COMPLAINTS RESULTS
In the results of Complaints Meetings (Dec 99 Call Sign), a driver was charged with: "Making a journey which is the property of the Society his own." If an account journey is the property of the Society, then in this context, so is the passenger and the driver can only be carrying this passenger on behalf of the Society. How then can Allen Togwell on p 12 of the same issue on the subject of damage to cabs by the Society's passengers, justify his assertion that: "...in reality, it's not really the Society's responsibility"?
Terry Piedot (F9)

Allen Togwell replies:
All taxi bookings taken by Dial-a-Cab are accepted within the spirit of the rules as agreed by the members. The term 'Property of the Society' is to protect a journey allocated to one driver from being dispossessed by another driver against the rules of the society. The 'journey' does not necessarily mean 'passenger'. As a taxi supplier, Dial-a-Cab act as agents on behalf of our members. Our terms and conditions clearly state we accept no responsibility for loss caused through the cab not arriving at the time and date required. We also state that we accept no responsibility for any injury to passengers. There have been many instances where clients have attempted to seek compensation from us for losses caused through a missed train or plane because we have not honoured a booking which involved supplying a cab at a date or time required - all without success.
   In every tender agreed between DaC and the client, there is a clause which states that ALL DaC taxis must have full passenger liability insurance, which means that any dispute over injuries or damages of any sort, is the responsibility of the driver and passenger. However, as a gesture and in an attempt to avoid inconvenience and possible animosity between driver and client, Dial-a-Cab have agreed to pay a £25 cleaning fee in the event of soilage to the interior of the cab made by a client and are prepared to act as go-between in the event a driver is claiming extensive damage. But I repeat it is a gesture.

TYRE CHANGES
If anyone is interested, the long silver straps you use with the new hubcaps can be purchased at £10 for a pack of 100 from Kilburn Motor Spares, 4 Oxford Road, NW6. Cheaper than what the garages charge and handy to keep for the odd tyre change, because the tyre shops don't keep them.
   Can I also send my thanks to the driver who gave me a jump-start Friday 17th December 1999 in Great St. Helens off Bishopsgate. I had left my ignition on and not realised that the rear demister was on too, consequently draining the battery. Easily done - don't do it too!
David Ammar (L75) ... via email

CODE 77
I feel I must redress the balance with regard to the subject of Code 77. I thought that it was a great success and well thought out with three jobs and six hours work to qualify. I began to use it almost immediately, getting a job home nearly every night. Then the whinging started. I couldn't believe the tone of some of those letters. Perhaps it was me out of step? I began to ask other driver's opinions and I was not alone!
   To A.B.Cook (A62): Quote "Go home and let me earn a living." What I say is that there are dozens of us out there that like it. What does he think we are out there for? Fun? I work the City and do not begrudge anyone their one job home (so long as it IS their home zone). Long before Code 77 was introduced, you could see a dozen or so jobs in EC5 at peak times and around 18 cabs in EC2, presumably waiting for those perceived 'magical' addresses to come their way. Why not offer the trip EC5 only at these times?
   On a different subject, how about printing Nash's Numbers in our Diary or a small booklet form? Very handy...!
M.Russell (T10)

Thanks for the letter Mr Russell. As the subject is now being brought up as a proposition at the AGM, any discussion should take place there.
   As for Nash's Numbers, much of what he writes needs constant updating and is not suitable for a diary. If someone had the time, a Nash's Book of Figures could be a possibility one day...Ed

Thank you for your letter V30 (you forgot to put your name). Whilst you make a valid point, I think you will find that DaC have spent a lot of money in recent years. Everything at Brunswick House from our telephone system to our accounting system - which is the envy of many companies - is of the highest quality and technically the best that you can buy offering facilities that no other company can come close to. When our new terminals arrive, we will - assuming general financial conditions do not suddenly deteriorate - still show a surplus. There is a difference between just going out and buying something and planning for it. And incidentally, yours and Mr Peterson's letter means that we have now published more letters in the past three years from Mountview drivers than Mountview News has! And a genuine happy New Year to all our friends at Mountview...Ed

DIAL-A-CAB AGAINST THE WORLD!
I'm really enjoying myself reading Call Sign while I recuperate from my surgery (Deviated Septum). When I tell my friends here in Southern California about the Black Cabs of London and especially about Dial-a-Cab, they are amazed about it. Nothing like it exists over here. There are many over here who have never been to London, have never heard about the London Black Cabs, about their professionalism, hard work and dedication. I think this is a very important job and Dial-a-Cab is one of the best-run companies I have ever seen. Brian Rice is doing a fantastic job as Chairman and you of course are the very best as the Editor of Call Sign Magazine. The rest of the Dial-a-Cab team are obviously doing a great job too.
   I found out all about your company when I went to London a few months ago. I was able to experience the comfort of the Black Cabs and the importance of the owner/operator's jobs in Dial-a-Cab. When you work so hard and take the pride and responsibility as you do with your job, then it is easy to understand why Dial-a-Cab are so successful. There is no comparison whatsoever between Dial-a-Cab's service and the US taxi cabs. The level and standard of service, knowledge and professionalism of your drivers is amazing. These men and women are true professionals and you should be very proud of them all.
London would never be London without Black Cabs and Black Cabs would never have the great reputation they have without companies like Dial-a-Cab. Keep up the great work.
Josie Allison
Seal Beach, California ...via email

Josie is a regular on-line reader of Call Sign and started to read it following a visit to London. If we ever need a PR in the USA, we need look no further!...Ed

EXPENSIVE CALL OF NATURE
I received a parking ticket in October 99 in Victoria Street after popping into McDonalds to relieve a 'call of nature' for three minutes maximum. After enquiring and being told by Parktel that the ticket had been issued correctly, I grudgingly decided to pay which I did by telephone via credit card within fourteen days and at a cost of £40. The problem arose when I received my credit card statement only to find that Parktel had taken £85 from my card account. I have been told by one of their reps that the computer showed a penalty charge of £40 and have had to send a copy of my statement with a letter in order that they can sort out the problem. Luckily, my yearly subscription to Whips and Rubber Monthly was covered by last month's statement! I cannot see any reason why the matter should not be resolved, but even when it is, it will still be the case that Parktel will have had £45 of my money in their account for at least two months and earning them interest. Quite a lucrative little mistake if it happened often enough - don't ya think?
   When paying by credit card, always make a note of the reference number given to you and keep the ticket without which you've got no chance. Oh, and always check your statement. Can I wish everyone good luck for 2000...
W.Kibble (K86)

Never mind about trivialities like parking tickets, these magazines you get - got any old copies you've finished with?...Ed

AND AGAIN
Thank you for the Play Station, it's really great. I am really enjoying playing on it. I will keep reading 'Call Sign" and will enter anymore competitions! I might be lucky again! Thank you very very much and have a happy Christmas and brilliant New Year!!!!!
Thomas Hawkins ...via email

AND YET AGAIN...
I am just writing to tell you that I am having lots of fun with the Play Station I won in Call Sign. My dad bought a control pad and when my friend comes round, we can both play. Thank you for the Play Station games that I also won and I would like to say that I will continue to enjoy using it and always take good care of it.
Chloe Payne (A happy winner)
London, E14

Chloe and Co were each one of four Call Sign Kids competition winners who won a Sony Play Station and two games in time for Christmas. Their photos appear elsewhere in this issue. Doesn't Xmas seem a long time ago? Mind you, I suppose it was in the last century...Ed

THANKS FOR THE TICKETS
Through Call Sign, a very big thank you to Tom Whitbread and the management of the Shaftesbury Theatre for the 'Casper' ticket offer. The kids were glued to their seats throughout, while for me, the puppetry and colour reigned supreme.
Harold Hill (No call sign given)

MISSED OUT
You were kind enough to publish a letter of mine in the December Call Sign containing three requests. Unfortunately, Keith Cain answered two (well, sort of...) but the other question remained unanswered. The question was: Can we have our credits dated from the first of the month?
David Brett (P93)
Helen Corkerry of Driver's

Services replies:
While your request is certainly possible, it would certainly not be cost effective unless there were a substantial number of drivers who suddenly wanted to change. Please bear in mind that we already have three days each month for payments. One day it may become feasible, but not at present...

SHELIA KAYE MBE
Last evening I was watching BBC1 and one of their respective 20th century programmes came on. The subject was Shelia Kaye MBE. It was announced that Shelia had died but that permission had been given for the program to go ahead. I have been sick on-and-off since September and it may have been announced on Dial-a-Cab. However, this news came as a severe shock and brought a few tears. This lady was a lovely person, as many drivers will remember. She had been severely disabled since childhood but still managed to pick up an MBE. I think that this was for services to export - she once told me the exact reason, but I have forgotten it. She had a very distinctive voice and impish sense of humour and was always very happy, even though she was in continual pain from her back problem etc.
   When she first purchased an electric wheelchair, I think that I was the first taxi that she used for it's maiden voyage. She said that she "...wasn't too sure about the controls" so I carefully put the ramps down when suddenly dear Shelia shot up the ramp so fast that I was sure she was going to fly through the cab and out the off-side door!
   I was so proud of Westminster Council and indeed our own circuit, Dial-a-Cab, for giving me the privilege of being able to help such a marvellous lady. God bless...
   Regarding my own health (Rheumatoid Arthritis) I am now starting some new tablets and am now far less stiff. Can I also wish everyone a very happy New Year.
Derrick Smith (K51)

Let's hope that your improvement continues in 2000, Derrick, and that we see you back in the saddle soon...Ed

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