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New radios
With our new radio channels having been tested and fitted, we
now need to upgrade driver’s radios in the cabs. We have been
slowly fitting these new radios as cabs visit Roman Way with
problems, however, we would like to speed up this process and in
the near future you will receive a letter notifying you that an
appointment has been arranged for you to visit Roman Way.
We have organised allocated slots, which means that drivers are not
held to a specific time. So long as you arrive between your
allocated times, the change of equipment process should go
smoothly. But please wait until you receive your notification to
attend.
Mercedes Vito
With the introduction of the new Mercedes Vito cab, our
engineers have had the opportunity of seeing the vehicle with
reference to fitting Dial-a-Cab equipment. I must say that a lot
of thought has gone into designing the vehicle with radio
drivers in mind.
Wiring has been fitted to make it easy for radio circuits to
connect their equipment and it is planned that the aerial cable
will also be installed at the factory prior to delivery - a time
saving factor when our fitters install the system.
At the time of writing this article, we are still waiting for
confirmation that the actual aerial can be affixed to the roof.
I do not think this will be a big problem and I understand that
Mercedes are looking to make a decision |
very soon.
I have seen the vehicle and like everyone else have mixed feelings,
however, time will be the real test. If the vehicle performs as
it says on the tin, then it just may be popular. Although, the
2.2 litre engine is said to be sufficient, I would still like to
see it perform up Highgate Hill with six people in the back. I
remember as if it were yesterday, my first 2.2 Rover engine FX4R
taxi. Highgate Hill with just one person on board caused real
problems with pedestrians walking past you and vehicles behind
following in a cloud of smoke!
Euston late night
"shouts"
This section could be very similar to that of Allan Evans’
article this month because we need to make drivers aware of
certain situations that are causing problems.
Virgin Trains staff has audited the late night train "shouts"
recently and revised procedures have been implemented. From now
on, if you are lucky enough to undertake a ride from Euston, St
Pancras, Kings Cross or Marylebone on the Fraser Eagle
and Eurostar |
accounts, drivers whose
trip involves going outside the M25 will be questioned as to the
miles ‘cleared’ if it exceeds the estimated mileage of the
computer route planners.
The same also will apply to those drivers who do not call DaC
controllers to clear their trips and just let the meter reading
go through. Each trip undertaken is double-checked by staff at
Dial-a-Cab House and those drivers who persistently fail to
follow these procedures will be required to explain their
actions.
EC5 and scrubs…
We have experienced a problem on EC5
during quiet times in that when there are 99 drivers booked in
and you are unfortunate enough to be scrubbed off a trip, you
will be unable to get back into the system at number one. In
fact you will be booked off.
It would require reprogramming to overcome the problem, but because
it has only occurred on very few occasions, I would ask you to
contact the controllers so that they can instruct you when to
scrub the trip. They can monitor the actual number of cabs
booked in and as soon as the number falls below 99, they will
advise you to clear. As I’ve said, it doesn’t occur
often, but it can happen and this will prevent you from becoming
frustrated at losing your position.
Keith Cain
Call Centre Manager
Driver Operations Manager |
