New building – Contractor now appointed…
If the progress I’ve referred to above is to be maintained, then it is imperative we move to our new premises as soon as possible so that the growth this Society has enjoyed in recent years can continue. It is essential that we have the capacity to expand our business even further, consequently a contractor has now been appointed and work will commence on the new building from 9 October and I have been informed that completion will be early in the New Year.
   It is surely a healthy sign as to how this Society has developed in recent years, that we can go out and purchase new premises for several £millions and yet still be in the enviable position where we do not have to finance the acquisition. We have built up enough of a ‘war chest’ in recent years, enabling us not to have to borrow any money whilst still retaining Brunswick House as we migrate the business to our new building. Exciting times indeed…

Coverage and the Christmas incentive…
Despite the fact that this business is now extremely sophisticated and uses the very latest cutting edge technology that we can supply to our clients, at the end of the day that technology means nothing if we cannot carry out the most imperative part of our business - supplying our clients with a taxi when they require it and one that is on time!
   Of course that’s where you, the Dial-a-Cab members, come into the equation. It is absolutely paramount that you continue to
give the clients the service they

 require at all times. I know that circumstances are becoming increasingly fraught out there on
the roads, however, as you are all no doubt aware, our clients are not interested in our problems - their only interest is in the supply of their taxi.  Consequently, we must all try that little bit harder over the coming months as conditions become even more chaotic.
   I am in the process of finalising this year’s Christmas incentive, one that will be very similar to last years in an attempt to convey maximum coverage to our clients. The big difference over last year is that this time we will be endeavouring to appeal to your wives and partners so that they will want to give you that extra nudge to go out and work even harder in covering our account work and picking up as many of our clients as you can! If I can finalise the incentive before Call Sign goes to press, then details will appear elsewhere in this issue, otherwise you will receive details in the post very soon!

Interesting proposal?
You know I always maintain that our members are among the best informed in the Taxi industry purely and simply because we use this magazine to convey all the latest issues to you. So I thought you might be interested in this latest piece of information that has been conveyed to me.
   As you know, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and the taxis / private hire over there are licensed by the Department of the Environment (DoE). It has now been proposed by the DoE that in February / March next year, taxis and all private hire vehicles will be allowed to pick up off the street, although the only vehicles that will be allowed on a taxi rank are those with a wheelchair facility.
   I find it quite extraordinary - although no longer surprising because it is something I have

been concerned about for several years - that our Government is proposing that private hire should be allowed to ply for hire on the streets. This unprecedented move has not yet been sanctioned but the depressing part is that it has actually been proposed. I believe
this is a development that has to be followed very closely as we do not want anyone over here getting ideas!
   Whilst on the topic of relaying information to you, I came across a question by John Biggs, a Labour member on the GLA London Assembly Transport Committee. His question was directed to our Mayor, Ken Livingstone and the question was:
   What current view is there on whether private hire vehicles should be able use bus lanes?
   The Mayor’s response was that consideration was being given by TfL to the use of bus lanes by private hire vehicles, including the effectiveness of enforcement activity and the effect on road capacity.
   He added: "Although all private hire vehicles display licence discs in their front and rear screens, they are not immediately recognisable.  Work is progressing to quantify these effects and ensure that any exemptions would not prevent the effective operation of bus lanes. TfL will also be co-operating on this with the boroughs (who are responsible for the majority of London’s bus lanes) and the Department for Transport."
   Now, perhaps I am being just a little bit cynical here, but it sounds to me as though the only thing that keeps private hire out of bus lanes is that they cannot be easily identified and as a consequence, other road users would follow them into the bus lanes and cameras would not be able to differentiate between the two. That seems to be why they are restricted from using them.
   However, I wonder what the effect would be if the Mayor were to allow exterior signage on Private Hire – that would make them easily recognisable. Naaahhh, surely not…!