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Call Sign October 2011
Call Sign has heard of some strange pieces of
A message from TfL/LTPH about your 15 year old cab's final overhaul...
advice given over the years regarding Dial-a-
"IT WILL ONLY PASS IF IT FAILS!"
Cab drivers and the authorities that licence us,
but we have to admit that the explanation
given to Bernie Silver (G08) leaves it all
reading the piece in Call Sign he phoned
standing by the proverbial mile.
LTPH to enquire was it 2012 or 2013?
Bernie has been on DaC since January 1975,
"They told me that if I put it in for an over-
but admits that the advice London Taxis and
haul on the day the plate runs out in August
Private Hire recently offered him was the
2013, it wouldn't be accepted as it would
strangest he had ever heard in that time and
break the 15-year rule on expiry. Even if I
left him open-mouthed in shock. That
booked it in for July, it still wouldn't get
advice.....?
through because the date put onto the plate in
If your taxi fails then it will pass... but
that case would then match the month of the
if it passes then you won't be able to
previous plate - ie August."
licence it again!
So was that just because of the 15-year rule?
Bernie's strange story began with the
Bernie shrugged his shoulders and continued
September Call Sign in which we published a
with his big BUT...!
list of cab registrations and what their final
"BUT.... I was then told that if I was to take
overhaul year would be as they approached
my TX1 up for passing in early July and it
the Mayor's 15 year rule. The chart also
failed, but then passed when represented, it
included a warning that drivers should get
would get a new plate dated from that day for
confirmation about their cab's finishing date,
a further 12 months taking me up to July 2014.
rather than just accept the chart as final.
Yet if I took it up at the correct time, it
According to the chart, Bernie's S-reg TX1
wouldn't even be looked at. I mean, is that
Bernie's biggest problem now - how to
would get its last plate in 2013, whereas he
stupid or what???"
was under the impression that the 15-year rule
get his cab to fail on something small...
Bernie ended by telling Call Sign that in all
would make 2012 the last one for his cab. So
it would obviously make a big difference.
his years as an owner, his priority had always
Bernie phoned LTPH to try and get confirma-
Bernie explained to us that his cab was first
been to get his cab up to a standard where it
tion as to whether his last plate was in 2012 or
registered on 12 August 1998 and assumed
would pass its overhaul. Now, according to
2013. His question was really whether the rule
that 2012 would be his last plate as the end of
LTPH, he has to make sure it doesn't. Who
was 15 years or plates the latter obviously
that year would make fifteen years, so after
said that you really couldn't make it up...!!!
giving him an extra 12 months and financially
TESSA JOWELL: "LET TAXIS INTO
OLYMPIC LANES!"
Or it will cause tension between motorists....
The IOC have been totally intransigent
According to Labour's Shadow Olympics
and refused to even discuss taxis and the
minister, Tessa Jowell, the Olympic Route
ORN...
Network that will be used by athletes and
VIPs during the 2012 Games could cause
tensions between motorists throughout
SAVINGS!
London while turning the capital into a two-
class system.
The MP for Dulwich and West Norwood
said a certain number of taxis should be
able to access the ORN lanes, which have
# KITCHENS
travelled to every Olympic Games since
DaC drivers
Atlanta in 1996 via the dictate of the
& APPLIANCES
phone for
Shadow Olympics Minister
International Olympic Committee the
special offe
# BEDROOMS
rs
Tessa Jowell - Let taxis into
group that will virtually run London during
# WORKTOPS
the Games tenure. The official spin on the
ORN!
necessity for ORN lanes is so competitors
# DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS
and VIPs can escape traffic jams and get to
agree to the changes.
# PLANTATION SHUTTERS
their events on time. Of course, many of
Tessa Jowell also told the Commons: "I
those traffic jams during what is the qui-
think we should draw attention to those
# ALL TYPES OF BLINDS
etest month of the year anyway will be
who have eligibility to use the Olympic
# AWNINGS
actually caused by the ORN!
lanes that actually the rest of London will
Ms Jowell pointed out that most visitors
be getting to the Olympic Park on the
You are welcome to visit
to the Olympic Park would travel by public
fantastic new transport system in which
our showroom at:
transport but said that the rest had to be
so much has been invested."
kept up-to-date with road closures and
But the MP added: "I think we have got
Unit 8 Tripes Farm,
delays as a result of the ORNs. She also put
to anticipate that if there is a sense of
Chelsfield Lane,
forward an amendment to the London
two classes of travellers to the Olympic
Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS
Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill,
Park, those whose journeys are hell and
Instant Kitchen and
allowing London deliveries to be made out
those who glide down the Olympic lanes,
of the usual allowed hours whilst the
it will very quickly become a source of
Bedroom & Blinds UK
Games were on. Sports Minister Hugh
tension because that's the kind of city
01689 897111...
Call Ian (R50) on
Robertson said the Government would
that London is."
