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Normality returns!
Well, the editor allowed us all to have a rest for a
month by not publishing an issue of Call Sign in June, but now
he’s back, driving me crazy with sarcastic and cryptic emails asking when my
article is going to be completed as he obviously believes I have nothing
else to do other than write for him! It is, of course, all the more
difficult when approaching a holiday period and you know through experience
there will not be much happening as people prepare for their summer
holidays. But if it gets him off my back for another month, then here goes…
Was I right?
I know we have many members that do not know me personally, however,
assuming you read my articles you will have formed some type of impression
of me, which is the natural thing to do. This was brought home to me whilst
travelling in a member’s cab. I had never met him before and we were having
a conversation about the ‘state of the trade’ as is the norm with members.
He explained that although he didn’t know me, he read my articles
regularly and gained the impression from them that I was a bit of an
optimist. As you can imagine, he got me thinking about this and I’ve come to
the conclusion that he was probably right! I think I am a bit of an
optimist, something I had never really thought about before.
What probably prompted that member’s view was that over the past
several months, I have been endeavouring to focus on some plus points
regarding the worldwide recession we are experiencing. But I am really
delighted to now realise that I am not alone in this quest, as it would
appear that others are now also beginning to focus on some of the positives
out there. I have even heard some politicians and bankers etc pronouncing
the discovery of ‘green shoots’ and how things could start improving very
quickly. Of course, re- |
reading that previous sentence
and my using politicians and bankers as an example, is possibly not the best
thing to do as I can’t actually think of any other two occupations that are
held in less esteem by the public than the two I have mentioned – and
rightly so!
Anyway, although I have not seen any dramatic increase in our
figures, what I have noticed is that the number of trips we complete on a
daily basis is beginning to stabilise on our week-by-week figures. This is
quite encouraging, as it would seem we may well have arrived at the bottom
of the downturn and hopefully things will now slowly begin to improve as
confidence once again builds. The next few months will be difficult to
judge, as many of us will be away on holiday, however, this should be more
than offset by the amount of tourists be have visiting London. I believe
they will arrive in record numbers, enjoying the good exchange rate against
our weak pound and although there will be a decline in the amount of
corporate work - which is the norm in the summer - I believe this will be
more than compensated with street work and those extra visitors. This of
course can only be good for our industry. Red
Routes
You would have read earlier this year in one of
Keith Cain’s articles, that there was going to be a trial regarding taxis
stopping at Automatic Teller Machine (ATM’s) for up to five minutes between
the hours of 10pm and
6am on red routes. I can now |
inform you that an addition to the current
orders was agreed on 26 May to come into force as from the 6 June. The
addition (k) now reads ‘using a London Taxi or London Private Hire
Vehicle to stop for a maximum period of 5 minutes between the hours of 10pm
and 6am to permit passengers to use an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)’.
So basically, you can now legally stop for up to five minutes
during the agreed hours to allow a passenger to get some money from the
‘hole in the wall’!
Doug Sherry and Charlie Rubin
Finally, since my last report there have been two well-known members of the
trade that have passed away. The first was Doug Sherry, who many people in
the trade knew. Unfortunately, I could not attend Doug’s funeral as I was
away on holiday, but of course Dial-a-Cab was represented. I have read
several obituaries regarding Doug and I must say I wholeheartedly agree with
them. Doug was involved with the trade for many years and although he never
held a ‘bill’ he was a great supporter of our trade with both time and
money. Doug could always be seen at trade and charity events and not only
was he a generous man, but also a nice one. He will be deeply missed by all
who knew him.
The second was Charlie Rubin, a man I had known for over
thirty-five years. Charlie was for many years our Contact Centre Manager and
relinquished that position when we went data in 1989. Charlie was an
extremely quietly spoken and mild mannered man and a true gentleman in every
sense of the word who will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
My sincere condolences go to the families of both the above and I
know they will both be greatly missed by all that knew them.
Brian Rice
Chairman
Dial-a-Cab |
