Facts, figures … and cavemen!
You should
have all received your AGM ‘pack’ by
now. I know most of you will agree with
me when I say that I am very pleased
with the figures that have been produced
for 2005, it has been another
exceptional year in spite of, rather
than because of, certain members. I can
only apologise about it being an
unusually large AGM package, but most of
you will undoubtedly realise that it is
for reasons beyond our control.
In my last report, I wrote that we had turned over in excess of £4m
in November, well it has now come to my
attention that the "usual suspects" are
disputing that figure as they are
distributing literature to that effect!
So I would like to reiterate in no
uncertain terms and in words even they
can understand – WE TURNED OVER IN
EXCESS OF £4M IN NOVEMBER! And just to
clarify exactly what I mean by that
because some apparently do not
understand – this is work that was put
in the back of OUR member’s vehicles!
What I found particularly disturbing was when these few people
endeavoured to question this figure,
they then broke it down into individual
mobiles and how much an individual
driver earned – are they really that
naïve? When I talk about turnover, no
one knows how many mobiles it applies
to, but they then break it down into an
individual basis.
After all the years I have spent in this trade, I am still amazed
at how naïve these ‘cavemen’ can be. All
they are doing is to invite an inquiry -
mind you, having said that I’m told they
quite enjoy them! But I don’t suppose
that even crossed their mind – or
perhaps it did - because that is as good
a way as any to bring this Society down.
However, if they wish to get really upset, then I would like to
inform them that our turnover in
December increased by 17.7% above what
was achieved in December 2004 – and that
is a huge increase. So I am extremely
hopeful that 2006 will be another very
good year. Incidentally, our cumulative
turnover up until the end of December
has risen by in excess of 11% over the
same period last year.
Signage update
I hope you are all aware of the very
delicate and extremely serious situation
that is facing our industry as regards
the question of the type of
signage Private Hire should be |
able to display
on their vehicles. I know I’ve written
about this topic on a number of
occasions, so if you read my reports you
should be quite well versed on the
topic.
Anyway, just to keep you all informed, some meetings have been
organised where I will be visiting
Roger Evans, who is the Chairman
(should I say chair?) of the London
Assembly Transport Committee,
followed at a later date with a meeting
with Gwyneth Dunwoody MP, who is
the Chair of the House of Commons
Transport Select Committee. It is
vitally important that all organisations
within our industry do as much as they
possibly can to put our message across.
I believe the Private Hire industry is
already setting the pace regarding this
issue and that the authorities are
leaning towards their case. I believe
this is one of the most serious issues
that has faced our industry because if
we do not succeed, then the ‘touting’
that will follow will make what we
currently have seem like nothing!
The ‘third tier’ (touts) would be carrying bogus signage in an
endeavour to make themselves look
authentic and if the authorities do not
heed the warnings, they will only have
themselves to blame when the first
misdemeanour by the driver of a vehicle
carrying bogus signage occurs – and it
undoubtedly will!
2006 Tariff Review
I’m
led to believe that there will be a
tariff increase in April; however this
will be subject to TfL Board approval at
a meeting that takes place on 8
February. The tariff review adheres to
three basic principles. These involve
using the cost index to
guide the increase in average fares,
maintain a reasonable differential
between day, evening, weekend and late
night tariffs while keeping a reasonable
progression of fare with journey length.
As part of a consultation exercise that was completed
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during 2004, the cost
index was reviewed. It is calculated by
using a combination of Licensed Taxi
operating costs and average national
earnings. It then estimates the annual
increase in the average taxi fare needed
to cover rises in costs whilst
keeping pace with national average
earnings. The cost index has been the
basis of taxi fare reviews since 1980,
and since TfL became responsible for
determining taxi fares in July 2000, the
increase in fares has broadly been in
line with the index.
As I have explained, part of the consultation document was to
review the index and see whether it
continued to offer a sound basis for
determining the increase in average
fares by giving a reasonable estimate of
the relevant cost changes and the
changes in national average earnings. To
this end, consultants were appointed to
undertake an independent review, which
was completed during 2004 but too late
to consult on the findings and
conclusions before decisions regarding
the April 2005 tariff increase had to be
implemented.
But it showed that the level of the index was about right,
consequently it has been forecast that
the tariff will increase by 4.2% this
April (excluding the emissions charge).
As in the past, this will be implemented by reducing the yardage
for every 20p with the same percentage
increase being made in all three tariff
periods. The initial clock drop will
continue to be £2.20 including the 20p
emission charge.
Although somewhat boring in nature, I still hope that the above
information will help to give you an
insight as to how the tariff increase is
determined.
And the AGM…
Finally, do not forget the AGM on Sunday
5 February at The Brewery in Chiswell
Street. It begins at 11am and I hope to
see as many as possible of you there.
However, I must remind you that if you do not attend, please make
sure that you have voted by post. If you
do not do either, then a fine of £50
will be imposed…
Brian Rice
Chairman
Dial-a-Cab |
