Call Sign November 2016

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Well, following the meeting on

had to leave after drivers voted they only want-

ed three rather than five. So after a vote, Mike

October 9 and the fact that

Son and Garry White had to leave following

nothing at Dial-a-Cab will ever

completion of the second meeting and our

change of status.

be the same again, it does

Mike has been on the Board for many years in

appear that I’m still here - albeit

addition to his time on the London

as just an Editor and not a

Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged

Children committee and served in many differ-

Director! So on with the show...

ent positions. Although Garry has done far

fewer years, no one could doubt his self-belief

New system

when he stood against Brian Rice for the

There is a piece on the new Volante

Chairmanship.

Automated Dispatch launch inside this issue,

ing from the status of Addison Lee and Uber to

Both always gave of their best and deserve

but on a personal level I have to say that I really

bus lanes and emissions, the main topic and

the thanks of the membership as we move

am impressed with it and have had more trip

the one we really invited Ms Chapman to dis-

into this new phase.

offers than I was getting under the old system

cuss, was the TfL decision to place credit card

when, like many others, I probably tended to

readers into the rear compartment.

Taxi Globe

book into the nearest zone to where I actually

It was a tough meeting because Helen made

Just over a year since the demise of Taxicab News,

was - but one that I thought might provide me

it quite clear that the TfL Board had made their

another trade paper has bitten the dust. Taxi

with an account ride.

decision and it was unlikely that they would

Globe’s editor, Sandie Goodwin, has retired and

You can no longer do that and doing a soon

change it. I passed over a file of emails I’d

the paper has closed alongside her. There was a

to clear into an unspecified zone also took

received from drivers, all saying they did not

time when the taxi business was awash with trade

some getting used to, but the first trip I got on

want to take a chance on being called into the

papers but their numbers are diminishing.

day one came at around 8.15 on a quiet evening

passenger compartment if the passenger said it

Anyone remember London Taxi Times,

whilst dwelling on the Kings Cross rank closer

either wasn’t working or that they just didn’t

London Cabbie News, National Cab, Taxi

to Goods Way than to the point. Suddenly the

know how to use it.

Trade Times, Taxi Times, Taxi Trader, Cabbie

sound of a trip offer woke me from the bland

I acknowledged that in 9 cases out of 10,

and even Cab Trade News as a monthly mag

sound of a football commentary on 5 Live that

it would be genuine; but asked several times

rather than the occasional one every three

didn’t involve Tottenham - a pre-booked job

what about if it was a deliberate ploy to get

months. Now we have Taxi, The Cab Driver

from St Pancras Station to Fulham! But per-

the driver to leave the relative safety of the

and The Badge (and of course, Call Sign). It

haps even better than that, albeit not in finan-

front? The answer was that if something like

is all a rather sad state of the trade...

cial terms, was a trip just before 10pm. I had set

that happened, TfL might look at it again!

down in Parliament Hill and was making my

I later followed up on our meeting with a sug-

Sadiq Khan

way back towards Haverstock Hill. In Pond

gestion via email that most drivers would be

Sadiq Khan is the third Mayor of London fol-

Street, the terminal bleeped, offering me an

happy with a reverse system to the current one ie

lowing Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson.

account trip from the Royal Free that I had just

on a similar cable to how it currently is, but

The first two did little for this trade but Sadiq,

passed. It was only going a few miles to St

which would enable the passenger to pass the

whilst putting forward many more words than

John’s Wood Road but under the old system I

PED through the opening in the partition to us

actual actions, does seem to care about the taxi

probably wouldn’t have been offered the job

just as we can to them. We await developments...

trade and I find it disturbing that on a recent

until I was a few miles away whilst it went

demonstration outside TfL’s Blackfriars Road

through all the individual drivers booked into

Meeting 2

headquarters, some of the placards were down-

NW3 and its back-up zones. I would then have

That meeting on 9 October to ratify Dial-a-Cab

right rude towards the Mayor. Will that force

probably been well-beyond Camden Town and

going from a mutual trading society to a limited

him into supporting us more or push him

rejected it.

Company as recognised under the Companies

towards the private hire section? I think you can

But when you are passing the door, that job

Act 2006 was rather strange.

work out my view from the above.

that you probably wouldn’t have looked twice

For a start, DaC meetings have always fol-

He has been in power for just a short time

at becomes a good job because as we used to

lowed an agenda that included previous min-

and while legalities may have temporarily

say, it keeps the wheels turning and the clock

utes, often elections and usually a section

watered down some of the regulations he has

moving. A few drivers have said they find the

devoted to any other business. But this meeting

attempted to push towards the PH business, I’d

text rather small, but that will be improved in

was different in that there was just one item on

rather have him than either of the first two...

the next update - but it’s certainly much easier

the agenda and that was a vote to decide the

to read than on a phone app!

result and with most people having already

Thanks for the

Also, I know that a small number aren’t

voted, the meeting was over almost before it

embarrassment!

happy with VAD because it doesn’t allow

even started with the result that we all knew was

My “thanks” to Chairman Brian Rice who at the

them to book into EC5 from Woodford... but

a certainty... it was carried.

9th October meeting told the 100 or so drivers

hey, nothing is perfect!

There is a report of the meeting inside this

present that it was my birthday, before then call-

So yes, as far as I am concerned, this system

issue, as well as a complete update of this

ing me out to present me with my own ‘birthday

works and if it helps to improve coverage that

Society up until that moment. These are certain-

boy’ badge that had been placed in my jacket

could be an added bonus with the reliability of

ly different times; decisions will soon have to be

pocket by Linda before I left home - no doubt

Dial-a-Cab once again coming to the fore and

made by shareholders - and that’s us! If we sell

as her revenge for my having to sacrifice any

encouraging account clients to use us more.

the building - as we undoubtedly will - should

birthday celebration for the Society!

we do so as soon as we get a good offer or wait

Brian then led the drivers into a rather tune-

Meeting 1

the twelve months that could see the selling

less rendition of Happy Birthday before asking

Call Sign recently had a meeting with London

price leap, as planning permission for Dial-a-

if I would like to make a speech! For those that

Taxis and Private Hire General Manager,

Cab House allows it to grow upwards?

weren’t there, you will never know what my

Helen Chapman. I also asked Brian Rice to

And as we are talking in £millions, we

reply was as this is a family magazine and I will

attend as he knows far more re the financial

need to be careful, so Brian Rice’s summing

not mention any rude words beyond fart!!!

aspect of changing PEDs in addition to the his-

up at the meeting is worth noting. That is

That aside, I thank all the drivers that wished

tory of DaC and credit card acceptance. I also

also inside this issue...

me a happy birthday and said some nice things

used his office, which is better than my down-

about me and the magazine...

stairs one as drivers keep popping in there to

Goodbye Mike and Garry

Alan Fisher

spend a penny!

As a by-product of the first of Dial-a-Cab’s two

callsignmag@aol.com

Although we touched on several topics, rang-

demutualisation meeting, two Board members

Call Sign November 2016

Page 4

Reflections of the Chairman

when they put a ‘stop’ onto your taxi. So

Demutualisation update

in reality, I do not have any alternative.

The second meeting to demutualise this

Nevertheless, we will be taking this oppor-

Society was held on 9th October and went

tunity in an attempt to accelerate changes

extremely well, although it was a really short

that we want to make to the PED and its func-

meeting. The resolution was passed by 97.2%

tionality. We have contacted both Ingenico

of the Membership, which is something the

and Barclaycard for updates. The name

detractors outside Dial-a-Cab should remem-

given to the project is Snoopy.

ber; they should also remember that I am ful-

The main reason for our attempt to

filling an instruction instigated by the

rapidly move to Snoopy will be the elimi-

Members and should consider keeping their

nation of the button press at the end of

misguided and incorrect opinions to them-

the transaction. This will happen just by

selves!

using Snoopy and the existing MDT soft-

Our Shareholders - and indeed myself - are

ware. Snoopy also provides the opportu-

really not interested in these peoples’ views,

nity to introduce Pre-auths, Charge Card

especially as they are not Shareholders in the

a-Cab House). All Shareholders, including

reading and a PED entered gratuity.

new company. I believe the Editor has compiled

Directors and myself, will own equal

However, all three of these functions will

a more comprehensive resume of the meeting

shares.

require a new release of the MDT software

elsewhere in this issue (see centre pages...Ed).

You will probably have to read the above

- Volante MDT version 11.

I would also like to take this opportuni-

paragraph again, because on first glance it

We have not yet started work on version

ty to thank both Michael Son BEM

does sound a little complicated, but as I stat-

11, but it would be ideal if we could take the

(mustn’t forget that) and also Garry White

ed earlier I am just splitting Dial-a-Cab in two

opportunity of having the fleet recalled and

for their contribution to Dial-a-Cab whilst

as both portions will have a value, one more

also install version

11 at the same time.

they were Board Members and the way

than the other. I’m not sure if I will be able to

However, I doubt it will be ready for the

they conducted themselves following the

get the paperwork to you before you read

beginning of the bracket fitting project.

first meeting on 18th September when

this, if not then you will at least have a good

We are still busy investigating and resolving

they realised they were not going to be

idea of what to expect.

issues with the VAD system but should be

elected as Directors of the new company.

I would urge you to complete the proxy

able to deliver version 11 at least before the

At the time of writing, I am in the process of

form and return it to Dial-a-Cab because

bracket project is finalised, meaning that

writing to Shareholders advising them of the

even though the meeting should be a for-

some cabs that come in for the bracket may

next steps in the process of realising the assets

mality, it is still needed as the next step to

of Dial-a-Cab; it is proving to be an extremely

also get version 11. The important thing,

realise your ambitions.

however, is that the bracket project (which

complex operation and to be honest, far more

time consuming than I ever imagined.

has a drop-dead date) need not be held up by

Upgrade to your PED

version 11 as it will work quite happily with

However, I have the assistance of Jacqui Chart

You all know my sentiments about TfL’s view

version 10, albeit without the Pre-auth, card

with whom I have worked with for over 20

regarding the siting of the PED into the rear

reader and gratuity enhancements.

years and her input and dedication to me and

of the taxi from its current position. It’s quite

I hope all the above will demonstrate that the

the project has proven to be extremely valu-

simple - they have got it wrong! However,

only place you can get the true facts is in Call

able and productive, with only some very

being an intransigent organisation, they

Sign. Other trade papers giving opinions that

minor disagreements along the way!

refuse to compromise.

are patently based on guesswork, are putting 2

The next stage for you, the Shareholders, is

quite straightforward. I will again be sending

As a result, they have me over a barrel

+ 2 together and coming up with 22...

because if I do not move the PED into the

you a letter, circular and proxy voting form

etc together with details of a meeting that has

rear of the taxi, I personally would not

Brian Rice

to be held. You don’t need to fret too much,

suffer and neither would Dial-a-Cab, but

Chairman

as it is just another stage in the process and

you, the Shareholder, undoubtedly would

Dial-a-Cab

as you have already voted to demutualise,

then all you really need do is to complete

your proxy form and return it to us. I will not

be going to the expense of hiring the HAC

and the ERS but will endeavour to hire the

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

local school one evening as the meeting

should be a formality, although at the time of

writing I have not set any dates.

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

Basically, the object of the exercise is to

split Dial-a-Cab in two with you, the

Tel: 01708 553037

shareholders, owning both companies ie

the Radio Circuit and Dial-a-Cab House

FREE AIR FILTER WITH EVERY SERVIC

WE ALSO HAVE CABS FOR RENT

- which will be the property company.

So I have now come to the point where

TX1 servicing from £48

TX1s, TX2s, TX4s and Vitos

effectively, we are ready to split Dial-a-

TX2 servicing from £70

Rentals from £165 per week

Cab Holdco into two and demerge Dial-a-

TX4 servicing from £90

Cab House from the rest of the business,

with the result being that you will end up

All Work Undertaken

with shares in Dial-a-Cab Holdco (which

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

will own 100% of the shares in Dial-a-Cab

All TX1, TX2, TX4

Limited - the owner of the Dial-a-Cab taxi

Starters - Batteries - Alternators - All with 2 year Warranty

business); and shares in Dial-a-Cab House

Holdings Limited

("Propco Holdings"),

Fax: 01708 551443

Web: www.PaulsTaxiSpecialists.co.uk

which will own 100% of the shares in Dial-

a-Cab House Limited - the owner of Dial-

Call Sign November 2016

Page 5

The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children supporting the…

PEARLY KINGS & QUEENS HARVEST FESTIVAL

The LTFUC had the pleasure of being invited

Mayors, through the streets of the City to

to attend the (18th) anniversary of the tradi-

attend St Mary-le-Bow Church where the

tional and annual London Pearly Kings &

pealing of the Cockney Bow Bells welcomed

Queens Costermongers' Harvest Festival

the congregation for a thanksgiving service. I

Parade on Sunday 25th September at the

thought the roof would come off when my

Guildhall. I went along with the Fund's

wife joined in with All Things Bright and

Honorary Secretary Malcolm Shaffron and

Beautiful! Many tourists and onlookers lined

our wives Maureen and Evelyn to witness

the City streets waving, taking photos and

this colourful, traditional and spectacular

cheering the parade along.

event.

Once again our congratulations must go

Scores of Pearly Kings & Queens from all

to Doreen Golding, Pearly Queen of Bow

corners of London had gathered for this

Bells and of the Old Kent Road (Freeman

festival, more than

130 years on from

of the City of London) for organising such

when road sweeper Henry Croft covered

a brilliant event.

his finest 'whistle and flute' (suit) in shiny

Raymond (left) and Malcolm with Doreen

May I also take this opportunity to thank all

white buttons in aid of the City's poor, with

Golding

the wonderful Pearlies for continuing to help

the modern day Pearlies continuing his

and support our charity and all the many char-

mission and doing such great charity

entertainment in Guildhall Yard. Afterwards

ities in London and the Greater London area.

work. It was a beautiful day and the crowds

we joined the long procession, lead by the

Raymond Levy

were out in abundance to enjoy the traditional

Pearlies, Chelsea Pensioners and many

LTFUC Press Officer

CHANGES TO PRIVATE

Brexit puts

diesel prices up!

HIRE REGULATIONS

“The double impact of the pound

English language requirement

weakening against US$ and global

TfL has confirmed that an English language require-

oil prices strengthening will cause

ment for private hire drivers was introduced on

pump prices to move sharply

upwards,” Brian Madderson,

Friday 14 October. The Taxi and PH licensing author-

Chairman of the Petrol Retailers

ity said it was essential for public safety that all

Association told Call Sign.

licensed drivers are able to communicate in English

“The pound has now fallen by

at an appropriate level and that drivers must to be

over 15% to US $1.23 since the

able to communicate with passengers to discuss

pre-Brexit level of $1.47 and

routes or fares as well as reading and understand-

dropped even more alarmingly in

ing important regulatory, safety and travel informa-

the second week of October to

just $1.15 in the ‘flash’ trading,

tion. TfL told Call Sign that they believe that is cru-

which started in Asian markets. Fortunately it recovered

cial to driver’s roles in transporting the public.

quickly, but there are City analysts talking about even lower lev-

The requirement applies to all applications for PH

els to come, including parity with US$.

drivers’ licences received by TfL on or after 14

“At the same time, renewed talks amongst OPEC members

October 2016 and includes applications for both

trying to curb oil production have led to a hardening of global

renewal and new licences. There is a transitional

oil prices, with Brent Crude passing the psychological barrier of

$50/barrel. As a result, Platts wholesale costs to retailers have

process for applications received from 14 October

increased by over 6p per litre for petrol and 7p per litre for

up to 31 March 2017 and drivers have until then to

diesel in the past few weeks, whereas the UK average pump

satisfy TfL that they have met the English language

prices have moved up by less than 2p per litre for both grades

requirement.

over the same time period.

TfL said that applicants may satisfy them of their

“Thus motorists can expect increases of more than 4 or 5p

ability to meet the requirement by providing a

per litre by the beginning of November unless there are

favourable corrections to the exchange rate and to global oil

certificate from a test provider appointed by TfL

prices. This will also increase UK inflation rates.

confirming that the applicant’s level of proficiency

“The PRA has written to the Chancellor advising that the

in the English language is at level B1 on the

Government should support the economy in the face of such

Common European Framework of Reference for

fuel cost increases by reducing Excise Duty in his Autumn

Languages: (‘CEFR’) or above, or documentary

Statement from 57.95p per litre to 55.00p per litre. This would

be an extremely popular and valuable contribution to ensuring

evidence of a qualification (whether or not the

consumer spending does not start to fall away and damage

qualification was obtained in the United Kingdom)

business prospects as the new Government grapples with the

on the basis of which TfL is satisfied that the

aftermath of Brexit.”

applicant’s level of proficiency in English language is

Brian Madderson

equivalent to level B1 on the CEFR or above.

Petrol Retailers Association

Call Sign November 2016

Page 6

Jery’s

World

If you’ve met our Chairman, Mr Rice, then you’ll know that part of the deal will be that you wear our logo on your back!!!

PHONING ON THE MOVE

or those that haven’t yet heard, in September Her Majesty’s

Government announced proposals that will increase sentences for

those caught making phone calls while on the move. According to

Chris Grayling, the Minister for Transport, using mobile phones at the

wheel is as socially unacceptable as drink or drug driving.

The result will be that in addition to the fine doubling up to £200 from the cur-

rent £100, the licence endorsement will also double from 3 to 6 points. That

means that if a driver were to be caught within 3 years, he or she will have

amounted a total of 12 points under the ‘totting up’ procedure and face a ban of

6 months. And then at the end of that period, drivers will probably face a huge

hike in their insurance premium in addition to needing a ‘chat’ with Transport

for London regarding their suitability to drive a London taxi .

What some may not realise is that should the above enter the statute

books, the penalty for new drivers will be even tougher. Totting up for

that group of drivers will be over a 2 year period instead of 3 and if they

reach just 6 points within those 2 years of passing their test, not only

will they have their licenses revoked but they will also have to retake

their driving test again - both practical and theory sides.

The regulations also apply to having a quick chat whilst at traffic lights and at

any time you are in charge of a vehicle with the engine running. But regardless

of whether the new punishments come in, the offence is still in force. So the

only way to not get caught is to not do it in the first place!

Jamie Corum

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2016

Page 7

KEITH WHITE

1949 - 2016

It was with great sadness that members of the London Vintage Taxi Association learned

of the passing of their Vice President and former Dial-a-Cab driver, Keith White (ex-A16).

In the words of one of the members: “Keith White was an amazing man!”

Keith was a long standing member, past chairman and stalwart of the LVTA and long-

time driver with Dial-a-Cab until he retired due to illness. His funeral took place on 25

October and many LVTA members attended, together with their taxis.

Keith was a mine of information on anything that moved; this included taxis of course,

but also buses, trolleybuses, trams, rail, tube trains - and even canals! As well as being a

licensed London taxi driver, he was a PSV licence holder and was in his element at the

wheel of an old bus - even when carrying passengers.

One of the funniest moments, recalled by LVTA member Jimmy Waters and his wife,

involved a trip to Liverpool. They used to travel up in convoy for the Liverpool Taxi

Driver of the Year and Vintage Taxi Driver of the Year. It was the first visit by the

southern area of the LVTA; a contingent of about six cabs went with Keith leading the

convoy along a series of ‘A’ and ‘B’ class roads in his Beardmore taxi. Near Milton Keynes, Keith took a wrong

turn. The convoy all followed. While Pat, his wife, frantically worked a way out of the problem in the back of the cab, Keith had entered a

roundabout but continued going round. One by one the other cabs followed until moving taxis blocked the entire roundabout! This situation

was maintained much to the annoyance of other motorists who could not get on, until Pat had a new route worked out. Keith then gave a

couple of honks on his bulb horn and the convoy peeled off one by one to continue on their way! Keith actually won the latter award in 1994.

Keith worked tirelessly with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Cabs (FBHVC) and Department for Transport to ensure the old

diesel vintage cabs were exempt from new MoT legislation. Had he not been successful, all members with older diesel cabs and many vehi-

cles from other clubs within the FBHVC would have been consigned to museums or the scrap heap.

Another LVTA member, Bob McPhail and his wife were good friends with Keith and Pat. Bob gave the eulogy at the funeral. He said:

“We shared a lot of interests - steam trains, buses, coaches and cabs of course. Keith was very knowledgeable about them all.

Keith was also a fan of ‘rock and roll’ and could play the piano very well ala Jerry Lee Lewis style! He served on the LVTA com-

mittee as Membership Secretary for about 10 years and was later Chairman, together with myself as Vice Chair, for around 15

years. We have shared many happy times and he kept his sense of humour and his jokes despite his illness over the last three

years. He was determined to keep going to the shows and also continued to work as a JP at Guildford Court.”

Keith attended the LVTA AGM in May 2016 taking an active part in the discussions. He will be sadly missed by all in the LVTA and also at

Dial-a-Cab.

Rest in peace, Keith...

Sandie Goodwin

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2016

Page 8

Call Sign speaks to Helen Chapman

ALL SIGN had arranged to

letter from an authorised agent giving a

speak to London Taxis

date of when the PED would be fitted in

and Private Hire General

the back and that would have to be

Manager,

Helen

before 31 October. However, Brian said

Chapman, regarding the safety aspect

that had been interpreted by at least one

to drivers if we were forced to move the

person at a TfL passing station who

Pin Enabled Device (PED) credit card

claimed the letter meant before that date

readers from the relative safety of the

and as soon as your cab was presented.

driver’s locked cab, into the passenger

In fact, one Dial-a-Cab driver was

compartment and the associated dan-

told by the London Taxi Company

gers that have been pointed out in pre-

after purchasing a brand new cab

vious issues of this magazine. We invited

that if he didn’t have a letter, then his

Helen to Dial-a-Cab House and also

new cab would not get passed. That

asked DaC Chairman Brian Rice to

was around 7 October and several

attend as he had access to relevant fig-

weeks away from the date given in

ures that might be needed.

the letter.

Brian pointed out that he agreed so

Although DaC said they would print

strongly with the Editor’s view that

letters for drivers telling passing station

moving the PEDs could put drivers in danger that had it

employees that taxi PEDs would be refitted within the timed

been purely up to him, he would have challenged TfL/LTPH

schedule (1 January 2017), Brian wanted to know whether these

decision in court. But the Chairman also added that it

were actually needed prior to 31 October. Helen seemed to agree

would be unfair for him to put drivers at risk of getting

that a letter should not be needed before 31 October and said

‘stops’ on their taxis because it wouldn’t affect him, only

that passing stations would be informed.

those drivers and that would undoubtedly happen if legali-

Several other subjects - mainly involving private hire and

ties delayed the final date.

English language requirements together with the possibility

Brian also said that our case had been weakened because

of legal challenges etc - were touched on at a meeting that

ComCab, who also previously had their PEDs in the driving

was scheduled for one hour but ran closer to two and

compartment, had capitulated to TfL’s directive, leaving DaC to

although our main aim may not have been achieved, Call

battle alone - something Call Sign had been doing for several

Sign would like to thank Helen Chapman for her time and

months. Brian pointed out that had ComCab not given in, then

honesty in answering our questions...

TfL would have had 3500 non-compliant radio taxis in addition

Baghwat Singh

to the 4000 not yet compliant anyway and would have had to

take the matter far more seriously with around one third of all

Call Sign Online

taxis not fitted.

The Editor then gave Helen a pile of letters from drivers - both

male and female - all against the change with many of them fear-

ing that it could put them into danger. Helen Chapman pointed

out that many cabs already had card readers in the rear compart-

ment and that there had been no reports of any problems. Alan

Fisher replied that many passengers didn’t yet realise that all

taxis would soon be compelled to take cards and that once it

became common knowledge, there could be some people out

there who might see that as an opportunity to rob the driver by

tricking them into getting in the back.

As an example, Alan gave Helen the name of a driver who

EVERY SATURDAY AT WEST THURROCK BOXING &

had been robbed via the front of the cab and who later died

FITNESS GYMNASIUM

from a heart attack, which was probably brought on by the

attack. He suggested that it would be even easier for those

types of people to lure the driver into the rear compartment

From 10.15-12.15 - £10 per pupil

on the pretence that the card reader wasn’t working, rather

Minimum age of 16

than to attack a driver with locked doors. Brian agreed with

Kids Class: 12.30-1.30pm from age 8yrs to 15yrs

Alan.

£5.00 per pupil

For her part, Ms Chapman said that the decision had been

Suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to

taken at TfL Board level and she couldn’t see that being changed,

accomplished boxers

but promised to put our points across. She also said that should

Female ONLY classes subject to demand

any incident occur re the problems that both Brian and Alan had

brought up, then TfL could relook at the situation. Alan queried

whether that would be rather too late? He later suggested in a

follow-up email the possibility of a movable PED on a cable in the

passenger compartment that could be passed through to the dri-

ver.

Another point raised concerned the letters sent to drivers

regarding that refitting of credit card readers into the passenger

compartment of taxis. TfL had issued the letter that both Brian

and Alan considered to be extremely ambiguous and which

could have been interpreted in two different ways.

The way the letter read and made it sound was that if you

didn’t have the PED already in the back, then you would need a

Call Sign November 2016

Page 9

re they

Another true story from Geoff Levene...

s t i l l

called

radio cir-

Are they still called

cuits? It seems point-

less considering that

‘radio’ - by which I

radio circuits???

mean voice despatch

- hasn't been used

At the time I was into a 14 year sojourn on

increase the chances of getting a job. The

for more than

Mountview. They were still on voice but

Board’s response worried me: “We have the

years. What could they be called now?

after a few years they followed suit. There

technology. We can change the system at the

London Taxi Data Solutions? Bit of a

was loads of work. I was getting 8 account

flick of a switch.”

mouthful. What about Traditional Licensed

jobs a day. It was brilliant and then came GPS!

Oh no, surely not. In the meantime, some

Transport? Maybe we should stick with radio

Suddenly 8 jobs became 5, but there was lots

drivers added another string to their bow by

circuits, the job is still basically the same. It's

of work on the streets so that took up the

joining Hailo. They reasoned that 90% of

getting people where they want to go. What

slack. But the problem I had was the fact that

something was better than 100% of nothing.

has changed is the technology.

it was a system that stopped you from think-

Even one Board Member said to me it was

Back in the Seventies it was two-way

ing for yourself. Plus you never had a clue

understandable, adding that drivers had to

radios. We drove round hoping a job would

where the work was.

earn a living. But let’s cut to the chase. After

come out near us. The despatcher went

So after a few years of that I was back on

the recent school holidays I felt things were

through what seems now to be a strange

Dial-a-Cab in July 2000. These were golden

getting a little bit busier, so imagine my sur-

mantra: First call... Second call... Open call...

years. Tons of work in Chelsea, Fulham,

prise when I heard GPS was going live. I won-

First assistance. If more than one cab came in

South Ken and St John’s Wood in the morn-

der which Board Member suggested the

for the job, the despatcher had to work out

ings. Later in the day the City and Canary

change and what did he say?

who was nearest. This could lead to argu-

Wharf were the places to be. But it couldn't

“Gentlemen, it appears that drivers are not

ments and accusations of false positions

last because while banks spent millions on

getting enough work, so I move we introduce

being given. The despatchers became leg-

huge bonuses, lavish expenses and taxi fares,

the GPS system and they'll get even less. But

ends. One of them still does a weekend shift

they were lending similar amounts - often to

maybe everyone will get one or two. It’s fairer

as a controller and it's always a pleasure to

people who couldn't pay back. The result was

that way. Some drivers are too greedy.”

hear ‘Uncle’ Ivor Belkin’s voice.

the financial crisis of 2008. Lehman Bros

Excuse me? Fairer? I didn't sign up for fair-

BBC work around Shepherds Bush was

crashed. Others had to be bailed out by

ness, I wanted to play by the rules and get as

called from the local rank. One morning the

HMG. Things got tougher when big business-

many jobs as I could. Does anybody do four

despatcher - a nice young chap I'll call Harvey

es started to cut costs and the first things to

rides and reject number five because they

- asked for the first two cabs. Number 1 was a

go were taxi accounts. Addison Lee took

wanted someone else to have it? I don't think

fellow I’ll call Tissue. He was given a job to the

advantage offering cheaper rides and a vehi-

so. Anyway in the event the new procedure

West End while Number 2 was told to get his

cle that many passengers preferred. The

was for me, as bad as I thought it would be.

details from another channel. Tissue smelt a

happy hunting grounds of Canary Wharf

Look, I know this game is all about luck but

rat and switched over to that channel only to

became arid deserts. But even as the reces-

even so, driving around aimlessly hoping a job will

hear the other guy getting off to Hemel

sion eased, another enemy appeared. Like

come out near me? But we've been here before. It

Hempstead. It turned out that Harvey and

the barbarian hordes of Attila the Hun they

was called voice despatch, except now a contribut-

Tissue didn’t get on. But it was a naughty thing

cut a huge swathe through America, Asia and

ing factor is how long you've been available.

to do and Harvey had to go. He drives a cab

Europe before landing here. It was Uber.

Gordon Gekko was right. Greed is good...!

now and is still as charming as ever. But as

Aaaargh!

things got busier, it was obvious that the old

Well, you know the rest. A few years ago

Geoff Levene (W32),

system couldn't continue and data despatch -

some drivers suggested we adopt GPS to

Call Sign Online

the zonal system - was introduced.

AIDEN KENT SERENADES CALL SIGN

...and gives a big boost to a trade charity!

Can there be any licensed London taxi driver who hasn’t been stuck in traffic at one time or another as they sat

in Orchard Street by the side entrance to Selfridges wondering which lane was likely to move quickest. Either

way, it presents itself as a rather boring few minutes...unless you happened to be alongside a rather special cab.

I was sitting in my cab with two young lady passengers - neither of whom had much of a command of the English lan

guage - on our way to Claridges and moving every bit as slow as you’d expect. On my nearside and moving even slower

was another taxi with a familiar sounding personalised number plate - AK 51NGS - also with two females inside. It was a

rather extravagant looking cab with the face of a cab driver beaming from the door panels and a full wrap looking as

though it was advertising a West End show. As I pulled alongside, I noticed twinkling stars in the headlining. Although I didn’t

know him, I assumed the cab belonged to Aiden Kent, The Singing Cabbie! But any doubts vanished when I heard dulcet tones serenading his passengers!

My passengers stared in amazement - as did I. Meanwhile, his passengers - they looked like a young girl and her mother - were beaming away as they

enjoyed their surprise serenade. The astonishing part was that even with the sound of traffic and no instrumental backing, he sounded really good. Then rather

worryingly, my passengers pointed at me as if to ask whether we all sang and in their case, me in particular! I shook my head as we all enjoyed our brief break

from reality.

I remembered seeing Aiden on ITV’s Sunday Night at the Palladium a few months earlier where he was introduced by Bradley Walsh and really went

down a storm in performing Mack the Knife; so I jumped out the cab quickly and dropped a copy of Call Sign through his window suggesting just as quickly

that anytime he had a few minutes to spare that I’d appreciate a few words about how he became The Singing Cabbie. He said he would... and he did!

Aiden has been a cab driver for 27 years, following in the footsteps of his father and brother. For many years he has been a fan of the crooning style made famous

by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and his personal favourite, Matt Monro. He regularly plays concerts outside of the cab performing at weddings, clubs, restaurants and

bars in addition to the Palladium show. In January, Aiden will be going to Las Vegas where he will be talking to four of the major hotels with a view to The Singing

Cabbie performing on the strip.

But Aiden then surprised me with some unexpected kindness. When in conversation I asked if he was going to the Taxi Driver of the Year din-

ner and dance at the Holiday Inn, Carburton Street on 16 November. He said that he hadn’t planned to but as he had no bookings for that day, he

would be happy to do a 30 minute cabaret spot while the regular band took a tea break - and that he would do the spot for nothing because it

was a trade charity!

Not sure if there are any tickets left, but if you are going, then you are in for a real treat. On behalf of the TDoY Charity Fund, thanks Aiden.

For ticket availability, call Russell Poluck on 07850 056765 or 020 8952 1357.

Alan Fisher, Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2016

Page 10

fter a short live test and listening to

comments from drivers, Dial-a-

Cab’s new dispatching system

Volante Automated Dispatch - VAD

VAD goes Live

for short - was launched on Sunday afternoon

25 September at just before 3pm, a time specif-

Goodbye V6, after it

ically picked to cause the least inconvenience.

It was set to replace the previous V6 dispatch-

had been up since

ing system.

29 April 1989

Volante is the name DaC uses for its

internally developed systems and Volante

Dispatch now adds itself to Volante MDT,

Volante Mobile and Volante Web. As we live

in a world of initials, the new system’s

name of Volante Dispatch was deemed

somewhat politically incorrect and

‘Automated’ was added to the middle!

The biggest difference so far as drivers are

concerned is that they no longer have to phys-

ically book-in to a zone because with VAD

working on a navigation satellite system

Daren Morley and

known as the Global Positioning System - or

John Connor watch

GPS in this world of initials - that is now done

out for drivers at

automatically. As a result, trips will be distrib-

the launch

uted to drivers based on their taxis actual posi-

tion and how long they have been available.

All drivers have to do is to push a button

telling the system they are ‘available’ and as

long as they are working and using the ‘soon

to clear’ button, their position will automati-

cally be updated and they will be offered work

when available.

If drivers do not use the STC button, then at

the end of that particular trip the VAD system

will assume that you do not want a radio job

and put you back to ‘unavailable’. All drivers

Theresa Whitfield

need to then do is to push the ‘available’ but-

and John Bankes

ton again and they are back in the system.

from DaC's IT dept

If drivers’ rejects a trip, or let a trip time out,

doing an all-nighter

then that driver’s availability will be adjusted -

so there is still a penalty for rejecting a trip.

just in case!

With IT’s John Bankes and Theresa

Whitfield on hand watching for any problems

in the system, Call Centre manager Allan

Evans and dispatcher John Connor dealing

with driver’s problems and DaC trainer Daren

Morley casting an eye over call takers, every-

thing seemed to be working well and the fact

that we are still on VAD, makes that even more

so.

Perhaps the biggest problem is just to make

sure that when signing in, drivers don’t book

into V6 out of habit, because not much is

Living in a Camden

going on there!

Any problems call 020 753 7266 or

dream world...

Email: techproblems@dialacab.co.uk.

Michael Toomey

his is the way Camden

Call Sign Online

Council designers see

Tavistock Place should

Call Sign

the alterations

become permanent. Of course,

November 2016

Editor: Alan Fisher

what it doesn’t show are the

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

constant traffic hold-ups all

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

around the area or explain

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

why so many taxi passengers

Website: www.22-callsign.co.uk

Printers: Premier Print Group

no longer use our services thanks to the nightmare of try-

E6 6 LP

ing to get through Bedford Way just to reach Tavistock Place.

Design: Aldan Publications

Many Call Sign readers took part in the Camden consultation of which

Tel: 07958 300 428

we published details last month. That has now closed and the results

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

will be announced in early 2017.

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

We can only hope that commonsense comes into the decision...

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

either manually or electronically without the express

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign November 2016

Page 12

ial-a-Cab driver Jim Rainbird (T25)

has often appeared in Call Sign

over his 22 years on Dial-a-Cab,

Eamonn and Ruth:

whether that was during his time as

a WCHCD Master or via his many filming pro-

motions - including at least one smash hit

Bollywood blockbuster - although there was no

word on whether he had to dance!

How do you do it!

In 2001, he actually appeared on a Japanese

TV station quiz but doesn’t know how he did as

he doesn’t speak the lingo! Then there were the

Taking a break

times when Jim + taxi were hired by paparazzi

during filming

because that looked less conspicuous while

of How the

chasing celebrities than flying around on a

Other Half

motorbike with a huge camera lens hanging

Live...

around their neck!

Jim also appeared on these pages when he

and his cab were used by Motorcycle News to

promote their show at the Excel Centre when

he worked with motorcycle stars Chris ‘The

Stalker’ Walker and Tommy Hill. He has also

for celebrities!

appeared alongside motor racing F1 stars Lewis

However, I’m

Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen in a Johnnie

not sure about

Walker anti-drinking campaign!

the

flattering

But Jim would be the first to admit that it isn’t

remark

that

a hobby, he does it for the money! Whilst often

Eamonn made

enjoying the work because it’s easier than

to Ruth in front

searching around for a passenger, it doesn’t usu-

of me...”

ally involve much genuine gratitude. You turn

“I don't know

up, do the film work, sort out the payment and

how Jim does his

it’s back to EC5!

job, Ruth. Look

But a recent television job changed that.

at what it’s done

Jim was filming the Tuesday evening at 9pm

to him... he’s

Channel 5 programme, How the other half

Jim told Call Sign: “On television, they look

only 25!!!”

live, which is presented by Eamonn Holmes

like a lovely friendly couple, but we all know

“I assume that he must have been referring to

and his wife Ruth Langsford. The real-life mar-

how television can create an image that isn’t nec-

my T25 callsign!!! But it really was a lovely day

ried couple look at the lifestyle of the ultra-

essarily true. But having now worked with them,

filming with them and if the series hasn’t ended

rich, those people that can literally afford any-

I have to say that Ruth and Eamonn really are a

yet, you catch it on Tuesday's at 9pm on Channel

thing they want at literally any price.

genuinely lovely couple and that’s quite unusual

5 or on Catch up...”

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Call Sign November 2016

Page 13

At the first DaC SGM, Mike Son and Garry White came fourth and fifth in a vote to keep just three Board

Members. Mike asked Call Sign if he could say goodbye. He remains a driver...

MIKE SON: THE FINAL ARTICLE

Dear fellow shareholders,

tude the support given by the Chairman and colleagues.

I want to take this opportunity to offer

I must also pay tribute to all the Management and members of staff

my sincere thanks with regard to the

in all departments, both at Dial-a-Cab House and not forgetting Roman

support I have been given throughout

Way. During these turbulent times, they have all given 100 percent.

the many years I served as one of your

My sincere gratitude also goes to Al Fisher, Editor of Call Sign, for

Trustee’s.

his consideration and help when I had to write articles within our mag-

My time on the Board of

azine. Alan has without doubt created one of the taxi trades’ most

Management has been an adventure

interesting and influential publications.

and an extremely rewarding experi-

Sincere thanks to everyone...

ence. I will always treasure that time

and remember with fondness and grati- Kind Regards, Michael Son BEM

TfL prosecute Vodafone...

AGAIN!

Transport for London has successfully prosecuted telecommuni-

January 2016. Including this latest offence, the company has been

cations company Vodafone for the second time this year as part of

ordered to pay a total of £12,706 in fines for mismanaging street-

its commitment to ensure that roadworks cause as little disruption

works since 2015.

as possible to road users.

Below is the number of times TfL has prosecuted utility com-

Vodafone’s offences, which took place between February and

panies since 2010:

March this year, include working without a permit in Borough

BT have faced 38 prosecutions, followed by Thames Water

High Street and failing to serve the required streetworks notices

with 13, Infocus with 11, Virgin Media faced 10, Fulcrum have 9

before starting work at St Thomas Street, Loampit Vale and

as have UK and London Power Networks. Following close

Bishopsgate. Vodafone failed to pay the Fixed Penalty Notices

behind come Vodafone with 7, National Grid with 5, Cable &

issued by TfL in response to these offences.

Wireless have 3, Abovenet with 2, O2 with a single offence as

Ahead of a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on

have McNicholas (on behalf of Virgin Media).

28 September, Vodafone pleaded guilty to the offences and

was fined a total of £3,500 and ordered to pay prosecution

costs of £3,020.

TfL COO for Surface Transport, Garrett Emmerson, said: “These

offences prevent us from coordinating streetworks effectively and

we will continue to push for the toughest penalties possible against

telecommunications and other companies caught acting unlawfully.

We are committed to keeping London’s roads as clear as possible to

prevent unnecessary disruption to journeys and to help us tackle

poor air quality.”

Since January 2015, TfL has prosecuted Vodafone on three

Exclusive Taxi Insurance Scheme

occasions and issued the company with 78 Fixed Penalty

Notices, 33 of which were within the last year.

dedicated to DAC members only

In June Vodafone was prosecuted for failing to serve a required

statutory Streetworks notice for work in Tooting Bec on 7 and 8

✓ 5% Discount for members

✓ Additional discount for existing protected Bonus policies

✓ Public Liability

LTFUC AGM

✓ Breakdown Cover

✓ Much more available

The Annual General Meeting of the

London Taxidrivers’ Fund for

Call below for quotations

Underprivileged Children will

be held on Tuesday 15th

November 2016 at 7.30pm.

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

There is parking at the Centre and

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refreshments will be available. All dri-

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vers are most welcome to attend…

New Park Day Centre

Tel: 01322 553313

19 Highbury New Park,

London N5

Fax: 01322 523315

Call Sign November 2016

Page 14

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

Arsenal

There will be plenty of

readers out there who

claim their football

team is the ‘Pride of

N O

North London’ - Call

Bob Woodford looks at London’s long lost sporting venues

Sign Editor included -

and from where I’m sit-

The stadium averaged a

ting, they both have

gate of

6,000 that season

equal rights to claim to the nickname. But

and so in 1904, a second

Arsenal actually has its origins in South

stand was added and it was

London and it was back in 1886 that the club

the first terrace in the coun-

was started up by munitions workers down in

try to be nicknamed Spion

Woolwich. The lads that worked at the Royal

Kop - but as Call Sign read-

Arsenal’s ammunition workshops were the

ers will know, many other

founding fathers of Dial Square FC - the loca-

clubs like Liverpool also

tion taking its name from the sundial that

built Kops, as they were bet-

lords above its entrance gateway and which

ter known. But Arsenal were

dates back to 1764.

on the up, literally, as they

Those founding fathers were hard up for

achieved promotion to the

cash initially and couldn't even afford to buy

First Division in the next

their first set of jerseys, let alone decide what

season and with additional

colours to play in! Fortunately, among the

on its southern side ran a large open sewer -

early ranks were a couple of former

capacity attendances, they reached over

so there was no rush to take a throw in on

Nottingham Forest players - the ‘Reds’ had

20,000 for some matches.

that side of the pitch! Neither were there seat-

been around since 1865 - and they wrote a

Just as all was going to plan, there was an

ing areas as such, but members came up with

letter to their old club asking if they would be

emergence of other football teams in South-

the unique idea to use wagons borrowed

prepared to let them have some kit. Forest

East London (including Millwall moving from

from nearby army bases to house spectators!

turned out to be extremely generous and

The team’s first fixture at the Manor resulted

the Isle of Dogs with a massive following), so

responded favourably with a full set of red

in a 3-0 victory against Millwall Rovers. But

Woolwich Arsenal faced bankruptcy in 1910 -

jerseys and even a football - so if you ever

that muddy pitch and smelly sewer forced the

the average crowd dwindling to around

wondered why teams play in the colours that

Arsenal to seek a fourth option and they

11,000. And there was ever more competition

they do, that’s one example!

rented the Invicta Ground, which was an

for spectators locally

- top amateur sides

Dial Square were up and running and

already established sports stadium close to

Dulwich Hamlet and Nunhead had been

while trying to organise a suitable ground

Plumstead Station on Plumstead High

around since 1888 and 1893 respectively,

to play home games, their first

Street complete with stands, terraces, chang-

plus Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace

away game was played over on the Isle of

ing rooms and no access to raw sewage!

had been attracting fans to their games since

Dogs against a side called Eastern

1905.

Wanderers - the venue being the site of

At that time, London property develop-

Arsenal FC and Hector St!

Millwall’s first ground in Tiller Road.

er and Kennington boy made good, Sir

Very little survives of this old ground, now

Within just a few months of forming, the

Henry Norris bought Arsenal out, rescu-

covered over with late Victorian streets and

decision was taken to rename the club Royal

ing the club and proceeded to move them

houses, but some of the back gardens in

Arsenal FC and they used a tree-lined green

across London to the new Arsenal

Hector Street include a row of terraces at

space on Plumstead Common to play their

Stadium in Highbury. His initial plan was

the end of their plot and I am grateful to fel-

first home match, beating Erith FC 6-1. The

to merge his own club, Fulham, with

low Tour Guide Paul Talling for the above

players used The Star Inn pub as a dressing

Arsenal into a new super London fran-

picture, which was taken from a precarious

room to change into the red strip they had

chise. That plan failed and Woolwich

position standing on a dividing wall - so be

blagged from Nottingham Forest and this pub

careful out there if you intend to investigate!

Arsenal played their final match at the

is still around today.

It was great while it lasted and success

Manor Ground against Middlesbrough in

began to follow winning 3 local trophies and

front of just 3,000 people in 1913.

Arsenal FC and Plumstead

pulling off a shock in knocking Derby

I wouldn't spend too much time looking

County out of the FA Cup, but 3 years down

for clues of the whereabouts of the Arsenal at

Bus Garage!

the line the landlord at ‘The Vic’ decided to

the Manor. After they left the ground, it fell

The following year the club moved to an old

exploit the club’s growing popularity and

derelict and was demolished - eventually

pig field on Plumstead Marshes, which was

announced he was going to double the rent!

becoming the home to a run-down industrial

quite often waterlogged until a little hard

It was around this time that the club were

estate and the last I heard, it was set to be

work made the surface playable. Over time,

re-named Woolwich Arsenal and the

redeveloped.

members and fans began to name the club’s

unscrupulous landlord forced the cash-

Henry Norris’s Arsenal moved to their

second home ground as the Sportsman

strapped relative newbies to move back to the

new purpose-built stadium in Highbury

Ground after the Sportsman pub which was

Manor Ground in time for the start of the

in 1913 and he would play a pivotal role

nearby (although no longer there) and they

1893/94 season; they managed to purchase it

in holding back the development of arch-

played here for the 1887/88 season. There is

outright with money raised from an ambitious

rivals Tottenham Hotspur a few years later

no visible sign of this ground left as it's cov-

share issue and the sewer was culverted. They

by bribing members of the Football

ered over by the modern day Plumstead Bus

also erected a single main stand and banks of

Garage - although there is no truth that red

League to promote his side back to the

terracing. Their new found ambitions were

buses became red out of respect for Arsenal’s

First Division at the expense of their

built on the strength of the fact that the club

heritage!

neighbours, despite their inferior final

were set to became the first southern member

The old Sportsman Ground flooded badly

league position. Bungs in football? Never!

of the Football League’s new Second Division

before the end of their first full season there,

Next month it's ‘jumpers for goal posts’

- the opportunity coming about because

so a hasty decision was made to move to the

down in South-West London.

Millwall had originally turned down that offer,

adjoining Manor Field (as it was originally

preferring to continue with the development

known), which was soon renamed Manor

Bob Woodford

of the Southern League (how things could

Ground. This was a slight improvement, but

have turned out differently).

Call Sign Online

the pitch got notoriously muddy at times and

Call Sign November 2016

Page 15

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

Brethren of the Whip

by Thomas Moody, a Birmingham busi-

procure him one if he so wished. Moody

Lost

nessman who demanded the return of his

insisted on the particular specimen that

‘curiosity’. Dr Evans related how he had

had been in his possession, claiming that if

Property

The current law of

taken the specimen to Guys and after a per-

he had returned to Birmingham with it he

functory examination of its head, they flung it

would have been paid £5. He was however

handing items of

lost property into

away. Moody did not believe the doctor; he

willing to drop the case if the doctor

believed the creature was being held by him

would compensate him to the value of the

the nearest police

station within

24-

so he could use it at exhibitions and such. Dr

£5. Dr Evans thought that the demand was

Evans was summoned for “unlawfully detain-

perfectly unreasonable “for a thing so com-

hours dates back to

1853 - and for a

ing a non-descript animal valued at £5, the

pletely valueless.”

property of Thomas Moody.” In court, Moody

A further witness for the prosecution was

good few years after that, it was actually

illegal to return the item direct to the pas-

was asked to describe the ‘curiosity’.

called. This was a colleague of Moody who

“The animal was between an elephant and

gave his evidence, but only after Moody was

senger. The law said the item had to be

handed in and a driver could be heavily

a pig” explained Moody, “in that it had a

asked to leave the courtroom. The witness’s

mouth and proboscis resembling the former,

testimony adversely demolished the case for

fined for not doing so.

In 1871, cabman George Bennett was sur-

while its body and legs were more like the lat-

the prosecution and Dr Evans was discharged.

ter; and that in fact it was what might well be

Moody had literally bought the ‘monstrosi-

prised to receive a summons for not handing

an item in to the nearest station. He had

termed a ‘monstrosity’.”

ty’ “from a man in a pub” and only paid half-

Dr Evans reiterated what he was told by

a-crown for the bargain...!

done exactly that - the only trouble was that

he handed it into the Lost Property Office

the anatomy department at Guys that the

creature (in all probability an ant-eater)

Sean Farrell

at Cannon Street Railway Station.

Fortunately for him the magistrate saw the

was not rare and that the hospital could

Call Sign Online

funny side of it and only made him pay the

costs of the summons, usually about

shillings (10p).

The policewoman

Prior to 1853, a driver could hold onto an

item for up to four days before he had to

hand it in. Many drivers took advantage of the

thief and a DaC driver!

delay in order to see if forgetful owners had

placed an advert in the newspaper, offering a

A woman police officer, who refused to pay a £24 mini-

reward for the item’s return.

cab fare and then ran from the car, has been kicked out

If an item was claimed, the driver would

of the force. PC Nicola Elston was said to be “jaded

receive compensation for his time. If the

through drink after a social night out with colleagues,”

item remained unclaimed, it became the

when she refused to pay Mr Ali, a minicab driver, the

cab fare to Croydon, an MPS misconduct hearing was

property of the driver after one year. This

told.

system was changed in 1853 with a sliding

Ms Elston was also accused of threatening and

scale of reward based on the value of the

punching the driver in the stomach, but was cleared

item and if it remained unclaimed, the

after an earlier trial at Southwark Crown Court.

item was sold and an amount to be deter-

She had initially claimed being innocent of theft, but

mined would be paid to the driver. This

the jury convicted her after a three-day trial, allow-

system was again changed in 1869 to the

ing the MPS to conclude the disciplinary proceed-

present one where the driver is entitled to

ings. She claimed that she left the money in the

a reward if the item is claimed, or can

minicab for the driver.

claim the item as their own after three

In a statement, Elston said: “I apologise for this

matter and in hindsight, I should have dealt with it

months if not collected.

in a different manner. I accept that it is hard to

When, during the summer of 1841, Joseph

continue to employ me, especially if I was asked

Hayward found “a monstrosity” in his cab,

to give evidence in court and would have to

he did what any young cabman would do -

declare any convictions.” She was dismissed with-

he took it home to mum! Hayward would

out notice.

later state that he found a package in his cab

Mr Ali may have been a minicab driver, but we

and when he opened it up “…he first thought

have to assume that the fare was legitimate oth-

it was a pig and then an elephant - in fact he

erwise it’s hard to see a tout taking anyone to

scarcely knew what it was and gave it to his

court for non-payment! However, the court kept

mother who he thought might know more

referring to him as a taxi driver and that did irri-

about it than he did.” Mrs Hayward con-

tate us - but not as much as it irritated Dial-a-

Cab driver Jon Robinson (E88) whose photo,

firmed that her son had brought the

including his registration number, was in several newspa-

“...curiosity to her and she took it to Dr

pers that reported on the case.

Evans, as it began to smell a little!” Dr Evans

Jon told Call Sign: We’re used to seeing ourselves in photos or TV news reports as we

sent the strange creature to Guys Hospital -

pass the cameras, but on this occasion when the write-up in newspapers mentions Mr Ali

who were not impressed with it at all. It was

as being a taxi driver and a woman who you could only describe as being a disgrace to the

not as rare as the doctor believed and as it

police force... and then several drivers point out that they showed a photo of her with me

had started decomposing, they threw it away

behind in my taxi!! But even accepting the poor reporting, you can tell my feelings about

with the rubbish.

this former police officer if I say I had more sympathy for the minicab driver!!!”

A few days later Dr Evans was confronted

Call Sign November 2016

Page 16

Many are undecided; is the long

Sunday 9th October 2016 -

journey of the Owner Drivers

Radio Taxi Service slowly com-

a new date enters DaC’s history...

ing to an end or was it the

beginning of a new exciting

journey when on Sunday 9

DIAL-A-CAB BECOMES

October 2016, the second and

deciding vote on demutualisa-

A LIMITED COMPANY

tion sailed through with well

over 97 percent of Dial-a-Cab

Current Chairman Brian

subscribers voting in favour. The

Rice with founder

meeting report is on the next

Chairman Bonnie Martyn

page.

on his 90th birthday

DaC’s journey began on Thursday

January 1953 when the man who was to

become our Founder-Chairman, Bonnie

shop that was used for paying

Martyn, met up with a friend of his, taxi dri-

out credits and that often

ver Albert Hall. Both were then with a radio

become crowded with drivers

taxi organisation known as RODA - the

involved in queries while our

Radio Owner Drivers Association. The

first Pentonville Road tele-

RODA committee consisted of well-known

phonist, Florrie Culverwell,

drivers of the time: Lou Dunn, George

would try to sort it all out! We

White, Charlie Watson, Cyril Lumley and

even had a cleaner, Mrs

Ronnie Frewin but as hard as these hon-

Goodman - known as Mrs

ourable men tried, RODA was beset with

Gee - who on occasions

1953. At that meeting, the name Owner

problems and both Bonnie Martyn and Albert

would help to pay drivers, By then we had

Drivers Radio Taxi Service was agreed on

Hall decided that there had to be a way of

200 all paying 37/6 per month (£1.75) sub-

and a starting date of Friday 18 December

starting an owner drivers taxi circuit where

scriptions. The only thing we lacked was pub-

was decided on as the day ODRTS would go

the underhand dealings that the RODA com-

licity. Drivers kept handing out cards but two

live. But although a few passengers phoned

mittee found so difficult to control and stop,

drivers and part-time dispatchers, Bernie

following house-to-house card distribution,

could be prevented from ever happening

Lyons and Sam Harris, came up with a sug-

the signals failed to reach the taxis and the

again elsewhere.

gestion and spoke to Bonnie about it - an

launch was scrubbed. A new launch date was

The result was a meeting called by Bonnie;

official celebrity opening!

decided as being on Tuesday 26 January

it took place on Sunday 29 March 1953 in

So Tuesday 8 March 1955 ODRTS saw its

1954. This time everything went well and the

the back of his cab while parked on the

official launch by well-known MP of the

first official job was dispatched

- from

Grosvenor Gardens rank. Besides Bonnie

time, Sir Ian Fraser. Bonnie particularly

Pentonville Road to Holborn department

and Albert, squeezed into the taxi were also

wanted him because he was a founding

store, Gamages.

Arthur Cutmore, Doug Naismith, Eric

member and President of the Royal

The ODRTS name spread quickly. RODA

Stoffel, Alec Cobden, David Fiertag and

British Legion - an organisation forever

had long gone and competition was minimal

Frank Duncan.

tied in with the taxi trade. But he was tied

with just two working circuits - York Way

Bonnie had paid a visit to the PCO in 1952

up until March 1955, so ODRTS decided

Radio Cabs and Metropolitan Radio Taxis

where he had a meeting with Chief Supt

to wait! Sir Ian was famous for his work

with the latter also failing to survive.

Harold Gould to tell him that he planned to

on behalf of the disabled and had himself

However, competition was on the way with

start an owner-drivers radio circuit and the

been blinded during active service in

another cab driver, Joe Stern, calling his own

Chief Superintendent gave his blessing.

WW1.He had worked tirelessly to pro-

meeting at the Rifle Range in Harewood

Bonnie then tried to find premises for a

mote welfare for blind people and ex-ser-

Avenue, Marylebone for an opposing circuit

meeting to discuss the possibility, but money

vicemen.

to ODRTS and on Monday 14 December

was tight and eventually he decided that his

The work flowed in as did the money

1953, Radio Taxis (Southern) were regis-

taxi would have to do! After two hours in his

accrued by the circuit and on Monday 8

tered. They used the old RODA premises at

cab, the seven drivers decided that they

March 1965 under the Chairmanship of war

Townsend Yard, Highgate with the tele-

would try to pass the word around that a new

hero Jack Russell, ODRTS moved to larger

phone number of Mountview 3232 and

circuit was to be attempted. With no social

premises at 144 Shirland Road and a phone

became known as Mountview. But Joe Stern

media in those days, it was left to word of

and Bonnie Martyn both disliked each other

number that some say defined our future -

mouth and on Sunday 7 June 1953 at the

LORDS 1133. For many years after, we were

and it created a feud between the two. The

Albany Tavern in Great Portland Street,

probable reason was that when Bonnie heard

known as LORDS.

the drivers that attended raised the sum of

The rest are really just facts and figures. On

that Joe Stern was taking over at Townsend

£200 between them and the journey was

Yard, a rumour claimed he asked radio sup-

Monday 11 June 1984 we took the trading

about to begin.

pliers, Pye, not to let Joe have the equip-

name of Dial-a-Cab and on Saturday 29

By Monday 10 August, estate agent Jack

ment! Many years later, Bonnie admitted to

April 1989, DaC made its second attempt at

Rose told Frank Duncan that the building

Call Sign that the rumour was true!

going live from our then voice despatch sys-

they had looked at - 172 Pentonville Road -

“It was nothing personal,” said Bonnie,

tem to one of Data dispatch. Five months

was available to rent with a view to buying

“just business!”

earlier the system had to be taken down after

later on. The committee voted on it and by

Also many years later, Joe told Call Sign:

one day, but on that second attempt it

Thursday 1 October, Frank had come to an

“Bonnie showed off too much for my lik-

worked and stayed up until October 2016,

agreement with the phone company to fit

ing, but he certainly knew how to run a

when under Brian Rice we moved over to

four lines, Terminus 6444 was born and 47

radio circuit!”

our current VAD system.

owner drivers signed up and waited for work!

By the time Mountview dispatched their

But back to Wednesday 11 August 1984

Eight weeks later on Tuesday

first trip following registration, ODRTS were

under the chairmanship of Peter

November, the committee purchased the

becoming quite busy and had even opened a

Fennymore when we moved to Brunswick

Pentonville Road lease for £2400 following a

decision at their first-ever board meeting just

few accounts - something York Way Radio

Cabs refused to do. We had built a new front

continued on page 17

12 days earlier on Thursday 12 November

Call Sign November 2016

Page 17

ack in May, Dial-a-Cab Members voted

On page 16, you can read the history of Dial-a-Cab up to the

in an unofficial Board survey that they

moment it became a limited company. That takes this Society up

wanted to demutualise this Society,

realise the value in its assets and dis-

until 9 October 2016 and the start of the final demutualisation

tribute that value to Members. On Sunday 18

meeting. This is the record of that meeting - probably the most

September, Members went to the HAC

important yet shortest one this Society has ever held...

Barracks in City Road for the first of the two

meetings that would be required for the demu-

tualisation to be activated. To take the process to

DaC: The demutualisation

that second meeting, more than 75% of those

Within just 15 minutes, dri-

voting - now including proxy voting - had to be

vers went from being mem-

in favour with at least 50% voting. That was

bers of a mutual trading

achieved with a ‘yes’ vote of 95.9 percent.

society to shareholders

The first meeting also cut the Board down to

three members and the Chairman, with Mike

Son and Garry White being voted off.

Directors plus a Chairman onto

So it then went to that second meeting on

the Board. That could of course

9 October. For demutualisation to go

change depending on circum-

through, over 50% of those that voted need-

stances.

ed to be in favour with at least 20% of

“To give you the latest infor-

Members needing to vote. Again, the only

mation; I have been in touch

acceptable way of voting was either in per-

with around ten agents that are

son or via a Proxy. A ‘yes’ vote would convert

interested in the building or to

the Society into a Company incorporated

ued by asking those that had a ballot paper and

act as our agents to sell the

under the Companies Act 2006. A ‘no’ would

building. Seven of them have put proposals

hadn’t yet voted to fill them in with either a ‘yes’

see it remain as a mutual trading society...

or ‘no’ and hold them up. They were then col-

forward that are very interesting, although

The meeting opened at

11am. The

we haven’t yet gone into them in great

lected.

Chairman asked for the usual permission that

After several minutes, during which time a

depth but our accountants and solicitors

the sound recordist and two DaC ladies

are fully informed and have copies of

few drivers asked the Chairman question

remain present. As no one objected, the

about DaC, Brian Rice announced the result.

everything. We have had one firm substan-

meeting - probably one of, if not THE most

tial offer from a development company

This included those that had already voted,

important meeting in our history - began...

those voting via a proxy and those in the hall

who have offered a cash deal rather than

It was down to Chairman, Brian Rice. He

going through agents. However, knowing

that had not yet voted. He spoke what were

said: “In theory, we are here today with only one

probably this Society’s most momentous

accountants and solicitors as I do, they

topic on the agenda - that is to ratify the last

would say that if someone is prepared to

words since

12 November 1953 when

meeting that we had on 18 September. But

founder-Chairman Bonnie Martyn proclaimed

pay that, then someone else out there will

before we start today, there is something quite

probably be prepared to pay more! So

at the very first ODRTS committee meeting:

important, otherwise you will be driven nuts by

“Gentlemen, this is the first meeting since the

there does seem to be interest in Dial-a-Cab

this certain person. So I thought I’d get it out of

House at the moment and it would appear

registration of the Owner Drivers Radio Taxi

the way first! Today is the birthday of Alan

Society Ltd. We are responsible to a lot of dri-

that the property that you own is in the

Fisher, the Editor of Call Sign and if I didn’t tell

middle of everything that Hackney Council

vers, business houses and the GPO and we

you now, he’d probably go round to you all later

must therefore conduct all dealings in a

wants - social housing and office blocks etc

to tell you himself! So Alan, would you like to

- and it also appears that planning permis-

proper manner. I feel confident that we are

come and accept this...”

capable of fulfilling the work before us.”

sion is a formality, although that would

To applause, the Editor sheepishly went to the

probably take a minimum of 12 months.

Brian read out the results which were almost

Board’s table to accept a badge with his age on

unanimous with just thirty members out of the

“I suggest that what may happen - and

- one that had mysteriously gone missing from

this is all conjecture on my part - is that a

whole fleet voting against and needing over 50

his pocket earlier! Following a rendition of

percent, the result achieved a 97.2 percent

development company may come in and say

Happy Birthday, it was down to the serious busi-

they will give us £x million today or that

approval. He said:

ness and Brian Rice continued with the meeting

“The resolution is ratified and from today

they would seek planning permission,

proper. He said:

which they would have to pay for and which

(9 October 2016) onwards we move on. Dial-

“What the proposition or resolution is

a-Cab will no longer be a mutual co-opera-

could cost up to £1million and then in 12

today is to approve the special resolution

months’ time or whenever we got the plan-

tive, it will be a limited company limited by

that was passed at the first SGM of this

its shares, of which you will all be sharehold-

ning permission, they would then come

Society, held to approve the conversion of

back and offer us the initial figure plus a fur-

ers. To a certain extent, while that persists

the Society into a company limited by

you will have the same rights as you had

ther price. That will be your choice. We

shares. That is what we are here to ratify

would write to shareholders and say that

before. There will be an Annual General

today, so if there is anyone here that would

Meeting if nothing is done with the company

you have been offered one amount now or a

like to speak against that resolution, would

or the building with the first one probably

different amount in 12 months’ time.”

they kindly go to the lectern now please.”

being one year from now and as sharehold-

With that, the official and momentous meet-

No one responded, so the Chairman contin-

ers, you will still have a vote to elect three

ing closed after around 15 minutes...

DIAL-A-CAB BECOMES A LIMITED COMPANY continued from page 16

House, where we were to stay until Saturday 5 May 2007 when under Brian Rice we moved to Dial-a-Cab House (then called Marten

House) in East Road. Astonishingly for a radio circuit, we bought the much bigger building without incurring any debt and it has now

increased in value by approximately 6 times the price we paid!

And that brings us up to date when on Sunday October 9 2016 at the HAC Barracks in City Road, DaC drivers voted overwhelmingly

to become a limited company under the Companies Act. The journey began with Bonnie Martyn founding our Society and with Brian Rice

leading the Board onto our next step. Along the way there have been many chairmen, board members, staff and of course drivers whose

part, no matter how small, helped to get us here.

Now we are about to find out the answer to the question we asked at the beginning: Is the long journey of the Owner Drivers Radio Taxi

Service slowly coming to an end or is it the beginning of a new exciting journey for Dial-a-Cab Ltd???

Alan Fisher, Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2016

Page 18

Ouch... Bet That Hurt!

egular readers will recall in the October Call Sign that

we featured the road racing exploits of John Wiles

(C60), his admission to being a ‘petrol head’ and how

for the the past twenty years he and a few friends had

travelled each year to the German race track of Nurburgring -

said by many to be the most challenging race track in the world

- and how they chase round that famous circuit in their own cars.

But what we saved our more squeamish readers from

were the finer details of an horrific accident that John was

involved in while on the same track several years earlier, but

on that occasion he was on TWO wheels instead of four!

“Yes, it was a bit inconvenient at the time, but it wasn’t my

fault,” John protested to Call Sign.

“It was back in 2006 and I was hurtling around the

Nurburgring race track, but this time on my BMW 1100

Sport motorcycle and the wheels must have come into con-

tact with some oil or engine coolant that had spilled onto

the track surface from another cyclist ahead of me. The tini-

est drop of fluid, or for that matter even a pebble, is enough

to de-stabilise a bike - and I was hitting over 90 mph at the

John and his broken elbow!

time! Suddenly the bike dropped away from under me, skid-

ding off in one direction while I found myself flying through

the air in another direction altogether, before landing heavi-

later before it was actually healed.

ly and ungraciously,” John remarked in a matter-of-fact tone!

“I also had to undergo immersion in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber

“As any motorcyclist knows, the contact area of a bike tyre onto the

therapy regime (HBOT) to re-establish the blood supply to my arm.

road surface is only about the size of the palm of your hand, so the

It’s a similar treatment to that which footballers undergo when they

slightest loss of that contact can have disastrous results, especially

break bones during a match. The increased oxygen level in your

when you’re pushing towards 100 mph!” Astonishingly to us, John

blood stream helps to heal fractures and damaged tissues far more

was grinning as he recounted his painful tale.

quickly than might otherwise be the case, and thankfully I made a

“Looking for oil patches to slide on is not the sort of thing I

good recovery. But I don’t think I’d like to do it again,” said John as

would recommend for thrills, because I ended up fracturing my

he drove off in his taxi at a sedate rate of knots - and still smiling...

left arm in 35 separate places, had to undergo a six-hour opera-

tion to put my arm together again and it was around one year

Alan Green, Call Sign Online

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Call Sign November 2016

Page 19

all Sign often has irritated

drivers contacting us after

they receive a Penalty Charge

Notice for blocking a box

PCNs and buses

junction when in reality it was another

vehicle that popped up at the last second

to block their exit and leave them strand-

ed. The result is that PCN - very often for

blocking a junction along Euston or

Marylebone Road - comes under the

auspices of TfL’s Red Routes and their

PCNs.

But how often is that blocked yellow

box the fault of a bus that won’t wait

until the exit is clear? The answer -

especially along that stretch of road -

is fairly often. We could fill up two

pages with photos of buses offending

the box junction rules that drivers

have sent us, but we’ll just put in one

as an example of something we all see

at least several times each day.

So bearing in mind the number of taxi

drivers that have been stung at what a

TfL don't know how many buses

BBC Panorama program once described

get PCN's - if any!

Mastermind Final

as Moneybox Junctions when they

secretly filmed a CCTV camera operator

claiming that they had achieved another

record month, we asked Transport for

Taxi

London via a Freedom of Information

request just how many buses had received

insurance

PCNs after being caught in yellow box

junctions? The astonishing answer was

that when they record a contravention,

for DaC

they do not record the vehicle type and so

do not hold the information!

drivers

We suspect that had they actually kept

the info we asked for, the answer would

have been zero!

Ron Yarborough

Name: "Fred Bloggs"

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

Occupation: "Taxi Driver"

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Call Sign November 2016

Page 20

SGM

Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you to

all the members who supported me in their

DaC Sales Report

selection for new Directors of the Society.

With the second SGM now having taken place

With Keith Cain

and ratified the decision to change from a

mutual trading company to a limited compa-

written before about this and the general

ny, it is now full steam ahead to finalise the

feedback is that the reason is solely down to

paperwork and move forward with the sale of

management instructing staff to cut down on

the building.

taxi usage. We always quiz further and ask if

Many drivers have asked how long this

another supplier is being used; the vast

will take and the only answer that can be

majority say no and that it is purely a financial

given without appearing to be patronising

decision by the company directors. They are

is to ask how long is a piece of string? Rest

all very happy with the service you the drivers

assured the process will be carried out as

give and equally as happy with the service

soon as is possible, but it will be the

given by our contact centre staff.

members - or should I say the new share-

holders - that have the final decision as to

VAD

who it should be sold to.

The new dispatch system is in place now and

I would also like to take this opportunity to

there have been mixed feelings and opinions

wish Michael and Garry well for the future

looking for alternative methods of speak-

from a number of drivers. I have to say that the

and to say how much it has been a pleasure

ing with as many potential clients as we

majority of you like it and think it is a much

working with them.

can. With our change of status, I believe

fairer system. There have been a few teething

that it will spark interest and help the

problems, which will be rectified by the IT

sales team to speak with many more

department in due course. This was the same

Attracting new

potential clients.

when we first introduced the V4 system back

business

We have recently completed two tenders

in 86 /87. From the very first day of going live,

As you know, it is very difficult to attract new

on which we are awaiting a decision. These

we constantly made upgrades to the function-

business and for some unknown reason, as

were both completed back in August

ality of the system and it was only until about

soon as you introduce yourself as being a

September and with the nature of the busi-

four years ago that we decided to stop making

black cab company, the shutters seem to

ness participated in, we don’t expect any

any further changes. I am sure we will enhance

come down with potential customers finding

decisions to be made for another couple of

the new system in a similar way as we all get a

an excuse to get you off the phone faster than

months.

better understanding of its capabilities...

you could say Jack Robinson.

Much time is spent contacting those clients

But that does not stop us trying and who seem to have reduced their usage. I have

Keith Cain

DaC Head of Sales

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

captured as a blog. The continuing story of his time as a butterboy is…

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A Blogger’s Tale

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1993

We meet many people during the months and years behind the wheel of a taxi in

central London; many of them seem to be quite open about themselves and chat

about their lives and work, but have you ever looked in the rear view mirror and

wondered what a terrorist looks and sounds like?

The taxi trade has a reputation of being London’s eyes and ears, so how

would a terrorist approach a ride in a taxi? Would he or she invent a story or

remain quiet, perhaps reading a newspaper? I’m not suggesting IRA bombers

used London taxis to get to or flee from the scenes of bombings, but if

you’ve lived and worked through bombing campaigns from any terrorist

organisation, then I’m equally sure it has crossed your mind.

Around the time of the French terror attack in Nice this year, I got chatting to a young lady. As we made our

way through the city, she asked if I was scared of another attack in London. My immediate reply without even

thinking about it was NO. After she got out, I began to wonder why. The taxi trade has been touched by many

bombings, even in my time there have been a significant number. The Public Carriage Officer who gave me my

Badge told me to always check the back of the cab after a fare had left, because the police were surprised that

a bomb hadn’t yet been left in the back of a cab. Then on Saturday 24th April 1993, the IRA let off a truck

bomb outside 99 Bishopsgate; the ensuing carnage cost £350million to repair and led to police rethinking their

approach to security, particularly in the city. I was nearby and heard the explosion; it rumbled through the

ground just as the bomb that killed Airy Neave had done when I was working at New Scotland Yard in 1979.

Just a year before that, the Baltic Exchange had been bombed resulting in loss of life and significant damage. If

memory serves me right, a London taxi driver had been sitting either outside or nearby at the moment the bomb went

off, his cab - along with his confidence - was completely destroyed. A photo of his cab appeared in the trade press

and every panel had been distorted by the debris that rained down on it. The bomb site is now home to the Gherkin

and is understandably still a sensitive area. There is a convenient rest rank opposite, but it is inadvisable to leave your

cab there for too long, as in October 2014 after a series of road closures nearby, the police assumed a parked taxi

that appeared to have been left on the rank legally, was a suspect vehicle and conducted a controlled explosion on it.

Perhaps the most audacious attack was on the government itself. On 7th February 1991 whilst the cabinet

were meeting to discuss the Gulf War, the IRA launched three mortar shells from the junction of Horseguards

Avenue and Whitehall in the direction of Downing Street. One exploded in the back garden of number ten,

Tel: 07956 456 360

a few feet from its target which would have destroyed the building and the government. They survived by the

skin of their teeth, just as in Brighton some years before.

“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life...”

Email:

Winston Churchill

aiden.kent@btinternet.com

To be continued…

Simon Scott (O40), Call Sign Online

Web: www.aidenkent.com

Call Sign November 2016

Page 21

• How can PH drive safely while looking at an app?

• When will TfL separate accident figures between taxis and private hire?

• A 44% increase in accidents for Taxis and PH. Yet taxi numbers are the same???

Caroline Dishes It Out To The Mayor!

The Mayor’s Question Time on

passenger asking where they

were and asking the driver to

Wednesday 19 October was inter-

respond as to whether the

esting because LibDem Assembly

traffic was bad? It was also in

Member and black cab supporter,

The Sunday Times article that

Caroline Pidgeon, asked questions

the drivers were being

of Mayor Sadiq Khan that could

encouraged to answer instead

of being focused on the road

have affected private hire so badly

and causing a danger to other

as to even put many of them out of

road-users as well such as

business.

cyclists and pedestrians. She

Her first question was to query the safety of

wondered if the Mayor “could

smartphone-based apps used by most mini-

perhaps get TfL to look if

cab firms - and even by two taxi apps in

there was something else

Hailo and Gett. If it is illegal - not to men-

they could be doing in addi-

tion dangerous - to use a phone when in

private hire drivers should only read in

tion to the Mayor’s road safety campaign

control of a motor vehicle, then how can it be

response to a text message when they

that might help to tighten up what was

legal to use a phone-based app?

have pulled over and are safely parked?

happening?”

The Mayor replied with a breakdown of his

The Mayor’s one-word answer was simply

The Mayor responded by saying that TfL

recent taxi and private hire action plan: He

“yes.”

were always looking at evolving new ways to

said

“I’m committed to ensuring that

Caroline then spoke again, thanking the

ensure that London had the best taxi and pri-

London’s Taxi and Private Hire industries are

Mayor for a clear answer and said that was

vate hire service there could be. He said that

as safe and accessible as possible. The signif-

what she was hoping for! She continued: “In

resources were not finite and that it wasn’t

icant increase in the use of app-based tech-

the past few weeks, The Sunday Times pub-

just taxi drivers that did this with apps (I

nology in both taxis and private hire vehicles

lished an excellent report by an undercover

think he meant private hire, but I didn’t

is a relatively recent development. To be

reporter who was an Uber driver for three

want to interfere...Ed). There was zero toler-

clear, hands-free phones, satnavs and other

weeks. His specific words were:

ance towards anyone doing it, he said, and

devices in cradles that are widely used by dri-

‘Beep! The next customer flashes up,

that TfL would continue to look at all types

vers, are legal as long as they are used safely

you have 10 seconds to comply!’

of answers to make sure that health and safe-

and in accordance with road traffic laws

“So drivers have to read messages and

ty on behalf of drivers and passengers was

while driving. Having said that, both taxi and

respond while driving. You simply can’t

paramount. Caroline said that she would

private hire drivers should give their full

do that safely. Mr Mayor, do you agree

take that as a ‘yes’ as part of the work Sadiq

attention to the road while driving. TfL and

that Uber and other apps are in effect

was already doing.

the police will take action against anyone if

forcing drivers to take risks?”

She then went on to talk of the 44% rise in

this is found not to be the case.

The Mayor came back by agreeing that 10

casualties caused by “taxi and private hire

“The Met police service stopped nearly

seconds clearly wasn’t safe and Ms Pidgeon

vehicles” since early 2013 before raising a

27,000 motorists for this offence last year and

then asked Sadiq if he would look and under-

salient point. She said:

there is ongoing work to enforce traffic regu-

take research as to how all apps are actually

“But we know that taxi numbers have

lations and warn road users, with the aim

used in practice on the roads and whether he

stayed relatively the same! However,

being to reduce instances where this offence

could issue some safety guidelines?

there has been a huge rise in private hire

occurs.

The Mayor repeated his initial comment

vehicles; will you give a precise date as to

“My taxi and private hire action plan is

that hands-free phones, satnavs and other

when TfL will start to regularly publish

aimed at improving driving standards and my

devices in cradles were not prohibited in law

data showing the number of incidents

intention is that TfL should introduce an

provided that the driver was safely in control

involving taxis and those of private hire -

advanced driving test for private hire drivers

of the vehicle. He continued:

but showing them separately.”

by the summer of 2017. I am also boosting

“I’ve talked about the numbers of those

The Mayor said they were working on it

the number of on-street compliance officers

stopped by police - 27,000 last year - and we

and were looking at spring 2017 which he

by quadrupling the number from 82 up to

have quadrupled the number of enforce-

thought would be the earliest they could do

332 to clamp down on any illegal activities. In

ment officers we have out there.

it because of having to segregate the data.

addition, there is to be a road safety cam-

“BUT YOU ARE RIGHT! DRIVERS

“It’s something that hasn’t been done

paign that will target all professional drivers -

SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY ARE

before in a separate form,” he added. “We

including freight, taxi and private hire - to

TAKING A RISK OUT THERE.

believe there should be greater transparency.”

highlight the danger of being distracted while

“It’s not just their safety; they also have the

This trade should offer its sincere

driving. This comprehensive action plan will

passenger’s safety as well to think of.”

thanks to Caroline Pidgeon for stating

improve public safety by putting up stan-

Caroline Pidgeon spoke again and asked

the obvious and asking the questions

dards across the private hire industry, pro-

the Mayor if he would speak to TfL to ask

that Call Sign and indeed all the trade

vide the support taxi drivers need and deliver

them if they would consider new regulations

organisations, have been calling for

the world’s greenest taxi fleet.”

to say that apps could only be used by a dri-

over many years. The public need to be

Caroline Pidgeon then came back: She

ver when the vehicle is stationery.

able to see for themselves the differ-

said: “I really want to focus on the issue

The Mayor said the law was clear and that

ence between the two sides of our

of apps. Driving while texting is a serious

drivers should know and understand the

industry. Although we are still waiting

offence and studies have shown that if

regulations. But there was nothing to stop

for the separate crime figures that we

you use hands-free or hand-held mobile

passengers asking the driver to concentrate

were promised to be published, the

phones then you will be slower to react to

on the road and to not use their phone while

assistance from Caroline Pidgeon is so

hazards. Some drivers - particularly pri-

driving.

very welcome and we thank her...

vate hire drivers - are reading text mes-

Caroline said that the way those types

Alan Fisher

sages and interacting whilst they are dri-

of apps worked was that suddenly the PH

ving a vehicle. Do you think that taxi and

driver would receive a text from the next

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2016

Page 22

Call Sign read-

Call Sign’s Marc Turner (R97) is also known as Drumslayer. This

ers will have to

month he is writing about problems between taxi drivers and our

forgive me if,

licensing authority, TfL...

while strolling

towards the

GPs TO GPS! Private

TfL/LTPH offices

at Palestra at

Hire faking medicals???

Blackfriars Road

on the bright autumn day that

up those placards while dressed as doc-

tors; it certainly held the attention of

was Thursday 13th October, my

many passers-by. Fortunately none of

mind suddenly reverted back to

them enquired about treatment for piles!

1966 - no, not to England win-

It’s more than unfortunate that corrupt

General Practitioners have confused the

ning the FIFA World Cup, but

National Health Service with Naturally

more towards a hit record of

Help (PH) Service. Just four days after the

that year... Napoleon XIV:

LCDC demo, a second trade demo - this time

a mass ply for hire - was also held outside

They’re coming to take me away

Dr Davis leads the LCDC demo against

Palestra and added a basket load of com-

ha ha!

TfL PH medicals

plaints against TfL to the one regarding the

Why? Well it was probably while suddenly

medicals. This one was organised online and

could be down to impaired vision, epilepsy,

being besieged by a group of people in white

caused havoc stretching back to a gridlocked

diabetes, mental health issues, heart prob-

coats, face masks and stethoscopes! On fur-

Kingsway.

lems or the numerous other medical prob-

ther inspection - mine, not theirs - lo and

Call Sign Editor, Alan Fisher, confirmed

lems that could stop we taxi drivers being

behold there was LCDC Chairman Grant

to me that following a meeting he had held

given a licence. In fact, they have deemed it

Davis standing amongst them! Hundreds of

with Helen Chapman, LTPH admitted there

OK for cheats to continue driving until their

cabbies had congregated for a static (opposed

next scheduled medical.

was little they could do now other than make

to a drive-in) legitimate protest called for by

sure that relicensing requests three years after

Grant Davis has been in dialogue with TfL

the LCDC regarding what they claimed was

on the matter but to no avail. He told Call

the initial one would be very carefully

TfL’s scant regard for passenger safety. This

Sign:

checked. A bit like locking the stable door

followed a shock exposé by The Sun’s detail-

“After The Sun expose, I felt this was far

after the horse has bolted...

ing the scandal of PH drivers purchasing med-

from satisfactory and contacted TfL but was

Marc Turner

ical certificates from crooked doctors!

told by a senior manager that they had no

Truly a case of the minicab fraternity

plans to re-test PH drivers. I was flabbergasted

Call Sign Online

transferring its reliance on GPS onto dis-

and told them that it was surely their duty to

honest GPs! If these disgraceful deeds ever

protect the public. I spoke to my committee

end up in public maiming or even worse,

and we agreed to hold a static protest at TfL

then it really would be a 'cash for crash'

and have flyers printed to hand out to the

TX1

scenario!

public informing them of the dangers.”

TfL really do not seem bothered that the

Personally, I thought it was an innova-

drastic rise in minicab Road Traffic Accidents

tive touch having some protesters holding

TAXIS

WANTED

Taxi Globe closes

One of the trade’s long-standing ‘freebie’

newspapers, Taxi Globe, has printed its last

copy, following Editor Sandie Goodwin

announcing her retirement.

Whilst always maintaining an indepen-

dent approach, Sandie always had an excel-

lent relationship with both Dial-a-Cab and

Call Sign and the two papers were never

afraid to ask for the occasional assistance in

covering an event or just using each

Your old TX1 Taxi is wanted

other’s’ photo library when needed.

Taxi Globe first published on 1 May

✓ Quick viewing and decision

1985 when it was edited by Janet

Gordon from a portacabin above taxi

✓ Cash waiting!

garage BeeJays in Three Colts Lane.

Janet later moved on to edit the LTDA’s TAXI and in 2000,

✓ Top price paid for really clean

Sandie Goodwin, who had been previously been involved in the delivery side of the Globe, was

examples

appointed Editor.

Very few readers realised that her experience of the taxi business at the time was almost nil,

because she covered most of the important news stories with a flair that gave the impression that she

was perhaps a former cab driver! Sandie was also a regular on most of the trade’s charity outings.

Please ring Graham on

“I’ve enjoyed most of my 16 years as Editor,” Sandie told Call Sign, “but I’m now look-

07435 562759

ing forward to taking it a bit easier, giving up schedules and living more to the pace I

want to live at! But, yes, I will miss the paper and the connection it gave me to such a

or e-mail on

wonderful trade...”

oldlondontaxis@yahoo.co.uk

Taxi Globe follows last year’s closure of Taxicab News and a bad 12 month’s for the trade press...

Call Sign November 2016

Page 23

THE END OF THE ROAD

As Laurence Lacom says goodbye to Dial-a-Cab...

“The snaking conveyor belt at BH still

trip, were going hell for leather in order to

jammed occasionally as dockets fell into the

keep up with the flow, but we did it as a team.

machinery, but even so, on one memorable

“Now, I’m going to take life a little easier;

eight-hour shift we covered 3000 trips! Can

maybe play a bit more golf,” Laurence con-

you imagine that - and all on ‘voice’ dispatch

cluded before walking away. We wish him

too; none of this modern day technology!

well for a long and happy retirement...

The back-channel operators, who were

Alan Green

responsible for giving the drivers their job

details once the cab had been allotted the

Call Sign Online

Congratulations

Onto the golf course for Laurence!

“YES, it has been a long and enjoyable road,

to Al Fresco

but the time has come…” Laurence Lacom’s

(D68) voice tailed off with emotion as he

recalled to Call Sign his time with Dial-a-

all Sign would like

Cab, even though in conversation he regular-

to congratulate Al

ly referred to the Society as Lords - our pre-

Fresco, who recently

vious moniker from the Shirland Road days

celebrated fifty

when we were known by the telephone

years as a licenced London

exchange prefix.

taxi driver.

“I joined in 1973, so when in 2003 I

There was time when the

applied for a reduced subscription

old PCO would invite those

according to the 30 year unbroken service

with 50 years behind them

rule and was told the records only went

up to Penton Street for a

back to 1976, I was disappointed but

small celebration, but

couldn’t prove my membership for the

according to LTPH General

additional time, so I accepted the situa-

Manager, Helen Chapman,

tion, even though I had kept my original

the impression they used to

call sign over the years!

get was that most invited

“Shirland Road brings back memories of

drivers didn’t really want to be there, so

what life was like in the Control Room down

it ceased! But if anyone deserves at least a mention, it’s my friend Alan

in the basement of No 144; trips were written

Fresco and I have no doubt that he would have attended and told Helen some of the

out on paper dockets by telephonists taking

stories he is so brilliant at recounting!

passenger details and then dropping them

Among Alan’s achievements in this trade - and no doubt we will have

onto an endless, constantly moving conveyor

missed many - were his editorship of Taxi Trade Times, London Taxi Times and

belt that snaked its way round the Control

Room to a dispatching position. The trip

Steering Wheel - which along with joint owner, Ernie Keates, he renamed The

Cab Driver. Al also edited Mountview News and although he would never say

would then be allocated to the nearest cab to

the pick-up point. Absolute fairness to drivers

it, is probably the best writer in this trade.

regarding trip allocation was always para-

I’m proud to call him a friend and I know that his late wife, Carole, would not only

mount and drivers would run from wherever

have been proud of the achievement, but would probably have taken over the PCO for

to cover an account ride, as they in turn appre-

the day to give Al that deserved congratulatory drink and certificate!

ciated dispatchers’ integrity,” Laurence empha-

sised.

Alan Fisher

“In fact, to endorse that fairness, we had a

Call Sign Online

hard plastic sheet over the map on our dis-

patching table so that drivers would hear the

coin drop if it came to a ‘toss-up’ between

cabs equidistant from the pick-up address.

“I frequently covered as a dispatcher for

Ivor Belkin (C97) at weekends when he

took his lunch break, but I still remember

that first time. Ivor had been dispatching as

usual in Shirland Road until midday when

the swap to me took place. I took a deep

breath, carefully held that first docket in both

hands, fixed the pick-up point, opened my

mouth, allocated a cab and sent him in!”

Laurence grinned while savouring the recol-

lection.

“So when we moved from Maida Vale to

Brunswick House I had an idea of what to

do. In fact, mine was the first voice that

dispatched the very first trip at noon from

our then new building.

Call Sign November 2016

Page 24

n the October Call Sign, Graham

Waite (B35) wrote an article about

the state of our trade in which he

Trade Unity???

wrote that he now only drives his

cab at weekends after holding a Green

It is in Walthamstow!

Badge for 38 years. He also wrote of hear-

ing that many other older taxi drivers

Creasy. At that meeting, we were able to

were retiring early, whilst younger ones

explain our point of view and discuss many

were often going back into trades they

other issues relating to the trade.

did before going onto The Knowledge.

On 11th July, Stella Creasy sent an email to

Graham wondered if we could be witness-

Sadiq Khan asking the Mayor to reconsider

ing the end of the London Taxi trade as we

our request for PHV Regulations Proposal

know it - unless we did something about it

(operators must not show vehicles available

and quickly before also adding that this was

for immediate hire, either visibly or via an

still the best taxi service in the world.

app, to be implemented). Our group of dri-

The Dial-a-Cab driver’s suggestion was

vers believe that if we can achieve that, then

that the various taxi trade associations

drivers in other boroughs can too.

should put aside any differences to form

Yes, it is important to belong to a trade

a united front to fight Uber and any other

organisation but we cannot rely just on

PH enterprise that attempts to dominate

those representatives to do the work. We

the trade. Graham’s idea has been floated

must play our part too by contacting our

around by many others over the years,

come in smaller packages???

MPs - or the Mayor directly - or anyone

from the early days when it was the LTDA

John Minihane wrote to Call Sign on

who can help our cause.

against the T&G (now Unite) to 2016 with

behalf of a growing group of cab drivers

If any Dial-a-Cab driver, or any other cab

the LCDC, UCG, RMT and several other

that live in the Walthamstow area after

driver reading this who lives in

organisations that operate online.

reading Graham Waite’s appeal. He told

Walthamstow wishes to join our informal

However, the suggestion seems to be a

this magazine:

group then they can contact me by email at

highly improbable one with many of the orgs

“This is just to report that a group of Green

minihanej@virginmedia.com or call me on

in a constant state of disagreement with oth-

Badge cab drivers living in Walthamstow

my mobile at 07904 555 963. There are no

ers and of course, in any joint enterprise,

who are all members of either the RMT,

subs or dues, we just send emails, make

there would be an awful lot of cooks and very

LTDA or Unite, managed after many efforts

phone calls or arrange meetings with our MP.

few bottle washers! But could trade unity

to obtain a meeting with our local MP, Stella

You will be welcome...”

Taxi Driver Of The Year

LTC to take on

another 1000

Dinner and Dance

workers!

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the Taxi Driver of the Year Charity

Fund presents its annual Dinner and Dance on

Saturday 16th November 2016 at the:

Holiday Inn Regents Park, Carburton Street, London W1W 5EE

Tickets are just £65 per head and include a 4 course meal, half a bottle

of wine per person, dancing to a live band and a celebrity cabaret by the

Singing Cabbie - direct from Sunday Night at the Palladium with

Bradley Walsh - Aiden Kent!

Please complete and return the form together

with your cheque made out to TDYCF to:

Russell Poluck MBE (Hon Chairman)

manufacturing and engi-

5 St Brides Avenue, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 6BT

neering recruitment consul-

tancy based in

Shakespeare country,

Name:

Consilium Recruit, has been

Title:

appointed a recruitment partner of

Company (if applicable):

the London Taxi Company and will

help to fill the 1,000 new posts that

Address:

are to be created at LTC’s new multi-

Tel:

million factory, currently being com-

pleted in Ansty Park, Coventry.

Email:

Among the new recruits will be

Number of tickets:

highly skilled engineers, managers

and advanced manufacturing techni-

Dietary requirements:

Veg

□ Fish

□ Meat

□

cians who will be involved in the pro-

duction of a green version of the

Dress smart

London taxi, which is due to be

For further information, contact Russell Poluck:

launched in 2018.

07850 056 765 • Tel/fax 020 8952 1357

Production of the current TX4 will

remain at the company’s base in

Email: brussella@talk21.com • Website: taxidriveroftheyearcharityfund.com

Holyhead Road, Coventry.

‘ Remembering those less fortunate than ourselves’

Call Sign November 2016

Page 25

Hello Ladies & Gents,

OPERATIONS AND

Thank You

I’d like to thank all the members that

voted for me at the recent SGM; it was

COMPLIANCE REPORT

flattering to know that you have put your

trust in me to be part of the newly formed

Board of Directors that will carry out your

Credit Cards (Hail

wishes in the weeks and months ahead.

The final decision was overwhelmingly in

and Ride)

favour of demutualisation. I know that

As you know, the new credit card charges were

the Chairman has worked tirelessly on

introduced by TfL some eight months ago (in

this and will continue in the same vein to

April) and overnight the number of DaC street

conclude the process as quickly as possi-

transactions increased substantially for a number

ble.

of obvious reasons. I believe it soon became

apparent that when comparing our charges to

those of our competitors, ours undoubtedly

New dispatch system

offered members the fairest and cheapest process-

It is over a month since the introduction of

ing fees of all.

the VAD (Volante Automatic Dispatch) system

No additional costs for the PEDs or printers,

was introduced. In the main, most of you are

which are part of the latest available bundles

now getting used to the new way of dispatch-

out there in the market place and no limit on

ing. It is important to know that apart from

the number of transactions per mobile.

the normal physical zones and ranks that

new system, if you overdo your normal

Now that the acceptance of cards in

remain unchanged, this system doesn’t offer

run-in of up to £4.20 you will not be able

taxis is mandatory after 31 October and

trips to the nearest taxi to the pickup or to the

to press the arrival button until the meter

with the expected surge in usage, we will

cab that is longest in a zone, it is a combina-

is reset. In the majority of cases, the pick-

be adding 1.5% (excluding vat) to street

tion of the position of the taxi and the mem-

up should be reasonably near to your

credit card journeys (Hail and Ride) from

ber (shareholder) with the longest period of

location so you must judge the run-in and

1st January 2017. This step was not taken

availability.

arrive with no more than the agreed

lightly by the Board and will be intro-

It is also worth noting that the Soon To

amount - no different from the old V6 sys-

duced solely to offset the noticeable pro-

Clear (STC) button offers up to fifteen min-

tem. Asking dispatchers to add the

cessing fees that we as a Company now

utes of availability before you clear the trip

amount on at the end of the journey is

incur, charges that will steadily rise.

and will automatically make you available for

incorrect procedure.

On balance, it is still a more than reason-

the next offer. If you do not press STC when

This was specially designed; it has a selling

able deal and the charges will be incorporat-

you are within fifteen minutes of the destina-

point for the customer and will be regularly

ed in your variable subscriptions each week.

tion, you will need to make yourself available

monitored. With competitors offering no run-

All other types of trips will remain the same..

at the end of the journey, which starts your

ins, no service charges and fixed rates with

availability from zero. If you experience any

up to fifty percent below the meter, I’m sure

Allan Evans

problems, the help line number is 020 7553

you understand where I am coming from -

DaC Operations

7266.

especially when these charges appear on the

MI stats that customers receive.

Compliance Manager

You should also be aware that on the

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

Walton Heath new course

In a previous issue of Call Sign I reviewed Walton Heath Old Course but this August I was lucky

enough to be invited to play Walton Heath New Course. Although the New Course is consid-

ered to be the lesser of the two, it still ranks as one the best I've played.

The first two holes are a very pleasant introduction to your round; a gentle short par 4 and a

short par 3 - although I knocked in a birdie at the 2nd! But after that it ramps up your shot-

making abilities to a higher level. There are 6 par 4s of over 400 yards, with one being 469 yards

off the white tees (stroke index 1, unsurprisingly). However, what makes it perhaps more fun to

play than the Old Course is because for the amateur it's a little more playable.

Each year when they host the final qualifying day for the US Open in the UK, they

use both courses so you can see it is a challenge even if not quite so brutal as the Old

one.

The New Course is misleading; it was designed by Herbert Fowler as 9 hole course in 1907

and extended to 18 holes in 1913. As with the Old Course, the heather here is treacherous so

you must try at all costs not to find it!

If you can finish with the same ball you hit off the first, you’re a better man than me my

son, to quote Rudyard Kipling (did he play golf...Ed)!

Both courses are rated in the UK top 50 and for added kudos, if you could only play one it

would have to be the Old course. But if I was a member there, I think I'd be playing the New one mostly...

Happy golfing...

Simon Wallis (M11)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2016

Page 26

Alec Wilkey (W83) has been on

More boxing success

Dial-a-Cab for 11 years, but in a

life far away from taxi driving,

Alec is also a much respected

for DaCs Alec Wilkey!

trainer in the world of profes-

far more fights

sional boxing - and in October,

than he has won,

this was an experi-

the wins for his TeamWilkey

enced boy who

kept on coming!

knew all about

It began with a Frank Warren Promotion

fighting. But

Ritchie used all his

on 8th October held at The Harrow

Team Wilkie skills

Leisure Centre, Alec’s hot prospect,

and got the win.

Johnny Coyle, was up against the tough

The next

Spaniard, Geiboord Omier. But Johnny

TeamWilkey out-

cruised to an easy victory, winning every

ing will be in the

one of the 6 rounds. Johnny, who is man-

Czech Republic

aged by MGM, is now looking for-

where Alec’s

ward to a major title fight before

fighter, Arthur

the end of 2016.

Hermann, will

The next TeamWilkey outing

take on Stephan

was at Bethnal Green’s York

Horvath for the

Hall on 15th October where

WBO European

Alec and his right-hand man

Super

Johnny Sparks paraded two of

Welterweight

their newest hot prospects.

Championship.

First up was Cheznie Hawkins,

Alec told Call

who was making his professional

Sign: “This is a

debut against Hungarian boxer,

Ritchie Gray, Johnny Sparks, Arthur Hermann,

major fight for

Roland Farago whose career so far

Alec Wilkey and Cheznie Hawkins.

Arthur (17-2-13

Inset: Stephan Horvath will be defending his European

showed 3 wins and 2 TKOs. But Alec’s

TKOs) and I really

title against Alec's boxer, Arthur Hermann

boy - aged 20 and from Mitcham - showed

believe he has all

great ring presence to give a really mature

the tools to beat

performance for someone having his first

protégé in Ritchie Gray from Brentwood.

Horvath - even in his home town. A win

bout and picked up the win with a 40-36

Ritchie who was having his second pro

would then put him into the World rank-

points victory.

fight, was up against a tough opponent in

ings and once that happens, who knows

Cheznie was followed by another Alec

Edgars Sniedze. Although Sniedze has lost

how far he will go...”

The UK’s most dangerous top ten!

ew research on behalf of www.VoucherCodesPro.co.uk

has revealed that 20% of British drivers that have had either

a near-miss or a car accident, had been paying too much

attention to the music they were listening to rather than the

road. According to the report, it’s Adele and Justin Bieber who top the

list of musicians that drivers were listening to at the time of an incident.

The research confirms the worst in-car distractions other than family

members such as children, as being mobile phones (31%) with music

voted the next biggest danger (20%). VoucherCodesPro.co.uk conducted

the research as part of an ongoing study into attitudes and behaviours of

British drivers with 2,186 Britons taking part, all of whom were aged 18

and over and who had held a full driving licence for a minimum of two

years. All respondents had stated that they had caused at least one car

accident when behind the wheel.

Initially all respondents were asked how many car accidents they’d had

in the past two years, to which the average response was two accidents.

They were then asked how many near-misses they estimated that they

had experienced over the same period, to which the average answer was

fourteen.

All respondents were then asked what musicians they had been listen-

ing to when they had been involved in a car accident, or come close to

having a car accident. When provided with a list of possible responses

and told to select all that applied, the top 10 musicians were revealed as:

1. Adele - 18%

2. Justin Bieber - 17%

3. Sia - 15%

4. Slip Knot - 14%

5. Rihanna - 14%

6. Drake - 13%

7. The Beatles - 10%

8. Calvin Harris - 8%

9. Eminem - 8%

10. Kanye West - 7%

Perhaps the answer is to only play music that you don’t like!

Call Sign November 2016

Page 27

And you ask why we don’t trust TfL?

in mind that they will then be unable to

Call Sign Says...

Saying and doing are two totally alien

lock the front - there will be one hell of

concepts to this licensing authority.

a law suit against the organisation that

Should just one Dial-a-Cab driver get

refuses to listen...

SAYING... AND

injured after being told the card reader

Alan Fisher

isn’t working, he or she is forced to get

Call Sign Editor

in the back and then attacked - bearing

DOING???

LANCASTER

LONDON HOTEL

On Monday 17 October, a taxi

demonstration - called a ‘mass

ply for hire’ - was called for out-

side TfL’s Palestra building. With

heavy rain falling, it certainly

caused much traffic havoc with

hold-up reaching as far as

Holborn and Kingsway!

Many asked if it was necessary, coming

as it did just days after an LCDC demo

outside the same building. It wasn’t,

according to TfL’s Director of Service

Operations, Peter Blake (pic), who said

just before this second demo:

“There is no need for this protest

that will cause unnecessary disrup-

12 month refurb

tion to people trying to go about their

business. We urge the organisers to

FROM 24 October 2016, the

call it off. The Mayor has recently

Lancaster London hotel will be cov-

Immaculate White

launched a comprehensive Taxi and

ered in hoarding for its year-long

Private Hire Action Plan that is aimed

refurbishment. The hotel will remain

Cab Available for

at driving up standards and improving

open for business during this period.

safety. We will work with all industry

During the refurbishment, the cur-

Weddings

stakeholders to help shape the imple-

rent taxi rank will become a feeder

mentation of the Action Plan.”

taxi rank as the hotel’s temporary

Mr Blake, that would all be great if it

entrance will move 20 metres to

were true. In reality, that may be what

Westbourne Street (the SE corner of

you would like to do because I hear you

are an amiable person who listens. The

the hotel). Outside the temporary

problem we in the trade come up against

entrance, there will be a new tempo-

time after time is that everyone at TfL lis-

rary taxi rank with space for two taxis,

tens... but then does absolutely nothing.

plus additional space for drop-offs. To

The biggest example is forcing drivers to

assist taxis, the hotel will be hiring

put credit card readers in the passenger

additional doormen who will be on

compartment when, so far as DaC taxis

duty from 8am until 11pm.

are concerned, they are already well

On 19 August 2017, the hotel’s

positioned for both driver and passen-

refurbishment will be fully complete

ger. Yet when we called a meeting on the

and the hotel will once again become

subject, we were told that the TfL Board

known as the Royal Lancaster and

had agreed and were unlikely to change

their decision.

the taxi rank will resume its original

When we pointed out the possible

position.

danger to drivers being coerced into

Twitter Feed: There will be regu-

entering the passenger compartment

lar large events at the hotel

Female driver

because of a “faulty reader,” we were

throughout the renovations and

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

told that should an incident like that

these will be tweeted to all taxi

Contact Debbie (W18) on

happen, then TfL may look again at the

drivers as the hotel needs your

subject. So our lives could be on the line

continued support.

07956 317040

when the obvious answer is staring TfL

in the face.

Call Sign November 2016

Page 28

One of Anglia TV’s ‘Fundraiser of

the Year’ nominees for the 2016

PRIDE OF BRITAIN

Daily Mirror Pride of Britain

Mike Son nominated

awards has been revealed as for-

mer Dial-a-Cab Board Member and

long-time driver, Mike Son (V52).

Mike, who lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, has

been part of the London Taxidrivers’ Fund

for Underprivileged Children committee for

thirty years and as part of that amazing charity,

has helped to raise £millions for thousands of

underprivileged children.

Mike has organised many events as the

Funds’ special projects committee member

and they include concerts and events in places

thousands of children.”

Slash

such as St Paul’s Cathedral, House of

Mike was, as always, very humble in receiv-

Commons, the prestigious St John’s Church

ing the nomination - especially so close to get-

in Smith Square and even Burlington

ting his BEM award - and told Call Sign that

fares???

Arcade, where he managed to do the impossi-

as wonderful as the Pride of Britain nomination

ble and get LTPH to temporarily allow the

was, it was really an award for the LTFUC com-

major study from the

nearby rank to be used by the committee only

mittee and he was just a cog in the wheel of

Capital City

for the day!

that amazing charity.

Foundation think-tank,

Mike was proposed by former DaC Board

Nevertheless, the nomination is an amazing

has claimed that the

Member, Tom Whitbread, who told Anglia TV

pat on the back for the charity as well the taxi

that Michael was a “people person who just

trade too.

price of taxis is 'prohibitive' after

loved helping chil-

10pm and says that night-time fares

dren, whether they

need to be “slashed” if drivers are

were from broken

Keith Reading

to have any chance of fighting back

homes, suffering

Professional Toastmaster

against the threat from Uber.

from serious illness

Master of Ceremonies

The report said that passengers felt

or just coming from

a “meter anxiety” on longer cab jour-

a family suffering

Tele: 01279 465 938

with undue hard-

neys and that the annual “inflation

Mobile: 07774 860 374

ship.”

busting” rise in taxi tariffs had to be

As Anglia reporter

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

addressed in order to stop this trade

Kate Prout put it:

haemorrhaging and losing London

“Michael Son is

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

one of its best loved symbols.

someone who has

Fellow of the Guild of

However, the report also goes

raised £millions to

help raise a smile for

Professional Toastmasters

on to urge far tighter regulation

of Uber and to tackle what it

claims is the app-based service’s

high accident rate and inade-

quate vetting of drivers - some-

thing our trade organisations

have been bringing up with TfL.

The foundation said we had effec-

tively “priced themselves out” of

the night-time market through our

EARLY TREATMENT MEANS SPEEDY RECOVERY

“prohibitive” rate 3 premium after

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

10pm and that trips had been

reduced by one third in just two

The Centre offers fully qualified therapists in Physiotherapy,

years.

Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Remedial

The report was written by LBC

Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hydrotherm, Massage

radio presenter Nick Ferrari and

Therapy, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

called for the trade to scrap Tariff 3,

which he says can make black cab

Call us on 020 8507 8169

fares twice as dear as those in an

or mobile 07973 639 473 for an early appointment

Uber car, giving an example of what

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

he claims is a typical six-mile ride

Out of hours enquiries welcome

home in a black cab at 11pm cost-

ing £25.60, compared with £13 to

Barking Physical Therapy Centre

£17 for an Uber, according to his

90 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8SF

report called “Saving The Black

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

Cab.”

www.bptconline.co.uk

Call Sign November 2016

Page 29

ED’S GRANDSON GETS DOWN ON ONE KNEE...

And proposes in New York’s Central Park!

Emmie shows off her new engagement ring after Taylor proposed on a horse

and carriage ride in New York's Central Park!

A video of the moment, taken by a

and waited for him to get in as well, when

passing stranger, at first showed a look

he suddenly got down on one knee and

It was a secret that Call Sign

on Emmie’s face of total disbelief that

proposed!

was soon replaced by the broadest grin

Then we finished the day off with a

Editor, Alan Fisher, almost let out

anyone had seen in Central Park for

beautiful dinner on a boat. I just could

of the bag several times and it

some time and a single word answer of

not be any happier! If he reads this, then

was only thanks to his wife

“yes!”

I love you Taylor!”

After their ride, Emmie, who had

Linda’s ability to deliver a left

Michael Toomey

stepped onto the carriage as Taylor’s girl-

foot kick to Alan’s right shin that

Call Sign Online

friend, stepped off

stopped him blurting out to his

as his fiancée!

Taylor

had

grandson Taylor’s beautiful girl-

been planning

friend Emmie, that their five day

this for several

holiday in New York wasn’t

months

and

when Call Sign

going to be just a run of the mill

asked Alan if

shopping trip, but one that

they had spoken

would change their lives forever.

to him yet, the

It was the fourth day of the trip. Their

Editor told us

hotel, the Crowne Plaza, served the

that he had once

usual hotel breakfast buffet and having

asked

Taylor

already been round Macy’s store on

what would hap-

West 34th Street and the usual tourist

pen if Emmie

spots, this day was going to see them

said no!

relax a bit with a 15 minute helicopter

His answer was

trip around New York and then a walk in

simple and to the

Central Park. But Taylor’s plan at

point:

“We love

Central Park included something else.

each other, why

He asked Emmie if she’d like a tour of

would she say no!

the park via a horse and carriage ride.

We managed to

Although she found the helicopter trip

speak to Emmie

amazing, Emmie admitted that she and

when she returned

helicopters weren’t as ideal bedfellows

to the UK. She told

as she thought they may have been, so a

us:

much slower and more sedate ride

“We’d had an

sounded much calmer! But little did

amazing day out. It

Emmie know what was about to happen!

began with a heli-

Taylor helped his girlfriend into the

copter tour of NYC

carriage and then, just as Emmie was

- even though it

expecting him to join her, he dropped

was a bit scary

down onto one knee, pulled the ring

then Taylor took

out of his pocket that he had been

me to Central Park

guarding so carefully during the first

for a horse and car-

few days and asked her if she would

riage ride. I got

marry him!

into the carriage

Call Sign November 2016

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House

or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

want a PED placed in the passenger com-

want to win by creating better products;

DaC PEDs in the

partment due to safety concerns. I passed

they want to win by getting the govern-

front

them all over to Helen Chapman, General

ment to rig the market so they won’t be

Hi Alan

Manager of LTPH, in a meeting on 11

challenged. …. Great entrepreneurs don’t

Following last month’s letters re having

October. She understood my concerns

rely on loopholes to make profits. Of

PEDs put into the back; a tragic event took

and took them back to TfL with her, but I

course they want to win, but they want to

place some years ago when a taxi driver col-

have to say that the chances of a change

win by having the best products and ser-

league known as Jack the Hat was fatally

seem remote as all the decisions have

vices - not the best lobbyists and lawyers.

shot in Baker Street. The shooting took

been made and they rarely change them.

… So when “pro-business” politicians say

place early one Sunday morning and high-

However, she had both Brian Rice and I

they want to leave business alone, what

lights the risks that could arise if a driver

pushing and she knows our view. But I

they’re really saying is that they want to

had to assist a 'passenger' claiming to have

don’t think that we can ask Roman Way to

maintain the unfair, often uncompetitive

problems with a PED.

deliberately break TfL regulations.

status quo. They want a free market only

Although the event took place before we

It has occurred to me that one answer

after it has been structured to unfairly

accepted Credit Cards, unfortunately a

could be to have the identical PED in the

privilege their donors.”

repeat scenario could arise. Just thought

back as we have in the front ie on a cable

The above is from an excellent book,

this info could help our cause to have PEDs

that could be passed back to us just as we

More Human by Steve Hilton. What is

front mounted.

pass it to passengers. That way, in case of

surprising is that his wife, Rachel

Dave Cohen (E94)

problems, they could just pass it through

Whetstone is senior vice-president of poli-

the gap. But as I haven’t heard, I assume

cy and communications at Uber. Of course

the answer was also no. As a final result I

there is no reason why husband and wife

Non-DaC PEDs in the

have gone to a national newspaper to tell

should agree on all issues, but it would be

front

them our concerns ...Ed

interesting to find out her views on this

Hi Alan

chapter.

My name is Jane Wolsey and I have been a

Laurence Kelvin (W88)

Good news!

London cabbie for 16 years. I have heard of

Thanks Laurence, but wouldn’t you

Dear Alan

your efforts in trying to get TfL to change

rather read Call Sign on your rank!!!

For several years the trade press have had

their PED rules re having them in the back

...Ed

almost nothing but negative stories, moans

of the cab. I feel that having them cited in

about the economy, complaints about the

the back would compromise my safety if I

opposition and criticism of TfL. It is time that

had to get into the back of the cab to show

Lost contact

we had some more positive reporting and I

the customer how to use the machine.

Hello Alan

would like to start by listing a few items.

I work nights and am often in dimly lit

I wonder if you might be able to help me

Some large events in London have brought

out. In your January edition of Call Sign I

streets taking card payments with my hand-

in visitors and work has started to look a bit

found an article by driver Brian

held iZettle machine. It works fine for me;

better. London Fashion Week and Regent’s

Marcantonio (R73) regarding the wife of a

I put in the amount and pass it through for

Park Frieze have certainly helped. Our latest

friend of his - Susan Harrington - who

them to put in their PIN number. It is cer-

despatch system is easier to use, especially

had just passed the Knowledge at the age

tainly feasible that I could get a predatory

for credit cards (a big ‘thank you’ to the DaC

60. He also mentioned her husband

man in who pretends that he doesn't know

IT department). More passengers are using

Frank, who I’m pretty sure is an old friend

how to use the card machine, then I would

credit cards and as it becomes widely known

of mine that I have lost touch with for many

lose out on the fare because I certainly

that all London taxis take cards, increasing

years. He too was a cab driver and I’d like

would not get in the back. Thank you for

numbers of people will just get in a cab if

to contact him. Please would it be possible

your support, Alan.

payment is just a swipe away and the cost

for you to forward my email to Sue or

Jane Wolsey

Frank if you have an email for them or give

does not have to be dealt with till the follow-

Badge number 63395

ing month. And now I hear that TfL are going

them my number and ask them to call me.

Thank you for any help you are able to give

to launch an advertising campaign to let the

Hi Alan,

and sorry to put you to any trouble.

public know about the new comprehensive

When the time comes for the PED to be fitted

Bill Butler

facility, which should lead to even more

into the rear passenger compartment of my

Loughborough

members of the public just getting into the

We forwarded details to Bill and he

cab, would it not be possible for the engi-

nearest taxi for long and short journeys.

came back after making contact to con-

neers at Roman Way to fit it in a way that

There is also news that TfL are to approve

firm that it was the same Frank and Sue

would enable me once it has been up for its

additional taxi ranks and give taxis access to

he had been looking for ...Ed

inspection, to unlock it from its holder and

several more bus lanes.

replace it back into the front. I know there

Work is still not as vibrant as it was before

would be a risk of getting a stop notice put

2008, but even that can have a constructive

Familiar Sounds

on the cab if caught on the street by a com-

side to it. I have noticed large numbers of dri-

Dear Alan

pliance officer, but I would rather take my

vers on ranks taking the opportunity to

Thank you for the October issue of Call

chance with them than a bunch of blokes or

spend the extra time reading various maga-

Sign Online. In your Mailshot page I read

a drunken woman in the early hours.

zines or books. It was during one of several

a letter written by retired taxi driver Mr

Paul Arrowsmith (T83)

long waits at Paddington that I read the fol-

Pete McKenzie, who resides in New

Thanks to the many drivers, both on

lowing and wondered how much of it could

Zealand.

and off Dial-a-Cab, who sent me letters,

be seen as a criticism of the tactics employed

Like myself, I am sure Mr McKenzie is

texts and emails saying that they didn’t

by Uber? Too many big businesses “...don’t

enjoying his well-earned retirement. I

Call Sign November 2016

Page 31

Mailshot

know exactly where he is coming from

me that DaC had let her down a few times

the nearest taxi or to the taxi that is

when he states that there are times when

recently and she’d had to use Uber to get her

longest in a particular zone, trips will

he misses the sound of his Fairway starting

home! She told me that so many of our drivers

be distributed to drivers based on their

up in the morning.

often complain to her about Uber yet many

taxis actual position and how long they

Having officially retired over five years

cabbies don't want to stop for her in her chair.

have been available. So in real terms,

ago, I too suffered from taxi trade with-

Talk about our own worst enemy...

apart from EC5, LHR (Heathrow) and

drawal symptoms. I missed the sound of

Jon Robinson (E88)

the normal physical ranks, queue posi-

that engine starting up and ticking over;

I think our VAD system makes credit card

tions are immaterial - it is the driver

taking a real doddle. No more having to

with the longest availability

the sound of the passenger doors being

slammed, the squeaky brakes, passengers

reset the meter and losing your STC facil-

querying my route and of course, the ver-

ity because the passenger suddenly

announces they are paying by CC after

bal abuse! After 45 years of cabbing, I felt

Infra-red images

you have stopped the meter and a gratu-

that there was a big void in my life!

ity option will be on the next software

when driving?

One day I was reading a very interesting

release. As for Ruth Owen, I have never

article about people who listen to the

Hi Alan

sounds of whales communicating and also

picked her up but Whizzkids is an amaz-

Recently you made a humorous comment

ing charity for whom several of our dri-

the sounds of the Brazilian rain forest. By

about a driver using a portable Sat-Nav that

vers have run Marathons for over the

projects its Sat-Nav screen images up onto

doing so it helped them sleep and relax.

years. If anyone is offered Ruth’s trip - or

This gave me the idea of doing the self-

the windscreen of a vehicle. It made me

any wheelchair passenger come to that -

laugh! Why? Well because I was responsible

same thing. I now have CDs for sale aimed

then please, if you reject for any reason,

for the idea!

at those drivers who, like myself, miss those

don’t let that reason be anything to do

I wrote a thesis and called it Head up

wonderful sounds of the taxi trade. Should

with their disability. Our supporters are

Display Sat-Nav after seeing that there was

anyone be interested in purchasing one of

diminishing and we need to have the

nothing like it in the market. I sent the the-

these CDs, please state which model taxi

‘good word’ spread about London’s black

sis to a manufacturer, Garmin, they liked

engine they would like to hear (Metro,

cab service - and especially DaC’s ...Ed

the idea, developed it and it has now gone

TX1, TX2, TX4 or Vito), not forgetting any

around the world.

obscenities of their choice. All CDs are tai-

My original Head Up Display concept

lor made and designed to the purchaser’s

VAD

started in

1957. A Provisional Patent

specifications with all profits going to

Hi Alan

applied for 26992/59 - Refractive Infra-

retired London taxi drivers living abroad.

It's now three weeks since we went onto the

Red CCTV Head up Display! To allow a

Steve Shaller (ex-W23, ex-R75, ex-F34j,

VAD system. What I would like to know are the

person/driver to see an Infra-Red image on

ex-UK)

advantages of this system to the driver because,

a windscreen of the way ahead in low visi-

Are you trying to say something Steve???

to me, I've detected only negative things.

bility ie FOG. Alan kindly published an arti-

...Ed

1/ Job offers are so small in lower case you

cle about it in the December 2008 issue of

are unable to read them if you rely on read-

Call Sign. So, a reflection of an item

ing glasses.

placed on a car dashboard is a negative that

Credit cards and

2/ Lead times have increased meaning

eventually turned into a positive...

wheelchairs

more time waiting to start meter. I assumed

Norman Kerstein (ex-A81)

that the new system allocates the job to the

You can read Norman’s original article

Afternoon Alan

nearest cab therefore I would assume lead

on page 27 of that issue at:

Credit cards will soon put an end to some

times would decrease.

http://www.dac-callsign.com/08/Dec08/

older part-time drivers and suck money out

3/ I noticed whilst on the St Pancras rank I

CallSignDec08.pdf

of my pocket. Suddenly the days of paying

was logged into N1, which mean's little

Norman points out two incidents that

a utilities bill by earning the cash when the

chance of getting a Eurostar job even though

have taken place since the original arti-

bill arrives will be gone and gross earn-

you’re on the rank.

cle where he says infra-red technology

ings/takings on paper will rise by around

4/ There’s no way of knowing how far you

might have made a difference; the heli-

60 - 80% for some non-radio drivers. A gra-

are up in a particular zone you are.

copter pilot who crashed into a crane at

tuity will rapidly become a thing of the

Barry Spear (Y16)

Vauxhall in 2013 and the appalling acci-

past. Helen Chapman’s letter earlier in

Allan Evans replies:

dent that occurred on the A249 on 5th

the year told us that cabbies tips in New

1. The IT department are aware of the

September 2013 when there was a huge

York had risen after credit cards become

text size, Barry, and should be able to

crash of around 100 vehicles piling into

mandatory, yet nowhere on the new sig-

increase the size in an upcoming software

each other in poor visibility. What

nage does it tell people they can tip, but

release.

Norman says is that if vehicles were fit-

only how to complain! Also there’s the

2. Lead-in times are the same as they

ted with infra-red devices, which per-

notice: “This cab now takes credit cards.”

were on V6 (old system), and after all

haps could be via a dash cam device

Well this cabbie has been taking cards for

zones have been closely monitored for a

that could pick up radiated heat, then

more than 25yrs!

period of time there is an option to

that would provide advance warning of

Changing tack, I picked a lady up this

reduce them.

accidents and virtually allow drivers to

morning from Rotherhithe, a really nice

3. St Pancras station is actually in

see through fog. As Norman points out,

lady called Ruth Owen. She is a wheelchair

postal district N1C so Eurostar trips will

even an ice cube gives off some heat

user and regular Dial-a-Cab rider who I

in fact be allocated to you on the rank.

and even that could be picked up. I’m

believe works for Whizzkids. She was telling

4. The system does not allocate trips to

not laughing now Norman! ...Ed