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This issue’s Mailshot contains a
letter from Tony Guerrier (L28) about the E14 zones, so Call
Sign asked Allan Evans to explain why it operates as it does…
E14C and E14S ranks operate as they do because in the past, as more
account clients moved their premises to the Island, it was a
method of ensuring we gave as good a service to them on the
Island as we do to our account clients based in the City. Having
physical ranks on the Island ensured that only those drivers who
were in close proximity of our account client’s pick up
addresses were offered the work. All physical ranks become
self-policing, which ensured fairness in the way work was and
still is distributed. The result is that clients get an
exceptional service. Over the years this has proved to be very
successful to us as we now have the majority of account work on
the Island.
Some time ago, those drivers working day shifts welcomed the use of
the two ranks because it gave them the choice of taking a cash
ride off the rank or an account ride via their terminal and for
those drivers who start work on the island, this has become a
very popular way of working.
Then evening and night drivers spoke to
various Board Members asking them to consider changing how E14C
and E14S operated |
after 9pm. They asked us to make E14 non-physical, which would
stop them being forced to sit on a rank and have to take cash
walk-ups. They also said that all they wanted to do was service
our account clients and after discussing it, the Board felt it
was ineveryone’s interest to make the change.
You may also remember at the time the changes were implemented,
Canary Wharf Security were insistent that drivers were not
allowed through the security gates unless their for hire
lights were on. This then allowed members to book in when they
were physically in the E14 zone, even though they were not
necessarily through the security barriers. That was the best way
to get round the problem so long as it was correctly monitored –
which it is.
When you think about it, what would have been the point of having
procedures in place just to aggravate members who would then
just not cover the work? The same applies now to disbanding
E14Cand E14S completely. |
Would it improve the
service we currently give to our clients and would it be
beneficial to the vast majority of members? If it was, then it
would have been implemented.
If the Board were to implement the soon to clear that Tony
mentions in his letter, it would permit drivers to book in from
so far away that those doing a local ride would get a much
higher STC queue position and have to wait far longer for the
next trip. The way the system operates now ensures the work is
offered to only those drivers who are close to the pick ups in
and around the Island, while allowing DaC controllers to be able
to monitor driver activity so much easier and ensure fair play.
If there are uncovered trips, drivers can Bid in the
normal way and offer reasonable times.
Drivers being rude to clients and expressing their disappointment
at getting a local ride is certainly not something that would be
made up. The effort involved in tendering to regain our account
work is hard enough and does not need to be hindered in any way
by a small number of individuals who believe it is perfectly
correct to be able to speak their mind to a passenger. All
procedures we currently have in place take account of both the
driver and client; as a Board, we have done just that.
Allan Evans
DaC Compliance Officer |
