There haven't been many recent issues of Call Sign with no mention of the new terminals. Now they are a reality and one of the first drivers to be fitted for one was DaC driver trainer Allan Evans (Y83). This is his report to Call Sign…

In the short period of time that the new DaC terminal has been fitted in my cab, I have already noticed how superior this system is compared to the old MDT Unit.
   As you may be aware, it is now mounted on a purpose built pole, which is vibration free and in my opinion, looks a lot neater than the old brackets. The terminal itself is touch screen with no buttons. It runs on the Windows 98 application and has a Pentium processor which has all the advantages you would expect in an up-to-date personal computer - which is exactly what it is!
   The screen can be maximised or minimised and can be set up in any choice of colours that suit the user. The brightness and colour format can also be altered to suit different light conditions.
Once you have pressed the correct command button in the trip sequence, it will automatically disappear and move on to the next function that you may need to carry out in the trip cycle. This eliminates the mistakes which can confuse the less-experienced user.
   If the screen saver appears or the screen becomes completely blank, just a gentle touch on the screen's surface will bring you back into the set-up modes. You can now look through the trip bids; access your general codes; check your previous trip details and so much more.
   There is no need to ever time yourself out of a 'temporary off' or 'soon to clear' because the screen times will visually count down and bleep when you come towards the end of your allowed time. You can even send text messages back to the Control Room although I think we should keep them clean if possible!
Job details are also so much clearer and now you will never miss a trip offer because the screen will flash as well as bleep for the normal sixty second period.

NEW TERMINALS ON THE ROAD

THE FIRST DRIVER REPORT

Another screen can show the Geographers A-Z map and zoom in on any area

A-Z MAP AND CREDIT CARDS
The inclusion of a Geographers' A-Z 'scrolling' map is a great addition to the system. It can be zoomed in, panned out and even highlighted and printed out on the built in printer! No more trying to read a map in the dark.
The new system will also make the antiquated credit card swipe facility a thing of the past and both credit and cash only receipts can be printed. Trips will be held in the system for up to a month, so it is easy to review old and new trips that you have completed.
   A great deal of credit must go to Peter Thurston and his team at Roman Way, because their expertise and determination has greatly contributed to the success of this project.
   Even as you read this, slight modifications and improvements are being made and now that the new terminal and bespoke fitting have been passed by the PCO, the full fitting programme cannot be far away. I have no doubt that it will be the most advanced and user friendly system in use anywhere in the world today.
   A real state of the art system, it was designed by DaC in conjunction with our computer experts Tom and Debbie Carter of Real Time Concepts, Inc in the USA. It is a system that has the capacity to be constantly upgraded and it will leave its main competitors in the shade.
   GPS, which can plot your actual position, has been added to the system and an interface with the meter has been perfected, so we can now illuminate any false positions and wrongful abuse of the meter fare which will make it the fairest system of any on the current market. Not so much of 'Big Brother watching' - more of a big radio circuit watching!
   As a DaC driver trainer, I have been told that a fitting programme is being worked out and when your terminal is fitted, you will each be given an easy to understand operation manual. There will also be a trainer on site in case you have any problems.
I, along with the rest of the training department, look forward to seeing you all in the near future. I am sure this new system will exceed all your expectations and be a great success for Dial-a-Cab - a success that will take us all forward into the new millennium.

Allan Evans (Y83)
DaC Driver Training department