Call Sign July 2009 - Page 5 - DaC mourns Charlie Rubin

DaC mourns Charlie Rubin

Whilst Charlie Rubin (C89) always looked well whenever he popped into the Dial-a-Cab East Road reception, it was well known that he had a heart problem. However, his recent death caused a huge shock to everyone that knew him and Call Sign’s phone did not stop ringing once the message went out on driver’s terminals. Every single driver and several staff members that phoned, told this magazine what a lovely person Charlie had been.
You would have to have been on DaC for at least 20 years to know much about Charlie. He had been the Control Room Manager at our second premises of Shirland Road and continued in that job following our move to Brunswick Place. But most drivers remember him for his voice dispatching. He had the most soothing voice you could possibly wish for and if something had upset you, a word from Charlie and you’d feel better instantaneously! His knowledge of the DaC control room (before call centres became buzzwords) was second to none and of course he also drove a cab so there was little about our problems that he didn’t understand.
One driver, who also worked under Charlie as a voice dispatcher, is Dave Freeman

Charlie Rubin

Charlie Rubin

(A46). His views are representative of others we also received. Dave writes:
"It’s 15.11 on 8June and a black cloud descends over the cab as a message arrives on the screen. It announces the passing of Charlie Rubin. I start to well up and a few tears trickle down my cheeks. You see Charlie was my mentor when I began dispatching twenty or so years back. A nicer guy would be hard to find. Charlie had the patience of a saint when all hell was running loose in the control room; he was as cool as a cucumber. Nothing ever fazed him. He always had time for you; nothing was ever too much trouble, while as a dispatcher Charlie was in a league with the
likes of Jack Taylor, John

Saunders and Lou Gitlin.
   I reminisce back to the old days of Lords and think how much togetherness and camaraderie there was then compared with now. The Society then was like a family. Now? Well, they call it progress. For me it was a privilege to work with Charlie and he will remain in my memory, as do Jack and John who have also departed. My deepest sympathy goes out to Charlie’s family and may he rest in peace.
   As I was reading the message on the screen on 8 May, the record that was being played on Radio 2 at that exact time was Neil young’s Heart of gold. How appropriate!
   Goodnight Charlie and God Bless…"

TX4 UNDER BONNET FIRES

Remedial work by LTI and final date for completion
Further to PCO Notice 40/08 issued on 25 November 2008, the PCO can confirm that the remedial work on the majority of TX4s licensed in London has now been completed. The PCO would like to thank all affected owners for their cooperation during this very difficult period.
However, LTI has informed the PCO that a small number of owners are still failing to attend M&O for the remedial work to be carried out. The PCO also understands that there may be some TX4s being brought into London from other parts of the country and being presented for licensing before they have had any remedial works completed.
Due to the serious safety related nature of this remedial work, the PCO is concerned to ensure that the work is completed on all affected TX4s without further delay. In support of achieving appropriate

completion of this remedial work, the PCO has written to owners of licensed TX4s up to VIN 205838 who had not yet attended Mann and Overton for the remedial work to be carried out, requiring that they did so by 31 May 2009 or face suspension of the vehicle licence.
As a result, all TX4s up to VIN 205838 attending SGS for licensing inspections must now have had the remedial work carried out and this must be supported by an LTI certification confirming that M&O, the LTI agent, have completed the remedial work. Failure to have the remedial work completed or to present the relevant LTI certification will result in refusal of the vehicle licence.
Owners must ensure that the LTI certification remains with the licensed vehicle when in service and be made available during any ‘on-street’ compliance inspection by an authorised officer.

Mary Dowdye
PCO Head of Standards and Regulations

Call Sign Home Page

Page 8