Call Sign February 2017

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Dirty deeds!

that represents gig-economy delivery people

Well, the dirty deed has been done; my Pin

pushing for better pay and conditions and is

Entry Device, otherwise known as the DaC

also backed by the New York Taxi Workers

credit card reader, is now in the passenger com-

Alliance. Uber don’t like Unions and or those

partment and other than the first trip, where I

working for the app to be members of any.

felt somewhat temporarily confused, I’ve had

A second hearing is scheduled for late

no real problems - even though I have to consis-

February but to avoid a case, Uber offered to

tently tell passengers to wait until I tell them it’s

settle with Mr Washington, floating the possibil-

ok to use. Of course I never thought that every

ity of a cash payment on the condition that he

passenger would be a threat. I just considered it

accepts a rejection of his claim and terminates

an unnecessary risk to move it from where it

his contract with Uber. That would avoid setting

was almost 100% safe to somewhere that could

a precedent and leaves his independent con-

pose a threat if the passengers were determined

tractor status untested. However, the courier

to rob the driver. But sadly, somewhere down

has apparently rejected any settlement.

the City of London Corporation intend closing

the line a driver will be injured thanks to an atti-

Robert Grey is the attorney representing

the Bank Junction to all traffic except buses and

tude of superiority aligned with total intransi-

Jorge Washington; he said Uber was motivated

bikes. There have been demos and letters flying

gence by TfL. Some would call it stupidity!

to avoid a second hearing because the compen-

around; but of all that, one letter stuck out as

We will just have to learn to adapt and be

sation board would then decide on Mr

being so sensible that it almost had a chance of

careful; sadly TfL will remain stupid and intran-

Washington’s employment status, but an Uber

changing the minds of those behind the scheme

sigent. The best example of that occurred when

spokesperson responded by saying that the

that will bring even more misery to a City still

a Dial-a-Cab driver took his cab to his local

company rejected any allegation that it was

struggling with bike lanes that are wide enough

passing station with his PED in its new position

retaliating against Washington, partly on the

for buses to get through!

close to the offside door. The passing inspector

grounds that because Washington was an inde-

That letter didn’t come from a trade organisa-

failed it because no one had told him that TfL

pendent contractor rather than an employee, he

tion or a magazine editor; amazingly it came

had passed a new position down the side as

is not covered by state labour laws that prohibit

from the Worshipful Company of Hackney

against the “old” one on the passenger side of

retaliation by employers against staff. That

Carriage Drivers. I’m not a member of the

the central partition!

Washington is not an employee is, of course, the

WCHCD. I’ve never had the time, but I admire

Are you still with me? It has now moved from

very point that remains up in the air, and which

their charity work - especially the Magical Taxi

its excellent position on the driver’s side to either

the state board will decide on later this month.

Tour to Disneyland Resort Paris that they

behind the driver or to the offside door. Now I

Should the board rule Uber’s messengers are

undertake every year for children with life

know this is a rather silly question, but if TfL in

independent contractors, they would not be

threatening illnesses. They do other stuff such

some sort of perceived wisdom have decided that

entitled to the organising protections and work-

as helping local schools etc, but what they do

the card readers can go close to the door, why did

ers’ compensation coverage enshrined in

not usually do is to get involved with trade pol-

they move them to the partition? And if they can

labour law. However, should it go against the

itics. But having read a letter signed by current

go close to the door, why didn’t they place them

app, the Uber world might begin to implode...

Master, Alan Roughan to the Corp’s Director of

by the nearside door so that drivers can see what

the Built Environment, Caroline Dwyer and

passengers are doing, as against the totally blind

TfL

copied to several others including the Lord

view they have behind them? Apparently it’s in

Just for a change (!!!) there is a substantial

Mayor, Dr Andrew Palmley and those in

case you try to watch passengers put their pin in

amount of text dedicated to our licensing

charge of relevant involved committees, per-

- something we couldn’t do when we used to

authority, Transport for London. It is a sad

haps they should take over the letter writing for

pass the PED through the opening. As I said:

reflection on TfL that they are so despised by

the trade, because their letter was excellent.

Stupid and intransigent!

drivers that they actually run Uber a close sec-

ond; but it is now also management that consid-

Uber: Beginning of the end???

Engine Management Light

ers them to be totally useless at the important

Last month’s Call Sign ran a piece from the mini-

Most taxis have an Engine Management Light

job they are supposed to be doing.

cab union, GMB, where they wrote of the victory

that will come on at some time or other. It could

Inside this issue there is an article in which DaC

in October after they brought two employment

happen after you’ve had to turn the engine over

Chairman Brian Rice expresses his disgust at the

tests cases for Uber drivers to the Central

for a longer time than usual on a particularly

sheer rudeness of TfL and tells Call Sign that he

London Employment Tribunal. The judge said

cold morning or it might just appear because

will never again assist TfL when they ask for his

the company had acted unlawfully and that Uber

your fuel cap isn’t on properly. It could also

help - which they do on occasion. He also writes

drivers were entitled to receive holiday pay, a guar-

mean something serious involving the engine.

of the rudeness TfL displayed by not answering

anteed minimum wage and an entitlement to

We all know it’s a warning light; the question is

Allan Evans letter regarding the movement of

breaks. The ruling has major implications for

for what?

PEDs to the passenger compartment.

more than 30,000 drivers across England and

Most garages can’t tell you because the warn-

Then there is a piece from Call Sign’s Marc

Wales - but the San Francisco based company has

ing light covers several different things that

Turner (R97) where he interviews Ajit

decided to appeal the decision in the High Court.

could go wrong and only the main agent usually

Chambers who formed The Old London

But now we hear the dispute has spread to

has the computer program needed to decipher

Underground Company. Ajit claims that at

New York and a case heard by the New York

the message.

meetings with TfL, how impressed then-Mayor

State Workers’ Compensation Board - the

But now there is an app that plugs into your

Boris Johnson was with Ajit’s initiative to turn

name infers it is similar to our Tribunal - and

cab and will tell you whether the warning is

the stations into places of leisure and entertain-

should the result go against Uber and classify

serious or not and whether it’s safe to continue

ment. But he soon noticed their attitude chang-

the worker as an Uber employee, the company

working. That’s the good news; not so good is

ing towards him when, according to Mr

could face compensation claims from their

that I never caught the name of it! I was flicking

Chambers, TfL proceeded to 'steal' his business

workers going back several years.

through the TV channels and caught the tail end

model and that after he’d invested a huge sum

Uber has always said that drivers working via

of a motoring piece on Fox News where they

of his own money into the project.

the Uber app are independent contractors, and

had been talking about an app to decipher EML

Then there is the disturbing story of TfL’s inspec-

that they just supply the software platform that

warnings. It sounded like FIX but I can’t be

tors picking on DaC driver Alan Drew (L33) and

connects drivers to customers. But the New York

sure. Sounds like a good idea to me and one

asking him why he wasn’t wearing his badge after he

test case isn’t the only one and there are several

that could save small fortunes...

explained that he was on his way home!

being filed to state and federal authorities.

Sadly, very sadly, it’s all inside this issue..

The New York case has been filed by Jorge

Bank Junction closure

Washington; he is a courier for the Uber Rush

Unless you have been holidaying on Mars, then

Alan Fisher

and Eats delivery service. He is also a member

you’ll know that within the next few months,

callsignmag@aol.com

of the New York Messengers Alliance group

Call Sign February 2017

Page 4

Reflections of the Chairman

Building update

Fares Consultation

The process of issuing shares and the sale of

I have been invited along with others in the

the building is progressing, albeit slower

trade to a meeting at Palestra to discuss next

than I originally anticipated. However, this is

year’s fare increase. I know I have stated in this

due to HMRC dealing with our situation

issue and on past occasions that I would no

slower than I’d hoped for. We contact HMRC

longer do anything to aid TfL after the

every few days in an attempt to speed up

appalling manner in which they have treated

their process, but unfortunately they move at

our industry. However, after some serious

their own pace. I am now informed at the

thought I have decided to attend, otherwise I

time of writing that I will receive their deci-

would not be in a position to be privy to their

sion in the next two weeks and we are pretty

discussions. But I do not hold out much hope!

the best. That is probably why the trade had

I have known for some time that TfL do not

sure that HMRC will agree with our view, but

respect for the PCO, which is more than can

consult... they just dictate and go through the

we have to be absolutely certain before we

be said of the current shower - Licensed Taxi

motions of a Consultation so that they can state

can continue with the process. If by an out-

Private Hire (LTPH), which is a part of TfL.

at a later date how they consulted with the

side chance their view is different to ours,

They have in a short period of time turned

trade. I believe they already know what they

then we will have to proceed via a different

our trade into a demoralised gathering of

want to do next year and will just float their

avenue. But I am fairly sure that will not be

stressed and disillusioned individuals - but

ideas in an attempt to gauge reaction.

the case.

still it appears they just don’t care! I have

There have been a number of emails flying

never known our trade to hold the authori-

back and forth with certain people in our trade

TfL again

I’m sure you are all aware of the decision by

ties that govern us in such contempt as they

who are endeavouring to make themselves

Camden Council to ban taxis from

do with TfL and that contempt is self-inflicted

look like clever intellectuals; but if they ever get

enough experience they’ll find out that their

Tottenham Court Road and City

by TfL staff that just do not understand our

Corporation’s banning of taxis from Bank

trade, nor do they wish to - because they just

endeavours were to no avail and they have not

impressed anyone. Well certainly not me...

Junction. Both decisions are ludicrous so far

don’t care!

as I am concerned and what with the substan-

With the anticipated closure of Bank

PED upgrade

tial amount of our road space being stolen in

Junction to taxis, how will we do Moorgate

Finally, it would be remiss of me if I did not

order to appease cyclists, just where will we

to London Bridge Station and service our

thank everyone concerned; from our fitters at

be able to ply our trade in the future?

account clients in the vicinity of the Bank?

Roman Way to the IT department, to Allan

I am reliably led to believe that Camden

But you’ve guessed it - TfL just don’t care!

Evans and Joe Brazil, oh and not forgetting

Council were originally of the mind of

I was hopeful there would be some

the ladies in Driver Services together with

allowing taxis access to Tottenham Court

changes under this new Mayor, but sadly

Shelagh Adkins for all the sterling work they

Road, but in a document sent to the LTDA

that is not the case; he talks a good fight

all did. And for you, the Shareholders, for

by Camden’s solicitors, they clearly state

but comes across as weak and ineffectual.

your patience when we completed the PED

that we would not be allowed access

He has done no more good for us than his

upgrade... and not forgetting the moving of

because research had shown them that

predecessors, and like Boris he probably

the PED into the back of the taxi (thanks TfL).

“taxis were the main cause of serious acci-

sees it as a stepping stone to leading his

It was a very onerous and stressful period,

dents in the area.”

political party in the Commons. If it

especially with everything else that is happen-

Naturally this view was challenged, but

wasn’t so awful, it would be funny!

ing, but I won’t say any more on the subject as

Camden stated that after lengthy research

“London is open for business,” says Mayor Khan.

I believe Allan Evans has gone into more detail

had been done, they could not find any data

But hang on Sadiq, it’s not open if you can’t move

in his report.

that differentiated taxis from minicabs. My

in the congestion, is it? It won’t be long before busi-

guess is that the same scenario applied to the

nesses decide to move out of gridlocked London,

Brian Rice

Corporation of London when deciding what

but I don’t suppose they care about that either.

Chairman,

vehicles will have access to Bank Junction.

They can always put it down to Brexit!!

Dial-a-Cab Ltd

Why on earth should TfL have the temerity to

class us the same as minicabs, it really does

go some way in emphasising the fact that TfL

put both groups in the same category, which

once again is an insult to the licensed taxi

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

industry - but TfL just don’t care!

In the past I used to have regular meetings

with the Public Carriage Office and it was a

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

recognised and a well-publicised fact that the

London Taxi was the safest means of trans-

port available - and that included all sectors

Tel: 01708 553037

and not just road transport. So you may well

ask what has now made us the main perpetra-

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obviously suits their agenda - whatever that

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I am totally convinced that this scenario

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uinely believed they were a part of that and in

no small way had their input into making us

Call Sign February 2017

Page 5

Laurie calls it a day!

Any Dial-a-Cab driver that has

be decided. But he

added that either way, he

ever worked EC5 or indeed its

was fairly certain that I

Finsbury Square rank predecessor

would be clear of cancer

on a fairly regular basis, will

afterwards.

know Laurie Shapiro (H62). Now

“Hearing that made

me realise that I was now

Laurie - or Lol to some - has

74 and been driving a

decided to retire and in calling it

cab for over 50 years -

a day, see what excitement the

much of it on Dial-a-Cab,

world as a whole - rather than

which I first joined in

the world of taxis - holds for him.

1967. Other than a few

“I have to admit that my health has played a

years in the middle

big part in the decision,” Laurie told Call

where I tried the jew-

Sign. “It was back in April. I’d gone out for a

ellery business, I’ve been

meal and during a quick visit to the loo, found

here that long! But in all

myself in substantial pain. The next day I went

honesty, I’ve just had

Laurie is retiring - especially from EC5!

to the doctor and it was eventually discovered

enough of driving a cab!

that I had a tumour on my bladder.

That’s not to say that I

“I was told it was quite a big one and

didn’t enjoy much of the time and won’t

mum just three months before Frankie

underwent two operations, which were fol-

miss many of the friends I’ve made while in

passed away, completed a 5k Race for Life

lowed by 32 days of both chemo and radio-

through the City of London in aid of

it, but it’s time to see what’s happening out-

therapy. It left me feeling absolutely awful

Cancer Research UK. Dial-a-Cab drivers

side of the Finz! I fancy New York as a start!”

and when I went back afterwards to see the

contributed generously to the collection tin

Laurie’s son Ian, who used to share the

consultant, he told me that the tumour had

in Driver Reception and helped Melinda

cab with his dad, will now be sharing with

shrunk by 90 percent - something that made

raise over £850.

Steve Goldberg (A77). Both Laurie and Ian

the suffering suddenly feel worthwhile. He

So to Laurie, we send our best wishes for a

know only too well the heartbreak that can-

said treatment didn’t always work but that it

long and enjoyable retirement. EC5 may

cer can bring when, following a brave two

seemed to have worked with me. As for the

never be the same again!!!

year battle against the illness, Laurie’s wife

final 10 percent, they are going to decide

Frankie was taken by it in September 2011.

what the treatment is to be; it could be the

Drivers may also remember Laurie’s daugh-

Michael Toomey

removal of the bladder or something yet to

ter Melinda, who while worrying about her

Call Sign Online

Drop in leisure visitors since Brexit

The number of leisure passengers coming to Britain dropped for

political and economic uncertainty

two consecutive months, going against predictions of a post-

increasing, it is more important

Brexit surge in visitors. October figures from the British

than ever to ensure UK tourism

Hospitality Association travel monitor showed there were

can compete. The UK continues to

450,000 fewer holiday passengers up to that 2016 date com-

have on average twice the tourism

pared with the same period in 2015. The previous month’s fig-

VAT rate across Europe. Alongside

ures had shown a 400,000 drop.

businesses investing in the appren-

Industry commentators had expected a jump in over-

ticeship levy, the national living

seas visitors following Britain’s decision to leave the EU

wage and rising business rates,

after the Pound significantly weakened against other cur-

this signals concern for businesses

rencies. But holiday inbound travel to the UK was down

in the industry, four out of five of

5.3% in October and 3.7% for the year to date. By con-

which are SMEs.”

Ufi Ibrahim

trast, outbound holiday travel was up 5.2% in October

and 5.4% year to date.

Total inbound travel, which also includes business travel and those

Keith Reading

visiting friends and family, declined 5.1% year on year, but the BHA

said figures were skewed by the Rugby World Cup being held in

Professional Toastmaster

2015. Looking at the wider picture and over the three months end-

Master of Ceremonies

ing in December, inbound travel dropped by 0.7% versus the same

period 12 months ago, but has grown 1.7% year to date.

Tele: 01279 465 938

In a further blow to the incoming tourism industry - including

Mobile: 07774 860 374

we taxi drivers - overseas residents spend in the UK was down

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

8.3% in October and 1.2% year to date. Meanwhile, UK spend

overseas was up 17% in October and 10.7% year to date.

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim described it as a “worrying

trend.” She added: “Our analysis has shown that there is

Fellow of the Guild of

increasing pressure on the industry through lower inbound holi-

Professional Toastmasters

day passengers and higher outbound holiday passengers. With

Call Sign February 2017

Page 7

DaC’s First Euro 6 Vito

It was an excited Daniel Francescotti

David was the first DaC driver with

(A51) who carefully drove his brand

the new Euro 6 Vito

new MB Vito Euro 6 taxi into Dial-a-

inset: The ignition key is now situated

Cab’s Roman Way depot for engineers

to the left of the steering wheel

to fit the MDT equipment into the

gleaming cab.

“Yes, I do believe that mine is the first Euro

slowly getting used to,” Daniel told Call

6 Vito to join the Dial-a-Cab fleet, although I

Sign, “it’s just a case of acclimatisation!”

think there are a couple more guys who have

The cab uses a 136 hp low emission

also upgraded to a new Euro 6 MB Vito and

114CD Euro 6 diesel engine together with

they will follow me here later today to be fitted

the fuel efficient 7G-tronic plus 7 speed gear-

up,” Daniel suggested, a fact confirmed by

box. It is advertised as no deposit with week-

Roman Way depot manager, Dana

ly payments of £168, which includes a 3 year

Thananjeyan.

warranty and free 24 hour roadside assis-

“My previous Vito was 4 years old and out of

tance from MB’s MobiloVan. That break-

warranty, so for very similar monthly repay-

down service boasts attendance in around an

ments I decided to upgrade to a new vehicle,”

hour and uses only genuine MB parts.

Daniel told Call Sign.

Taking a quick look around Daniel’s Vito

“The obvious ben-

while the new terminal was being fitted, I

efits are that I now

was impressed with most of the obvious

drive the latest eco-

changes from earlier models, but the re-sit-

friendly model with

ing of the ignition switch from the original

its reduced emis-

right hand side of the steering wheel to the

sions, one that is

left is likely only to appeal to left-handed dri-

good for the envi-

vers. Other controls have similarly been

ronment, gives me

cab and others like it

will

moved around, but their positions will proba-

a full manufactur-

hopefully promote

the

bly become familiar with usage.

ers’ warranty for

image of Dial-a-Cab and

More info at www.mbvitotaxi.co.uk.

peace of mind and is

the wider taxi trade in gener-

The cab is available at S&B Commercials,

comfortable - not just for me to work in, but

al.

Travellers Lane, Welham Green.

the passengers like to ride in comfort too, so

“There are some tweaks to the new ‘face-lift-

hopefully that will attract more riders and

ed’ cab, including changes to the bodywork,

Alan Green

win back some work. Then, of course, this

sidelights and dashboard controls, which I’m

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2017

Page 8

A brief chat with

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

any of my historian

chums and we’d all

agree that Sir

Harry Hotspur

was the nickname

of Sir

Henry

Bob Woodford looks at London’s long lost sporting venues

Percy, Earl of

Northumberland

- a

14th century

arse-kicking noble-

man, who would

do battle for both the Crown and its opponents

before being slain at the Battle of Shrewsbury

aged just 39 and at the height of his military

career.

A brief chat with my drinking chums and

we would all agree that Harry Hotspur could

refer to the sharp shooting skills of centre for-

ward Harry Kane, or even perhaps the new

kid on the block, midfield maestro Harry

Winks.

Despite all the superlatives in the second para-

graph, I am not a supporter of Tottenham

Hotspur, but I do recognise the link between

Harry Hotspur and Harry Kane and I do believe

(from the comfort of my armchair) that the ‘Spurs

are on the verge of those kinds of glories the

much-victorious Sir Harry once enjoyed.

Tottenham Hotspur in 1897

Perhaps the clue is in the fact that the orig-

inal Harry Hotspur was the Earl of

Class educator Edward Sprylions was the

home ground was sought and obtained at

Northumberland

because

the

instigator and inspiration behind the forma-

Northumberland Park. But even this spell was

Northumberland Park area of what is today

tion of a football team of grammar school

short-lived as during their one-season tenure

N17 and right next door to White Hart Lane

boys to challenge all-comers, because by the

there, it became apparent the club just couldn’t

Stadium was a very early home ground for

late Victorian-era the sport was catching on

cope with such large attendances.

football fixtures for the fledgling Hotspur FC,

among the inner city working class.

The chance came to develop a disused nursery

founded in 1882.

All Hallows is one of north London’s oldest

site that had been neglected by Charingtons

Ironically, the club are set once again to move

places of worship - a 12th century gem reputed

Brewery - the entrepreneurial Landlord of the

(in 2018) back to the playing ground of their fore-

to have been gifted to Tottenham by King David

White Hart pub at 750 Tottenham High Road

fathers - a final piece of the jigsaw that would put

I of Scotland, strengthening its connection with

was ‘Gorgeous’ George Beckwith - the ‘Mr

the seal on north London’s impressive new

the Bruce family (of Robert the Bruce fame)

Fiddler ‘who sought to exploit the club in rent

Northumberland Park Regeneration Scheme.

who owned the adjacent Bruce Castle.

revenue.

Tottenham Hotspur FC have been ably assist-

I believe that old Ed Sprylions had a sense of

The ground switch was the making of the

ed by both Haringey Council and facilitated by

his local neighbourhood’s heritage at heart using

Spurs, the old stand at Northumberland Park

former Mayor Boris Johnson to achieve their

Hotspur as his new club’s name; I also believe

was fetched down, the club became Southern

new dream - such a pity that over in south

that the stoic thick upper lip Victorian preacher-

League Champions in 1900 and FA Cup

London Lewisham Council, supported by

type would have sensed that ‘Hotspur’ (made

Winners in 1901 - the only non-league team

Mayor Khan, are happy to push Millwall away

evermore famous by Shakespeare in Henry IV)

to ever win the trophy! By 1905, they had

from their heartlands.

was a name that had come to symbolise British

stashed away enough dough to buy the free-

So, how did it all begin for the Spurs? In a story

strength and determination... and this kind of

hold of White Hart Lane!

similar to the origins of Fulham FC (when a

summed up the man.

Historians suggest that Sir Harry Hotspur was

Church Warden formed a team for local boys at St

The medieval Sir Harry Hotspur was known

struck down when an arrow hit him as he opened

Andrews Church in Greyhound Road) and

to be flamboyant and risk-taking in life - and

his visor for a better view of the battlefield - so

Queens Park Rangers FC (when the Wardens at

I’m not suggesting that this has rubbed off on

perhaps if you are sitting in the stands during the

the after-school institution of St Jude’s in Ilbert

the Spurs defence at times through the years

last remaining home games, don’t take your eye

Street formed a local side) - Hotspur Football

- but for upstarts in 1882 to call themselves

off the ball for a quick glance at the new stadium

Club was founded in 1882 by a bunch of school

‘Hotspur’ would certainly have turned some

currently being constructed!

kids attending a bible class at All Hallows

heads, as there was already in existence

Had I been writing this series about London

Church in Savernake Road.

London Hotspur FC, playing over at Syon

football clubs at any time between Spurs founda-

Park.

tion year of 1882 and 1965, there may have been

The Percy family home was at Syon Park, while

a case to exclude them - although the club were

the other land they owned was Northumberland

part of the London Postal and Metropolitan Police

Call Sign

Park - hence two cases for naming your teams

Districts. But in terms of admin and local

February 2017

‘Hotspur’.

Government it fell within Middlesex before

Editor: Alan Fisher

Hotspur FC’s first home matches were

becoming part of the London Borough of

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

played at Tottenham Marshes and they contin-

Haringey!

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

ued building up a following there for the next

If you take it to that extreme and consider that

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

6 years. Moving forward, the Lea Valley

Woolwich Arsenal FC did not switch from

Website: www.22-callsign.co.uk

Regional Park Authority purchased this land

Woolwich to Highbury until 1913, then you could

Printers: Premier Print Group

in 1972 and now oversees a 26-mile long cor-

say that there are no true north London clubs!

E6 6 LP

ridor of 10,000 acres of recreational land.

Next month I shall feature the club who

Design: Aldan Publications

Playing at ‘The Marshes’ back then was rudi-

Tottenham Hotspur objected to joining the

Tel: 07958 300 428

mentary at best and quite often would see punch-

Southern League in 1905 soon after their for-

Email: debbiefresco@googlemail.com

ups break out between teams and officials all hell

mation in a pub now called ‘The Butcher’s

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

bent on playing on the best pitches!

Hook’.

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

The ‘Spurs were building up a reputation and

Bob Woodford

either manually or electronically without the express

the crowds were following, so much so that a new

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2017

Page 9

At a recent meeting with Brian

Rice, Call Sign sensed a rather

unusual anger emanating from

Brian Rice: “I will

the Chairman. Fortunately it was

not aimed at the magazine but at

what he described as Transport

never help TfL again!”

for London’s “complete inepti-

tude and utter rudeness.” He

admitted to Call Sign that the

shocked us when adding that he

sheer frustration of TfL’s totally

would never again help TfL out-

unbending attitude had made him

side of anything that he has no

sign off the email in that rather sar-

castic tone - something he would

choice but to do.

never usually do regardless of how

The Chairman has written several times of

upset he was. But he added that

how in 2011, Dial-a-Cab spent around

this wasn’t the first time he felt that

£500,000 fitting credit card PEDs into the

both he and DaC had been

front of Member’s taxis after TfL had passed

snubbed and insulted by TfL.

the system and confirmed it in writing. We

He ended by saying that he

all know now how that same TfL changed

had helped TfL out many times

their minds in 2016 and gave everyone until

over the years and that they

December 31 to have PEDs refitted - this

were always quick to ask him

time into the rear of the cabs despite an out-

when there was a problem

cry from all sections of the trade.

knowing that he knew so many

Both the Chairman and Editor have

people involved in the trade.

gone into print expressing their fear of

“But no more,” the Chairman

the possibility of some undesirable pas-

told us, “I will never help TfL again

sengers using the new PED position as a

in anything that I do not have to. I

pretext to get drivers to leave the safety

am absolutely disgusted by their

of the front and enter the rear compart-

complete ineptitude and utter

ment where anything could happen.

rudeness - miniature gods who do

However, Brian explained that however

not have to respond if they don’t

much he disagreed with TfL’s latest edict,

I hope to hear back from you soon...

feel like it. So far as I am concerned, they are

there was no choice other than to begin the

a disgrace to the oldest and finest taxi ser-

But Allan received no response whatso-

process of moving all the PEDs to the back

ever and on 21st December, Brian Rice

vice the world has ever seen.”

otherwise drivers would face ‘stops’ as of 1

emailed Alex Moffat - sending copies to

January onwards. The process began and

Helen Chapman, Leon Daniels, Peter

continued day after day, from early morning

Blake, Sarah Finlay, John Masters, Sadiq

till late evening.

Khan’s deputy Mayor for Transport Val

TX1

But with so many drivers, it was always

Shawcross, London Assembly member

going to be an uphill battle and finally on

Caroline Pidgeon, TfL Commissioner

December 16th DaC’s Operations and

Mike Brown and DaC Board Members.

TAXIS

Compliance manager, Allan Evans, emailed

The DaC Chairman wrote:

Alex Moffat who had been overseeing the

Further to Allan’s e-mail (below and

project from TfL’s end. Allan wrote:

to which he has not received a reply) we

WANTED

have now fitted the majority of the Fleet

By the end of today I would have

with the PED in the back of the taxi. As

already fitted over half of the Dial-a-Cab

you are aware, this has been a major

fleet and with one more week left before

exercise for us in terms of recalling the

the Christmas break, we will continue

Fleet; in addition it has been a major

with the programme in an effort to fit as

expense purchasing new brackets and

many drivers as possible in this period.

indeed the cost of keeping our fitting

Since taking delivery of the brackets we

bay open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a

have opened our fitting bay from 8am

week.

until 8pm continuously to fit as many as

However, I still feel disappointed that

possible, but as hard as we are trying, if I

TfL reneged on their original decision

am totally honest I think we may require

Your old TX1 Taxi is wanted

in March 2011 to allow me permission

a little longer to fit all of our remaining

to fit the PEDs in the front of the taxi

drivers. I would therefor ask you to con-

✓ Quick viewing and decision

(which is a far safer option for the dri-

sider a short early January extension

ver). I anticipate that come 1 January

✓ Cash waiting!

that will allow us a little more time to

2017, there will be approximately 200 of

complete this project successfully.

our taxis not equipped with the PED in

✓ Top price paid for really

As I have mentioned, the whole fleet are

the rear of the taxi. I believe everything

perfectly able to accept Credit Cards and

clean examples

could be completed by the end of

all of our drivers that have not had their

January at the latest.

PEDS re-sited by the 1st January 2017 -

Consequently, what would you like me

and there shouldn’t be too many -will be

to do? Carry on moving the PEDs during

Please ring Graham on

fitted very early in January.

January or de-authorise the PEDs that

07435 562759

I hope I have explained our situation

have not been moved in order that they

well enough and that you will be able to

will not function?

or e-mail on

show us some leniency on this one occa-

I await your decision!

oldlondontaxis@yahoo.co.uk

sion.

Brian never received a reply either and he

Call Sign February 2017

Page 10

Well, it was a

shock, I don’t

Another true story from Geoff Levene...

mind telling

you. It was all

GINGER ROGERS DID DANCE...

going so nice-

ly. I'd been

busy

all

OUR GINGER DID DENTS!

morning and

just before

keen! But I was planning something special

Garage in Brackenbury Road. Perhaps a

one o'clock,

for myself...

cab historian will tell me why it's known

when it start-

It was going to be a complete hunting

as wangling and could he also confirm

ed to get a bit

scene across my back. Dogs, horses, men

that Cooks was previously in Huntsworth

quiet, I set

in pink jackets and a fox disappearing

Mews and that the original minicab firm,

down

up... well it disappeared - take my word

Welbeck Motors, was also there. Someone

Smithfield

for it. But the shop was gone... all my

who worked there at the time told me he

and knew exactly what to do for the next

plans were in disarray! Perhaps a similar

had discovered how much diesel was

hour. I went round the market! Up St John

business will open there... but beware! As

required to torch a Renault Dauphine!

Street, found a parking spot and did the Pay-

they say, past results are no guarantee as

Anyway when they moved to W6, one ves-

by-Phone parking business. Then I walked

to future ones.

tige of the cab trade remained, this was the

over to the shop - just near the corner of

Not that far from where I live was a tradition-

panel-beater - the legendary Ginger! Now, he

Great Sutton Street and there it was...gone!

al English butcher. Been there for years. Last

wasn't the sort of guy you'd get to work on a

I'd first noticed it when I dropped two girls

summer a notice went up saying that he was

Roller, but he would, as they say, “get you out

there one morning. They were - shall we say

retiring on October 20th and to thank every-

of trouble.” And his prices were incredible.

- of the Sapphic persuasion and they seemed

one for their custom. Soon afterwards, another

You'd go into his workshop and peer through

to be running the place. They were also a

sign appeared: “Halal Butchers opening soon.”

the white dust from the filler. As if that wasn't

walking advert for the business because it

Seemed like a good idea. They did open in

toxic enough, you'd struggle to breathe

was called Intu you and they were covered in

November - for about half an hour and the

because of the intoxicating aroma of the lead-

tattoos and piercings. Every inch that I could

shutters have been down ever since. They had

rich paint. But Ginger seemed to thrive on it

see - and I presume lots that I couldn't - were

no idea how to run the place.

all. I suspect he needed it like diabetics need

adorned in metal and multi-coloured ink.

Similarly, a very busy baker shop in Camden

insulin. It was his lifeblood.

Well, after seeing how terrific those two

High Street was taken over by new people and

He would look at a dent; bring out his

looked, I was hooked. I went in there and got

now the only sign of life is the homeless guy

tools and a pot of paint. Then whack, bang,

their catalogue, which was full of interesting

sleeping in the doorway.

whack, bang, slurp, slurp and “That will be

ideas. Soon after I began a new chapter in my

Obviously our taxi trade is not immune from

£2 please!” And you were back at work. But

life - Body Art! If only I had started earlier.

closures or retirements or the like. A chap I

eventually he went from there. I last saw him

I got five rings in one ear and three in the

know, Peter, opened a garage in Willesden

in the eighties working away in the back of a

other. Then it was a spear through my nose

and another in the tongue. Tattoos? I suggest-

some years ago in partnership with Tony. I

garage in Midland Road. Of course that

don't know exactly what broke them up but I

place went with the reconstruction of St

ed a dagger dripping blood with the words

Death or Glory but they said that was old-

think it was money... the money that Tony was

Pancras. But I've got the feeling that he's still

fashioned. So we decided on a cobra down

putting in his pocket! But maybe he had a lucky

there somewhere, still banging out the dents,

the left arm and three lions above my right

escape. Tony was later featured in several edi-

still slurping on the paint...

ankle. I suggested to the good lady wife that

tions of The Roger Cook programme. There

I would treat her to a butterfly on her shoul-

were allegations of bodies buried in the

Geoff Levene

der. Her reply was that she would rather eat

Californian desert!

Call Sign Online

her own hair! I took it that she wasn’t overly

I actually learnt to drive a cab at Cooks

The London Taxidrivers Fund for Underprivileged Children

TWO SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Christmas Party

The first event was a Christmas party held at the Brayford Club in London’s east end. This annu-

al event is organised by one of our Trustees, Bradley Winfield, with lots of help and encourage-

ment from his wife. The event attracted around 150 people with the majority being London taxi

drivers and their families, all eager to have a good time and help raise much-needed funds for

our charity.

The party ran from 8pm until late, with a plentiful supply of delicious food and drink, and

swung thanks to music from a live band that played great music from the 50s through to now.

It was also a chance to meet new people and renew old friendships in a good old fashioned

east end atmosphere.

The event was a huge success with people already asking Bradley for the date of next year’s party.

We would like to thank Maureen and all the staff at the Brayford Club, also Freddie

Hayes, Kalvin Saunders, Steve Lewis and Mark DeLacy for all the time and effort they

gave to make sure the evening went with a bang.

Burlington Arcade

The second event was also a highly successful fund-raising day. It was held at London’s Burlington Arcade

where we were joined by our now famous Reindeer Taxi, which attracted much passing interest from shoppers and tourists alike. Our

grateful thanks go to Doug Cheshire for bringing along his vintage taxi and the Sing Gospel Choir for joining us later in the day. We were also

delighted to be joined by Gaby Roslin and her film crew and thank them for coming.

It was a brilliantly successful day and thanks must also go to TfL as well as the management and staff at Burlington Arcade for their help

and support enabling us to raise much needed funds for our forthcoming January Christmas Party at the Grosvenor House (see page 29).

Raymond Levy

LTFUC Press Officer

Call Sign February 2017

Page 11

DaC driver Jon Robinson gives his view on TfL...

The battle against TfL

“The latest from Transport for London, better known to those in the

closures, no one will be

know as Totally Failing London, comes with the astonishing news

able to afford us soon!

that Victoria Embankment westbound slip roads will close in the

So unless we can force

new year for work of some kind. Ok, we’re used to the odd roadworks

the City of London

here and there and a few days will be yet just another inconvenience...

Corporation

into

or it would be if TfL didn’t admit that this delay will carry on for

allowing us to use the

around 4 years! That’s FOUR years!

soon-to-be designated

TfL, in their usual cute and lovable way - after all, every journey

bus routes

only

matters - say that motorists should plan their journey ahead! It’s a

through Bank, I see

shame that the Blackfriars money-wasters club doesn’t offer route

every other local

advice on how to avoid stress and considerable expense to those still

authority lumping us

prepared to put up with this ridiculous organisation.

together with all the

Then we got last month’s news in Call Sign that the City of

other traffic everywhere

London Corporation are to press ahead and close all through

with new bus lanes and

routes at the Bank Junction as from next April. So your passen-

traffic planning and

ger gets on at London Bridge asking for Moorgate... what do you

leaving us completely

do? Looks like it’s going to be forward London Bridge, forward

at their mercy.

King William Street... and would you like to walk the rest of the

I really think that

way, madam?

it is now so impor-

What this all means is that our trade has a huge fight on its hands and

tant for our trade to

one that we have to win, because the way things are going with road stand firm, otherwise

we’ll soon be driving

Jon: "We'll soon be driving round in

around in ever-

ever-decreasing circles!"

A loving message from DaC’s Dennis Heavin (A01)

decreasing circles if

we want to move around in the square mile.

Next time you get a London Bridge to Moorgate trip, just ask your-

LILY: An

self how you will get there when you can’t use the Bank and have to

follow a diversion via the back streets! Or perhaps you’re driving west-

bound along the Embankment, need to get off for the Aldwych but

A1 Granddaughter

can’t and wonder what your reply will be when your passenger asks

you just where the hell you are going, as they watch the meter climb

For A1

with the traffic not moving. You could of course try Fleet Street, but

make sure you take your lunch with you.

The only question is how long we are going to take this for...”

Jon Robinson (E88)

Taxi insurance for

DaC drivers

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

negotiated exclusive rates for DaC members. We believe our rates

are competitive in today’s market for experienced licensed Black

Cab drivers.

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

Welcome to the world - the gorgeous Lilian Heavin

different; therefore our policies can be tailored for the individual driver.

We offer a 5% discount for DaC members, with additional discounts for

fter waiting so long for our first grandson, we were

existing protected Bonus policies.

so lucky to welcome our beautiful Princess Grand

Hillier Buchan was established in 2002 by David Hillier and myself with

Baby Lillian Heavin on Sunday 8th January, weigh-

in excess of 50 years experience as high level Brokers working in the City

of London for major broking houses. We have established a reputation

ing 7lbs 4oz at Whipps Cross Hospital.

for professionalism and service in our chosen fields.

We are all so very happy for Mum Natalie and Dad Daniel

We have extensive London Market contacts; consequently we are able

and wish all three a very healthy, happy and prosperous life.

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

How lucky is 7 month old cousin Billy having his own goal-

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

keeper when they are able to play in our garden and then

clients achieve quality of security and service upon which we pride

ourselves and a competitiveness of premium that our clients find

being introduced to her beautiful friends when they become

particularly attractive in today's climate.

teenagers.

Our philosophy is to build long-term relationships using balanced

Lots of love, hugs and millions of kisses to our newest Lady

service teams providing continuity and expertise. Compare our prices and

Hammer Supporter.

give us a call. See our ad on page 16 inside this issue of Call Sign.

Regards from two very proud Grandparents...

Phil Buchan,

Carol and Dennis Heavin (Mr and Mrs A01)

Hillier Buchan, 01322 553313

Call Sign February 2017

Page 12

A shock video put online by GMB was taken inside an Uber car by

the passenger when it became apparent that the driver didn’t

know where he was. David Heath has just moved from the seaside

resort after many years there...

Uber in Brighton

they adhere to wheelchair accessibility regs!

three big cab firms all said that any driver

Many drivers may think that what happens

using Uber would not be welcomed back.

in Brighton is irrelevant to London, but not

GMB section secretary, Andy Peters, said

anymore. An Uber driver has been caught on

that the public should be fully aware that

camera claiming that the company were urg-

Uber were using London minicabs in

ing ‘out of town’ drivers to come to Brighton

Brighton and that in their view it was an

after a boycott by local cabbies that reported-

insult to the council. He added:

ly resulted in just one local driver signing up.

“It appears that London has become the

The astonishing video was published by

licensing centre for sending London mini-

the GMB Union’s Brighton and Hove sec-

cabs all over the UK, rendering local

tion. In it, the driver tells his passenger he

councils redundant in taxi licensing. Very

is really busy because the company doesn’t

importantly, the council has no powers to

have enough drivers and that Uber asked

act on any complaint on any Uber London

ber are desperate to find drivers

him to go to Brighton. The driver, who kept

minicab working in Brighton and Hove.

in Brighton but can't get them

getting lost and also went through a red

But if a complaint is made against a

because of council regulations

light, admitted it was his first time in

Brighton and Hove licensed driver, they

strict level playing field! So

Brighton and that he wasn’t licensed by

are called straight in for an interview.”

guess what? They are starting to import

Brighton and Hove City Council, which has

The chair of the council’s Licensing

them from London!

much stricter regulations than London,

Committee, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn,

Brighton Council has said that now Uber

where he was licensed!

said that under the law of the land, PH vehi-

has been given a licence, at least 20 percent

When Uber was first granted a Brighton

cles from other areas - including Uber drivers

of their vehicles will have to be wheelchair

licence in October, it told the council it

- are allowed to pick up passengers in

accessible. But it’s not going to happen

would only use Brighton licensed drivers so

Brighton and Hove...

because they are having problems just find-

that they would be abiding by the same rules

ing enough ordinary Toyota Prius cars. There

as the city’s existing minicab firms. However,

David Heath

is a very strong disabled lobby in Brighton

it appears that only one local driver signed

Call Sign Online

and they say they welcome Uber, providing

up with them, possibly because the city’s

Book Aiden Kent

RAYMOND

for your event

...and make it go with a swing!

WIBBERLEY

all Sign recently heard from Fraser Wibberley that his father, for-

mer Dial-a-Cab driver Raymond Wibberley (ex-Y45), has passed

away following a long battle against Parkinson's Disease.

Ray had been a London taxi driver for over 40 years and worked

with DaC throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. He retired

from cab driving around 2006 due to Parkinson's Disease.

Ray was known to his friends as “Blonde Ray” and often worked at

Tel: 07956 456 360

Heathrow Airport.

Email:

To his family, Dial-a-Cab and Call Sign send their deepest sympathy

aiden.kent@btinternet.com

on their loss.

His funeral was held on 25th January in Cromer.

Web: www.aidenkent.com

Call Sign February 2017

Page 13

ince the compulsory re-siting of

Call Sign asked some of our drivers for their experiences with the

the credit card-reading PED into

PED siting since TfL forced the removal from the front of the taxi

the passenger compartment of

to the cab’s passenger compartment...

taxis courtesy of TfL, it would

appear that drivers are having far more

problems with passengers getting their

heads around using the PED to pay the

fare. Where before it was the driver who

was able to process the fare through the

PED Problems:

MDT and then physically hand the PED to

the passenger for them to pay by card,

when passengers are left to do it them-

selves, difficulties can arise. Call Sign

A Call Sign Survey...

asked a small sample of our drivers for

any experiences...

and stand a chance of seeing what was going

struggling to process her card! The police offi-

on and how the PED was responding...”

cer then replied that if I did not move my cab

Geoffrey Goddard (R10):

there and then I would be nicked. It seemed

“The majority of my credit

Gary Cowderoy (N17)

like there was some sort of emergency inside

card passengers are using

“With the PED fitted as it is,

the terminal. The lady overheard the conversa-

Contactless. I ask them at

passengers are having real

tion, scrapped the idea of paying by card and

the start of their journey if

difficulty seeing the PED

managed to find $30 in her handbag which she

they intend paying by card

screen because when they

hurriedly stuffed through the division, and I

and while generally it seems

are sitting immediately

was able to pull away smartish. The downside

passengers prefer the Contactless option, I tell

is that I had £55 on my meter and ended up

them I will still have to process the payment

behind the driver and adja-

with US currency of far less value than my fare.

cent to it, the angle of view of the PED screen

through my MDT before they touch the PED

A result I had to swallow, because I had no

with their card; yet sometimes they think they

means they have to lean their body forward

choice but to move on before the policeman

about 45 deg and then twist their head side-

can just quickly hover the card over the PED

made himself busy writing. A substantial loss,

before I have set the terminal up and that leads

ways to read the screen instructions.

yes, but at least I saved getting myself into

Ridiculous! Also, on three occasions I have had

to all sorts of confusion, including

‘VOID’

more trouble. Thanks TfL...”

print-outs! There was an American lady with a

children fiddling either with the power wire

leading to the PED or pressing the various

Terry Felvus (M86):

“It is all too much.

USA card and she really had not a clue, despite

me telling her in great detail how to use the

coloured PED buttons as their inquisitive little

Everything was simpler and safer when the

fingers wander. It was so much safer and better

PED was in the front. You could see exactly

system. In the end, in desperation, I had to get

in the front!”

what was going on. I went from Harrods to the

into the back of my taxi with her still sitting on

Marriott Hotel, County Hall and the passen-

the rear seat, to assist her and show how it was

Tom McCaffrey (H18): “I

ger was really confused and I could not see

done. It turned out she was trying to put the

had a family of five in the

what was going on with the PED. The receipt

card into the top of the reader! I then had to

cab recently and the father

came out ‘VOID’ at first, which caused me a

get back into my front seat to finish the trans-

had great difficulty putting

moment of concern; but at the second attempt

action and that’s when I discovered she had to

it turned out ok, but I did feel a bit helpless. To

sign the receipt for the payment to go through,

his card into the reader,

cap it all, it was a foreign card requiring a sig-

even though I offered

it being a US card. I must admit I was not com-

nature, which prolonged the ‘turn around’

fortable at having to get into the back with a

advice from the front seat.

time before I could move on to the next fare.

After several fruitless attempts by him to find

totally strange woman under those circum-

For me to get out of the security of my own seat

stances. Mostly my trips have been under £30

the PED slot, I decided I had no choice but to

to assist the passenger to process their card

get into the back of the cab with them and

so Contactless is simple and preferable, but I

would depend heavily on several factors,

still would like the PED under my control...”

assist, carefully demonstrating how to use the

including if it was at night, the precise location,

PED. It appeared that he had been trying to put

and whether the passenger had been drinking,

Doug Vogel (R05):

“I

his card into the top of the PED, instead of slid-

or indeed if the passenger was male or female.

ing it in from underneath! This scenario was in

stopped in Horseferry

All these factors could be worrying where you

Road for a passenger going

broad daylight with a family including several

have to rely heavily on your social skills to

children, so while I was not too concerned at

to Old Broad Street

make a judgement and ease the task of getting

Station. He was clearly in a

that moment, I must admit that had there had

paid. With the PED moved from the front, we

been several burly men, evening time or a dark

hurry to catch a train and at

must surely be the only traders who do not

the destination he had trou-

location or perhaps an unsavoury area, I would

meet the customer face to face when process-

have swallowed the £14 on the meter in favour

ble with his card and the PED reader, so got a

ing the card, because if you go into any super-

bit panicky. With every second of delay seeming

of staying safe in the front of the cab with the

market, shop or fuel station the operative is

doors firmly locked!”

like an hour, we eventually exchanged person-

looking at you, tells you when to put your card

al details. He gave me his business card with an

in and then out, whereas here, passengers tend

Stephen

Thompson

address in Primrose Street and I scribbled

to place their card on or in the reader too

(F18): “I took an American

down my bank details ie sort code and account

quickly if you are not careful.”

lady from central London to

number! Thankfully, the man was true to his

Heathrow Terminal 4 and

word and I received payment in due course via

Mark Cutler (N03): “Since having the PED fit-

when it came to paying, she

ted into the rear compartment of my taxi, there

a bank transfer, but it was a less than ideal situ-

had difficulty using her US

have been two occasions when I have had to

ation and not something I would do lightly

card. She fumbled for sever-

again. It is only when the receipt prints out do

get into the back of the cab with the passenger

al minutes without success and I was getting

you know you‘ve been paid. I also think the

in order to assist. Both instances have been in

more and more anxious. Suddenly, and with-

daylight hours, but nevertheless I was not real-

PED is fitted on the wrong side of the carriage

out any warning, a police officer came running

ly comfortable about it. It seems that the pas-

because you cannot see what people are doing

over to me shouting to move my cab immedi-

sengers push in and/or retrieve the card too

with their card, even if you give them precise

ately while I tried explaining I had not yet been

quickly which results in a ‘VOID’ message or

instructions as to using the PED. When it is

paid and this was my livelihood, so I was not

confusion. Not good.”

directly behind you, it is on your ‘blind side’

moving that quickly until the passenger sorted

whereas if it was possible to fit it by the near-

out her card payment. All the while this

side door you could look over your shoulder

Call Sign Magazine MMXVII

exchange was going on, she was indeed still

Call Sign February 2017

Page 14

Southern Halo and Dial-a-Cab!

ome years ago, if you

Jim's granddaughters Natalia,

happened to be in the

Christina and Hannah are

Dial-a-Cab IT depart-

setting the Country world

ment, you might have

alight!

heard the occasional American

accent. It would probably been

that of Jim Moore - not the dri-

ver but the CEO of a company

that supplied and maintained

show on Country Music Radio,

part of our infrastructure when

Nashville.

we operated on a private net-

CMR Nashville is Europe's #1

work. Jim also supplied and

station and the three girls,

maintained our modems.

Natalia, Christina and Hannah,

Now he has a different story

told us they were thrilled to be

for Call Sign; this one involves

on the station with their show,

his three gorgeous and very tal-

Hangin’ with Halo.

ented granddaughters who form

“This is a really cool early

a Country group called

Christmas present and a great

Southern Halo. They have been touring the USA - mainly

way to wrap up an incredible year. We just couldn’t be happi-

down south - but who recently won the best up and coming

er,” said Natalia.

new artist group in Nashville!

The station's CEO and owner, Lee Williams, called bringing

Jim also told us that Disney is working with Southern Halo

Southern Halo and their show to CMR was a natural evolu-

and that while the Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton debate

tion. “We play their music on the station and air their music

rallies were going on, they undertook a gig at their Las Vegas

videos on our CM&T Video channel. We've watched them

Debate and went down a storm! They also have their own

grow as artists and their show just feels like a great fit for our

listeners and the new breed of younger Country fans. This

should open the door to touring opportunities for the trio in

the UK and Europe.”

GORDON POLUCK

As for Jim, he told us: “I’m just bursting with pride and had

A thank you from his family...

to tell all my friends at Dial-a-Cab.”

Southern Halo is scheduled to tour the UK early this year…

EVERY SATURDAY AT WEST THURROCK BOXING &

FITNESS GYMNASIUM

From 10.15-12.15 - £10 per pupil

Minimum age of 16

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

£5.00 per pupil

Suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to

ordon’s family would like to thank everyone

accomplished boxers

for the many kind wishes that were sent to

Female ONLY classes subject to demand

us on the passing of my brother.

As many of you know, Gordon had been ill for

quite a number of years and for the last five, he

had to go into a nursing home. He was very well

known in the trade, not just as a licensed taxi dri-

ver on Dial-a-Cab and his excellent reputation as a

toast master, but also for his sense of humour.

On behalf of Gordon’s wife Shirley, myself and

all of Gordon’s family, I would like to thank you all

once again.

Russell Poluck MBE (T25)

Call Sign February 2017

Page 15

Brazil Calling

he first matter I should mention is of

she stayed until we reached the destination; I

course, the fitting of PEDs into the

hoped she’d wake up with a quick shout and

rear of the cab; both myself and

that proved to be the case. Let’s face it, get-

Allan Evans spent many days and

ting into the back to wake a lone female is a

evenings at Roman Way trying to make the

nonstarter, but as I said, she woke immedi-

process run as smooth as possible. I would

ately. This is where confusion - both mine

personally like to thank all the drivers for

and hers - kicked in. I asked her for £26.

their patience during this process that

“Err, yes”, she replied. She stood up in that

frankly, in my opinion, was an exercise unre-

strange stooping fashion that people tend to

quired by the public with the process imple-

adopt and passed through the partition win-

I’m Kirk Douglas’ son

mented at the worst possible time for we dri-

dow a small white pill. Now at this point

Recently Kirk Douglas made the century, a

vers. The staff at Roman Way showed their

you’d think you’ve entered either Alice in

fabulous milestone for one of Hollywood’s

true mettle and have been a credit to Dial-a-

Wonderland territory or possibly The Matrix

true legends.

Cab. I can honestly say that I did not have, or

if you are a younger subscriber!

But it reminded me of the Comedy Store

hear, a cross exchange at any time. We really

I, of course, replied: “No thank you, it’s

heckle of his less famous, now sadly passed

are the gentlemen’s circuit

- I of course

£26.00 please!” Another pill was passed

son, Joel. The story goes that Joel was per-

include all genders in that statement!

through the partition and this continued

forming at the Comedy Store and getting

There is always a temptation to bash the

until I had four pills after saying non each

increasingly frustrated by the lack of audi-

living daylights out of our competitors in

time. So I asked her if she had a card.

ence reaction. As the crowd began losing

every article and whilst there are important

“Oui,” she replied - okay, even I got that

interest in him, he started shouting: “You

matters at hand, I thought for once I would

one! My card machine, newly mounted in

can't do this to me; I'm Kirk Douglas's son!”

avoid the obvious and relay a few short tales

the rear, was going to save the day. I

At that point, some wag stood up and said:

looked over my shoulder and saw her try-

from the month. I’m sure others will impart

“No, I'm Kirk Douglas's son.” Then another

ing to push a silver card in it. It seemed to

relevant information in this issue and rest

stood and said “No, I’m Kirk Douglas’s son,”

be taking unduly long, so I asked if I

assured, no matters are taken lightly. As I

and so on and so on - possibly one of the

could see it. The “card” she passed to me

said, just a little humour to break the monot-

greatest heckles of all-time - but only if you

said on it: “L’art de rouler, depuis des

ony...

had seen Spartacus!

annees,” and was, naturally, a packet of

French Rizla!

And finally...

L’art de la cab driver:

And just to round off the week, I give you a

recently discovered letter from the Queen

Amex, MasterCard, Visa...

Mother written in February 1941 and in

Rizla! That’ll do nicely...

which she signed off with the delicious sen-

Okay it’s not exactly what was on the advert,

tence: “Tinkety tonk old fruit and down

with the Nazis.”

but at Christmas you do get your fair share of

people confused as a newt, to put it nicely.

And why not! Roll on the flower show...

But once we get into the New Year, you tend

Joe Brazil, Director

to get your fair share of ‘war stories’ of jobs

Head of Driver Operations

that happened during the Christmas, New

Year period.

Mine started with what appeared to be

a three-hander from just north of Old

So I said that if she couldn’t pay, we would

Immaculate White

Street station. Three French people - two

have to go to the police; she shrugged and

girls and a chap - asked how much it

said okay. You normally don’t have to go too

Cab Available for

would be to Vauxhall. They all seem to ask

far on the Wandsworth Road to find a

nowadays! I told them that Vauxhall sta-

Gendarme (look at me, picked the lingo up

Weddings

tion would be around £22. Of course,

almost immediately)! And so it proved. The

when you press them for a more exact

police seemed more interested that I was

destination, it ends up being down the

paid in pills than the fare. After a brief check

Wandsworth Road, so I told them it would

of the mysterious pills, it was determined

be in the region of

£25. This was

that I was unlikely to get pregnant that week!

approved - or should I say approuvé - as

The passenger was then duly relieved of the

my French ran out almost immediately!

fare from I might add, the considerable sum

But when I said jump in, the two more

she was carrying. I was asked if the amount

sober of the three stepped backwards and

was sufficient and said yes.

in fell their drunk mate. A phone was

They said they would drop her back to the

pushed towards me by the friends on the

destination, but after a brief cry and lots men-

pavement showing me a destination of

tions of “c'est la merde,” she seemed to calm

Thorparch Road.

down and I told the police I would drop her

This young lady had obviously had too

back to the destination and not take up any

much to drink, but her friends cared enough

more of their time. They agreed and when I

to put her into a black cab and as all right

Female driver

stopped to drop her off, she apologised and I

minded cab drivers would do, you ask them

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

was tempted to ask if she would like her

to put on the seatbelt and make it your duty

Contact Debbie (W18) on

change in roll-ups or a fresh prescription, but

to get her home safely. Not asking her to put

thought it inappropriate. I just told her not to

the seatbelt on in French caused immediate

07956 317040

worry, that she was safely home and she trot-

confusion and the ensuing game of charades

ted off into the flats.

ended with her lying down on the seat where

Call Sign February 2017

Page 16

DaC driver goes through two ‘no entry’ signs at Old Broad Street, gets a £130 ticket and Appeals.

Then astonishingly it’s...

APPEAL ALLOWED!

f you are on a Dial-a-Cab trip and get a ticket, then there is a

The temporary prohibition on entry was made in a notice

chance that our PCN maestro, John Vigus, will do his best to get

dated 11 June 2013. The prohibition was stated to take effect

you off. But some penalty charges are more difficult to win than

from 17 June 2013. The period of the prohibition was stated to

others, with some almost being impossible. Barry Devor’s

be from 17

(W43) was one of those...

June 2013 until the completion of works or this temporary

After going into the eastern section of Old Broad Street from

traffic order is revoked formally.

London Wall and going through the ‘no cars / motorbikes’ sign,

In its case summary, City of London say that the order makes it clear

Barry then continued towards Liverpool Street Station and went

that the prohibition is for the duration of the works so that the time limit

through the next sign - a definitive ‘no entry’ - because his pas-

of 18 months provided for in Section 15(1)(b) does not apply. Nowhere

senger asked him to. But according to the City of London,

in the order is it stated that the authority is satisfied that the execution

breaching that second ‘no entry’ by Broad Street Avenue carries

of the works will take longer than 18 months. The inclusion of such a

a Penalty Charge Notice and would give John Vigus virtually no

statement is a legal requirement in order for the time limit of 18 months

chance of winning... but he did. So the question is how???

not to apply. That is clear from the wording of Section 15(2).

Well, it appears that John discovered that a Traffic Order for that

It follows that the prohibition on entry contained in the order

particular ‘no entry’ sign had a shelf life of 18 months under the

made on 11 June 2013 ceased to be effective from 17 December

Temporary Restrictions Act 1991 and when he received the City of

2014, being 18 months from the date on which the prohibition

London evidence a few weeks before the case, he realised that 18

came into force. As there is no evidence presented of any autho-

month limit had expired and based an appeal on that fact.

risation of a further prohibition, it must also follow that the

alleged contravention did not occur.

John Vigus told Call Sign: “By the time the next issue of the mag-

azine comes out, I suspect that the City of London will have

noticed this result and extended the Traffic Order. So please

inform drivers that irrespective of any Traffic Order, the 'no entry'

sign is still enforceable by the police as an endorseable offence.

You may set down or pick up between the two signs but you must

NOT pass the ‘no entry’ sign located at Broad Street Avenue

regardless of whether your passenger asks you to or not

”

Ron Yarborough

The Adjudicator's decision from

Call Sign Online

the London Tribunals

The adjudicator, having considered the evidence submitted by the

parties, has allowed the appeal.

The reasons for the adjudicator's decision are that Mr John Vigus

attended the appeal hearing on behalf of Mr Devor on 5 January

2017. I adjourned the hearing to further consider the legal submis-

sions made by Mr Vigus. This PCN was issued for the alleged contra-

vention of failing to comply with a ‘no entry’ sign and/or a no entry

traffic order in Old Broad Street at 4.20pm on 7 November 2016. I

have looked at the CCTV footage and still images submitted by City of

London. These show that Mr Devor's taxi drove through two ‘no entry

Exclusive Taxi Insurance Scheme

to motor vehicle’ signs in Old Broad Street to drop off a passenger.

dedicated to DAC members only

The taxi stopped just past the signs and was then turned around after

the passenger alighted.

On behalf of Mr Devor, Mr Vigus submits that there is no

longer authorisation for these ‘no entry’ signs so that the restric-

tion cannot be enforced. Mr Vigus refers me to Sections 14 and

✓ 5% Discount for members

15 of The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as substituted by The

Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991.

✓ Additional discount for existing protected Bonus policies

Section 14(1)(a) provides that if the authority is satisfied that traffic

✓ Public Liability

on a road should be restricted or prohibited because works are being

executed on or near the road, then it may by order restrict or prohibit

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temporarily the use of the road or any part of it, by vehicles of any

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class to such extent, and subject to such conditions or exceptions as

it considers necessary.

Call below for quotations

Section 15(1)(b) provides that any such order under Section

14 shall not continue in force for more than 18 months.

Section 15(2) provides that the time limit of 18 months shall not

apply to an order made for the reason mentioned in Section 14(1)(a)

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

if the authority making the order are satisfied, and it is stated in the

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tion will take longer but, in any such case, the authority shall revoke

the order as soon as the works are completed.

Tel: 01322 553313

The ‘no entry’ restrictions in Old Broad Street were autho-

rised for archaeological works, diversion of utility services and

Fax: 01322 523315

Crossrail works. They were, therefore, authorised for the reason

mentioned in Section 14(1)(a).

Call Sign February 2017

Page 17

The Bank of England Museum in

New exhibitions and free events at...

Threadneedle Street has con-

firmed a host of creative events,

THE BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

exhibitions and displays for 2017.

The Museum tells the story of the Bank,

from its foundation in 1694 to its role today

as the United Kingdom's central bank. Within

a full-size reconstruction of Sir John Soane’s

18th-century Stock Office, a large boat con-

struction is full of interactive displays

explaining how the Bank works, banknote

design and security and how the Bank tries to

keep the financial system on an even keel.

The new Banknote Gallery tells the story

of the banknote from the early days when

paper money was largely mistrusted, to the

new £5 note packed with security features

and printed on polymer. Filled with original

drawings, artwork, designs, notes and sketch-

es from the Bank’s collection, the gallery

includes the earliest paper notes from

China’s Ming dynasty and the ‘running cash’

notes - as old as the Bank of England itself,

The new polymer £10 note will feature Jane Austen

the earliest 17th century Bank of England

notes and classic designs such as the ‘white

New temporary displays

Museums at Night (Friday 19 May from

fiver’ which lasted for

100 years. It also

5:30-9pm)

The Big Bang 30th Anniversary:

includes a close examination of the most

(Currently open until April 28...)

This is a rare opportunity to visit the Museum

technologically sophisticated note yet issued

after dark. Enjoy a variety of gallery talks and

On 27th October 1986, the introduction of elec-

by the Bank, the new fiver.

chat to gold and banknote experts. Meet

tronic trading and other radical changes affect-

members of the Museum and Archive teams,

ed market systems and the structure of the

who will reveal some unique and unseen

New and Current Special

Stock Exchange. Thirty years on, a new, small

objects from the Bank’s collection which visi-

display includes original documents from the

Exhibitions

tors can handle.

Bank’s archive, revealing fascinating insights

Stories from the City: The Bank of

There are several children’s exhibitions

into the innovation that transformed the City.

where the young visitors can win prizes

England in Literature (opens summer

20th Anniversary of the Bank’s

including at Toad to the Rescue (13-17

2017)

Independence: (opens 2 May)

February at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2.00, 3.00

This summer, the Bank of England will

On 6 May 1997, the new Chancellor of the

and 4.00) where children can learn about

issue a new polymer £10 note, featuring Jane

Exchequer granted the Bank of England oper-

The Wind in the Willows stories and Chicks

Austen. To celebrate the launch, this new

ational independence. The Bank began to set

Great EGGscape where they can join the

exhibition explores the Bank’s literary con-

interest rates, and the Monetary Policy

hunt to find the hidden chicks and a golden

nections over the last three centuries. The

Committee was established. This new display

egg by following the trail around the

exhibition will illustrate the richness of the

uses a range of documents from the Bank of

Museum and then decorate an Easter ani-

Bank’s collections, presenting exhibits relat-

England’s Archive to explain what these

mal mask or finger puppet to take home.

ed to the lives and works of Charles

changes meant and how they shaped the way

There’s a chocolate egg for every child (3-

Dickens, T.S. Eliot, Dr Johnson, Robert

the Bank works today.

13 April from 10am-4:30pm).

Browning, Samuel Pepys and George Eliot.

It will also reflect on moments when the

VISITOR INFO: There is no charge for admission to the Museum or for any event. Entry

Bank and the finances of London have been

via Bartholomew Lane. Opening hours Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm

woven into classic works of fiction.

(last entry 4:30pm). Closed Public and Bank Holidays and weekends.

More at www.bankofengland.co.uk/ museum, 020 7601 5545,

Capturing the City: Photography at the

museum@bankofengland.co.uk

Bank of England (currently until the sum-

Twitter: @boemuseum Instagram: @boemuseum Facebook: /boemuseum

mer)

The Bank of England Archive presents a

largely unseen, beautifully atmospheric, pho-

tographic history of the Bank and its city

since the mid-19th century. Beginning with

early salt paper prints from the 1840s and

reaching forward to new images of the city

today, the exhibition explores an alternative

and sometimes surprising history of the

Bank, its buildings and staff, while also creat-

ing a history of London from the Bank’s per-

spective.

Among the highlights is a series of images of

Sir John Soane’s ‘lost’ Bank of England. The

windowless ‘curtain’ wall on Threadneedle

Street is the only part of Soane’s original build-

ing standing today and the exhibition presents

the best photographic record of the lost ‘Old

Bank’.

Call Sign February 2017

Page 18

THE FUTURE

In March 2006, work was so plentiful that Dial-a-

team and unless we give

them some negotiating

Cab had to run an incentive scheme over the

freedom, I can't see us

Xmas/New Year holiday period to encourage dri-

winning many new

vers to cover account work. The second prize was

accounts; all you need

do is to read last

six weeks holiday whenever you wanted it and

month’s Keith Cain

was won by Terry Goldsmith (R74). So what was

article in Call Sign to

the first prize? Well, it was won by Richard

see how just hard it is to

win accounts.

Barford (R39) and it was no less than a brand new

I'm not on Hailo or

‘Gold’ spec £35,000 taxi! Ten years have passed

Gett, even though we

and a four letter word beginning with U has now

all know that many DaC drivers are and from what I'm led to believe,

the Board can't do much about it. I was £6,500 down this year; how

appeared, undoubtedly having a detrimental

long do I give it in that if you can't beat them, join them? I'm sure that

effect. Richard now gives his view on the future...

with the technology we have today on DaC, we could route out any

members who are on Hailo or Gett.

“So another year over and a new one just begun; what will this year

On that note I better get myself ready for another painful night shift,

bring to the cab trade? I hope it's not as painful as 2016; I've been dri-

living off scraps and hoping to be lucky. When I see passengers waiting

ving a cab for nearly 22 years now and it was certainly the hardest I

round every corner for their Uber driver, it just breaks my heart.

have known within those years. But will things change...

However, I would like to wish everyone at DaC a Happy New Year...”

I can't see traffic getting any easier as TfL don't seem to care or

do anything about it. I'm sure if they were to look at how empty

Richard Barford (R39)

buses were these days whilst also looking at the phasing of traffic

lights, they could slightly improve it, but do they really care!

We showed DaC’s Sales manager, Keith Cain, Richard’s article.

With regards to the cab trade and Dial-a-Cab itself, yes 2016 was

He told Call Sign:

really tough. I'm a day man, but have worked the occasionally night.

“While no one can disagree with Richard’s comments and frus-

During the day, I believe Rate 1 is right, but at night Rate 3 is shock-

trations, we are already offering the meter starting at booked

ing and way too expensive. I've looked back at other emails I’ve sent

time or on arrival for ASAP trips. We also offer fixed price trips to

to Call Sign and in a 2013 one, I wrote that Rate 3 could come back

and from the airport, while longer distance trips are being

to bite us on the bum and I believe that with the introduction of

picked up by controllers and given a fixed rate below the meter.

Uber, it now has. I understand that night men have to earn a premi-

No gratuities are offered to accounts that look to be at least rea-

um, but I think Rate 2 is adequate. Drivers may not want to read this,

sonably sized. We are doing all we can to compete...”

but I can't blame anyone getting into another form of transport rather

than a black cab at night due to the expense. Yes, I know about attacks

/ rapes on women, but most people don't seem to care and due to our

high costs, we are giving them the opportunity to use private hire.

Until we wake up and realise how much this is hurting our trade,

we will continue to struggle to make a living. It also has a knock-on

effect as it also affects us day men. I'm sure we’ve lost many accounts

over the years due to high pricing at night. Rate 3 certainly doesn't

need a run-in on account work.

As for DaC, it’s now three years since that last email and nothing

much has changed apart from losing some more accounts. But we are

now covering more fixed price jobs to the airport then we ever have.

When I suggested doing that in a 2013 email, Brian responded by say-

ing that you could get a minicab from London Wall to Heathrow for

£36 or even get an E-class for an extra £3! But we do now give fixed

prices and have won some airport work back. I also mentioned offer-

ing fixed prices back into town from the airport, which I know as a

Society we are trying to do. I know some drivers at the airport are not

keen on doing radio work or fixed prices back into town, so maybe

to get these jobs covered DaC’s controllers could let us know when

these trips are coming out just like they do in the mornings with

work. As a trade, unless we start offering fixed price jobs from the air-

port, the wait for a job is just going to get longer and longer and even-

tually it will not be worth waiting; I personally don't bother anymore

now when I drop off as the wait can be up to 5 hours!

And yet, with all the above we still expect account customers to

pay a gratuity in addition to a £4.20 run-in. I still want a run-in and

I still want a gratuity, but there comes a time when you realise that

sometimes in life, you can't always get what you want.

In those 2013 emails, I suggested keeping the run-ins during the

morning rush hour, but at any other time - especially with a system of

‘nearest cab’ - asked if we needed a run-in. Surely this must hold back

our Sales team, especially compared to Hailo for example where

there is no automatic run-in or gratuity. I’d rather lose our account

work over bad coverage, as we then only have ourselves to blame as

opposed to losing accounts through cost. I feel sorry for DaC’s Sales

Call Sign February 2017

Page 19

nyone passing the Harris Academy

Carla Rice, daughter of DaC Chairman Brian, gave up two days of

in Southwark Park Road over the

her holiday to work full shifts for Crisis at Christmas, helping to

holidays might have wondered just

give homeless people a place to stay over Xmas and New Year…

what was going on there with an

assortment of people strolling in, many carry-

ing their meagre belongings with them. Yet

HELPING THE HOMELESS AT XMAS

these were just ordinary people who had fall-

en on hard times and going to the 45th annu-

housing / career advice officers for any guest

al Crisis at Christmas, where for up to six

to speak to. Guests could get free eye tests

days they could forget their problems and

and glasses if needed. There was even a spe-

concentrate on living a far more normal exis-

cially built kennel for those with dogs!

tence.

There was plenty of entertainment avail-

Once there, guests could have hot meals

able including a cinema, theatre and writing

including Christmas dinner, free health

groups, football training groups run by

checks, hot showers, be provided with clean

Arsenal, West Ham and Millwall, outings to

clothes and even get free housing and job

the London Eye and Tower of London...

advice.

and not to mention a certain Chris Martin

Leading up to the holidays, TV and

from Coldplay who turned up with no pub-

radio ads asked for donations of £22.32

licity to join in with the karaoke one evening!

and explained how that amount could

IT providers to organisations that can’t

give one homeless person six days of nor-

afford any, Aimar, organised free phone

mality over the holiday period. They also

calls from the café with over 71 hours of

required volunteers to help provide that

international calls provided to the guests.

normality. One of those volunteers was

The most humbling part for me was seeing

Carla Rice, daughter of Dial-a-Cab

the guests lined up asleep on camp beds in

Chairman Brian Rice. Call Sign asked

the school hall, which was made into a sleep-

Carla how things went…

ing bay. Not once did I hear any of them com-

Carla Rice: "It was inspiring..."

plain about their situation; they were just so

“This was my first year of volunteering for

son at Christmas.

full of appreciation and gratitude to all of the

Crisis at Christmas. I was of the 10,000 vol-

I was immediately struck by the diverse

volunteers. It prompted, predictably, a range

unteers that signed up for 8 - 10 hour shifts

group of people that are struck by homeless-

of emotions from guilt to gratitude, from

from the 23rd to 30th December at one of the

ness and it did a lot to dispel the stereotypes

pride to satisfaction.

eleven locations across London and I was left

people generally hold of a homeless person.

Crisis for Christmas simply can’t happen

totally amazed at the size of the project and

It really can - and does - happen to all kinds

without the volunteers - and it is something I

everything that was involved - it really was

of people.

am very proud to have been a part of and look

organised like a military operation!

On hand to assist were hairdressers, med-

forward to volunteering for years to come.”

Crisis for Christmas ask the public to

donate £22.32 to their cause and it was

ical staff, beauty grooming professionals and

Carla Rice

inspiring and humbling to see exactly

yoga teachers! In addition, there were also

what that money does for a homeless per-

professional counsellors, Samaritans and

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Call Sign February 2017

Page 20

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

Brethren of the Whip

“I’ve to say this here, your Honour. When I

consequences in trying to bilk a driver. In

got into that land-lubber’s cab, I was rather

1868, Edward Lawrence picked up two

groggy, but my wooden leg was all right as a

men in Hammersmith and drove them to

trivet, your Honour; and when he set me

Baker Street. One man got out and

down, I found that it was gone and I only had

Lawrence was told to go on to Cold Bath

this here leg to stand upon, the only one that

Square.

the Monsieur has left me. Finding this was

On arriving there, the passenger got out

the case, I refused to pay the fare and for this

and began walking away. Lawrence got down

I was conveyed to limbo.”

from his cab and asked for his fare but the

The cabman, William Pie, assured the

passenger suddenly attacked him, punching

Worship that “when Jack entered the cab, he

him several times and knocking him down to

had no wooden leg, but stood upon precisely

the floor. The passenger, 34 year old Thomas

the same footing as he did then.”

Jackson was found guilty of the assault and

The magistrate asked the sailor what he

of bilking the cabman and sentenced to one

supposed the cabman had done with the leg.

month with hard labour at the Clerkenwell

Bilkers

“Shiver my timbers if I know,” replied the

House of Correction. Not only would such

The term “bilking” is not, as many

sailor - the court reporter could possibly be

a sentence involve the shaving of the head

believe, a slang term invented by the

accused of using poetic licence! The cabman

and being doused in lime, but each man was

trade to describe the action of not paying

questioned the sailor as to what use his leg

also forced to wear a mask that prevented

the fare. The phrase itself dates back to

could be to anyone? “Why you lubber,” came

communication between him and other pris-

1637 and was first coined by Ben Johnson

the reply. “It will either do for a leg, or may

oners. But these were the least of his worries.

in his Tale of Tub: “Bilke? What’s that?”

be used to play at single stick with.”

Thomas Jackson was also sub-warder at the

“Why nothing, a word signifying

It was all to no avail, the old sailor was told

very prison he had been sentenced to. It

Nothing…”

he had to pay William Pie 7s 6d, which includ-

would not be an easy month for him...!

In 1834, John Brown was charged with bilk-

ed the fare and loss of earnings. The old Jack

ing William Inskip. Brown was described as

Tar was “...led hopping from the office and

Sean Farrell

“an independent gentleman, about four feet

consigned to the lock-up.”

Call Sign Online

high with a lump on his shoulder.” Inskip stated

Some bilkers should think more of the

how he had picked Brown up at 4am and took

him to several destinations. Whilst the cab was

going through Regent’s Park, Brown pointed

Top 10 excuses for not paying tax!

out a kite in the sky to the cabman - at which he

any years ago, Call Sign was

took the opportunity whilst Inskip was not

shown some letters (with

looking, to jump out the cab and run off. Inskip

names hidden) by then Dial-

gave chase and soon caught the diminutive fel-

a-Cab Secretary, Trevor

low and handed him to a policeman.

Clarke. They came from a handful of

“Why didn’t you pay the fare?” asked the

subscribers and had been sent to Trevor

explaining why those particular drivers

magistrate.

were unable to attend that years’ AGM.

“I never hired the cab,” replied Brown. “I

The reason the letters were surprising was

was forcibly put into it and carried away

because methodical Trevor always filed

against my will.” On being asked what he

these “excuse” letters away and brought

meant, he continued; “Why, I was passing in

them out again each year before the

Oxford Street, when on arriving at a coach

meeting that many always tried to avoid

Warren Smith toasts Trevor Clarke on

going to. Quite miraculously, reasons were

stand, the complainant caught hold of me,

Trevor's last day before retirement in 2001

often given that the driver’s grandparents

saying: “Do you want a cab?”

had sadly died... again! In fact one unlucky driver had 7 grandparents dying in just 9 years! Aunts

“No,” said I, “I can walk home.”

and uncles by the score also all passed away in the same 2 week period! That’s why the following

“But you shan’t,” says the cabman and

press release from HMRC amused us as it brought those memories back...!

assisted by the Waterman, he lifted me into a

The deadline for sending 2015-16 Self-Assessment tax returns to HMRC and for paying any tax

cab. The Complainant exclaimed as he drove

owed was 31 January 2017. Each year HM Revenue and Customs receives a number of unusual

off: “You shall ride, sir, you shall ride.”

excuses why SA “customers” didn’t complete their tax return on time. These include:

After the laughter of the court had died

1. My tax return was on my yacht, which caught fire.

down, the cabman, William Inskip, objected

2. A wasp in my car caused me to have an accident and my tax return, which was inside,

to the bilker’s version of events. “Lord love

was destroyed.

your Vorship, I never said no sich thing; the

3. My wife helps me with my tax return, but she had a headache for ten days.

gentleman got him by himself.”

4. My dog ate my tax return...and all of the reminders.

The Defendant having made satisfaction

5. I couldn't complete my tax return, because my husband left me and took our

to the knight of the whip, both parties left the

accountant with him. I am currently trying to find a new accountant.

6. My child scribbled all over the tax return, so I wasn't able to send it back.

office.

7. I work for myself, but a colleague borrowed my tax return to photocopy it and lost it.

The following year at the same police

8. My husband told me the deadline was 31st March.

office of Marylebone, an old sailor who

9. My internet connection failed.

had lost a leg at the Battle of Trafalgar was

10. The postman doesn’t deliver to my house.

up before the same magistrate, who asked

the old tar what he had to say in answer

Now you know!

to the charge of bilking the driver.

Call Sign February 2017

Page 21

GANGSTERS

hy it was... I don’t know, but for many years the

Adams family (who I had never

London taxi trade seemed to have a relation-

heard of, but all the drivers I

ship

- albeit quite tenuous

- with those

spoke to at Roman Way when I

referred to as gangsters with many recounting times they

got back there seemed to

met Ron and Reg - the notorious Kray twins. That’s not

know them). His coat looked

to say we were involved in crime, but for some reason we

to be really expensive and he

were trusted to just do our job and look the other way if

was very big across without

something faintly suspicious was occurring. A dodgy

being fat - in fact he looked

looking delivery or an even dodgier looking passenger -

how you would imagine a

so long as we got paid and were not asked to do any-

gangster looked!

thing illegal whilst doing the job, an assortment of gang-

“As a result, I couldn't help

sters or crooks would trust us!

but wonder whether he

But that was then. Nowadays people of that ilk are not

would have asked to pay by

Patrick (Patsy) Adams

so easy to spot and often referred to as businessmen! So

card had Roman Way fitted a

when recently talking to Editor Al and hearing of a story

PED on my way out earlier

he told me of a recent incident involving a rather nasty

and he saw it in the back

individual that he tied into the Dial-a-Cab battle against

and... well you know what I'm thinking!

moving PEDs to the passenger compartment, I asked him

“When I reached Roman Way, they said sorry but they couldn’t

if I could publish it. And here it is...

do it that day. I was a bit upset after what I'd been through to get

there, but in reality I could see how busy they were and part of

“I was going to see Russell Poluck after his brother Gordon

me was relieved. I really don’t want to have one and I'm appalled

had sadly passed away and going via Kings Cross, I thought I’d

that TfL are forcing us into putting ourselves in danger.

try Roman Way first as it was getting close to the December

“I went home after a few jobs because I couldn't concentrate.

31 date by which time all PEDs had to be refitted into the rear

When I got there, I looked up the Adams family of

compartment.”

Clerkenwell and they are several steps beyond frightening,

For months, Alan has written on the subject and explaining

even though at least one of them is said to be in prison.”

how dangerous he thought having the PED in the passenger

If you’re like Alan and don’t know who the Adams Family

compartment could be. He continued...

are, there is plenty of information online. No doubt TfL won’t

“It was around 3pm but there must have been 5 or 6 cabs

be one of those looking. After all, why should they care!

outside waiting for the cabs inside that were being worked on

to come out. So I didn't wait and decided to go on the way

Ron Yarborough

back instead. It never occurred to me how lucky that decision

Call Sign Online

may have been.

“I stopped at Russell’s for around an hour and then made

my way back from Stanmore towards Kings Cross and put my

‘for hire’ light on in case there was anything about. When I got

to Kilburn, a big man in a fawn old style but new-

looking Crombie overcoat hailed me to go to Kings Cross! You

can guess what I thought! I was being paid to get the PED fit-

ted! But at Maida Vale he suddenly changed his mind and

asked me to take him to Winter Wonderland instead. The traf-

fic going down Edgware Road was solid and I said I’d try a

back route, but he suddenly called out that ‘good’ cab drivers

would have shot along the offside of the road in the north-

bound lane!

“Suddenly I knew my Kings Cross luck was well and

truly sunk! I tried explaining why I couldn’t do that and

he suddenly changed the conversation to ask if I had been

busy. I told him he was my first job (which I tell every pas-

senger that asks that question... and in this case it was

true) and he then asked me if I knew the Adams Brothers

- Terry, Tommy and Patsy from Islington. I innocently

asked if they were cab drivers and he went silent for a few

seconds before blurting out that they were billionaires

who ran Europe's largest drug ring! He then said he was

related, worked for them and was also going to ‘hurt’

someone that evening because he ‘loved a good fight!’ As

he was almost as wide as he was tall, I didn't doubt him. I

tried to make a joke of it and said I hoped it wasn’t me but

he didn’t reply.

“Suddenly he said that ‘the brothers’ wouldn't be happy to

know that a London taxi driver hadn't heard of them.

Meanwhile we were close to Seymour Street, moving very

slowly and he said he’d get out there. As he did, he said he

assumed there would be no charge! I didn't argue and the sec-

ond the door was shut I turned left quickly into Seymour

Street, even though the lights had turned to red!

“I'll never know whether he was telling the truth about the

Call Sign February 2017

Page 22

“It happened after I had pulled

up outside the terminal at

Where’s Your Badge?

London City Airport to set down

my passenger,” Alan Drew (L33)

to her and asked if she had seen anything?

explained to Call Sign. “He had

She said no but then asked where my badge

asked me for a receipt, which I

was. She identified herself as a TfL Cab

was happy to do. I intended fin-

Enforcement Officer. I told her that I had

now finished work, just taken my Badge off,

ishing work after this trip, so I

put it into my money bag together with my

took his fare money, slid my

passengers’ cash and was heading home.

green taxi drivers’ Badge from

“She said she couldn’t be sure that I had

my neck and put both items in

been wearing it and I repeated that I was now

my money bag for safe keeping

finished and going home. In the same vein,

she then asked how she knew I was finishing.

as I habitually do when I have

I responded that she didn’t have to believe

ended my shift.

me but that I’d been working for over 10

“While I was sorting out the receipt, there

hours and could prove that via my Dial-a-

was a crashing noise ahead of my taxi. I

Cab terminal. But she said she was disputing

looked up to see a PHV directly in front of me

my word and began writing everything down

having unloaded luggage from the car and

on a digital hand-held device, expecting me

someone then slammed shut the tailgate. I

to counter-sign it as a statement of fact.”

jumped out of my seat and went round to the

Alan continued his story and pointed out to

front of my taxi to check there was no dam-

the CEO several anomalies and made amend-

age to my cab from where the tailgate had

Alan Drew: Cab Enforcement Officer

ments, but still refused to sign anything.

previously been opened. Looking around,

didn't believe he had just taken off his

“At that point, another TfL officer appeared

there was a lady standing nearby, so I turned

badge as he'd finished his shift

on the scene and agreed with me that I did not

have to sign anything so I drove away and head-

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

ed home. My advice is to never sign anything

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

just because someone says you have to. I am

butterboy is…

now awaiting a response from TfL,” he conclud-

ed, still looking puzzled at what he said was a

waste of everyone’s time. As Alan pointed out, it

wasn’t as though he never had his Badge...

A Blogger’s Tale

Alan Green, Call Sign Online

My dad loved to gamble; he came from a long line of gam-

blers and both he and my uncle were bookmakers. In fact my

uncle managed a number of shops until he retired a few

years ago.

Some of my earliest memories were the sound of dad whistling

at the horse racing on the television, I was amazed at how much

noise he could generate. He once told me that he had won so

much money on an accumulator that he managed to pay off the

mortgage early, but then whispered to me not to tell mum… and I

didn't.

I had a brief - but idyllic - spell after leaving school of

being unable to get a job, lazing around at home. No school and no work was total-

ly fantastic, but I had heard the rumblings of discontent from both my parents.

Apparently dad had told mum that I could work with him in the betting shop, the one

in Soho no less; now if I’d known that I would have invented a job and waited for him

at the top of the road, Soho had a magical allure for a teenage me.

Inevitably, despite her desire to get me working, mum refused to allow me to work in a bet-

ting shop. I suspect she thought it would corrupt me, but at 17 I wholeheartedly wanted to be

corrupted!

I went on to dislike gambling, preferring to keep a firm grip on my hard earned money. I

have, though, had a couple of lapses in my time; many years ago I picked up a lucky gambler in

the West End. He excitedly told me that he had won big that night and as I steered the cab

• Immaculate Fairway taxi available

through the dark streets towards Charing Cross Station he replayed every turn of the card and

every winning hand until I eventually pulled on to the cobbles at the front of the station. Still in

for Wedding Hire

the cab, he asked me if I had had a good night and of course I replied that I had only just start-

• Covers most north, east and

ed and only had my cash float on me… just in case!

central London locations

He climbed out, came to the nearside window and held out a leather bag very simi-

lar to the one I used to hold my notes in. He asked if I fancied a gamble. Well I always

• Used in Olympic closing ceremony

want to win, but the thought of losing made me feel sick. I asked what kind of gamble

with the Spice Girls!

he was referring to.

• Full leather interior

“Flick a coin and call heads or tails in the air,” the passenger replied. “If you win, you keep

my winnings and if you lose, I keep what's in your money bag.”

• Discounts for DaC drivers

Safe to say I drove home potless. My dad used to tell me to always quit while you were

ahead and I used to ask him how you knew when you were ahead. He would just smile and say

Ring Graham (B35) on

that I still had a lot to learn…!

To be continued…

Simon Scott (O40)

or email oldlondontaxis@yahoo.co.uk

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2017

Page 23

This is just a reminder that it’s no

longer Christmas and that New

Year celebrations are a distant

FANCY A BEER???

memory. But this magazine

...but have a short memory!!!

doesn’t forget easily...

Whether you believe the reported figures in the poster reprint-

ed on this page of 154 sex assaults in PH vehicles, including 32

rapes over a 12 month period, or the figures reported at the pre-

Christmas Mayor’s Question Time that were taken over a two

year period of 270 sex attacks, which allegedly included 56 rapes;

either way the figures are absolutely appalling!

It has to be also said that during that two year period, there

was one reported case of a sex attack by a licensed taxi dri-

ver; that was in 2015. Yes, even that one case was one too

many with the LTDA describing it as a deplorable one-off

incident and responded by offering a donation of £10,000 to

the St Mary’s Hospital Rape Haven in Paddington, which spe-

cialises in assisting victims of sexual harassment.

So put that against Budweiser’s apparent support of the mini-

cab sex attack and rape figures to such a degree that they not only

sponsored Uber over the holiday period by offering £15 per trip

to use them, but by doing so were encouraging lone females to

use the Uber app.

We on the licensed taxi side all knew that Uber’s surge pricing

over the holiday period made the £15 discount almost worthless,

but people looking to get home and not used to using the app reg-

ularly would not have realised. But we would have assumed that

a company like Budweiser, who in all fairness many would

describe as producing the best beer of its kind, would have

checked just who they were sponsoring.

So Call Sign can’t tell you what to drink but we’d ask you

to remember the above when you order your next beer and

perhaps remind your family and all your friends of who it

was that totally ignored the above disgraceful sex attacks in

Alan Fisher

minicabs and when they next fancy a beer, perhaps think

Call Sign Online

about ordering a different one to Budweiser...

Bank Demo

he succession of demos by taxi drivers at the

Bank Junction was deemed to be a success by

organisers, the independent ITA, despite the best

attempts of the City Police to scupper them by creating

difficulties for those many taxi drivers that turned up.

They even created a further difficulty by reducing the

original 90 minutes to just 30.

However, drivers were being sent messages via

Twitter and passing them on verbally to move the

demo to places other than the Bank Junction and

rather than breaking their spirit, drivers became even

more determined to get their point across - that taxi

drivers are the safest form of public transport and

that it had been many years since a licensed taxi dri-

ver had been involved in an accident at the junction,

whereas buses had and indeed in the same week, a

bus at the Elephant and Castle had knocked over a

pedestrian.

Areas were bought to complete standstills as thousands of Taxis changed destinations. The police soon

realised they were losing as more and more venues saw taxis gather at places such as Parliament Square and London Bridge.

As drivers dispersed, organisers gave out details for following days with nothing put out on social media, leaving the

police in the dark. That hadn’t been the intention but police actions left demonstrators fighting for their trade, knowing

that closing the Bank Junction to them would be catastrophic and lose taxi drivers even more passengers.

The only real question is what the City of London has against us to force the trade into acting in this way? However,

the city of London has now agreed to a meeting with the RMT taxi section.

Call Sign February 2017

Page 24

ercedes-

Call Sign’s Gary Cox (O46) makes no secret of his love for the Vito

Benz Vans

as against the TX4 but looks at the cab’s advertising and second

h a s

hand future...

launched

its new Euro 6 Vito

Taxi; their successor

SELLING THE VITO

to the vehicle that

has sold in excess of

3,000 units since its

launch in 2008. The

new taxi works on a

136 hp low emission

114CD Euro 6 diesel engine together with

the fuel efficient 7G-tronic plus 7 speed

gearbox. S&B Commercials at Welham

Green advertise the Euro 6 Vito as no

deposit with weekly payments of £168,

which includes a 3 year warranty and free

24 hour roadside assistance from MB’s

MobiloVan. It all sounds good, but as they

advertise two rates - for business and

non-business users - who knows.

S&B should realise that it will soon find

"Why was the best diesel cab ever released just before the electric taxi is due?"

itself in the middle of a panic buying spree

nothing, courtesy of the Mayor of

ably the best diesel cab ever arriving at

due to the fast moving position regarding the

London. I just hope that S&B see sense

the last minute just before we all go down

up and coming electric taxi. Nobody at S&B

and charge independent traders like you,

the experimental route of electric taxis!

was available for comment when

me and Del Boy the same price as they do

My tip is if that if you are feeling confident

approached. That's not surprising consider-

to large garages and promise to supply us

enough to buy a new dib dab and you can’t

ing that they are in all probability trying to

on a first-come first-served basis.

add extras on it because it comes complete,

convince the big boys and girls in Stuttgart

I bet KPM and Ascott can’t wait for the

the only thing you can negotiate is not paying

that they don’t want to have to shift thou-

gold rush on second hand cabs, because if my

for the oil on the first service. At least when

sands of ex-leasehold cabs at the same time -

well-known source is to be believed, what the

you leave S&B, you know you’ve got some-

could a two year lease plan be in the offing?

cab trade lacks is enough second hand cabs

thing out of them apart from a fantastic cab -

They must be having a laugh; after all, who

ready to buy on the showroom floors. Not

yes, a little over-priced but then again in two

sells a cab with a one year warranty on it. Of

that S&B are going to want to flog second-

or three years’ time when they start to

course, because nobody will be able to pur-

hand TX4 cabs because they are going to

emerge back on the second hand market with

chase new diesel taxis soon, second-hand

have to face the nightmare of getting a lot of

sixty thousand miles on them, I can see the

prices will rocket, which makes the depress-

cabs first time plated - good luck with TfL.

price rocketing if the electricity thing doesn’t

ingly high price for a new Vito not seem quite

We all knew Mercedes Benz were never

give us the pleasure we so so desire.

so high.

going to put their Euro 6 taxi on the road

To S&B, above is the best way to flog a

One thing is certain though; the

until they thought they had got it right,

cab; it asks all the questions and answers

builders in fifteen years’ time will be rub-

but l just wish they had delivered this cab

them all in one place. They can consider

bing their hands together at the thought

a year earlier so that we had a little more

this the ultimate ad

- free of charge

of a well maintained cheap van for next to

breathing space, rather than having prob-

because l like the way they do business...!

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

Gary Cox

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

Call Sign Online (and Vito lover)

SIMON’S GOLF COURSES

Knole Park Golf Club

Down Sevenoaks way there's a rather pleasant golf

club called Knole Park, which is unsurprisingly situ-

ated in the Knole House estate.

November 1st 1924 when Lord Sackville of Knole

Park drove off the first tee. The noble Lord was landlord

of the estate and a member of Knole Park Golf Club.

The course found some notoriety during the war

when enemy gliders attempted landings there; that

was stopped when a series of obstacles were scat-

Don't be surprised when some deer turn up to

tered around. But fame hit the course in the 1960s

watch you!

when John, George, Paul and Ringo - aka The Beatles - took a walk over the course during the filming

for the band’s 1967 recording of Strawberry Fields Forever.

Knole Park is a classic parkland course with some very fine holes, some of which border on

excellent. But a word of warning: You may and almost certainly will encounter the numerous

deer that roam the course, but they're a harmless bunch that understand the layout of the

course and steer clear of the greens and tees... usually!

At 6500 yards and a par of 70, it's not overly long but it will certainly challenge you. A few noteworthy

holes include the 14th - a long par 4 (447 yards) that requires a good drive down the left, leaving a long to

mid-iron shot in.

The 16th is the last par3 at 194 yards and is on the highest part of the course. It also offers wonderful

views of the historic Knole House. The 18th is a short par 4 at 345 yards, but beware... it’s a redan green

(slopes away from you) and ‘out of bounds’ and the Club House lurk just behind the final approach.

As always, happy golfing...

Simon Wallis (M11)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2017

Page 25

Hello Ladies & Gents

I would like to start this article by thanking the

staff at Roman Way and also the girls in Driver

OPERATIONS AND

Services for their hard work and commitment

throughout December and into this year,

whilst we were carrying out the fleet recall to

COMPLIANCE REPORT

fit PEDS into the rear compartments of the

fleet in a ridiculously short period.

in the front after being signed without you hav-

It was certainly a race against time to fin-

ing to leave your vehicle. It isn’t the ideal solu-

ish this task before the TfL deadline of 30th

tion, but may be a little safer and if a problem

December, but with your assistance, it was

occurs then payment can be processed from

a reasonably smooth operation and we suc-

the office so long as a rubbing of the actual

ceeded against all the odds, so well done to

card is taken, which shows the card details and

everyone; especially as this came straight

signature.

on the back of the PED upgrades that pre-

In answer to some of your queries, the

vented the total roll-out of the Version 11

Board have frequently discussed at length

software update. That should have included

the payment schedules for credit card trans-

the gratuity box and card pre-auths had not

actions and although it is a cost to Dial-a-

TfL insisted on their date. However, these

Cab to process every payment through the

will be coming very soon in Version 12.

banks, we understand that now hail and ride

As I have mentioned previously, the IT

trips have increased five-fold on a daily

department were informed by Barclaycard that

basis, there is now a need to quicken up the

if certain software changes to the PED were not

payment schedule. It seems feasible that we

implemented, then they would literally die

can pay these trips on a daily basis in the

overnight. It was at such short notice, with both

very near future.

Barclaycard and Ingenico seemingly trying to

Lastly, one or two drivers have asked for an

pass the buck while blaming each other for not

upgraded after the cut-off date did not mal-

instructional notice that can be displayed on the

notifying us until literally the last minute. For

function and indeed worked normally, but

partition regarding the usage of the Chip and Pin

the PED upgrade to work successfully, the MDT

we just couldn’t take the chance.

cards for those passengers that speak alternative

units also needed updated software; so as you

I know many of you are fearful of the obvi-

languages. As you know, TfL categorically state

can imagine, IT Director John Bankes, his

ous dangers and difficulties of having PEDS

where any signage - inside or outside of the taxi

team and all the guys at Roman Way were under

sited in the back of your taxis and only time

- should be located and all signs must be

severe pressure to make the necessary changes

will tell if your safety will be compromised or

approved beforehand. It doesn’t seem to be a

in such a short time and without the prior

put to the test. But there will certainly be occa-

major concern at the moment and with all the

notice that other providers had some two

sions when you are forced to leave the safety of

added stickers that we now have, we are fast run-

months earlier! Not an ideal situation and defi-

the taxi to sort a problem out in the back. It is

ning out of space inside of the cabs.

nitely not one of our making.

with this in mind that I once again urge you to

carry a manual credit card receipt book with

Allan Evans

What adds to our frustration is that it

now appears the PEDS that were still to be

you at all times that can be handed back to you

Operations/Compliance Director

And by the way TfL...

CORINTHIAN

o doubt many Call

Sign readers are up

with this magazine’s

campaign for the last

GOLF CLUB

half of 2016 against moving

credit card PEDs to the taxi’s rear

Cabbie Specials

compartment. You also probably

became quite fed up with our

secondary campaign, which after

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED JOINING A GOLF CLUB BUT

admitting defeat for the first

WONDERED IF YOU WOULD REALLY USE THE MEMBERSHIP?

one, then asked for the PED

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

instead to go onto a cable as it

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

had been in the front, so that

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

passengers with problems could

remove it from the cradle and

pass it through the gap to us

CABBIE GOLF SPECIAL

without our need to get into the

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

Many companies allow their

in the beautiful countryside of North-West Kent.

back. Sadly, TfL never even had

PEDs to be removed from

the decency to respond to that

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

one, but we’re now used to

the cradle... but not TfL!

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

their rudeness.

But we still thought we’d show TfL this picture of a credit

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

card machine used by Sainsbury’s and many others, who actual-

A friendly welcome awaits you.

ly allow their customers to remove the PED from the bracket

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

because they, unlike TfL, apparently have some brains! We

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

won’t get that because TfL could not give a hoot what we

www.corinthiansportsclub.co.uk

think! At least that makes the situation more understandable!!!

Disrespectful to TfL? That’s what they have done to us. Perhaps

we should change our name to Uber!

Jamie Corum

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2017

Page 26

jit Chambers

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

was previously

month he spoke to Ajit Chambers, an entrepreneur whose Old

unknown to

the trade, but

London Underground Company has had to battle against the way

just like an express train

TfL operates, causing him to sympathise with the taxi trade...

has entered the fray in

our never ending strug-

COULD AJIT CHAMBERS BE THE

gle with Transport for

London. He too has experienced hardship in

LIGHT AT THE END OF OUR TUNNEL?

his dealings with our governing body.

Firstly some background on Ajit. Early on,

"TfL became less

he trained as a helicopter pilot before then

going on to become a civil servant in the

cooperative and more

Community for Local Government, when

obstructive!"

no less then Sadiq Khan was the Minister.

He followed that by moving into finance

with Barclays and HSBC. Ajit made numer-

deeds. He demanded a

ous influential contacts in his position of

Public Inquiry from the

attending to 'ultra-high net' worth individu-

PM into TfL's malfea-

als before his entrepreneurial zest bore the

sance.

idea of turning some of London’s disused

Ajit feels his requested

tube stations into themed tourist attrac-

Public Inquiry is imminent

tions. Ajit formed The Old London

and believes that soon

Underground Company. At subsequent

“some individuals will be

meetings, TfL became very impressed with

shaking in their boots!”

even then-Mayor Boris Johnson waxing lyri-

As Ajit investigated the miscreants of his

Currently Ajit’s aim is to have all

cal over Ajit’s initiative.

turmoil, the same three names kept cropping

the trade organisations uniting as one, so

However, soon after, TfL became less coop-

up. Ajit said: “The three people involved in

putting this iconic trade back on track. I

erative and more obstructive. Ajit claims that

the fraudulent procurement process happen

joked with Ajit that I didn’t think even

under a cover-up, TfL proceeded to 'steal' his

to be embroiled in the Garden Bridge fiasco

'God Almighty' could pull that task off!

business model after he'd invested a huge sum

and - wait for it - the Uber plague we are suf-

But Ajit was serious: “I’m striving to get

of his own money into the project.

fering.”

all the orgs together as a business partner

So the question begs, where does the

Ajit added: “I can't stand by and watch per-

of London.”

London licensed taxi trade feature in this tale

sons in position of power using that power to

In concluding, I’d like to thank Ajit on behalf

of woe? Well, Ajit has always had affection for

benefit themselves.”

of the trade for his perseverance in speaking up

our trade going back to when he first came to

On Friday January 6th, Ajit Chambers

for us. With those of the calibre of Ajit

London. He couldn't quite get to grips with the

met with Prime Minister, Theresa May.

Chambers in our corner, we’ll never be

London Underground system, so he stayed

That night he was a guest on George

derailed!!!

above ground, frequently asking cabbies for

Galloway’s talkRadio show and described

directions and was impressed by their courtesy

Marc Turner (R97)

how Theresa May had raised her eyebrow

and help. Eventually Ajit became a frequent

on hearing of Uber’s brazen and dastardly

Call Sign Online

customer.

Anglo

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

French demo

376 Strand, WC2

Solidarity

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

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

n an unprecedented act of sol-

idarity with London taxi dri-

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

vers demonstrating against

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

being banned from the Bank

offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill

Junction in April, fellow taxi dri-

vers in Paris on their own

We are certain that you will be delighted

demonstration, were tweeting

support with messages claiming

that banning taxis from London’s

Bank Junction was akin to ban-

ning French taxis from Place

Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

Parisian cabs carried signage for

the duration of the protest, sup-

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

porting the action taking place in

London with the tweet signage

Salieri Restaurant

of #JeSuisTaxis.

376 Strand, WC2

See page 23.

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

Call Sign February 2017

Page 27

“What about a Black Cab,” I asked?

A friend in

Trip

In other reviews, one guest claimed he

was charged forty pounds (£40) to Victoria,

another was quoted sixty

(£60) to

Heathrow, but on arrival was asked for

Advisor???

ninety five (£95).

I hasten to add these two other reviews

I recently had a short stay at the Holiday

have nothing to do with me.

“Yes, I could call you one, but it would work

Inn Kensington, formally the Kensington

Nothing new in all this, you are thinking, but

out more expensive.”

Close. When I say short, it was actually about

the interesting thing is that so far one hundred

My review on TRIP ADVISOR highlighted

ten minutes while I had a wonder around.

and fifty people have read my review, and pre-

the conversation, and of course referred to

On leaving, I approached the Concierge

sumably the others.

the fifty five pounds (£55) I eventually paid

claiming I needed transport to Heathrow and

So I may well be taking a short break at a

for the journey in a Black Cab.

could he advise.

few other hotels similar to the Holiday Inn. I

The Management responded: “None of our

“Our Airport car Service starting at sixty

wonder!!

professional concierges ever tries to upsell our

pounds (£60) is very popular with our guests,”

Car Service. They give advice on a trustworthy,

Philip Benjamin (K20)

he responded.

professional service.”

The Call Sign Internet Library

ALL SIGN often gets dri-

vers asking how they can

get onto our online library

because they have only just

gone on the internet. Astonishingly,

our online department headed by

Vince Chin has kept this magazine’s

website 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 over 9000 online readers, never

mind hard copy readers!

So, you want to look up something

in the latest issue or in an old issue of

Call Sign?

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

or www.dac-callsign.com

Then either browse through

every issue of Call Sign since 1998

Can you afford not to get a copy!!!

by using the Search Call Sign facili-

ty at the top right of the page, type

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

a clue and let our search engine do

the rest. Or go straight to the issue

this book is all you need to know about moving

you want by clicking on Archive or

traffic and parking regulations in one easy to

Call Sign at the top. They are both

read guide!

similar except that the Archive facil-

ity uses covers whereas the Call

Sign button uses dates.

The Motorists Guide to Moving

Since the May 2006 issue, you just

need to click on the PDF logo under

Traffic And Parking Regulations

the issue you want to see a large text

Hard copies £8. Electronic versions to

version. Prior to that date, you can read

20 page versions.

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

If you just want to see the latest

via Driver Services with payment deducted

issue, just click on the Home page.

from your DaC account.

There are also issues from 1967, 1977

and 1987 as a reminder of the old

days!

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

Call Sign February 2017

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at Dial-a-

Cab House

Or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

Shares and drivers

the opportunities of doing other things. We

issue warnings notices if needs be.

Hello Alan

should never lose sight of the simple fact that in

The Knowledge of London tests for taxi

Have you heard of any undercurrent regarding

order to make change, we must start from with-

drivers should change with the times allowing

the mounting of a legal challenge on share dis-

in and that when we raise our glasses at festive

for a better understanding of public needs.

tribution etc as although I've not been an owner

times, it may or may not have been just half

There should be a better understanding of

since August 2012 but prior to that date I was a

empty...

tourism and its needs; for example a small

Dial-a-Cab member for some 30 years as F03.

Andy Colli (C84)

uniform size flag on the front door of taxis

Yet now I don't qualify...

You’re right Andy. Anyone reading the

informing passengers that this particular dri-

Tony Arnold (J01)

January issue, which contained two obituar-

ver speaks other languages. Drivers need to

Brian Rice responds: Tony, I have not

ies and one piece remembering someone

be taught how to deal with drunken passen-

heard one word regarding an undercur-

who had died earlier in 2016, will under-

gers and also what to do in accident situa-

rent and absolutely nothing about a legal

stand what you mean. Sadly, individual cir-

tions.

challenge, which quite frankly in my view

cumstances make it far easier to come to a

There should be an advanced driving test

would be laughable; however, there are

decision for some as against others. Either

instigated and led by the Institute of

several stories such as yours. You were

way, no one should ever regret growing old

Advanced Motoring for all taxi drivers. PH

either a Member of the Society upon con-

because not everyone manages it... Ed

vehicles with dark tinted windows should be

version or you were not and unfortunately

removed from the roads until the offending

in your case you were not. However, a rule

The need to change...

windows have been replaced. And all private

was passed by the Members and then reg-

Dear Alan

hire and taxi companies and drivers that do

istered on

5th August

2016 that any

We need to change our Unions and Associations

not provide tax returns and pay tax on profit

Member with 10 years’ service on that

because they do not lead the way. It’s up to us

in London, should be deemed unfit and not a

proper person or company to hold any form

date could retain his Membership and

as individuals to understand the market place,

receive shares as long as he/she rented a

predict future developments and change with

of office or trade in the London Taxi / PH

region. In plain English, if you want to win it,

taxi with Dial-a-Cab equipment installed.

them. I’m sure most would agree that we’re too

Unfortunately Tony, there has to be a

fragmented, just as I believe that most would

you've got to be in it!

And you lot are not going to like this one;

cut-off date for current Journeymen who

agree that Credit Cards were a pointer in the

were previously owners for 10 years or

right direction. But if Steve McNamara,

but we must face the fact that Rate 3 has been

a point of debate for too long so let’s fix it and

more (as per the new rule) and that date

General Secretary of the LTDA was honest

enough to admit it, his approach to the way in

replace it with something more constructive

was when the rule was registered on 5th

August 2016. Because you ceased to be an

which the system was foisted on us will bear all

and just accept that it has been an embarrass-

the hallmarks of Ken Livingstone’s first

ment to our trade. We should also be able to

owner four years prior to that date, it

London Mayoral style of working - shooting

vote on who represents the taxi trade, even

excludes you from receiving shares. I

from the hip and picking up any collateral dam-

though they can only speak on other forms of

know it is unfortunate, but we must abide

age along the way. A good example was the

transport on the Greater London Authority

by the rules. We can’t just concoct circum-

removal of credit card PEDs from the front to

- it should not be just a case of who the

stances to appease individuals. Sorry

within the passenger compartment and leaving

Mayor wants.

Tony...

drivers vulnerable to attack and other allega-

As for appearance; no more shorts unless

tions.

they are tailored and no flip flops when on

Another year gone...

This is what I think we should do. Look to

duty. So it’s cobblers to those screaming out

Hi Alan

amalgamate the Green Badge club and the

that they know their rights; it’s my rights too!

Well, another year has been and gone with

LTDA. Of course the reason as to why the LCDC

Their screaming doesn’t wash when it comes

what can only be described as scenes from

came into being will have to be addressed,

to building our future and feeding our fami-

‘the ghost of Christmas’ yet to come.

which could prove painful to the leaderships.

lies.

However, as we ponder the ‘Green Mile’ I feel

Then seat all various organisations around a

So it’s over to Call Sign readers to tear the

that at this time we should try to set aside the

table and get them to agree that just one trade

above apart. I just hope that the trade organ-

overwhelming consumption and self-obses-

union will represent our trade and then we can

isations make some attempt at replying,

sive flagellation of what we’ve endured for

begin putting forward our demands, except

because if they don’t it just goes to prove how

the benefit of those loved ones who have had

that those we negotiate with will no longer have

out of touch they are...

to listen to our woes, something they have all

the option of saying that one org disagrees with

Gary Cox (O46)

but heard long before the fates of recent

another and use that as an excuse and do noth-

Gary, I passed out as a taxi driver in 1971

times.

ing we ask for.

so I am now officially no longer a butter

Therefore it may now be time for some

I personally believe that all taxis should be

boy! But even back then and with just the

positivity. I’ve observed the change in my

black - a colour that should only be used by the

LTDA and the T&G, whatever one said, the

father-in-law’s more contented demeanour

licensed London taxi trade and not private hire.

other would automatically disagree with

since handing back his Badge a little earlier

PH should also be defined as being a separate

it. But there are now multiple orgs - with

than he had planned, to look for other ways

entity from the taxi trade at all levels - complete-

some founded by small groups of drivers

in life in which to adapt or change so as not

ly separate management and staff to create

with the best of intentions, but if you then

to forget what wonders life can still give.

competition from within.

go online you’ll hear them all arguing

While some might say it’s not that easy -

We also need to see the return of a modern

with each other constantly. Sadly, whilst

and as a father of three under 15-year olds

form of Public Carriage Office capable of an

your suggestion represents a form of

and in my 50s with an early self-retired wife, I

MOT standard of inspection on the road for

Utopia, there is more chance of the Mayor

should be the first. However, I can't stop feel-

spot checks on PH and Taxis and have the abili-

banning minicabs than the trade orgs

ing how lucky I am to have a job and still have

ty to remove licence plates in extreme cases or

have of voting themselves out of exis-

Call Sign February 2017

Page 31

Mailshot

tence. But you are right in that something

cash work for our drivers. Who would stay on

has to be done - and quickly - because

the line after being told of a run-in and book-

private hire are being allowed to do what-

ing fee?

ever they like, whereas we are treated

Another concern of mine is that I now have

with disdain. And as you also point out,

no receipt for returning my single share cer-

TfL deliberately putting us in danger is a

tificate and I worry if things were to go

disgrace and shows just how easily this

wrong, what proof would I have that I’m part

period it has to survive through if its aspira-

licensing authority finds it to do whatever

of Dial-a-Cab?

tional testing of self-drive cars becomes a real-

they want. But Call Sign is always open to

On a more general TfL related issue, it's

ity. As George Orwell’s 1984 quoted: “You

any driver or trade organisation represen-

now less than a year until new taxis must be

will be hollow, we shall squeeze you empty

tative wishing to respond... Ed

zero emission capable, yet I don't know of any

and then we will fill you with ourselves.” And

taxi ranks with electric charging facilities, let

it’s all done in the best possible taste in the

alone of an electric taxi for sale! I asked to pay

race for profit over people...

Rumours

for a cuppa and jam doughnut with a debit

Dave Heath (Ex-W27)

Dear Alan

card in a cafe and was told that's a minimum

Gloucester

I had my PED fitted in the week before

of £5 please! A friend went to buy me a beer

See page 3 editorial for some news on

Christmas and began to wonder what other

in the bar of my local civic centre and was told

Uber that may well bring them huge prob-

business was not allowed to hold and view

there is a £10 minimum for card payment!

lems...Ed

their PED? I mentioned it to another driver

How TfL expect me to finance a new electric

who told me about a Dial-a-Cab driver at

taxi that is predicted to cost over £50k when

Heathrow who had refused to display the

PED position

I'm being forced to accept card trips that clear

related stickers or to have the PED in the

In addition to the other problems that I have

for £4 and less when the meter starts at £2.60,

back. He was threatened with and given a

encountered since the removal of our PED to

I really don't know.

Stop notice. The story continued that some-

the rear compartment, I have noticed that

Jon Robinson (E88)

one at Roman Way with a barrister brother

non-English speaking passengers appear to

See Allan Evans article...Ed

took the case up and soon the Stop was

be completely unaware of the workings of a

removed as TfL do not have the authority. Is

UK PED. I am aware that not all countries use

this just cab driver gossip as there has been

Uber in Saudi

the Chip & Pin system and that is obviously

nothing in your articles or mentioned by

In Saudi Arabia where women are banned

causing some of the confusion and failed

Brian.

from driving, many more are starting to get

transactions I have experienced. Perhaps an

Alasdair Kay (C47)

jobs - although they still need permission.

instructional notice displayed on the partition

Brian Rice responds: “The rumour may be

The $3 billion investment by their sovereign

may reduce the problems, although if the

partly true (I believe) but is nothing to do

wealth fund into Uber will help them to get

punter does not read English, problems

with Dial-a-Cab. A driver at Heathrow is

work according to Uber! Oh really? Well

could still arise and lead to delayed transac-

said to have refused to have stickers

thanks a bunch guys! You just couldn’t make

tions.

affixed to his cab unless he was paid for

it up, could you! What it does do is to institu-

Would it be possible for DaC to produce

the privilege. He was promptly given a

tionalise women's inferiority and dependency

authorised instructional signage to explain

‘stop’ notice but it was then rescinded by

and actually turn them into a form of invest-

the process to our valued customers?

LTPH (TfL). At least that’s what I heard a

ment! No wonder many have deleted the app

Dave Cohen (E94)

few weeks before Christmas. Whether it’s

from their phone in protest. In the meantime,

There is a survey on the issue inside this

true or not, I have no idea. But a happy

the soul devouring juggernaut that is Uber is

issue and I’ll ask about a sign. However,

new year to you Alasdair...”

continuing to suck in and spit out across the

with DaC/TfL relations at an all-time low, I

globe. Uber’s flagrant disregard for its drivers’

can’t see this licensing authority saying

employment rights could only be a temporary

yes...Ed

The thoughts of Jon

Hello Alan and a Happy New year

Some thoughts and observations on my life as

a DaC taxi driver. Firstly let me thank you for

extracting the urine out of me in last month’s

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

Call Sign! But I really think that having to

wait almost a fortnight for processing a credit

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

card ride through my terminal on weekends

variable bank interest rates?

is a serious issue, when many of our competi-

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

tors are offering next day payments. And why,

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

after having the DaC PED fitted in my taxi

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

over 3 years ago, are we still waiting for the

option to tip? How much did DaC lose out on

at your address also qualifies for membership!

when they took a 10% handling fee from the

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

fare? Once again it feels like we are playing

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

catch up with our competitors.

up to 3 times your total savings…

After reading Keith Cain’s Sales report on

The cost?

spending time with complex tenders only to

always lose out to private hire due to cost, I

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

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

must beg to ask the question as to whether it

is worth the effort and perhaps instead the

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

Sales department could look elsewhere,

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

maybe towards personal travel for individuals

- as an example, senior industry leaders

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

through their PA’s? Perhaps if the cash book-

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

ing fee was done away with and we sur-

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

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

charged the driver, it could generate some

Registration number 213263