Who are you!
Last night, the trip notes on my account ride told me to verify passenger’s Christian name and to put the surname on a name board. The passenger’s name was Fassam Jae. All I needed was a clue, which is which? Are they male or female? Is it Fassam Jae or Jae Fassam? Is it Mr, Mrs, Miss or what? What if they’re not Christian, then it would be first name. But I’m still none the wiser. The next job I get, the passenger name is given as Hsiao-wei Lee. I think you know what I’m going to say! How can I ask for passengers in a professional way with the minimum of information that drivers are given?
   As for the new name boards, I think there fab too, although I don’t wear mine round my neck at airport arrivals as I can’t get a signal and so can’t book in. As for the old name board, I’ve recycled mine, I stuck it above the telly at home with a photo of me on it and the word DAD on it just so the kids might remember me as I sell lee and less of them these days. 
Nick Steventon (J65)
Keith Cain replies: Nick, this is not going to an easy one to resolve. Certainly since the introduction of V6, we have always entered the surname followed by the christian name. This was done because it was easier to recall a trip. The issue we are experiencing more and more are the bookings being made on-line by clients. Despite informing them of what is required, they still enter the trips christian name / surname.
   As we move to the next generation of booking screen, which will be a profile based system, I believe it will become christian name / surname. It will allow us to pick up the persons title, which will help the situation. Unfortunately, until we start to make the transfer I have asked account managers to speak with their clients to try and get them to enter the details the same way as the Call Centre staff does.

Internet love? Then more love please!
My boyfriend Jeff has been on DaC for just over a year having previously been on ComCab (can I say that) and I have gotten into the habit of reading his copy of Call Sign that comes through our post box – especially the two lovers who met via the internet! The magazine from his previous circuit didn’t hold a candle to your one and although I admit the taxi business isn’t always my cup of tea, Love on the Internet and Back Seat Driver certainly are! I’m certainly hoping that ‘Love’ moves from being an interesting read to being a rather hotter one! She certainly has the right name for it. Ask my Jeff – and ask him about the internet!
Jenny Sanders
Woodford, Essex
Thanks Jenny and I think that your namesake may well be heating up, however, please remember that Call Sign is read by the family – as you have just proved. And you can mention our friends from ComCab or Radio Taxis at any time so long as you say our mag is better! I don’t think I’ll bother asking your Jeff what you mean about the ‘net! …Ed

Complaints
In the July issue of Call Sign, it was reported that a driver had been suspended for 2 weeks for using threatening and intimidating behaviour towards the chairman of Dial-a-Cab; and in the August issue, in response to a query from a subscriber, Brian Rice gave a detailed explanation to the background of this case. What is not mentioned is that about two years ago, that same driver was found guilty of another breach of society rules, namely  "undermining actions of ODRTS causing problems with Call Centre and client," for which he was given a warning and a severe reprimand. This society is of course owned by the members who select the Board to run the business, but it often seems too lenient of behaviour by drivers that cause harm to other members or even damage relations with clients.  
This is very short sighted because whilst being kind to drivers who repeatedly break the rules, such leniency can lead to loss of accounts and so cause huge damage to the whole of Dial-a-Cab and all other drivers. At the risk of sounding like a reactionary from Tunbridge Wells, I do think that a rigorous approach needs to be adopted with more severe sentences imposed and upheld.
   Careful thought should be given to such people who wish, for some reason or another, to be elected to the Board of this society. Perhaps they and Dial-a-Cab would be happier if they moved to a different radio circuit?
Laurence Kelvin (W88)
I think I am going to pull the plug on discussing individual complaints after this issue. In addition to Laurence’s latter, the letter below from Brian Spiro also asks about a specific complaint and names a driver who was expelled. Even though someone has been found guilty, that doesn’t mean they should be hounded and while it may be my fault for taking freedom to its ultimate last month when a subscriber asked the first question, I think it must therefore be up to me to say let it go chaps! Questions on complaints are fine, but not when it comes to naming individuals and individual cases.
   My problem is also that I could put myself into the position of having to allow anyone who has ever been on complaint and found guilty, to explain their side in Call Sign. That would undermine the Complaints Committee – or should I then allow them to also give their side? The opposite doesn’t happen because I have made the point to succeeding Complaints officers that I do not think it fair to publish ‘not guilty’ verdicts and I don’t. That way, very few ever know that a ‘not guilty’ driver was even put on complaint. …Ed

As Directed
I certainly agree with John Robinson's (E88) letter (August Call Sign), I cannot see why after completion of 5 credit jobs (including scrubs) all AD jobs on EC5 and E140 should not be unmasked if the driver so wishes by pressing code 3. The Board should be aware that because of spiralling house prices, drivers are being forced further and further out of London and as John writes, if someone lives in Benfleet, they don't want to take an AD job and end up in Ealing. This could also be very dangerous, as I have heard of drivers falling asleep on the way home. I am sure that DaC’s technology can achieve the unmasking of the AD jobs, possibly giving the driver 30 minutes to select a job in the direction that he or she wishes.
   This would not only give drivers a contribution to their fuel or subs, but would help clients to get a job home quicker and prevent accounts being closed. The going home procedure at the moment is completely unacceptable. I hope Keith Cain can implement this suggestion as soon as possible as from September until after Xmas; there will be hundreds of jobs on EC5 and E140 that would not be covered. 
   Also with regards to Yaqub Rafiq's (028) letter, could you please explain why Derek Brent was expelled for refusing to go down a certain turning?
Thank you very much,
Brian Spiro (Dan 71J - ex Star 90)
Thanks for the letter Brian. I think Keith Cain answered it in his reply to John Robinson and there is no point in asking the same question again and getting the same response. But can I just add my view as a driver who also works on EC5. How many would bother working on EC5 if they knew that there were half a dozen or more drivers hogging the point waiting for a job that they fancied? You know as well as I, Brian, that some drivers (for example) living in Essex on a Code 3 and sitting in EC5, would not be happy with a trip to Poplar but would wait for one taking them to their door (or dare I say it, well beyond)? I for one wouldn’t bother making my way to the city if I knew that those waiting for a Code 3 would take most of the good jobs. I also think that I speak for many on that point. If there are that many trips in EC5, then they will reach the bids and become unmasked and then you have to accept the Poplar trip. That would pay for the day’s fuel, wouldn’t it? If you get lucky, then even better.
   I asked Allan Evans about Derek Brent’s case. Allan was in the USA but told me that the decision to expel probably included previous complaints added onto the guilty verdict. Derek was offered an Appeal, but declined to accept it …Ed

Slating drivers?
Yet another edition of Call Sign, yet another slating of drivers by the Board! Now we have Dr Allen Togwell telling us we're fat, unhealthy, live on chips, only exercise to fill up with diesel and can’t climb stairs. A couple of months ago, we were abunch of dopes who needed to go to night school to learn a foreign language and we all know his views on the way we dress -

slacks for the next Christmas present I assume? All this in print from someone who purports to be our Marketing Director. Correct me if I'm wrong, but his views sound like someone who is the marketing director of a PH company.
   In future, Mr Togwell, why not use the double-page spread you have as a platform to tell the world about your favourite subject – yourself - and let us in on what you have been doing the previous month and how we're getting value for money out of you. Tell us how DaC has been marketed rather than just criticising the drivers or talking about the old days. You don’t have to be shy, Allen!
   Tom Whitbread was accusing drivers of short-term memory loss (I'll gloss over the fact that short term memory loss is a serious problem for some people and not a laughing matter) for repeatedly pressing the QP button and overloading the system. Yet today (8 Aug) there must have been a dozen messages in an hour or so telling us that due to an accident, Roman Way will shut at 17.00. Were so many messages necessary?
   How many times has the "do not book into EC5/E140 for a code 3 job etc" message been broadcast in the last couple of weeks as per the "you have to be within 15 minutes of E140 to book in etc" message?
   Then Keith Cain moans that because our service level is so bad (sic "its been written about for a very long time") we now have to do 5 jobs to be entitled to a code 3 job, it kind of makes you wonder how DaC has such a great turnover and where the money was earned that paid outright for the new office block, really.
   And God forbid anyone should criticise Mr Chairman, which brings me on to the poor response I thought he wrote to the Evening Standard: "Licensed taxis will become a tourist attraction similar to the gondola in Venice." Was it drafted by Allen Togwell? The way it talked the industry down, the industry that we all work in, was shocking. I would have expected something a bit more hard hitting, Mr Rice, not a lily-livered letter saying that give it a couple of years and we can kiss the trade goodbye, especially from someone in your position. Thank God they didn’t publish it.
   And then the Editor, Mr Fisher, this is for you. You don’t have to publish this paragraph, but we don’t want to read every month about your spat with Grant Davis. If it’s personal, leave it to the playground, stop trying to knock spots off each other (if the industry is in such a state as Brian Rice's letter alludes to, we really ought to unite), leave it and find something more interesting to talk about.
   So finally, yes have your opinions, we can all tolerate reading a few moans and groans, but as the magazine is from the home of Dial-a-Cab International, please use it to be positive about `the game' and tell the world about the problems we ALL face and stop bigging yourselves up to the detriment of the drivers.
Gary Leaver (J54)
Sorry if you are unhappy with Call Sign Gary, but I will never be able to please everybody. I’m happy to give you the right to criticise, but I don’t think you realise quite how difficult it is to fill up a page with text when you write regularly. When I took over the mag, the first thing I did was to stop the necessity for Board members to write in every issue. If you think their columns go over the top now, you should have read them 11 years ago. Every Board member, every month, writing about covering the work. I try to encourage them to write about different stuff, but I do not want them to write about going to the local Costcutters for a loaf and a pint of milk and besides, I like a bit of controversy because it can help stimulate discussion.
   Would you like Allen Togwell to go into detail in every issue about how he designed our logos or does our AGM reports etc? The Marketing in his title does not involve going out, but more in a designing sense. I think he has saved the society an absolute fortune in cost over the years. If you really don’t like his articles – and no one can like everything – then skip it. But his views and recollections are enjoyed by more than those that don’t want to read them. And like it or not, most seem to read it!
   As for the Roman way messages, you have to remember that not everyone signs on at the same time and the DaC fitting bay may have been a driver’s first stop. Try telling the driver who finds the facility closed, that the message was put out 2 hours before he signed on and see what the response is.
   Brian’s letter to the Standard? I would not for one second assume that they did not publish it because they thought it to be incorrect. Ask our drivers that have written letters to the ES over the years how many were not published, whereas the private hire response was. Do we give up?
   And last (but hopefully not least), Grant and I. You are probably right! Yes I do get irritated when the internet list he is on criticises me without my knowledge using terminology that you wouldn’t use in front of children, or when he has a dig at me in The Badge. But contrary to popular belief, when Grant and I meet, I certainly don’t feel like we are mortal enemies, just two people that disagree. But I will try and refrain from mentioning Mr Davis.
   I hope that answers your letter from my point of view as Editor, Gary. I have to assume that other than those Board reports that you say contain too many moans, you are happy with Call Sign. In the meantime, both Brian Rice and Tom Whitbread wanted the opportunity to address your remarks about them …Ed
   Brian Rice replies: You might wish to criticise my letter to the Standard, Gary, but what did you actually do? That's right, absolutely nothing other than to criticise those within the trade (like me) that took the time and trouble to actually reply. You joined this Society because you obviously believed it to be the best, purchased your £50 share and then feel you have the right to criticise absolutely anyone that has anything to do with the management of this Society and who have spent years endeavouring to make this Society as successful as we are today.  Incidentally, do you actually like anyone?  Reading through your letter again, you have actually castigated everyone, well, at least everyone on the BoM.  If I were you Gary, I would seek help, because you are a prime case for a nervous breakdown!  Why should Allen Togwell be the only doctor in the house!
   Tom Whitbread replies: I wasn’t trying to be humorous when mentioning short-term memory loss, my mother suffered with it for 3 years before she died. During that time I had to look after her and unless you have been put in that position, you do not know how frustrating it can be for their carer when their mind only remembers with clarity events that happened maybe 20 years ago.
   What I was trying to say was that a person with that disease has no option, they cannot remember. But a driver does have a good memory, so by their actions will only cause problems to their fellow subscribers. I am glad to know that you do read my column.

Dress code?
I have been a member of DaC for many years and am a regular user of EC5. I have never written to Call Sign before, but feel so strongly regarding the way some drivers dress that I feel compelled to write. Like all drivers who use EC5 / E14O, I am concerned about the way private hire has eaten into our work. This has become more noticeable as private hire has encroached into our large account based on London Wall. But one thing that it highlights to me is the difference in our dress as opposed to theirs. As they get out of their cars, they are always dressed smartly, usually in a suit and tie. Many of our drivers are dressed in shorts and trainers, which in my opinion is not appropriate to pick up account customers.
   In this day and age when the vast majority of cabs are fitted with air con as standard, the hot weather excuse is redundant - even in the daytime let alone at night. I am not saying we should all be dressed as tailor’s dummies, but surely it is not too difficult to put on a pair of trousers and shoes with a t-shirt or polo shirt to wear to work. What I find hard to understand is why a minority of drivers, to their credit keep their cabs immaculate, yet dress scruffily?
   Personally I think we should have a minimum standard dress code on the circuit. I know about the old chestnut of being independent and doing our own thing, but surely this does not apply once you become a member of a radio circuit. After all, we are all representing each other and DaC as a whole. 
   I may sound like an apologist for private hire, but I can assure you this is not the case. My reason for this letter is to begin some sort of fight back and reclaim some of our lost work from private hire. I believe this is one thing we can all do to improve our image and hopefully retrieve some of our lost work. Ron Desborough (P42)

thinking of jumping ship to CC, go ahead, but I bet you’re back within weeks, if not days. I do have a few issues, but overall I’m very happy with the jobs and the staff.
Mike Leo (Z09)

Call Sign on-line
Having retired from driving a cab earlier this year, I would still like to read Call Sign online to keep in touch. Do I need a password or something so that I can read your excellent magazine for many years to come or is only an edited version available online?Terry Farmer (ex-T55J)
I get asked this question all the time – usually by Americans who first ask if I can put them onto a mailing list (well, if you don’t ask, you don’t get)! Sadly I can’t even put ex-subscribers on a list because what started as just the odd driver wanting to keep in touch, has now reached over 100…!
   So just type in www.dac-callsign.co.uk which will take you to the website, then select the year you want going back to 1998 and when the months are displayed, click on the month of that year. Since May of last year, each issue is presented in 2 formats. One is with around 20 pages that always include BoM reports and Mailshot among other things. This comes with a search facility where you type in a name and the engine will search out anything including that name. That facility is in every issue since February 1998. But since last year’s May issue, you can also click on the PDF sign beneath the selected issue and that will give you the complete magazine, but without the search engine. While at the site, there is an old issues section where you can download and read issues from 1967 and 1977. An issue from 1987 will be added shortly …Ed

And more on-line
Your on-line magazine has been of great assistance to me in my ongoing project. My grandfather, Joe Lestock, was with ODRTS from 1963 until 1967. My parents together with my sister and myself moved to sunny California in 1995 and I now attend the UCLA where I am majoring in transport studies including the history of taxis.
I have finished studying the US system (it didn’t take too long) but I wonder whether you could point me in the right direction for studying about London cabs, the most famous of all.
Thanks for any assistance…Aaron Lestock
Culver City, California
Hi Aaron, one good site to get you started is the BBC’s history of the London ‘black cab’ trade at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2
/A744888 and good luck with your studies …Ed

PCNs galore…
I have just received two PCNs in two weeks after over 32 years with Dial-a-Cab and no problems. Is Westminster Council targeting us? Also, the PCN says it will allow representation if the "vehicle was on hire." Do DaC reclaim each time? Invariably the passenger keeps us waiting, so there is the risk of a PCN there. Have our accounts been told of our problems and to come down as quickly as possible? The two jobs at Berkeley Street and Stratton Street totalled £38.20 but cost the Society £120 if not reclaimed. Just when does servicing these accounts become uneconomic or will drivers get fed up with the aggravation first? Mayfair has at lease 2 mobile Smart cars with cameras plus many wardens to contend with.
   Meanwhile, if the new cycle lane Bill becomes law, will it become impossible to stop at 1 King William Street and why can’t we just use New Court at night? With other City accounts, especially on double yellow lines and with more CCTV, we desperately need a solution to reduce PCNs and to settle our nerves!
   As always, Call Sign leads the rest and is the best read in the trade.
Alasdair Kay (C67)
Mike Son replies: Alasdair, although I have been actively trying to get some resolve on the unacceptable level of PCNs our drivers are receiving and the Corporation of London have been helpful in reducing some legislations - changing double yellow lines to single to give us a bit more time to pick up passengers, as well as instructing parking contractors not to issue tickets manually especially in Old Broad Street - we are nevertheless still receiving PCNs. Subsequent to this, I have made contact with some of the parking enforcers from various other councils in an effort to organise a meeting with all the parking enforcement representatives from all the councils. Unfortunately, many of these are still on holiday, but I do expect a response on their return. Maybe if we get everyone in one place, we might be able to get some latitude in the issue of these tickets. As for you, congratulations on not receiving any parking tickets in 32 years – until now! So far as Westminster targeting us, I’d be surprised. I think all councils are just targeting everyone. In doing so and as taxi drivers, we are becoming increasingly more concerned when picking up passengers - especially in wheelchairs whether TaxiCard, through the system or as a street hiring, for fear of receiving a PCN. In my opinion, and I’m not a lawyer, if drivers refuse to pick up passengers with disabilities for whatever reason, they could be in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act. Now surely, if the Councils actions preclude drivers from picking up certain passengers, they must be answerable for those actions?            
   As for "vehicle was on hire," this is primarily for a hired vehicle - in other words should the owner of the vehicle receive a PCN, the notice can be referred to the driver.  As for cycle lanes, I will have to consult with the Corporation of London.
   Please note that you can make an informal challenge at any time within the first 28 days after the Penalty Charge Notice has been issued, but we advise you to make a challenge within the 14 day discount payment period. This means that if your challenge is rejected you will still be able to pay the PCN at the 50% discounted rate. If your challenge is successful, the PCN will be cancelled and no further action will be necessary.  
   You should also note that you do not need to pay the charge at the time of making an informal challenge. 
   As well as writing to Westminster Council, you can appeal online by logging on to www3.westminster.gov.uk/
forms/appealpcn.cfm.

Emission systems – which are the best?
Any chance of an article soon on emission systems, ie which garages are doing them, the costs, how long it takes and any driver recommendations? These are just a few of the questions that spring to mind. In all trade publications since the conversions started, there has been a paucity of information regarding this topic.
Jon Francis (A39)
Are you happy with your fitted emission system? If so, tell Call Sign. If you aren’t then tell us that as well and we’ll try to assist those needing to be fitted…Ed

Greenest taxi?
   It was with interest that I read the article on "London’s Greenest Taxi" as I have been a pioneer of gas taxis since the 1970s and the second owner to have an LPG taxi. In 1995 I bought the only CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) FX4 and am now driving an 2.3 LPG Metro. I phoned Malcolm Paice, Head of Operations of Computer Cab plc, and asked to see the SGS/PCO emissions printout, proving their claim. Well I have never heard so much waffling! He said that I did not understand what was meant. Well, I can tell him that I do understand what is meant by "greenest" (I have been to a number of conferences on the environment to understand what we are doing to it). "Greenest Taxi" means that it has the cleanest taxi emissions in London. If this is the case, is it not unreasonable to ask to see the figures to back up his claim - or have Computer Cab got something to hide? If he shows me his SGS figures, I will show him mine. If those of my taxi or any of the METROs, ECOs or JAYMICs are cleaner, I will ask the Advertising Standards to ask Computer Cab to rephrase the wording on the side of their taxi and any other printed matter as it would not be a true statement.
   In his article Malcolm then goes on to state that LPG is stable at 40p per litre. When I informed him that LPG is in fact 46.9 to 50 pence per litre, he said he pays only 40p but when I asked if I could fill up at 40p, he refused. Malcolm, what have you got to hide? I suggest he looks up the word "stable" in the Oxford English Dictionary because LPG has not been "stable" at 40p for a long time. Stanley M. Roth MITG (Y53)When it comes to gas cabs, no one can really challenge Stan in knowing as much as anyone and more than most ...Ed

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