I must say it is nice to be back as
part on the team. The welcome I received from the Board of Management and staff at
Brunswick House was overwhelming. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all
drivers for your support and good wishes.
So far as the AGM was concerned, other than my jubilation on being
re-elected, I think the conduct of certain members during the meeting was deplorable.
Those you elect to sit as trustees on your behalf are accountable to the membership, you
have the right to criticise, question and in certain cases, remove from office. The
members that tried to hijack the AGM for their own agenda, at the very least was
unbecoming and gave a distorted view of our society to those outside of the membership who
may have been within earshot. They had a total disregard for the members who gave of their
time to be at the meeting...sometimes reluctantly.
PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION
As the title states, I am back doing the job I used to do helping co-ordinate and
implement some existing and forthcoming projects. My first project for this period is with
reference to the Westminster Taxi Card Scheme.
As you are aware, through the efforts of the sales team Dial-a-Cab has yet
again been awarded the contract for another five years...brilliant!
I feel sure the contract was awarded not only through the negotiations
via the sales team, but also the fine record of those Call Takers who are responsible for
answering the Westminster Taxi Card calls. Their courteous and understanding manner
when dealing with card holders, not all of whom have a great understanding of the English
language, is a testament of their loyalty to the customer and Dial-a-Cab.
It is also important to note that Peggy Smith - who is the
Dial-a-Cab/Westminster Taxi Card co-ordinator - also has a difficult job. She issues new
cards and monitors the usage, plus acts as a liaison with the representatives from
Westminster Council. They should all be proud of themselves. Thank you for your diligence
on behalf of all of the drivers.
HOSPITAL PICK-UPS
It is of course important to make sure we manage the new contract with the
best interest of all. With this in mind, during the previous contract there have been a
few anomalies, one of which was the amount
of scrubs and cancellation there are. This
has amounted to substantial moneys being lost to Westminster City Council and grief to
Dial-a-Cab. My job is to come to terms with this problem.
There are various areas that are cause for concern, one of which are the
pick-up points at some hospitals. There is a definite problem here. Drivers are sometimes
finding it difficult to make contact with their passengers when arriving at a hospital,
therefore some jobs are scrubbed or cancelled. Negotiations will take place early in the
new year to try to sort out any on-going problems and more information will be given when
we can. If you think that there are any areas where we can improve our service, please let
us know.
Going back to the AGM, during AOB there were some great ideas coming from
members. Please don't wait for the next meeting, if you have any ideas how to improve our
service to both customers and drivers, let us know.
May I wish you and your families the best of health, wealth and happiness for
the coming year.
Mike Son
