Call Sign April 2017

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

the local authority’s list of wheelchair accessible

A taxing question

vehicles will be subject to new requirements and

An interesting piece of info hit my desk recently

from April, drivers of Taxis and PHVs designated

from what I believe to be a very reliable source.

by the local licensing authority as being wheel-

It involves TfL, HMRC and London’s private hire

chair accessible must comply with the require-

drivers.

ments of Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010,

If you remember, last month’s Call Sign

unless they have been issued with an exemp-

gave an up-to-date TfL figure for the number

tion certificate.

of licensed London minicab drivers - an hor-

What that means is that to be placed on a

rendous 117,588 compared to licensed taxi

licensing authority’s list, a vehicle must be

drivers of 24,617.

capable of carrying some - but not necessari-

The question now is whether the PH numbers

ly all - types of occupied wheelchairs. Or they

will go down once this news gets out because a

can decide not to carry any at all!

usually reliable informant has revealed that HMRC

In other words, companies such as Uber can

are comparing their list of TfL private hire drivers

pick 100 or so vehicles that take wheelchairs and

licensed to work in London compared to the list

advertise themselves as being able to carry wheel-

of private hire drivers who have minicab driving

chairs. As a result, they have now won the NHS

declared with HMRC as their chief source of

The obvious one is not to get caught in a box

transport account that ComCab used to have. See

income. Within a few months, I expect that

junction, especially where it comes under

‘shame of the NHS’ inside this issue...

117,588 to drop substantially as word gets around

Fulham and Hammersmith Council as they

that in order to work as a minicab driver in this

have a renovated flyover to pay for! Secondly,

country, you have to at least be registered with Her

both were at night so the cameras obviously work

It’s goodbye from him...

Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and pay tax...!

just as well in the dark! Finally, so far as the

Tying in with the goodbye from Call Sign is

Westfield camera is concerned, there must be a

another goodbye to both the taxi trade and the

Mobile phones

mag itself; our photographer and general sidekick

good chance that they will also spot any cabs leav-

You all know the mobile phone regulations that

for the dayshift, Alan Green (E52), is also calling

ing Westfield via the bus terminal, which as we all

came in on 1 March. You now put your licence at

it a day and riding off into the sunset with his

know is prohibited even though using the correct

risk if you use your mobile phone while driving,

Dial-a-Cab Ltd share safely tucked under his arm!

way literally adds several pounds onto passen-

at traffic lights or even just sitting in the cab at the

ger’s fares and in all probability, makes many use

For the 20 years of my reign at the mag, Alan

side of the road with the engine running. If you

cars at our expense.

has interviewed and photographed numerous

are using satnav on your phone, then you need to

drivers and captured their stories. He even had a

And, as this is my last Call Sign editorial, I sup-

set it up in advance as you must not touch the

few years with my predecessor, Jery Craig. So my

pose I can safely say this... I bet the camera oper-

phone once driving or sitting in the cab with the

sincere thanks to Alan; have a great retirement...

ators are really ugly!!!

engine running.

Thinking of playing music via your phone? If

And it’s a goodbye from him...!

you haven’t pre-set it, then you can’t whilst on the

PH and wheelchair accessibility

Well, this is it. Contrary to at least one driver,

move or as above.

Call Sign recently received a stack of phone

no... I haven’t been sacked! But after 42 years

You may also have heard of the licensed taxi

calls, text messages and emails asking us if we

involvement with the magazines of this

driver on the Kings Cross rank who was nicked

had heard Transport Minister Andrew Jones

Society - the last 20 of them as Editor - it’s

for using his phone because although not mov-

say that from April, Private Hire (and Taxis)

time for me to say goodbye. So I hope you

ing, his engine was running. The fact that he was

would be fined £1000 if they did not have

don’t mind me hijacking a few of this issue’s

surrounded by minicabs using their phones to

wheelchair accessibility. Even the usually reli-

pages for my own selfish reasons!

accept job offers and then setting SatNav coordi-

able Taxi and Private Hire Monthly reported

I thanked all my current and past contributors

nates was obviously irrelevant! Whatever TfL and

on the Minister’s dictate. So we contacted

in the March Call Sign; but there are some oth-

the Met say, we are - and always have been - an

Andrew Jones and asked him. We said:

ers that I’m not so much sure about thanking -

easy nick for them. While PHVs must not accept

“Quite rightly, taxi drivers refusing

more just to explain who they are... or were.

trips via their mobile whilst moving, I assume that

wheelchair passengers will be fined £1000.

People such as Ron Yarborough, Dennis

would also apply to Hailo and Gett drivers.

But reports of law changes announced on

Latchett, Baghwat Singh, Jamie Corum,

Either way it’s a massive 6 point penalty in addi-

February 7th that are to take place from

Michael Toomey, Ricky Peters, J.P.Duval, Mr X

tion to a £200 fine. Is it worth it?

April 6th seem to infer that private hire

and Lana Sherif. For those that didn’t know...

vehicles also have to be able to take those

yes, they were all me! Both Big Al and Senor Al

Vito parts

in wheelchairs without the need for the

came with their photos so there was never any

Several Vito drivers have asked Call Sign to ask

passenger to leave the chair. Could you

query, but I always believed that articles should

Penso if they can supply Vito suppliers and

please let me know if this applies to all PH

have a signature to give anyone complaining the

repairers, S&B, with parts and then charge them

vehicles as reports I have seen do not make

opportunity to either criticise - or even occasion-

when actually used by S&B, thereby giving their

this element clear.”

ally offer praise. But to put my name after every-

staff a chance when dealing with drivers! Penso

The Minister replied: “We want to build a

thing would have tended to make me look rather

manufactures parts for Mercedes-Benz and oth-

country that works for everyone and part of

big-headed - and I hope I have never been that.

that is ensuring disabled people have the

ers in addition to providing consultancy services.

So I came up with the above names! Hopefully no

same access to services and opportunities as

So there we are... no sooner said than done!

one out there thinks badly of me for doing it and

anyone else - including when it comes to

judging by the number of drivers who say they

Box watch

travel. Disabled people are often heavily

enjoy the mag, that seems doubtful. Those dri-

Perhaps my mind has been elsewhere, but I

reliant on taxis and private hire vehicles

ver’s comments were always so very much appre-

thought I’d mention this anyway. On

12th

and this change to the law will mean fair

ciated. But if you did feel offended, then please

February, I stopped at the dreaded yellow box

and equal treatment for all.”

accept my apology.

junction at Harwood Road in Fulham with my

What that cop-out means is that on 7th

That’s it! Thanks to all of you that read the

front wheels just in the box. Seven days later, I

February, the Minister signed a Commencement

magazine each month and I hope to see many

was forced to stop in the yellow box between

Order to bring sections 165 and 167 of the

of you out on the road for some time to come.

Shepherds Bush Green and the Holland Park

Equality Act 2010 into force in April 2017. This

So it’s goodbye from me and it’s goodbye

roundabout where buses exit from Westfield

change provides local authorities with the powers

from him (and one her)! Keep well... and of

Shopping Centre. These are the first two box

to make lists of wheelchair accessible vehicles,

course, be lucky...

junction PCNs I’ve received for many years, so

with the drivers of those vehicles then required to

I’m not really moaning too much even though

provide passengers in wheelchairs with appropri-

Alan Fisher

they have cost me £65 each; but a few points are

ate assistance and refrain from charging extra. It

Former Editor of Call Sign Magazine

worth mentioning.

means that drivers of taxis or PHVs that appear on

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign April 2017

Page 4

Reflections of the Chairman

your building went onto the market (1st

New phone penalties

March). The reason I could get the building

and DaC terminals

onto the market so quickly was because all

As many of you are probably aware, new penalties

the preparation had been achieved whilst we

have been introduced regarding legislation and

were waiting for clearance from Her

the use of mobile phones. I have been reading arti-

Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

cles concerning the new penalties and have had

regarding your tax situation. We will now

several drivers asking me whether it will affect us

have to wait and see what the reaction is

regarding the use of our terminals; the short

from the market place.

answer is that I don’t believe it will.

I will now digress just a little. I was talking to one

Our MDT is on a private Access Point

of our Shareholders recently and a friend of his is

Name (APN) and therefore does not have

in the Property Market. The friend informed him

access to the internet or indeed a public

that in a new complex close to the new American

telephone network. However, all Private

Embassy in Nine Elms, thirty one apartments

Hire drivers out there - including Uber - are

have been purchased by a Chinese lady and fifteen

just using their normal phones. That also

by an Arab gentleman from Qatar. They obviously

includes Hailo, Gett and all the others.

must have large families!

Consequently, they have access to the

So it seems the Property market is still buoy-

Internet or Public Telephone Network or

ant, although it does appear that much of it is

De-Merger Meeting

both. This legislation regarding the new

coming from foreign money and with the

We had the De-Merger meeting on the evening

penalties came out on 1st March and at first

pound devalued against some foreign curren-

of 27th February and as I explained in my let-

glance I can’t see how they will get round

cies, perhaps property in London is still seen as

ter to you regarding the meeting, it could

it... but of course they will!

a good investment.

prove to be a formality as most Shareholders

The new legislation doesn’t just apply to mobile

would probably use their Proxy vote in favour

phones, but also to “any internet device.” I believe

of the De-Merger, and that indeed was what

Farewell

that in the legislation they refer to Social Media

happened.

and of course to access that you need a connec-

As I wrote last month, this will be the final issue

The overwhelming majority of Shareholders

tion to put you online, which is basically any

for now of Call Sign as our Editor, Alan Fisher,

phone, tablet, computer or other device which is

gave their vote to me with the instruction to vote

seeks retirement from editing. I gave him all the

‘For’ the two resolutions; consequently, they both

able to access the internet.

plaudits and praise last month, so it just

Police have reported an increasing num-

went through by picking up almost every vote.

remains for me to wish him well for an excellent

ber of drivers (I’m not referring to Taxi dri-

The next hour or so was spent with our

job completed over the last 20 years.

vers) caught texting, using apps such as

solicitor David Wilkinson and me answering

At the moment, we have no plans to

Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram and even

Shareholders questions. That went extreme-

replace Alan as the future will probably hold

live-streaming while behind the wheel of a

ly well and hopefully we addressed any con-

a myriad of scenarios and as people say

car!

cerns that Shareholders may have had.

when they don’t wish to make a decision,

I have also been informed that some London

So what was the purpose of the meeting and

let’s just keep our options open! And of

Taxi drivers have received comments from the

vote and what will happen both now and in the

course you know where we are should you

police regarding their mobile phones, although

future? Well, your organisation has now been split

wish to ask any questions. We will, of

I am not aware that any have been prosecuted.

in two - the Radio Circuit and the Property. They

course, keep you up to date should anything

The penalties for such an offence are the same

are both divorced from each other and without any

concerning the building occur...

as those for anyone caught using their phone

financial crossover; you, the Shareholders, hold

while driving; that means an instant six penalty

shares in both companies.

Brian Rice

points on your licence and a £200 fine.

Both Companies were registered on 28th

Chairman

It’s important to remember that this also

February and the day following the meeting

counts when the driver is sitting stationary on the

Dial-a-Cab Ltd

road, for example while stopped at a junction or

at traffic lights. It’s only legal to use your phone or

device when you’re safely parked off the road and

with your engine switched off.

So in a nutshell, you must not use a hand-

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times, so anyone that receives a telephone

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and they pick up the phone to read it, they

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and a £200 fine.

TX2 servicing from £70

Rentals from £165 per week

However, with your MDT it is a fixture in the

TX4 servicing from £90

vehicle that is not connected to a Public

Telephone Network or the Internet, because as

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still be vigilant. Hopefully the above may come

Fax: 01708 551443

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in handy should some ‘know all’ pass a remark

about your MDT.

Call Sign April 2017

Page 5

Monday 27 February saw the

final meeting in a process of

DaC De-Merger Meeting

several - beginning with the

Society’s demutualisation -

Gives Go-ahead!

which saw a huge majority of

David

its shareholders give Dial-a-Cab

Wilkinson

Ltd Chairman Brian Rice the go-

explains the

ahead to de-merge the organi-

de-merger

sation into two separate entities

situation to

drivers

- the radio circuit and the prop-

erty - with neither depending

on the other.

The meeting was held in the lecture

theatre of the Central Foundation

Boy’s School in Cowper Street EC2

and at the very beginning the Chairman

admitted to the 65 shareholders present

that regardless of what happened on the

night, so many driver/shareholders had

already responded by post or allocated

their ‘yes’ vote to him that the vote had

David Wilkinson assisted by Joanna

already been carried. As a result, share-

Keating, explained the situation to

holders now each hold 50

£1 shares in

those present. Brian Rice then spent

Dial-a-Cab Holdings (which holds all

an hour taking questions from drivers.

the shares in the taxi side of the busi-

The decision was registered the next day

ness) and 17,400

£1 shares in Dial-a-

at Companies House and Dial-a-Cab

Cab House Holdings, which roughly

House itself was put onto the market at a

translated means the building itself. Both

price of just under

£20million. More

companies are separate units.

details in Chairman’s report on page 4...

Acting for the Society, solicitor

TX5s TESTED IN ARCTIC CIRCLE!

he next generation of taxi - the range-extended electric TX5 - has been undergoing the most rigorous testing regime

of any cab ever built by The London Taxi

Company. It may be built at Ansty Park,

Coventry, but it needed extreme winter condi-

tions so as to focus on ensuring the highest levels of

quality, reliability and usability for its demanding taxi

usage. So the final TX5 prototypes were taken to one of

the world’s harshest environments, the Arctic Circle in

Northern Norway.

Tests were carried out in conditions below -15 degrees,

giving an opportunity to monitor battery performance

and electric range in challenging conditions, where on-

board systems are used to keep the battery at the opti-

mum operating temperature. Winter testing allowed

them to measure traction and grip on slippery surfaces

and to calibrate safety systems such as anti-lock braking

and electronic stability control. There was also fine tun-

ing for calibration of the heating and ventilation systems

to ensure they perform effectively, so no matter how bit-

ter the temperature outside, it should quickly reach and

maintain a comfortable cabin temperature for the driver

and passengers. Ensuring glass is de-frosted and de-mist-

ed rapidly also means drivers have the best possible view

of the road - regardless of outside conditions.

This regime of extreme testing is set to become even

more stringent when the vehicle is chilled to -40 degrees

in an environmental test chamber; effectively a huge

drive-in freezer - a guarantee that the vehicle will per-

form on demand, even after the coldest winter nights.

The vehicle is set to go on sale in the final quar-

ter of 2017, with this new electric taxi being the

most comprehensively tested and developed prod-

uct in LTC history. With promised financial assis-

tance from the Mayor, the price is expected to be

similar to the current model...

The Arctic Circle looks colder than Coventry!

Call Sign April 2017

Page 8

DaC’s Lee Pearce has

played in goal for league

and non-league football

WOULD LEE EAT A PIE

teams as well as writing

for Call Sign about the

DURING A MATCH!!!

problems of goalkeeping at

that level. But...

Lee Pearce in taxi

utton United’s amazing FA

mode!

Cup run came to an end at

the hands (and feet) of

Arsenal, but all the after-

match publicity fell on the non-

league team’s substitute goalkeeper,

Wayne Shaw.

The 20 stone reserve goalkeeper

known by Sutton fans as the ‘roly-poly

goalie’ for obvious reasons spent much

of his working life at Sutton doing every-

thing from painting and decorating, to

giving goalkeeper training to new

recruits. The team’s fans used to smile at

Wayne Shaw in

Wayne when he took a mid-match snack

pie-eating mode!

that usually consisted of a pie or pasty.

Sadly, Wayne had to leave after the

Arsenal defeat when a TV camera

showed him eating a pasty after a few

small bets had been taken on him doing

exactly that, something that was against

Football Association and Gambling

Commission rules.

Lee Pearce (J71) has been on Dial-a-

Cab for 12 years as well as playing for

many football teams, both league and

non-league. So Call Sign asked him if

made me a burger and a cup of tea. As

he had ever been tempted to partake of

I held the tea between my hands, I

some refreshment during a match???

could feel my blood coming out of its

Book Aiden Kent

“Well I can sympathise with Wayne so

deep freeze mode! I looked at the

far as weight problems are concerned,”

burger and prepared myself to rejoin

for your event

Lee told Call Sign. “It doesn’t matter

the human race as it began the short

how much I train, weight loss seems

journey from my hand to my mouth.

...and make it go with a swing!

almost impossible and I’ve carried that

“Just inches away from heaven and

problem with me for many of the years I

I heard screaming noises calling my

have played in goal. Like Wayne, I also

name - and not in a particularly nice

train the young goalkeepers. But eating a

way. It sounded like ‘where the effing

pie? You’d expect me to say no... but I

hell is that bloody goalkeeper!’

came very close on one occasion!”

“The Hitchin goalie had gone down

Lee gave us his story. It began when he

at the centre forward’s feet to try and

was at League Two team Barnet and was

retrieve the ball and stop him scor-

sent out on loan to non-league Hitchin

ing. Unfortunately he took a kick,

Town.

had to go off and suddenly they were

“I wasn’t thrilled at having to leave

looking for me - who was standing at

a league team to go to a non-league

the pie stall holding a burger in one

outfit, but I wasn’t given much

hand and a cuppa in the other!

choice. At Barnet, I did what I always

“I quickly - albeit reluctantly bearing

do and gave

100

percent.

in mind the chill wind - gave both hot

Unfortunately it was at a period that

items away and ran to the goal. Those

all goalkeepers go through when

that saw where I’d been gave out with

nothing sticks to your gloves and

a few sarcastic comments and bearing

soon after arriving at Hitchin, they

in mind the poor form I’d had before

dropped me and I became resigned to

leaving Barnet, I had my fingers

being on the substitute’s bench. It

crossed - at least as far as my goalkeep-

really is on very rare occasions only

ing gloves would allow! But I needn’t

that a substitute goalie is needed

have worried. I played a blinder and

Tel: 07956 456 360

once a game has started.

had my best game for ages!

“I was on the bench for a midweek

“So that was the time I almost had a

Email:

game. It was winter and the subs

burger mid-match! Sadly Wayne went

aiden.kent@btinternet.com

bench was bitterly cold. Not far from

one step beyond that...”

me I could just see the snack wagon,

Web: www.aidenkent.com

so I quickly made my way there and

Alan Fisher

waited a few minutes while they

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2017

Page 9

fter

many years at

Coventry’s Holyhead Road

- an address Call Sign read-

ers know well through the

many guided tours we organised

LTC MOVE HOME

there - as of March the most famous

taxi manufacturing company in the

And provide a mystery over the name!

world moved a few miles down the

road to their new home at Ansty Park

and the place where the TX5 electric

cab will originate from.

The Zhejiang Geely Holding Group,

led by its Chairman Li Shufu, saved the

former LTI from going under in 2007

and there is no doubt that had Mr Li not

stepped in, there would be no London

Taxi Company now.

Several years later, he admitted that so

far as profits were con-

cerned, making the London

taxi would not be that high

up the list, but Mr Li went

on to add that although LTC

profits were a drop in the

bucket for a company that

already owned Volvo, what

he valued most was the

special status the company

Is LTC's new address named after the man that saved the

enjoyed in the UK, its addi-

company... or a battery!!!

tional service concept and brand effect.

When Call Sign interviewed him in

2013, it soon became very clear that

Li Shufu wasn’t just building a taxi;

he loved the idea of the vehicle and

what it stood for.

West Middlesex Golf Club

Moving to the present and LTC’s move

As this will be my final review, I hope you will allow me to indulge myself and say a few

to Ansty Park; in January the company

words on a club and course that has been - and still is - a large part of my golfing career

ran an in-house competition for employ-

and also my tutorage on the way

ees to name the road that LTC would

golf should be played.

have as its address. The Council had

I joined West Middlesex Golf

already said that it had to end with the

Club in around 1973/4 as a junior; if

words End or Close. The winning

I’m honest, it wasn't a game I partic-

employee that got his or her proposed

ularly enjoyed but my father had

name chosen would receive £300 to go

been a member there since the mid-

to their chosen charity.

to-late 1960s and he was keen that I

should also play.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the name

My father taught me many

of Li Close was chosen as part of the

things about golf; always obey

address. But the reason isn’t quite as

the rules, praise an opponent or

straightforward as you would think

fellow player on a good golf shot

though. Chairman Li Shufu’s name

as that good shot hasn’t

seems obvious as he was the person

happened overnight. But above

that saved the London Taxi Company

all, he taught me that no matter

and turned it into a profitable busi-

what your level is, you can

A par 3 at West Middlesex Golf Club

ness with exports going around the

compete in a fair and friendly

world. The council were happy to

manner against anyone, no matter of your ability - or indeed theirs.

accept the road being named Li Close

Founded in 1891, this hidden gem is one of the oldest clubs within the M25 still playing on its

and also invested in the new facility.

original course. Originally designed by Willie Park Junior and then redesigned by the prolific

James Braid, this is a course with an absolute abundance of character.

However, it was the employee who

Three par 5s, nine par 4s and six par 3s make up the 18 holes; there are many blind

actually suggested the road name that

shots there but if you’ve played for long enough and you trust your swing, is there any-

also pointed out that the TX5 electric

thing better than selecting the correct club with the belief that it will be the right swing

vehicles would be powered by Lithium

to achieve the result desired!

Batteries and that the chemical symbol

There are several notable holes - the par 4 9th, a blind tee shot into a gully that turns into a dog-

for Lithium is Li...!!!

leg left, leaving a short to mid-iron to a two tier green; or the 13th stroke index 1 hole with its

We prefer the former story and hope

chance for big hitters to clear the out-of-bounds powerhouse on the corner of a dog-leg right. In

that is the case as in our view Li Shufu

my younger days that was possible, nowadays and at a slightly more mature age, I try and fade the

deserves an honour for saving the

ball round the corner to leave a long iron or wood to reach the green.

company. Either way, for those that

WMGC has 2 public days (Monday and Wednesday) where the green fee is reduced and repre-

need to know, the new address is:

sents exceptional value. And it’s only 20 minutes from the Hammersmith flyover!

Lastly, my thanks go to Alan for allowing me to review the courses in Call Sign over

The London Taxi Company,

these past two and half years and of course, thank you to Dial-a-Cab’s golf lovers for

hopefully reading and enjoying them.

Li Close, Ansty Business Park,

As always, happy golfing...

Simon Wallis (M11)

Coventry,

Call Sign Online

CV7 9RF

Call Sign April 2017

Page 10

It was back in 2004 when Dial-a-

National Health Service prefers Uber to Licensed taxis...

Cab and ComCab finally realised

that fighting each other for the

then TaxiCard account was

pointless and that sharing it not

SHAME OF THE NHS

only provided a better service

for those using it, but that it

made it far more difficult for

any private hire company to

compete.

DaC had first become involved with the orig-

inal account when it was set up by the old GLC

administration under Ken Livingstone; it

began life on a test basis around the

Camberwell and Peckham areas with passen-

gers being able to travel a substantial distance

for just £1. It later grew to become the largest

taxi account in Europe, funded primarily by 32

London boroughs with supporting funds from

Transport for London.

Many years later, ComCab decided that

they wanted the whole account, offered a

ridiculously low fare and got it. Coverage

became difficult because for many trips it just

wasn’t worth the drivers running. Gradually,

The new company has "hundreds" of wheelchair accessible vehicles - we have 25,000!

some of the boroughs - led initially by

Barnet - starting using cars and the account

Hire company that had won the account was

It goes onto add: The partnership

began getting smaller. Dial-a-Cab still operat-

led by what they described as a gangster and

enables London based carers to use Uber

ed the Westminster section, but that was

they asked for the company to have its

to get to the people they are caring for as

also eventually hijacked by ComCab with

licence taken away. But they kept it and the

quickly and seamlessly as possible. It

ultra-low rates and no minimums - accompa-

NHS stayed with them. We wondered then

also gives those who need care the free-

nied again by a reduced coverage.

what was more important to the NHS - funds

dom to book cars so they can get out and

As the account got smaller, it moved fur-

or passenger safety? The NHS obviously

about when they would otherwise have

ther outwards for the taxi sections, Yellow

decided that the dosh came out as number

been housebound, or had to rely on

badge drivers became more involved and it

one on that list! Eventually the “gangster”

someone else. Disabled clients, or those

became a major part of their income. But

left, but they had the account anyway!

who need a little extra help, can book

ComCab’s price-cutting was now rebounding

Now the NHS in the south has added a

UberASSIST - or a fully wheelchair acces-

on them and eventually large usage areas

company as a partner that is the opposite

sible vehicle through UberWAV - driven

such as Redbridge started using taxis AND

of the Scottish company in that it is 100%

by one of Uber’s hundreds of fully

cars... until now when several Redbridge

legitimate and doing good work in its

licensed and top rated partner drivers

users told Call Sign that unless they specifi-

care for the elderly. There can be no

who have been through a specially

cally ask for a taxi, then they will get a car

doubt that Cera is not only reputable, but

designed disability equality training

even though taxis may be on near-by ranks

a very valued organisation. But that does-

course for this programme.

waiting for trips. Taxi takings have continued

n’t mean that everyone Cera aligns itself

Anyone with the slightest understanding of

to decline.

with is as reputable as Cera itself.

business would be able to see that Uber now

Now a press release involving our NHS

Cera’s website says: Cera takes pride in

have the NHS account, not in their name

could actually put them out of business

thoroughly supporting our stakeholders. We

directly perhaps, but using that of a well-

altogether.

strive to integrate best-in-class products and

respected organisation. A service aimed at the

In 2008, Call Sign revealed that Glasgow

services into our client’s homes to support

old and disabled will now be provided by an

Taxis, a Scottish radio circuit similar in size

them as well as possible, while empowering

organisation that has a record of more attacks

and operation to DaC, had lost their NHS

our carers with pioneering technology.

on passengers by its drivers in a single year

Scotland account to a car company, even

Sounds good, so how do they transport

than licensed taxi drivers have had in the past

though the police had claimed the private

their elderly patients because according

ten and probably more years.

to the NHS, they do not use Uber? Well we

Cera say they use only the top 5% of car-

were somewhat surprised to hear a recent

ers and we’re sure that is true, but if they

Call Sign

news report on LBC claiming that Uber

have Uber as a partner, then the 5% obvi-

had won the NHS transport account using

April 2017

ously doesn’t apply to the transportation

what they called UberAssist and UberWav

Editor: Alan Fisher

aspect of their business. Their transporta-

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

and that they would now be adding the

tion company has “hundreds” of wheel-

NHS service to their portfolio.

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

chair accessible cars - ours has 25,000!

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

They can’t both be right... either Uber have

Money or safety; which is more important

Website: www.22-callsign.co.uk

won the account or they haven’t? So which

to OUR NHS? Of course, if Uber’s TfL reli-

Printers: Premier Print Group

organisation is correct? Well the NHS is only

censing application fails then the account

E6 6 LP

dealing with Cera, but that organisation says

Design: Aldan Publications

would have to be forfeited; anyone like to bet

on its website:

Tel: 07958 300 428

on that result!!! Don’t bother answering

Uber is a smartphone app that connects

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

because we all know the answer.

users with licensed drivers at the push of a

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

button and is active in more than 20 towns

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

and cities across the UK. Cera and Uber

either manually or electronically without the express

Alan Fisher

have partnered exclusively to integrate

permission of the Editor.

care and transportation services.

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2017

Page 12

Returning for one final time in Call Sign...

From Garry White...

asking if I would like to make a contribution

steering the business under the structure we

to his last Call Sign magazine.

now operate in. It is in all our interests as

The trade has moved at a fast pace over the

shareholders that they get this right and that

last 6 years with disruptive technology in the

the staff work tirelessly keeping a 24/7 busi-

Private Hire industry and app providers with-

ness going.

in our own licensed trade changing the way

For my last word, I'll say that Alan Fisher

people hail taxis. It’s certainly not easy to pre-

has done a tremendous job keeping Call

dict the future of our plight while London

Sign informative and current in this modern

Taxis Private Hire/TfL oversees both trades.

age of fast moving news. I hope he enjoys his

However, I do hope we are not priced out

new found free time.

of the cab trade by having to buy hybrid or

Thanks for all the great magazines over the

full electric / battery powered taxis to comply

past 20 years. Well done Alan...

Hi Ladies & Gents

with low emissions.

PS I'm upset I never made the front cover... lol!

As a former Board member of Dial-a-Cab

who was honoured to represent you, the dri- And finally...

Garry White (L65)

vers, I was delighted when Alan got in touch I wish Brian and the Board all the best in

Former DaC Board Member

Goodbye Alan

n hearing news that

So I would like to say thank you Alan for contribut-

Alan Fisher was

ing to my happy memories and especially a big thank

stepping down as

you for the professional manner in which you - and I

Editor of Call Sign,

might add Linda - edited and produced Call Sign...

I felt compelled to mention that

having enjoyed reading it every

Allen Togwell

month for the past 35 years,

Former DaC Board member

and especially the past twenty

years under your extraordinary

editorship, I’m sure I and many

others are going to join you in what will surely be considerable

sadness in the knowledge that Call Sign after 60 odd years

will very probably no longer exist.

Fortunately you still drive a cab to occupy your time, so

CORINTHIAN

you won’t be suffering from any sudden retirement syn-

drome, but nonetheless I will be surprised if you don’t

experience an enormous void in your life, especially the

GOLF CLUB

natural part of your character that involved the continu-

ous sniffing like a newshound for the snippets that kept

Cabbie Specials

Call Sign both an interesting read and at the forefront of

all the other taxi trade papers and periodicals! You

should be proud of that terrific achievement.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED JOINING A GOLF CLUB BUT

For most of my 30 years as a Board member of Dial-a-Cab,

WONDERED IF YOU WOULD REALLY USE THE MEMBERSHIP?

it was Call Sign that was responsible for the love-hate persona

Now’s your chance to try our course. Any black cab driver who shows us their

I portrayed amongst the membership, probably due at times to

badge gets a 10% discount for green fees and societies on Mondays,

my lengthy contentious articles; articles that no matter how

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and a discounted membership fee.

controversial they were, you never once withheld them going

to print, probably knowing that it would keep the Mailshot

CABBIE GOLF SPECIAL

letters section - often four or five pages long - as the first

Our 9 hole course is the perfect place for you to relax and get some fresh air

pages the members read!

in the beautiful countryside of North-West Kent.

We hear of writers’ block and there were times when I

Renovated and restructured greens and improved fairways to play on, with

used to spend a whole weekend looking at a blank

food and a bar on site to refresh yourself after a round.

screen on my PC at home, praying for inspiration know-

ing that when I arrived at my office on the Monday,

For more information call Jacquie or Sue on 01474 573116 / 573113

there would be the dreaded demand from you for my

A friendly welcome awaits you.

article before deadline time. And it pleases me to say

Corinthian Sports Club, Valley Road, Fawkham, Longfield, Kent. DA3 8LY

that I never once let you down and that included me

corinthians@billingsgroup.co.uk / jacquie@billingsgroup.co.uk

always producing a full page.

www.corinthiansportsclub.co.uk

It was instances like the above that in a perverse way added

to the difficulty of my adjusting to retirement, just as it will, I’m

sure, affect you the same way when you finally give up your

badge. But in time you will adjust and be left with many terrific

memories of your time as Editor of Call Sign.

Call Sign April 2017

Page 13

Tom Whitbread has been very ill but on hearing of Alan Fisher’s

Then...

Seven of us sat in the tiny, smoke filled

imminent retirement from Call Sign, he wanted to write just one

room at 15 Penton Street. Just like the

more article to ask...

other six, my chest was bursting with

pride; I had just passed my London Taxi

Knowledge examination. As those other

six drivers stood there inhaling the nico-

tine laden air while waiting for the green

WAS IT WORTH IT??

and brass coloured badge to be pressed

into their sweating hands, they finally

fumes into the air. London did have a

allowed their faces to break into a beaming

Licenced taxi service that was looked up to

smile on acceptance. Then Mr Miller

by the rest of the world, but thanks to

arrived at the seventh and last recipient

Sadiq Khan we are being reduced to a traf-

and I realised that his hands were now

fic mess not unlike Jakarta in Indonesia.

empty.

“I’m very sorry Mr Whitbread, there

Dial-a-Dream

seems to be a problem; could you

May I also take this opportunity to not just

return in an hour and we’ll sort it out!”

thank Alan Fisher for being the best Editor

This was the outset to my taxi career and

that I have worked under - and I have

for the next forty-odd years, this would be

penned many articles for other magazines -

the way it would continue.

but he has also supported many charities

I started the Knowledge of London

whether they be with articles or money, as

whilst crewing a London Accident

both Bob Heath and myself can verify. He

Ambulance. During that time, I got mar-

has supported our Dial-a-Dream charity,

ried to the night casualty sister at the

which makes terminally ill children’s

Whittington Hospital in Highgate. When

dreams a reality, for many years and I know

you added together both our wages, it was

that his own situation with his son Reed

very hard to live in London as anyone

And now...

gave him a soft spot for these children.

working within the NHS and London

Many was the time that Alan Fisher asked

So I would like to say on behalf of the

County Council was invariably very lowly

at the last moment for an article to help fill

children and many ODRTS drivers both

paid. So, I was always looking for another

the magazine. I never minded as I found

past and present, a big ‘thank you’ to Alan

job; then one appeared in the Evening

that he has a very inquisitive brain... or I

for a job that he has done so well for 20

News with adverts for a uniformed job

suppose it could be that he is just nosey!

working out of the Metropolitan Police

Back in 1997, we undoubtedly made the

years. Have a good rest from the keyboard

- although I’m sure that you will be pop-

Traffic Division Garage in Bow.

correct choice of a new Editor, with Alan

ping up somewhere...

It was after I started working at Bow

always finding something interesting to fill

Garage that I became aware I had to gain

the magazine with while keeping readers

Tom Whitbread

authorisation

from

the

Police

interested.

Former DaC Board Member

Commissioner to continue doing the

He and his wife Linda have become

Knowledge, as he had overall charge of the

good friends of mine and he is one of the

PCO. This was at the beginning of the

few that still keeps in touch to see how I

1970s when the PCO was very strict and

am. There are some that I worked with for

run mainly by former police officers.

many years in various office buildings that

To get permission was harder than I

I haven’t spoken to since I left the HAC

expected. The process took me almost

Barracks back in February 2014 following

two years, but I did it and passed...

the election.

except that now I didn’t have that cov-

I spent almost forty years helping to build

eted green badge like the first six had. I

up the company so that all the new faces I

finally got it 2 hours later and was able

see in Call Sign can reap the profits when

to hire a taxi from Levy’s at York Way.

the building is sold. I, like many of the older

My time with them was fairly short-

drivers who have had to leave ODRTS over

lived as I didn’t like giving up such a

the past few years, will receive nothing and

large percentage of the meter fare to

often wonder if, after the building is sold

the company.

and the money is shared out, how many dri-

Next up was to purchase a taxi from

vers will just hand in their equipment and

Mann & Overton and then apply to join

run to the hills.

the Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service. I

Hopefully there will be a company

joined in March 1976 and stayed with the

willing to take a chance on buying DaC

Society until retiring with failing health, in

as a going concern, because it most cer-

Your old TX1 Taxi is wanted

addition to being voted off the Board of

tainly could be. But you look at the

Management in 2014. When I left, I was the

Mayor’s decision to let anyone who

✓ Quick viewing and decision

longest serving Board Member, having

thinks they can drive have a PH licence

served under six different Chairmen and

and flood London with more cowboys...

✓ Cash waiting!

three different Call Sign editors - the cur-

because licensed or otherwise, these

rent Editor being the longest serving and

drivers are still cowboys with no idea as

✓ Top price paid for really

the one I enjoyed working with the most.

to what they are doing!

clean examples

He has extracted many articles and other

That leaves us with a question: How do

pieces of interest for drivers and staff and I

you know when the Mayor of London is

Please ring Graham on

am hoping that with his persuasion, if I

lying? Answer: His mouth is open! He goes

have enough time and interest, to write a

on television and radio stating he wants air

book about my life and many jobs, which

pollution cut to zero, yet grants up to 600

or e-mail on

long-time readers will know include being

private hire licences a week so that they

oldlondontaxis@yahoo.co.uk

a driver for HM Queen Elizabeth the

can flood the capital as they fumble their

Queen Mother.

way around pumping more and more

Call Sign April 2017

Page 14

Jim Thomas is this trade’s most respected

blogger as Editor of Taxi Leaks. He is cur-

rently taking a short break from blogging,

AND THEN THERE

but not before penning this piece first. Jim

adapted it from a poem by German Pastor,

Martin Niemoller, who wrote it to point out

WAS NO ONE LEFT!

the danger of cowardice by German intellec-

tuals following the rise to power of the Nazi

Party and after they went on to purge vari-

exploits of John Worboys.

ous groups they perceived as being danger-

And now it’s nearly all over, they say

ous to their desire of domination. The poem

“stop with the gloom and doom” while

deals with themes of persecution, guilt and

sleep walking into a one tier system that

responsibility. The most famous version of

is most certainly coming. I predicted

Niemoller’s poem goes:

years ago that when the end battle came,

First they came for the Socialists and I

all our leaders would have left the battle-

did not speak out because I was not a

field. I was wrong - it’s the army that are

Socialist,

deserting!

Then they came for Trade Unionists

Well good night from me and God bless...

and I did not speak out because I was

it’s all yours.

not a Trade Unionist,

First they licensed Uber and I did not

Then they came for the Jews and I did

speak out because I was working.

not speak out because I was not a Jew,

Then they came for me...and there was

Then the Trade Unionists and Taxi orgs

no one left to speak for me.

called a mass demo and I did not go

You get nothing in this life given to you

because it was busy and I had to work.

on a plate. That's why you did the

Then, after realising our largest org

“wledge. You had to work and fight for

touts on our ranks, young fit drivers who do

was doing nothing, two drivers stood up

that badge. Now most drivers just sit back

and say nothing. You have allowed small

shouting and rebellious but they were

and do nothing but complain that no one is

groups of individuals to take full advantage of

expelled and I did and said nothing, just

fighting for them. It’s no good blaming the

your apathy; credit card companies and an

carried on working.

orgs because when they’ve called mass

App company have stuck their greedy fingers

Then they asked for members to go to a

demos, they’ve been lucky to see 20 percent

into your money bags and are helping them-

branch meeting to vote against Judas and

of drivers turn up.

selves to part of your earnings... and you say

his WAGs but I didn’t go as I was working.

When Action4Cabbies asked for

£20

nothing.

When they finally took my Badge and

donations, only 4,000 out of 22,000 pledged

Drivers that have never complained face-to-

Bill and handed it to an Uber driver...

money. Drivers complain about the LTDA and

face with their org reps now think it’s a great

there was no one left to fight for me.

yet when asked to go to a branch meeting

time to join in with the enemy union, chaired

and vote new life into the org, only 50 drivers

by a man who rides round reporting Taxis for

Jim Tho ”

out of 10,000 showed up.

over-ranking and who wanted to drive an

Every night I see drivers sitting behind

AddVan through London advertising the

Taxi Leaks

And even Mike Tovey

says goodbye to Alan!

Hello Alan

As you know, I am a regular reader of your organ and was compelled to drop you

a line after seeing the March edition.

For me, the Owner-Drivers Radio Taxi Service Limited (I thought I’d use

the old handle one last time) has always been more than a client. For

years, I have enjoyed reading about the goings-on at Dial-a-Cab in the

pages of Call Sign magazine and, on more than one occasion, my attention

to the letters page has been rewarded by knowing when to duck at the

AGM!

Mike at the 1999 AGM

Alan, my compliments on a job well done, and over 20 years...

All of which reminds me that my first encounter with Dial-a-Cab was back in the

1970s when I was a junior on the audit and spent weeks in the garret at Shirland

LPG Engine Replacement

Road, endlessly ticking drivers’ ledger cards, longing for lunchtime and a couple of

Last month’s Call Sign gave an update on the

pints down the road at the big pub on the roundabout.

LPG engine replacement that would give cabs

As I grew in experience and waistline, I would attend the Board meeting,

an extra 5 years beyond the 15. We have now

approving the accounts and be treated to lunch; salt beef sandwiches,

heard from Autogas in association with Shell

potato latkes and new greens!

and Calor to say the test vehicle had a success-

The hospitality budget in those days wasn’t exactly huge, but I remember it more

ful outcome to its emission testing at MIRA,

clearly than any number of ‘corporate’ lunches! I once turned the tables on the

which was witnessed by TFL. The vehicle has

Board and took them for pie and mash in Broadway Market. Happy days!

now started a 10,000 mile road test on a dou-

Enough nostalgia, got to get off to lunch at Le Gavroche...

ble shift basis which will hopefully be complet-

ed by mid / end May. After that it goes back to

Mike Tovey

MIRA for final emission testing and hopefully a

sign-off from TfL by the end of May. Autogas

Partner, Moore Stephens

should be able to start taking after that!

Call Sign April 2017

Page 15

Minicab drivers

JOHN CLOUGH

“taking collective

John Clough (W80) joined Dial-a-Cab in March

action against

1982 when the Society was still based at Shirland

Road. Judging by the number of drivers asking why

Uber?”

they hadn’t seen him for some time, he was obvious-

ly a very popular member of the circuit.

The association of United Private Hire

The first time Call Sign met John was in 2000, when

Drivers has suggested to members of the

his callsign was pulled out of the hat as that month’s win-

PH organisation that they should consider

ner of the monthly logo draw and he was presented with

joining a campaign to take collective legal

a cheque for £300. He made us smile with his refusal to

action against Uber.

have a photo taken as he said he didn’t want to frighten

Founders of the UPHD, James Farrar

anyone!

and Yaseen Aslam, have been backed by

But John always had a smile on his face, right up until August 2015 when he

lawyers from the GMB union - the same

appeared to stop driving the cab. Sometime before that, unbeknown to us and

ones that defeated Uber at an employment

many outside of DaC’s Driver Services, John had been diagnosed with bowel can-

cer.

tribunal court several months back - and

The first we heard was when John’s daughter Katy wrote to Call Sign to tell us that

the association is now inviting driver

her dad had died after losing his battle with cancer in October 2016.

members to sign up with Manchester law

John passed away leaving his wife Carole, three children in Angela, Katy and

firm MWG Solicitors to fight for worker

Steven and his four grandchildren Lauren, Jessica, Brandon and Libby. RIP John.

employment status and associated bene-

We’ll miss the smile...!

fits such as the national minimum wage

and holiday pay.

At a meeting in East London, Mr Farrar

told members that Uber was not obeying

employment law and that had they been in

any other business, under the conditions

they operate under as private hire drivers,

then the operators would be heavily fined

by the national minimum wage people.

“But this is not just about getting

money out of Uber,” he said, “even

though you will. It is also about pro-

tecting your rights as a worker. We are

not asking for anything more than we

are worth and the more members we

can get to sign up, the more of a differ-

ence we can make. We are now getting

to a critical mass and this whole cam-

paign is becoming an unstoppable

force. A sign to Uber, the legal commu-

James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam

nity and the politicians that we cannot

be ignored anymore.”

Mr Farrar also said that the UPHD was

making headway in persuading politicians

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

to improve the pay and working condi-

tions of licensed private hire drivers. He

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

brought up last years’ report by Labour

variable bank interest rates?

MP Frank Field (Sweated Labour - Uber

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

and the Gig Economy) and said that

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

licensing authorities and the Government

would have to take note of its recommen-

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

dations.

at your address also qualifies for membership!

Mr Field is recommending that licensing

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

authorities such as TfL should make work-

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

ers’ rights a condition of being granted a

up to 3 times your total savings…

private hire operator’s licence. If a compa-

The cost?

ny cannot respect workers’ rights, then it

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

cannot have a licence.

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

Mr Farrer added that support had also

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

come from The Green Party who asked

them to draft a resolution calling for PHV

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

drivers to be paid properly for their labour.

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

Added together, it will pose even more

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

problems for Uber than they even faced at

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

the November Employment Tribunal...

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Registration number 213263

Call Sign April 2017

Page 17

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

Brethren of the Whip

assisted the policeman in looking for the “burglars.” The charade lasted a

Fishermen

good while until, with the arrival of several other policeman, Fisher was

By way of a tribute to our depart-

identified and arrested. Having already served a prison sentence of six

ing Editor, I offer an homage in

months for a previous felony - and being allowed to keep his badge -

the form of a look-back at previ-

Fisher was sentenced to three months with hard labour.

ous namesakes of the Fisher

In 1866, Charles Fisher, badge 8124, knocked over and killed a man

clan...

in Tottenham Court Road. Witnesses stated that Fisher was only driving

Of the 85 people named Fisher in

at about 5MPH and that the deceased appeared to be drunk. Fisher was

my files, the earliest entry is Richard

greatly upset, stating that “he would rather have lost his cab and two hors-

Fisher who was fined 20 shillings in

es than such a thing should have occurred.” He was released on bail and

January 1816 for abusing a gentle-

not thought to be at fault.

man who had only paid him the legal

James Fisher, badge 9987, demanded, without menace, 5s 8d as the

fare.

fare from Holloway Road to London Bridge. His passenger regularly

In 1841, John Fisher accused his

only paid 3s 6d and refused to pay the extra 2s 2d asked for by Fisher. The

passenger of attempting to bilk him.

cabman summoned the passenger for the remainder of the fare and stated

The passenger, a bricklayer

that as the journey originated beyond the 4-mile radius, he was allowed

employed on the railways denied the accusation, but in his denial, the

to charge extra. So much is true, but the dispute was whether the journey

three sovereigns (£1 coins but much bigger than the modern equivalent)

began beyond the radius. The case was then adjourned and an investiga-

that he held in his mouth “for greater security” fell to the floor. The brick-

tion launched. It appeared that Scotland Yard had moved the rank across

layer picked up two of the coins, but Fisher was seen to pick up the third.

the road, thus placing it outside the radius. The magistrate agreed that the

He was arrested and taken to a police station where he was searched with-

passenger had been duped by Scotland Yard but saw no reason for the

out the coin being found. It was only when the policeman grabbed hold

cabman to lose out, after all, he had done nothing wrong.

of Fisher by the throat, that the cabman spat out the coin and it fell to the

The passenger magnanimously agreed and paid Fisher all his

floor. Fisher was remanded but his subsequent fate is not known.

costs plus the disputed fare, saying he would demand the money in

A Mrs Eliza Fisher found herself before a magistrate in January 1843.

turn from the Commissioner of Police.

She had caught her husband in bed with another woman after having gained

entry to the other woman’s bedroom in the middle of the afternoon. She

Bye for now, thanks for reading Brethren of the Whip since March 2014

attacked her husband, a cab proprietor, and smashed several windows at the

and good luck Alan...

woman’s house. The magistrate warned her that she should have applied

Sean Farrell

herself more to her husband, rather than the windows. To much laughter in

Call Sign Online

the court, the magistrate dismissed the charge and informed Fisher that he

should settle with his girlfriend in paying for the new windows.

James Fisher had a particularly troublesome fare in September 1843.

He picked a gentleman up in Broad Street, Bloomsbury (High

Holborn/Shaftesbury Avenue) and took him to the nearby Evan’s Hotel in

Covent Garden. Fisher waited until half-three in the morning before his pas-

senger emerged from the hotel and denied having engaged him in the first

place. The passenger was arrested and taken to Bow Street police station.

After giving his name and address - both false - the passenger was

allowed to go but then engaged Fisher to take him to the Adelphi.

For some reason, Fisher agreed, but when he was bilked for a sec-

ond time, Fisher drove back to Bow Street. The passenger was

charged again and released after he had provided his details.

As he left Bow Street, Fisher followed him into Southampton Street

and as he watched the bilker walk down Maiden Lane, he drove his cab

into the Strand - where the bilker promptly hailed him! The bilker asked

to be taken to Charles Street although which one is not stated and there

were hundreds at the time. For the third time, Fisher was bilked and this

time gave a policeman a different name and address. In court the bilker

was rather aggrieved that a cabman had the audacity to drag a gentleman

into court. The magistrate ordered that he should pay Fisher 6s 8d for the

three fares and waiting time. The gentleman replied that he came to court

unprepared for such a decision and had no money on him. He was locked

up whilst the money was sent for, by which time the magistrate increased

the fine to 13s 2d (66p) to compensate Fisher for his loss of earnings for

that day. (Ed’s note: Not much has changed there then)!

Mr W.A.Fisher, badge 4233, was charged with stealing a half-crown

from his passenger, a solicitor’s clerk. A policeman testified that

Fisher was sober but the passenger was drunk and that he, the

policeman, was accused of stealing the money as well. The magis-

trate dismissed the charge against Fisher - who still had not been

paid the fare at the centre of the dispute.

Augustus William Fisher was a cabman who was also a pugilist under

the nom de guerre of ‘Long’ Fisher. When he wasn’t cabbing or boxing,

‘Long’ Fisher also dabbled in burglary! In 1850, a policeman heard cries

of “murder” and “police” emanating from a house in Buross Street,

Whitechapel. On gaining entry to the house, the policeman was

approached by Fisher, who maintained he was a lodger in the house and

Call Sign April 2017

Page 18

Goodbye Al - My favourite photos!

With this being my last issue of Call Sign, I hope you will forgive me using the magazine to re-publish

some of my favourite photos, in addition to some that just mean a lot to me from the 12,000+ I have

on file and the thousands I also have on photo paper. Twenty from thousands was a hopeless task,

but hey, where can you go to if you want to complain! So in no particular order...

Then Transport Minister for London,

DaC’s longest serving driver, Alan Lewis

Brian Rice had not long become

Steve Norris, shows Call Sign a copy of

(A44), has been with the Society since

Chairman and his son Billy was working

his Green Paper that was to see the

August

1962 when he joined at

in the call centre. No one can remember

licensing of private hire. At the time, the

Pentonville

Road under the

why, but Billy had obviously been a

taxi trade had been crying for minicabs

Chairmanship of Trixie Solomons. Even

naughty boy while working and dad

to be licensed, but after what became the

at the age of 82 Alan still hits the streets -

looks suitable unimpressed. Fortunately

Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act

albeit not quite as often as he used to! The

Billy had another ear!

1998, they gained the respectability that

photo shows Alan with his FX3 in 1960..

we had always claimed they never had.

Steve still reads the magazine, so can I

just say to him:

“Steve, I still look

younger than you!!!”

Historical photo of Florrie Culverwell

taken in 1959 as it’s one of only two

photos featuring the inside of our first

premises at 172 Pentonville Road (cor-

ner of Affleck Street) that still survive -

and both feature Florrie! She was a one-

One that means a lot to me. Ian Cameron as

woman army there, doing everything

R12 was Call Sign’s Consumer reporter. Ian,

from answering phones to clearing up

with his red hair, went round testing cab dri-

afterwards. Florrie also moved to

vers eateries and coffee haunts. More impor-

Shirland Road when the Society moved

It was at DaC’s amazing 50th anniversary

tantly, Ian was one of four DaC drivers along

on in March 1965. Her son Michael

ball held at Vinopolis in June 2003 and

with Tony Jack, Ken Freeborn and myself,

(G82) is still a DaC shareholder having

who for six years between 1977 and 1983

Alan seems to be wondering just what the

been here since 1985...

covered the transport needs of St Joseph’s

meaning of life is, while Nuala just smiles.

Hospice in Mare Street. Along with the amaz-

She obviously knows! The celebration had

ing nurses working under Dr Richard

been organised by Brian Rice’s PA Jacqui

Lamerton and the foresight of an amazing

Chart and virtually everyone connected to

lady by the name of Cicely Saunders, the ser-

the trade was there on that never to be for-

vice that allowed those with terminal cancer to

gotten night...

die in their own homes rather than a hospital

went on to become the world-famous

Macmillan Service. Sadly, Ian died of a heart

attack in 2006, but his memory and legacy are

remembered again here...

Nor sure what it is about this 1904 photo

that I love but I do! Perhaps it’s that although

Hansoms went many years ago, the Royal

Albert Hall

from the front

view still

looks the

same then as

it does now

and there is

something

comforting

about that...

Call Sign April 2017

Page 19

Goodbye Al - My favourite photos!

One of the most famous photos in any

This was the April Fools gag that caused

Everyone knows 4-time Olympic Gold

taxi collection. Former ODRTS and

us the most trouble. Call Sign doesn’t

medallist Laura Trott, but back in 2015

LTFUC Chairman, Jack Taylor, greets

usually run April Fools gags, but in 2007

the lovely Ms Trott was taking part in The

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

we thought we’d have a go! Because 1

Prudential’s RideLondon. But one Dial-

together with a young Prince Andrew at

April fell on a Sunday that year, we

a-Cab driver probably remembers it more

for picking up Laura and her bike! It was,

the Odeon cinema Leicester Square in

couldn’t use the magazine so the next best

so Call Sign was told, a very warm day

1971 where the LTFUC had been grant-

thing was to put out a terminal message.

and Laura was feeling the heat. So the best

ed a Royal World Premier. The movie -

And that’s what we did! At 10am and again

thing was to go home in a taxi... and that’s

Light at the Edge of the World - starred

one hour later, a message went out on

what she did! But naturally, we’re always

Kirk Douglas, Yul Brynner and

data terminals claiming that new EEC reg-

pleased to help our Olympic heroes...

Samantha Eggar. At the time, it was the

ulations meant that every third issue of

biggest fund raiser for the LTFUC that

Call Sign would have to be written in

the charity had ever been awarded, but

Polish! Amazingly we received 14 calls

almost as importantly, it raised the pro-

from drivers who claimed they knew

file of this amazing taxi charity.

someone that could write in Polish for us!

However, over

50 concerned drivers

called DaC. Soon after, Call Sign’s access

to putting messages out somehow failed.

It never came back. Dunno why!

Those who are used to working on Saturdays -

and have for many years - will always associate

that day with the duo of Lou Gitlin and Ivor

Belkin (C97). Lou’s death in 2010 put an end

to the trades’ longest running radio taxi part-

nership. It began in September 1961 and

Harry Joel (Ex-B81) was not just

went right up until 2006 when Lou had to

a Board member at ODRTS in the

undergo a double cataract operation and on his

1960s, but was also involved with

return to the dispatcher’s box at Brunswick

the London Taxi Benevolent

House, found the VDU glare to be too much to

We first wrote of Tony Arnold (J01)

take. He told Call Sign at the time that he

Association for War Disabled,

back in 2002 when he was paid by a

hoped he could return when his eyes

which recently changed its name

Chinese TV company to fly a TXII to

improved, but sadly his general health also

to The Taxi Charity for Military

began to deteriorate and that opportunity

Beijing in China and then drive it all

Veterans. Besides spending many

never came about. Ivor still dispatches,

the way back to London with two

years leading the charity as

although ill-health has stopped that of late.

young Chinese passengers who had

Chairman, in

1967 Harry was

won the trip in a competition! The

hailed as a hero when he rushed

trip was to help publicise the Beijing

into a Belgium hotel in

Olympics - which were then still 6

Blankenberge before the firemen

years away. The 3-month TXII trip

had arrived and put out flames

took him through China, Outer

from two mattresses that had been

Mongolia and Russia - where at the

spotted smouldering earlier, but

border crossing of Manzhouli a local

which had suddenly burst into

restaurant offered to catch a dog and

flames. He helped holidaymakers,

cook it for him and his co-driver!

who had been overcome by

Tony declined and stuck to some-

smoke, out of the building. His

thing resembling a pizza! They drove

action was praised by the manager

Driving a cab has been my occupation since

back via the Arctic Circle, Finland,

of the Hotel Marie Jose who said

1971 so remembering how I got the

Sweden, Germany, Holland and

licence is something I need to do.

that but for Harry's action, lives

France until Tony and the TXII

However, this photo taken in 1937 shows

would have been lost. Harry, now

not only how difficult the Knowledge was

arrived safely back in London after a

92, is the charity’s Life President...

back then, but how popular the idea of

trouble free trip! Call Sign spon-

becoming a taxi driver was. Yet it took a

sored all his phone calls and in return

fraction of the time to pass out. Today, the

followed his progress each month...

KoL is said to take up to four years AND

many Knowledge boys (and girls) use sat-

nav devices on their bikes. The result?

Almost six times as many minicab drivers as

there are taxi drivers!

Call Sign April 2017

Page 20

Goodbye Al - My favourite photos!

It was Christmas 1979 and the four

Mickey Daley was someone who rarely

There have been a number of taxi dri-

Dial-a-Cab drivers running St Joseph’s

failed to make me smile. The only place I

vers throughout the years that became

Hospice transportation department for

knew I would definitely see Mickey was at

well known for... well, for being cab dri-

Thursdays - Ian Cameron, Tony Jack

the DaC AGMs, mainly in the old days

vers who could talk. Few of them could

and Ken Freeborn and the silly-looking

when there was no postal balloting and

be classified as entrepreneurs, but there

person in the dinner suit (ok, that was

1000+ people turned up at various

has been at least one licensed taxi driver

me!) were putting on their Xmas show. It

London halls to discuss matters of concern

who throughout the years has helped to

was based on the then-well-known

to the Society. Back then there would

bring this trade as up to date as much as

Radio Luxembourg programme, The

always be at least 10 people queueing up

feasibly possible. That man was George

Ovaltinies. Other than medical staff, the

to address the meeting and as soon as the

Vyse - seen on his 77th birthday in the

audience consisted of patients who were

number one speaker left, someone else

photo with Call Sign’s Marc Turner

unlikely to see another Christmas; but to

would join at the back! Mickey addressed

(R97). Over the years, George with his

hear them cheering these four drivers up

every AGM... but rarely left his seat because

distinctive H1 PCO number plate made

on the stage who were prepared to make

no matter how far back he was seated, he

trips to the old PCO and later to TfL to

fools of themselves in public just to

had the ability to make himself heard and

ask for various improvements that he

make a few dying people laugh, was

invariably raised a laugh from the hall! He

had either developed himself or seen

something I will never forget. The photo

was taken by Dr Richard Lamerton and

had views on everything - especially if it

elsewhere. It is highly probable that

not only did he put it up in his office, but

was connected to EC5! Mickey died in

without George we would still have just

wrote about it in his first book (pub-

2007 and is still much missed...

Medium wave radios! George even gave

lished in 1986) called East End Doc

Call Sign a satnav to test out years

before most drivers had even heard of

them! Of course it worked and when I

went to return it after writing a review,

George sad that because it was now sec-

ond hand, that I should keep it!

How could I possibly leave out my two

year tenure at Taxi Globe as the nasty Mr

X. It was the early 1990s and then-Editor

Rodney Lewis was looking to replace the

Some might say I am taking advantage of

adorable chatterbox otherwise known as

the position of Editor - and they would be

Lana Sherif. Lana had to stand aside

right! But my wonderful son Reed worked

when too many people realised that Lana

for Dial-a-Cab in the call centre as a dis-

Sherif was an anagram of Alan Fisher! So

patcher for 25 years, no mean feat when

she had to go, only to be replaced by a

you consider it was always his second job!

mysterious male wearing an eye mask...

His main job was as a systems analyst with

and yes, that was also me! Mr X had a his-

the Ford Motor Company. This photo

tory with the American version of profes-

was taken in July 1998 at a staff awayday

sional wrestling, having previously

and like many others on the “bonding”

worked for American movie mogul Ted

trip, Reed was presented with a prize by

Turner and his then-wife Jane Fonda at

Brian Rice, who was then into his second

Last, but certainly not least re photos, is

CNN. Ted was the paymaster for US

year as Chairman. When Reed died in

the woman behind the throne - my wife

wrestling organisation WCW (World

January

2013 after battling a brain

and chief Call Sign proofer, Linda.

Championship Wrestling) which was

tumour for over 3 years, DaC almost came

Getting a magazine out that was both

later bought up by the WWE. Every issue

to a standstill with so many drivers and

interesting and entertaining is one thing,

saw Mr X with another superstar from

staff at the funeral. That meant such a lot

but making it read sensibly with as few

Hulk Hogan to Mr Perfect to Sting (see

to us...

typos as possible is something else.

pic). As a bonus, I could be as nasty as I

wanted and that was something that taxi

Thanks to Linda, they were very few and

mags had never had before. And it was

far between because any mistakes are

great fun...!

very quickly pounced upon!

Call Sign April 2017

Page 21

Goodbye Al - My favourite photos!

I just had to put in the last-ever

A sense of fun,

Kupkake’s Korner; it was published

Seen through bifocals,

A fast retort,

in the May 2014 issue, four weeks

And fluid vocals!

after David died. He specifically

An honest man,

asked us not to publish it until he

Not known to flinch,

had passed away.

Swift to help,

And assist.

It was the end of an era and in a

So long Kupkake,

totally different way, so is this...

You’ve left a space,

Wherever you may be,

GONE…

And in whatever place...

BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Remember me for what I am

Now Kupkake’s gone,

Never think I didn’t give a damn...

Never again will there be the like,

Definitely a unique one,

David Kupler

Behind wheel and mic.

Always Kupkake...

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

This month’s Flashback - being the last one - goes back to March 1955 and the official opening of ODRTS -

the organisation that would later become Dial-a-Cab...

From ODRTS Newssheet number 1, April 1955, Editor Bernie Lyons...

Gentlemen,

Children’s Fund, which was then known as the Norwood Fund.

Sir Ian sat next to our regular dispatcher, pushed a button to call the trip

We have come a long way since 29th January 1953 when both Mr

going from Chancery Lane to Seething Lane and then congratulated ODRTS

Bonnie Martyn and Mr Albert Hall left RODA and just three months later

on its success. It was a wonderful day.”

met in Mr Martyn’s cab parked on the Grosvenor Gardens rank along

with Mr Cutmore, Mr Duncan, Mr Naismith, Mr Stoffel, Mr Cobden and

Bernie Lyons

Mr Fiertag.

ODRTS Newssheet

We also had a magnificent collection of over £200 by those present at

the Albany Tavern on 7 June and we thank the publican for the use of his

premises at such a reasonable rate of £2.19.6d.

Then on Thursday 1st October we had Mr Duncan agreeing our phone

lines with Dial House in Shaftesbury Avenue for 172 Pentonville Road.

Within 6 weeks of that, we had the first Committee meeting at our

Chairman’s house. We would like to thank Mr Martyn for the refreshments

he made available and for which he paid for out of his own pocket.

Although the first jobs that we dispatched in December had

very poor signals, on 26 January 1954 the ODRTS equipment had

been improved to such an extent that we managed to successfully

dispatch our first job, going from Pentonville Road to Gamages.

That takes us to our official launch, which took place a substantial time

Exclusive Taxi Insurance Scheme

after we had begun working our normal schedule because we wanted Sir

Ian Fraser MP to perform the ODRTS official launch ceremony and he was

dedicated to DAC members only

not available until Tuesday 8th March 1955. We decided to wait for him

even though it meant performing the ceremony almost 15 months after

the first job. However, it does tie in with our first ever account, which has

been opened by the British Broadcasting Corporation. I have asked driver

Sam Harris to write of the day.

“It was a memorable day. Even the weather was pleasant for March.

✓ 5% Discount for members

We were all invited to 172 Pentonville Road to watch Sir Ian Fraser, MP

✓ Additional discount for existing protected Bonus policies

for Morecambe and the only blind member of the House of Commons

dispatch the official first job. Sir Ian was selected because he was the Vice

✓ Public Liability

President of the London taxi drivers’ branch of the British Legion. I believe

Bonnie Martyn was the Chairman of the branch at the time and that is

✓ Breakdown Cover

where I first met him when I joined in 1949 like many drivers before and

✓ Much more available

since. Incidentally, Bonnie was also the Chairman of the Underprivileged

Call below for quotations

Our

Chairman

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

Mr Martyn

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

(centre)

Company Registration No: 4319231

with Sir

Ian Fraser

Tel: 01322 553313

to his

immediate

right

Fax: 01322 523315

Call Sign April 2017

Page 22

London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children

Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund

GOLFERS:

DRIVERS WANTED FOR

DO YOU

LTFUC SOUTHEND TRIP

WANT TO

Drivers, come and have a fun-packed day by the sea…

WIN A CAR!!!

Drivers, we need your help to give 300 ‘special needs’ and underprivileged children a bril-

liant and memorable day out at Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday 12th July 2017.

In case you have any doubts, we welcome all drivers regardless of what colour cab you have,

whether you have radio circuit logos or advertising. This applies to all our outings. As well as giving

a great deal of pleasure to so many children, we promise you will have a brilliant and fun-packed

day out yourself.

Without you there are no outings. So please contact our driver liaison Steve Bell on 07811

508772 or enter your details on the Volunteer Page of our website.

Just go to www.ltfuc.org.uk

The Hon President, Hon Chairman and Committee would be very grateful if you could join us

and we look forward to seeing you on the day…

“None walks so tall as he who stoops to help a child”

Raymond Levy

LTFUC Press Officer

A hole in one could win you a

£10,000 car!

Can you afford not to get a copy!!!

ell now is your chance!

Sponsored by Plan

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

Insurance, you can win a

car up to the value of

this book is all you need to know about moving

£10,000 in the next Taxi Driver of the

traffic and parking regulations in one easy to

Year Charity Fund annual golf day on

read guide!

8 June 2017.

The cost for the day is £70; that

includes 18 holes of golf, a light breakfast

at 10am and a meal later on. Tee off time

The Motorists Guide to Moving

will be at 11am.

Traffic And Parking Regulations

The TDY committee have also

announced that the first person to get

Hard copies £8. Electronic versions to

a hole in one will win a brand new

£10,000 car! The competition takes

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

place at the Hendon Golf Club, Ashley

via Driver Services with payment deducted

Walk, Devonshire Road, Mill Hill,

from your DaC account.

London NW7 1DG.

You can enter as an individual or make

up a team of four with friends. If you,

your family or friends would like to partici-

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

pate, please contact the TDYCF - details

are below.

As usual, all money raised will be

donated to the five taxi charities sup-

Taxi insurance for

ported by the Fund. They are the

Albany Taxi Charity Fund for Children

DaC drivers

with Special Needs, LTFUC, Southend

Fund for Underprivileged Children,

London Benevolent Association for War

Disabled and East London Cabbies

Outing. The presentations will be made

On behalf of Dial-a-Cab, Hillier Buchan Ltd in Bexley have negotiated exclusive rates for DaC

at the annual dinner dance of the TDoY

members. We believe our rates are competitive in today’s market for experienced licensed

Black Cab drivers.

on 25 November 2017.

At Hillier Buchan, we understand every driver’s circumstances are different; therefore our policies can

All cheques made payable to T.D.Y.C.F.

be tailored for the individual driver. We offer a 5% discount for DaC members, with additional discounts

Please complete and return forms to: 5 St

for existing protected Bonus policies.

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Hillier Buchan was established in 2002 by David Hillier and myself with in excess of 50 years experi-

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Call Sign April 2017

Page 23

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

Or as we call it... The

month he writes on... well er, EVERYTHING!

downfall of Uber!

As this terrific trade magazine bows out and

many in our industry experience a 'crisis of

DRUMSLAYER’S THEORY

faith', yours truly will now address some of

the issues, albeit sadly for the last time in

Call Sign.

OF EVERYTHING!

Despite the doom and gloom naysayers,

of years’ back I stumbled on a Taxi garage

I'm seeing reasons to be optimistic. Granted

proprietor who had gone over to the dark

it’s never going to be how it was, but even

side. He was an Uber franchisee. On visiting

then we had pessimists abounding and pre-

his premises and confronting him with my

dicting the trade’s imminent demise. These

evidence and then being given sharp shrift, I

days, most are blaming our current woes on

contacted Alan.

Uber and for a while they were our main

Because of the possibility of legal reper-

threat. Reassuringly, their blitzkrieg is cur-

cussions, I wasn't sure Alan would be up

rently being halted in its tracks. And of

for exposing the miscreant. Resolute,

course we now have the Daily Mail investi-

Alan didn’t have to think about it or con-

gation into Uber, David Cameron, George

sult anybody. After I explained the situa-

Osborne and Rachel Whetstone!

tion, he just said: “You write it, I'll publish

In fact, I’d say Uber were on the verge of

it.” So I did. The exposé saw the garage

becoming a busted flush since HMG, TfL and

owner with around 600 cabs try to dis-

the media woke up to what we’ve been

perse his fleet around town. Eventually he

telling them for the last three years... not all

sold out to a respectable garage after

fabric and culture of London. Uber’s man-

that glitters is gold!

which I'm led to believe he left the trade

agement believed we would give up our

Uber have been under the microscope of

altogether.

freedom and join them because that’s how it

late, resulting in much adverse publicity. But

So thank you Alan Fisher for displaying,

had worked in America. They didn't consid-

other reasons for the slow-down in business

steadfastness, integrity, courage, all the attrib-

er that the proud 363 year old London Taxi

(especially at weekends) are there before our

utes of a great editor. Dial-a-Cab has been

wouldn’t just roll over. Yes, they hurt us...

very eyes; the world is changing. A cultural

blessed to have you charting Call Signs’

but they couldn't knock us down!

come societal revolution of sorts is underway.

course for the past 20 years.

For instance, people do not need to venture

Enjoy your retirement...

out as often as they once did. They don't drink

And the Editor...

as much and they cycle more. Notice all the

Marc Turner (R97)

I’d like now to share a story regarding Call

pubs closing and gyms opening, while top food

Sign’s esteemed editor Alan Fisher. Couple

Call Sign Online

can now be delivered to their homes, saving

time and money. I always theorised that the

night time (weekend) economy was mainly

Flying cabs by 2025???

fuelled by sex! But possibly the biggest detrac-

tion of modern times was Home

irst there were

Entertainment. It encompasses interactive

games, box sets and NetFlix etc. No wonder the

minicabs, then

public aren’t going out.

it was Uber,

People went out hoping to meet new

followed by

friends, lovers and potential partners - but

self-drive cabs. Can

not anymore! With the advent of dating apps,

there be anything

Tinder and Grinder etc, that appetite has

else to follow that

been fully quenched without the need for a

(always assuming

ride in a Black cab. Not forgetting Brexit jit-

ters and the threat of terrorism. Also, how

they can get the S-D

many jobs have been lost to the night tube!

vehicles to stop at

No wonder it's quiet out there! Yet the sup-

red lights)! Well how

posed availability and cheapness of Uber has

about flying cabs?

in no way enticed the masses out.

Traffic? What’s that!

As I see it, two events of last October

Well, according to The

were game changers. In no particular

Hoversurf Project, by

order, there was the Uber drivers’

employment rights tribunal victory over

2025 they will have

their own company and Taxis mandatory

introduced a series of

acceptance of Credit Cards, something

flying cabs!

that has done us no end of good.

Hoversurf is a Russian startup that claims they will be making the wishes of

Youngsters who had deserted us are now

Star Wars - and indeed Star Trek - fans come true following its announce-

Back to Black. They had always told me that

ment that they have produced a flying motorcycle just like the Speeder bikes

Uber served their convenience needs better

from the Star Wars movies.

than us... but not anymore! Uber have recent-

Called Scorpion 3, the prototype reaches around 35 miles per hour and cur-

ly announced that their UberTaxi platform is

rently reaches a height of 30 feet. A series of prototype bikes is expected

to be disbanded; UberPool sunk without

trace and their drivers and staff are rising up

by the end of this year and Hoversurf say their plans are to turn their flying

against their bosses.

motorcycle into a flying taxi or cargo-drone, which would be ready in the next

They invaded us for the 'Jewel in the

few years.

Crown' and failed - even with facilitation of

Does that mean we will get in first and that there will be a new com-

government, TfL and the media - because

pany, LFTC - The London Flying Taxi Company!

they didn’t understand the existential

nature of our being; how we are part of the

Call Sign April 2017

Page 24

We’ve all had moments in this

Another true story from Geoff Levene...

game that we'll never forget.

Three airports in one day (yes, it

That Almost Perfect Day...

used to happen), or that long

wait and return!

“So what are the disadvantages,” I

It reminds me of the girl who became ill at

enquired!

the office, so they sent her home to the country

Back in Wardour Street just the other day, a

with a colleague. You dropped her off and after

hand shot out and I couldn't believe it. It was

making sure she was ok, it was back to the

only my hero from the Sixties

- Spiro

office with her colleague. Then there’s the time

‘Spiderman’ McGee. When I first saw him

when your Dial-a-Cab terminal suddenly

live at the Whisky a Gogo, he was a callow

bleeps as you started work or when you were

youth fronting the iconic band Original

somewhere out in the wilds!

Hairy Messengers, but he later became

My own special moment came at nine-thirty

notorious for his hell-raising lifestyle. It was

on a Saturday morning around sixteen years

Spiro who spent that weekend at the Hotel

ago. I had accepted a job in Hampstead going

Splendide while appearing at the

to Paddington. I glanced at the details as you

Bridlington Roxy. He was rumoured to have

do: Booked time... OK. Address... yes.

downed 38 pints of Guinness, 3 bottles of

Passenger... and that’s when my heart started to

vodka and 2 bottles of Palwins Number 9. All

beat a little faster. Who was it that began giving

he ate was a salt beef sandwich, a latke and a

me palpitations? It was Mr. D.H.M.Cornwell.

new green cucumber!

I can just hear Call Sign readers calling

What amazed the hospital’s A&E depart-

out in unison: “So what?” Well, I knew the

“This is such a thrill,” I said, “I've read just

ment was where he found salt beef, latkes

real name of my favourite author - some-

about everything you’ve ever written.”

and a new green in Bridlington. But he's

one I had always hoped to meet. That was

With a smile, he asked: “Have you got my

changed nowadays - no more pony-tail...

David Cornwell and I was pretty sure he

latest book?”

well no hair at all actually and he sat

lived in Hampstead. In fact I was passing

I said that I hadn’t yet, but it was on my list

there reading a seed catalogue. And

some of the spots where his book action

to get that week. He went back into the house

where was the ever present hamburger?

took place. Could it be him?

and came out with a hard-back copy of ‘The

Remember, this was the man who named

I was soon approaching the pick-up and a

Constant Gardener’ in which he had written

his kids Wendy, Byron and Mac...

man was standing at the front door with his

a lovely dedication.

back to me. Then he turned, gave me a cheery

I've picked him up several times since

wave and yes, I was right... it was John Le

And finally...

then and whilst I know he probably doesn't

Carre! I leapt out of the cab - I think it had just

The other morning, a couple with overnight

remember that first time, he is always such

about stopped - and ran round to open the

bags stopped me in St John Street. They

a charming man with that rare quality - the

door.

looked like they were going to the Eurostar

ability to listen. That, undoubtedly, is why

terminal at St Pancras but surprised me by

he is such a master of dia-

asking for Heathrow. They were taking their

logue. The papers always refer

DIESEL COSTS SINCE 1996

national Airline back to Helsinki, so I sup-

to him as a ‘spy writer’ but

Because of its closure, Call Sign

pose you could say it was a job that came out

he’s much more than that. He

looks back through its files at the

of ‘finn air’...!

is a real man of letters...

cost of diesel since 1996 slightly ear-

Goodbye Call Sign, nice knowing you...

Who else has there been lately?

lier than usual...

My regular customer is the for-

Geoff Levene (W32)

mer golfer and now film produc-

1st June 1996 - 51.9p per litre - £2.36 per gallon

er,

Drewster

‘Droozy’

Call Sign Online

1st June 1997 - 54.9p per litre - £2.50 per gallon

Goldberg. He called me up and

1st June 1998 - 65.9p per litre - £3.00 per gallon

I was surprised to learn he was

1st June 1999 - 72.9p per litre - £3.72 per gallon

involved in that recent Liam

1st June 2001 - 77.9p per litre - £3.54 per gallon

Neeson film. You know the one;

1st June 2002 - 75.9p per litre - £3.45 per gallon

it’s where Hollywood finally

started to address men’s health

1st June 2003 - 77.5 per litre

- £3.52 per gallon

issues. Neeson plays a man who

1st June 2004 - 89.0 per litre

- £4.05 per gallon

has problems with his water-

1st June 2005 - 89.7 per litre

- £4.08 per gallon

works that then affects his sleep.

1st June 2006 - 96.9 per litre

- £4.41 per gallon

It's called Run all Night.

1st June 2007 - 97.9 per litre

- £4.45 per gallon

That firebrand left-wing MP,

1st June 2008 - 128.9 per litre - £5.86 per gallon

Manny Festo, was in my cab

recently. As usual, he was bang-

1st June 2009 - 101.9 per litre -

£4.61 per gallon

ing on about workers' rights etc.

1st June 2010 - 121.9 per litre - £5.51 per gallon

“Do you want to have your

1st June 2011 - 140.9 per litre - £6.37 per gallon

differentials eroded,” he

1st June 2012 - 143.9 per litre - £6.87 per gallon

asked me?

1st June 2013 - 138.9 per litre - £6.27 per gallon

“No, I do not,” I replied, “I

1st June 2014 - 135.9 per litre - £6.14 per gallon

still haven’t got over having

my assets frozen!”

1st June 2015 - 120.9 per litre - £5.46 per gallon

I also got an ear bashing from

1st June 2016 - 111.8 per litre - £5.05 per gallon

the editor of Caravanning

1st Mar 2017 - 121.9 per litre - £5.51 per gallon

Weekly, Ms. Winnie Baygo!

Female driver

She was extolling the virtues of

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

With prices varying from garage to garage, these prices

chemical toilets, the M25,

Contact Debbie (W18) on

can only be averages...

French seamen’s' strikes and

07956 317040

Operation Stack.

Call Sign April 2017

Page 25

Brazil Calling

You wait 120 years for one...

other commercial fleets. But recent figures

show that could be reduced to 75. But even at

and two come along together!

the higher figure, let’s do the maths.

The first horseless carriage taxi was introduced

What can we expect? 120,000 PHVs, 18,000

by the London Electric Cab Company in

taxis, 300 charging points... not enough! That

1897; it now looks like its successors, which to

would mean it could be 115 days between

be fair have taken a while to arrive, are now

charges on the street. When you do dig deeper

close to the marketplace. The original cabs had

into the data regarding vehicle charging in

a top speed of 12mph and batteries which had

London, there is a potential 1406 charging

to be charged every 30 miles. These cabs, nick-

points, that’s almost 100 vehicles per charging

named Hummingbirds because they were

point and it doesn’t include private vehicles; I

smooth and quiet, were unreliable and expen-

can’t imagine they’ll be too happy not being

sive to maintain according to a Mr Clarkson

able to charge their vehicle because Taxis and

Senior in an early revue.

original Conditions of Fitness to be a driver in

PHVs are monopolising every charging station.

Well maybe not, but we all recognise the

London. Sam Dumitriu, head of projects at

How long to fully recharge a battery? Six

sentiment. There isn’t much to go on at the

the Adam Smith Institute, a conservative

hours at

10amps average, maybe four

moment in regard to finding out what the

think-tank, criticised the ruling.

hours on rapid, and don’t expect every

latest offering from LTC will be; the best

I’m guessing that when Sam was studying in

charger you find to have the same output

guess is that a Vauxhall Ampera engine will

Manchester for his philosophy degree, he

either. Also bear in mind that not all con-

be the power plant of the TX5. This unit of

never had much of problem explaining to a dri-

nectors are available to all vehicles at every

multiple electric motors (two) and a four

ver how to get back to his digs in Mosside

charge station.

cylinder petrol combustion engine used as

whilst wearing a traffic cone on his head, as he

I don’t doubt that some of those vehicles

a generator will keep the vehicle running

was too busy worrying that “...the unexamined

could be charged at home, but by the time you

when the batteries are exhausted. This

life is not worth living.”

install a 3 phase supply, fork out a further £300

would give the model a maximum range of

Well Sam, from your elevated position in

for a charging cable, that’s another £2000 up

300 miles, one unlikely to be attained in

your “think tank,” think about this: Power

the Suwannee. It seems to me that the only

real world conditions with a cab body

is no blessing in itself, except when it is

possible working model will be range extend-

added, also when contending with an esti-

used to protect the innocent (Jonathan

ed vehicles, the reason London isn’t filled with

mated 198kg of batteries.

Swift) and a little less about your utilitarian

electric vehicles is the obvious range anxiety

The Metrocab, built by Frazer-Nash

recreation of serfdom.

that these models suffer from; 300 charging

Research Ltd is a little more forthcoming with

points is obviously woefully inadequate in the

details. Theirs is powered by two 50Kw electric

Loves Labours Lost

same way that the existing 1406 available to the

motors producing 1032lb/ft of torque and a

Alan Fisher hanging up his quill is a sad loss

public is also.

one litre, three cylinder petrol engine driving

for not only Dial-a-Cab Ltd, but the cab trade

Whilst these new vehicles from LTC and

the generator, in short, lower expected kerb

in general. He, believe it or not, has always

Metrocab will most likely have lower running

weight in the Metrocab, similar power trains

been as nice and as decent a man as ever to

costs, they will not necessarily be cost free; new

and slightly larger petrol engine in the LTC TX5

have come through the doors at DaC. He has

battery packs could cost £5000 or upwards to

EV.

always been the cheerleader for the good and

replace, expect the rear suspension to fail con-

Mr Khan, our third glorious leader, has

willing to criticise all that he thought was

siderably quicker than normal and brakes to be

deemed it necessary to introduce a new ‘T

unjust or unfair and believe me, he rarely got it

replaced on a much more regular interval.

charge’ zone. TfL’s website still shows this now

wrong!

Whilst these Hummingbirds may have torque

out-dated information: From September

Alan’s decision to retire this post, one that he

figures that will leave conventional vehicles

2020, all cars will need to meet exhaust emis-

has so wonderfully crafted over twenty years,

flagging, don’t imagine that you will end up

sion standards (ULEZ standards) or pay a daily

makes us all a little poorer. I have always

with sports car performance either, although

charge when travelling in central London. It

enjoyed his many sobriquets; Big Al and Lana

I’m willing to wager they will be considerably

will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the

Sherif stand out.

quicker than existing models.

year, including weekends /public holidays.

I wish him the very best for the future and to

I personally like the thought of a quiet

This has now been surpassed by: From 23

borrow from loves labours lost; “I suffer for the

clean electric vehicle, but if the opening

October 2017, cars, vans, minibuses, buses,

truth.” Not enough sometimes, maybe too much

selling cost exceeds £50,000 I don’t imag-

coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in

at others. Enjoy your literary retirement, Al...

ine there will be much of a queue for them

central London will need to meet minimum

unless TfL raises its game and instead of

exhaust emission standards or pay a daily £10

spending £900 million on cycle routes,

Joe Brazil

Emissions Surcharge (also known as the

they decide to give the 18,000 cabs on the

DaC Ltd Director

Toxicity Charge or T-Charge). It is in addition

road a well needed subsidy; now let’s see...

Head of Driver Operations

to the Congestion Charge. Operation hours are

18,000 Taxi’s x

Monday - Friday 07:00 - 18:00.

£50,000

= £900

As you can see, there is no mention of us

million! Same as

in this short missal; I have no doubt TfL will

the cycle super

Keith Reading

treat us with the level of courtesy they usu-

highway!

ally afford us! So, in some cases you will

Professional Toastmaster

What do you say

find that even though you have bought a

Master of Ceremonies

TfL...? We’ll go

taxi in good faith and been promised a 15

50/50???

year lifespan, the last five years of your new

Tele: 01279 465 938

taxis’ working life will end up costing you

English test

Mobile: 07774 860 374

in excess of £17,000 pounds for the average

court ruling

driver.

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

I could understand if the technology was

The English test

already in place regarding charging points and

court ruling that

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

other necessary amenities, but even they have

took place in early

shamefully been reduced in number. TfL tell us

February

closes

Fellow of the Guild of

they are working with suppliers to deliver 150

what in all practical

Professional Toastmasters

rapid charge points by 2018 and 300 by 2020

terms was an unfair

to support the electrification of taxis, PHVs and

omission in TfL’s

Call Sign April 2017

Page 26

found a little house

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

for him and Linda to

stay in for a short

break, but his pres-

ence in the village

N O

caused uproar with

Bob Woodford looks at London’s long lost sporting venues

one little old lady

deciding it would be

h e n

a great idea to attack him every morn-

Editor

Alan

Fisher

ing by beating him with her baguette!

emailed me a month ago to

Alan was the victim of mistaken iden-

tell me this April issue of

tity, as the lady in black thought he

Call Sign was going to be the last, my

was the owner of the house and was

initial thought was that this was some

upset with the satellite dish she didn’t

absurd April Fool’s joke - and for all I

like the look of and wanted removed!

know it may well be! (Sorry Bob... it

I can honestly say that I have thorough-

ain’t... Ed)!!!

ly enjoyed making my monthly contribu-

My second thought was Yippee, as it

tions, not least because Alan is such a

meant that for my current series - the

great bloke and also a cab trade stalwart.

origins of London’s Football Clubs - I

But above all, I shall also be forever grate-

don't have to write about West Ham

ful for Alan’s help in raising awareness for

United or Crystal Palace after all!

my fund raising appeals over the years,

Perhaps Alan will correct me, but I

perhaps most poignantly the appeal for

believe my musings here first started

Motor Neurone Disease, which was

about 17 years ago - which is frighten-

launched having lost my dear friend and

ing! I’ve had some success along the way

DaC driver Paul Bishop who left us at a

Bob with the late Paul Bishop taken in 1997

as well, as by advertising my wares I have

far too young an age.

sold copious cases of organic French

Some things are more important than

wine from the Corbierres to Dial-a-Cab

I have also persuaded some of you to

anything, thanks for everything Alan.

become London Taxi Tour Guides and

folk over the years and perhaps the case

of red I sold the Chairman was the rea-

consequently great ambassadors to

Bob Woodford

son he started losing his hair! That was

London and the trade.

Talking of France, perhaps my most

Call Sign Online

good stuff!

amusing Alan Fisher story was when I

MyTaxi takes over Hailo

n the September Call Sign, we told readers that Hailo had agreed to a “merger”

with the Mercedes Benz Daimler ride-sharing app, MyTaxi, which has been part

of Daimler Mobility Services since 2014 when MBD were said to have paid

around £100million! The deal was said to be cashless and saw Daimler take a 60%

stake in Hailo and controlling seats on its Board.

We heard that the Hailo name would vanish within 12 months and be re-branded as

MyTaxi. That has now come about. Hailo had suffered with financial problems since

being forced to pull out of North America in 2014 following a price war and battle

for market share. They also never really recovered after applying for a PH license but

keeping it secret from its subscribers. It was later discovered by Grant Davis at the

LCDC and within hours, news spread via social networks leading to a mass departure

from Hailo by its drivers, together with many of them putting signs in their wind-

screens expressing their displeasure at the new license - but not always in a very

polite way!

We also spoke to an experienced competitor of MyTaxi in Germany, but agreed not to publish any names.

He told us back in September:

“MyTaxi was originally a startup, claiming a niche - one of the first to do so in the German taxi sector. Its founder and former CEO, Niclaus

Mewes, grew up in a family dealing with a special kind of fleet management - shipping! But the new company grew quite fast, relying on

taxis only with Deutsche Telekom and Car2Go being some of the first investors. The MyTaxi setup is actually pretty much the same as you’ll

find with Hailo, Gett and others. They bypass traditional taxi dispatchers and build a direct contact between the drivers and customer.

“MyTaxi has tried its best in many European cities such as Paris and Switzerland, but has yet to make a success in most of them. The only

strong market besides Germany is in Spain. So coupling with Hailo makes some sense there.

“They’ve had some problems in Germany where they went around aggressively “buying” customers at half fare. You should

prepare yourselves for that in London as well, since a 50 percent price tag on all trips is still active in Spain and Poland etc. Yes,

they do claim to only work with licensed taxis, but since they have a huge marketing budget, they often try to “bend” the law -

although they can’t anymore in Germany.

“Incidentally, MyTaxi and Hailo are claiming they will now have the largest taxi app network in Europe, but I believe that to be incorrect

since the Berlin and Vienna based taxi network, taxi.eu, is already active in 13 countries with well over 170.000 drivers throughout Europe.”

Now 7 months after Call Sign revealed there was to be a takeover, MyTaxi has arrived and is going around trying to capture drivers at main-

line taxi stations. It also put an expensive double-paged ad in the Evening Standard, which probably confirms our report on their having a

huge marketing budget, not surprising when you consider the organisation behind it. It has also referred to itself as an alternative to Uber.

Will it replace Uber? Just as importantly, will that be achieved by doing as they did in Germany and charging 50 percent of the

meter? Will it actually just become a minicab using black cabs? Has the trade just received its last rites or is MyTaxi its saviour?

Time will tell...

Call Sign April 2017

Page 27

Michael McHale (F26) looked at

Call Sign’s not-so-young reporter

and said it, obviously meaning

Roadside Hero!

every word: “I always knew we

really were the Gentleman’s (and

“But I am also very grateful to Patrick

Ladies’) circuit, now the kindness

Walsh for his support in my time of need,

and camaraderie shown to me by

and for his generosity because he would

a fellow Dial-a-Cab driver has

not accept any payment for the food he

kindly brought to me. He restores my

proved it again.”

faith in the brother and sisterhood that is

He was referring to Patrick Walsh (V17),

Dial-a-Cab and after 25 years on the cir-

who came to Michael’s aid when his taxi

cuit, I feel well placed to know!”

broke down while travelling along

So Call Sign’s elderly reporter, on the

Bayswater Road when, without any warn-

verge of his retirement yet still eager to

ing, the cab suddenly came to a grinding halt.

impress the Editor and needing another 100

Using all his experience, Michael managed to

words (!!!), duly called Patrick Walsh for his

coast it into the kerbside so as not to affect

side of the story.

the traffic flow too much. The engine was

“Michael’s cab had been stuck there for

running, but the unhealthy noise from the

ages. I recalled seeing it parked at the kerb-

wheels suggested that this taxi was not going

side for several hours as I motored up and

to get much further!

down the Bayswater Road at various times of

“Clearly I was not going to make it to my

the day. So as soon as I was empty, I stopped

service agent, Mr Diesel in south London

to see if I could help, not knowing if the dri-

under my own steam, so I called the AA for a

ver simply needed tools to repair something

low-loader to transport the taxi there. They

or assistance to get moving again. But as he

Mike McHale: We're still the gentle-

said they were busy but would get a rescue

couldn’t leave his cab even to get some suste-

man's circuit...

truck to me as quickly as possible after I

nance, I decided I would at least do that. I’m

explained about the heavy traffic and my

moment. But sure enough, several min-

sure it was nothing more than any another

immobile cab stuck at the roadside. All the

utes later my roadside hero duly returned

Dial-a-Cab driver would do for me...”

time traffic was getting slower as it weaved its

and presented me with a huge cup of pip-

way round me and my motionless taxi.

ing hot coffee (ok, minus sugar!!!) and a

Alan Green (E52)

“I continued to call the AA back at regular

cheese sandwich. But it wasn’t just that,

Call Sign Online

intervals to see how far up the list I was get-

because it was so nice that someone took

the trouble to have a chat - you feel really

ting and they in turn, kept fobbing me off

lonely in a situation like that with people

with all sorts of excuses. Meanwhile, the time

staring at you as they slowly wind past.

was passing for me to get to south London

“So after a four-and-a-half hour wait for the

before Mr Diesel closed for the night.

recovery vehicle to arrive, I finally got to Mr

“Suddenly, another Dial-a-Cab driver

Diesel late in the afternoon. But because I

pulled up behind me and said he’d seen me

had phoned to say I was on the way, those

sitting at the roadside for several hours and

great guys - Danny, Gary and Earl - kept

asked if he could do anything to help.

their doors open for me until we got there.

Knowing that the breakdown was a major job

They quickly diagnosed the nearside front

and no driver would be able to help in that, all

wheel bearing had been damaged due to a

I could think of to say was that a hot coffee

loose screw and I got my cab back the follow-

would be nice because I couldn’t leave the cab

ing day with the repair duly completed! I’ve

un-attended. He smiled and then drove off.

been going to them for many years” Michael

“I wasn’t expecting him back; after all,

continued, “and that is just one more reason

work is hardly easy to come by at the

why!”

n a brilliant piece of publicity, The

• Immaculate Fairway taxi available

London Taxi Company/Geely adver-

for Wedding Hire

tised its new all-electric range extended

TX5 in newspapers and motoring maga-

• Covers most north, east and

zines around the globe by showing it being

central London locations

tested in the Arctic Circle. Call Sign also

• Used in Olympic closing ceremony

has a story on the test elsewhere inside this

with the Spice Girls!

issue.

What we hadn’t seen anywhere outside

• Full leather interior

of America was this New York ad that

• Discounts for DaC drivers

was illuminated in Times Square, right in

front of all the Yellow taxi drivers in their

Ring Graham (B35) on

“taxi of tomorrow” which does look rather

like the “taxi of yesterday” compared to

the TX5. Either way, the publicity coup was

brilliant!

or email oldlondontaxis@yahoo.co.uk

Call Sign April 2017

Page 28

n last months’ magazine, you will have

read that Call Sign Editor, Alan Fisher,

AND IT’S GOODBYE FROM ME

has decided to hang up his keyboard

and mouse after twenty years in the hot

(With apologies to the Two Ronnie’s)

seat and another twenty as a contributor

under both Gerald Craig and Phil Emden.

When I began writing for Call Sign exactly

28 years ago under my previous boss, Gerry

‘Jery’ Craig, it was a huge Remington mechan-

ical typewriter, itself described as a desk top

model, but which actually sat on our kitchen

table, that was the order of the day together

with white A4 paper and a sheet of blue carbon

paper sandwiched between a second sheet of

white paper that left a faint copy of my work as

I hit the typewriter keys!

It was Gerry who gave me my first break

into journalism by inviting me to con-

tribute a regular monthly column on pho-

tographic topics, both advisory and subjec-

tive, for the benefit of families going on

holiday or perhaps capturing that special

moment in their life. Film was the medium

used back then and a trip to the chemist or

photo lab for processing was invariably her-

played in an album.

as Dial-a-Cab was known back then.

Gerry was my mentor in many ways and we

When Alan Fisher took over the Call

alded by an anxious wait until the prints

came back and you could savour that

worked closely together on numerous pro-

Sign helm, he invited me to undertake

jects, either for the magazine itself, or ODRTS

stories as well as purely photographic

‘magic moment’ for evermore, possibly dis-

assignments and that’s when you, the dri-

vers and your families entered my life!

Tom Quigley (Y33) says...

Under his editorship, I have enjoyed free

reign to generate my own projects and

THE GAME IS NEVER DEAD!

was allowed to get on with the job as I

hen Alan informed us of his retirement as Editor in the March Call Sign, my

thought fit. Uncensored plus!

first reaction was to thank him for the opportunity

Digitalisation, both in computing and cam-

of being allowed a regular slot in the magazine

eras, has made immense strides forward and

between September 2010 and May 2016 with

Looking at Taxi Life, together with the added adage of him

now I can be on assignment somewhere for the

never once interfering or censoring any article; basically, he

mag, shoot the images, maybe write up the

gave me the freedom to write about anything and those of

story and send it all down the line to Alan in

you that read those articles would know that I did just that!

seconds, but that didn’t necessarily stop ‘The

And I thank you for reading them...

Boss’ texting to ask where it was, as he had

As some of you may be aware, I run my own Knowledge School in

“already been waiting for several minutes!” I

Chingford E4 KOL. This has given me an opportunity to once again to

think it was just to keep me on my toes!

get involved in Adult Education; I had previously taught City and Guilds Brickwork at

Seriously though, they have both been

Waltham Forest College. But despite the doom and gloom amongst some within this trade, I have

wonderful to work with, taught me a lot,

got to meet and assist students on the way to a new career as taxi drivers - something that is very

rewarding,

gave me opportunities I would never have

I have witnessed a massive change from those I did the knowledge with 20 years ago. Firstly,

otherwise had or even dreamt of and I have

there are a larger number of women - I won’t say that there is a larger ethnic minority doing the

cherished every moment.

KOL as the taxi trade has always reflected the working class of the its time, be it the Jewish

Along the way, numerous service agents have

immigrants of the WW2 aftermath, the Irish as reflected by myself, the West Indians from the

readily shared their wealth of knowledge with

50s and 60s right up to the present day where my school has Turkish, Asian and Eastern

me when I have sought advice over a drivers’

European students. The whole trade has a multi-ethnic support service industry from the call cen-

cab, or allowed me to crawl over a taxi under-

tres on radio circuits to the garages and even TfL itself. Whilst not always being in the front line,

going servicing for ‘that’ photo which illustrat-

each and every person and job helps to reflect and promote the industry.

ed an elusive part, be it of an engine compo-

But the biggest change, and one that gives me more hope for the future, is that the new

crop are hungrier - virtually none of them are supported by a large redundancy payment

nent or whatever.

from a nationalised industry that poured loads of part time workers into licensed Taxis.

Particular thanks are due to the techni-

We are now getting a larger majority of workers who are sick and tired of zero hour contracts

cal staff at our Roman Way depot that

and minimum wages; younger students who are looking to put in the hours in order to get a

have over the years put up with me get-

mortgage and the older students, who unfortunately may have been through a divorce or separa-

ting under their feet on an almost daily

tion, all see this job as a sea change to earn money and are prepared to put the hours in to

basis in the relentless quest for stories or

achieve their goal. Some of the young mums that have passed out from my school are working

driver surveys. My thanks also extend to

evenings, whilst their partners take their turn to look after the children.

DaC’s management team for their faith in

The trade is now seeing drivers that are more techno savvy with apps and credit cards;

they use social media to source work, to inform and support those who are working and

me to fulfil tasks that allowed me to rep-

also to chastise (though sometimes too far) those who are letting the trade down by

resent DaC. You know who you are.

brooming etc.

Last but by no means least, special thanks

Whilst we knew our immediate COPS and very little else except maybe a point collector (as I

go to the guys and girls who have given me

once was) they are a Facebook / Instagram community, supporting each other; our own school

their time and stories, both happy or not so

has different WhatsApp groups for those studying or that passed out and are working. They sup-

happy, who patiently and graciously with-

port the green huts by eating there. They have joined trade organisations in bigger numbers than

stood my nagging of ‘turn this way, look up,

I previously knew, they are not apathetic.

look down’ as I strove to take a photo.

This Game has been injured - yes, sometimes even self-inflicted. Earnings have been hit;

And so as I say goodbye to Call Sign, I

but I’m confident that those who are joining are the saviours and it’s nowhere near dead...

thank you all very much... simple as that.

Tom Quigley (Y33)

Alan Green (E52)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign April 2017

Page 29

Alan Nash has had a ‘Nash’s Numbers in every issue of Call Sign

over the past 20 years. He now tells how he did it...

A BRIEF

HISTORY OF TIME

Alan's first Call Sign article

in 1997

www.nashsnumbers.co.uk in

2003, where the main purpose

was to obtain relevant materi-

al via back issues. However, it

took a lot of my time to keep

this going as well as writing

articles and sadly it has not

been updated since July 2015.

I registered www.myfav.

co.uk in 2007 as a better plat-

Alan says goodbye to Nash's Numbers

form to be useful and hold back

issues, but it was the storage

did something really silly back in 1997.

place for the multi-page docu-

Being a Butter Boy and having only

ment (UID) which not only held

gained my prized possessions of a

all the information from my

Badge and Bill in late 1996, I had no

monthly articles, but to which I

idea how much fares would be to various

added a lot of additional infor-

locations when passengers asked the ques-

them... great, easy peasy! My local ATM is in

mation. But the workload of

tion: “How much to *****...!” So I wrote a

simple program in DOS, the computer oper-

Woodford Broadway, so I requested from it

keeping this updated was horrendous and it

my nearest ATM and it came back as Clacket

hasn’t been updated since 2014, although an

ating system invented by Bill Gates in the

1970s. I entered the yardage and cost per

Lane Services on the M25! Total rubbish!

awful lot of the information is still valid today.

unit and hey presto, a list of how much 1

Banks didn’t want to release the information,

The reason for the - of late - regular ‘What’s

mile to 350 miles appeared - and that 20

but I did find at least one for every postcode.

On’ is that nearly all of us have Smart mobile

year old program still works today!

I never did issue an article on public toilets; I

phones, and it has become so easy to obtain

So what was it that I’d done that was so silly?

contacted J.D.Decoux, the suppliers of those

info on when the next Eurostar is due in and

Well I contacted Alan Fisher and asked if he

then-10p concrete monsters (now 50p), but

not just from a timetable.

wanted to put my list into Call Sign, of which

they too would not release information on their

I started with a mileage chart and every

he had just become the new editor. Well he not

whereabouts for data protection! What! Why

April that has been updated, except for the

only said yes, but muttered: “Can you do some-

would they protect where we use their loos and

past two years as the change has been so

thing like this every month?” And I agreed! I

spend 10p? I did ask in one Call Sign for dri-

minimal. And as this is the April issue, I

thought of calling it Helpful Corner, but Alan

vers to send me information on good places to

wanted to finish as I’d started, but sadly I

renamed it Nash’s Numbers. Well 220 issues

spend a penny (or 10); one useful idea came

have not had a reply from TfL - well we

later, I will be following in Alan’s footsteps and

from the editor and another from a driver who

don’t expect anything else from TfL nowa-

this month’s Nash’s Numbers will be my last.

said it was a good idea... and that was it.

days except for them to make our lives

Over the last 20 years, I’ve come to dread the

Before the wonderful email system we

harder and certainly less profitable.

14th of every month, which is my cut off date

So it’s goodbye from me and thanks for read-

have now, it was a monthly trip to the edi-

for when the following months’ copy has to be

ing Nash’s Numbers over the last 20 years...

tor’s home with a three and half inch floppy

submitted - and boy does he pester! He is even

disc. One month I produced an index of my

pestering me for this article!

old issues, Alan wasn’t too pleased but saw

Alan Nash (A95)

In the early days it was quite easy to think

the funny side! But it led me to register

Call Sign Online

up new subjects to publish, with some of

the subjects I covered being hotel chains,

restaurants, clubs, pubs and bars, street

Wednesday 22 March 2017

numbering, airport departure terminals,

Eurostar arrival time tables, City Airport

n Wednesday 22 March 2017, a coward in a car wreaked havoc on

arrival time tables, theatre burst times,

Westminster Bridge and killed three people before then killing a policeman

Heathrow hotels, postcodes, police station

who London’s taxi drivers have probably passed on numerous occasions. He

opening times, ranks at Westfield E20, car

was just doing his job inside the House of Commons.

pound addresses, Euro currency, the

The coward even attacked school children as well as tourists and Londoners going about

Complaints procedure, cash machine loca-

their daily business. It was indeed a dark day, yet London responded in the way it does best.

tions, distance chart to towns, parking hot

Medical staff from St Thomas’s Hospital rushed out to help the many injured. Uninjured

spots, ‘reclaim tout’ hot spots, Black cab

members of the public and those that had been close by, didn’t run away but stayed and

fuel card locations, Addison Lee v Taxi

helped those that hadn’t been so lucky.

prices, TaxiCard codes and my most recent

Taxi drivers leaving Waterloo and seeing the appalling scene taking place in front of them

mainstay: What’s On.

turned their meters off and ferried people to places of safety away from the carnage and as

One month I even showed how to do a

you would expect, made no charge. Uber surged to three times the fare.

Sudoku puzzle - I obviously couldn’t think of

It was a day that showed how a terrible situation failed miserably to bring London to its

anything useful that month! In the September

knees. Only one group charged for their time and we won’t waste any more breath on

1997 Call Sign, by popular request I listed

them...

ATMs; I had found some software that listed

Call Sign April 2017

Page 30

For one final time, Mike Son gets his typing finger out and writes...

GOODBYE CALL SIGN

both the hard copy and online versions

Dear fellow Shareholders

being read worldwide, the result being

I must say that since leaving the Board of

that Dial-a-Cab as a company is known

Management, I didn’t think I would be

around the world as a respected taxi

writing any new articles for Call Sign.

company.

However, now being aware that Alan

If I also remember correctly, many years

Fisher has decided to put away his quill

ago Call Sign was even quoted in one of

and retire from the position as Editor of

the highest echelons of the BBC - no less

Call Sign, I feel I must say that this is a

than in Have I got News for you in the

loss to both to Dial-a-Cab and the taxi

Missing Words round; high praise

trade.

indeed!

Alan’s contribution has been tremen-

Always being aware that Call Sign was

dous - both as a talented, prolific writer

not just read by DaC members and staff,

as well as an honest one... albeit some-

but customers too, nonetheless Alan still

times controversial! Over the past 20

allowed drivers and Board Members the

years, Alan has created a well-respect-

opportunity to air their views on many

ed and influential publication with

aspects of DaC and other subjects both

within the taxi industry and outside of it. If

criticism was offered, it was usually with-

out being too rude or disrespectful, but it

was always published. Alan certainly knew

The Silent Killer

how to keep his letters pages filled with far

Don’t ignore it...

more comments that the rest of the trade

press together!

“I was aware of the recent media coverage regarding a

I am also aware the various charities

prostate cancer awareness campaign and decided that,

in the taxi industry that were extreme-

although I did not feel unwell, I might just as well get it

ly grateful for the publicity given to fur-

checked out as a matter of precaution,” Ray Whitehead

ther their aims and worthy causes they

support, so I would like to take this

(Y72) told Call Sign. “I just had an inkling that it might be

opportunity to thank Alan for his com-

a sensible thing to do and thankfully my GP agreed.”

mitment in creating one of the taxi

“A simple blood test will usually reveal if you have a high PSA (Prostate

trades’ best publications, along with

Specific Antigen) blood count that could indicate further investigation is need-

his photographers and contributors

ed. My PSA blood count went from 6 up to 7 over the course of about 2

during these many years.

months and my doctor suggested a biopsy to establish a cause. This is not a

Although Call Sign will be sorely

pleasant procedure, but very necessary,” Ray admitted.

missed, I am sure Alan Fisher will contin-

“PSA is a protein produced exclusively by prostate cells and the simple blood test

ue to write in other publications.

may help to detect early prostate cancer. Raised levels may suggest you have a problem

Thanks again Alan...

with your prostate gland, although it may not necessarily be cancer,” Ray continued.

“It’s called the ‘silent killer’ for good reason because you do not feel any pain or dis-

Michael B. Son BEM (V52)

comfort nor any symptoms that would indicate a problem. However, it’s best to get

checked regularly.”

Ray went on to tell the magazine that the results of his biopsy revealed a

problem was indeed present and he underwent surgery in December 2015,

being unable to return to work on medical advice until the end of January

2016 - some 7 weeks later.

“At this point,” Ray continued, I must thank all the medical professionals for their

care and concern for my welfare, they did a great job on me! I’m nearly 60 now, our

daughter is planning to get married next year and so my wife and I have everything to

live for. My brother is also undergoing tests as it appears he too has a problem and it

was suggested that the risk can be up to 30 percent higher in families with an heredi-

tary history of the problem. Although my brother does not drive a cab, it would appear

cab driving does not help, sat in a relatively cramped position all day. What really

amazed me as to how common the problem is was when I mentioned it to my golfing

pals, they then too got themselves checked out and now three out of the four have

also been diagnosed with a problem, so it’s not exactly an exclusive club to cab drivers.

“Since I had the surgery, I feel great and now that it’s behind me I’m getting

on with life. I’m a very positive thinking person, but it is also very important

to have a supportive, understanding family around you. In that respect, I

count myself very lucky and if you are fortunate enough to have that kind of

support, so much the better.

“But the really important message I’d like to get across is to initiate regular blood

test check-ups to ensure you stay on top, to catch potential problems early and before

these things develop.”

More info at: supportercare@prostatecancer.org or phone 0800 082 1616

Call Sign April 2017

Page 31

I certainly never

Amazingly,

asked for - and

in my

years in the

definitely didn’t

hot seat, I

expect - so many

Thank you Danny

have

only

drivers, staff and

ever worked

non-Dial-a-Cab

And not forgetting Sally and Alan..

with two type

people to write in

setters. Sally’s

after I announced my retirement as

predecessor was Alan Tarant at John

Editor. I appreciate every single

Brown Printing. He taught me a

comment and will certainly keep

tremendous amount and just like Sally,

he had an amazing eye for any typo that

this issue of Call Sign as a lovely

Linda and I may have missed. He might

memento of my time with the

never even read this, but I still wanted to

magazine.

say thanks to him.

I thanked a lot of people last month

To Danny, Sally and Alan, my hum-

but saved one for this month - my layout

ble thanks. I couldn’t have dome 20

man, Danny Fresco.

years without all your help...

Like several others connected with my

time as Editor, Danny too has been with

Alan Fisher

me since my first issue in 1997 - and

back then he wasn’t even a driver but

Call Sign Online

had just left college where he got a

To Alan... My sincere thanks for the past

degree in exactly what he does so well

20 years. It’s been a pleasure and much

for Call Sign!

fun putting up with your endless

Someone with Al Fresco as his dad

demands! It’s hard to believe it’s coming

had no choice but to go onto the

Danny Fresco has been with Call Sign

to an end. Call Sign has seen me through

Knowledge and at around that time,

since before he was a cabby

the Knowledge, my marriage to Deb, our

that’s what he did until finally getting

honeymoon and the birth of our two

his Badge and Bill in June

2000.

day before I gave it to Danny!

beautiful children. So I will always be

Unsurprisingly, when he married his

I must also thank Sally Costello at

grateful to both you and Call Sign.

gorgeous wife Debbie, he then adopt-

Premier Printing who is the person I

Layout man Danny Fresco

ed a father-in-law who was also a taxi

work with each month in making sure

driver, Dial-a-Cab’s Gerry Tobin (L32).

that the magazine you get posted to you

Alan, I shall miss working with you on

Danny and Debbie have two lovely

not only looks as good as it can, but also

Call Sign - it’s never really felt like work

children in Harrison and Ruby and I

gets to you at the allotted time of the first

as I would enjoy reading whilst working

thank all the family for putting up with

of each month. Like Danny, Sally has

through it. Good luck in your retire-

my moaning about wanting everything a

proved to be invaluable.

ment. Go to nice places. Sally.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DAME VERA!

On 20 March, Dame

Vera Lynn celebrat-

ed her 100th birth-

day. She has been

associated with the

taxi trade for many

EVERY SATURDAY AT WEST THURROCK BOXING &

years and actually

FITNESS GYMNASIUM

became Patron of

the War Disabled

From 10.15-12.15 - £10 per pupil

charity (now known

Minimum age of 16

as The Taxi

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

Charity for

£5.00 per pupil

Military

Veterans) in 1973

Suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to

as well as also being associated with the

accomplished boxers

Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers.

Female ONLY classes subject to demand

Dame Vera was born in East Ham in 1917 and began singing

at the age of seven. She made her first radio broadcast with the

Joe Loss Orchestra in 1935 and began her own radio series in

1940 where she performed songs requested for the troops sta-

tioned abroad. It was at that time that she was dubbed The

Forces Sweetheart, a name she kept right up until her last per-

sonal appearance in 1995 at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the

60th anniversary of VE Day when she joined in a chorus of

We’ll Meet Again!

Call Sign April 2017

Page 32

Hello Ladies & Gents

Gratuity upgrade

OPERATIONS AND

By the time you read this article, we should

already have started upgrading both the

MDT terminals and the PEDs that will now

COMPLIANCE REPORT

enable your passengers to add a gratuity to

hail and ride fares. The amount of tip will

increase in five percent increments and they

you’re on the way to Heathrow and it’s impor-

will also be able to add an actual amount

tant to remember you can only book into one of

should they wish to do so.

these ranks at any one time.

The new terminal upgrade (Version 12) has a

number of enhancements to the system and var-

ious bug fixes to make your life a little easier.

Call Sign

Our IT department made the necessary changes

It seems strange that after twenty years, which

very quickly, but to gain the accreditation and

pretty much coincides with my time on the

pass the tests at Barclaycard seemed to be a

Board, that this will be not only my last article,

never-ending process that included several vis-

but also the final edition of Call Sign. The mag-

its to their HQ in Northampton. Unlike the

azine was unrivalled in the trade; it was totally

uncensored, it was truly the best and will be

upgrade before Christmas, this is not a do or

die situation, so the degree of urgency is far less

missed by all of us. I can understand why Alan

Fisher has decided to spend more time leading a

than it was last October, but it is in your own

interest not to leave getting your terminal

normal life, one which will allow him holidays

outside of May and more importantly to concen-

upgraded for too long.

trate on the normal stuff that he mentioned in his

last editorial.

matically go to taxis in the feeder park, but

Heathrow fixed prices

I will also miss him nagging me each month

the fixed rate trip will appear in the Bids

for my article and waiting in anticipation for

I mentioned a while back that whilst we’re

immediately after working its way through

him to pick up on any typos that may have

offering fixed price trips to Heathrow, it

all cabs booked into the LHFP rank - if in

appeared (hopefully there weren’t too many).

makes sense to offer the return trip to

fact there are any. But you must be able to

Alan, enjoy your time with Linda and the

clients at the same rate in an effort to gener-

reach the airport terminals within fifteen

family in your retirement from the magazine

ate additional work. I understand that some

minutes before booking-in to LHFP.

and be very lucky. It’s been a pleasure doing

of you already in the Airport taxi park who

All other non-fixed price account work will be

business with you!

may have waited for a lengthy period, may

dispatched to the feeder park (LHR) in the nor-

not wish to be offered these fixed price

mal manner and again you must be within the

Allan Evans

trips, so they will be dispatched to a virtual

qualifying zones inside the Perimeter Road or

Operations/Compliance

rank, LHFP (London Heathrow Fixed

you will be unable to book into LHR. Like the

Prices). These particular trips will not auto-

old system, you cannot soon to clear when

Director

he tireless work of Charles Dickens as a campaigner and investigative jour-

nalist will be given overdue recognition when a new exhibition opens at his

48 Doughty Street London home museum from 9 May until 29 October.

Restless Shadow will follow the footsteps of Dickens as he pounds London’s

streets, determined to make himself aware of the terrible conditions, injustices and

hardships faced by the poorest and least powerful people in society. Doughty Street is

the townhouse where Dickens completed The Pickwick Papers, wrote Oliver Twist and

Nicholas Nickleby and began Barnaby Rudge.

Drawing on the Museum’s vast and unrivalled Dickens collections, Restless Shadow will present

a powerful collection of evidence of Dickens’s writing, public speaking and campaigning, includ-

ing little-known and rarely-seen articles, speeches and letters. It will show that the social ills and

struggling working class of London were not confined to his novels, but also given life and a

Dickens: 19th century superstar!!!

spotlight in speeches and weekly magazines that reached an audience of millions.

A powerful symbol of Dickens’s activism and desire to poke into all corners of society

is also one of the star exhibits - Dickens’s wooden walking stick from the 1860s, the last decade of his life. As both a fashion accessory

and walking aid, the stick was a significant item for Dickens; he covered almost inconceivable distances every day and some nights - at

speed - in an attempt to bring himself face-to-face with people suffering on the streets in all parts of the city and beyond.

For a man with both an international audience of millions and the ear of the wealthiest and most powerful in society, his walks were vital journeys,

which brought hidden hardships out into the open and helped Dickens promote practical solutions to the problems of the downtrodden. The journeys

helped him to pioneer investigative journalism, a type of writing he saw as a kind of shadow. In a letter to John Forster in 1849, Dickens referred to

this type of journalism as one “...which may go into any place, by sunlight, moonlight, starlight, firelight, candlelight and be in all homes

and all nooks and corners, and be supposed to be cognisant of everything, and go everywhere, without the least difficulty. It may be in

the Theatre, the Palace, the House of Commons, the Prisons, the Unions, the Churches, on the Railroad, on the Sea, abroad and at

home: a kind of semi-omniscient, omnipresent, intangible creature…”

Journalism ran through Dickens’s entire career, from his early days as a parliamentary correspondent (1831-34) to his years as editor of weekly mag-

azines Household Words (1850-59) and All the Year Round (1859-1870). Each magazine allowed Dickens to entertain but also to speak out on issues

and causes that troubled him and his contemporaries. The chair used by Dickens in the editorial office of All the Year Round at 26 Wellington

Street, Strand is another highlight of the exhibition.

When Charles Dickens moved into 48 Doughty Street, he was a little-known writer still using his pen-name, Boz. By the time he left, he was an

international superstar, having written The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby as well as being a prolific cab user! The rooms are still

filled with the furniture he bought. Most of the fireplaces, doors, locks, window shutters and fittings are still in place as they were when the family

resided there.

Restless Shadow is on from 9 May - 29 October. Opening hours Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. Adults £9; concessions £7; children

(6-16)

£4; under 6 free. More info: www.dickensmuseum.com or events@dickensmuseum.com or 020 7405 2127.

Call Sign April 2017

Page 33

Simon Scott is one of the new generations of taxi drivers whose life is captured

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

A Blogger’s Tale

he moment is finally here, the

I’ve spent some time thinking about

last Call Sign magazine is in

the people I’ve met over the years; to me

front of you, filling your sens-

the famous ones aren't the ones that

es with its last unique Call

stick out, it’s the ordinary working folk

Sign experience.

who I enjoy the most and I've had the

My first column in 2015 was an obituary

full spectrum of punters over the years.

for a good friend; he died in 2001 when

The nasty ones, like the one who got out

the trade was very different to the way it is

and told me he wasn’t going to pay me

now and I’ve spent the past month won-

only to realise he'd left his phone on the

dering what he would make of it now.

back seat - luckily I realised a fraction

Personally, I don’t think the job has

earlier and locked the doors. “No prob-

changed at all; we take people from one

lem,” I said, “I'll keep the phone

point to another in the straightest possible

instead!”

route while sitting alone in the front watch-

Then there are the completely mad ones

ing the world and all its madness go on

who burst into tears or who can’t stop

around us. I heard it called 'the theatre of

bouncing around like Tigger. The drunk ones

madness' this week and I couldn't have put

that fall into the cab backwards, forcing me

it better if I tried.

to get out and fold their legs into the back

I can't even begin to estimate how

before slamming the door shut and driving as

many books I’ve read behind the

though I had stolen it to reach the destina-

wheel, sitting in traffic, waiting on

tion quicker!

ranks and waiting for the Dial-a-Cab

The best ones are the really nice ones

terminal to light up. It’s a lonely job, of

and luckily I took a photo of one of the

that there is no doubt and my early

best punters I’ve had. They all climbed in

Simon's favourite passengers!

days were spent with a little portable

and wanted the animal hospital in

radio that I had to hide when I ranked

Clerkenwell Road; on the way they need-

up for fear the PCO would spot it and

ed a cash point, which gave me an

said of many of the others…

tell me to put it in the boot.

opportunity to take a quick photo of the

You can follow more cab blogs at:

That voice on the radio was my compan-

French Bulldog that was so well-

undercovercabby1.wordpress.com

ion and as cabs caught up with modern

behaved, that he was allowed on the

technology, we had radios that were built

back seat! I wish I could have taken him

Be lucky... Simon Scott (O40)

into the dash with twin speakers and we

home with me… pity the same can’t be

Call Sign Online

could actually see the dial without pulling a

neck muscle.

The same can be said about electric win-

dows; in the winter when you really could-

n't work with the nearside window open,

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

you would have to lean across and pull

down the window every time you stopped

376 Strand, WC2

for a punter. Now that may sound insignifi-

cant, but when you've done that all day

and every day for years, it can be a bit tir-

We Invite Dial-a-Cab drivers and their guests to our

ing! I remember just beckoning punters to

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

climb in the back as I’ve never refused a job

anyway, so it made no difference to me.

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

I hope the magazine that lands with a

and go over the years, we are happy to be able to

thud on your doormat, sending the dog into

a tailspin, returns one day. I love the smell of

offer you a genuine 15% discount on your bill

it and the anticipation I feel as I turn the pris-

tine pages and immerse myself into someone

We are certain that you will be delighted

else’s world for a short time. My children all

read from tablets or phones or laptops now

so that you can’t see what they’re reading or

watching. They listen to their music through

headphones that excludes the outside world

and if you watch people like I do, you'll

notice that society is becoming more insular. I

imagine many people don't even go out any-

more, happy to lead an online life tucked

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

away indoors staring at a screen. But I feel

there is a glimmer of hope that the whole

Salieri Restaurant

thing will go full cycle. After all, vinyl record

sales are up, as are sales of turntables; while

376 Strand, WC2

the second hand book business is what

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

keeps charity shops going.

Call Sign April 2017

Page 34

Part 1: By now, everyone connected to the

trade knows that Uber lost one third of their

court case following a legal challenge when

IT’S ALL CHANGE FROM TFL

they claimed that the English Language

Requirement, which meant that you

couldn’t get a licence if you couldn’t commu-

Well, it is Uber!!!

nicate in English at what was called an appro-

priate level, was not needed and thrown out

happen on a daily basis in Uber cars.

by the judge. So Uber lost, will appeal the

1 - 1 and it’s going to penalties,

decision and few would bet against them get-

but TfL have a strong third point

ting a reversal.

and will surely win...

1 - 0 to TfL

Part 3: Yes, this will be a cakewalk because

Part 2: This refers to the eminently sensible

all private hire vehicle operators have to make

requirement that PHVs should be insured for

someone available in a call centre for passen-

hire or reward at all times and not just while

gers to speak to during operating hours in case

working. Yet TfL lost that one, even though

of any complaints about the vehicle, the book-

they later made the brave statement that pri-

ing or the driver. After all, we have published

vate hire vehicles “must still be covered by

the number of PH attacks on passengers sever-

hire or reward insurance at the point of

al times. Yet somehow TfL managed to lose this

licensing and when in use as a private hire

one as well.

vehicle.” But what they really mean is that the

It’s a shame that the UK is leaving the EU

requirement to always have the correct insur-

because after managing to do the impossi-

ance no longer applies. What type of insur-

ble and lose the two most important parts

ance company provides a policy like that? A

of the case, that would have been their best

lot of passengers are going to be in for a shock

chance of getting into Europe!

if involved in one of the many accidents that

TfL say they are

reviewing the posi-

tion. Perhaps more

to the point, some-

The Call Sign

one should review

TfL because their

With TfL in charge, could we end up

total mismanage-

with this???

Internet Library

ment is destroying

everything about

any drivers have

this trade that took

Alan Fisher

been asking what is

over 350 years to

Call Sign Online

happening to the

build...

Call Sign Internet

website after Call Sign closes.

Well although there will be no

updates added, the website will

still continue as a reference facil-

ity with its library going back to

1967. Call Sign’s online depart-

Since 1998, Vince Chin

ment, headed by Vince Chin,

Online...

has been going since 1998 - by

far the longest of any taxi trade

magazine including the one that is apparently read by more

drivers than any other! Even though the last time we

looked, CS had almost 10,000 online readers, never mind

hard copy readers!

If you want to look up an old issue of Call Sign:

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

sign.com

Then either browse through every issue of Call Sign

since 1998 by using the Search Call Sign facility at the

top right of the page, type a clue and let our search

engine do the rest. Or go straight to the issue you

want by clicking on Archive or Call Sign at the top.

They are both similar except that the Archive facility

uses covers whereas the Call Sign button uses dates.

Issues of News & Views and ODRTS Monthly from the

1960s can be clicked on.

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

PDF logo under the issue you want to see a large text ver-

sion. Prior to that date, you can read 20 page issues.

If you’ve never been on it, take a look... but beware, just

like looking at old photos, you could easily become

hooked!

Call Sign April 2017

Page 35

New account

My last few reports have been, to say the least,

very downbeat, but I have saved the good

news till last and I’m very pleased to report

DaC Sales Report

that we have been successful in obtaining a

very large account based in the City.

The whole team here at DaC House have

With Keith Cain

played a very important part in obtaining the

will result in losing the account. Our Contact

account. From Chairman Brian to the Sales

Centre staff will also be working under strict

team, our Trainer, the IT team, account man-

SLA’s and KPI’s. They too must be courteous

agers and even staff in the call centre, they have

and helpful to callers. They will be monitored

all contributed to gaining this account. The

as to the amount of time it takes to answer

process started nearly two years ago when we

the telephone and much more.

first participated in a tender to supply both cars

This is a very large and prestigious account

and taxis using the Encompass Booking Tool.

and I would like to take this opportunity to

We were asked to run the car side first and par-

thank everyone who played their part here at

ticipate in a selection process for the taxi work

Dial-a-Cab in securing the account.

at a later date. Encompass had to prove itself -

which it did - and at the end of last summer we

Goodbye to the Editor

went live.

With this being the very last edition of Call

The taxi contract was up for renewal in

Sign, I wanted to write something complimen-

April and we were asked to make a propos-

tary about our editor Alan Fisher or whatever

al, which I am very happy to report was

pseudonym he is using at the time! But I have to

accepted. The account is based in Broadgate

say that the reputation Alan has built for himself

with the pick-up being at the rear of the

in producing the best magazine in the trade is

building in Appold Street at the junction

nicated to the passenger before deviating.

totally down to him. Having had the freedom of

with Sun Street.

The passenger may request the journey to be

the content has most likely contributed to that,

If you haven’t guessed the name of the

carried out in silence and you must respect that

but the interviews Alan had with senior people

account, it is UBS. The account will hopefully

request, turn off radios etc and decline conver-

in the trade always made good reading. None

generate some 2000 trips per month and will be

sation during the journey.

more so than the recent correspondence he had

dispatched to the EC11 rank during the day and

Once you have accepted the booking, you

with reference to Credit Card readers being

EC5 after 21:00 hours. We have secured a £3.80

must carry out the journey even if the desti-

placed in the back of the taxi and his interview

run-in that in today’s climate is a good deal.

nation is changed on route or additional

with LTPH General Manager Helen Chapman.

There will not be any gratuity and there are a

stopping points have been requested. It is

When Alan comes into your office, you hide

small number of fixed price trips. Waiting time

important that drivers communicate

anything confidential because he is the only per-

on fixed price journeys will be 45p per minute

changes to the original trip information

son I know that can read documents upside

after 10 minutes charged from minute one.

with the controller.

down equally as quick as if they were the correct

Like with all major corporates, there are

Vehicles are to be clean and tidy before the

way up! He was also an expert at sleight of hand;

strict Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Key

commencement of a journey with drivers being

he’d enter the office holding his Dictaphone

Performance Indicators (KPI) in place, with

of smart appearance at all times, driving in a

close to his chest and then start talking about

fines being implemented if the service we

manner that is safe and professional. Please do

nothing really before then slipping in a contro-

provide falls short. That is where you the dri-

not use unnecessary speed and abide by the laws

versial question! He would then wait for a reac-

ver need to be aware of your responsibilities.

regarding the use of mobile phones whilst dri-

tion and before you had even finished a sen-

Drivers, I’m sure I don’t have to remind you

ving. These must not be used by drivers while the

tence, he’d press the record button! As technolo-

that you should be courteous and polite at all

passenger is on board, unless in an emergency.

gy progressed, he would be found using his

times, follow the instructions provided by the

To ensure the safety of passengers, drivers

mobile phone more and taking lots of pictures.

passenger carefully and if no instructions are

must ensure that passengers are safe at their

Alan, you were a cunning old fox but your

forthcoming, then use a route that provides the

destinations by driving as close to the designat-

actions made good reading for DaC mem-

most efficient combination of speed and dis-

ed drop-off point as possible. Drivers must wait

bers and I would like to thank you for

tance to ensure the passenger arrives in the

for their passenger to enter the relevant build-

always finding a photo of me that took at

shortest time possible. If you are carrying out a

ing before moving off.

least ten years off my age! I wish you well

fixed price trip, you can choose a route deemed

All these stipulations should come as no

for the future Alan and I thank you for doing

preferable to you. Any request by the passenger

surprise as this is the standard service we

a sterling job...

to make a deviation from the chosen one to

provide for all of our customers. It is very

their selected route may result in the fixed price

important that no driver is ever reported for

Keith Cain

being taken out and the cost of the journey may

not following those procedures. Small fines

DaC Director & Head of Sales

then be more expensive. This must be commu-

are attributed to each failing and too many

Where did it all go wrong???

Did anyone else notice the opening scenes of the Real Marigold Hotel where at the Heathrow departure point

the contestants were taken to departure in minicabs? That’s in London, one of the greatest cities in the world with

the best Taxi service and the BBC being one the most respected media organisations with its claimed a high moral

standing making programs about the exploited and GIG economy; to my eyes it makes them look very two-faced

and exploiting this perverse system for themselves. Surely one or two London taxis in the scene would have shown

they were a caring and sharing organisation? That would be spreading licence fee monies around more fairly. I

could ask the BBC for a Freedom of Information request about the matter, but I am not sure if it would be of any

use with too many trade organisations working against each other to act on it.

In a more personal vein, I am very sorry to hear Alan Fisher is packing his bags and going to take it easier with a well-deserved rest. It’s

been a pleasure to know him and read his Gold Top trade mag. Any successor will have a hard job to follow; but no doubt when they call,

Alan will put down his Chardonnay and crisps and help them out to keep up the high standard!

I will be leaving the trade in a few months; when I joined it was a great job just so long as you watched your Ps & Qs and

stayed out of trouble. It has certainly changed! But the question is: Where did it all go wrong?

Gordon Bennett (Y91)

Call Sign April 2017

Page 36

Electric taxis and

fund but also the Saudi sovereign wealth

fund! Yes, ironically from a country that bans

charging...

women from driving and is now using them

Hi Alan

as an investment product! Callous beyond

Yesterday I received a call from the

belief...

London Taxi Company asking if I was

David Heath (Ex-W27)

interested in a new taxi. I said no thank

Brighton and Gloucester

you, but did however say to the nice sales-

A spokesperson in Labour party Deputy

On street inspections

person that I would like to know more

Leader Tom Watson’s office said in a

I had an on-street inspection recently. A

about the new electric cab. He informed

rather pointless response saying nothing:

female CO says Badge and Bill! I gave her

me that it wasn't going to be for sale until

“Labour's policy on migrant exploitation

both copies of my Bill and she says in sur-

the end of the year, but I still asked if he

is clear, we will act to prevent the under-

prise: “You have two? I might have to keep

knew how much it would cost to ‘rapid

cutting of wages and to ensure fair pay

one!” So I explained what’s what and then

charge’ it on the street or a rank. He said he

for all. Migrant labour is often exploited

showed her my badge, which I wear tied to

had no idea! I don't know of any electric

and used to undercut local or industry-

my belt around my waist. I know... but after

charging points for London taxis, do you?

agreed rates of pay. It is unscrupulous

a cyclist tried to pull me out of the cab by

Looking on Google for the on-street price

employers that drive down wages, not

pulling my badge years ago, I now keep it

of charging electric cars up, it costs around

migrants. Labour would ban employment

on the belt. It’s never been a problem

£7.20 for

30 minutes. I wonder if this

agencies from only advertising UK jobs

before. She says it should be on my chest,

includes a cost for parking!

abroad and make it illegal for agency

asked for it and began fondling it. I actually

Did you see the recent issue of the

workers to undercut permanent workers.

wondered if she was going to bite it to see

LTDA’s TAXI where two of their columnists

Of course, migrants contribute to our

if it was real brass! She checked my insur-

complained about unattended cabs parked

society and to our economy - helping to

ance and finally decreed that it was my cab!

on ranks? I fear this problem has been

fill skills gaps and boost economic

Almost finished, she then checked the

caused by years of heavy PCN enforcement

growth. Labour will campaign against any

badge identifiers before finally asking me

together with a complete lack of taxi rest

dog whistle politics.”

to sign her palm pilot, apparently to say

ranks.

that she had stopped me to check my

So back to original query of charging

badge and Bill. I ask what I was signing for

points; we are going to need a huge

as I didn’t think I was buying life insurance!

increase in the number of rest/charging

Last issue quiz!

I have now received a warning for not

ranks for electric cabs across London to

Dear Alan

wearing my badge and telling me how

keep an electric fleet of taxis moving. Who

With your wealth of experience, wisdom,

lucky I am not to get a £200 fine!

is going to provide the road space for these

charm and knowledge, perhaps you would

Jon Robinson (E88)

ranks - TfL or local authorities? I doubt if

be good enough to answer the following

Hmmm! Two letters Jon! There was

either will want to find space for us. So

questions in the last edition of the magazine

some interesting advice online recent-

who is going to pay for those ranks? No

that you will edit.

ly from someone I have much respect

doubt our friends at TfL will subcontract

1. If I am driving down Piccadilly, Kings

for after his battle of years gone by

Road, or Kensington High Street and see 15

the installation and day-to-day running of

against minicab touts. That advice

empty taxis coming towards me, then look in

these charging points to a private company,

from Tony Casey was to never show

my mirror and see 10 empty taxis following

who will in return want to turn a profit at

your badge/Bill to any compliance offi-

me, what should I do?

our expense.

cer who says he is from Transport for

2. In the days of the Public Carriage Office,

So I plug in my cab and accept the £7

London but shows you just their

taxis had to be kept in a very good condition

that will be debited from my bank account

deputy badge. Look-a-likes are appar-

at all times. Since TfL does not seem to be

when I get a walk-up that wants a

ently available on eBay for less than a

bothered any more, should we continue to

taxi? Naaah! I think I’ll be keeping my old

fiver

- including the leather wallet.

take as much care of our cabs?

oil burner a bit longer than TfL and the

Every compliance officer has a war-

3. After waiting for 35 minutes on the rank

Green Party would like!

rant card, the same as carried by all

at Paddington and a passenger asks for

Jon Robinson (E88)

policemen.

Inverness Terrace, what is the best way to

Moaning till the end Jon! I am hoping

Tony said you should then ask to see

express my gratitude that I have at last found

that not only will the Mayor subsidise

it clearly and use your phone (make

some work?

taxi charging points, but will also

sure your engine is switched off) to take

May I wish you lots of luck in whatever you

increase the subsidy for us to buy the

a clear photo of it with the full name of

do next and enjoy the extra spare time you

new TX5. After all, even if EVERY driver

the TfL staff member. You can even film

find for yourself. You have done a great job in

bought an electric cab, TfL could afford

the whole compliance check so long as

producing a quality magazine that is informa-

it very easily ...Ed

tive, provocative at times, reliable, an enjoy-

you are parked with the engine off. If

able read and independent. Many thanks for

you are happy that they are genuine,

all the work you have put in.

then comply with their request but

Exploitation of

Laurence Kelvin (W88)

don’t sign anything. They might ask you

migrant workers

Answers: 1. Go home... 2. Yes, because we

to sign a blank screen on their PDA just

Hi Alan

are still the best... 3. Ask them if they

as Jon was. Don’t do it as it is for their

Would Jeremy Corbyn bring in legislation

knew an unexploded bomb had been dis-

performance figures and nothing to do

to stop the exploitation of migrant workers

covered there and all residents have been

with you. According to Tony, these offi-

and the undercutting of locals wages by

advised that TfL are putting them all up

cers have been ordered to turn a blind

multinationals that seem to be running the

overnight at their place in Blackfriars.

eye to PH touting and concentrate on

country in tandem with the Tory govern-

They shouldn’t have any problem getting

harassing Licensed Taxi drivers. When

ment? That exploitation currently taking

in as it appears to be just taxi drivers that

you look around, that makes a lot of

place is particularly rife in the online gig

can’t. Don’t take them via Piccadilly

sense. You only have to sit on the Kings

economy sweeping the country, with the

though as there are 25 empty cabs that

Cross rank and look to see what is hap-

likes of Uber - now not only backed up by

might get upset at you having a job!!!

pening. And TfL wonder why we have

the Goldman Sachs management wealth

...Ed

become so militant! ...Ed

Call Sign April 2017

Page 37

Alan

Goodbye Alan

I would like to take this opportunity to wish

Hi Alan

you a very happy retirement as Editor of Call

This is the 'Mercenary' father Joe Connor

Sign magazine following the April issue. You

(Call Sign December 2014). Just like to

must surely hold the record for being the

thank you for producing a great mag for

longest serving editor of any taxi trade publi-

the last twenty years. As for Ross, my son,

cation. For the past twenty years you have

he is on his second book, a prequel to

produced an excellent publication, which

Mercenary (Top Hat Books) called

thank you for all the write ups and

has always been a firm favourite. Call Sign

Heretic. It will be our pleasure to send you

photos you have printed in Call Sign mag-

has been informative and enlightening,

a copy down the line when it is finished.

azine. We hope you enjoy good health and

especially regarding TfL.

Thanks again Alan and best wishes...

lots of happiness in your retirement with

Happy Holidays from now!

Joe Connor (N64)

Linda and your family.

Dave Cohen (E94)

Thank you once again...

Hi Alan

Russell (T55) and Barbara Poluck and

Just read the first few pages of the March

Hello Alan

all at the TDYCF

Call Sign, what a surprise and shock to

Just read about your retirement in Call Sign

hear you are retiring as The Editor of our

and on behalf of the London Taxidrivers’

Hi Alan

in-house mag after twenty years of being in

Fund for Underprivileged Children I’d like to

Sorry to hear you are leaving Call Sign,

the hot seat. I’m sure many would like to

thank you so much for all the help and spon-

although I understand why. You can be

thank you for the fantastic job you've done

sorship you have given to the charity over

proud of how you’ve edited the magazine

producing an enjoyable, factual and inde-

your 20 years. You will be missed...

over the past 20 years - a job well done! I’ve

pendent reading for us the membership.

Alan Cohen MBE, LTFUC

always thought Call Sign to be a very well

We both joined DaC over forty odd years

balanced read... although on the plus side,

ago and have met at every AGM since! I

Hello Alan

I was running out of prestige golf courses

have also sent in quite a few articles for

Good luck in all you do, it has been an

that I've played on!

Call Sign over the years and I must say you

incredible honour to write for the magazine

Simon Wallis (M11)

have never refused or edited any of them,

and especially for you. Thank you for the

even if they were critical of our Society, the

opportunity; I only had one ‘O’ level and that

Hi Alan

BOM or the trade in general.

was in Spanish around ten years ago, so to

Alan, enjoy your time off with Linda and

actually be able to tell people that I wrote

It is so sad to hear you are leaving Call

Sign. I always look forward to reading the

your family, you've earned it. Whoever

regular articles in a magazine is a very proud

magazine each month and you will be

takes over, the best of luck to them; they

thing for me. Then there was the fact that you

have a hard act to follow.

allowed me to write whatever I liked without

missed; having said that I hope you enjoy

the spare time you will now have. Like you,

Pat Keefe (G01)

prejudice or censorship! That is such an

endorsement of your belief as an Editor and

I also hope to start taking things a bit easier

Hi Alan

and take some more time off, so perhaps

a person. I miss the writing, but I’m sure you

I can’t blame you for wanting to hang up

it’s a blessing in disguise. Give me a toot if

will feel even worse and your poor family will

your boots but it will be a shame for what I

you see me out and about!

probably have to endure the DTs from it!

consider to be the best trade magazine -

My thanks for your support in giving me

Tom Quigley (Y33)

for which you deserve all the credit - to

advertising space in each issue...

come to an end. When I read my first copy

Debbie Hope (W18)

Hi Alan,

of Call Sign, I was struck by the fact that

Congratulations on reaching 20 years and

you published criticism and complaints,

your retirement from Call Sign. You are leav-

Dear Alan

something no other trade mag seemed will-

I’ve just received the latest Call Sign and

ing a magazine that is in excellent

ing to do. It was this that made the maga-

shape. Hope your successor understands the

read of your upcoming retirement as

zine stand out in my eyes and one that I felt

“if it ain’t broke…” rule and appreciates the

Editor. This is a fabulous magazine pro-

proud to be able to contribute to. You are

hard work you have put in, thereby making it

duced to such a high quality in both con-

ending your editorial career at a pinnacle

an easier job than it could have been for him

tent and presentation thanks to your com-

and there’s no better time to bow out than

to walk into.

mitment and dedication.

when you are at the top.

Wish you and Linda well...

My warm regards and hope you enjoy

Sean Farrell (B39)

Nigel Walters

this year's holiday free of deadlines!

Export Logistics Manager

Barrie Segal

Dear Alan,

The London Taxi Company

AppealNow.Com

20 years! It seems more like 20 months that

Ansty Park, Coventry

London SW1

you started making Call Sign into a best-in-

category house magazine. Congratulations

Hi Al

Hi Alan

on doing a superb job and lasting for all that

I can't believe it’s 20 years, mate. There were

I think I speak for everyone when I say your

time in such a difficult job. Have you thought

your reports and sponsorship of our

Call Sign Editorials will be sadly missed

of now becoming a Premier League football

marathons around the world along with John

each month. Thank you also for the sup-

club manager, as you must have such survival

Dixon, Phil Stern and the much-missed Paul

port in promoting my boxing gym ses-

and learning skills!

Bishop in aid of the baby life support charity

sions...

Rodney Lewis

BLISS. Then came Call Sign en la belle France

Gary Bedford (T39)

Former Editor Taxi Globe

and it is now. Where has it all gone! So the

Dear Alan

question has to be: What does an editor hang

Hi Alan

Hearing that your Editorship at Call Sign

up - his pen or typing finger?

A colleague at Claridges passed me his copy

is to cease was a sad day. I’m not grovelling,

There’s a tinge of sadness here mate...

of your penultimate Call Sign before

but whilst you were the editor, it was the

Bob Woodford (Ex-P49)

retirement. I just wanted to congratulate

best read in the cab trade. Good luck for

Dear Alan

you for managing to "wing it" for 20 years!

the future...

On behalf of everyone at the Taxi Driver of

Enjoy your retirement and keep well

Brian Marcantonio (Ex-R73)

the Year Charity Fund, we would like to

Howard Taylor (Ex-D19)

Call Sign April 2017

Page 38

Continued from page 37

Hi Alan

to the G7 radio circuit in Paris that you

Congratulations on 20 years of great edit-

sent us on; I often have a giggle thinking

ing and thank you for your support with my

about it! I also love the fact that Call Sign

advert as a toastmaster. Over the years I

gave a voice to many that would possibly

have had a number of jobs that came as a

not have taken the time to share their

Dear Sir

direct result of the ad and those were

views. It really does seem like the end of an

I would like to express my sadness at the

always the fun jobs because they were usu-

era. I will certainly miss Call Sign and your

demise of our in-house magazine Call

ally linked to fellow cabbies and their fami-

fantastic sense of humour.

Sign. Over the last 20 years under Mr

lies. I will be sad to see Call Sign disap-

I wish you and all your family good

Fisher's Editorship, it has been very pro-

pear, but as you pointed out there is so

health and happiness for the future.

fessional and entertaining. I wish every

much competition online together with

Caroline McGowan

success to Mr Fisher and his family for the

what must be large running costs, so I sup-

DaC Customer Service Manager

future. But there will now be a vacuum

pose it may have just run its course. Many

existing for the Shareholders. Would it

of us who are more ‘mature’ of age, whilst

Alan

not be possible to have a Newssheet sent

being ok with the hand held devices, still

I’ve read the news in the March Call

out to keep us informed, after all we now

like to hold onto something more substan-

Sign that you are retiring as the magazine’s

have no voice at all in regard to our

tial without having to go through an end-

Editor. Can I thank you for the last 20 years.

Company's progress at this most impor-

less menu of options to get to where you

Good health and good luck to you and

tant time.

want to go! But it is still so sad all the same.

Linda and your family...

Once again, we have not received any

Thank you again for your support...

David Marks (R22)

information with regard to our accounts,

Keith Reading (W76)

which should have arrived to the

Dear Alan

Shareholders in January in preparation

Hi Alan,

I hope I haven't left it too late for my thanks

for our now redundant AGM in February.

Sorry to hear that you are giving up the edi-

to be published in Call Sign, if I have then

Have we reached the three year deadline

torship; you have done a really professional

that will not stop me thanking you privately

given by our accountants in regard to our

great job over the years and will be sorely

for publishing my many articles and letters

ability to stay financially viable? Another

missed, of that I have no doubt. I can fully

that you have accepted suitable for publish-

area of concern is what will happen to

understand why you need to move on and

ing over the years. I sometimes requested

our Rollerbond? Are we guaranteed pro-

concentrate on earning a living in the cab,

that if you found the content of my letters

tection or should we cease with this sys-

especially with the way things are at the

or articles unsuitable for publishing that I

tem. These are very strange and worrying

moment. I sincerely hope that Call Sign

would rather you didn't publish them if

times for all concerned and I hope that

continues in some way, shape or form as it

requiring editing. Other than possibly

the Board of Directors can address these

is very much appreciated and valued by the

improving on my grammar, you never did

and other concerns for the Shareholders.

majority that read it.

omit any of my scribblings. I thank you for

Once again my good wishes to the

Lastly a big thank you for including my

that and now that you are stepping down as

Editor for his future plans.

adverts, it has been greatly appreciated...

the editor of Call Sign, I hope to see more

Paul Hammett (V42)

Graham Waite (B35)

postings from you on Facebook.

Best wishes for the future...

Alan

Hello Alan

Steve Shaller (Ex F34J)

Congratulations on your retirement,

Sorry to hear that you are retiring as Call

Spain

Alan. Speaking from experience, this

Sign editor. It is such a well-produced mag-

phase of one’s life on this good earth is

azine and you did a really great job. As a by-

wonderful. Thanks for your consideration

Dear Alan

product, you also helped me to achieve my

Call Sign just won't be the same without

in forwarding a PDF of Call Sign so faith-

lifetime ambition

- to see my name in

you. I really hope that it continues because

fully and for the nice little “featurette” in

print...

having a cab trade magazine sitting some-

the March issue.

Geoff Levene (W32)

where near you is part of the life of a cabby.

John Freeston

Personally I avoid reading online if I can

Vice Chairman, London Vintage Taxi

Hi Alan,

help it, preferring to hold a magazine or

Association (US section)

Another sad day looming for the cab trade!

newspaper if I can. That probably reflects

Windham, New Hampshire, USA

I can at least say that the memories I have

my age and attitude generally! Anyway, you

from 1977 till today regarding cabbing have

sound like you've earned the break and I

Dear Alan

been some of the best. I would like to thank

wish you well...

Although I live in The Netherlands, I have

you personally for the assistance and sup-

Simon Scott (O40)

been reading Call Sign Online for many

port that you as editor of Call Sign have

years and was so sorry to hear that April

afforded Dial-a-Dream over the past 25

will be the last time I shall see it. I read taxi

Dear Alan,

years - yes it’s been that long! The involve-

and private hire magazines from around

I have read your Editorial with a tear in my

ment or intermingling of Dial-a-Cab and

eye. Who’s going to have a pop at me and

the world and yours is one of the two best

Dial-a-Dream has been symbiotic.

ones alongside online magazine Wim

the French now! Huh, huh! I can see a big

I wish you and yours a very happy and

queue forming on the horizon… (I have the

Faber’s Taxi Intelligence which like Call

long life and of course... Be lucky mate!

Sign does not fill itself up with press

same wry sense of humour as you ah ah)!

Bob “the dog” Heath (Ex-F44)

Honestly, I’m sorry to hear that April will be

releases. I and my small band of drivers

your last issue as Editor in chief but I

have an online facility in our waiting room

Hi Alan

understand your reasons.

while their vehicles are being repaired and

I am truly upset that April will be your last

Kind regards

will miss you and the sense of fun you

issue of Call Sign. Like you we have seen

Denise Zemma

bring to cab driving stories.

many changes over the years, some good

DaC Account Manager

Kan uw Spurs winnen!

and some bad, but one event in particular

Willem Schouten

really sticks with me and that was our trip

Rotterdam, Holland

Call Sign April 2017

Page 39

Continued from page 38

Hi Alan

on and exposed many important issues,

Congratulations on your upcoming retire-

which over the years have needed to be

ment from Call Sign Online, it won't be

exposed. Because of so-called progress, its

the same without you. I assume that you

need is even greater today and just maybe,

have something else in the works to absorb

maybe, like as has happened in the House of

all that free time and refocus your journal-

Commons and various other important places

istic skills. Anyway, at least I still have one

Hello me

on several occasions, you may decide for say

more issue to look forward to!

So this is it eh? A sad day indeed, no more

for a limited period, that there will be a slight

Norman Beattie

chasing around day after day after day try-

stay of execution because the Editorship and

Manitoba, Canada

ing to get answers to driver’s questions; no

Alan Fisher are one - and the two go hand in

hand (sorry, but no chance! ...Ed).

more typing with one finger of each hand

Hi Alan

Anyway, Alan, I wish you and your family well

into the wee small hours to make sure that

I was shocked to hear that you are leaving

for the future and maybe, just maybe, you

a last minute article gets into the mag; no

the magazine that you have turned into the

might change your mind. God Bless and

more losing time driving my cab because

best taxi mag in the country. Thanks also for

good luck...

the mag is one page short, nothing is hap-

the articles involving me, especially those

Ronald S Colman (Ex-B13)

pening but I still need to fill it! But yes,

where I was doing something for charity.

Westcliff on Sea

amazingly I will miss it! Just as I’ll miss dri-

Even my wife reads Call Sign! Good luck

vers asking me questions that I will now no

for the future...

Hi Alan

longer have the answers to - but many of

John Davis (V41)

I was sorry to learn that you are retiring from

them have now become friends.

publishing Call Sign and that the April edi-

I’ll miss the staff at DaC House that I

Hi Alan

tion will be your last. I am, therefore, writing

have got to know so well, many of them

Just read that you are calling it a day at Call

on behalf of the Hon President, Hon

having been with the former Society

Sign. I now know what it’s like having to

Chairman and Committee of the London

almost as long as I have. I’ll miss having

plan your life around deadlines and dates.

Taxidrivers' Fund for Underprivileged

access to Board members - albeit Directors

After a few weeks of being free you will

Children to thank you most sincerely for all

nowadays - and to parts of this trade that

wonder why you ever did it. Having the

the help and support you have given to our

few visit, such as the charities. Most hear of

time to do what you want, when you want

charity over very many years. As Press Officer

of the charity, I really appreciate all the excel-

them when they put out a press release or

to, is priceless.

Bob Fisher

lent coverage you have always given us and

those that volunteer on outings, but they

will miss your great and wonderful input.

work so hard at times outside of the above

Former Editor Taxicab News

Maureen and I would like to wish you

two. I’ll certainly miss my access to the

good health and a very happy and relaxing

Chairman. Even though we sometimes dis-

Dear Alan (or should I say editor of the

retirement.

agree, we too have become friends.

finest licensed cab trade magazine of all)

Raymond Levy

As a final sign-off and to answer a few

Although not an actual driver for the past

LTFUC Press Officer

questions; yes, there will be accounts avail-

12 years - I was previously B13 and founded

the Metrocab Club because of need. I have

able soon and they will be available to any

Hi Alan

read Call Sign a great deal and always found

shareholder that applies to Howard Pears

I'm sorry to hear you are going to put Call

the articles and content to be first class and

for a copy. At the time of writing, they have

Sign to bed after the April issue; was it my

very interesting, as well as always telling the

yet to be signed off but they will be fairly

fault for all these years of nagging? I don't see

truth. Then to read of the departure of you as

soon. However, there really is no point in

any adverts to replace you or is it the end of

Editor is in my humble opinion a great loss

preparing a smart brochure with the fig-

Call Sign and Dial-a-Cab? Who will I be able

for the industry, one which needs the sup-

ures in because it ends up costing £thou-

to nag in the future? Did you know that with

port of each and every one in view of the

sands and they will probably be available

predictive text on the iPhone, nagging gets

chaotic state of TfL and the years and years of

as a paper document. The roller bond will

you marriage in the options box? I recently

poor decisions and non-actions they have

be continuing and is guaranteed by the fact

sent a letter to the LTDA’s TAXI newspaper

taken. I am solely speaking about the fine

that DaC Ltd still has several £million

care of their Editor, but he didn't even reply!

and honest journalistic approaches that you

stashed away! However, shareholders will

It’s not as though they publish loads at the

have brought to the notice of all that read this

always be informed of important informa-

best of times. Never like that with Call Sign.

fine magazine and I know there will be many

tion by post, with not-so-important stuff

Moan or otherwise, it goes in!

who will be upset about you no longer par-

put out over drivers’ terminals. However,

It really is a shame you’re going, but we

ticipating in its editorship.

as only a former Editor... what do I know!!!

need clear information on whether DaC

Throughout the past 20 years you have

Seriously, my sincere thanks to everyone

House is ever sold.

written about the good, the bad and the love-

who over the years has complimented Call

ly; those lovely ‘lost ones’ that many of us can

Jon Robinson (E88)

Sign, but even more importantly, has

recall who will never be forgotten and who

helped to fill it by writing letters or articles.

Many thanks to you and Dial-a-Cab for shar-

contributed to the growth of Dial-a-Cab and

It always was your magazine, not mine,

ing news and views from the taxi capital of

truly brought the name The Gentleman’s

the world. Every issue of Call Sign promotes

and I thank each and every one of you that

Circuit to one and all and which makes us all

and celebrates professionalism in our trade.

has allowed me these past twenty years as

so proud! Sure, there were the few who total-

That professionalism is the strongest bulwark

its guardian...

ly disregarded the word ‘respect’ but they

against the onslaught of amateurs and pirates

Alan Fisher

were soon weeded out and whilst it is well

that Uber and the others have unleashed

Former Editor of Call Sign

possible that a few may still be in existence,

across the world.

Thank you Alan, but would you please

in the main they hardly exist.

Best wishes to you Alan and thank you for the

move out of the way. You’re yesterday’s

Call Sign, supported by its numerous con-

finest taxi publication anywhere!

news and you are blacking my

tributors over the years with its editorship

Charles Rathbone

entrance... Lana Sherif (Temporary

strictly controlled by you, has unquestionably

San Francisco, California

Editor until tomorrow)!

been the one instrument that has reported