Mailshot is your chance to
tell the subscribers of Dial-a-Cab exactly what you think. Complaints, compliments or just
to write about Call Sign. This is YOUR paper within your magazine....
You can also email your letters to: callsignmag@aol.com
AN OPTIMIST OR PESSIMIST'S VIEW ON PLC?
My wife calls me a pessimist because she says I always look
for the bad rather than the good, nevertheless I have been thinking since
the defection of Mr Adelman to a Private Hire company. At the time that we
voted on whether or not to go PLC, certain members of our Society -
including an ex-board member - said that if we voted 'yes', we would lose
our identity and that we could then be taken over by 'outsiders'. This to
my mind is now a possibility anyway, because Mr Adelman is now in a
position to go to our big accounts as well as Mountview and ComCab and say
that he can now offer a complete car and cab service to their clients -
although, no doubt he wouldn't approach us as we wouldn't entertain doing
business with him. So therefore, he would approach Mountview, ComCab and
even DataCab to ask them to do the cab work. That would leave
us stuck high and dry even with our own advanced technology because, with
due respect, many of our drivers would flock to any of the other circuits.
No doubt that would also include a lot of those drivers who voted against
the PLC proposition. That, in my view, would leave us in a vulnerable
position to be taken over because we would have the technology but not the
work. It would be heartbreaking to see it all go because of the
small-mindedness of some subscribers who have done nothing for the Society
but try to bring it down.
Ivor Belkin (C97)
Your wife was right, Ivor, you are a pessimist! I hope you will forgive me
answering your letter rather than passing it on to a Board member because
they will not be able to give you the answer that you are looking for.
Brian Rice said at the AGM and in last month's Call Sign, that he would
work with anyone if he believed that it was in the best interests of DaC
and no doubt that would include David Adelman. The Chairman and Allen
Togwell - in addition to David A when he was here - have all spoken in
past issues of Call Sign on the importance of a future DaC transport
policy which would include all kinds of transportation, even including the
booking of flights! The rest of the Board have given their views many
times on the subject of cars on the circuit. Brian Rice has said in Call
Sign (from memory) that the company controlling the transport-booking
department of a large corporate account would be the one that pulled the
strings. If we ordered the transport, then it would be us who decide (95%
of the time) which form of transport should be supplied to that particular
company. If another company runs it, then we will get what that company
decides we should get. The advanced technology you refer to Ivor, means
that we are probably the best-suited transport organisation anywhere
capable of organising such a project.
Again, so far as PLC is concerned, I have spoken to individual Board
members who all still seem to agree that conversion at the time would have
been in the Society's best interests. The situation now is that the
Chairman has said - both at meetings and in Call Sign - that the BoM will
NOT put forward another PLC proposition. Full stop. The only way that the
subject will find life again is if a subscriber decides to put it forward
...Ed
WISH GRANTED!
At last after all these years we can now have
details of the number of the building in the street on trip offers, so we
know if a Kilburn High Road trip is number 2 or number 392 - a huge
difference in time during the day and the driver can now decide for
himself depending on traffic conditions. So I would like to thank Call
Sign Editor Alan for this progress because every time I wrote on the
subject, he would tell me: "But Sid, you keep writing the same
thing?" I replied that I would keep doing so until I achieved my goal
and now we have got it! So thanks Alan for printing all my letters and I
hope you have space to print this one. My thanks also to the
BoM for sanctioning the software change and to the Carters and Roy
Masterson for sorting it out.
And now, two more wishes!
1. Updating the Queue Position (QP) on the new terminal. It should update
for more than half a second before reverting to the original one. In my
younger days I probably could have caught a fly with my teeth (should I
have wanted to!). Nowadays I am a bit slower, so please can we have an
updated QP that stays there?
2. This one is stale! Re 'Switch to Voice'. The Dispatcher should mention
who is next to go and also who follows him (or her). So if he calls F07,
he should say: "K88 is next followed by K26."
Then we have a clue as to how long we will have to wait.
Other suggestions to follow soon, but in the meantime my
congratulations to the newly elected BoM and again my thanks to Call Sign.
Sid Nathan (K88)
Some people are just never satisfied Sid! Incidentally, I also shook the
envelope, but nothing crinkly fell out other than the letter! ...Ed
DAC AND THE TAXIBOARD
I hope you will allow me the opportunity to
respond to the questions Brian posed in his response to my letter that you
published in the March Call Sign. Brian is quite correct that only
two organisations have/had membership of the LTB, LCDC has always been
prevented from joining. I was one of two on the LTDA council that voted to
allow them to join in the early nineties.
Brian then asks why I did not mention the contents of my
letter at the AGM and adds "One can only wonder." Well wonder no
longer; the answer is very simple, more people read Call Sign than attend
the AGM. In his response Brian did not answer the questions that I put to
him. Many, many members of DaC signed the petition or are members of an
organisation that does not approve of what the LTB are trying to do. Brian
can certainly justify his attending JRTA meetings, but not LTB meetings
even if he goes as a JRTA representative. Do JRTA send three
representatives to LTB meetings? If so they are a bit over represented,
are they not. Or is it that way the LTB can claim to represent 6,000
drivers, never mentioning that they do not consult their drivers? The
trade have now rumbled the LTB and have said "No" by way of
petition. The trade includes DaC members and their voice has been heard.
It is time that Brian recognised this and withdrew from LTB meetings, or
at the very least asked members if they wish him to continue attending.
Brian states that: "The members of DaC elect him to run the business
and to look after their interests and that attending LTB meetings helps do
that." This is yesterdays answer, time has moved on, there is now a
petition against the LTB and two drivers organisations have withdrawn from
the LTB. There is also the likelihood of another umbrella organisation
being formed. If Brian stubbornly stays with the LTB, we the members of
DaC may not have a voice at the table of the new organisation.
I also did not get a response to the question: "How much
do DaC pay towards the costs incurred by the LTB?" I have been
reliably informed that it amounts to many thousands of pounds a
year. Many members of DaC now find themselves financing both sides
of the argument because Brian has not listened to what his members are
saying through their trade bodies. If Brian wants to claim legitimacy for
his decision to attend LTB meetings and help fund their activities with
DaC member's money, then he needs to hold a vote of the members.
Brian states that the LTDA withdrew from the LTB so that they could
recruit members and nothing will change his mind. Here
is the irony, LTDA membership has risen. The LTDA has received no
complaints from its members about the withdrawal from the LTB; therefore
Brian is saying that these cab drivers are fools. Have I heard that
said before? Just so my position is clear to all reading this, I
have been an active member of the LTDA for 20 years and have often joined
with others in calling for the LTDA to withdraw from the LTB. The time for
DaC to unhitch itself from the LTB wagon has arrived and to delay will put
DaC and its members at a disadvantage.
Steven van Gelder (C87)
Brian Rice replies: You are obviously a very political person, Steven. By
your own admission you have always wanted the LTDA to withdraw from
Taxiboard and now want the same for JRTA. However, just because you want
something doesn't necessarily make it right. But you do prove my point
when you say that the LTDA membership has risen since its withdrawal from
the LTB. As I have always said, in my opinion the withdrawal was a
recruitment drive. You then state that the LTDA have not received any
complaints from their members since their withdrawal from the LTB,
consequently I must "think they are fools." How on earth did you
arrive at that conclusion? Your thinking seems muddled bearing little
resemblance to logic. You want me to ballot members on whether we should
withdraw from the LTB - did the COM of the LTDA ballot members on their
withdrawal from the LTB? No, they didn't. It appears to me that you are
being extremely selective and will only tolerate what you believe in and
'cherry pick' arguments to suit your purpose.
Regarding this new 'umbrella' organisation that you talk about, if I was
invited to join and I considered it to be in the interests of DaC members,
of course I would join. Or would I have to hold a ballot of members first?
THANKS TO MARSHALS MIKE HARRIS AND STEVE TYSON
Just a line to thank you both for acting as Taxi Marshals at
my wife and my party on 6 February at Fishmonger's Hall. I understand that
you ran a most efficient and effective service for my guests, and in view
of the appalling weather that evening, this was very much appreciated.
Edmund de Rothschild
St Swithin's Lane, EC4
We take our Marshalling service for granted at Dial-a-Cab, but without
doubt, it is the finest service of it's kind currently available
anywhere...Ed
THE MILLENNIUM BRIDGE
I recently read an article on the Millennium
Pedestrian Bridge that claimed when it finally reopens, up to five million
people will be crossing it in a year! It occurred to me that the zebra
crossing on Queen Victoria Street by St Paul's School (on the line of the
walk from St Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern via the Bridge) is bad
enough now. What will it be like with five million or so people using it
in addition to those who use it anyway?
I think that someone should consider putting in a traffic
light controlled crossing now. I thought that with your contacts, you may
be able to promote it...
David Brett (P93)
Thanks for the compliment David, but the City of London Corporation have
showed little past sign of listening to anyone - let alone me. However, I
have spoken to someone in the Technical Services and Highways Department
at City Corp and this is what they told me...
During the original opening, the CoL Corporation were about to have the
crossing monitored to check on numbers. Unfortunately, it didn't stay open
long enough. Once it has reopened, the crossing will be watched again. The
spokesperson added that they would be giving it a few weeks grace first
because they expected an early rush of those crossing just for the novelty
value! It will then be assessed. If severe traffic hold-ups occur on a
regular basis, your traffic lights will go in ... Ed
IS THE NAKED TRUTH ALL CRACKED UP ...?
Does the enclosed Private Eye picture (reproduced from The
Times) show that Dial-a-Cab drivers sometimes pick up bum fares? Opinions
may be 'split' amongst our drivers on this matter, but we have no choice
but to look at the 'bare' facts of the picture face on and conclude that
all taxi drivers may on occasions be made to look like real 'asses' with
the press handily standing by to record the occasion! Does the picture
show our intrepid driver being very stoic and very DaC or is he just
showing a helpless bewildered expression for the snappers? I am sure, like
me, our readers are intrigued to know. how this punter in the rear of our
driver's cab found money in his 'birthday suit' to pay for the fare? The
mind boggles. Maybe, our driver was presented at the destination -
rumoured to be near Cock Lane - with a credit card that was miraculously
presented from a bodily recess? All I can deduce - albeit tongue in cheek
- is that no matter what we have to pick up |
off our Capital's
streets, the naked truth is we on DaC have shown, no matter what the
gravity of the situation is, that we deserve the revised title of still
being the taxi trade's 'Ladies and Gentlemen's' circuit.
Jery Craig (C3)
See reproduced picture elsewhere in Call Sign. But Jery, I don't remember
asking you to publish nude passengers when you were in the hot seat! ...Ed
STRESS 1
I was interested in Allen Togwell's article
(March, Marketing at Dial-a-Cab). I like his straight talking and most
times agree with what he has to say. The piece that
particularly caught my eye was about stress and the account that is in
jeopardy because a driver was stressed out and swore at a female executive
from that company. I can sympathise with the driver because I have been
there and no doubt a few other drivers have as well, but as Allen says:
"...take a few deep breaths and a count of ten" and we then
handle the situation?
About six weeks ago I had a 'run in' with one of our clients.
I can't say too much about this as I am still awaiting the outcome of the
investigation. Briefly, the client got into my cab, I asked him his name
and his reply was mumbled. I then asked where he was going, he replied by
saying "what's with the twenty questions." I said that I was
checking I had the right passenger and he replied: "Well I'm here,
lets get moving." So off we went. After a while I could smell alcohol
wafting through the partition and he had fallen asleep. On the way I
encountered some roadworks so I had to follow 'diverted traffic' signs.
After a while, he awoke and started to demand where we were, then he
started shouting and screaming, swearing, then shouting even louder and
stamping his feet. I took quite a few deep breaths and I think I must have
counted to a thousand! But even after that I still wanted to tear his head
off! Yes, I'd had a bad day and no doubt so had the client, but that
doesn't give anyone a God-given right to think that they can have a go at
us. Corporate Companies know all about stress and some probably have
councillors for their staff. What have we got?? We can't have a go
back at anyone for fear of losing our Badge, and along with that goes our
livelihood. The Public know this and often use it as a weapon against us;
that to me is Stress...
Brian McKenzie (A63)
Allen Togwell responds: Thank you Brian for your opening comments. The
scenario you give concerning the ill-tempered rude client is not uncommon,
as I hear similar cases quite often. But you are probably not going to
like my answer because it may give the impression I am putting the blame
back on you, which is not my intention.
On one recent occasion, I booked a cab to pick me up at a restaurant. I
had a client with me and when the driver arrived he asked: "are you
going to be long," and when we eventually got into the cab, he said
"have you shut the cab door properly?" Simple words, yet because
of the manner in which he spoke them coupled by his appearance, it created
the perfect atmosphere for an altercation. This same manner of speaking
also applies to many of our passengers. If somebody who knew me personally
swore at me and said something nasty, it would be natural to take offence.
If a total stranger said it, it wouldn't have the same effect because the
person doesn't know me. It's also important to put everyday life into
perspective, which is what I try to do when I drive a cab or when a driver
slags me off over the phone. To be perfectly honest, I really can't
remember ever having a serious altercation with a passenger. If the
passenger was drunk, I would totally ignore them. To all other passengers,
I attempt wherever possible to take the initiative, which I do partly to
judge the reaction. It has always been my preference to drive a cab
dressed as I do for the office. I also avoid dropping my H's. When picking
up a credit ride, I always stand by my cab waiting to open the door and I
assist with any luggage. If it's raining, I offer an umbrella. When the
passengers are seated and before closing the door, I ask them the
destination and any preferred route. I keep the partition glass closed, I
never speak to the passengers unless prompted other than to ask if the
classical music I am listening to is intrusive. If you think I'm joking
I'm not. I could also tell you some interesting stories of where it has
led me and the benefits financially.
Unlike employees where you are dictated as to how you work, self-employed
cab drivers have the freedom to work exactly as they please, including the
ability to make it as stress free as possible, which I repeat can be
achieved by keeping stress in perspective. Brian, to give a simple
example: How would you have reacted to your irate passenger if you had
just left hospital, having gone in suspected of having a serious illness
and was told you were clear. It would have been water off a ducks back...
STRESS 2
Re Allen Togwell's article on stress: To combat
stress, try the following in moderation.
Relax; Go over to Kola combined with Ginseng; Damiana; Plenty of nuts
every day; Ginko Bilbio; Stay active; Avoid smoking; Read
books. You can heal your life, letting go of loneliness, feel
the fear...
Lots of love...
Garry Nathan (T75)
At least I like the nuts ...Ed
THE VIEW OF A ROVER 25 NON-WINNER'S PARTNER
I read with interest about the three winners of the Rover 25
cars, all of whom said they "couldn't believe it." Well, I
couldn't believe it either, in that I thought I would win! You said the
car was ideal for wives and girlfriends, and I spent two months bullying,
wheedling, supporting and reminding my partner to work longer, harder, and
MORE! I cancelled Christmas and refused New Year's Eve invitations. I
bought the furry dice and planned our acceptance speech. I woke him early,
washed his clothes and withheld sex. In short, I did what I could...
Even a Christmas Day flat tyre and a complete breakdown early
on New Year's Eve did not convince me that we could lose. We
deserved to win. He took his mobile phone to the AGM and I waited. I still
can't believe it, as I'm still waiting! I'm not greedy, although I
do not actually need a car - I'm just highly motivated! Although he
still looks pretty tired, I do not think my partner's health has suffered
- he really needed to lose that weight. Now I can't wait until 1
November this year for the next competition, as next time it's GOT to be
me.
Surely I speak for many!
Love, H.L. (driver's wife)
Dear HL, I have respected your wish to use initials only after making a
case study of the benefits of your partner winning the car as against
losing any benefits of a bedtime nature, but cannot come to a final
decision unless you send a photo! ...Ed
VIOLENCE IN THE CAB PLACE
I have just read the on-line version of the March Call Sign,
which drew attention to the increasing violence against cabbies in London.
Despite the vehicle, despite the screen, despite the door locking system,
London cab drivers are still getting mugged and robbed. One of the drivers
was 70 years old and nearly blinded by 3 attackers.
The problem of increasing violence and anti-social behaviour
is on a steep curve upwards everywhere and is beyond anything that the cab
industry can attempt to address. It is time well past that we led the way
into meaningful discussions with legislators and the judiciary into trying
to solve some of these problems. It is having a serious effect on staffing
levels in cabs and particularly at night and weekends when the feral
people seem to be most active. How we can achieve public awareness and
methods of solving these problems is another matter.
Also thanks to the Editor and his crew, the web site for the
magazine is much better now.
David Gawthorn
Melbourne, Australia.
HINDSIGHT?
Having looked at the 'cars on the circuit' problem
from various angles, I come to the conclusion that cars directly or
indirectly controlled by DaC means less work going in member's cabs.
We have 6 board members who take the opposite view. These members have a
vast amount of experience and a proven track record that is second to none
on running a successful radio circuit. So why are my views and
theirs so different? I can only conclude that it is a result of a lack of
communication. So gentlemen, please could I have the facts, figures and
forecasts on the benefits to the society that cars will bring, other than
just saying, "If we don't do it someone else will."
'With hindsight' is a phrase that will be used in the future
regarding the new terminals, let's not be sitting at the AGM in 3 years
time using the same expression in relation to cars on the circuit.
Michael Calvey (B95)
The personal views of individual Board members have all appeared at one
time or another in Call Sign, however, it has been made clear - again
through the mag - that there is no official policy on the subject and that
their comments are nothing more than personal views. Should the Board make
an official study on the subject, hopefully Call Sign would be given the
results for publication.
Please don't take this the wrong way Michael, but your letter read by a
member not attending the AGM would have given the impression that your
view on the subject as a candidate for the-then vacant position, differed
from everyone else's. At the meeting, a subscriber asked all eleven
candidates for the BoM - including you - whether they were in favour of
cars on the circuit. You and nine others said yes, so I think it's unfair
for you to suggest that "...6 board members take the opposite view
(to you)." There were 5 sitting BM's among the eleven (Brian Rice
made it clear that he was "dragging his feet because the subject was
a real hot potato") but you were still one of the candidates who
answered 'yes' to the question. Hindsight within four weeks might be
pushing the meaning of the word ...Ed
CARS ON THE CIRCUIT?
In the March Call Sign, Allen Togwell suggests
linking up with a private hire company to secure work that we already
have. Maybe he could reply to Steve McNamara's question of 'who will
be the first to clasp the poisoned chalice of total ground transportation
(Taxi 28 Feb). Mr Togwell is right when he says: "To suggest,
as some have, that we should have our own cars driven by Green Badge
drivers, personally is a non-starter."
However, it is not because of the earning potential, but
because it would be highly inefficient and not cost effective.
Mark White (B86)
I have just been reading a report in a trade magazine concerning a meeting
held by the ODRTS Board of Management, which claims that they are ready to
"participate in a pilot scheme to put cars on the circuit." The
magazine was Steering Wheel and the date, March 20th 1971. So little has
really changed! Until something really does change, Call Sign will be
printing all shades of opinion on the subject ...Ed
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
I would like to agree with some of Mike
Holleyoake's (M6) remarks about the traffic in town. I have only
been driving a cab for 7 1/2 years, but in that time the traffic just
seems to get worse and worse. I know there are more cars on the road and
nearly every road over the last five years has been dug up at least twice
to lay cable! And then nearly every building has had scaffolding erected
around it! Then most councils seem to want to make more one ways ie
Torrington Place and Montague place. Russell Square is bad enough
and I don't think this scheme will help.
Now lets go south of the river - this may seem like a foreign
country to some drivers! I see they have now made Burrel St a one way, so
now that is another little short cut we (or anyone else can use). But best
of all, lets look at the new traffic ****up system south of Westminster
Bridge. This has to be a classic and it will get much worse
when they start to demolish the old building and build the new one. A few
weeks ago, I picked up from Eurostar and by the time I got to Lambeth
Palace Rd, I had £7 on the clock for a cash ride. The main problem was
that there had been an RTA in the system! Now comes my main worry; God
forbid if there was a major incident at the station and at the same time
as an RTA (or even normal peak hour traffic) at this halfabout! The
emergency services would have real problems reaching the scene. This I
believe, could turn even a minor incident into a catastrophe.
Over the past few years we have seen too many complete cock-ups with the
traffic in town; ie the security ring around the city, Worship St and the
mess they made of Soho, to name but a few. Can we not as an organisation,
make our feelings known? |
Lastly, I am
sure that all these people who are supposed to keep the traffic in London
moving are well qualified with degrees and such like, BUT do any of them
actually drive...?
Chas Dillon (T97)
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
I am new to the Internet so I just thought that I
would take this opportunity and send you one of my first emails. I hope
you do not mind, as you must be a busy man with all the work that you
do. Also I would like to say that I think you do a very
fine job with the Call Sign magazine. Keep up the good work.
Ken Hunter (G90)
Thanks Ken, but without people writing to me there wouldn't be a magazine
...Ed
CABOT SQUARE
In an earlier Call Sign, I asked for clarification
of the booking-in procedure on E14C when there is a crowd of people
waiting at the rank but the driver wishes to cover account work.
Subsequently, Mr Donoghue wrote in and confirmed my fears
that only some drivers had been informed that you can "hang back' as
long as you are on the rank". This situation is entirely unacceptable
and I believe will lead to innocent drivers being put on complaint. It was
apparent from his letter that Mr Donoghue hadn't been told of this
manoeuvre, and who can blame him for demanding details of this
arrangement.
So I will ask again:
1. How do drivers book into E14C to cover account work, when there
is a crowd of people waiting?
2. Should drivers book into E14C when they pull over to the left
side of the rank OR when they rest on the nine allocated taxi spaces? (15
cabs are able to book in on the computer at present.
3. Has there been any progress on the issue of a dedicated rank?
As for naming the board member who told drivers to 'hang
back', I'd respectfully advise Mr Donoghue to approach the Board and ask
them directly.
Doug Vogel (R5)
See Allan Evans report for the new E14 'booking-in' procedure ... Ed
CODE 3
I am writing with regard to the Code 3 rule. As a
night man, I work three nights Monday to Wednesday and day/night Thursday
and Friday. The new code has just been introduced and already I can see
problems.
Scenario 1:
A possible scene from Fawlty Towers re all 'As Directed'
jobs:
"Hello DaC, Mr Fawlty here from EC5 / E14C. We ordered 40 taxis to
take our staff home, can you tell me where they are?"
"Yes Sir. We have 40 taxis in the system who are going home, but
because they are going home they are unable to take your staff home!"
"Sorry, I don't understand. The taxis that are going
home, some must be in my staffs' direction? Send them round and they can
take my staff home and then they too can go home."
"Sorry sir, we can't do that. These drivers are on
a Code 3 to go home, but they cannot bid for your work because they are
going home themselves. I'm sorry sir, your staff will have to wait for a
taxi that is not on a code to go home to take them home."
"Well, what happens when the driver who is not going
home, gets a job home?"
"Well probably Sir, the driver will go home and not have
to come back and look for a job home. Therefore those drivers who are
booked on a code to go home, will have to look for a job elsewhere to go
home."
"Eh???????"
What will happen when EC5 / E14C is stacked up with work and
the controllers are sending messages that "...if we don't cover this
work, then others will, so please bid - but not all of those who are on a
code to go home, those should go to WC2 / Wl to try to get a job
home." Then what will be needed are more drivers to cover the
work that the drivers who want to go home cannot cover and then when they
want to go home, will they join the other drivers in other zones?
I don't get a job home every night because I finish at about
2 am Mondays to Wednesdays, but on Thursdays and Fridays I want to go home
at about 10.30 - 1I p.m. but I can't get a job where most of the work is;
ie EC5 / E14C because it is AD and Code 3 (Reject Disable) doesn't apply.
If I do a Code 3 I can reject as many jobs as I want in an
hour, but if I book into any zone other than the above, if I do not want
the job I reject it anyway. There is therefore no incentive to do the
minimum number of account jobs if you cannot get a job where the work is
anyway.
So as I finish this letter, I would like to make these three
points:
1. Four drivers decide to take a chance on a job home in the non-reject
zones. Northbound driver gets south; south gets north; west gets east and
east gets west - What good planning!
2. Don't punish me because I do not live in London. My going home
zone is SE50, but when I get a job it can be SE2, SE3, SE7, SE9, SE1O,
SE12, SE18, SE28 or my backup zone SE5I. Any of which I am more than happy
to do.
3. 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
Sorry just had to put the pen down as I sit on the Temple shelter on a
code to go home just had to reject Fetter Lane to Bonnington Hotel cash,
because if I accept I am signed off the system and I won't get my 'roader'...
If possible, I intend leaving a petition in the reception,
which I hope drivers will sign to return the system to the previous Code
77 that we had working so successfully before March 4th.
Raymond Hurley (V60)
AND CODE 3...
We have now gone back to the old Code3 system,
which was originally altered to include the City as Directed Zones. I
realise that a vote was taken at the AGM to return to the original system.
It seems to me a rather stupid situation when you may have in the region
of, in some cases, 60-90 approx jobs in the City zones after 9pm yet cabs
are going home empty. Surely, if the subscribers who brought about the
rule change were aware of the fact that the going-home facility served a
purpose to the client and the subscriber, they may have allowed a
modification to the working, as there must have been a reason for them to
request the change. To do a Code 3: minimum 6 hours work + 3 credit rides
= 1 home ride = 4 x 5 days = 20 rides per week, or say 80 credits per
month.
If only every subscriber was that keen, the Board would be
very happy. The trade Reps have been trying for years to persuade the PCO
to allow Going Home Destination Boards. We have the technology, we have
the work, we have the need, but it would appear not the desire. I would be
grateful if this situation could be given some further thought in the hope
that a compromise could be found to the mutual benefit of all.
I have only ever worked on the Gentlemen's Circuit, so I am
not too familiar on the other 'going home' schemes, but ours seems quite
restrictive, even including booking you off after taking the ONCE offered
MUST BE accepted job 'Going Home'. Come on gents of the BoM.
Thanking you for your consideration in this matter and look
forward to a reply at your convenience.
John Rothery (F65)
AND MORE CODE 3
Why is it that when something is working well,
someone has to change it? Drivers going home covered a fair amount of work
in EC5 around 9.30-time. Now with Code 77 replaced by Code 3, we have
constant messages sent asking us to assist in covering the work on EC5 and
E14 because those going home can no longer book into either of these zones
without risking a long job in the opposite direction. Who will
risk getting a trip to Mortlake or Acton when they live in Essex or Kent?
Drivers who can no longer bid for trips in EC5 are now losing up to £100
a week. I hear that it was a night driver who proposed this scheme. What
benefit is it to them? The answer is none. Work in EC5 belongs to all DaC
drivers, not just the night men. If they want to start their shift with a
good job, then fine, but after a 10-hour stint on 'days', day men should
have the chance of a job home.
I hope the Board will overthrow this ruling, as it will
affect the coverage in the City. Don't forget that all our account clients
can use private hire if they so wish. It is only our coverage that stops
them. Again I urge the BoM to reconsider this rule or it will stop drivers
doing account work, which is what it set out to do quite well.
T.Goldsmith (R74)
The BoM inform me that they cannot become involved in rule changes after
they are passed. A proposition from Bernie Silver (G8) and David Marks
(R22) was put at the AGM for this change and it (just) passed. The Board
can't alter that. The problem is that the vote was almost a 50 - 50, so
whatever happens, half the Society will complain. One answer (mentioned at
the AGM) was that anyone on a Code 77 could get a 'going home' job to
anywhere in their direction, but only so far as the postal zones go out.
That sounds sensible. It gives the chance of a 'going homewards' trip
while leaving 'roaders' for those who are still working. Is it fair for a
driver living in Ilford to get a 'going home' trip to Southend? Either
way, it will probably have to wait until next year as the City coverage
has now returned back to normal after an initial blip ...Ed
AND A KUPKAKE CODE 3...
Can anybody tell me how I get a job home? In the
right direction - reveal the go-home zone?
I'm barred from the City, I'm barred from E14..... SE75's no
better - you know what I mean!
But the work's in these areas, unmatched jobs to
who-knows-where, whilst I'm sniffing like a terrier - I ask, does anybody
care?
You had a Code 3 / 77 that worked and you blew it...!
David Kupler (Y74)
HEARING DOGS FOR THE DEAF?
I was interested to read your article about discrimination
against guide dogs and whilst the article stated that it does not happen
with Dial-a-Cab, I think someone is living in cloud cuckoo land. Just
recently I was at a conference run by the RNID (Royal National Institute
for the Deaf) when it was mentioned that a deaf person was refused access
in a Dial-a-Cab with a Hearing dog for the Deaf, namely also a guide dog.
This particular woman was also refused admission on a London Transport bus
as well and therefore had to walk the 3 miles instead. This is an ongoing
issue that I hope will be resolved soon. With the DDA supposedly in force
and the public more knowledgeable, maybe drivers will be more cautious and
more understanding about the necessities of these wonderful animals, who I
might add, are extremely well trained. Hearing Dogs for the Deaf have a
deeper yellow coat on the dogs whist Guide dogs for the blind have a
bright yellow covering.
Anna Constantinou
Bethnal Green, E2
Thanks for the letter, Anna. Section 37 of the Disability Discrimination
Act 1995, which came into force as of March 31, requires licensed taxis to
carry ALL assistance dogs (including Hearing Dogs for the Deaf). This
legislation does not cover private hire vehicles, hence the campaign by
Guide Dogs for the Blind has been aimed at local authorities urging them
to introduce a clause into their licensing conditions which would require
PH vehicles to carry guide dogs and other assistance dogs too. The DDA act
is on www.disability.gov.uk Sorry about your problem with a DaC driver,
I'm sure it was a one-off ...Ed
T&G AND THE LONDON TAXI BOARD
I must take great exception to Brian Rice's reply to Steve
Van Gelder's letter (March Call Sign). The T&G did not leave the LTB
for recruitment reasons, if we were on a recruitment drive what would be
the point of offering potential new members the same as the other
organisations i.e. no say on the LTB? We left on a point of principal.
Parts of the LTB asked Transport for London for a meeting without
informing either the T&G or even their own Secretary, Ken Day. When
challenged about this, at first they denied asking for the meeting and
then claimed they could not contact anyone from the Union! Brian Rice has
told me that he did not attend this meeting, but then I'm sure that Geof
Kaley (who did) was quite capable of looking after Brian's and the radio
circuit's interests. However, I'm sure that the interests of the drivers
are not on that agenda, although by asking for the meeting as the LTB,
they were implying that they were representing all sections of the trade.
Eddie Lambert (V27)
1/230 Branch Sec. T&G
Brian Rice replies: Eddie, I think you will find that the T&G have had
numerous meetings with the GLA without informing the LTB until after the
meeting took place. Incidentally, the T&G were not funding the LTB in
any way other than supply a room for LTB meetings. I find it quite amusing
that the T&G withdrew their membership of the LTB because of the
actions of the Lobbyists that were not even being funded by the T&G.
We have many big account customers in the City. Ask them to back us.
If it was explained that their costs could be reduced and their travel
times speeded up, I'm sure they would back us.
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