Page 21
Call Sign September 2011
Following on from the August Call Sign issue
Mike Son continues from his July article and last month's
with regard to my previous article on fixed
Mailshot...
prices, first let me thank all those that wrote to
me personally and via Call Sign - both for and
FIXED PRICES:
against the promotion of fixed rates - and say
how much I appreciated the comments from
various members both for and against that
THE DEBATE GOES ON
course of action. It was also gratifying to know
that those responses received by myself and
other members of the Board were thoughtful
and constructive in their responses. Even
would not have stayed there, it would have
those disagreeing were polite.
still been covered.
Although I am well aware that some of my
I hope the right decision is made, I love
fellow Board members and drivers are against
DaC.
such a move, I am still of the opinion this
Keith
option to offer clients will be something we
will have to consider sooner rather than later.
Hello Mike, I agree with much of what you
Let me begin with the Mailshot response
said re FPs, however there are a few reserva-
from Colin Jenkins (Y22). I haven't got a
tions that I have. I don't believe pre-booked
problem with anybody disagreeing with my
and fixed prices should be combined. For
point of view, in fact I welcome it and of
instance, pre-booked jobs on Parliament are
course there are two sides to any issue. But
sent out (to me, anyway) twelve minutes
does Colin think that because I was elected
before the PB time.
by the membership to the BoM - and bearing
As 99% of drivers are within yards of the
House, it means a 27 minute wait before
in mind I still drive a cab - that I shouldn't
reverting to the meter. This is unacceptable to
have a voice or present views even though
many drivers and a few friends of mine don't
that could be different from others? I'm sure
work SE75 because of the anomaly. I recently
most would agree that any member of our
on DaC for quite a few years and am actually
did a £22-odd job that my meter read as £47,
Society, whether on the BoM or not, is enti-
thinking of coming off. I often have to run fur-
there was £3.80 at the PB time and when the
tled to air any opinions or observations. So
ther than the job is going or park up and wait
additional 12 minutes are taken into account,
far as his comments re the BoM singing from
ages to get an offer of a job. When driving
I think I'd be better off doing a couple of
the same song sheet as Colin puts it, on any
round, these Add Lees seem to be everywhere
street jobs and probably not ending up where
and with a job on. It's busy on the streets at
committee I have ever been on you give
you're wise to extinguish your hire light. Also,
the moment, but how long will that last? In the
your honest opinion and even if colleagues
the SE75 jobs should show the destination, but
early mornings I can be out at least 3 hours
do not agree with your beliefs, as a member
only if it's in an outer zone. They will always
before having a job offered, so I think fixed
of any team you should always support the
be covered, I'm sure. These problems on SE75
prices are the answer. Drop the run-ins and
majority decision.
can put drivers off FPs elsewhere. I could go
maybe cut the lead time, perhaps raise the
Some other responses I've received but
on but I'm sure you are busy with replies.
minimum fare as Add Lee's minimum is about
which weren't in Mailshot...
John Addis (K97)
£14. I do feel that some companies only use
Dear Mike, just thought I would drop you a
us on very local work as our min price is
few lines regarding your Call Sign article on
cheaper. When it's a pre-booked job it's a
fixed prices. I am opposed to any increase in
I have included this one even though this fellow
killer - £8 but 12 mins in advance. £12 is not
the use of FP jobs as stated in your latest arti-
in not on DaC anymore but is obviously still
so bad.
cle. Prices calculated as near to the meter
interested in our Society via Call Sign Online.
Dave Raymond (F56)
price as possible, in my view, would not win
Dear Mr Son, I've had a bill for 50 years and
Hi Mike, I think Fixed Prices are a good idea.
back any work as we would still be more
was a journeyman driver on DaC until I left 7
It would win us more work, therefore less
expensive than the minicab price, so what
years ago. I totally agree with your recom-
waiting about for a job. We have to compete
would change? As I see it, the client will still
mendation for introducing more fixed prices.
with minicabs so if we could match them on
choose the cheapest option. I am a realist not
By doing this the customer will know exactly
some prices then it just leaves the difference
a head in the sand person, work levels have
the cost of a trip. This will also do away with
of whether they want the driver of a taxi or
dropped on the street as well as the radio but
the high run-in charges that some drivers have
minicab - I think we all know who would win
I do believe that all work will pick up once
on their meters when they arrive for a job. I
that one.
the country gets back on its feet and the big
remember once saying to Brian Rice that we
Ricky Rands (H81)
clients shift their focus away from just cost cut-
should arrive with an empty clock for the 'big'
ting. But that's not to say radio work will be
Hi Michael, if we don't do fix prices I fear
customers and he politely argued against this.
back to the level of five years ago or so,
A/L will take over. He wants to do all account
I believe that there are many drivers who will
because the minicab industry have their foot
work and leave street work to the black cabs.
always go that extra empty mile to get a cred-
right in the door and are never going to take
Soon he will have 3,500 cars on the road. The
it job. It cannot be denied that the three major
it out, but as volumes increase, I'm sure our
only way we can stop the rot is to price match.
radio circuits have to introduce modern ideas
slice of the pie will get bigger due to our qual-
How have we kept JPM? By giving fixed
to fight the private hire companies.
ity and efficiency. If we give up our meter
prices. I know 75 London Wall wants fixed
Good luck with your suggestion.
fares now, we will never get them back. What
prices; if we don't give it to them you can bet
Ron Pummell
could you ever say to a client to get them to
next time it comes to new contracts we won't
change back?
I certainly seemed to have stirred up
retain them. Even when the good times come
David Bruton (H99)
something of a hornet's nest, but let me
back the scabs will still be there, so the pres-
re-emphasise that there is no hidden
sure will still be there to remain competitive.
Hi Mike, I've just read your article in Call
agenda behind this article. It's purely my
The other week I did a job to Heathrow from
Sign regarding fixed price jobs to win some
own opinion that I have put forward for
Primrose Street. That job went £80 plus. It's
work back. I think you are right. I have
debate and your views are always wel-
nice, but what if they said DaC are too expen-
worked days now for the past few years and I
come, whether to me or Call Sign...
sive, we won't use them for Heathrow work
do lots of Westminster work. I have days
anymore? I did a fixed price job to Heathrow
where if I didn't do Westminster work, I
Mike Son
from London Bridge, it was £65 and that's fair.
wouldn't be offered a job of any description
DaC Special Projects
I bet if the job was £65 from Primrose Street it
and I can't believe it's come to this. I've been
