DAC CUSTOMER SERVICES / SPECIAL PROJECTS

Advising Delays
On a recent visit to a client at their request, there were various issues discussed including drivers not advising delays. Leading up to Christmas, traffic conditions are undoubtedly going to get worse, so it really is extremely important that you advise the Call Centre of any delays. As always, your help is really appreciated.

Pedicabs
I’m sure many of you feel these pedal power vehicles should not be available for hire and to illustrate that, I recount an incident that took place just a few days ago. While travelling along Oxford Street, I noticed 3 people trying to hail a cab but there were no empty cabs available at that moment. Consequently, a Pedicab stopped to offer a ride. The passengers climbed into the ‘box’ and the cyclist moved off. It appeared they were travelling in the wrong direction after one of the passenger’s gave directions, so the vehicle turned sharply to do a U- turn and the ‘driver’ lost control and the passengers fell out on to the road narrowly missing a taxi! The moral of this story? You tell me…!

DaC ChargeCards
Mark White has written again about the acceptance of DaC ChargeCards and claims that I have missed his point. He refers to drivers who are suspended through whatever reason and asks if they should remove their logos as they cannot process ChargeCards?
   Mark, I have not missed your point; the answers are yes, yes, no, yes and no! Seriously Mark, there are always anomalies to most situations and you have found one. We wouldn’t expect suspended drivers to remove their logos and so long as the driver was telling the truth re not being able to accept the client’s card, then the problem will be sorted out. However, most refusals are just because the driver doesn’t fancy doing the job or accepting a ChargeCard. One of our clients has a serious situation that currently needs resolving. The issue is that one of our drivers, who was not on suspension and who had door logos, refused a ChargeCard. The customer needed to get to a hospital due to his wife having an accident. He then had to go via a Cashpoint to withdraw some cash wasting valuable time. In the great scheme of things, incidents such as that are more likely to occur that the odd driver on complaint who cannot accept the card. So can we call it a draw, Mark? I know your question was meant well, but
there is no sensible answer other
 

Paternoster Square, St Paul’s
It is important that I keep you up to speed with the various clients we visit and any planned changes that will be taking place. So, as from April next year, The London Stock Exchange will be moving to
Paternoster Square. There are many other companies, not necessarily Dial-a-Cab clients, who will also be moving there. I am given to understand there should be about 8,000 people moving into refurbished buildings, including Juxson House. Speaking with the Corporation of London, it appears that no provision has yet been made for taxi ranks, so I do hope the trade organisations are on the case. I will keep you updated with developments.

City of London street closures
As you know, during the previous months and more recently with the Memorial Service for members of the armed services involved in the Iraq conflict, many streets within the City have been closed. However, it was nevertheless important for Dial-a-Cab to maintain its taxi service to clients within the security perimeter. We therefore implemented a taxi pick-up point on the junction of London Wall and Coleman Street together with a Marshal and I am pleased to say our clients complemented us for our proactive approach. The City Police were so impressed with the project, they actually asked if we could help with the forthcoming Lord Mayors Banquet!

Children’s Music Project
In Call Sign a few months back, I mentioned that together with The London Charity Orchestra and Lewisham Music Services, the LTFUC had organised music workshops for special needs children. Some of you may remember ex-Dial-a-Cab driver David Todhunter who was known within the cab trade as the ‘Maestro’. David founded the orchestra known then as The London Taxi Driver’s Symphony Orchestra. David sadly passed away some years ago, however the orchestra lives on even though

it has changed its name to The
London Charity Orchestra and
continues to go from strength to strength.
   This year’s children music workshops catered to 30 children living in South London and culminated in a concert that was so successful that we will embark on another in 2004 when 50 children will be selected from Tower Hamlets. The workshops will be followed by a concert with the children and the orchestra and it has been proposed that the concert should take place in Cabot Hall, Canary Wharf.
   I am sure there are many DaC taxi drivers who have a music background, especially classical. If you or a member of your family is interested, do give me a call.
The specific aims of this project are to:
Enhance the musical knowledge and experience of children in Tower Hamlets, particularly those who would otherwise not have access to music making

Provide Orchestra musicians with an opportunity to widen their skills and work in the community and to help establish a trend of amateur orchestras working in the community
   I look forward to hearing from you

Mike Son
DaC Customer Services / Special Projects
Michaels@dialacab.co.uk