Christmas Incentives
You should have all received a letter outlining our Christmas incentives that will hopefully encourage you to cover more work in what promises to be the busiest pre-Christmas ever. At the time of writing, the three cars that we are giving away as prizes in the first incentive will probably be the new Rover 25, an ideal car for wives and girlfriends. So even if you feel that you cannot cover more work, hopefully your partners can cajole you into that little bit more, especially if they can take command of your new acquisition!
   You will notice that we are doubling the points during the morning peak and also in the evenings as an incentive for you to do more work during those periods, so if you don't work the morning or evening peaks, perhaps you might try them during the run-up to Christmas as your coverage is absolutely imperative. Unfortunately, the above scheme is not available to journeymen, as it would contravene the rules for 'private lotteries'.
   We are increasing the fleet by 100 mobiles per month and we are giving preference to would-be members that work the above hours - ie peak hours. If there are any of you existing members that can personally vouch for a prospective member to the fact that he is a very good radio man and covers a lot of radio work, please speak to Shelagh Adkins at this office. I am sure that we can arrange a prompt interview.

EC5
It has been brought to my attention that some members are not aware of the 'going home' facility in relation to work despatched in the city when EC5 is in operation. Consequently, I will give you a brief résumé on the situation.
   Work is despatched into EC5 and if it is not covered within 4

minutes (variable by the Call Centre), it is automatically transferred to the 'Bids'. It does not go to EC1/2/3/4. When the unmatched trip is in 'Bids' that is when you can bid for a trip when you are on your 'going home facility'. Provided you have your Code 3 set, the system will only offer a trip that is going in your direction, which brings me to the next point...
   Talking to members, I was very surprised to learn that some of you are using the 'going home facility' as a means of realising your day's takings and become a little agitated if you do not get a job in your direction. I would like to suggest that the facility was designed for two reasons, the first one being that once you have taken your days money, you can activate the facility to give you a little extra and take you in your general direction without so much dead mileage. And secondly, you will help to cover an extra trip for our account clients. I believe that if it is used other than for the two reasons I have outlined, you will be doing yourself a disservice.

ITLA
You will read elsewhere in the magazine about the recent ITLA (International Taxi and Livery Association) meeting that incidentally, after eighty-two years, has now been changed to the TLPA (Taxi Limousine Paratransit Association).
   The annual meeting attracts around one thousand delegates from all over the world and the trade show that was held at the same time had in excess of one

hundred exhibitors, many demonstrating the latest in despatch technology.
   In London we pride ourselves on having the best taxi service in the world, and I for one subscribe to that theory, however there are always things to be learnt from other taxi operators around the world. But, regarding the latest technology that was on show from various parts of the globe, I have to tell you that they are several years behind Dial-a-Cab and both Allen Togwell and myself got great pleasure in giving demonstrations of our internet booking systems and of course our terminal. I think everyone was very impressed.
   Make no mistake, in recent times we have tried very hard to lift the image and profile of Dial-a-Cab with some success, and not only are we now the market leader in the UK, it is fair to say that we are also a world leader. There is not a cab company in the world that comes close to our technology.
   I find it very rewarding to be introduced to taxi operators from around the world that actually know of Dial-a-Cab in London. It was just a few short years ago that even city of London corporates, when I visited them, asked if I was anything to do with Computer Cab! They don't any more.

Lobbyists
I am always impressed at how operators abroad have their own lobbyists on their payroll, employed solely to write letters, visit their MP equivalents and generally make bureaucrats' lives difficult. If only every taxi driver in London was a member of an organisation, just think of the muscle it would have.
   Just one final reminder, our coverage over the next two months is more crucial than ever, please do all you can to ease the situation.

Brian Rice