New Year Charges
Hopefully, you have all had an enjoyable Christmas and if the Editor has given me the correct information, you should have received this magazine a few days before the start of the New Year. Consequently I can refresh your memories regarding the charges that will be levied by Dial-a-Cab on its account clients.
   From 2000hrs on December 31st until 2359hrs on the January 3rd, we will charge the normal single fare plus any extras for luggage etc including any night charge, but excluding the former £3 New Year charge. However, added to this amount will be a surcharge of £25 on every account ride regardless of the final meter showing. This does not apply to any trip taken on the Westminster account and all rides carried out on that account will operate under the normal DoT tariff.
   Whether or not it will be busy remains to be seen. I personally believe that it will be a bit of an anti-climax with most people either staying at home or not venturing further than walking distance of their homes. I also believe that they will not be prepared to pay some of the exorbitant prices that are being charged and there is still a little apprehension regarding what may happen to certain infrastructures should the millennium bug come into play. I am also concerned about the bug and although all our systems have been checked thoroughly, I will not rest easy until midnight has passed!

Road Closures
Elsewhere in the magazine, there is a map of the road closures that will be in operation on New Years Eve and you will see that it is a considerable part of central London. The map was first brought to my attention at the end of November at a meeting which I attended. The Taxiboard raised the issue with Roy Ellis, Principal at the Public Carriage Office. He, in turn, immediately arranged for the Taxiboard to have a meeting with the Metropolitan Police in order to discuss the closures.

The Police were very concerned about public safety and were adamant that there would be restrictions on traffic entering the restricted area - including licensed taxis. It was explained to them that a considerable number of personnel would be required in the City of London in order to baby-sit computer systems, most of whom would be transported by taxi. The only concession made was that any taxi belonging to a radio circuit would be allowed into the zone to either set down or pickup passengers but could not ply for hire on the street while in the zone.
   In a nutshell, all taxis are excluded from the zone unless they are a radio taxi. No non-radio taxis will be allowed in and no taxis will be allowed to ply for hire within the zone! The restricted times are as follows: From 0900hrs until 1700hrs on 31st December, there will be limited access, but from 1700hrs on 31st December until 0230hrs on 1st January, there is absolutely no access - unless, of course, you are a radio taxi setting down or picking up. Confused? You certainly should be!

Livery Cabs
Just a reminder that there was a rule change made by members at the 1997 AGM that prohibits any exterior advertising on your vehicles, other than the new DaC Logo, after December 31st 1999. This rule will be enforced and failure to abide by it will carry an automatic expulsion.
   This Society has taken tremendous strides forward in recent years and having a large visible presence on the streets of London has contributed to our success. The unlicensed trade

cannot advertise on their vehicles and we can, so make the most of it and promote your business. We must exploit any advantage that we may have over any of our rivals.

Mo Moss Funeral
On Friday December 10th it was my sad duty to attend the funeral of Maurice (Mo) Moss (L68) at the Kensal Green cemetery. Although we weren't social friends, we had known each other for around twenty years through work and you could not help but like him.
   His big passion in life was diving and tragically, it was that passion that cost him his life while diving off the British coast in June 1999. His body was discovered six months later by a French fishing boat and one can only guess at the sheer torment that his family must have gone through during that period. His funeral will at least allow the natural grieving process to take it's course.
   All connected with Dial-a-Cab send their sincere condolences to Mo's family knowing that now at last, he can rest in peace.

Logo Draw
At the December Board meeting, the Christmas Logo draw was made. Four call signs were pulled out and starting with the first drawn, they are called into the office to check if they have a new DaC logo on their vehicle. If the first vehicle does not have the new logo, we then move on to the second taxi and so on, until a winner is found.
   The prize for December was two return tickets on British Airways to Florida plus Hotel accommodation for a week and yes, you've guessed it, the first member that was drawn out of the hat did not have our logos on his cab! I bet that spoilt his Christmas and I wonder if he has dared tell his wife. The moral is, if you haven't got them - then get them. The winner will be announced in the next issue.
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members, staff and their families, a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Brian Rice