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Call Sign November 2011
reflections of the chairman
Law Commission
would mean a total re-write of not only our
despatching system, but also a total re-write of
review
the software on the MDT. The current method
has stood us in good stead for the past 22
The Law Commission is reviewing the existing
years.
framework of taxi and private hire vehicle reg-
The best analogy I can give is the difference
ulation on behalf of The Department for
between the UK and Europe; we drive on the
Transport with a view to preparing proposals
left and they drive on the right, but the out-
for consultation that would begin in April
come is the same when you reach your desti-
2012. This will be followed by a three month
nation. However, if we were to decide to
consultation period. They plan to publish a
drive on the right, can you just imagine the
final report with recommendations and a draft
disruption to our infrastructure? Changing the
bill by late 2013.
way we despatch would have the same con-
They had their initial meeting in August to
sequences as we could not change piecemeal,
which none of the three radio circuits were
there would have to be a `big bang' whereby
invited. After we learned of the meeting, we
all the vehicles would be converted and we
contacted the Law Commission and they visit-
would switch over to the new system and
ed Dial-a-Cab on 11th October. All three cir-
· If two-tiers remained, how would they
hope everything worked.
cuits were present and had the opportunity to
be made clearly distinguishable national-
The chances are it would not and if it didn't,
put their point of view. I also gave the
ly, because current local policies create
I believe the risk to your business would be
confusion?
Commission a tour of our premises and
too great to contemplate. It would not give a
· Are geographic regimes necessary for
explained how a radio circuit functions. I
better service to either client or member and
London and Plymouth, as opposed to the
believe (and hope) they were duly impressed.
would in the end achieve nothing.
rest of England and Wales?
They were asked outright if the removal of
As you can see from the above bullet
2012 tariff increase
radios from taxis in favour of private hire was
points, their recommendations could give
to be considered, they assured me that issue
I recently attended a meeting at LTPH where
cause for grave concern, the second bullet
was not on their agenda - although plenty of
next year's tariff increase was discussed. As
point being of particular concern.
other worrying topics still exist. They describe
you can imagine, the discussion was reason-
Consequently, I am pleased we have now
their work stream in the following way:
ably confidential but I was somewhat dis-
been invited to their next meeting on 22nd
"Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are an
turbed regarding some of the topics and I
November.
important part of local transport. They operate
would be very interested to see if the majori-
in highly regulated markets where safety and
ty view of our membership was the same as
quality control are paramount. Licensing cov-
New terminals
mine.
ers key areas such as the quality of services, the
Do you think there should be an extra tariff
We are in the process of taking delivery of
fitness of drivers, fare regulation and restric-
increase of over 20% next year - over and
unpackaged terminals in order to test our new
tions on the number of licenses issued. The
above the usual increase in April - to cover the
software - unpackaged meaning a terminal
current law on taxis and PHVs has been criti-
period of both the Olympic and the
without any casing. When our IT department
cised for being complex and outdated.
Paralympic Games?
are happy with the product, we will take
Also what do you believe to be an accept-
One problem is the multiplicity of legislation.
delivery of the new terminal with bespoke
able tariff increase next April: 1% to 3%, 3% to
Taxis, which can "ply for hire" so customers
casing that will mirror the finished article.
5% or over 5%?
can stop them in the street, have different rules
Once we are satisfied the new terminal per-
I am assuming there might be a large
to PHVs which can only be pre-booked. In turn
forms and looks how we want, we will then
response to the magazine and me via e-mail,
each of the taxi and PHV trades is regulated by
take a small number of terminals for testing on
consequently, you might not receive an indi-
multiple statutes. There are also different legal
the road. Assuming they function correctly, we
vidual answer, but no doubt our Editor might
systems along geographical lines distinguish-
will probably begin taking delivery towards
wish to print some replies.
ing Plymouth, London and the rest of England
the end of the first quarter of next year and fit
and Wales. Whereas some distinctions are
a hundred terminals a month until the whole
Brian Rice
clearly justified, others are less clearly so.
fleet is re-equipped.
Chairman
Some of the legislation, particularly relating
We will be moving away from our private
to taxis, is archaic. The key statutes date back
radio network and onto the O2 network,
Dial-a-Cab
to Victorian times and refer to "hackney car-
which will give us nationwide coverage. That
riages" when taxis were literally horse-drawn
will be especially helpful when clearing cred-
vehicles. Case law and guidance are indis-
it card transactions.
Call Sign
pensable in interpreting the law. This also
We will also be fitting a separate unit for
makes the legislation less able to reflect more
chip and pin and contactless transactions;
November 2011
modern technology like the telephone, internet
this will be located in the front of the cab
Editor: Alan Fisher
and GPS technology".
in a holster, but which can be passed to
Address: 39 47 East Rd, London N1 6AH
I believe it is extremely important that we
the customer either at the luggage door or
Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293
have some input into their review, otherwise
in the back of the vehicle. The terminal
Email: callsignmag@aol.com
their recommendations could prove to be life
will also be equipped with SatNav - should
Website: www.dac-callsign.co.uk
Printers: Premier Print Group
changing for our industry. Amongst the topics
the member require it. However, we will
25 31 Violet Rd, London E3
probably leave that to the individual to
they will look at and which were raised at the
Design: Aldan Publications
decide as I know some members are total-
August meeting are:
Tel: 07958 300 428
ly against the idea of SatNav.
· Single-tier or two-tier and, if two-tier
Email: dfdannyfresco@gmail.com
We will not be moving away from a zonal
what should be the operational distinc-
Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must
system and despatch by GPS, as do our two
tions?
not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or
competitors. There are pros and cons for both
· The need to strike an appropriate bal-
Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced
either manually or electronically without the express
systems (I believe Allan Evans has gone into
ance between deregulation and public
permission of the Editor.
more detail in his article), but for us to change
protection.
