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Call Sign February 2012
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rarely covered as quickly as the rest were?
happy going through those narrow north-
Demutualisation
As I said at the beginning, we are and
bound width restrictions. However, this is
Hi Al
always will be independent, whereas PH
just to explain that my message was cor-
Just to say congratulations for an excel-
work for a `master'. The only question is
rect when it went out.
lent editorial in the January Call Sign,
whether that independence is too inde-
Terry Meares (M63)
especially your comments on demutualisa-
pendent? If anyone disagrees with me,
Thanks for taking the time to explain
tion. Perhaps we should be looking into
please feel free to write in. I'm not a Board
Terry. His terminal message - soon after
this once again as a way forward, even
member, just someone who creates
the bridge reopened - reached many out-
though as in any business in any sphere
debate.
side of DaC via word of mouth, ending up
there are risks involved.
Incidentally Louie, in total I had 23
at LTPH Director John Mason's desk! He
I was recently criticised in Call Sign for
phone calls re my Editorial and thoughts
then contacted Call Sign to ask whether
daring to suggest that a possible merger
on demutualisation. Yours was the only
the message originated from TfL as he had-
amongst all the radio circuits may be the
letter with the writer's name (there were
n't been informed. As Terry says, his mes-
way forward. That unmeritorious criticism
three others who failed to sign but who
sage was correct when it went out, but
was not worthy of a response; however
were `against' and pretty offensive so far
within a short period Albert Bridge's
one thing is certain, we as an organisation
as publication goes). Of the 23 calls, 17
weight limit was raised to 3tonnes and the
and licensed drivers as a whole must unite
were either in favour or thought that the
problem no longer existed. What the arti-
and fight back otherwise we might just
suggestion was worth thinking about,
cle tried to point out was that when
end up fighting amongst ourselves for the
while 6 were against. Even one trade
scraps left by the larger private hire car
putting out information over the terminal,
companies.
writer from another paper called to say
please try to make sure it is factually cor-
I am sure you remember the days when
that it was the right way to go. However,
rect at the time and not just hearsay or a
DaC was the main supplier of taxis to the
as I also pointed out, it was just a thought
rumour, because if incorrect it could
TV company on the Southbank. I drove
affect other drivers ...Ed
I had when drivers kept asking how we
past there one evening during Christmas
could compete against a company such as
week and counted 32 silver cars outside,
Addison Lee who seem to be constantly
no doubt waiting to pick up passengers.
Tom, Tom the
expanding. Under our rules, if we wanted
How can we compete? Even more impor-
to buy another taxi company, we couldn't
theatre man!
tantly, how do we as DaC become their
even though they could buy us! My thanks
main suppliers of transport once again?
Hi Al
to everyone who responded but as I also
Louie Christian (A48)
Just a note to say thanks for the opportu-
pointed out, it was nothing to do with the
I don't have the real answer Louie, but
nity to see Round Heeled Woman starring
BoM whereas one internet chat site
even though through the years I've heard
Sharon Gless. I've been going to the the-
seemed to assume that the BoM had put
various answers to the question price,
atre for over 50 years and I can safely say
me up to it! Totally incorrect! I never take
gratuity, waiting time, dress code etc I
that this production would make my all-
for granted this freedom I have in putting
have gradually come to a conclusion that
time top ten! It was clever, thought pro-
Call Sign together, but it seems to upset
it's just the way the two trades are. The
voking and fun! I can't stop recommend-
some out there who would always rather
legitimate side of Private Hire, and like it
ing it to my passengers, so my thanks to
believe in a conspiracy theory ...Ed
or not that is the vast majority, rely on
Tom the theatre man for getting us these
phone-type bookings. They don't have the
outstanding tickets!
thought of will they pass a street job if
Jon Trevor (W94)
Message on Vitos and
they accept a radio trip? When it's quiet as
DaC Board member Tom Whitbread is the
it has been, I'll take anything radio or
Albert Bridge
first in the taxi trade to be contacted
street jobs but when it's busy, I'm happy
whenever theatre tickets are up for grabs.
Hi Al
to do just account work. I'm not alone in
If you do enjoy any production you get
Re the article in January's Call Sign, The
that but a large number of drivers would
tickets for, it really would be nice if you
Vito and Albert Bridge, I was the driver
rather take a street hail because they see it
do what Jon has done and tell your pas-
who put out the message regarding Vitos
as quick money. No one can criticise them
sengers how good a production it is ...Ed
not being able to use the-then recently re-
for looking after their own interests, but
opened Albert Bridge. Although my mes-
when it is busy and the bid zone fills up,
sage turned out later to be incorrect, at the
we're not the ones who have to explain
time it was right because the sign still read
why there is no cab in the area. Passengers
Call Sign and the
no vehicles over 2.2tonnes and whilst that
are very knowledgeable nowadays; they
London Vintage Taxi
meant LTI cabs were ok, the Vito's
know what the situation is and whether it
2.7tonnes was well over that. What I didn't
is genuinely busy. They will often put up
Association
want to see happen was for Vito drivers to
with genuine busy period delays, but not
Dear Alan
start getting PCNs for using a bridge that
when they perceive they are being put as
I have in the past received many such let-
the signs clearly said they couldn't use. It
second to street work. So Louie, could it
ters as the one below and it shows we do
was some time later that the signs were
be that the company you are referring to
the right thing towards LVTA members and
changed to 3tonnes and as a result, Vitos
whom I have also picked up at in the past
other interested parties who obviously
are now able to use Albert Bridge
when they used to phone us suddenly
have an interest in taxis but who live
although if I had a Vito I'm not sure I'd be
wondered why the trip to Peckham was
