You can also email your letters to: callsignmag@aol.com

Where's The Back-Up?
The London cab trade prides itself on providing a service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In fact, the bulk of our work is when others are at rest or play. That we can provide such a service without regulation is due to the rich mix of drivers from various religious backgrounds and with varying personal circumstances.  Wherever you stand in London, at any time day or night, an empty taxi will pass by sooner or later.
So why the hell do all the backup services upon whom we rely, work from 9 to 5? If my cab, currently under Warranty, packs up at 10pm on a Friday evening,  I'm snookered until Monday. If my radio equipment fails on a Saturday morning, I am unable to do any radio work until Monday.  It isn't only Dial-a-Cab at fault here, but also Metrocab, LTI and most small garages who do not work weekends. I will not accept an argument on the grounds of economics. Although it may cost more to employ staff during unsocial hours, there would be an immediate benefit not only to the drivers working those hours, but also to 9 to 5 drivers not wishing to lose time off work to get jobs done. The views of Dial-a-Cab, Metrocab and
LTI would be enlightening.
Keith White (A16)
Brian Rice replies:
Why will you not accept the argument on the grounds of economics? For that is the answer! You state that we have drivers from various religious backgrounds - are their places of worship open 24hrs a day? I don't think so. We now open our fitting bay from 0700hrs until 1700hrs and we have recently tried to increase those hours to 1900hrs, but the staff refused to alter their hours. So what do you suggest we do Keith? Employ additional staff, not just at the fitting bay, but in all departments? If the answer is yes, then we can of course do that, the question then is how much are you prepared to pay in increased subscriptions in order to finance it?

Do We Need New Drivers?
Does Dial-a-Cab still need to take on new drivers to replace those who leave for whatever reason when in the current economic climate, we are spending more time empty? Zone queue positions are so high that to get a chance of a radio job, you need to get onto a radio rank or wait up to an hour in a zone to become the point cab. When the  Board introduced two new
call signs in 2001, 198 new drivers joined DaC. Since then our work has slowly dropped off. Would it not be beneficial for members to reduce our numbers until business picks up so that there is more chance of getting an account ride?
Garry White (L65)
Brian Rice replies:
I do take your point Garry, the first thing we always say in a downturn is that we have too many drivers and numbers should be reduced. The fleet was increased by 200 between June and November 2000, getting on for three years ago. We lose on average around 4 members per month due to various circumstances, so taking that figure, it would take a little over 4 years to reduce the fleet to the pre-June 2000 figure. I do not believe that to be significant enough to make a difference. I agree that some zones are very crowded at certain times, however, would you believe that at certain times we still scrub work! Reducing numbers would just exacerbate the situation and given the present economic climate, our service is paramount. I know street work is quiet and
that is why so many members are prepared to sit in a zone to wait for a credit ride, but what would signify that things were really difficult is if we had an enormous demand from members to leave the circuit as they did not believe that DaC was value for money. At £4 per day, most members obviously still agree that it is excellent value as we have not been inundated with requests from members to leave. I know the above is not the answer you would like, but I hope that you will understand the situation.

Parking With Thomas More!
Would it be possible for DaC to have a word with the security at Thomas More Square? I think it was the 9/11 tragedy that stopped our parking in the private road. As the security alert has been lowered in the USA, can we now return to normal as well? Some accounts specifically ask us to report to their reception, which means leaving the taxi unattended for 5 or 10 minutes on double yellow lines. Hope Call Sign can help...
Jon Trevor (W94)
Allan Evans replies: After speaking to JP Morgan Security, they have assured me that there are no longer any parking restrictions in this area. Taxis can again enter by the security barrier and park in the designated area. This has been back to normal for some time and will only change if there is a genuine alert.

Highs and Lows!
On April 10 I had a job from Sloane Square to Chelsea Harbour. I got talking to the passenger and although I don't like to mention it, I told him that I was running in the London Marathon the following weekend for the Bobby Moore Bowel Cancer Fund. We chatted and he seemed genuinely impressed about it and that the year before I had raised £1,500 for the Invicta  Charity for blind and partially sighted children. The fare came to £7.60; he gave me a £50 note and told me to put the change into the cancer fund. I was so moved by this man's generosity that it really made my day.
   About an hour later, I was dying to use the toilet, so I stopped on the Embankment and ran to the loo because I didn't think I would make Lincolns Inn Fields! I know it's a red route, but I kept off the bus stop - not that it made any difference! I used the toilet, rinsed my hands and ran out, but too late. A warden (who must have appeared from thin air) was just putting a £60 ticket onto my cab.  I asked the warden if he wanted to sponsor me, but he refused.  So be careful if using the Victoria  Embankment loo, you might get a ticket but you definitely won't get a sponsor!
   In the week leading up to the Marathon, I only told two passengers I was running, one gave me £10 the other gave me £40. Maybe I should have told them all...!
Paul Charters (J08)
The warden must have run across Hungerford Bridge when he saw you leave your cab! Perhaps you should have offered to sponsor him first ...Ed

Domestic Violence Against Women
The original of this letter was sent to the PCO...
   With reference to your pamphlet re Domestic Violence, many years ago my husband picked up a young woman who was sporting a beautiful black eye. My husband asked if he could be of assistance, to which her reply was: "You can mind your own 'effin business or I'll smash your head like I did to 'im.  He's lying on the carpet..." My husband drove to the local nick, ran inside and told them the story: "Sorry," they said, "we don't deal with domestic violence, take her round to Social Services." He ran back to the cab but fortunately, she had gone. Since then, wiser counsel has prevailed - after all, he's no Marjorie Proops. He picks them up and drops them off - but he has asked me to thank you for the receipt pad...!
Mrs Martha Harris
Stanmore, Middx
Martha is a former DaC telephonist from our days at Shirland Road in addition to being married to DaC driver and Call Sign "look-back" man, Sam Harris. Incidentally, one of the two phone numbers on the receipt pads sent out has already ceased operation ...Ed

LTI Fun Day...?
After seeing pictures of the Chairman and Board members on another jolly-up at LTI's base in Coventry, I was wondering when we will see their report damming the price at £30k plus and poorly built quality on these over-inflated pieces of rubbish we call cabs. What with their 1952 MGF braking and suspension units, it's no wonder when you go over a hole, it may as well be the black-hole, it shakes, rattles and rolls better than Elvis Presley ever could and this is what LTI call a state of the art vehicle! If the Board are looking for a one-stop shop, then maybe they can persuade their friends at LTI to make the cabs quieter, smoother and improve their build quality to rival an executive vehicle, which may actually justify their cost. Then we can try and get back some of the work the car companies have taken from us by being
able to offer the passengers and driver a more relaxing and comfortable journey. Maybe it would have been a good idea for the Board to have included some drivers who spend up to 12 hours entombed in the said vehicle to the LTI jolly-up and give a true account of what needs to be done to improve the all-round package, bearing in mind the BoM voted to do away with owning their own state of the art vehicle two years ago.
   So, in the summing up of Jeremy Clarkson on a recent test drive of a TXII and I quote: "It was like being tied up in a sack and thrown in the worst rapids of the Colorado river, listening to rap music through headphones wired to the mains."
   So come on BoM, pull your finger out and speak up on behalf of the 2000 drivers you 'represent' who need a better class of taxi to compete in today's market.
Tony Lawyer (C51)
Brian Rice replies: A jolly up? We got the 0915 train and were back in the office by 1500hrs! In that time we travelled to Coventry, toured the factory, spoke to senior management and returned to London - I agree Tony, it's what I would call a 'jolly up'!
Incidentally, in your letter you complain about the TXII, how do you know that we were not also complaining? As for the BoM having to own cabs, the members voted for that to be rescinded and not the BoM. Anyway Tony, don't let 'facts' get in the way of your argument. Should a real 'jolly up' come along in the future, I will let you know as I've heard that you like a 'good time'.
   Thank You DaC - From Great Ormond Street
I am writing to say a big thank you to you and your staff for helping deliver the wonderful amount of Easter Eggs that were donated by the Trocadero Management Office. On behalf of all the staff, parents and children, I would like to say thank you once again for helping, it really is very much appreciated. Public support is crucial to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital work in treating more children. It helps maintain the Hospitals clinical excellence in the prevention and cure of disease and illness in the children.
   With your help we can do more to fund pioneering research work, special equipment, accommodation for parents, facilities for staff, all of which help us improve the quality of care we provide for the children and their families.
   Your support is very much valued and appreciated and I thank you once again on behalf of everyone here at Great Ormond Street Children's Charity.
Amy Crust
Fundraising Department
Queen Square, WC1
Tom Whitbread took a call from Great Ormond Street asking if we could help deliver 

Unwarranted Attack?
I'm disappointed that you printed Allen Togwell's unwarranted attack on me, Alan, as he is talking nonsense (May 2003 Call Sign). In your March Editorial, YOU said: "I think it's about time we had fare negotiators who live in the real world." Yet in Togwell's diatribe, (the bit where he gets a touch of the 'Kevin Keegans' - "I'll just love it!") suddenly it becomes ME that says it! Mr Togwell writes: "We get criticism about a low fare increase and a demand for proper fare negotiators "who"- and I love this bit - "live in the real world." He has clearly seen only what he wants to when reading my letter in the April Mailshot and criticises me for something I didn't say! And he calls me blinkered? Allen goes on to say that I asked the question: "Please tell me, when is it ever a good time to put up the prices?" Could you please explain to him that this was a rhetorical question - he has only shown himself to be rather foolish by trying to answer it. When I flippantly remarked: "I remember when you could take a young lady out to dinner for a £1 in Togwell's day" (as in his generation), I never expected him to take it personally, despite the fact that for many a year he has regaled us with his dating exploits! For this I apologise and  I'm sorry he seems to have lost his sense of humour.
   I had to ask my dad what an Armstrong Sidley was! At first I thought it sounded like the 50's version of a Raleigh 'Chopper'. I had this vision of Toggers on his way to meet his date with highly polished bicycle clips!
   His attempt to insult me by calling me a Sun reader is very sad. I'm sure a great many of our members enjoy the newspaper in question, whether for the sport, the news, a laugh or indeed. Page 3. I don't usually get that far, as I start at the back and read forward (there are plenty of news channels on TV), but I do wish we were as successful...!
A true intellectual, Allen believes himself to be a cut above us and seems to be unhappy with his £80,000 + a year. It may surprise Mr Togwell, but we don't need to read The Telegraph to know how quiet it is or why. As drivers, we are at the sharp end. Recently, two young ladies, who work at a hotel in the heart of the West-End, told me that of 92 rooms, only 8 were occupied.  Another fare told me how his friend is a doorman at a larger, more prestigious establishment in Piccadilly and that their occupancy was about 10% (this was before it was reported in the Media that London hotel occupancy was around 17%).
   The point of my original letter (something that was lost on Togwell) was that Dial-a-Cab and the cab trade should be telling our customers that we have in fact cut our prices (tariff decrease). At no time did I express an opinion as to whether it was or wasn't merited.  However, in your Editorial under 'Fare Decrease', you say that  money "should be spent on telling the general public that cab prices have been reduced." I hope for your sake that you are not agreeing with me. Ha, ha, he'll be having a go at you next!
   Mr Togwell says that he asked for "cost effective ideas to encourage people into using taxis."
   Isn't that his job? I'd have thought telling customers that fares have gone down wasn't a bad place to start. If Mr Togwell cares to walk down Oxford Street and look at the shop windows, he'll see plenty of people doing the same and he'll also see large signs saying 'SALE'. Or is that not cost effective enough? Then how about 'CUT PRICE DEALS' in large letters or '40% OFF!' That, Mr Togwell, is living in the real world...
   Please congratulate the Marketing department on finally getting tip-up seats, door ads, hand out cards and receipt pads that compliment each other. As I mentioned in the last issue, it's a pity that a special effort has not been made to produce a logo for our 50th anniversary. Could we not have freshened up the fleet by producing a special gold  Dial-a-Cab logo on a white background instead of the ice cream van design and then put it on every vehicle?
Mark White (B86)
Allen Togwell replies: Mark, for someone who appears to spend his life on a one man crusade against the BoM, your whinge about being verbally attacked does make me smile. Anyway, I wasn't attacking you, I was using your letter simply as a basis for putting over a point regarding recent issues concerning our trade and DaC in particular. I chose your letter only because it made reference to me, which I don't accept was said in jest as past experience gives me cause to think otherwise.
   With regards your April Call Sign letter Mark, on re-reading the opening paragraph, I see now I made an error and for this I do apologise. In future, perhaps the editor should put other peoples quotes in brackets along side the date.
   As for me denigrating people for reading the Sun, I did no such thing, I simply made a reference to page 3. In fact I, like many, think the sports coverage in the Sun is the best of all the tabloids. I do not read the Telegraph other than on one occasion last week when it ran an article which included a mug shot of our Chairman and which I was forced to buy 'cos he gets upset if I don't tell him how good it was (joke, honest)! As for me believing myself to be an intellectual and a cut above the rest, when and where have I ever made that ridiculous claim? It's absolute nonsense and the obvious ramblings of insecure people with a terribly sad, low self esteem. I have not lost my sense of humour, thank God, in fact I'm still laughing at my supposed earnings of 80K.  Just where do you get your information from Mark, it wouldn't by any chance be from the guy walking up and down Oxford St with the placard proclaiming the 'End of the World is Nigh'? I hope he doesn't supply you with betting tips as well! However, as those interested in my earnings are obviously indicative of the 'green eye' variety, it may disappoint you to know that my P60 for the year 2002/3 shows income paid by ODRTS of £33,727.80 after tax of £12,460.26, the total incidentally, being equal to the amount I saved our  Society for just one project, namely this years annual report which I designed and produced in-house. I thought I would slip that bit in just to assure Mark and others that members of their Board really do earn their keep.
   Unfortunately Mark, one of the biggest problems that affect you and many of our members is the lack of understanding and true inside knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes at Brunswick House. Many years ago you were a regular visitor, you occasionally used our facilities including in some instances, asking me to assist in the odd project, which I was happy to do. By visiting, it gave you an insight into the work we did. If before writing to Call Sign, you and others were to visit to speak with Board members or the Chairman about issues, or wish to obtain certain facts or be simply inquisitive about projects we are undertaking and that we are reluctant to make public for obvious reasons, I'm sure it would give you more confidence in the way your Society is being managed and in your case, reduce some of that anger that seems to run in your veins.  Every week we have regular sales meetings, we also have regular service meetings
which involves most of the  Board and the Heads of all departments. Every issue imaginable is discussed including the emphasis on generating new business, retention of existing business and the continuing importance of customer awareness, which includes one of the items you mention on the value of using cabs, for example 5 travelling for the cost of 1 etc. Had you come to the office Mark, you would see first hand how busy the Sales team and I have been working on promotions to generate more business, including the credit card cash booking service, the thousands of direct mailers that we do involving coloured mini brochures containing promotional Dial-a-Cab CD's etc, the DaC website and a multitude of promotional give-aways, all of which for cost effectiveness are designed and produced in-house.
   Yes you are correct Mark, it is my job to create ideas, but in many instances they are useless if not supported by the members. In this case it is you that miss the point. By my asking the members, I was hoping to get cost effective ideas that would suit them and what methods of working they would be prepared to undertake voluntarily. The poor response was naturally extremely disappointing. We offer cut price deals in fixed prices and cut price can be as low as £40 for one hours travel after 20.00hrs. And yes there are a number of drivers that will do them, but also far too many who are quick to slag me off, and worse, slag off the clients too.
   This past month the Mayor has been promoting an initiative to encourage more people into London. For example, two theatre tickets for the price of one. Hotels, restaurants and areas of entertainment are doing special deals as all part of the initiative. What support do you think I would get from our members if we offered cut-price fares? Finally Mark, not just surnames please, its Allen or Toggers.

Bowling and Kupkake!
In your article on the Arnos Bowling Club (May Call Sign), you make mention of Sir Walter Raleigh. I think you must have meant Sir Francis Drake. Of course it was Raleigh who, on behalf of his contacts in the tobacco trade, lobbied "Ye Publycke Carriage Office" to get the Thames Watermen to remove their signs which read Thank ye for Notte Smokyng!
   On another subject, I was a little critical of Kupkake a while ago, but I am delighted that he won his case and have decided to celebrate his victory in verse:
Betjeman eat your heart out, Masefield do the same,
   A great new power stalks the land and Kupkake is his name.
   No subject is beyond his pen, no challenge too immense,
   He even took on those "powers that be," and made a learned judge see sense!
   TfL and Livingstone - like dominoes they fall,
   To paraphrase the noble Bard - was this the noblest cabman of them all?
Geoff Levene (K43)
Such wise words from one so young, such wonderful drama as they leave your tongue. So we listen out as the Robin calls and admire your knowledge of bowling balls! ...Ye Ed

Playtex Moonwalk
In May, 'Walk the Walk' held the highly successful Playtex Moonwalk with 15,000 ladies in bras walking an overnight marathon in London. This event started and finished in Battersea Park. I was the Transport Co-ordinator for the night and one of my duties was to keep Queen's Circus clear and assist walkers in finding cabs. I contacted your company beforehand and continually from about 3am until 9am on the Sunday morning, asking for more black cabs for the walkers. The result was great. Your controllers and drivers were helpful amid my anxiety and the queue for cabs was never uncontrollable. I would be grateful if you could pass on the charity's thanks to everybody
concerned for their contribution

Call Sign's Computer Ad
I have recently purchased a new computer and wish to tell you about my experiences. I thought it was high time I was dragged in to the modern world by becoming computer literate. So a friend of mine gave me her old computer.  First problem was that it didn't come with an instruction manual, so off to night school I go. Three months later and with a City and Guilds certificate, I couldn't make the PC function at all, which in a way was a good thing. So I telephoned Mike Dickson after seeing his ad in Call Sign. After listening to my symptoms over the phone and what I wanted the computer to do, Mike decided I needed more ROM, RAM and more everything (I only ever wanted to drive the Flying Scotsman from the Cross to Edinburgh - doesn't every 46 year old boy)...!
   Mike advised me of what I needed, he purchased, delivered, set up the new computer and gave me lessons I could understand. Mike Dickson's understanding of my PC problems and his attitude to service have made me write this letter because he deserves to be congratulated.
   Alan, I have no hesitation in advising Call Sign readers to try Mike Dickson for any PC problems. I am sure they will not be disappointed...
John Connor (Y11)
Mike's ad is in every issue of Call Sign and several drivers have asked me to pass on their thanks ...Ed

Conditions of Fitness
Regarding Brian Rice's terminal message on the 'Conditions of  Fitness' report. I had been waiting for the report with trepidation for a while, as I considered its implications so very important to the trade, my trade... no, our trade. I am so pleased that the decision has gone in our favour and this is now a really important time to speedily recover our previous work levels as soon as possible and to firmly establish ourselves in the forefront of the trade. I am sure Brian and the Board realise that this is probably our 'last' chance and that they must act now to obtain work for DaC subscribers. My thanks again to the Chairman for the speed of the information to us.
   Ronnie Marlow L81
DaC drivers were the first in the trade to know the Conditions of Fitness outcome with Brian Rice putting out a general terminal message within minutes of the result being made public ...Ed

Thank You to a DaC Driver...
I ordered a taxi on account 16861 for a pick-up at Emperors Gate, Kensington on June 5 at 11am in order to take my parents to Victoria Coach Station. At the time of booking the cab, I mentioned to the operator that my parents were quite elderly and I would appreciate it if the cab driver could offer them some assistance getting their luggage into the cab. So I would like to extend my sincere thanks on behalf of my myself and my parents to the driver as my mother told me just how kind he was to them, both in assisting with their luggage and ensuring they were both ok and had everything with them. She said she had never experienced such a kind cab driver before. It would therefore be appreciated if you could kindly pass on these remarks to the driver in question.
Many thanks and kind regards...
(Ms) P Morrison
SAECS
Bury St. EC3
The driver in question was John Crowley (A86). It's nice to be praised for what he would no doubt have done anyway for elderly passengers. Well done John...

Dinner and Ball
Thank you for a wonderful evening at DaC's 50th Anniversary Ball, the venue reflected the celebration in creating the most informal formal event I have attended. Thank for you seating me with Trevor Clarke who gave our table it's own entertainment! He must be missed at DaC.
   The whole evening was perfect with professional entertainment, and that was just Brian! I felt sorry for the comedian who had to follow Brian's performance.
   It was also heartening to see so many trade personalities not only enjoying themselves, but also enjoying each other's company and agreeing on most things. If Brian can transfer that mood to trade politics, we really would have a trade body that could speak for our industry.
Once again thank you and I am looking forward to the next 50 years.
John Pace
General Secretary
S.P.L.T
**********
Thank you very much for a wonderful evening. The venue was just great and ....I really like Dial a Cab...they encourage clients to eat, drink and gamble ...that's what I call my type of people!
Blanche Bangay
Administrator
Warner Music International Services Ltd
Call Sign was inundated with thank you letters for publication. They would have taken up 2 pages on their own so we have settled for the above two...Ed

Mann & Overton Loan Cabs
Unfortunately, I feel concerned that I have to write this letter as it is basically a complaint aimed at some of your drivers. Please let me explain, Mann & Overton CHOOSE to run loan
cabs as a courtesy to our customers. Four of these vehicles are equipped with Dial-a-Cab
terminals, thanks to the kind office of Mr B Rice and the Board, again as a courtesy from
them to their members. These equipped cabs are only loaned to Dial-a-Cab subscribers but
unfortunately, once these vehicles leave our premises they are out of our control. Bear in mind the high demand for these vehicles, it is not unusual for them to be booked a month in advance so when we contact our customers to advise them that their vehicle is ready, we expect them to return post haste. Unfortunately this does not happen for all sorts of reasons; i.e. I've just put £5 of fuel in it, I am at the airport, my husband's in bed, I'm on the golf
course etc!!! That is where our problems start, for there now is no cab for the next customer
and unfortunately, some of your members now become very rude, very aggressive, screaming and shouting at my staff as if it were some Mann & Overton conspiracy against them personally, which is not the case.
   So gentlemen, the point of all this is to remind you that there is absolutely no God-given right for you to have a loan cab, there is no agreement when you buy a vehicle that you can have a loan cab. The warranty on a new vehicle does not include the right of a loan cab and if you "book" a loan cab, it will always be subject to availability and dependent on the previous customer to return it on time. Let's not go into the number of cabs that get damaged and the 'couldn't care less' attitude adopted by the few. Remember it is the few that will eventually spoil it for everyone.
My staff are now requesting me to arrange the removal of the terminals because of the abuse they receive and who can really and honestly blame them. I misled my staff when I told them we were dealing with the Gentlemen's radio circuit because it is not proving to be such. So to conclude, all I ask for is a little bit of understanding and some patience. If we do not have a cab, booked or otherwise, it is not necessarily our fault and certainly not done with malice.
Mike Saunders FIMI
General Service Manager,
Mann & Overton, London
Supply and demand is the name of the game. Please gents, take your loan cabs back ASAP and don't spoil it for others...Ed

Bus Lanes - Continued
Just to let you know that I was one of many drivers who was filmed in the Bishopsgate bus lane, but I am appealing the fine. I don't know if I will be successful or not, but my argument is that the bus lane signs have been very unreliable in the past by not showing the word 'Taxi' when we should have been allowed and as a consequence we've had to read between the lines to compensate for TfL's bad signage.
My initial appeal was rejected, but they refused to supply answers to questions such as:
1. Does TfL accept that bus lane signs have been incomplete in the past, by not displaying the word TAXI?
2. Can TfL categorically state that every single bus lane sign is correct and up-to-date now?
3. How many Taxi drivers have been caught in the Bishopsgate bus lane since enforcement began? And, by order, how many Taxi drivers have been caught in the Pentonville Road, New Oxford Street and London Bridge Northbound bus lanes for the same period?
4. Why didn't TfL write directly to Taxi drivers regarding the up-to-date status of bus lanes as they have done before on other issues?
   My point is that TfL must bear some responsibility for the lack of communication. Anyway Alan, the reason I've contacted you is that I have photographed a bus lane over at Rotherhithe, which has two signs in the same lane and, yes, you've guessed it, one says Taxi and the other doesn't! I'm going to show these photos at my £80 appeal and hope they persuade whoever judges, that TfL haven't got their act together with regards bus lane signage and I might get somewhere.
   If you know of any other drivers who are in the same predicament, please feel free to let them use my photos.
D.Vogel (R5)

And Again...
I am embroiled in correspondence with Transport for London having refused to pay a £50 fine for going in the bus lane at Bishopsgate. There have been several letters back and forth with them taking the stance it is a bus lane and as such sacrosanct. I have taken the opposite view that I was merely doing my job, which was to fetch an account customer from Thomas More Street to 155 Bishopsgate. I have all the documentary evidence to prove this. The fine has now doubled even though my query is legitimate and I am now waiting for the appeal to the adjudicator. His brief however, is very narrow and I will probably have to appeal further to a judge. The grounds would probably be in the interests of justice. You may find their letters very interesting as the ignorance of law and intolerance of argument is plain. It seems that it is just people grubbing about for money and abusing their power to justify their existence.
   I would be obliged if you are interested, that you treat it as a serious matter and not one in the eye for Ken as previously. If I am proved correct then they would have to pay back the fines they have levied on other unsuspecting cab drivers. If not, then I would have thought that the
trade as a whole would have a legitimate claim for compensation for restriction to trade.
A.P.Guerrier (L28)
   You are obviously referring to the last issue of Call Sign where DaC driver (and this mag's resident poet) David Kupler took on TfL over the Islington bus lane and won. I felt that deserved some celebrating and I'm sorry if you thought I went over the top. I now hear that there may be some new developments in our favour re Bishopsgate and Islington bus lanes, so hang in there ... Ed

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