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Delegates from across the world met in a 'mid-year' forum at London's
Royal Garden hotel to report on their own operations, discuss tactics to
increase business in a depressed economic environment and generally exchange
ideas to their mutual benefit. Opening the meeting, the Taxi, Limo. & Paratransit Association (TLPA) President Gene Hauck reported on the Association's activities to date, and ongoing discussions with relevant agencies, bringing the delegates up to speed on a number of issues. Welcoming overseas visitors, Radio Taxis Chairman Geoffrey Riesel thanked them all for making the effort to attend, especially during these days of heightened travel security. Canadian delegate Jim Bell, of the Diamond Taxicab Association in Toronto, gave a depressing report of how the SARS epidemic had hit every aspect of that city's economy to the |
DIAL-A-CAB MEETS THE WORLD...At The TLPA Mid-Year Forum |
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 TLPA President Gene Hauck detriment of trade, tourism and taxis. U.S. delegates Jamie Campolongo of the Yellow Cab Co. in Pittsburgh PA and Brian McBride from Yellow Cab Co. in Cleveland, OH related their problems with licensing authorities and 'gypsy' (unlicensed) cabs etc. that we here in London can recognise, issues that are familiar to taxi operators worldwide, which, as yet, remain largely unresolved. |
Judy Swystun, representing Black and White Cars in Norfolk, VA,
brought some good news to conference when she stated that with the cessation
of hostilities in Iraq, the local economy was improving as military
personnel returned to their hometown to the benefit of commerce, tourism and
the taxi trade. Brian Rice was away on holiday in Rhodes until the final day of the conference but renewed many old acquaintances on his return. "I had my work cut out meeting and speaking with everyone during my short time there," said Brian, "but knowing many of the delegates already, I was delighted to be recognised so quickly. It really is astonishing how similar the trade's problems are around the world and my meetings were very worthwhile. It was also gratifying to know that when it comes to in-house technology, DaC still leads the world." (c) Call Sign Magazine MM3 |
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