|
In the last issue
of Call Sign, Dial-a-Cab driver John Hudson
(W34) said that while out working he saw what looked like a
Mercedes Vito parked round the back of St Pancras. At a second
glance, John became so shocked at what he saw that he took a
photo of the offending vehicle – which this magazine then
published. John told Call Sign: "It wasn’t a Vito at all, it was an upgraded Peugeot E7 that looked like the Vito, right down to the orange ‘flash’ along the side - albeit saying Eurocab rather than taxi. I have reported it to the PCO because I am astounded that they could licence something that is obviously made to look like a taxi. It shows the danger of using vehicles that PH were already using. If anything has confirmed my view of the Vito not being a real taxi, it was this!" John also wrote to John Mason at PCO/TfL. He has now received a response from the Director of Taxis and Private Hire. John Hudson has allowed us to publish the letter... Dear Mr Hudson Thank you for your recent letter regarding the Peugeot E7 vehicle you saw recently. |
WHICH ONE IS THE REAL TAXI? THE PCO RESPOND... |
|
 As you are aware, only licensed London taxis are allowed ply for hire in London and two of the most distinguishing features of these vehicles, which are not present or acceptable on private hire vehicles, are the presence of the yellow "TAXI" sign on the roof and the presence of a taximeter. However, the presence of the vehicle’s logo and the orange livery stripe are not valid reasons for rejecting this vehicle for licensing as a private hire vehicle. I fully accept that there are some key problems with touting activity, which we are working hard to address. We will also be consulting in summer 2010 on various proposals that I hope will go some way to ensuring the |
distinction between
private hire vehicles and taxis is maintained and clear. This is
likely to include plates with much clearer signage that the
vehicle can only be used for pre-booked journeys and could
include some proposals on vehicle colours. I hope this clarifies the position. John
Mason It does appear that the offending vehicle was attempting to deceive the public into believing it was a Vito and this magazine sincerely hopes that the TfL summer consultation will include regulations on not attempting to deceive possible passengers into believing the vehicle they are looking at is a taxi. After all, most people see the front of the vehicle and don’t rush round the back to look at the plate... Ron Yarborough |
|
|
Lee’s Egham forget how to lose! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dial-a-Cab driver and Egham Town
goalkeeper, Lee Pearce (J71),
left Bedfont Green at the end of last year after helping them
gain promotion from the Combined Counties Premier League, but
then dropped back into the league he had just left to join Egham
Town. And no one can deny the difference Lee has made as Egham
took their recent unbeaten run to 13 games – 12 of which were
wins - following a 3-1 win over Raynes Park Vale. RPV were obviously a bit miffed about a 1 – 6 home defeat a few days earlier by runaway league leaders, North Greenford United, and looked as though they meant business. But Matt Grave led the way with a goal in each half – making it 27 for the season - and with Kian Siabi taking the third, it turned into a saunter. That was followed a few days later by a 1 – 0 home win against Molesey FC, making it 13 |
 Another flying save from DaC’s Lee Pearce! wins
and a draw from the last 14 games! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Combined Counties Premier Division (top five)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Powered by NetXPosure |
| Copyright 1997-2010 Dial-A-Cab Ltd, All rights reserved. |