Good News at Beddy-bye Time!
When the Editor asked me to write this month's report, my first reaction was that at least it wasn't going to consist of the same old thing regarding poor coverage, failing service levels etc, etc.
   Since the start of October and during the recent poor weather conditions, I have been monitoring the coverage more closely.
   Having the despatching system installed on my computer at home, allows me to monitor the early morning activity as well as what goes on late at night. It's impossible for me to be in the office all the time, so the Internet link that is connected directly into the system allows me to be more hands-on with the activity of our fleet.
   The only down side is that switching on early in the morning before that first cup of tea has now become a way of life. I'm told that the vision of me sitting at the PC in my PJs with a bed-head hairstyle is a sight to behold! It has often been said to me: "if only they could see you now!" It has even been known for the midnight trip to the bathroom to include a detour past the PC to see what is going on at Dial-a-Cab whilst the rest of the world are getting their beauty sleep. It also gives me great satisfaction to read emails from the staff informing me what has occurred, when I have actually witnessed it unfold first hand.
   So I'm pleased to say that this has been a good year for coverage and I can't remember a time when clients have been so understanding about any delays. Of course there have been one or two who, no matter what is happening in the world, if their taxi is not there when they want it, 

then it becomes a life and death situation.
   Hopefully the incentive of winning one of the three cars on offer between now and the end of the year will spur you on to keep up the good work. I look towards your nearest and dearest to encourage you to bring them home the keys to a new Rover 25 Advantage! Can you imagine how many brownie points a new car would get you?

Call Centre Procedures
There are a couple of points I would like to bring to your attention that will help the Call Centre supply you with an even better service.
   'Advise Arrival': We have increased the number of staff who handles these requests. While they handle an AAR they cannot handle any 'No Show' requests as quickly as they would like. If the weather is fine and you have not been instructed to advise arrival, please try to make your own contact.
   Euston Station: They have been using us every night now for some weeks. The procedures are that you book in to ES1, rank in Melton Street and then once you receive a trip, drive round to Eversholt Street by the Red Star. Drivers are taking it upon themselves to rank in Eversholt Street and sometimes go to the marshal without even being offered a trip. Please don't do this  as it only causes unnecessary problems that could end with complaints being made.

Dress Code
In the last edition of Call Sign, many of you saw Allen Togwell dressed like you have never seen him before wearing one of the Dial-a-Cab rain jackets that are being given to drivers as a Christmas gift. So you see, take away the pin stripe suit and he can look just like the rest of us!
Having worked with Allen for the last twelve years, I have seen how disappointed he has been on some occasions regarding jibes and rudeness that he has taken from drivers over his articles relating to the way licensed taxi drivers dress when driving their cabs.
   I must say that I think the new jackets look really good and I hope they will be worn from time to time by all of you. Every year I purchase polo shirts for the Dial-a-Cab golf team as well as various other promotional items of clothing. The quality is very good and if drivers would like to purchase items of clothing with our logo embroidered on them, then please contact me. If the response is that good then I'm sure I can arrange with our supplier to order single items in various colours and sizes. This would be yet another step closer for all of us to portray our circuit as the premier radio taxi circuit.
Steve Shaller (R75) is absolutely correct when he said in the last Call Sign; "If we were to adopt a dress code other circuits will follow."

And Finally
Can I take this opportunity of wishing all Dial-a-Cab drivers and staff and their families, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Keith Cain