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Christmas and Beyond...
I am writing this report during the first week of December, two weeks
earlier than a normal month due to the Christmas holidays and of course at the
instigation of the Editor. When the Editor says he wants something, then you
just better get on and do it! If you don't, then you are inundated with
e-mails, telephone calls and personal visits. I can tolerate the first two, but
the third? Just joking Alan! Anyway, I hope you are all having a really nice
Christmas and I would like to wish everyone connected with Dial-a-Cab a very
Happy New Year.
Unfortunately, the start of any New Year is always quite depressing; the
weather is grey and drab and there's always that hangover regarding the work.
We're busy during the run up to Christmas, then afterwards everything seems so
slow. To help make business a bit busier, we really do need to have some bad
weather, the problem is that the bad weather then makes driving conditions
awful! I presume you would prefer to have the bad weather! Anyway, lets hope
that things pick up in 2003 - although I must confess that I do have my doubts,
as the City has faced some tremendous job losses which will have a knock-on
effect on our industry.
On top of that, we have the licensing of Private Hire, which could
have quite a dramatic effect on this industry. However, on the plus side we
have the Mayors 'Road Pricing' coming into effect on 17 February and while
no-one can be certain of the effect it will have, I believe that there could be
more positives for our business than negatives. For a start, I believe that the
traffic lights in London that have been rephased in recent times, will revert
back to their original settings in order to speed up the traffic and thus prove
that 'Road Pricing' works. Secondly, we have been quite successful in
recent times in winning new accounts from our competition and I am optimistic
that we can win even more, but now more than ever we must all be aware that it
is currently a buyers market, consequently the service we give will have to be
second to none.
One Number For All
I have written in the past about
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the amount of work that the radio circuits do on behalf of our industry and how we work very closely together. To that
end, the four Radio Circuits - soon to be five - have been working on a
one-number telephone system that will embrace the whole of
London on a cash basis. To explain further, if a member of the public wishes
to hire a taxi on a cash basis via the telephone, there is only one number
that he/she will have to call. That telephone call will be routed to the
first radio circuit and then the second and on to the next and so on.
Also, if one radio circuit cannot cover a trip, it will be routed to the
next one. This new service will give members of the public access to over
8,000 radio taxis and is due to go live towards the end of January or early
February to coincide with the introduction of Road Pricing. I am optimistic
that this new service offered by the Licensed trade will be readily
accepted, not just by the public, but also by the authorities and taxi
drivers alike.
2002 AGM
As you are all aware, the AGM is in February and I am very
pleased to be able to inform you that the current five Board Members are
seeking re-election. I am also happy to be able to propose them in order
that they will be able, with your backing, to serve another two-year term.
The continuity that we have had during the past six years has been excellent
and I would like to think that is one of the reasons that our Society has
prospered. Regarding myself, I hope that most of you will be pleased to
learn that I am unopposed for the role as Chairman, so I will be continuing
for a further two years.
At the forthcoming AGM, the Board will not be putting forward
any Rule Changes or Propositions and we will only have to vote on any
changes that have been 'put in' by members and there are very few of those.
Just as a reminder, you will all soon be receiving the paperwork regarding
the AGM
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and if you do not vote by post, then you must attend. Failure to either
vote by post OR attend in person will result in a £50 fine being imposed.
Equipment
Every one of our vehicles is fitted with equipment that costs
in excess of £2,500 excluding the cost of the cabling.
In recent times we have been experiencing considerable damage
to that equipment that is not due to fair wear and tear. We have five
terminal screens that have been broken, how on earth a screen together
with the housing can get broken, I just do not know. Also, we are
experiencing considerable damage to the computer itself (the one that sits
on the floor) through water damage, obviously some vehicles are leaking.
This situation and the considerable cost involved to Dial-a-Cab cannot be
sustained, consequently,
I would urge all members to ensure that their cabs are waterproof in the
drivers compartment. If in the future, equipment fails due to water
damage, then we will not replace it with new equipment until the reason
for the failure has been resolved. We are also considering making a charge
for any installation that fails for reasons not due to either faulty
equipment or fair wear and tear. I would also like to remind all members
that we are the only circuit that does not have an equipment bond. At
present Mountview hold £350 of their member's money for the equipment
installed in the cab, it is only returned when the member leaves the
circuit provided the equipment is in good order. Com Cab operate a similar
policy, so please do not make us consider that scenario. Just a little
thought and care can save everyone a considerable amount of money.
50th Anniversary
In past issues of Call Sign, the Editor has given a précis of
our history. Some of you might remember that one of the more significant
dates was the 7 June 1953 when there was a meeting in The Albany pub in
Great Portland Street with the result that this Society was formed. To
this end, Dial-a-Cab will be holding its 50th Anniversary Ball on 7 June
2003 at Vinopolis near London Bridge. More details will follow as they
become available...
Brian Rice
Chairman, Dial-a-Cab
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