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Either write to Call Sign at Dial-a-Cab
House or email us at callsignmag@aol.com PCO public
enquiry?
Dear Ed
As chair of RMT Taxis London, I would like to thank you for the excellent
coverage you gave to both us and the trade as a whole regarding recent
events. Particularly the very worrying situation that seems to be coming a
regular event at the PCO, whereby anything that can be done to cast the
Hackney trade in a bad light - or reduce its quite rightly worldwide
reputation - is done.
As is obvious from our call for a Public Enquiry into all the working of the
PCO, we at the RMT are not going to just stand by and let this situation
continue. It’s about time these public servants were made to be accountable
to those they serve - the public - and those that pay their wages through
licensing fees, the drivers - both Hackney and Private Hire. And I do mean
the drivers, as it is they who pay by far the greatest portion of fees to
the PCO. The very small percentage of fees that come from the PH operators
seem to be directly inversely proportional to the influence these so called
businessmen have over the work of both Taxi and PH drivers.
If you are an RMT member and not getting emails from the branch, please
contact Dave Vidgen at davidvidgen@btinternet.com or phone Dave on 07899 786
433. At present we have over a 140 email addresses that keep bouncing
messages back to us. This could be for several reasons, so if you email Dave
directly, we can correct this and try and keep you up to date with events
planned etc.
Eddie Lambert (V37)
Chairman RMT London Taxis Branch
M4 bus lane and Addison Lee…
Dear Mr Fisher
Thank you for your email regarding the use of the M4 bus lane by Private
Hire vehicles. Whilst TfL is not responsible for the enforcement of the M4
bus lane, it is aware of the issue and the concerns raised by the taxi
trade. As a result, TfL has been liaising closely with both the Highways
Agency and Metropolitan Police and recently arranged a meeting to discuss
this issue with them. All parties agree and are clear that Private Hire
vehicles are not permitted to use the M4 bus lane and any non-permitted
vehicles are committing an offence and subject to enforcement action by the
police. The Highways Agency have expressed a strong desire to work closely
with the police to address this problem.
In the meantime, TfL will continue to monitor the situation closely
and will continue to remind Private Hire drivers and operators that any use
of the M4 is subject to enforcement action.
Jeroen Weimar
TfL Chief Operating Officer – Enforcement and Compliance
When Call Sign first spoke to TfL, they informed us that there was nothing
they could do re Addison Lee as the M4 was the responsibility of the
Highways Agency. We disagreed with them in that regardless of who was in
charge of the road, TfL were responsible for issuing licenses. We said that
surely AL were flouting the law and as such should be reminded of who
licenses them? Apparently that is what TfL then did …Ed
Contamination?
Recently I had the same problem with my TX4 that we all go through - blown
headlight bulbs - and had to make a visit to a garage to have them replaced,
as we all know what a fiddly job that can be! I went to a well known garage
situated under the railway arches at Three Colts Lane. This garage is named
after the sort of home you would erect if you were going on a camping
holiday in a street of the same name (got to give a cryptic reference of the
garage name as legal proceedings are to follow). After completing the bulb
changes, the mechanic offered to top up my levels and me thinking what harm
could it do? A very bad mistake!
Off I then go, only for approx 90 miles later my brakes had
practically failed. As I live in Kent, I managed to get my cab to an LTI
garage in Dartford. Upon their inspection, it was found to have been caused
by brake fluid contamination. Therefore, to keep within LTI guidelines, a
major job was required that would cost me personally, the thick end of £1800
as LTI would not authorise the work to be undertaken under warranty. So with
that figure and the obvious loss of earnings while the work took place, we
can all see a simple task of topping up the levels has been a very, very
expensive lesson learnt.
If there are any other drivers who have experienced a similar
scenario with this garage, I would be grateful to hear from them as they may
want to join in my legal procedure as many voices speak louder than one.
Call Sign has my contact details…
Lee Pheby (E32)
Boxing clever
I received a PCN for stopping in a Box Junction in Shaftesbury Ave, the one
by the Shaftesbuy theatre as you come down from Bloomsbury Street. The photo
shows the whole of my cab stuck without escape. Having viewed the photos
from 2 angles on line, I saw I was there for 8 seconds and was then looking
at paying Camden £60. I phoned the LTDA, who put me through to their man in
charge of PCNs. He asked if it stated where in Shaftesbury Avenue? As it
didn't (and there are three in Shaftesbury Ave) he told me to appeal stating
that the exact location was not given. It worked and I won the appeal.
It pays to join up as I would have paid the fine otherwise and |
remember to check all the detail on your
PCNs. Never pay if you can appeal!
Darren Hawley (A80)
Well done Darren. My thoughts exactly! If we just cave in and pay, they will
just present us with more and more tickets …Ed
Colour Call Sign
Alan
The new format and look to the magazine is great! Congratulations!
Tom and Deb Carter, DaC software,
Indiana, USA
Bus lanes…
Morning Alan
Just a quick question and to save a lot of time speaking with TfL. Re
Shaftesbury Avenue and Piccadilly, are they putting back the old bus lane
going westbound across Eros and are they doubling the size of the bus lane
the length of Piccadilly going west.
Mike Leo (Z09)
So far as I know, the Shaftesbury Avenue bus lane you refer to would be for
the benefit of the 38 bus route. I believe the LTDA have objected and it has
been under negotiation for ages, but apparently no closer to any settlement.
As for the Piccadilly bus lane, I've heard nothing and it may be just one of
the 1000 rumours currently doing the rounds! …Ed
Thanks LTFUC for a wonderful day…
To all our brilliant cabbies and helpers - On Saturday 26th September we
were lucky enough to be taken on a very special trip by the LTFUC. They
kindly took us to see the amazing show Hairspray in the West End. The lovely
taxi drivers had got us 50 seats for the show and arranged to pick us up
from the City to take us there. Our children are all from unfortunate or
underprivileged backgrounds, but I don't know who was more excited, them or
me! We had a coach pick us up to take us to the City to meet the
taxis. Imagine the surprise when we saw the cabs. They were covered in
balloons and we had a fantastic welcome from their wonderful drivers. They
were so friendly and funny and the children just loved them. We were driven
through the heart of London, from the City to the West End on a busy
Saturday afternoon, with the cabbies sounding their hooters and waving at
all the cars and people. Everyone laughed and cheered and all the children
saw were smiles. I was asked by one of the children in my cab if they were
famous people waving at us? I said: "No, you are the special people today,
they are waving at you."
Arriving at the Shaftesbury Theatre, we were shown to our fabulous
seats right at the front of the stalls. We couldn't have had a better
view. The children were astounded by the whole experience so far, so imagine
the excitement when the lights dimmed, the curtains parted and the music
started. The show was spectacular and the whole experience amazing. When the
interval came, it gave the children a better chance to explore the mysteries
of the theatre. The statues around the auditorium with the sumptuous drapes
and enormous chandelier got one of the children to comment that "it was nice
of them to get the theatre decorations out for us!"
The second half was as spellbinding as the first. As the climax of
the show came, the excitement rose and by the last song, many of these
normally introspective, unsure, disillusioned children were in the aisles
singing, waving and dancing. Their faces were a picture of total uninhibited
joy. It was only when the show was over and we were allowed to be introduced
to the cast that Marvin, one of my group of children, realised that he had
been watching a live show. He had thought the entire experience had been
played out before him on a giant screen. It was only then it struck me that
for many of these children, entertainment only consisted of sitting in front
of a screen, be it a television or computer. As we left the theatre, our
amazing host of taxi drivers again met us and whilst travelling back to the
City to meet our coach, Michael - one of the children in my cab – said to
me: "I think this has been the best day of my life."
I cannot end this letter without expressing my special thanks and
gratitude to Michael, the fabulous driver of our taxi and all the other
drivers who gave up their time to make this day possible. Michael was so
kind, friendly funny and caring towards our children and made it a very
special and memorable day. Thank you for that day to remember…
Love Rossi and all the kids
'Giving a Child a Break' (Police Summer Camp Project)
The report of the Hairspray outing is in this issue …Ed
Don’t forget your mother and father…
Your mother and father give you your bread and butter all the year round. So
do our account customers – yet no sooner has it turned a bit busy than the
‘bids’ list starts filling up with uncovered trips. How soon we forget all
the regulars that kept us going through the past year when things were so
tough. Yet we still wonder why we see cars outside the doors of some
clients. Now is the time that we should be showing how good we are; but if
it’s like this when just a bit busier, I can’t help but wonder what we will
be like if it gets really busy again? They now have car firms ready and
waiting to take over and unless we pull our fingers out, that is exactly
what will happen. Your mother and father wouldn’t have given up; our
customers can quite easily do so if they wish.
On a totally different subject, can someone remind us on the going
home procedure ie how many jobs and how long you have to be signed on etc.
And the new all-colour Call Sign is excellent – by far the
best magazine in the trade.
Sid Nathan (K11)
Thanks for the letter Sid. It seems strange talking about |
getting busier, but it undoubtedly is.
And yes, it is upsetting for those that have been on DaC for many years –
the company we are supposed to own - to watch when trips aren’t covered.
Your warning is 100% right, because there was a time when account clients
threatened to use cars, but knew that they never would because they were
incapable of providing a good enough service. They can now and they do. Only
we can stop them by providing that even better service. Some of us do, but
it needs most of us to do it.
As for Code 3: Once
you have been signed on for at least an hour and
have covered a minimum of 5 account trips, you can put on your Code 3. You
can then book into any zone and can accept or reject as often as you want,
it will also unmask any AD trips. You can also bid for EC5 or
SE75 trips but not book into those two zones. However, the bid trips will
only offer you a job to your home zone or one
of it's back-up zones. You are then booked off for 6 hours …Ed
Hi Alan
Can you please explain the thinking behind not being able to soon
to clear into E14? Several times I have done locals from the banks on
the Island and find it frustrating having to wait till I'm clear
before being able to book in again. We get regular messages outlining
changes of booking-in criteria at the likes of SE75 and EC5, but no
explanations for the reasons behind the changes. I cannot soon to clear
into EC5 or E14 but I can into SE75? It seems so arbitrary.
I look forward to your reply…
Mark Sherlock (W41)
Thanks for the letter Mark, I can’t explain the answer, but I know a man who
can! …Ed
Allan Evans replies: Hi Mark, originally the E14 zone was made
physical because security at CWM would refuse many drivers entry to Canary
Wharf who did not have their for hire lights on, or were on an actual
trip that was showing on their screens. To allow drivers to book into the
physical zone (E14) and wait for account trips seemed the best option
available. It also allowed those that wanted to use the cash rank both
choices.
Unfortunately, too many drivers abused the STC function and were in
areas way over the normal 15-minute period from the E14 boundaries. So many,
in fact, that it became almost impossible to monitor. This zone is strictly
monitored and now that it is physical, it works well. In April when the
enforced change was implemented, there was an information sheet available at
Drivers Reception and both Keith Cain and I mentioned it in our Call Sign
articles (April 2009), which as you know is also available online at the
Call Sign website (www.dac-callsign.co.uk).
Our Work?
I do not wish to get into an unrealistic debate with another driver
regarding the definition of our work. However, the fact that we
posses the license to ply for hire because we are qualified to
do so, allows us to provide the service so revered and respected worldwide.
A License by definition, permits the holder to legally
do that, which is otherwise prohibited by Law. Unfortunately, in our case,
the licensing authority does nothing in any constructive way to protect us
from the unlicensed individuals who pretend they are Taxi drivers. Strange
that in the 21st Century, we still live in fear of a PCO’s power to put a
stop on our vehicles for some petty misdemeanour, yet they turn a blind eye
to the antics of touts blatantly soliciting passengers! If they were to get
their act together and really crack down on the touts,
impounding their cars as do the police with uninsured and untaxed vehicles,
then the high price we pay for our right to work, might seem
worthwhile!
It is our work, and if a potential passenger chooses to use a minicab by
phoning a licensed minicab organisation rather then a real Taxi, then
we should ask why? What can minicabs offer that we don't? Price? No! AL’s
quotes are often higher than ours. The driver? We are the licensed ones with
a safety reputation second to none in London. The vehicle? We have no real
choice because of Draconian standards of fitness, but our cabs are
clean and well maintained. It is OUR work and long may we prosper…
David Kupler (Y74)
Anyone else have a view on what "our work" is? …Ed
Call Sign trip to Coventry
Hi Alan,
Just to say thank you for giving me the chance to visit LTI in Coventry.
The trip was filled with new information and knowledge and well organised.
Thanks again to you and LTI…
Kamel Abdellaoui (J22)
Pleased you enjoyed it Kamel. Call Sign takes DaC drivers to LTI twice a
year and we are the only London group travelling there consisting purely of
taxi drivers …Ed
Legal action
Hi Alan
Is it true that two trade groups are heading into a legal battle with
each other? How PH must be laughing…
Divyesh Ruparelia (V59)
I agree with you 100% Divyesh. I don’t know whose version of the disputed
event are true and whose aren’t. All I care about is that two trade
organisations may well have to pay huge amounts to barristers and that is a
real waste of their member’s money. Whatever happened to printing your
version of events if you were unhappy? …Ed |
