Page 4
Call Sign July 2011
reflections of the chair man
Fixed prices... and
Committee Olympic Games (LOCOG) and
Olympic Delivery Association (ODA), which
the Editor!
concerned the Olympic Route Network
(ORN). I wouldn't call them consultations,
The current Call Sign Editor, Alan Fisher, has
more of `this is what is going to happen' meet-
been in the `role' for 14 years and I must say
ings. You are all probably aware of the routes,
that I believe he still performs an excellent job
some of which will operate from 6am to mid-
for us. Quite simply, I believe it is still the
night. The only vehicles allowed in the special
best publication within the cab trade and
lanes will be those transporting competitors
hopefully will remain so.
and officials and I believe there will be a £200
In recent years, Alan has not produced a
fine for unauthorised vehicles entering the
magazine for the month of June as he is nor-
lanes. I do not want to appear churlish, but I
mally on holiday and I must say that I do look
certainly have reservations as to how you are
forward to that month, as it means that I also
going to cope with the conditions when serv-
have a month where the Editor doesn't drive
ing DaC clients that are with us throughout the
me mad for my contribution to the magazine!
year. Nobody knows what to expect, especial-
I have written a report for him for every edi-
ground but there are just one or two
ly as both the Olympic and Paralympic Games
tion of the magazine and sometimes I struggle
points I would like to make.
are taking place during the quieter months -
to produce something of interest during the
particularly August - but I have a feeling your
I do not have any problem with FPs for
quiet periods. So imagine my joy when I had
lives will be extremely difficult. Hopefully
longer journeys, in fact I welcome them -
a ready made piece responding to Michael
very busy, but difficult.
especially if it means claiming something from
Son's article regarding Fixed Prices in this
I couldn't attend the last meeting on the
the minicabs. The problem I have is when
issue. It is always easy to produce an article
topic, as I already had a pre-arranged client
clients start demanding a FP from every post-
once you have a topic to write about.
meeting. However, it was a trade meeting to
code to postcode, that is a very slippery slope
However, my joy was short lived when the
discuss the proposals before we put our view
and makes us just another minicab company -
Editor sent me a preview of Keith's article
to the respective bodies. That is probably
albeit more expensive - especially as Mike
regarding Mike's contribution - his views are
where the Evening Standard thought up the
states that the FPs should be getting close to
exactly the same as mine and of course how
story regarding the trade having a demonstra-
the meter price. What it actually means is that
boring would it be if I just reiterated his senti-
tion regarding the ORN.
we are still considerably more expensive and
ments! But there are one or two points I
Fortunately Allan Evans attended on my
our service to clients will suffer. Of course, at
would like to add...
behalf and the next day when we had a little
the moment we do give some FPs to clients,
Foremost, I would like to make it abun-
meeting to discuss what transpired he simply
but generally to just some of their more fre-
dantly clear that Mike is not being used as a
said: "Brian it will be chaos!" Well that's two of
quently-used destinations because at the end
stalking horse. The BoM do not have any
us with the same opinion...
of the day they are our clients and we must
intention of introducing mass FPs and are just
never appear to be intransigent, but it is not
testing the reaction of the membership. Also
Brian Rice
something we commit to as a matter of course.
there is not any `split' on the Board.
Chairman
I believe most of the FPs we have in place
I believe most of you are aware of my sen-
are reasonably priced, however, just as the
timents regarding gratuities and run-ins etc, I
Dial-a-Cab
public think minicab cheap - taxi expensive,
do not believe they should be scrapped
so some of our members believe FPs cheap!
because when the economy improves, the
But as Keith has explained, they are some-
abolition of gratuities and run-ins will have a
SAVINGS!
times even a little more than the meter.
detrimental effect on our service. It is very
It can be very difficult to give a FP, even
easy to scrap something, but it becomes a very
though we now have the facility to offer three
difficult task to reinstate it at a later date.
different prices for the same trip depending on
I must confess that besides contributions
the tariff. Recently, one of our clients wanted
from members in the magazine, I have received
# KITCHENS
DaC drivers
some FPs to certain destinations, consequent-
two emails from members requesting we abol-
& APPLIANCES
phone for
ly some archived trips the client had made
ish gratuities etc. Consequently, I was intrigued
special offe
# BEDROOMS
rs
were scrutinised and I know it will come as no
when Michael introduced the topic at the last
surprise to you daymen, but the trips were
# WORKTOPS
Board meeting. He believes passionately that
more expensive on tariff 1 than on tariff 3,
the abolition would lead to increased work-
# DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS
obviously due to the traffic conditions!
loads, but I must say that he was a lone voice
# PLANTATION SHUTTERS
Finally, I began this piece by talking about
in the Boardroom. However, I am delighted to
# ALL TYPES OF BLINDS
the Editor and sometimes how difficult it can
say that my relationship with Board members is
be to write an article when you do not have a
# AWNINGS
such that I said he could put his personal view
topic in mind, especially during the summer
to members whilst still toeing the party line,
You are welcome to visit
months when things are quiet. He must now
which he is happy to do, hence the article else-
our showroom at:
be sitting back rubbing his hands after reading
where in the magazine. I know there are some,
Mike, Keith's and my contribution this month!
mostly non-members of Dial-a-Cab, who will
Unit 8 Tripes Farm,
It will probably encourage debate, or Mike
come up with all sorts of rumours as to why his
Chelsfield Lane,
swapping his cab for Obama's Beast!
Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS
article was included, but they will all be false.
The above is the only reason.
Olympic Route
Instant Kitchen and
As I stated earlier, Keith has given an
Bedroom & Blinds UK
Network
excellent response to Mike, but I just wish
01689 897111...
Call Ian (R50) on
I had completed my article earlier!
I have attended several meetings that have
However, I do not wish to go over old
been organised by the London Organising
