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
EUROCAB
I was very interested to read the article in February's Call Sign about the Mercedes Euro
Taxi and it made me want to write and air my views on the current monopoly situation on
purpose built vehicles for London taxi work.
Why is it that drivers in London are being held to ransom by the PCO? Our
current choice of vehicles is limited to either Metrocab or TX1. These vehicles are, in my
opinion, light years behind the modern MPV taxi conversions, which are fully loaded with
all the features of a modern car while offering substantial saving over the Metro and TX1.
I could go on about the shortcomings of these current vehicles we drive, but that would
just make me sound like a broken record.
Look at the current state of play of Metrocab and LTI (as of Feb 5th).
Metrocab are currently in receivership and the whole organisation is in a state of limbo
until a buyer can be found as an on going concern. LTI are currently on a three-day week
at their factory in Coventry preferring to stock pile cabs rather than build them as
orders come in. It was also recently reported in the trade papers that the LTI share price
has dropped substantially.
Drivers I've spoken to who have recently bought a new cab, tell me that
M&O and KPM have been unwilling to offer discounts on new cabs even though their
company is on the back foot!
Surely taking this into account, you would think that they would be trying to give drivers
a decent incentive to buy a new cab?
If you take a look at the big picture, you will also see that because the PCO
with it's stringent and out of date conditions of fitness have enabled LTI and Metrocab to
have a substantial monopoly for many years. The result is that the taxi makers have become
complacent and with the licensing of private hire just around the corner, this is the wake
up call they did not want.
Because the taxi makers have failed to make a vehicle which is comparable
with modern standards and cost, they ultimately are facing their own downfall and the PCO
in their short-sightedness have also played their part by keeping out other types and
vehicles, thus keeping the monopoly situation which forces drivers to pay out £30,000 for
a new taxi.
This little closed shop between the PCO and the makers is now in jeopardy and
ultimately their greed and self-interest will be their downfall. With private hire around
the corner and levels of touting high than ever, when are the PCO and taxi makers going to
do something to help the driver and end their cycle of greed and self interest?
I agree that the TX1 is a good identity for our trade, but at the end of the
day we have to move with the times and we should be given more choice in the vehicle we
drive. If LTI and Metrocab are convinced that they are offering a quality product to
drivers that is worth £30,000, why should they fear the introduction of the Eurocab?
Identity is important, but would drivers be willing to pay £10,000 plus for the privilege
of a 25ft turning circle and a taxi shape? What happens if radios in
taxis become outlawed? I don't think we will worry about what the taxi looks like then.
If you were an investor looking to put your money in a company, would it be
LTI or Metrocab when you consider the current state of uncertainty of the trade?
I hate to say what I've just said, but what it all boils down to is the fact
that the vehicles have been outrageously priced for many years. I personally think that
it's a case of when and not if for the Eurocab. The longer we are restricted in the type
of vehicle we are allowed to drive, the more our backs will be pushed against the wall.
The line in the Eurocab article '...Even diehard old-timers were convinced
this is the future' struck a chord with me. I was talking to the owner of the garage where
I get my work done about what he thought, and he dismissed it out of sight. Do you think
he's worried about the Eurocab?
John Tsang (T90)
There are currently about 10 different vehicles that claim they are or can be used as
licensed taxis. But so far as London is concerned, few would survive the rigorous
stop-start potholed existence that we put up with. The Mercedes Benz EuroCab (see
February's Call Sign) would be an admirable addition to the fleets, but to imagine that it
would cost much - if anything - less than the current licensed London vehicles would be to
kid ourselves. The Coventry produced Peugeot Euro 7 is certainly cheaper, but whether that
would last as long as current taxis in a London environment, well we won't know until it
happens...Ed
ANOTHER PLAYSTATION 2 WINNER
PlayStation 2 - wow, what a prize to win and just before Christmas - what great luck! This
was the first time that I had ever won a competition and let me tell you that my son
Richard was extremely impressed.' I think I now have what they call 'street cred!'. Thanks
Call Sign...
John Coulson (P70)
WHO DO WE WORK WITH...?
Dear Brian,
After coming home and having time to reflect on this year's AGM, I was
extremely disappointed with some of your comments regarding private hire, especially after
Allen Togwell printed some of the comments from other members of the Society in Call Sign;
in particular, references to David Adelman leaving us with knowledge of our database and
going to Brunel Cars. Imagine how dismayed I was when you were asked the question at the
AGM: "Would you be doing any business with the likes of Alastair Hill and David
Adelman who have both moved to the private hire sector!" Your response was "Yes,
so long as it was in the best interests of the Society." Now I and maybe half of the
membership of DaC, would like to know how taking a job going from MS to LAP out of a taxi
and into a private hire car is going to be in the Society's best interest? Please enrich
my life with your wisdom, as I only have 25 years before I retire and I would like to do
so as a London Taxi Driver and not a covering driver for Brunel Cars, making regular trips
to Waterloo and London Bridge while they cream off the more lucrative work.
It actually surprises me that you haven't gone down the other avenue! Instead
of jumping into bed with the private hire companies, why don't you promote the use of the
Mercedes EuroCab and kill two birds with one stone? We could then supply a quality service
with London Taxi Drivers knowledge and abilities and a vehicle worthy of our clients
criteria - who would also know that his driver has been fully vetted and not released from
prison that morning and started working for a private hire company somewhere! All I ask is
that you please give some serious thought as to going into some form of business with
private hire before we all end up as second class alternatives in customer transport.
Tony Lawyer (C51)
Brian Rice replies:
It is a pity that you never raised your points at the AGM, because it is far easier to
answer questions verbally than in writing. You say you are dismayed that I would do
business with David Adelman and Alastair Hill if it were in the best interests of the
Society and its members. Tony, I believe that your view would be in the minority.
David Adelman has gone to a Private Hire company whilst Alastair Hill has gone to an
internet booking company, are you suggesting that I castigate both these men for trying to
improve their lot and also that of their families? If you are then I am afraid that you
and I will never agree.
You then write about taking work out of taxis and putting it in cars, and ask how that is
going to be in the Society's best interest? I hope you will forgive me, but I am not sure
what you are getting at. It is a fact that people already travel in these cars, mainly due
to the fact that they are cheaper than us.
You say that I should be promoting the Mercedes EuroCab and again you have lost me. Should
I be promoting it as a licensed taxi with the PCO? Or as a Private Hire vehicle within the
Society? You also say that I should "...give some serious thought as to going into
some form of business with private hire before we all end up as second class alternatives
in customer transport." Does that mean that we should or we shouldn't? I made my
views quite clear at the AGM; commercially, cars would be viable on DaC after their
initial loss- making period, but would making a loss initially with cars be acceptable to
licensed taxi drivers who would be financing that loss with money from their Society? The
topic will be political dynamite for the first radio circuit to supply their own cars to
the corporate sector, although there is no question that the clients want them as we are
being asked for them all the time. One big disadvantage that the radio circuits would have
is in the cost of the overheads, the earning expectations of the average taxi driver is
higher than that of the average car driver - and rightly so, but in my opinion it would
put the radio circuit car at a disadvantage when it comes to price. I am led to believe
that one of our competitors are already supplying cars to the
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corporate sector via a
reciprocal arrangement with a car company, are they right or wrong?
AND MY TERRY DID IT TOO...!
Whilst clearing through some of my husband's papers, I came across an article in your
magazine re. Roy Masterson gaining another exam qualification towards becoming an MCSE (Jan
Call Sign).
My congratulations to Roy, but I thought that I would let you know that my husband has
also been doing the same course and back in mid-November, Terry (K17) passed his final
exam and is now a fully qualified Microsoft certified systems engineer + internet. As you
can probably guess, I am very proud of him and would just like to share this with you.
Thanks for your time.
Mrs Kerry Gahagan
I know that exam is far from easy, so congratulations from everyone at DaC
and Call Sign, Terry. And thanks for letting us know, Kerry ...Ed
CHRISTMAS
AND EID
My name is Pinar Misiri, I am 15 years old and the daughter of a DaC driver
(W58). As a fond reader of Call Sign I am writing to say that I was hugely disappointed
when I read through February's issue. I was reading Mr Son's column and the opening line
took my attention immediately: "I hope you had a nice Christmas/Chanukah." I was
wondering if it occurred to Mr Son or you - the Editor - that there was another religious
festival that was not mentioned - Eid, which took place two days after Christmas. This was
celebrated by me and my father, who has been a member of Dial-a-Cab for nearly ten years,
as well as his friends and many other Turkish and Asian Muslims who I am sure will all
have views to express on this matter. I am sure that you are aware that 80% of the
mechanics that work for KPM are Turkish. So what I am basically saying is that in future
please remember that in this multi-cultural society in which we live today and there are
more than just Christians and Jews on Dial-a-Cab. I would be thankful if that was noted
for the future. Thanks a lot and I look forward to reading March's issue with interest.
Pinar Misiri
Ilford, Essex
Dear Pinar, Thanks for your letter and I take note of your comments. Unlike many magazines
on the shelves, Call Sign is an amateur production, which I put together to the best of my
ability in the time available. I have no doubt that I miss lots of religious festivals of
all denominations just as I probably miss many items that deserve to go in - not realising
until it's too late. Two years ago, I was admonished by a driver for publishing the wrong
type of Menorah to accompany a Chanukah greeting for Jewish readers!
In my recent Christmas Editorial, I ended with the following: "I would like to wish
all Call Sign readers the very best over the holiday period. Whether your holiday is
Christmas, Ramadan or Chanukah, may it be a peaceful one leading to a wonderful New
Year." Next year I shall try to remember to add Eid to that. But please, Pinar, do
not take the omission as being personal to Muslims ...Ed
THANK YOU
Just a short note to thank you for the excellent write-up and photo spread on the
Grosvenor House Mad Hatters party in the February Call Sign. May I ask you to pass
on my sincere thanks to Alan Green, without whose expertise the centre pages would have
looked very bleak and to Brian Rice, for giving the London Taxidrivers' Fund for
Underprivileged Children the opportunity of terrific publicity through Call Sign.
Also on behalf of the Fund, may I take the opportunity through Call Sign to
thank the subscribers who supported the Sign-a-Fiver Draw at the DaC AGM on Sunday
February 4th. The lucky driver to win £50 was W13, but such
was the generosity of drivers' contributions, that we were able to make two
further draws. Second out of the bag for £20 was E52, who very kindly
gave the prize back to the Fund, and third, winning his money back, was M093 who can
collect his fiver by contacting the writer. Very many thanks once again...
David Lessman (D19)
Chairman LTFUC
MR ANGRY - THE MOVIE?
I have just read the article by Paul Shaw (B19) dubbed 'Mr Angry of
Stanmore' in the February Call Sign and I heartily agree with his sentiments. The
particular traffic schemes he mentions in the article are all disasters! He could have
added others:
1. Access to and from most major London stations.
2. The ridiculous Worship Street arrangement.
3. The narrowing of the road at Tower Hill Gateway leading to the booming
Docklands.
4. The whole 'Ring of Steel' scenario.
5. And one for the future... The pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square is
on the horizon. Is this potential 'disaster' now going to pass through unopposed by our
leaders?
Who asks for these schemes? I'm sure they are devised purely to provide work
for overpaid 'planners' employed by us (ie the tax payer). What really worries me about
this nightmare situation however, is the effect the delays we suffer while stuck in the
jams that these schemes actually create, have on the meter and our charges. We all know
that what should be straightforward £4 or £5 jobs become £7+ as a result of the delays.
Shortsighted people in our trade will ask what's wrong with that? But my fear is that,
should we suffer a downturn in demand, the fact is that through no fault of our own our
fares have become relatively expensive will make the problem far worse.
The main purpose of my letter is to ask just why it takes Paul Shaw to
highlight this major problem to our trade? The powers that be within our trade - perhaps
even our own BoM - should be seen to be fighting the implementation of these schemes.
Perhaps less of their time should be spent on politics (LTDA, LTB, T&G, LCDC, SPLT,
LMCPA etc, etc, etc) and more of it improving the working conditions, well-being,
prosperity and health of their members - not to mention the long-term viability of our
trade.
Mike Holleyoake (M6)
Thanks for the letter Mike. I would have passed it over to the City of London planners but
as I'm still awaiting their reply to a letter I wrote them last year when I sensed
something was about to happen to Worship Street, I held out little hope of a response
before my retirement!
I agree with your sentiments on politics and the cab trade seems worse than most. However,
it is our own fault and I apologise for using your letter to extend my bandwagon, but no
one will ever convince me that the LTB weren't our best bet to get things sorted at
different levels. Perhaps they weren't democratically elected, but they were a darn sight
better bet that 101 different organisations all vying for position. Look what happened as
soon as the T&G pulled off the LTB for whatever reason: A meeting is called with the
PCO regarding the so-called 'quickie Knowledge', half the trade bodies go in while half
stay outside and picket everyone else. As I've said last month, talk of trade unity with
the demise of the LTB was a red herring. The only thing that those trade bodies really had
in common was their dislike of the LTB - probably because that body were costing the other
groups their memberships. We will never have a real say while we have all these reps not
knowing what each other are doing. Comments? ...Ed
SHARED TAXICARD EXTRAS
Could you please clarify the position re TaxiCards from other boroughs than Westminster
and the 'extras' charge ie night and weekend. Will the boroughs pay these provided the
total cost does not exceed the subsidy? As an example: Time 9pm ... Fare £6.00 + 60p
night charge. Do I charge the passenger £1.50 or £2.10...?
Mick Kennedy (M30)
It seems that only the Westminster pay the night/weekend charges, so in your example the
answer would be £2.10 ...Ed
E14C AGAIN
Thank you for printing my letter in the February Call Sign but I feel I
must reply to Mr.Whitbread's answer. He states that I have answered my own questions when
1 didn't ask any. I merely pointed out that there had been no clarification of the
booking-in procedure on E14C. On page 33 of the same issue, Mr. Vogel did ask many
questions on this matter none of which received a reply from the BOM. I do look forward to
the improvements that have been suggested.
I must make an important point though; Mr.Whitbread states that my reference
to 'shabby treatment' is an insult to my fellow subscribers when it is not. It is my own
personal viewpoint on the Complaints procedure to which I am entitled.
Any modern manager may have been concerned as to why I feel this way and not suggest that
I am insulting anyone.
There is one very important point mentioned by Mr. Vogel. He claims
that a Board member told him to "hang back" from the point of E14C so long as he
was on the rank. I would like Mr. Vogel to name the Board member so that he can explain
himself.
Mr S.Donoghue (T53)
The reason I didn't ask a Board member to respond to Doug Vogel's letter is because he
said he hoped that his letter would stimulate debate, so I have waited to see if other
subscribers had any ideas ...Ed
CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT?
You will recall that during Any Other Business at the recent AGM,
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I spoke of my concern regarding
whether or not key staff held Contracts of Employment with DaC. From the honest and candid
comments of our Chairman, who I have great respect for, it would appear that none are
held. Although this subject was spoken about from the rostrum for a while, I believe that
the importance of it was not thoroughly appreciated by all those on the floor. The
requirement of a Contract of Employment is, so far as I am aware, a legally required
Restrictive Covenant or commitment and in our particular instance is necessary for staff
members - that is personnel who are employed by the company for a specific purpose; be
they filing clerks, accounts staff or Board members. In the case of cab drivers, this rule
would not apply. The stronger the bond and job satisfaction between a
staff member and their company, the longer period of service is usually on the cards.
Consequently, most of the company's data and inside information can be known in some way
to staff members whilst they are doing their job, much of which would be very useful
knowledge for the company's competitors. Up until now, this potential problem would not
have been quite so important had it not been for the current licensing of minicabs, which
towards the end of 2001 may have been fully implemented.
As has been well publicised, our former company Sales Manager David Adelman,
has been 'head-hunted' by one of the larger mini-operations and I understand that he has
already made various approaches to some of our major clients. Whilst the contacting of our
clients does not surprise me, based on the business experience I have had in another
venture going back several years, I am surprised that there exists no Contract of
Employment for our key staff. Whilst I accept the fact that
no one in our profession ever really believed that the minis would have the respectability
of being licensed in London, it is an issue which every single radio circuit, cab
operator, manufacturer and indeed cab driver must now face. As an
interested party within our licensed industry, with a substantial monetary stake in a new
cab and with my return to what I consider to be the finest Licensed radio circuit
anywhere, I am concerned that this act of going over to the other side will not ever
happen again without something happening to prevent it.
I spoke confidentially today to a legal consultant and also a barrister and
asked them for their opinions on the above. In a nutshell and taking everything into
account, their joint comments were that whilst Contracts of Employment were usually
ridiculed in some way by the Courts, it was far better to have one in existence than not
to have one at all. It was also very strongly recommended that the contracts themselves be
worded specifically by a solicitor and not simply produced by the company executives
themselves. Yes, the company directors or Board could indicate their desires and wishes or
specific requirements, but only the solicitor him/herself should finalise the document.
The Contract would have to include three vital aspects -
Geographical Locaton: Which particular area(s) to be covered eg. postal code(s),
county(ies), country(ies).
Duration: A period of time eg 6 months, one year or 18 months after the termination of
service.
Functional correspondence: What the prime responsibilities had been prior to leaving,
whether the contacting of prospective business was expected and how much importance was
attached to the post with potential damage if change of company was envisaged.
Whilst I do not wish to bore Call Sign readers with the legal problems
revolving around the drawing up of a contract for the future protection of each of us, I
would positively and respectfully request our Board to put this on their agenda at the
earliest convenience because at least, in the right hands and properly conducted, it could
become the deterrent that we need to stop this happening again without some kind of a
fight being put up.
As came out at the AGM, other Board members have already been approached, but luckily for
us they were faithful to our cause and although no doubt the salaries offered were very
acceptable, the individuals concerned remained loyal to DaC. How many more could be
tempted?
Ron Colman (J9)
Brian Rice replies: I accept the fact that your letter was written with the best of
intentions in order to protect DaC, but I believe that we may have our wires crossed
somewhere. Senior staff at DaC do have a contract that is compiled by our solicitors, but
the point I was making at the AGM was that we cannot enforce where our staff work in the
future when they leave DaC. In a nutshell, although they have a contract of employment
they can choose to work wherever they wish and there is not much we can do about it - or
so I am informed.
Regarding myself and the remainder of the Board; I think you will find that we are not
classed as staff but as custodians of the Society and as such, do not warrant a contract
of employment. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE
May I through Call Sign, thank those of you who voted for me in the recent BoM elections.
Can I also thank all the other candidates, all of whom went into 'battle' in a spirit of
fairness, something that can only benefit Dial-a-Cab in the future. My congratulations
also go to Allan Evans as the successful candidate in addition to the returned Board.
Bruce Webb (L55)
LONDON TAXI BOARD AND DIAL-A-CAB
Having attended the AGM on February 4th and listened to the Chairman, I came away
concerned about what I had heard. Brian made references throughout the meeting to the
changes that are occurring in the cab trade. He also told us about his dealings with the
authorities through his seat at the LTB. Brian told us that he sits there to represent the
Society and therefore the Society's shareholders, we the members. Here is my
concern...
Three driver organisations have withdrawn from the LTB because they do not
support the views expressed. They are the LTDA, LCDC and the TGWU. How many members of
this society are members of those organisations? There is a
petition with 14,000 signatures that is going to be presented to the Mayor, saying that
the LTB does not represent them. How many of those that signed the petition are
shareholders? The issue that brought about the start of the problems was the LTB's views
on the Knowledge. With all these drivers organisations and the number that have signed the
petition, it is inconceivable that a majority of DaC shareholders have not made their
negative feelings about the LTB known. Therefore if Brian attends the
meetings of the LTB, he will not have the backing of his members.
Without that backing he must not attend, he must not go against the wishes of the
majority.
There is certainly a cost to this because the parliamentary lobbyists
employed by the LTB do not work cheaply. It is only natural that as DaC send a
representative to the meeting, DaC should pay some of the costs. I do not know how much
this is. Maybe Brian will tell us how much a month / year membership costs?
Attending JRTA meetings is another issue altogether. So long as they do not
start expressing views that are contrary to the majority of shareholders views, then there
is no problem. Obviously Brian could
not attend an LTB meeting as a JRTA representative. The only way that Brian could attend
LTB meetings is to get a mandate from the shareholders. To do this would require a ballot.
This could easily be done via the terminals or by a postal ballot.
Steven van Gelder (C87)
Brian Rice replies: Firstly, three driver organisations have not withdrawn from the LTB,
the LCDC were never a member. I attend the LTB on behalf of JRTA and put certain views
forward that in my opinion will benefit the members of DaC and JRTA. The members of DaC
elect me to run their business and look after their interests, attending the LTB helps to
do that. Whilst I will agree that the LTB is not perfect, it is far better than having
several organisations 'doing their own thing'. You know as well as I do that both the
organisations that withdrew from the LTB did so for purely political reasons i.e. a
recruitment drive, and no-one will convince me to the contrary. Steve if you are as
concerned as you say you are with my comments at the AGM, why on earth didn't you pose
your questions there? One can only wonder...
AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR LIVINGSTONE FROM MR P.I.GEON
Dear Sir,
As a representative of the pigeon population of this great city, I am
appalled by your decision to shut the seed stall in Trafalgar Square where generations of
us have eaten for years. We should be looked after and honoured for our contribution to
the tourist industry and dry cleaning shops, who get a considerable amount of business
from our efforts. During the two World Wars we did great service taking messages on all
fronts strapped to our legs. I firmly believe that if Noah had pigeons aboard the Ark, he
would have sent them out instead of the doves as we are much more intelligent and know our
way around. Just imagine, without us there would be no pigeon post, pigeon English, stool
pigeons and, of course, we also taste very good in a pie. Always remember that the great
Hollywood star Walter changed his name to Pigeon in our honour. We are an integral part of
the London scene and should stay.
Signed P.I.Geon (disgusted of Tunbridge Wells)
Alias Bernie Pressman (M31J )
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