End of the Financial Year
Our financial year ended with the departure of yet another August and the indications are that we have made another surplus this year. Under the circumstances, I am very pleased because although it may not be a very large one when you look back and compare it to the previous few years of Dial-a-Cab's trading surpluses, I'm sure you are all only too well aware that the past year has seen a particularly difficult trading period.
However, indications are that trading will improve in the fourth quarter of this year and then hopefully continue through to next year. So perhaps we can look forward to an improvement in our business within the short term and hopefully continue that in the long term. Although August is always a particularly quiet period of the year, this one has shown a slight improvement over previous years and that has to be a positive sign.

Taxiboard
During the month, I attended a meeting of Taxiboard - the first one I have been to for many months and which regretfully now just comprises of the LMCPA (Proprietors), LTI and the radio circuits. It seems to have turned into a 'talking shop' that has very few teeth and carries no real clout because basically, it now represents very little from within our trade.
   During the meeting, I suggested to those present that they should extend an open invitation for all driver organisations to join Taxiboard and I feel optimistic that all - bar two - would join. 
Refusal to join for whatever reason would of course be their prerogative, but if enough organisations from within the trade did join, then Taxiboard could have credibility, clout and be a truly representative voice of our industry at a time when we more than ever need to be heard and taken account of by the authorities. Whether the current members of Taxiboard have 

listened to what I had to say, only time will tell.
   Ironically, two weeks later I was asked by these same driver organisations to attend a meeting to discuss our tariff and to decide how we should approach the Mayor regarding the issue. I'm pleased to say that all the driver organisations were there except for two - yes, the same two that I believe would not wish to join Taxiboard. I believe that these two trade bodies are manoeuvring themselves into a position where they will become isolated from the remainder of the trade by acting aloof and elitist.
One of the good things to come from this trade meeting was that it gave me the opportunity to speak to all the delegates regarding Taxiboard and to a man they were very interested in an approach from Taxiboard and the possibility of building a united cross-section of the trade. We don't always have to agree, but being seen as united would be a crucial development and step forward for the Licensed Taxi industry after years of in-fighting. The seeds have been planted on 

both sides, it just now remains to be seen if both parties can take this coalition forward. Hmmm...

Department for Transport Meeting
I have just returned from a meeting with Tony McNulty MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport. In my view, the meeting went extremely well and was certainly productive in that many topics that either currently or in the future will affect our trade, were discussed.
   The meeting lasted for an hour and the Minister was left in no doubt as to the trade's feelings concerning a whole host of topics. As you might have guessed, the first item on the Agenda was the matter of outside 

signage on Private Hire vehicles, something that I have written about several times and something that I believe to be a real threat to our industry in the immediate future. He was certainly very receptive to our argument.
   The next topic was the 'Knowledge' and how it should be maintained and protected, after all that is what makes London's Taxi Drivers the best in the world. There has been talk in some quarters that all we need today is a satellite navigation system fitted to the vehicle and that the driver will no longer have any problems finding his way around town? That suggestion needs to be dismissed immediately.
   It was also pointed out to the Minister that taxis need access to all of London's bus lanes and
that if Mayor Livingstone's oft quoted phrase that Taxis are an important part of an integrated public transport system is to be believed, that point needs to be developed and implemented immediately if the Mayor and the Government wish to retain any credence within the London Licensed Taxi industry.

Virgin Trains
Dial-a-Cab have received an email from Virgin Trains complementing us on the service we have given them during the recent blockade (their words, not mine). It appears they were highly delighted and would like their thanks to be relayed to all drivers and staff that took part in the exercise.
   At the time of writing, we have not yet completed the nine day blockade in August, but I have no doubt that it will be handled as professionally as it has been in the past. Then, please remember that there will be a blockade every weekend until the New Year.

Jewish New Year
Finally, I have been informed that the Jewish New Year falls at the end of September, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Jewish drivers and staff a very Happy New Year.

Brian Rice
Chairman
Dial-a-Cab