Dial-a-Cab at the Taxi Driver of the Year Show 2000
It must be admitted that recent years' shows have been less than successful. Bearing in mind that this is the only London-based Taxi Trade Show, it was important that if the event were to continue in the future, the committee of The Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund should pull out all the stops and make this year one of the most interesting and successful shows. I believe that this was achieved. The weather could not have been better and it was pleasing to hear from an exhibitor that after participating for many years, this was the best year he had known.
   I'm sure that the many exhibitors who decided to participate were also pleasantly surprised at the number of visitors that attended. There are always a few moans and groans, but one concern was justified.
   Unusually, there seemed to be many more visitors during the morning than the afternoon. On investigation, we were told that the Park Police were stopping visitors entering the Park. The reason we were given was that there was not enough parking space and too many visitors to the Taxi event. Personally, I cannot understand this excuse due to the fact that during the year, Battersea Park Management allows many events, catering to thousands of people attending much larger events.
   The Police who were on duty at the Chelsea Bridge entrance verbally abused my children, who came to the show to help on one of the charity stands. Other people who managed to come, told me that the Police were rude and quite frankly, obnoxious. If true, then they should be ashamed of themselves.
   Having been given the responsibility to organise the Dial-a-Cab stand at this year's show, I was extremely pleased with the compliments about the look of the stand and how professionally everyone conducted themselves. Dial-a-Cab has much to be proud of and it was important to show off our technological 

achievements and how much Dial-a-Cab had grown since our inception in 1953.

YMCA Flab Fighters and THAT Map!
I also invited the YMCA to participate within our stand space, promoting healthy living and fighting the 'flabby cabby' at their Gymnasium in Great Russell Street and the association with Dial-a-Cab and the Taxi Trade in general (see the September Call Sign). After the show, I was told that it proved to be very successful for them.

    Undoubtedly the hit of the show of course was our, user-friendly drivers touch-screen Mobile Data Terminal. Hundreds of cabdrivers and their families were enthralled with the look of the terminal, the mapping facility and how easy it was to use. Mike Tarbuck (L41), Roy Masterson (Data Possessing Manager) and Jason O'Brien (Call Centre Help Desk Supervisor) and Al Fisher who was on the stand supposedly representing Call Sign, were inundated with questions demonstrating various aspects of the Terminal and our Internet Booking System.
   I was answering questions about all aspects of Dial-a-Cab from old and new members, potential Dial-a-Cab drivers and of course 'the usual suspects'. I was very pleased to talk with many of the wives/partners of the drivers plus others and how interested they were in the company.

Thank You...
My sincere thanks to Mike Tarbuck, Roy Masterson, Jason O'Brien, Al Fisher and Peter Thurston, Installation/Repair & Depot Manager who helped with the mobile terminal display stand. My thanks also to Brian Rice and Allen Togwell who came along and made themselves available to visitors. All in all it was a great 

show...
   Congratulations to the winners of the competition and my thanks to Russell Poluck, Bill Tyzack Mike Astin (Dunlop) and all who made the event a great day. I look forward to next year.

The Greater London Authority - Transport for London
A short time ago I was invited to the Greater London Authority for a meeting with Mr Dave Wetzel, now Vice-Chair at Transport for London (TfL). Some of you will have known him from the GLC days where he was instrumental in coordinating the Taxi Card scheme for the disabled. Those who do suffer with disabilities and use this facility should be grateful to him and his team all those years ago. The Taxi Card has proved to be a lifeline for people unable to use other forms of transport. I was very pleased to hear of the appointment of Mr Wetzel who has always been a great supporter of the taxi industry and from whom we can expect a fruitful association with this industry.

  Primarily the meeting was to talk about some ideas with Dial-a-Cab in mind, but as you can imagine in the main we spoke about the taxi trade. I was asked many questions about my thoughts on the future of the trade, licensing of minicabs, taxis in the suburbs and other aspects of the industry. I made it clear that my answers were my own opinions and suggested that he meet with Brian Rice who could speak from a more authoritive position due the fact that he does represent Dial-a-Cab on various committees.
   I was also introduced to members of his team including Joyce Mamode, who has Public Carriage Office Board responsibilities, Professor Bob Lane (Integration Committee) and others.
   The meeting went very well and was extremely interesting. A further meeting is to be arranged at Brunswick House. Mr Wetzel said he is looking forward to his visit and eager to see the technical advancements Dial-a-Cab has achieved.

Mike Son