.

ordered a measure of gin each and took their

East Street, Walworth and worked for a mas-

Nobody knows why they did it, but they were

ter named Barker, possibly John Barker

drinks outside.

brothers... they did everything together...

Their sister believes it was done as a bet.

from Bronti Place just off the Walworth

Road. Walter had previously had his licence

But outside the Bedford Head they poured

Sean Farrell

the oxalic acid into the gin and drunk it

revoked and it had only recently been re-

issued to him.

down. They then went back into the pub -

Call Sign Online

On January 31st 1902, they pulled onto

the Southampton Street rank for the last time.

As taxi drivers queue up for CabCams, DaC driver Eugene

Some of the regulars on the rank noticed how

they appeared to be happy, laughing and jok-

Fitzsimons tells why one particular brand is...

ing with each other. A lot of time was spent by

cabmen on this and other stands at the time.

The war in South Africa had plunged the

NOT FOR ME!

country into recession and, as usual, the cab

trade bore the brunt of it. Despite the lack of

Eugene Fitzsimons (L09) sounded upset as he spoke to Call

work, the two brothers spent their time whilst

Sign regarding the installation of a CabCam CCTV system to

waiting for a job doing what every other cab-

his taxi.

man seemed to do whilst waiting for a passen-

“I was renewing my cab insurance policy with Tradex when the

ger - they waited in a pub! Nearly every cab

topic of a CabCam came up for discussion and I enquired about the

rank in London at the time was close to a pub.

Novus model,” Eugene told Call Sign. “It appeared to me they had

So great was it for business that it was

a preferred model called the Taxi Witness system, which I’ve seen

widely held that the value of a pub

fitted to numerous taxis around town and have heard no complaints

increased by its proximity to a cab stand!

about, so I assume it does its job. However, these are fitted in

The pub frequented by Harry and Walter

Shepherds Bush and when I got to the address in question, there

Richardson, as well as other cabmen from

appeared to be a number of PH cars there. I wondered if this might

the stand, was the Bedford Head. It’s still

have been the same outfit that has featured in Call Sign quite recently regarding

there, but since

1984 the pub has

Uber cars. As you can imagine, I wasn’t too impressed and decided that I was not going to

changed its name to the Maple Leaf.

offer my personal details or have anything to do with that company and decided to leave!”

Eugene ended by saying that he had since made his own arrangements and was happy

Both brothers, after they had had a few

with the CCTV system he now had.

drinks, appear to have come to the attention of

Call Sign spoke to Tradex Insurance and a spokesperson confirmed that the Taxi

a policeman who was quite willing to arrest

Witness system was more suited to their requirements in so far as the footage was not

them, presumably for being drunk. The police-

viewable by unauthorised personnel and that the camera needed to be checked out every

man was talked out of doing his duty by the

six months by authorised technicians. They also said the Novus Cabcam was still an option

other cabmen on the rank who said they would

for those wishing to go with that system.

look after the pair. But instead of going to a cof-

Call Sign readers will remember that two Dial-a-Cab subscribers, Pat Keefe (G01) and

fee shop to sober up - there were plenty in

Alan Green (E52), among many others, have the Novus camera fitted to their cabs and

Covent Garden even then - they returned to

that both have used it to great effect in highlighting misadventures on the road.

the pub. After a few more drinks, one of the

In Pat Keefe’s case, he was able to capture and therefore act as a witness to a collision

brothers - it wasn’t clear which one - went back

between a coach and speeding car that had jumped a line of traffic ahead of the coach,

into Southampton Street and into a chemist,

while Alan Green has published images in Call Sign of an errant PH car driving up East

where he asked for four pennyworth of oxalic

Road close to Dial-a-Cab House against the one-way traffic and also of a bilker alighting

acid. Oxalic acid was first produced by synthe-

his cab in NW3.

sis when dissolving sugar in nitric acid; it was

The article that Eugene referred to was published in the October 2015 issue:

later to be found occurring naturally in plants

Milking the taxi trade, written by Call Sign’s Marc Turner...

such as the leaves of rhubarb. Since 1882, an

Jamie Corum, Call Sign Online

American company had been selling it in pow-

Call Sign April 2016

Page 23

You can’t please

everyone!

oe Martinez (P44) sounded

down at the Docklands Hilton Hotel

when a lady came up to me and asked if

very surprised when he

I could summon a taxi.

spoke to Call Sign about

“She must have seen the quizzical look

passenger preferences

on my face, because there I was, a Vito

taxi, sitting there right in front of her

recently, admitting something

and wondering what she meant by a

that most Dial-a-Cab drivers

taxi? But she went on to explain that she

have always known - that what-

suffers from claustrophobia and needed

a taxi where the windows could be low-

ever you do, you just can’t

ered as wide as possible, allowing her to

please everyone!

feel fresh air blowing in her face.

“Yes, I was really taken aback at the

“Naturally, I tried to convince her that

The TX has windows that open whereas

time,” Joe admitted “but I guess there’s

my Vito had more passenger space than

the Vito doesn't but has excellent aircon

just no pleasing some folk. I was setting

the TX model to which she was obvious-

ly referring, in addition to an effective air

conditioning system for passenger com-

A DaC driver’s conversation with passenger Dr Max Pemberton...

fort that had the added bonus of not

blowing her neatly coiffured hair into

disarray while we were on the move! But

JUST ANOTHER

she was insistent about her needs and

concluded with the phrase of not closing

UBER STORY!

her in!

“So I put out a fleet message for a TX

Dial-a-Cab driver, Jon Robinson (E88), recently contact-

taxi that might be nearby to come and

ed Call Sign and started with an apology: “Sorry, it’s

pick her up! I appreciate that you can’t

just another Uber story!” However, as his passenger

please all of the people all of the time

had been the highly respected Daily Mail columnist

and that for a very few passengers, what-

and psychiatrist, Dr Max Pemberton, we thought it

ever you do will not be good enough for

had to be worth listening to...

them! But that’s life, I guess. There have

Dr Pemberton was going to The Mall in Jon’s cab and

been other times when I’ve had punters

had happily chatted away to the DaC driver during the

who were grateful for the cosy atmos-

journey. Jon was correct - it was just another Uber story - but

phere of closed windows and side vents,

given the source, certainly worth passing on to our readers. Dr Pemberton told Jon that

so I guess you just can’t please everyone

he no longer used Uber following some “iffy” journeys and after hearing what had hap-

all of the time!”

pened to three friends of his.

Joe sighed as he drove away. It was

That trip in an Uber car had involved one female and two males sitting on the back

another day and another time and he

seat; the two males were gay and one had put his arm around the other. Suddenly the

would be doing his best to please every-

Uber driver turned round while driving and repeatedly requested that he took his arm

one he met along the way...

away from around the other passenger.

While this was going on, the Uber car drove into a pedestrian on a Zebra

crossing, knocking him up into the air.

Dennis Latchett

The Uber driver then blamed the two gay passengers... but kept on driving! The pas-

Call Sign Online

sengers screamed for him to stop but he carried on while still shouting that it was the

passengers fault. One of the three passengers then called the police on their mobile

phone, saying that they were being held against their will and that the Uber driver had

knocked someone over but failed to stop.

Jon Robinson told us that Max Pemberton mentioned the occurrence to the

DACCU

Daily Mail at the time and they called Uber!

“But you and I know what Uber had to say... and so does the Daily Mail now,” said

Jon with the merest hint of a smile. “Just as you would expect, the app said they had

nothing to do with the driver!”

AGM

Jon’s trip with Dr Pemberton was a fairly short one and he had related the story quick-

ly just after Jon told him how most London taxi drivers were fed up with TfL's lack of

The AGM of the Dial-a-Cab

enforcement against Uber. Jon had said that most “black cab” drivers believed there was

Credit Union will take place

a connection between Uber and the Prime Minister’s office.

“As I mentioned that part, a smile came onto Max Pemberton’s lips. I don’t suppose I’ll

at 4.30 on Wednesday

ever find out what the smile meant, because it was then that he had to leave the cab!”

13 April at DACCU’s office:

Yep, Jon’s tale was just another Uber story - but we need to make sure these

The Peterley Business Centre

true stories are repeated until everyone knows exactly what they are dealing

472 Hackney Road

with when they get into an Uber car...

Alan Fisher

London E2 9EQ

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2016

Page 24

The age-old expres-

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

sion often used by

licensed taxi drivers

‘be lucky’ per-

haps has more reso-

IT IS NOW!

nance to the sport I

wish to feature this

Bob Woodford looks at London’s long lost sporting venues

month - and if you

are ever lucky enough to nab a job to take

Ally Pally racetrack

punters (an appropriate expression in this

closed in 1970

case) to go horseracing, then the chances

are you would have taken them either to

Epsom Downs, Ascot, Windsor, Kempton

Park or Sandown Park - all just outside

one furlong post once stood!

London and far enough to be a decent job.

These days, dog walkers

Epsom’s first recorded race was in 1661 and

with muddy boots and

early racegoers included King Charles II and

wellies have replaced the

Samuel Pepys. Ascot was opened in 1711 by

thunder of hooves on the

Queen Anne, Windsor started in

1866,

Haringey sports fields that

Sandown Park in 1875 and Kempton Park in

are no longer covered with

1878. Once well known, Hurst Park was

discarded betting slips.

downstream near Hampton Court Palace

The chances of this track

and began life in 1890, but ran its last race in

re-opening are not just down

1962.

It is probably only the older Dial-a-Cab

one furlong marker, of jockey Paul Cook

to investment, but any num-

ber of independent proposals for re-develop-

drivers that will have remembered that

becoming dismounted to his embarrassment

horseracing at Alexandra Park (first ever

and to some rather unsympathetic cheers from

ment jostling at the starting gate would have a

problem these days with trying to fulfil strict

race in 1868) closed down for ever in 1970.

punters who were already on the Gyspsy’s

Alexandra Park was named after a popular

Kiss (the Editor wouldn’t let me say p*ss)!!!

safety regulations laid down by the British

Horseracing Board.

Princess, Queen Consort and Queen Mother -

Today, the only reminders of race-day

Alexandra of Denmark, who was spouse to

heritage in Muswell Hill are the Victoria

Former jockey Willie Carson once

described Alexandra Palace race course as dan-

Edward VII (more commonly known as the

Stakes and Starting Gate pubs, just 7

playboy prince, Edward the Caresser). So

miles from the centre of London - and yet

gerous to both horses and riders - but my

memories of his racing colleague Paul Cook’s

perhaps her popularity was in part due to pub-

post World War Two, the racing there

lic sympathy over ‘Dirty Bertie’s’ philandering

attracted crowds of over 10,000!

unfortunate spill lives with me forever, togeth-

er with all the shouting and swearing from

(Call Sign readers looking for some Royal

The North London venue is sadly one of

scandal can find it with Stanley Weinstraub’s

many race tracks that have gone in living mem-

both riders and punters!

All of the race tracks mentioned in this

“Edward the Caresser: The Man Who Would

ory after a decline in attendances - what a pity,

be Edward VII)!”

because (for instance) City workers would be

article went to the graveyard in the 20th

century, but next month I’ll feature a long

But back to the racecourse; it was inside the

only 19 minutes away on a journey from

Park and also one of the quirkiest in Great

Moorgate Station.

lost racecourse from the 19th century and

from a part of London where people may

Britain, celebrated for its atmosphere and

Racing pundit and Prince Albert Road res-

reviled for the treacherous twists and turns of

ident, John McCririck, inevitably is one of

well hail you to take them ‘off to the races!’

So be lucky...!

its shape - rightly nicknamed the Frying Pan.

those calling for the return of the old ‘Frying

My Dad took me to ‘Ally Pally’ races for an

Pan’ and has even made an after-life commit-

Bob Woodford

evening meeting in the summer of 1968 and I

ment, requesting that his Booby (wife) scatter

Call Sign Online

can remember from our vantage point by the

his ashes at the place where approximately the

ALL HOT AND BOTHERED!

“I was on my way for my cab’s six monthly MoT test and was coming into town along the North

Circular Road at a reasonable rate of knots,” Francis Robinson (G18) told Call Sign. “I glanced

down at the temperature gauge on the cab dash and that's when, to my horror, I saw the indicator

needle had gone right up into the 'red' zone! I rapidly pulled onto the hard shoulder to let the

engine cool down and waited around twenty minutes before attempting to re-start the engine. But

all I got was a groan from the starter motor as if the battery was flat and that’s when I asked for a

fleet message to be put out asking for a jump start.

“But there was no one out that way, so I patiently waited at the roadside for another fifteen or so

minutes and this time, much to my relief, the engine fired up and I was on my way again - although

at a much more sedate pace! When I finally reached the service centre they diagnosed a jammed vis-

cous fan, which is a critical part of the TX2 engine cooling system. It works on centrifugal force by

rotating the cooling fan sited behind the engine radiator to draw air through the 'rad' in order to

maintain the engine at its optimum operating temperature. Mine had become stuck solid and had to

be replaced. As an additional safeguard, the engine thermostat was also replaced as that can also

cause the engine to overheat should it fail to open fully and allow antifreeze to flow around the engine.

“The reason I was able to re-start unaided after the engine had cooled sufficiently was because it had originally become so hot that

the internal parts expanded, leaving many components within the engine that should move freely at normal temperatures, being left

too tight to budge.”

Alan Green (E52)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2016

Page 25

n 9th March 2016, under an

As the battle against TfL continues, Call Sign went to the demo on

increasingly cloudy and darken-

9 March to witness two separate licensed taxi demonstrations

ing sky, several hundred taxi

drivers gathered in Trafalgar

merge as one at Trafalgar Square. Yes, this was...

Square before marching down

Whitehall and on to Downing Street,

to vent their anger and disappointment

at what they see as the incompetence of

Transport for London to adequately

ANOTHER DAY...

enforce and regulate the rules with

regard to Uber and its drivers, with par-

ticular regard to the lack of enforcement

of hire and reward insurance cover, dri-

ver background character checks

ANOTHER DEMO

(DBS/CRB) and the limited availability of

disabled access vehicles, all of which

licensed

‘black’ taxis have to comply

with. It had been organised by the UCG

and supported by the LCDC, SBT and

the RMT.

This demo was later joined by another

group calling itself Dads Defending

Daughters that started their demo out-

side Broadcasting House, before

marching down Regent Street to the

Square. The combined group then

walked down Parliament Street before

finally arriving at TfL head offices in

Victoria Street and protesting about the

lowering of standards/regulations that

have left women in danger from minicab

drivers. According to an earlier LBC

investigation, those PH drivers no longer

have to worry about being unlicensed as

Tom McCaffrey (H18) and Robert Montgomery (D18)

licences are given out like confetti!

During the demo Call Sign spoke to

several Dial-a-Cab drivers for heir

views:

Alex Smith (J67): “It’s disgraceful! My

son Billy has been waiting eighteen

weeks for his CRB document to come

through having just passed out as a taxi

driver, but he can’t work because he

doesn’t have his CRB paperwork yet.”

Adrian Everett (T20): “There should

have been double the turn out here.

There has been advertising in cafes and

on taxi ranks. Also the Crowdfunding

contributions have been poor with

regard to supporting the necessary funds

for a possible judicial review.”

Mark D’Arcy (O44): “The disabled

lobby are not here supporting us, yet

they cannot get into a cab on Lower

Thames Street. The public expect a

L - R: Tony Herbert, Billy Smith, Alex Smith (J67) Adrian Everett (T20) and Mark

gold taxi service for

‘cheap as chips’

D'Arcy (D44)

prices.”

Tom McCaffrey (H18): “The way the

licenced cab trade is generally being

treated is disgusting. Also, making PH

think they are insured yet I believe Uber

will not take pre-bookings, so no hire

and reward insurance cover because

only PH cars that are ‘pre-booked’ have

‘Hire and Reward’ insurance cover. The

travelling public think they are insured

but I think that is doubtful.”

Robert Montgomery (D18): “We are

now second class, whereas we used to

be a premium taxi service. But not any-

more, I fear.”

Meanwhile Call Sign’s Marc Turner

(R97) continues beating the cab trade’s

drum to its marching rhythm!

As an aside, on March 18, 10,000 cab

drivers blockaded Rome also as a

protest against Uber...

Marching to the beat of Marc Turner's drum!

Call Sign April 2016

Page 26

Hire and Reward insurance for Private Hire drivers???

Clipboard Johnnies? TfL needs more time to consider them!

TFL BOARD MEETING

way to tackle the issues of congestion, pollu-

* Hire and reward insurance protects pas-

tion and illegal parking that have worsened as

sengers in licenced taxis and private hire

a result of the rapid expansion of the private

vehicles. It ensures that passengers are able

hire trade. He has also successfully secured a

to reclaim loss sustained as a result of an acci-

commitment from Government for TfL to be

dent while undertaking a journey in a taxi or

able to regulate pedicabs through a change in

private hire vehicle. Without this insurance in

primary legislation.”

place, passengers may not be able to reclaim

costs or claim compensation following an

* Operators must have the facility to provide

Was it a cop out?

accident or injury. Private hire vehicles were

a booking confirmation to passengers contain-

On 17 March, the TfL Board met to approve the

required to have this insurance only when

ing the photo ID and details of the vehicle

new regulations which they claimed would

undertaking bookings. The new regulations

being used to discharge the booking where

“modernise and improve the private hire

will change this.

passengers are able to receive that information

industry while making it safer and more con-

* Operators will be required to provide spec-

TfL spoke of “even more robust ‘hire and

venient for customers.” It follows a consulta-

ified information to TfL at specified intervals

reward’ insurance requirements that will

tion that was said to have attracted over

including details of all drivers and vehicles reg-

mean a policy has to be in place for the

20,000 responses.

istered with them

duration of the vehicle licence, including

The Board changes included:

* Operators must record the main destina-

when the vehicle is presented for inspec-

* Even more robust ‘hire and reward’ insur-

tion for each booking before the journey

tion to TfL.”

ance requirements that will mean a policy

commences

Even more? Currently there is absolutely

has to be in place for the duration of the

* Operators to retain all records for a peri-

nothing and the LBC investigation (see page

vehicle licence, including when the vehicle

od of 12 months

21) showed how useless TfL’s insurance

is presented for inspection to TfL

* TfL to control the names under which

check was. What TfL should have said was that

* A formal English language requirement for

operators offer private hire services to the

the operators have to insure their whole fleets

all drivers

public

with Hire and Reward insurance, just as com-

* A fare estimate for customers in advance of

* Private hire drivers to be required to

panies like Addison Lee do.

their journey

demonstrate a certain standard of English.

And then there was proposal six which we

* The provision of driver and vehicle details

* Individual licence applicants to provide

would probably refer to as the Clipboard

to customers, including a photo of the driver,

National Insurance numbers to TfL

Johnnies bill. That was “deferred” because

before the start of each journey where cus-

* A driver’s private hire vehicle licence to be

they have to do more work on it. How long did

tomers are able to receive this information

considered for revocation if their private hire

they need? The whole country knew the Board

* Private hire operators will be required to

driver’s licence is revoked

meeting was scheduled for 17 March, so why

ensure that customers can speak to someone

* TfL will liaise with the Home Office on

was there no decision? Would it have interfered

in the event of a problem with their journey

introducing DBS checks on private hire oper-

with their social lives too much?

* Requiring operators to keep improved

ator staff that have face to face contact with

Perhaps the most interesting comment

records and provide driver and vehicle infor-

the public

came in a Tweet from London Assembly

mation to TfL regularly to make enforcement

* TfL to stop accepting payment for licence

member Val Shawcross during the Board

easier and more effective.

fees by postal order and cheque

meeting. It said:

TfL said:

* Drivers to carry or display a copy of insur-

@valshawcross... Good question raised

“The changes, which represented the first sig-

ance details at all times

at TfL Board as to why the VAT treats Uber

nificant amendments to the private hire regula-

* Introduce new operator licence fee struc-

bookings as taking place abroard but TfL

tions since they were first introduced, follow

ture to better reflect operator licensing costs

treats them as taken in London?

an unprecedented increase in private hire dri-

based on operator size. The specific revisions

Need we say more?

ver and vehicle numbers. The new measures

to the licence fee structure will be consulted on

will raise the standards across the industry,

separately

ensuring Londoners can continue to move

Alan Fisher

* Amendment of regulations to give TfL the

around the Capital safely. The regulations will

Call Sign Online

power to control advertising displayed inside,

remain under review to ensure they keep pace

from, or on the outside of a private hire vehicle

with the changing industry and support a mod-

* Operators will be required to notify TfL

ern and thriving trade, given the welcome tech-

before changing their operating model

nological innovations that have increased

* Operators must ensure that customers can

choice for customers in recent years.

speak to a real person in the event of a prob-

DACCU

TfL will now begin the implementation

lem with their journey

process, which will vary across the regulations.

* Private hire operators must provide an

While some changes are amendments in policy

estimated fare prior to the commencement of

that can be enacted quickly, others will require

AGM

the journey

a longer period to build the necessary infra-

* Hire and reward insurance will be required

structure. TfL has already made a number of

at the point of vehicle licensing, and for it to

The AGM of the Dial-a-Cab

changes following the first consultation in sum-

remain in place for the duration of the licence

mer 2015, including a review of topographical

Credit Union will take place

* Working with the Department for

centres and a new system for customers to

Transport to develop guidance on ridesharing

at 4.30 on Wednesday

report problems with taxi or private hire jour-

* A decision was deferred on proposal

13 April at DACCU’s office:

neys directly to TfL after the consultation

six, which stated that TfL will no longer

process showed that customers wanted TfL to

The Peterley Business Centre

issue licence variations to private hire oper-

be more involved in complaints.

ator licenses to add a late-night or tempo-

472 Hackney Road

Separately, the Mayor has asked TfL to inves-

rary event operating centres. More work

London E2 9EQ

tigate the effects of removing the Congestion

will be undertaken on this point.

Charge exemption for private hire vehicles as a

Call Sign April 2016

Page 27

magine, if you will, strolling towards a

A reproduced cartoon from Punch Magazine dated 6 March 1875

Hackney cabstand in late 19th century

recently appeared on some taxi websites, showing a woman enter-

London. Suddenly the cry

“Mother

ing a taxi shelter and leaving a look of fear on the faces of the cab-

Prodgers” echoes around the streets! The

cab drivers scarper, leaving the stand empty but

men. So that raised the question: Just who was Mrs Prodgers...?

for a seemingly innocuous, overdressed

woman: Mrs Caroline Giacometti Prodgers,

GOING BACK TO MRS PRODGERS...

nemesis of cabmen, zealous litigant and infa-

mous music hall conversation topic.

ing an alter-

Over the course of two decades, she was to

cation after

lead a one woman campaign against the notori-

she refused

ously truculent cabmen of London. She took to

to pay the full

court the publisher of a major newspaper and

penny for a

even her own cook. Her stubbornness was car-

paper, which

icatured in print and sung about in music halls.

she thought

One desperate cab driver went so far as to burn

she might be

her effigy on bonfire night!

mentioned

Her first taste of life in the courts came in

in. She sued

1871, when she began proceedings to divorce

a watchmak-

her husband of ten years, an Austrian naval cap-

er for return-

tain called Giovanni Battista Giacometti. The

ing

the

case set a precedent for divorces in which the

wrong watch

wife was wealthier than the husband (the

to her house.

Prodgers family found itself with a considerable

Her obses-

fortune through her mother, a wealthy heiress

sive

and

whom her father, the Reverand Prodgers, had

sometimes

married after rescuing her from drowning). The

bizarre activi-

details of Giacometti v Prodgers would regular-

ty in the

ly make the papers, including such oddities as

courts did

Mrs Prodgers questioning the legitimacy of her

not go unno-

own children, presumably in an attempt to try

ticed.

and disinherit Giovanni from her family for-

In 1875 she had the dubious honour of hav-

nothing to alleviate the true awfulness of her

tune. Following the actual divorce, there were

ing an effigy of her burnt on bonfire night, a

character. She appears to have been as rude

other legal wranglings. It was reported that her

‘gigantic figure’ paraded around on a cab. The

to fellow members of the public as she was to

husband, Giovanni, had given up his whole

police intervened and arrested the cab driver -

porters and cab drivers.

career at Mrs Prodgers’ request and that after

rather bizarrely on the charge of ‘begging’ (the

Perhaps unsurprisingly, her obituary as

the divorce, he had taken her to court over non-

accounts don’t report if Mrs Prodgers had any

reported in foreign papers was blunt and

payment of a yearly settlement. The Prodgers

influence over the arrest). The judge dismissed

concise:

family, taking his side, agreed on an additional

the case saying that the cabbie was acting as a

Mrs. Giacometti Prodgers, the terror of

several hundred pounds per year. Mrs Prodgers

showman for the amusement of the public” and

London cabmen, is dead. Her habit was to

found herself again in court after failing to pay

that it was merely meant as a joke.

drive the fullest possible distance for the

a shorthand writer she had, debatably, hired

Mrs Giacometti Prodgers appeared sev-

money, pay the exact legal fare, and then

during the divorce proceedings.

eral times in Punch magazine. A satirical

cause the arrest of the cabman for express-

It was soon after the divorce and its vari-

piece in 1890, the year of her death, coin-

ing his feelings...

ous spin off cases that Mrs Prodgers began

cided with controversial plans to fit each

Courtesy: The Public Domain Review/

her infamous crusade against London cab

Hackney cab with a mechanical device to

Heather Tweed

drivers. Her modus operandi was to catch a

measure distances and calculate the cost

You can read more about Mrs Prodgers

cab to a specific destination to which she

of each journey:

in G.N.Georgano's history of the London

knew the exact distance (she familiarised

Sadly, first hand anecdotal evidence does

Taxicab

herself with the cost charts), then ask the

cabman to stop just at the point where the

fare would change. Invariably the cabman

THE CALL SIGN INTERNET LIBRARY

would attempt to charge her for the next

part of the fare, which she would dispute.

One or other party would then threaten a

Want to look up something in an old issue of Call Sign?

lawsuit and she would continue to goad the

Don’t want to spend hours looking through old issues?

often irate cabman into verbal abuse and

swearing, whereupon she’d immediately

There is a simple answer - the Call Sign Internet Library!

threaten another writ.

Log on to www.dac-callsign.co.uk or www.dac-callsign.com

She was remarkably successful and ended up

Then either browse through every issue of Call Sign since

bringing over 50 cases to court - many of which

1998 by using the Search facility or type in a clue and let

descended into farce. Reports on the various

our search engine do the rest…

cases are packed with amusing incidents. There

is extended banter over the use of her full name

If you want to read each complete issue with ads, you can do that.

(which she always insisted upon). One judge

Since the May 2006 issue, you just need to click on the PDF logo.

suggested that it might be cheaper for her to

purchase a carriage than keep returning to

No search facility for that but if you know the page then go to it,

court!

press CTRL F and a box will appear. Just type in the word and the text

In addition to cab related litigations she was

on that page will be highlighted.

involved in a string of court cases regarding

other matters. She sued her dismissed cook for

There are also issues from 1967, 1977 and 1987 as a reminder of the old days!

refusing to leave her house - and continuing “to

sing about the place.” She sued a newspaper

THE CALL SIGN INTERNET LIBRARY

publisher for accidentally tearing her dress dur-

Call Sign April 2016

Page 28

Camaraderie? Not here mate!

which didn’t help matters,” Grant sighed to

of the passengers to go into the terminal

Call Sign.

building to use an ATM, while I respectfully

Grant continued his story and said that

asked the second passenger to remain in the

while trying to think what he could do, he

taxi with me. It was rather embarrassing real-

suddenly saw another DaC taxi pulling up

ly. The whole saga took so much time and

nearby.

delayed me so much, that I had to pay

“I really thought that this driver was going

£12.50 to leave the airport instead of the

to be my White Knight of the road and hoped

usual 10 minutes free grace time. So yes, I

he would be able to help by either spotting if

was well and truly fed up!”

I was doing something wrong or failing that,

Ending his tale of woe, Grant told this mag-

be willing to clear my passengers’ credit card

azine: “I know such behaviour is not the

through his DaC terminal, which we would

norm on our circuit, but it really left a sour

then be able to sort out with Driver Services

taste in my mouth. The other driver may have

on the following Monday morning. After all, I

had his reasons for declining assistance and I

was giving him my money to hold and not

draw comfort from knowing he is in the

asking him for a loan!”

minority of our members. But I guess that’s

Grant went over to the other driver and

life,” Grant said philosophically.

explained his situation.

If you were the driver referred to above,

“Then,” said Grant, “instead of being help-

Call Sign would be pleased to hear your

ful as I had expected of a fellow subscriber, I

explanation and give your side of the story.

Grant was shocked at a DaC driver

was just astounded at his lack of interest in

apparently not caring

my predicament or of any offer of assistance.

Alan Green

So I had no choice other than to request one

Call Sign Online

When Call Sign spoke to Grant

Adams (E84) recently, he was

still visibly upset at the lack of

Armed robbery - with

assistance offered from a fellow

Dial-a-Cab driver while at

a cop’s car behind!

Stansted Airport on a recent

Sunday evening.

“I took some passengers up to Stansted

Airport and on arrival there, for whatever

reason, I could not clear the credit card as my

PED was showing a weird message that I

could not resolve. With a very sizeable fare

showing on the meter, I was naturally con-

cerned about getting my money. Try as I

might, I just couldn’t clear the PED and there-

fore the fare. Meanwhile, the passengers

were also becoming agitated at the delay,

Immaculate White

Cab Available for

Weddings

A still from the driver's CCTV camera shows the horrifying attack with a

shot of the cop behind

An armed robber who pulled a gun on cab driver was caught after a police officer ran-

domly stopped right behind the taxi.

Ralph Valletta picked up 18-year-old Victor Martinez-Herrera in Wyomissing,

Pennsylvania. The passenger then pulled the gun on Valletta and asked for his

money, but failed to notice a police car had pulled up right behind.

Deputy Sheriff Terry Ely told the local ReadingEagle paper: “The taxi driver stopped

the car at the lights and put on his emergency lights but failed to move when the

lights turned green. I got out, hit the door and then heard the driver say “please don't

shoot me,” and call out that the guy was holding a gun to his head.

“I immediately bent down and pulled my firearm out because I saw he had a hood

over his face when he looked over at me. I noticed the money in his hand and a black

Female driver

object in his right hand, so I ordered him to drop the gun and get out of the car.”

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

Herrera faces charges of robbery, terroristic threats and a weapons offence, although

Contact Debbie (W18) on

the weapon was later found out to be a pellet gun.

The whole incident was caught on Ralph Valletta’s CCTV system with the police car

07956 317040

right behind...

Call Sign April 2016

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House

or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

off dramatically. Let's hope it works out OK

Even twenty years on, he repeated how grate-

Selling the building?

this time.

ful he and his wife had been at the time and

Hi Alan

Bearing in mind that drivers may find

became really emotional. To be honest, I also

I always enjoy reading Call Sign every

themselves still going through quiet peri-

felt quite emotional; but above that I felt real-

month, but the March issue’s front cover

ods, the BoM have been proactive and

ly proud.

got my attention when I saw the comment

come up with a scheme to stop any bore-

Adrian Landau (T14)

that each driver’s share was worth around

dom. So when the system gets under way,

Thanks for passing that on Adrian, a love-

£20,000! I was at the AGM and heard all the

there will be a new function. This will be

ly story... Ed

talk about selling the building, but I hope

known as the FSH facility. When you click

something positive comes from all this and

on it, you will receive all the latest updates

Book review

ideally I would rather DaC continues to run

regarding Fish Street Hill. It will no longer

Good morning Alan

as a business that covers its costs and keeps

be necessary to waste airtime asking

Thanks very much for such a great review in

drivers reasonably busy. But I'm also a real-

whether you can turn left or right or what-

the March Call Sign. London Taxis in

ist and I think the time has come when

ever. Everything will be there on the

Camera has been a long time in coming to

radio circuits can't compete on costs any-

screen... plus videos and live interviews

print - I fist notified my wholesaler of the idea

more if drivers are to earn a living wage.

with drivers on the spot. I can't wait...

2011! But, it looks like it was worth the wait.

Then there are the corporate customers

Geoff Levene (W32)

Bill Munro

who used to pride themselves by using the

To save any drivers writing in, I think

Earlswood Press

black cab service, but can no longer do so

Call Sign’s regular story teller is taking

I thought LTIC was one of the best books of

due to ever mounting financial pressure at

a sideswipe at all the messages regard-

its type that I’ve seen in a long time and I

their end. They now regard the savings

ing the open/close/open agenda sur-

have many ‘taxi’ books in my library! The

made by using a cheaper service as more

rounding Fish Street Hill! As for Geoff’s

review was in the March issue and if any-

important than the standards they were

more serious point regarding GPS, I

one is interested in a very interesting read

used to. Unfortunately we can't change that

remember the moans of many RT dri-

filled with great pics, London Taxis in

mindset, which is controlled and dominat-

vers at the time who were complaining

Camera is available direct from Earlswood.

ed by accountants and budget managers

that their GPS system was offering jobs

They do a post service where you can order

who ultimately receive substantial financial

in Kilburn while drivers were in

the book online and get it for £19 (incl

rewards based on the savings they make for

Trafalgar Square! Drivers on DaC

postage) or £22 including postage for any-

their businesses.

where outside the UK for the benefit of

seemed to prefer a zonal system then

I don't know where this will all end, but

Call Sign’s 8000 + internet readers. Go to

because it virtually guaranteed you an

I hope that DaC doesn't end up on its

www.earlswoodpress.co.uk. It can also be

account ride. Nowadays and at a much

knees with no alternative but insolvency at

found on Amazon, MDS and many other

quieter period, that guaranteed job can

the end of the day. I would hate to see that

online sellers. USA readers can find it in

take much longer to achieve - albeit

scenario personally. Far better to bow out

bookstores and various outlets...

still there. However, I think a quiet peri-

gracefully at the top and who knows what

od could help our drivers get more

might happen.

work. How? Well, there won’t be more

Gary Cowderoy (N17)

Topographical test

trips in the system but those that are

The piece Gary is referring to took

there will be offered to drivers who

centres / driverless cars

place during a Q/A session between

would otherwise be booked in another

Hi Alan

Patsy McCarthy and Brian Rice. Patsy

zone that they perceive to contain more

BBC news has announced that many minicab

suggested that as we had a major asset

work. That’s caused by the fear of won-

topographical skills testing centres are to lose

in DaC House, we should sell it and split

dering whether trips would come out of

their accreditation following TfL secret cus-

the proceeds between DaC sharehold-

certain less popular zones - I know

tomer testing. Another case of closing the sta-

ers. In response, Brian said a recent val-

because I’m a driver too and have often

ble door! As you know, there were many

uation had put a value of £17.9million

booked into an adjoining zone believ-

adverts for these testing centres on social

on our building if it could go up ten

ing that would be busier than the one I

media, I made several comments about these

floors, but substantially more if it went

was in at the time. GPS, if used proper-

on Facebook and was asked by an Arsenal

higher - as the East Road building next

ly, could remove that fear ...Ed

supporting taxi driver if I was another racist

door was already doing. Brian estimat-

little Englander cab driver? I wish I could find

ed that if we got the full market value,

him on Facebook now! I also noticed on the

each member could get around £20,000

Remembering the

TfL website that many of these testing centres

...Ed

Wallenbergs...

are run by minicab operators; surely this is a

Hi Alan

conflict of interest?

GPS

Does anyone remember Mr & Mrs

Changing tack, I recently picked a gentle-

Dear Al

Wallenberg from around 20 years ago?

man up from the Waldorf Hotel and he was

Well, GPS is almost upon us. I'm not sure

They lived in Kensington Park Gardens

telling me he had been there for a confer-

why we're going down this path at this,

and regularly took their son, who has cere-

ence on self-driving and driverless cars. He

shall we say, rather difficult time when

bral palsy, via Dial-a-Cab drivers to St

was there for the insurance side of things and

some drivers are suggesting we sell up,

Marys Hospital, Paddington. Well, Mr

regarding who would be to blame if and

while others are pushing for this new - at

Wallenberg was in my cab this morning and

when accidents happen. The good news is

least to this circuit - form of work dispatch-

although now living in New York, he fond-

that they are at least 10 years away. So I can

ing. I experienced it on Mountview when

ly remembers the patience and dedication

carry on being a miserable grumpy London

they changed from a zonal system years in

of our drivers. He also remembered the

cabbie for another 10 years!

1998. It was very busy back in those days,

wife of one of those DaC drivers who had

Jon Robinson (E88)

but I found the work per driver dropped

knitted a woolly teddy bear for their son.

Nothing’s changed there then, Jon!!! ...Ed

Call Sign April 2016

Page 31

Mailshot

up... so I turned round and went back to

Credit Card

DaC App

bed! I’m please you’re not complaining

Alan

acceptance 1

though, cos I’d hate to be around if you

In reply to Brian Rice re 10% discount

Hi Alan

were! ...Ed

incentive for passengers signing up to our

Just read the letter from Howard Pears

Credit Card

App. The cost would be minimal as the dri-

relating to Credit Card trips in which he

ver would be charged 7.5% of the fare

suggests that the daily fee the Society will

acceptance 2

through DaC so DaC would be out of pock-

be charging drivers will be recouped in 5

Hi Alan,

et by 2.5% for the first three fares of the

trips. I have just done the calculation and

I suspect the latest letter from the BoM regard-

new customer. It could be trialled allowing

obtained a different figure.

ing the Credit Card processing fee will lead to

only say 100 drivers access to a code that

£7 + vat = £8.40 per week

a full mailbag, so here’s my contribution.

could be given to customers, limiting it to a

£8.40 x 52 = £436.80 per year

I fully understood that the monthly £1 sub-

certain number of customers for now and

If a driver takes 4 weeks holiday a year

scription for 30 year+ drivers was unsustain-

seeing if they reuse us. Even including DaC

plus a week of problems with the cab (which

able in the current climate, but this latest

losing drivers, 7.5% fee on say three £20

we all get) = 5 weeks. So that gives us

charge of £1 per day for CC processing will, I

fares; that would be a loss of £6 for DaC

£436.80 divided by 47 = £9.30 per week.

estimate, take my subs from £12 pa to way

revenues but a potential new customer...

£9.30 divided by 20p = 46.5 trips per

over £1000 pa! That is bad enough, but it

John Thomas (Y58)

week. Assuming we do a 5 day week, that

would appear that I will be charged well over

Brian Rice replies: John, what happens

would mean doing 9.3 flagfalls to recoup

£150 pa when not even working!

in reality is that most people accept the

the charge and not 5.

Why can’t the charge be made for working

discount and sign up but do not use the

I am not complaining at the charge, but for

days only? We’re being charged when not

App. I think you’ll find the two taxi

a Finance Director he is he a long way out...

working, which I think a little unfair especial-

Apps in the trade have discovered that

Francis Robinson (G18)

ly for part-timers.

to their cost. But your suggestion is not

Good morning Francis, yours was the

Alasdair Kay (C47)

being dismissed and perhaps something

first email I had opened after waking

See Brian Rice’s article on page 4 ...E

might transpire in the future...

The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers

WCHCD ISSUES POSITION STATEMENT

The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers is the 104th Livery Company of the City of

London, having received Grant of Livery in February 2004 and earned its Royal Charter in October

2013. With our origins dating back to an original Act of Parliament in 1654, we have earned our

place as an integral part of the functioning of the historic City of London.

Today, the objectives of The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers are

more relevant than ever and are spelled out quite clearly in our Royal Charter; to raise

public awareness of the high standards of the London Hackney Carriage trade and indus-

try and to work to ensure continuous improvement in the health of the industry

through managed growth and development, ensuring that the London cab trade

remains attractive to those passengers who live or work in London and preserving the

elements of the industry that are considered irreplaceable - such as The knowledge of

London.

We are not a union. We are not a lobbying group. We are not partisan. The membership of

The WCHCD represents every single facet of the taxi trade - from taxi drivers to vehicle manu-

facturers, fleet operators, insurers, accountants, technology providers, repairers, knowledge

tutors and, of course, most crucially, the customers who use taxis for moving around London.

Our goal is the preservation and promotion of what’s widely regarded as the most professional, most respected taxi

service in the world. We do not wish to see our historic and much-loved trade reduced to the low standard that is witnessed in many

other cities around the globe. Londoners and those who visit London, still crave the assured service, safety and accessibility that only a

licensed taxi can provide, while the rest of the United Kingdom looks up to the London taxi trade as the standard to be followed.

The WCHCD has many members from outside the capital and we must acknowledge that not all cab trade issues are

London-centric and that decisions made within London can eventually impact on other UK Cities. The WCHCD is unique;

there is no other organisation with our broad spread of membership. There is no other organisation with our knowledge

and experience of the taxi industry; there is no other organisation that enjoys such a rich history - and yet is so forward

thinking. We are available to assist those who share these ideals in any way we can, in order to protect our trade.

Our position as the most neutral, approachable and established taxi trade organisation means we continue to attract more interest

than ever before. This is appropriate, because perhaps at no other time has our historic trade faced more questions about its future.

Our position is clear; London has always needed - and continues to need - a flexible, accessible, safe, secure and utterly reliable taxi

service. London has that, but it is easily lost if we do not all strive to protect and preserve the formidable combination of knowledge-

able drivers, unique vehicles and the assuredness we all enjoy of the world’s greatest taxi service.

The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers welcomes all those who wish to join us, talk to us, or share our

truly unique perspective and insight into the historic licensed London taxi trade and industry.

Colin Evans

The Master, WCHCD

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0208 692 1122

^*Terms and conditions apply. Free servicing offer includes 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, 45,000 miles and 60,000 miles servicing intervals and annual air conditioning service. Free servicing offer only available when vehicle

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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. Fuel economy

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