Call Sign July 2011
Page 3
from the editor's desk
models added, by November Addison Lee will be
Yep, it's nice to be back and while the month off
100% Ford Galaxy and 100% black. They will
does recharge the batteries, it's amazing how
eventually take over as being `black cabs' then
much I miss putting out a mag in June. I'd also
those who object to the name will be able to say
like to thank those drivers that took the trouble
that we are again licensed London taxis. The only
to tell me that while they enjoyed reading Call
problem is that the general public call us all cabs
Sign, also told me to enjoy the month off.
or black cabs. No one except some trade papers
So as I do what no other editor of this maga-
refers to us as licensed taxis and we're now in
zine has ever done start a 15th year in the hot
danger of even losing our `black cab' title.
seat let me thank everyone that has always
And in a Call Sign memo to our taxi manu-
been so nice to me...
facturers, AL's new Ford Galaxy 2.0 140PS TDCi
Fixed prices...
PowerShift cars in test mode achieved an aver-
age fuel consumption figure of over 57mpg on
Call Sign is not an independent magazine, how-
the MPG Marathon accepted as the UK's pre-
ever it is uncensored by anyone other than me.
mier economy driving event.
It proudly supports Dial-a-Cab, but also supports
The next time you pass the old Granby Grill,
the taxi business as a whole. But this issue is
you will see all their 2007-2009 minicabs up for
slightly different in that it pits Board member
sale. They refer to them as "older models." Need
against Board member. Mike Son is someone
I say more...?
who considers that more fixed price trips could
touts in Kingston who are said to be making life
help in the battle against private hire. Keith Cain
Memo to the Mayor
very difficult for the local yellow badges.
disagrees and in this issue both views are put
The article claims to have "exposed" the STaN
Sometimes you have to wonder just who's kid-
forward. In addition, the Chairman, Brian Rice
Report in their first issue and adds that none of
ding who? I like the Mayor; he may sometimes
gives his view with an assurance to those disbe-
the other trade papers even mentioned the situ-
give the impression of bumbling, but let's not kid
lievers who will say that Mike's article is there
ourselves there is a very intelligent man under
ation. They specifically mentioned Taxi, The
purely to get drivers ready for the introduction of
that blond thatch, one who I believe wants the
Badge and Cab Trade News in addition to tak-
fixed prices. All three articles are interesting.
best for London. But to be Mayor, you also have
ing a dig at the RMT for having no magazine!
to be seen to practise what you preach. We see
No mention of Call Sign, of course, because
Call Sign policy
the odd letter with his name on planted into the
we showed concern about the Kingston situation
I doubt there is any trade magazine or paper
trade papers, but we need more than that. We
way back in the April 2006 issue when Brian
where the readers put themselves out more than
need to see that he doesn't just want to see
Rice wrote in his Chairman's report:
those from Call Sign, be that writing an article
London moving, but that as Mayor he is prepared
"It appears to me that some organisations with-
for publication or forwarding an advertising
to do something about it and that involves getting
in our industry are extremely vociferous when it
enquiry. There is rarely a month that goes by
a grip on roadworks because someone, some-
comes to certain topics that quite honestly seem
when I don't get a phone call from a company
where has to show that they care. Take the late
insignificant to me. Yet when something extreme-
enquiring about advertising after a Dial-a-Cab
afternoon and early evening of Saturday 4 June...
ly important comes along - such as the situation
driver has told them how well-read this mag is.
It was a beautiful sunny evening and Londoners
in Kingston, which is the first step to PH picking
However, whilst I don't want to seem ungrate-
were getting ready to go out for the evening. The
up in the street - I do not see or hear of any
ful, I feel I should repeat the views that I have
radio was beginning to buzz again and drivers
action. It just seems strange to me!"
held from day one. I'm certainly not a prude but
were doing their best to clear the mounting back-
Perhaps things may have been different had
I do realise that unlike every other trade paper,
log of prospective passengers waiting for their
one of the trade organisations taken notice then,
Call Sign is delivered by post and is read by all
cabs to get them to their theatre or restaurant. So
although it was nice to see The Anderson Shelter
the family. As a result, I feel it would be wrong
my question to the Mayor is this: In a 2008 Call
website acknowledge the fact recently.
for me to accept advertising from table dancing
Sign, leading up to the Mayoral election, we ques-
Speaking of the UCG new mag, United
or strip clubs and I've had enquiries from both
tioned you as to why roadworks seemed to be just
Cabbies News, like their first issue the May mag
varieties over the past few months. I understand
a 9 5 job? You agreed that where possible, 24
was very interesting but they still write anony-
that a possible "thank-you" to drivers is always
hour working could cut the time that the roads
mously. If you are going to criticise John Mason
useful and I wouldn't refuse one from a club, but
were up for and promised to look at the sugges-
or anyone else, then at least have the balls to put
I've made a decision and nothing I have seen has
tion if elected. Even though you were then elect-
your name to it, because in my view that is a
ed, that still doesn't happen. And so back to June
made me change my mind.
cowardly way of writing and detracts from a
4 and the roadworks in the City. Blackfriars under-
The same applies to online casinos and a
good story's believability...
pass was shut both ways, so the traffic was heavy
recent Radio 5Live programme has reinforced my
along all the remaining roads. But wait! Cannon
view that these casinos present a danger to chil-
Addison Lee
Street was also shut eastbound with all traffic
dren. What the parents do is not my business
In this issue's Mailshot, DaC driver John
being forced left into New Change. That closure
and I have no doubt that many enjoy a flutter via
Stowers (K40) asks about an email he read on
put extra pressure on Newgate Street or it would
the internet, but I have also heard horrific stories
a taxi chat site which purportedly dissects
have done had that not also been shut both east
about teens using credit cards that belong to
and westward with traffic along Cheapside being
Addison Lee's financial report and asks Brian
their parents and who have then lost small for-
forced left into New Change! Motorists were going
Rice if he could comment on it. As I don't go
tunes. My stand won't stop them, but at least
round in circles trying to find a road that would
onto that site, the first time I saw it was when I
they won't have gained the info from Call Sign.
lead them to some kind of sanity. Fortunately Dial-
read John's email. What I do know is that
However, that has nothing to do with our story
a-Cab drivers had a helpful dispatcher in Curls
Addison Lee have unlimited funds behind them
on DaC's Alan Mansbridge (M61) who recent-
who at least was keeping us up-to-date, but even
and part of their success has been bought. As an
ly won £50,000 in the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour
she couldn't do miracles and if you were picking
example, Call Sign has seen a document from
when he beat 171 opponents to take home that
up from London Wall or Aldermanbury, then you
the Ford Motor Company which says that AL
huge amount. Alan plays against real people and
were already in a hold-up with cars trying to find
have just taken delivery of the first of 1200 new
not in front of a screen. Neither can he try to
their way out of the City.
Ford Galaxy MPVs they have ordered. The deliv-
recoup any losses, because once you lose your
So Mr Mayor, my question is this: How the hell
ery began last month at the rate of 28 cars per
chips in that tournament, then you're out! So
could those closures all be allowed to happen at
week. Yes, you read that correctly 28 new
well done Alan...
the same time? Does anyone at City Hall care?
MPVs each and every week for around 43 weeks!
STaN Watch?
Will we get an answer at any time other than
Then up against us driving a variety of vehicles
prior to the Mayoral election? Call Sign is wait-
that are known throughout the world as black
Those of you who read the UCG mag will have
ing for an answer...
cabs but which in reality are a variation of differ-
read a piece from the group regarding what has
ent colours and/or wrapped in adverts and to
become known as STaN (Safer Travel at Night).
Alan Fisher
which some would like several other cheaper
This part revolves around the action of minicab
Callsignmag@aol.com
