Page 35
Call Sign November 2011
Mailshot
continued from page 34
After phoning LTPH to confirm how the
other two main London circuits. You could
A thank you for
still dispatch to island ranks eg Heathrow,
15-year rule worked, Bernie was told
Maxine...
City Airport etc. The Call Centre spends
that if he put his cab in for an overhaul
unnecessary time monitoring false positions
on the day the plate ran out in August
Dear Al
- this would be eliminated saving more time
2013, it wouldn't be accepted as it would
Could you oblige me by including this lit-
and money. If a regular job fires out the
break the 15-year rule on expiry. Even if
tle thank you in your Mailshot pages as I'm
same time every day to stop drivers `hang-
he booked it in for July, it still wouldn't
not sure precisely who to thank directly.
ing it up' it can be called to a roving point,
get through because the date put onto
My lovely daughter Maxine died recent-
a system that was used successfully many
the plate in that case would then match
ly after a brave, but ultimately losing 6-year
years ago on voice (you have to be a long
the month of the previous plate - ie
battle with cancer. She was cremated at
term member, to know that one) - but it
August. But LTPH added that if he was to
Basildon Crematorium on Friday 14
worked. I know how tempting it is when a
take his TX1 up for passing in early July
October and both my wife and I were
message comes on your screen that there is
and it failed, but then passed when rep-
grateful to see a number of drivers there
an LAP job in SW20 that needs covering and
resented, it would get a new plate dated
including Allan Evans as a friend and on
you are in perhaps SW3. Do you wait for it
from that day for a further 12 months
behalf of the circuit. Maxine requested no
to go into Bids or do you jump three or four
taking Bernie up to July 2014. Yet if he
flowers but donations to Macmillan
postal zones and put yourself on offer of
took it up at the correct time, it wouldn't
Cancer Support.
going on complaint? With GPS dispatch, the
even be looked at! It was hardly surpris-
As a consequence, my good friend
temptation is taken away from you, hence
ing that he became confused!
Gordon Mowatt (Y08) organised a collec-
no chance of any complaint. As of yet there
So thanks to LTPH Director John
tion among fellow golfers and drivers who
has been no debate on this subject, and I
Mason for clearing the matter up in a
know me. It is to these people that we
think before the BOM spend money on new
much simpler way that the person who
would like to thank through Call Sign.
terminals, they should listen to the views of
answered Bernie's call managed to do!
George Carter (T22)
members who are plying their trade on the
George, thank you for taking the time
streets of London before making a decision
New dispatch
to think of others at such an awful time
on our behalf.
in your own lives. The Macmillan ser-
Pat Keefe (G01)
system???
vice is one that is close to my heart
Interesting letter Pat and I have asked
Hi Alan
having been a volunteer at St Joseph's
Allan Evans if he will answer it as part of
To GPS or not to GPS, that is the question.
Hospice in Mare Street, Hackney, for
his Compliance Officer's report.
Whether `tis nobler in the mind to let oth-
six years at a time when the Macmillan
However, writing as another driver
ers give false positions while we, the many,
service was still trying to get off the
rather than Editor, can I say that I prefer
suffer the greed of the few?
ground. There were four of us from
the current system because it suits me. I
If ever there was an argument to go GPS
Dial-a-Cab, myself and Ken Freeborn
know that if it gets quiet again and
dispatch or stay as we are now, last month's
(W06) being the only two still around
hopefully it will remain busy until after
complaints meeting results - printed in Call
and we worked closely with Dr Richard
the Olympics then I can book into a
Sign - give a very good reason why I think
Lamerton, whose name will forever be
zone, read the paper or have a coffee
we should go GPS dispatch. Seven com-
linked to Macmillan. Dr Lamerton
and know that sooner or later I will get
plaints were heard, including two appeals,
detailed the DaC driver's involvement
a job. Thankfully I don't have to make
each one was for booking into the wrong
in his book `East End Doc'. The work
the decision because this way I can't be
zone with the worst case being a driver in
usually involves ferrying patients from
wrong! ...Ed
Kensington who booked into WW99. Now
their home to the hospice for their
just imagine if we dispatched all jobs as
treatment and for an opportunity to
GPS, this could not happen as the nearest
New terminals
see a doctor. We even put on a
cab would have had the fairest chance of
Christmas show where Ken had to
Dear Alan
correctly being offered the job with the
wear a skirt! But it cheered the patients
It is now over six months since the last AGM
chance to accept or reject, then on to the
up and that was all that mattered.
when we were informed that a new terminal
next nearest cab and so on, I'm sure you all
St Joseph's are always looking for
with several improvements was being devel-
get the picture. This would eliminate most
drivers and if anyone from DaC or
oped.
complaints, plus the cost of Complaints
even retired members who still drive -
I recall that it was going to be superior to
Meetings ie a Board member to act as
is interested in giving a few hours each
that available on other circuits, possibly with
Chairman, Allan Evens to present the case
week, the hospice would love to hear
facility to be compatible with Oyster cards
against the accused, plus three members to
and that it would be able to receive signals
from you. If you are interested, you
act as jury. The whole fleet is already
beyond the M25. Can we please have an
can call them on 020 8525 6000 and ask
equipped with a GPS mushroom aerial on
update, with more details of specifications
for the volunteer's department.
their cab roof. As the BoM are in the
that we can expect and a date when instal-
In the meantime, everyone at DaC
progress of investigating new GPRS termi-
lation will commence?
from drivers to staff to Board members
nals that in theory will give a correct posi-
Laurence Kelvin (W88)
will I'm sure join me in sending George
tion from John o' Groats to Land's End, this
See the Chairman's report on page 4
and his family our deepest condo-
would be a perfect opportunity to
...Ed
lences at their tragic loss ...Ed
consider GPS dispatch? It has worked for the
