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Page 34
Call Sign February 2012
continued from page 33
rank and thereby make it even longer!
stipulate that `Suitable dedicated provi-
time for us to cover work in certain busy
I will only worry if silly complaints
sion for the secure carriage of luggage
zones, why aren't we using more ranks
against drivers suddenly go through the
must be made, separated from the passen-
such as EC11? With 30 or more cabs in
roof, but badge numbers face outwards
ger compartment and proportionate in
some zones, it must take a long time for a
and are not on show to the passenger, so I
size to the number of passengers car-
trip to pass through before a taxi within a
don't expect that to happen as your taxi
ried'. Therefore, if the vehicle is licensed
short distance of the job address is found.
licence number has been on display since
then it stands to reason that the luggage
With more ranks within ranks the time
the year dot anyway. My only concern is
area can provide secure carriage. The
taken for a trip to be offered to a close cab
the hassle of having to remember to take
restraining strap hasn't been a require-
must be quicker. Before the bad times
them out of the cab each night, but if it
ment for as long as my team can remember
arrived, EC5 could be disbanded allowing
helps to do the job it was intended for
and it is the driver's responsibility to make
drivers to book into their closest zone.The
and bearing in mind that the Olympics and
sure that any luggage is carried safely if
f lip side to that, EC work is no longer
a possible upsurge in usage is almost here
he's having to hang on to it as he goes
offered to back-up zones outside of the
- then I don't think we should complain
round a corner then it looks like he hasn't
city. Surely there is no need for that any-
too loudly. And Geoff, the slope at Yeovil
loaded it safely. This doesn't stop luggage
more, it might help with coverage to offer
FC? Boy, are you giving your age away!
being carried in the passenger compart-
work to zones outside of the city. Talking
...Ed
ment either.
of dispatching, why is it ok for a message
Finally, the luggage compartment is for
to say `Trip to LAP fires out in SW19 in 3
To carry luggage or
carrying luggage and should be kept clear
minutes when there is a cab booked in to
at all times we've had to tell drivers off
SW18? We are inviting drivers to book in
not to carry luggage
for carrying all sorts, including pet dogs,
when not there, yet you can't book into
that is the question!
in this area!
EC5 when not quite there?
Recently after the New Year, I worked
Hi Alan,
for 2 days and don't think I was offered 5
I recently had a chat with John Mason and
No more bendies!
trips, yet I need to cover 5 trips to have
asked him what TfL's viewpoint was in
What wonderful news that there are now
any chance of a trip home? Surely this
regards to a drivers obligation to carrying
no more bendy buses operating in London
needs to change? Today I got lucky with a
luggage in the front compartment? I
(January Call Sign). I hadn't heard that
long trip, the booking fee and handling
received something of a Penton Street
they were ending their lives on our con-
charge came to over £21! But still I can't
answer - didn't I want to pick up people
have a chance of a fare home because I
gested streets and no other trade paper
with luggage? I pointed out that it was a
haven't accepted or been offered 5 trips.
mentioned it. It is great news and you can
safety matter. As cabs no longer have a
Third question: When will the Board
see the difference already.
restraining strap, the luggage has to be
enforce a simple dress code, surely no
Sid Nathan (K88)
held
when
going
sleeveless or collarless tops? It won't be
round corners. John Mason said he would
long before shorts and beachwear are
look into it and get back to me, but I
Questions, questions
back?
haven't heard from him yet.
Fourth question: Some drivers have writ-
and (more) questions!
So to the reason for this letter; on the
ten into Call Sign asking if we should give
rank at Eurostar over Xmas I was in third
Sorry you guys and girls, but felt I had to
up our gratuities. I say no. After all 80p on
position with the two cabs in front of me
write another letter to Call Sign. I have so
a minimum isn't going to make us much
having a debate as to why the point cab
many questions that I hope the Board can
cheaper. How about we give up everything
wasn't picking up a group of passengers. It
answer. Perhaps some of our members
on certain trips? Trips to and from outer
seems he didn't have enough room in the
might respond to my questions and
London postcodes ie E50S or S50C and all
front of his Fairway due to carrying per-
attempt answers.
airports to have no run-ins, no gratuities,
sonal possessions in there. The group
First question: Why is there talk in Call
no waiting time premium, no handling fee
leader was taking pictures of both cabs
Sign of DaC going PLC again, saying this
and no booking charges which also
with a view to reporting them. So if we are
will help us expand? Why do we have to go
means no VAT for customers to pay either.
not obliged, then the first cab was within
PLC to expand? Unless I'm going to see the
That's a real saving. But this is the type of
his rights to carry personal stuff. On the
best part of twenty grand, then forget it. If
trip we are losing to private hire; we need
other hand, if we are obliged then the sec-
I remember rightly, when the recession
to win it back or it's a lifetime of locals.
ond driver was right to say he should have
first began Brian stated that we had a war
Can someone on the BoM estimate how
the space to carry out his commitment. So
chest of over £5million, so why can't we
much this would cost DaC?
can John please answer a formerly hypo-
spend that? I'm guessing the money raised
Fifth question (not many more to go
from going PLC would be spent on pur-
thetical question that has now become a
now): Some drivers have expressed con-
chasing a PH company, how much would
reality...
cern over the £2 booking fee for cash
that cost and what other benefits would
John Dixon (B67)
rides. As the Chairman explained recently,
going PLC give us?
John Mason responds: When it comes to
this would be difficult to give up because
Second question: Why in the second
luggage, the starting point for all drivers is
of our commitment to the Mayor's `one
week of December was I suddenly being
that they have a legal obligation to `carry a
number' scheme. So can we not start a
told to cover this trip and that trip when
reasonable quantity of luggage for each
cash club? Customers join our Club paying
the Bid zone was empty? Was a big
person' although I would accept what is
a registration fee of £25 or £50 for a year
account lost in December and was that
`reasonable' is open to interpretation.
and giving theirs and maybe a partner's
customer Lewis Day? If it's taking a long
The London Taxi Conditions of Fitness
contact details and their credit card will
