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Hello Ladies and Gents...
While I am writing this article, we are all working hard as a team yet again to
provide what is turning out to be an exceptional service for the staff and to
the passengers at Virgin (WCT) during the emergency weekend leading up to the
well publicised nine-day blockade. It is now late evening on Sunday 17th August
and the second day is coming to an end with work at all designated stations
getting busier as the weekend progresses.
As I am sure you are all by now aware, Dial-a-Cab have provided taxis at
four additional Stations, Northampton, Birmingham International, Coventry and
Rugby. This was at the request of Virgin Management and an important part of
the extended contract that will take us into January 2004.
In total, almost 300 members have been allocated work over this weekend alone,
which is far greater than the previous requirements. There are more regular
fixed price trips than before and also many pre-bookings in the system based on
these values or on the regular rate of £2.20 per mile. The number of taxis at
all stations was at the
request of Virgin (WCT) and I am sure you all understand that these numbers
have to be exact to |
their requirements at all locations at all times.
The Call Centre is extremely busy throughout these periods, especially
during the driver shift changeover and although the telephone lines are
busy, we would ask you all to please be patient. There has been a lot of
forward planning over the past couple of months from all sides to ensure
that the operation is a complete success and any changes necessary to
improve what is a major operation, will be made as the contract moves on.
A database of all drivers who have worked on this account
(00750) is being regularly checked and updated and as soon as all members
have had their opportunity to work, we will of course offer you all another
chance to re apply.
This time around, neither Virgin or ourselves really know how busy
the weekend will be, but all |
necessary insurances from both sides must be in place. Again, can I
thank you all in advance for your help and support. This is a joint venture and
one that will.continue. Goldman Sachs
On a different note, can I please remind you that the Goldman Sachs
account is shared and that you have every right to join the rank at St Bride
Street which generates much additional work. As you know, there is a Marshal on
site each night and he will be only too pleased to assist you if you have any
problems with this type of charge card work.
Terminal Upgrades
Testing on terminals is still ongoing and working according to plan.
When we are completely sure that there are no bugs in the system, you will all
be asked to attend Roman Way to have the upgrade on your terminal that Tom
Carter wrote about in the last issue of Call Sign. Signals will be greatly
improved and we hope that the problems that some of you are at present
experiencing will then become a thing of the past. We will notify you all of
the dates nearer the time, so again, please be patient...
Allan Evans
Driver Operations allane@dialacab.co.uk |
