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Bonnie Martyn Tributes
Bonnie Martyn was a wonderful man for his age and I had great respect for his incisiveness and direction. Once he knew what he wanted, he went for it and it was that attitude that helped him create the idea and later form the Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service. Dial-a-Cab would not be where it is today were it not for his work in those early days. The Society should never forget his huge contribution.
Aubrey Siteman
Barkingside, Essex

I've known Bonnie ever since the first group bought the ODRTS premises by Affleck Street. At the time I owned Alan's Café opposite and all of the original staff used to come in for a cuppa. I got to know Bonnie very well, he was such a nice person and in fact it was he more than anyone, who convinced me to go on the Knowledge. I've now been on DaC for 41 years, but had it not been for Bonnie, I may still have been serving tea and sandwiches.
Alan Boca (B99)

It was with regret that I learnt of the death on August 1st of the Founding Chairman of ODRTS, Bonnie Martyn. I first met Bonnie some 14 years ago when the Society converted from voice calling to the-then revolutionary data dispatch system when the Society Chairman of the day Ken Burns invited him and his charming wife Carol to view the new system along with Georgie Duncan, wife of the-then Treasurer, the late Frank Duncan. As Secretary to the Society, I was indeed pleased to assist the Chairman in showing the visitors the new system and over the intervening years, I have met Bonnie on several occasions and always found his enthusiasm for the Society that he and seven far-sighted fellow cab drivers had founded almost 49 years ago, to be undiminished through the passage of time that had elapsed from those early days.
   My last conversation with Bonnie was a couple of months before my retirement when we discussed the possibilities of meeting to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Society in late 2003 and I know it had been one of his fervent wishes to have been part of that celebration. Although Bonnie had not driven a cab for many years, he still maintained a keen interest and I feel sure that he will be greatly missed by all his friends both inside and outside the licensed London Taxi Trade.
   On a personal note, both Jeanette and I would extend to Carol our most sincere condolences on her great loss and trust that she will enjoy many more happy years with the great memories she must have of Bonnie.
Trevor Clarke
Bishops Stortford, Herts

I have fond and vivid memories of Bonnie Martyn, best summed up in two words - warmth, and determination. Whenever we met, there was the cheery greeting, the friendly chat plus the determination to get things done no matter what the difficulties. I well recall visiting Bonnie and his wife Carol on his 90th birthday, when together with Chairman Brian Rice and Editor Alan Fisher, we presented him with a commemorative plaque on behalf of Call Sign. The warmth and compassion of the man came through as he was genuinely and deeply touched by the gift. Yet it was during the ensuing conversation that the determination to achieve his aims also came through.
   He described in detail the difficulties he (and colleagues) had to overcome in order to realise his vision of taxi owners having two-way radio installed in their taxis - a UK first. I clearly remember the tone of his voice and the thrust of his fist as he related to us his dealings with various agencies whose blinkered vision he had to overcome in order to make it happen. His zest for life also came across at the DaC Dinner & Ball when he confided to me that he
would like to have taken his wife Carol onto the dance floor.    Apparently it was only her
determination to remain in her seat that thwarted him ...at over 90!
   We all like to leave our mark as a token of our existence in this world, if others benefit then so much the better. Sir Christopher Wren gave us St. Pauls Cathedral and Bonnie Martyn gave us, its subscribers, ODRTS. As we at DaC celebrate our Golden Jubilee next year, I am sure Bonnie will be looking down from on high and telling everyone in that shelter in the sky, "...that's my baby". Bonnie, it was an honour to know you.
Alan Green (E52)

   I was shocked to read in the trade press that the founder of ODRTS, Bonnie Martyn, passed away recently. Bonnie was a man for whom I had great admiration and affection and the Trade owes him a deep debt of gratitude.   Would you please be kind enough to pass my sincere sympathies and condolences to his family and to your members on the sad loss of this very special man.
Geoffrey Riesel
Chairman, Radio Taxis (London)
The early days "feud" between Bonnie and Radio Taxis Founder-Chairman Joe Stern was legendary. However, both told me at different times how much they admired the other. They'll have plenty to talk about now.
My apologies to those whose condolence letters I couldn't publish through a shortage of room, but the family of Bonnie Martyn will know of them all...Ed

Terminal Attributes
It is very difficult to distinguish between the attributes Q and O on the new terminal and on bright, sunny days, it is at times impossible to read the screen at all. We should have the facility to be able to tilt the screen down from the top to reduce glare and eliminate the problem, this would make it safer for drivers and their passengers.
   In addition I would like to suggest the following changes...
   *Most of us are quite happy to take prams and push chairs, but bikes are another matter and I think that 'bike' should have its own attribute.
   *Drivers do not need to know if an account is a shared one.
   *PCO law at the moment gives the passenger the right to smoke in a London Taxi, but try it
on a bus, plane or train!  Therefore the taxi driver should have the right to display on his
window: "THIS IS A NON SMOKING TAXI." The law of the land does say that a worker has the right to work in a smoke free environment, which means that the Public Carriage Office is breaking the law of the land to the detriment of all licensed London Taxi Drivers who would prefer passengers not to smoke in their taxi.
   *Most cabs have 5 seats, so only a Taxi with 6 seats needs to have a 6 attribute.
   *All cheques should be  supported by a banker's card so the driver will know if the signature, on the cheque is correct, this will protect us from fraud. The driver should write the card information on the back of the cheque.
   I started driving an FX3 radio cab on the Waterloo Radio Circuit in 1961 and we had
run-ins all those years ago with a flag fall of one shilling and three pence - I will let you work that out if you can!
Gordon Poluck (R34)
Brian Rice replies: I agree with much of what you say Gordon - although I have never been guilty of accepting 1s / 3d for a fare! There is an adjustable ball joint on the back of the terminal which you can loosen and then tilt your screen. We are currently looking at screen covers which will take away much of the sun glare. Not everyone can take prams if it means helping with a heavy weight and some just do not want bikes, so we need that attribute. In addition, there were a substantial number of drivers who made it clear last year that they do not want to do shared account work. I agree with your point about smoking, but the PCO make that rule and not I. Taking off the '5' attribute is pointless because it cannot be used for anything else and is not worth the effort in removing. I think all drivers know that cheques should only be accepted with a banker's card just as all passengers know that a cheque will not be accepted without one.

Michael and Syd Delew
Thank you so much for publishing the article about my late father, Syd Delew in the last issue of Call Sign. I know that my mum was equally grateful to you when she read your very moving tribute. You have been incredibly kind, generous and understanding and the obituaries you have had in Call Sign for both my brother Michael and Syd have helped our family and friends to come to terms with this tragic loss.
   Thank you again for everything you've done and continued success and good health to you and your family.
Russell Delew
London WC1
Thanks for those kind words, Russell. Many at DaC still miss your father and brother. The double stone setting (consecration) will be held at Waltham Abbey cemetery on Sunday October 6 at 1o'clock...Ed

Thank You Call Sign
As a retired taxi driver, I have plenty of time to read all the taxi magazines and I have no hesitation in saying that without a doubt Call Sign comes out top. It is far and away the best trade magazine available. It is well presented, informative and gives all points of view. I congratulate the Editor most heartily. I'm also glad to see 'Smile for the Day' reappearing - it always puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day!
   Once again thank you for your splendid magazine and interesting articles - keep it up.
Mr A. Stanton (ex-taxi-driver)
Ilford, Essex

Thank You Dial-a-Cab
Would you please convey to all concerned my grateful thanks for the beautiful basket of fruit delivered to me yesterday. It is extremely gratifying to know that one is not forgotten at the time of misfortune. Hopefully I shall be back "in the saddle" by the time this is published, in the meantime, thanks again and my wish is for everyone to "be lucky" - but just leave some for me!

Sam Harris (S95J)
Hope you are better now Sam. DaC try hard not to forget those who are sick on a long-term basis, but if no one tells us then we can't do much...Ed

Call Sign Questions
I would like to congratulate Brian Dunn and Steve Shaller for their excellent articles in the August Call Sign. Brian Dunn's article was lucid, well presented and raised most of the questions that I feel concern many of the members. Although his list was quite comprehensive, I would like to add a few questions of my own:

3. Would the current disciplinary procedures still be maintained? 
What security would drivers have to remain on the circuit? 4. Will the details of the independent 

6. Why are Sovereign claiming we found it necessary to borrow to introduce new technology when Brian Rice has stated on a number of occasions that new technology such as the new terminals have been introduced on a self financing basis?

With regard to Steve Shaller's article, it was spot on. As an initial introduction to Sovereign, two poorly produced pages containing generalisations that anyone with half a brain and a handful of taxi papers could produce in half an hour was pitiful. No colour brochures, no facts about Sovereign. I was amused that they could help us with Sales and new marketing initiatives. Can you imagine the reaction if one of our corporate customers received their offering as a company introduction? Just compare the DaC marketing literature eg our Westminster Taxicard brochure. Our products just ooze quality. If Sovereign wanted to impress, they didn't start very well. There can be only one of three reasons for this...
a/ They are poor at marketing
b/ They are trying to achieve the buy-out on the cheap
c/ They believe it would be wasted on thick, greedy taxi drivers who are only interested in the size of the payout.

Whatever the reason, I hope Sovereign are not to the Taxi world what ENIC are to the football world and we, like Tottenham Hotspur, both finish in the second division.
George Wilson (F17)
Brian Rice replies: George, I didn't realise you were an Arsenal man! The questions that you and other members ask have all been forwarded to Sovereign and they will no doubt
address your concerns. Reading your letter for a second time, I would like to thank you for your praise for both the BoM and me, it comes across as though you believe that we are professional in what we do - perhaps that is what interests Sovereign? Finally, are you not proud to be associated with an organisation that is not afraid to print anything that it receives provided that it is legal and decent, once again thank you from all the
Board for your 'pat on the back'.

Response From The Mayor's Office
Although this didn't answer the actual question I asked, I thought some might be interested in the response from Mayor Livingstone's office.
Steve Brown (D67)

Dear Steve
Thank you for your e-mail of 11 July 2002 to the Mayor of London. I have been asked to reply directly on his behalf.
Traffic congestion is a serious problem for London and without vigorous action, this is set to increase as rising population and growing economic prosperity apply more pressure to our transport system. Congestion charging remains the best way to deal with traffic congestion.
   Congestion charging is, however, only one part of an integrated package of measures to tackle congestion. Before congestion charging starts, a series of key measures are planned. Firstly, 200 extra buses will be in operation on the streets. Secondly, some new bus routes in and around central London are planned to be introduced and thirdly, some key bus routes currently served by single-deckers will be served by double-deckers. The busPlus initiative, which is already underway, is improving reliability, journey times and access to buses as well as providing better passenger information, security, safety and comfort. In addition, increased enforcement of bus lanes is underway to ensure smoother traffic flow and more reliable journey times. Frequency improvements on several National Rail services into central London will be introduced as well as new timetables for a number of Underground lines to improve reliability and service levels. Other measures include better enforcement of traffic and parking regulations to ensure smoother traffic flow and more reliable journey times and a street works taskforce to ensure effective co-ordination and advance planning of street works to minimise the duration and extent of disruption. Combined, these measures will ensure that London keeps moving rather than being brought to a standstill.
Thank you once again for writing. I hope this information is useful...
Nick Fairholme,
Policy Manager (Congestion Charging)
City Hall, SE1

Demutualising Payouts?
Dear Mr. Rice,
Would you please be so kind as to clarify a statement that you have made regarding the distribution of monies to members in the event of our Society demutualising. You have stated that should our Society demutualise and become a PLC, members would receive remuneration based on the length of membership with the Society. Please correct me if I am mistaken, but I am under the impression that when a company that trades in the same manner as we do demutualises, all members, irrespective of length of membership, receive the same amount of shares. If I were correct in my assumption, then surely your suggestion to offer different levels of payments to our members would contravene the very strict laws governing demutualisation?
   Several years ago I opened up an account with the Bradford and Bingley Building Society (as they were then known). Later, when they demutualised, I received the same remuneration as other members who had been shareholders considerably longer. In view of the fact that the Bradford and Bingley did (as we still do) trade under the auspices of the Industrial and Provident Societies act, surely then the same laws apply to us?
Brian Cohen (C81)
Brian Rice replies: I accept what you tell me about your experience with Bradford and Bingley, after all, if you were a member then you should know. However, you will find that when other Building Societies demutualised, they paid money to members on 'balances held' i.e. how much money they had in their account. In our case, I believe 'balances held' to be the number of years service a member has contributed to this Society. I believe that it is only fair that our member's years of service, where they have contributed to the well-being of this Society should be recognised.

A DaC Marshall's Views On Private Hire Booths, Buyouts And Everything...!
I was disheartened to read Brian Rice's comments concerning that the City of London Corporation would like to install 'portable booking booths' whenever there is a function held at night. It may not be enough to "watch this situation very closely" as before we know where we are, we, as the Licensed Taxi Trade, will lose this work altogether. One answer maybe is to obtain prior knowledge of when these  functions are taking place and with the cooperation of the other radio circuits, have a marshal in place for the functions duration.  Who pays? Well to marshal a three-hour event would be somewhere in the region of £76.  Divide this between the radio circuits equates to £19 each. Speculate a little to accumulate a lot, who knows, but to do nothing would be catastrophic. Hopefully some of these clients would have renewed faith and may re-open or open new accounts. Allan Evans pointed out in last months issue of Call Sign that DaC's organisation of marshalled events are second-to-none and are excellently
supported by our professional fleet. Little acorns...?
   Moving swiftly onto the offer made by Sovereign Capital Ltd. DaC does not need SCL to enable us to sustain our market leadership, as we are coping very nicely on our own thanks. SCL are also impressed with our experienced management, staff and drivers. Well I for one am not surprised. We are the 'Rolls Royce' of the radio circuits and not a clapped out old jalopy.  Yes, we do need to invest in other areas, but not with the help of the SCL. The only real and honest reason I can see for any driver to forsake 85% of his/her share would be for a purely financial one. If SCL do take their majority share in DaC you can say bye bye to: -
1. Low subscriptions. We would obviously join the highest subs of around £160 a month or more.
2. Account work. More drivers would mean more subscriptions equating to more money for SCL and less work for the drivers.
3. DaC staff and our office. Staff would be discarded because of the relocation to somewhere up north perhaps and the sell-off of  Brunswick Place. 4. £1 subs for long-serving subscribers, this would also vanish overnight.
   Yes I know this is all speculation and when we all attend the forums, SCL will obviously deny all of the above points. But when 'you haven't got a equal share, you ain't got a prayer'. Am I worried? You bet I am. When I boot my computer  up for the evenings shift in my cab, the opening screens proudly states 'The Gentleman's Circuit '. Please ladies and gents, lets keep it that way.
   I did not have the pleasure of meeting our founder chairman, Bonnie Martyn, who has sadly passed away, but I am sure he would not have approved of this unsteadiness in DaC's history.  Lets move on to the future with our own destiny in our own
 hands but not with this so-called help from SCL.
   Lastly and on a much lighter note, I would like to thank all the staff at DaC who made my daughter, Lauren, feel at home while she was doing her work experience last month. It must of been an 'experience' to be banged up with Tom Whitbread all day. Only joking, Tom...!
Russell Hall (G44)
Thanks for the letter Russell. Just as a point of interest, Bonnie Martyn claimed in Call Sign that one of his biggest regrets in those early days was that he never managed to turn DaC into a PLC ...Ed

1. How profitable are Sovereign and do they have a stable, well established management?

2. Would they wish to be involved in operational procedures and would current practices be amended eg all jobs A/D; all jobs non-rejectable, more fixed price jobs, a dress code imposed.

Dear Mr Togwell...

After managing to successfully retain the House of Commons 
majority of work, would it not by 
possible to do the same with CC 

Editor's note: Although Call Sign has a policy of only publishing letters with the writer's
name, we do occasionally make exceptions with the letter below being one of them. The
lady concerned (whose name I have) has said that she cannot give details of the drivers cited in her letter below and feels that as it would be quid pro quo, she would rather her name wasn't published...

Westminster Passengers And The CCC Card
The service provided by the Westminster TaxiCard has allowed me the freedom to go out especially when the family are not around during the week. The drivers are not only friendly but also helpful and courteous. I have never had much to complain about until now, all credit to your staff and drivers. But of late I have had trouble with 'hail and ride'.

   • In June I hailed a CCC from Islington Green to Dering Street W1 with no problems, but when I later tried to hail a cab to go home from Oxford Street to St Johns Wood, the driver told me his computer system was not working, so he could not take my card. I challenged him about the reason - he still refused.
   • On the 21st July, I phoned the service for a taxi from The Savoy to home, unfortunately a cab could not be obtained due to the road closures for an event in the City and West End, which was quite understandable. I had used a CCC the day before so I knew my card was working, valid and had rides available. Having ambled to Lower Regent Street, I hailed a CCC. As soon as the driver saw the card, his demeanour and face changed, my husband's words were "...from friendly to hostile." He took the card and we got into the cab and gave the destination. He made a dramatic pretence of swiping the card and then told me it was invalid. I challenged this as it had just been used to get a cab via the Call Centre and been used the previous day. The driver was quite dogmatic that the card was invalid. I asked him to radio through but he refused, so I demanded the card back. If the card was invalid he should have retained it! We got out of the cab. My husband would have quite happily paid the full rate of fare, but would not make such an offer in these circumstances. In fact before the cab arrived, we had agreed to get any cab that came along or even the bus, which ever came first.
   • I have also noticed some of the drivers look away if they see you're disabled, particularly in the West End, when hailing them. Is it because these drivers only want cash customers or big account jobs? Are they worried they will have to go to an area where they can't get a fare after the drop? Or is it a case of not understanding how difficult it is for a disabled person to get around, with or without an escort, and what independence means to them?
   These few drivers will give the rest a bad name and I have noticed that one of the outcomes of a WAND consultation meet was a wider choice of cab companies. It would be a shame if this happened in my opinion. To those who find such excuses acceptable, I ask why be a member of such a service?
Name withheld
London NW8
Senior Westminster Account Manager Carol Carpenter replies:
The Westminster Taxi card Account is serviced in a wonderful way. I have received some lovely letters over the years praising the courteous attitude of our drivers and staff. But there have been times when a cardholder has had cause to complain and unfortunately, there has been an increase in negative correspondence from dissatisfied customers recently. It is usually the same old story, they say that drivers remark: "My terminal doesn't work or this is not my taxi, love." These complaints not only come to me, but also to the Transport Manager at Westminster City Hall.
I should like to remind you that this is a very prestigious account which will be coming up for tender in the very near future. I would like to ask you all to continue to provide an excellent service just as we have done in the past.

The Mayor On Radio
Mayor Ken Livingstone said on Radio London recently that one of his proud successes is that bus passenger figures are now rising whereas before they were in decline. I wonder if that was in his mind when he hiked the night taxi tariff up? Many people who once used us at night, shift workers, nurses etc., have no choice now but to endure and wait with etched faces of desperation for one of Ken's beloved old routemaster night buses with its heady mix of smokers and drunks on the top deck, or perhaps even an articulated spaceship which could be the new bus design to negotiate London's roadworks? Or would it be to stop cars and taxis overtaking...?
   Who knows, soon we could be seeing black cabs parked up outside bus garages, instead of knowledge bikes, as the whole capital joins Ken and goes red.
   The danger is that Steve Norris could zoom past on the outside lane in his chauffeur driven limo with personalised number plates and nick pole position on the starting grid for the next Mayoral election race ahead of Ken and teammate Nicky.
   The qualifying first lap will then probably be postponed due to:
'Essential gas engineering works taking place, diversions are in operation. Thank you for your co-operation, emergency numbers are as follows':
Londoners will be sending out an SOS. I hope that someone gets their message in a bottle...
David Heath (W27)
While I'm not recommending any particular Mayoral candidate, at least with Steve Norris you knew it would be tough ...Ed

Wally's Wonderful Wedding Wheels
I would like to make a comment about Wally Garratt (W99) in Call Sign. I want to thank him for being absolutely fantastic on the day of my wedding when I hired his Asquith for the day. I just could not have made a better choice. Not only does he match the ribbons with your colour scheme and have an immaculate cab, but also Wally is such a totally professional driver. I have never had anyone make we feel so relaxed - something you need on your wedding day. Wally is a wonderful man and I cannot thank him enough.
Theresa Spears
DaC IT Dept
Congratulations Theresa! Incidentally, you're not the first person to mention how Wally manages to calm "passenger's" nerves on their wedding day. For those contemplating using Wally's Asquith, you can call him on 07956 218 318...Ed

An Open Letter To Drivers.
Gents, if to some of you earning £25 per hour for doing nothing and £2.20 per mile when you are mobile is not enough, then may I suggest you allow drivers who are only too willing to work at these rates, the chance to do so. I, amongst others, allocated to Milton Keynes on the first weekend could not believe the comments coming from a small minority of drivers - they know who they are - that on top of these rates, they should be paid a run in to start at Milton Keynes and two who had arrived from Euston, already having earned £123.20 for the 70 minute journey plus any waiting time at £25 p/h, moaned that on top of these rates they should be paid a 10% gratuity!
Leave it out gents and stop being so greedy!
John O'Brien (M44)

September 2002 Call Sign Home Page

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