Page 25
Call Sign August 2011
That headline may sound daft, after all a tip is
DO TIPS COUNT AS BRIBERY?
given at the end of a trip rather than the
beginning. But new legislation aimed at mak-
Yes says HMG's Bribery Act 2011...!
ing it easier to prosecute companies who
make corrupt payments abroad, came into
and proportionate. But the giving of tickets
force in April also for the UK.
alone falls under the bribery label.
The Bribery Act 2011 replaces current laws
Many drivers who are in the Dial-a-Cab
that often date back to the late 19th century,
Credit Union will know the President,
including the bringing in of offences carrying
Terry Dodd, (W15) and his wife Jan, who
prison terms of up to 10 years in addition to
is also on the DACCU Committee.
unlimited fines. The bottom line is that it makes
Jan is a legal secretary and recently took a
it illegal to offer or receive bribes and to fail to
course on behalf of the law firm she works for
prevent bribery. The government says the act
on the Bribery Act 2011 and it was she who
will cement the UK's position as a global leader
spotted the part that says according to the
in the fight against business corruption.
Act - that tipping is a bribe. She asked how
The Ministry of Justice say that giving some-
that could be for taxi drivers if a tip is given at
one a financial or other advantage to encour-
the end of a journey rather than the begin-
age that person to perform their functions or
ning, but it was pointed out that companies
activities improperly or to reward that person
such as Dial-a-Cab charge clients a gratuity
for having already done so is an offence, but
for the driver with no option of the client can-
they do not expect what they refer to as `gen-
celling it should they not wish to leave any tip.
uine hospitality' to fall under the Act or com-
We asked Terry just what Jan thought of the
panies that wish to take clients to events such
tip being a bribe?
as Wimbledon or the Grand Prix to be affect-
"She thinks the same as me," said Terry, "it
ed - so long as the hospitality is reasonable
is just ludicrous!"
Terry and Jan Dodd
CROSSRAIL: More station work, shorter distances?
Intensive construction for Paddington Crossrail station will get underway later this year with the new line said to significantly reduce
journey times from Paddington to the West End, Docklands and south east London as well as providing improved access to Heathrow,
west London and Berkshire. When Crossrail opens, Paddington will be just 9 minutes to Liverpool Street, 16 minutes to Canary Wharf
and 27 minutes to Abbey Wood.
The new Crossrail station in Paddington has been designed to maximise the station's space while preserving the historic features of the
main line station. Work began in August 2010, since then numerous utilities have been relocated away from the site of the new station box.
Passengers to the new station will benefit from a new canal side station entrance from Paddington Basin and a new pedestrian
entrance from the canal towpath to Paddington mainline station.
The Paddington Integrated Project will also build a new purpose-built taxi rank on the northern side of Paddington station.
It will have greater capacity than the current facilities on Departures Road and will decrease the number of taxis queuing on
the streets around the station. Passengers will be able to access the mainline station from the taxi deck by lifts and escalators.
Crossrail will boost London's rail-based capacity by 10 per cent, delivering new journey opportunities, faster journey times and up to
24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel during the peak.
However much added work the station brings in, it looks as though the longer journeys may be lost to the licensed taxi trade...
London voted Europe's most exciting city
But our taxis are only second!
People enjoying holidays in the UK this year may well want to
head to London as part of their break, as this city has been
voted the most exciting destination in Europe!
A poll carried out by TripAdvisor.co.uk found that visitors consider London to be the
easiest to travel around, but had the nerve to vote our taxi drivers as being just sec-
ond friendliest behind cab drivers in Rome!
TripAdvisor spokesperson, Emma O'Boyle, told Call Sign: "This research is based
on traveller perception, so it is encouraging for everyone involved in London's
tourism industry that, despite the concerns surrounding cost, our city is regarded
by European travellers as a vibrant and accessible destination."
Travellers also recognised the efforts made to ensure London is a cleaner place to
visit and for the second year in a row it did not appear on the list of dirtiest cities.
However, when Call Sign enquired as to why our taxi drivers only finished sec-
ond to those in the Italian capital, no one seemed to know but suggested that
perhaps we were not as romantic as the Romans! However, whilst we may not
be the friendliest, for several years in succession in various polls, London's taxi
drivers have been voted as the best.
As one Dial-a-Cab driver said to Call Sign after we showed him the poll:
The City win
s but we cam
"What do they mean about us not being the friendliest? Tell `em to get
e second!
stuffed...!"
