Page 35
Call Sign July 2011
Mailshot
continued from page 34
right when he says that something given up
is never coming back. Customers are used to
counterpart document allows us to see
paying the gratuity and they like paying it as
any driving convictions in the UK and
a thank you for the quality service drivers
also allows the driver to accept fixed
provide. Ivor Belkin (C97) suggested an
penalty notices. The problem with this
account customer could save 100K by not
is that in order to obtain a counterpart,
paying the gratuity and could then possibly
my cab runs on pig sh*t and that after every
the applicant must be resident in the UK
use that money to order more taxis. This in
job I do for them, to fulfil my green creden-
so to facilitate this, those few taxi dri-
my opinion is extremely short-sighted. I
tials I plant a daffodil?
vers who live elsewhere in Europe tend
believe that if a customer wants a cab he
Lastly, all this constant bickering about the
to use a `care of' address in the UK.
wants a cab and he ain't counting how many
Vito versus the TX4, wake up people the
Notwithstanding our requirement, I
cabs he's used that week he's getting a cab
TX2 is the ACE in the pack!
am surprised that your member is
regardless. And yes, I can also confirm that
Colin Jenkins (Y22)
having to exchange his GB driving
10percent of nothing - as Ivor Belkin quite
The offer to give your views on the gra-
licence as it was our understanding
rightly stated - is still nothing (just checked
tuity being automatically added onto
that EC licence holders can drive
it using my fingers). But I agree one thing
the fare is still there should anyone
indefinitely on their EC licence in all
with Ivor, I have noticed that we take a lot
have a point to make. But let me make
member states.
of people to account addresses and they
one thing clear; the offer is from Call
then ask for a receipt and add a tip! This
Sign to get a point of view from drivers.
Remapping...
confirms to me that people like paying a tip.
There are no Board members hiding
I feel that to abandon the gratuity would
Hi Al
around the corner waiting to jump on
lead to a loss of drivers who would deem
I thought I would share a conversation I had
you! ...Ed
account work less viable. As older cabs get
with my son some time ago. My son works
deregulated along with many of their dri-
at Ford's Dagenham diesel plant as an engi-
Starting a radio circuit
vers, the ones who take the plunge and
neer and I mentioned about the remapping
Dear sir
upgrade to a newer vehicle are going to find
that's being offered to the trade by some
I am a long-time reader of Call Sign on-line
their running costs greatly increased and
establishments. After a little chuckle, he
and have been considering starting a radio
they will then need every extra penny. I also
asked if they knew what they were getting
circuit here in Ankara. I am often in London
feel that a lack of response by drivers in the
into and why would they want to do that? I
and wonder whether it would be possible to
letters pages to reply to a request made
said it had been claimed that remapping
arrange a visit to Dial-a-Cab sometime in the
about the gratuity by the Editor sadly paves
gave the cab better mpg, quicker accelera-
future to get an idea just what is involved, as
the way for the Board to phase the gratuity
tion and a higher top speed. He said yes but
your company seems to be the best. It
out!
that with a light right foot you would get
would really be appreciated...
On a different note, why is it my taxi is
better mpg, but not if you used the acceler-
Malik Camberk
deemed ok when "climax" cars can't supply
ation and higher top speed claimed. He
Turkey
a vehicle? Is it because after reading count-
added that the cabs are set up as they are for
Call DaC next time you plan on coming
less articles in Call Sign about alternative
good reason:
and I'm sure someone will be able to
fuels blah, blah, blah, customers know that
1. To achieve Euro 3/4/5, any alteration
help ...Ed
would no doubt mean it would be out of the
Euro limits.
2. This in turn would mean missing the
excise duty band (higher road tax).
3. Most diesel engines are designed for
longevity and durability, so increasing
power can only shorten its life. And don't
forget that extra power goes through the
gearbox and axle and then will the brakes
stop it? It's no wonder the warranty would
be void.
4. Yes there is a 4 and that is when you
renew insurance and they ask whether the
Alpha Optical
vehicle has been modified? Well yes, it has
and it could then attract an increase of 10 -
20% on the premium. I don't think there is a
Eyewear and Glasses
roadside test that could tell it has been
remapped, but I would not be boasting
about it either. I hope this is not too late to
save some drivers from going down this
22 PALACE ROAD, LONDON, N11 2PS
road, as I think it will end in tears with the
driver picking up the bill...
Suppliers of all makes of Designer and Budget frames
Terry Wright (P39)
Thanks Terry. Does anyone out there
Single vision, Bifocal and Verifocal lenses
disagree with Terry's son? ...Ed
Very special deal for Dial-a-Cab drivers and staff
Gratuity debate
Hi Al
0208 889 8023
Re the gratuity, I'm totally in support of
Call Peter on
Alan Lipscombe (T50) when he said in
Call Sign that we should retain the gratu-
Email: Sales@alphaoptical.co.uk
ity. Our holiness, aka Chairman Brian is
