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DaC Chairman Brian Rice has
received the honour of being nominated as an
international vice president of the TPLA. Call Sign
asked Allen Togwell to explain what the TLPA is…
When I first joined the board in 1986, it was at a
time when Data Despatch was still being investigated
as an alternate means of dispatching work. It was
also the time when, as Head of Sales and a desire to
learn more about the operations of radio taxi
organisations abroad, that I discovered the World
Taxi Organisation - known then as ITLA
(International Taxi and Livery Association) which
was based near Washington, USA.
We immediately became a member and I, along with the-then Chairman,
attended the very next ITLA annual conference. It
was to say the least, a remarkable experience. There
were over 800 delegates attending the conference,
plus an exhibition displaying an unbelievable array
of items and ideas associated with the taxi industry
- including data despatch systems. Whilst in the
USA, we visited several taxi companies in
Washington, Boston and New York that were using data
despatch. The knowledge I gained from that visit,
particular in talking to their cab drivers, was a
deciding factor in convincing me |
BRIAN RICE NOMINATED AS TLPA
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
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 that
data despatch was the route that our Society should
take.
One of the areas that impressed me most in addition to the speed of
communication, was how quiet and civilised it was in
their taxis, unlike the stressful environment in our
cabs with our noisy two-way voice system.
In October 2000, the ITLA changed its name to the TLPA (Taxicab,
Limousine & Paratransit Association) and now
represents taxi companies from all over the world
with an aim to provide the membership with a network
of programs, services and support that will enhance
the ability to effectively and profitably serve
local public transportation needs. Since my
first visit I have prompted |
respective DaC Boards to
recognise the importance of our continued presence
and have represented our Society at a TLPA
conference whenever possible.
Dial-a-Cab is one of the top six radio taxi companies in the world
and of those six, we are without doubt the most
technologically advanced. So when Brian Rice became
Chairman, it was especially important that
Dial-a-Cab should continue with our now
long-standing policy of a presence at a TLPA
conference.
We have done that and such is Brian’s enthusiasm and ability at
networking that I am delighted to say that our
Society’s recognition has been rewarded by the TLPA
committee and the relevant voting members announcing
that Brian Rice has this year been nominated as an
International Vice President. The TLPA, which was
formed in 1917, is the largest taxi trade
organization in the world and to have a
representative from Dial-a-Cab on such a committee
would indeed be an accolade of which we should be
immensely proud. Well-done Brian...
Allen Togwell |
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