Updated terminals?
When the "new" terminals were fitted to our cabs about 5 years ago, they were the envy of drivers on all the other circuits. The mapping facility especially was viewed with great admiration. With the development of new areas such as Docklands and new housing estates in various areas, it is now time for an upgrade so that we can maintain our reputation for being the most advanced and up-to-date outfit in town. We should not go to work with an atlas that is clearly out of date; nor should we have computer mapping that is obsolete.
Laurence Kelvin (W88)
   Brian Rice replies: I agree with you Laurence and it is something that I am fully aware of. We started fitting the terminals to the fleet in June 2000 and I did a deal with Geographers to purchase a licence and CD for each mobile for £10 (they had wanted £40 originally), however, in the meantime they have ceased producing updated CDs.  Consequently, we have been endeavouring to source an alternative supply.  It can be done, but at the moment the best price we can get is £120 per licence, which I think you will agree is too expensive! However, the search for alternatives continues and we will get there eventually – although it will call for a software change and fleet recall. 
   Also, in the not-too-distant future there will be an upgraded terminal so I am reluctant to spend a vast amount of capital on current terminals. However, if someone is really desperate they could purchase their own licence and CD and possibly we might be able to install it for them, however I would advise anyone considering it to contact us before purchasing anything, just so we can check it is compatible. Finally, although the mapping and terminal is high priority here, our main concern at the moment is moving our technology to the new building and I’m sure you will understand and agree with me on that point!

Thank you Call Sign…
Thank you very much indeed for the superb album of photographs of the '40 Years at Penton Street' event. It was very nice of you to give me such a fine memento and very kind of Alan Green to take the trouble to present them to me in the office. They will provide an extremely nice reminder of the event.
   What is particularly nice is the number of pictures of guests, since these are the people that I have got to know so well over the years and I shall enjoy remembering them in the future.
   Geraldine and I have spent a very pleasant weekend looking through the album and she is as pleased with it as I am. Alan did very well to take such good photos considering that the lighting during the event was so unhelpful and I am very grateful to him for his fine work.
   Many thanks to Call Sign for this fine gift, which I shall treasure.
   Best wishes to you all for the future.
Roy Ellis
   I sent Call Sign’s photographer, Alan Green, along to the event. The photos came out so well, considering that the event was held with subdued lighting resembling a prehistoric cave, that I had an extra set produced and put them into an album for Roy Ellis to keep as a thank you for always responding to driver’s questions in Call Sign …Ed

Questions to prospective Board members
I was handed a paper from Russell Hall (G44) the other day, which I assume was his version of a CV in his effort to be voted on to the Board of Management. It raises several interesting points which I think, in all fairness, need clarification from Russell as it is very easy to make promises, but much harder to put them into practice.
   In reality, it is very difficult to raise minimum fares as we have serious competition from our two main rivals in a very competitive environment. Does Russell think that ComCab and Radio Taxis are just going to roll over and do nothing to try and recover some of the ground they have lost to us recently? Of course they will not and this is one very good reason why we, as a Society, have to retain our competitive edge. You do not do this by increasing costs to our clients.
   The issuing of "corporate clothing" is of little value unless it is made compulsory for every driver to wear it. This is not made clear. There would be little point in having - let’s call it - a ‘uniform’ when drivers are under no obligation to wear it. He also fails to point out where the funds are coming from to pay for all of this. The profits DaC make are mainly ploughed back into the Society to pay for us to keep ahead of the game, especially in technology and accounting methods. It is our strength in these areas that enables us to secure accounts ahead of our two main competitors.
   There is also a comment about the present BoM - which is the most successful in the Society’s history - relaxing in a ‘comfort zone’. Had that been the case, we would hardly have opened an account as large as Citigroup and been in a position to turn away - albeit temporarily - other business before Christmas. No, that ‘comfort zone’ comment is totally  unfounded and with the greatest respect Russell, I feel that you should withdraw the remark.
   Finally, in his previous appeal to the membership (December Call Sign) and in this current handout, he mentions that he served as a Marshal for 4 years. However, he does not explain the circumstances under which he ceased to be a Marshal and a number of drivers feel that an explanation should be forthcoming.
   Regrettably, for only the second time in 30 years, I will be unable to attend the AGM, but I am sure that Russell will attempt to explain himself there.
   Finally, to paraphrase President John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your company can do for you; ask what you can do for your company…
Michael Harris (F79)
   Russell Hall replies: Hello Michael, thanks for your comments and I hope I can furnish you with the answers that you raised from my election manifesto leaflet. I never promised anything in this leaflet, I just looked at some possibilities.
   The ‘minimum fare’ issue was raised by some drivers who felt that there had been a general rise in costs and that the minimum fare had been long overdue for an increase. I stated 2 years ago that we should strive to improve the run-ins. They have been improved to £4.20, but we are still ahead of our main rivals in the licensed trade and the private hire sector!
 

   My election manifesto was compiled and printed before we received our Christmas present of two polo shirts, which do promote our Society. I would certainly not insist that drivers should – as you call it - wear a ‘uniform’ as we are under no obligation to wear one. What I did write was that logoed coats, hats, polo shirts, fleeces, gloves etc that would promote the company should be provided on a regular and on-going basis to help improve our corporate image. These items should not be considered Christmas gifts for the drivers, but invaluable tools to promote Dial-a-Cab in the world of business. Perhaps, if needed, some of the funds generated by the Concierge system (which is heralded a success) could be used? The Concierge system was developed at a cost of just under £25k and has already returned many times more than that. You mention ‘the profits that DaC make etc... ’. As you know, being a loyal member to our circuit of some 30 years, we still operate as a ‘Friendly Society’ and we don’t make a profit but a surplus as we are not (like our competitors ComCab and RTG) in the hands of a PLC. So to ‘keep ahead of the game,’ as you put it, the team need a ‘new kit’ every now and again!
   Michael, in relation to my comment of ‘a BoM relaxing in a comfort zone,’ you seem to have misunderstood what I actually wrote. I did not write "We have got a BoM relaxing in a comfort zone." That, of course would have been totally wrong. What I did state was that we do not need , as some would perceive, a BoM relaxing in a ‘comfort zone’ when there is hard work to be done to stay at the top. I went onto say that we need new blood and fresh ideas coming through to ensure a seamless transition to a younger generation and that this should not be a matter for conflict, but a matter of good business practice with the older, more experienced Board members grooming people for the future of our Society.
   I agree with you that this is the most successful BoM in our Society’s history, but would you not agree that it is also the drivers and staff at Brunswick House who work 24/7, who also contribute to the ‘ whole team success’ and not only the BoM?
   Michael, as you know, I ceased to be a marshal after a facing a complaint, but believe that Board Member, Allan Evans, would testify that in my 4 years as a marshal I was always punctual, polite and courteous to both drivers and clients and could always be relied on to promote a professional and smart image on behalf of DaC.
   In relation to your paraphrase of a JFK quote, I would say that I do as much as can be permitted. I will always try to help new drivers who have the odd problem and query while out on the road and also try to obtain fresh leads to open up new accounts, just as I was recently involved in persuading an account in WC2 to leave their PH supplier!
   Finally Michael, I would like to leave you with two quotes if I may. The first is also a President John F. Kennedy (1917-63) quote: ‘The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining’ and the second is from our Chairman Brian Rice (30/11/2006): ‘To be a Board member you will need thick skin!’
   It’s a shame that you’ll not be attending this years AGM as I always feel they are the highlight of the year.

Power Pill update…
There has been a lot of talk in Call Sign over the past year about ‘Power Pill’ and I thought that after 10 months of using it, I would have my ‘two pennies’ worth. I decided from the start not to judge the product after just a few pills and do what I considered to be a more thorough, long term test. I live 45 miles due north of town in what has been affectionately called Europe’s largest open prison - Milton Keynes! So on an average, day my mileage is split 45/ 55 percent (M1 and town) filling up in MK at the same pump and to the top of the neck – that’s visible diesel and not just foam. I also ‘popped a pill’ every other day, although I have now learnt to break them in half to use daily - you know what they say about people living north of the M25!
   I drive a Metro ‘Series One’ with the later ‘banana’ engine. I brought it new in 1995 and have covered 304,000 miles with it. The mpg is 30/31, far more than the 27 mpg I was getting before the test began. There is less smoke - if any - when giving it some ‘boot’ and far more tugging power, which any Metrocab driver will tell you is greatly appreciated.
   My bottom line on what Power Pill does for me is that I no longer break out in a cold sweat when I see a free roadside smoke test! I get a feel-good factor at not seeing smoke belching out the exhaust and I enjoy the more willing and smoother engine. I consider that after ten months of using the Power Pill, it delivers the goods and is a great product for the cab trade. Oh, and the people at Power Pill UK are nice friendly, knowledgeable and helpful - if only all companies could be like that Happy New Year for 2007 to all Dial-a-Cabbies out there and roll the power on…
Ken Jackman (B29)
   Call Sign could fill this magazine with letters from drivers writing of their success stories with Power Pill, but we’d then leave no room for any moans! So I’ve put a few quotes into an article elsewhere inside this issue. There are now few drivers in the trade who don’t know about Power Pill - even if they don’t use it. It was this magazine that first tested out Power Pill and to those initial group of drivers who took the risk with a product that no one had ever heard of, thanks are due because a lot of drivers are now saving a lot of money. Those drivers were Peter Ellis (L77), Roger Gershfield (P37), Jim Edwards (E76), Stewart Lewis (D20) and Paul Tully (Y40). Call Sign has even spoken to the PCO about using the pill instead of fitting anti-emission contraptions. Their understandable problem was how they could know that drivers weren’t using the pill just prior to the overhaul and not constantly?
   And yes, Ken is right about the people behind the pills UK sales. They don’t live behind a post office box number, they are always contactable for problems. So yes, Call Sign does give itself a pat on the back for bringing Power Pill into the public domain… Ed

Will the gasmen cometh – and what will he wear!
In 1995 I bought a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) FX4 because I believe in a London with less pollution. What I was hoping for was a fleet of CNG buses, trucks etc. What did I get? Stupid idiots who wrote to the London Fire Service to question the safety of Natural Gas as a road fuel. All they had to do was enter CNG into Google or any other search engine and to their shock and horror they would have found that

the UK was way behind any other country in the world in the use of this clean fuel. I would like to ask the Mayor why are his bendy buses not fuelled by CNG? A similar question could be put to BAA? The same goes for any vehicle owner who operates in congested areas?
   I spoke to PCO at the time to try and force LTI and Metrocab down the Methane route, because not only is it cleaner than diesel, but also quieter. Yes, I can hear you all shouting, but where do I fill up? Well, it’s a chicken and egg question. One has to follow the other and you have to have faith that you are doing your part to help to make our planet safer. Unlike Radio Taxis, I am not messing on my doorstep and saying what a good boy because I have given the scrubbing brush to someone else!
   Unfortunately for me, LTI were in the process of trying another CNG engine (which is in use in the IVEVCO street rubbish collections used by the City of Westminster and LB of Camden) when they closed that part of the Research and Development Department.
   Can I now change the subject completely and add that I agree with Allen Togwell about standard of dress. The motto of the Royal Military Police, in which I had the honour to serve, is Exemplo Ducemus – "By example we lead." Every day when I leave home I try to look my best because I believe that when I get out of my taxi to go into an office, the first impression another person gets is the sight of you. I now notice that ASDA are selling suits for £19, M&S sell smart looking trousers for £9 and even Matalan have non-iron shirts for £8 and you can get shoes for less £30. So why is it when clothes have never been so inexpensive, do I see what I see.
   I think we should all make an effort to be the smartest of the three circuits.
Stanley Roth (Y53)
   Stanley Roth has been pushing gas cabs for many, many years and it does appear that the rest of the world is starting to climb onto his bandwagon. German registrations of compressed natural gas (CNG) passenger cars in October 2006 climbed by 2,180 vehicles – up more than 300% of the October 2005 figure. From January to October 2006, Germans registered 9,231 natural gas passenger cars, representing a 47% increase year-on-year. There are now more than 50,000 natural gas vehicles on the road in Germany.
   Stanley’s reference to RTG’s CarboNeutral policy means that for polluting the London air, they try to even the balance by doing something useful for the environment of another country (eg planting trees there etc)… Ed

No go at the ExCel?
On the 6th January, I tried to book a cab from the Boat Show at ExCel centre, eastern gate, but was told by the telephone operative that they could not accept the booking from the ExCel centre. Why?
Francis Robinson (G18)
   I asked Keith Cain if there would have been any reason for a refusal to accept a booking and the answer was no – if it was an account ride. However, if it was cash, then the obvious problem is that because of the nature of ExCel, it is quite feasible that cash customers might depart early if they saw an empty cab, leaving the DaC taxi stranded.
   Even though I know you are a taxi driver, on the phone you could be anyone saying you are on DaC whereas it could be a relation or friend trying to get priority treatment…Ed

Call centre help?
On 20 December at 12.30pm, I was covering an account ride in SW13. On arrival, I was turning around when my steering rod suddenly snapped leaving me stranded across the street with no steering. I got onto voice to ask the dispatcher to inform the passenger I had broken down, to recover the trip and also phone the AA, as I had no mobile phone with me. He said he would ring the customer and recover the job, but didn’t have time to ring the AA for me! I tried calling again explaining that I was stuck in the middle of the road, but it made no difference.
   When I joined Dial-a-Cab, I thought it was run for the benefit of the drivers as well as account holders. I wonder whether the dispatcher would have been so "helpful" had I been a Board member or perhaps one of his mates?
Don Leppard (A89)
   I spoke to the Call Centre Manager Keith Cain about your breakdown and he said he was appalled at your treatment and that was not how dispatchers were told to act. All he can now do is to apologise for your treatment and hope that you don’t think too badly of a system because of one unfortunate experience.
   I also spoke to the Call Centre’s Evening Shift Manager, Gary Gates. He too said that the way Don Leppard was treated was not the way DaC try to help drivers. However, Gary also made the point that whenever he has phoned the AA on behalf of drivers who, like Don, had no phone with them, that organisation had refused to send assistance unless they could speak to the person concerned. Not much consolation Don, but I hope that your vision of the Call Centre wasn’t spoiled too much by your unfortunate problem …Ed

EC5 timing…
As you may recall, some time ago the start time on Finsbury Square was 8pm.This was changed to 9pm for several reasons.
   1. There was severe congestion around the square because as a physical rank, we had to queue in order to book into EC5.
   2. This caused all sorts of problems and I believe that a complaint was made to the City police from London buses.
   As a result of this complaint, we pushed the start time back to 9pm and introduced marshals to monitor the book-in procedure and to move cabs on after booking-in so as to alleviate bunching. This worked well, but from late last year, the marshals were removed from the monitoring and the procedure was changed to allow non-physical booking in.
   I have worked the Finz for many years and it occurred to me that as the rank is no longer physical, then there would be no reason not to reinstate the original start time of 8pm.
   I believe that this would help drivers and would also help coverage in the early evening.
   As an AGM is coming up, I would ask the Board to consider this proposal.
Alan Sullivan (F20)
   Keith Cain replies: Thanks for the suggestion Alan, in all honesty it wasn’t something that we had thought about. It could be done fairly easily, but at the moment we are having no trouble with coverage in the City between 8 and 9pm. We will certainly bear it in mind if coverage becomes difficult.

February 2007 Call Sign Home Page

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