West Coast Trains
With the Easter West Coast Train Blockade
now completed very successfully, we can now
look forward to the major 9-day blockade
starting towards the end of May. You will
read in Keith Cain’s article, a much more
detailed report that will explain some
operational changes in work practice.
Please follow them carefully. As the
weekends progress, we are certainly becoming
much busier and with the promise of
additional work on behalf of Silverlink, we
will again be tested to the limit. By now
most of you would have covered this work
since the beginning of the year and although
allocation is strictly monitored, you can
now expect to get a further opportunity to
book-in and take part in the operation.
Please follow carefully the messages sent out on your terminals and
can I also once again ask you all to be as
professional and smart as possible.
At times you will be asked to undertake very long journeys and
it is essential that each of you have a map
book that extends to all parts of the
British Isles. It also goes without saying
that mobile phones must be switched
on at all times. That will be even more
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DRIVER OPERATIONS UPDATE |
important during the weeks
ahead
when work will be spread far and
wide and much further afield. Once you
have been allocated a shift at a designated
station, you must not accept any other
one-off trips through the system whilst
working the set hours that you have already
been allocated.
Terminal Upgrade
Since the terminal upgrade, there has been a
marked improvement in signals and although
it is still not yet perfect, with the
enhancements that are being made to the
modems and the ongoing testing of base
stations, they are now definitely going in
the right direction. The Board will continue
to look for progress to enhance the system
and make your life a little easier and less
stressful.
Credit Card Rejects
I have been asked on a number of occasions
if Credit Card trips count as rejects on the
system and although the terminal trip logger
may go up if you reject a Credit Card ride,
the reject will not register against these
types of trips.
Westminster TaxiCard
Many of you have complained that whilst in
the process of helping a |
disabled passenger during a
Westminster TaxiCard journey, parking
attendants are making no allowances
whatsoever before issuing tickets, even if
the passenger is wheelchair bound or blind
and needing help to get to their homes. The
Chairman’s report may have some good news in
this respect and the Editor informs me that
there is an article on the subject elsewhere
in this issue.
Can I finally remind you all that the run-in on Westminster
Taxi-Card trips is £3.40, which was
applicable from the start of April 2004.
Please remember that if you have any
difficulties in using your terminal – no
matter how small - please contact me by
telephone or email and I will be only too
pleased to assist.
Allan Evans
allane@dialacab.co.uk |
