DaC at the ITLA Annual
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Allen Togwell reports for Call Sign It's hard to believe that it was a full year ago that I was writing
about our last visit to the ITLA convention and I mentioned at the time that
the attendance was the biggest ever. Well such is the growing popularity of
the ITLA - the largest taxi association in the world - that this year the
82nd convention was bigger still and what made it so was the growing numbers
of new members from other countries around the world.
Many in the London licensed taxi trade often consider our industry to be
the only recognised taxi service in the country. Admittedly our vehicles are
the only recognised 'taxi' in the world and we undertake the most stringent
Knowledge imaginable, but we don't have a monopoly on the trade.
Taxi/Paratransit Vehicles
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Taxi/Paratransit's however, have never been discussed even though in my
opinion there is equal, if not greater potential for this service than
supplying limos. In the USA, it is big business and it could be equally so
in London. For example, the all London Disabled TaxiCard scheme together
with the work we do for Westminster is worth in excess of over 8 million
pounds a year. There is indication that the new London mayor is proposing to
increase the subsidy for disabled taxi transport by a further £6 million. What better vehicle to accommodate this service on a single or round robin basis than a 6/8 seater taxi/paratransit fitted with a hydraulic lift for wheelchairs and driven by a licensed cab driver? Both of these services need considerable discussion with people who have experience, which is exactly what Brian Rice and I endeavour to do when we visit conventions such as the TLPA and the IRU. At this year's conference, there were over 80 industry experts speaking on a wide variety of topics associated with the taxi industry, from operational issues to technological advances. Then at the trade show, there were over 100 companies exhibiting industry products, including vehicles, parts, communication equipment, dispatch systems, insurance, financing, Internet, training, fuel, tyres, maintenance, advertising, meters, safety equipment, MDT brackets, novelties, clothing, accident kits and much more. Since Brian became Chairman of DaC, there has been a concerted effort to associate ourselves with a growing number of the delegates of the TLPA from the present and past Presidents to large and medium sized fleet owners and of course many of the manufacturers and suppliers of data equipment. This is of considerable benefit in our quest to be leaders of the taxi industry here in the UK. DaC Still the World Leaders in Internet Real-time Bookings |
