Call Sign May 2012

Call Sign May 2012

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Here we are again at the May issue of Call Sign

Mayor to abolish VAT on taxis... mind you, perhaps

and my favourite one. Why? Well, mainly

we should stay in the real world!

because Call Sign publishes 11 issues a year and

June is the one that doesn’t appear! And THAT

Griffin’s war???

means for the next four weeks I can sleep as long

Well he’s at it again! The Chairman of London’s

as I want without having to worry about sched-

largest minicab firm, John Griffin, recently told his

ules. However, that doesn’t mean that you should

drivers that Addison Lee has gained a judicial

stop sending me your always-interesting stories.

review, which he says will be heard before the end

This office is always open; it just works much

of 2012. In the meantime, the man who believes he

slower through the month of May with no issue to

is above the law told his drivers that they should go

plan! But we’ll be back on 1 July...

ahead and use all the bus lanes that we do.

Mr Griffin really believes that his ragtag group

of drivers - who admittedly always look smart - are

And in a packed

real taxi drivers! But unfortunately for him, many

programme...

of them have two distinct disadvantages - their

Apologies to the ‘Two Ronnies’ for nicking their

lack of a good grasp of the English language and an

catchphrase, but there’s quite a lot to read inside

inability to find their way round without the help

this issue. The story that still won’t go away con-

of a satnav. And let’s face it, John Griffin isn’t

cerns yellow badges picking up in green badge

famous for the care and concern of his workers -

areas with one Dial-a-Cab driver having sat for

the huge turnover of his drivers shows that - his

some considerable time in Putney on Boat Race

us. So far as the trade press are concerned, we sud-

decision is purely a business one.

day watching and recording taxis with yellow

denly are given whatever we want when it comes

If he wins his judicial review, it will mean the

identifiers - some with no identifiers at all - just

to contact!

end of bus/taxi lanes because every minicab with

picking up anywhere they wanted.

It could be - and being kind, it hopefully is -

a LTPH licence will have to be allowed in. What

Yes, I am fully aware that Putney Station at the

that the candidates genuinely want to help what

will then happen is that they will revert to bus

top of the hill is an Island rank and as such is

is still undoubtedly the finest taxi service in the

only lanes. That won’t bother John Griffin,

workable by both yellow and green badges, but

world. LTPH can say what they like, but when

because so long as we do not have any time

the area around Lower Richmond Road and all

tourists hear about London taxis they don’t think

advantage over his fleet, then he will be happy.

along the riverside isn’t. Call Sign has broken one

of any of the private hire firms who think they

This isn’t the first time he has told his drivers to

of its own rules by allowing the driver to remain

become good just by becoming big. They think of

disobey the law. Most drivers will remember

anonymous because he has given us his name and

London licensed taxi drivers

- better known

August

2009 when the same Mr Griffin

call sign. He has also passed on all the cab infor-

around the world as black cab drivers.

“informed” his drivers that they were allowed to

mation he took on that day together with his per-

I don’t know who will win the Mayoral elec-

use the M4 bus/taxi lane. Of course they weren’t,

sonal details to John Mason and Helen

tion, especially this one with its sad - if sometimes

but in the end the lane returned to the status quo

Chapman at London Taxis and Private Hire.

amusing - childish behaviour from the main con-

of allowing everyone in it rather than the

Do we feel sorry for any yellow badge driver

tenders, but I shall be interested in seeing what

Highways Agency getting into legal battles with

caught touting - because that’s what it is? The

we actually get afterwards! Will roadworks vanish?

the man who has so much money that he and his

short answer is no, because green badge drivers

Will minicab touting become a thing of the past?

sons recently bought themselves their own golf

spend a long, long time doing the Knowledge,

Will Pedicabs suddenly vaporise? Will the cost of

course while their drivers work ultra-long hours

whereas the yellow badge licence is substantially

a new Euro 5 TX4 drop by around £6000 as VAT is

in order to make a living.

So what’s the answer? Easy! We cannot take

easier - which is why many do it. It’s no use any-

suddenly abolished on new taxis because they are

away anyone’s right to a judicial review, but

one telling me that there was lots of work there

100% wheelchair accessible? Well, you never

LTPH/TfL should and must take away the

and that if the suburban drivers didn’t take it then

know!

Operator’s licence of a man who believes that he

the minicabs would, because that is rubbish. If

What I do know is that despite some of the

and not the Mayor, runs the two trades.

you have ever driven along Lower Richmond

appalling behaviour in the debates, we must never

In a way, it is equally the fault of LTPH/TfL

Road towards Putney, then you’ll know that even-

forget that the right to vote is something that should

because of the way they have tried to equalise the

tually you will see another empty cab in front of

be treasured. As such, we should all get out on 3 May

two sides of this business. Whilst most people

you. The road is very well serviced and yellow

to cast a vote for your favourite candidate. If you still

realise that we both take people from A to B, we

badge drivers do not do it just to help us. It is

need help, many of the main candidates give you

are as different as a registered doctor and some-

nothing short of greed and they have no more

some reminders inside this issue.

one who tells you to take some paracetamol for a

right to pick up those passengers than a minicab

headache after reading it in a manual. Without the

tout would.

Discounted TX4s

manual, he is lost.

A week after the Boat Race, Call Sign did its

If the Chancellor of the Exchequer disagrees with

Without his licence John Griffin will be the

own little survey; it was on Friday 13 April at

any newly elected Mayor’s desire to have VAT

Chairman of an unauthorised group of drivers, but

around 9pm - a quiet time of evening and a day

abolished on new taxis and we don’t get the VAT

until he realises that he is not above the law then I

when the children were still on holiday. We looked

back after he/she is elected, then there is one

see no other answer. With the Olympics around the

at the rank outside Putney Station and counted

offer that will be honoured!

corner, we could be looking at an all-out war and I

nine taxis stretched out along it. Five had yellow

Inside this issue, you will find a flyer from the

guarantee TfL that real taxi drivers - and indeed all

identifiers while we guessed that the other four

London Taxi Company aimed at Dial-a-Cab dri-

the guys currently slogging their guts out on the

were also that colour, but just had empty plastic

vers whose taxis are approaching the 15-year age

Knowledge of London - will not sit idly by and

sleeves. Is that not a large proportion not to dis-

limit. So if your sherbet is over 14 years old, take a

watch this trade - our trade - get sold down the

play identifiers? So we took a 20 minute trip out to

minute or two and read the flyer. The London Taxi

river. TfL are to be congratulated on their speedy

Twickenham Station and found around one in five

Company’s offer is currently aimed at DaC drivers

response, but it won’t frighten Griffin because the

with no identification disc. Are yellow IDs printed

and is offering you a straight £2000 for your old

man who now refers to his fleet as taxis rather than

on inferior cardboard that fades into nothing?

taxi if it is 14 or more years old - and I suspect that

minicabs - as he used to - truly believes that he is

Read the article inside this issue and let Call Sign

whilst it may be worth much more to you, in the

untouchable. Time will tell...

know if you think the writer was being too hard.

real world a cab approaching the 15-year limit is

virtually worthless.

To those of you who are going away, have a

Mayoral elections

There is also a special offer if you want to buy

great time. To those who are staying behind and

I love the build-up to the Mayoral elections

one of their second hand cabs. So don’t just dis-

working, I hope it’s tearing busy. But I’ll see you

because for those few brief weeks we are no

card the flyer, because if your cab has sadly

all again on 1 July...

longer taxi drivers, but suddenly represent votes!

reached the end of the road then an extra £2000

Alan Fisher

During that time, we are showered with possibili-

towards your deposit can be a big help. And if the

ties of what the candidates hope they can do for

Chancellor agrees with any newly elected London

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign May 2012

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

group of people to break the law?

Dial-a-Cab and Apps...

I know you were all outraged by his behaviour

I, along with other Board Members, have

and I know some of us in the trade contacted

received complaints from members regarding

LTPH and higher, to complain about the situation.

some of our drivers subscribing to the ever

What Mr Griffin should remember is that his mini-

growing band of Apps providers for licensed

cabs are Private Hire and that taxis are Public Hire.

taxis. They are demanding that these members

We need to be able to use bus lanes so we can

should not be allowed on Dial-a-Cab as their

pick up and set down on the kerbside. Also, mini-

behaviour is counterproductive to this Society

cabs charge a fixed fare whereas taxis charge a

and that they should be given the choice of one

metered fare based on time and distance, so we

or the other.

need to take the fastest/quickest route, which

I can understand their frustration; however

includes using bus lanes.

what they are suggesting would be almost

I really believe Mr Griffin has opened a can

impossible for us to police. It would also make

of worms for himself as people are now asking

us appear churlish and resentful of the all the

why he has donated £250k to the Tories since

new Apps that are out there. After all, members

December 2008 and also a non-cash donation

could have numerous Apps on their phone and

of £4,045.58p. I can only assume that second

we would be totally oblivious of the fact. At the

figure is for minicab rides that were not

moment, the only stipulation we make is that

charged, however, that is only an assumption

we will not allow a permanent fitting in the cab

motion. But I have always been under the

on my part as the figure is not itemised.

from any organisation that is in direct competi-

impression that it is an offence to use a mobile

I know Mr Griffin has done well, but he now

tion with Dial-a-Cab and that will apply to any

phone whilst a vehicle is in motion, unless of

appears to believe that he is above the law and

hardware that is fitted to the vehicle.

course it is hands free. So I am confused as how

probably thinks that way because the authorities

All these Apps boast they are endeavouring

drivers receive trips on an App whilst the vehi-

were not harsh enough in the past. If you remem-

to take work back from minicabs and that

cle is in motion. He must receive it as some sort

ber, he instructed his drivers to use the red carpet

should be commended, however they are

of text and if he does, he must be capable of

coming in from Heathrow Airport and the result

doing it at the driver’s expense. The driver is

reading the details whilst the mobile phone is

was that the authorities disbanded the bus/taxi

expected to run to the pick-up for nothing,

lane and scrubbed his 200 fines and 130 sum-

then wait five minutes before engaging the

mounted on the dashboard or windscreen.

monses. Mr Griffin is not a stupid man; he knows

meter and will then be expected to give 10% of

Alternatively, the driver should stop and pull to

that 65,000 minicabs together with 25,000 taxis

the fare to the App provider.

the side of the road to read the details and exe-

will not be allowed to use bus lanes. I believe he

I have been in this trade a long time and I

cute a function every time he receives or sends

now thinks the easy way out for the authorities is

know the above will prevail when business is

a message, otherwise it is illegal!

to also ban taxis, so that neither can use bus lanes.

quiet, but when it gets busier - and it will - or

If I have it wrong as to how the system works,

If that is the case, then he knows that taxis will

the traffic is extra heavy or God forbid we

then good! If I have it right, then it is just a mat-

experience even more delays due to congestion

should have some rain, then their service will

ter of time before there is a major incident

and in turn, because of the time factor, make the

be doomed as drivers will just not offer a ser-

involving a taxi - and none of us want that!

taxi fare more expensive - which is exactly what

vice for nothing when it is busy and, of course,

he wants!

that is when the customer wants the service.

Mr Griffin and Addison Lee...

I am delighted that LTPH and TfL threatened

After all, they can hail a taxi easily enough on

You will all have heard about Mr Griffin of Addison

to prosecute his drivers and remove his

the street when it’s quiet.

Lee instructing his drivers to drive in bus lanes.

Operators Licence. I just hope that scenario

Finally on this topic, there is one part I am not

There will probably be more about this in Call

still prevails when you read this piece...

quite sure about. Many cars today have a SatNav

Sign, but I think it pertinent that I should mention

fitted as standard equipment, pretty much the

it. I believe on this occasion, Mr Griffin has gone

Brian Rice

same as our radio circuit terminals are fitted and

too far and has really antagonised the authorities,

Chairman

they can be operated whilst the vehicle is in

but what does he expect when you instruct a

Spare DaC taxis

Drivers often ask about taxi garages where Dial-

a-Cab taxis are available for use while your cab

is off the road, so if you need a DaC-fitted termi-

nal try phoning one of the following garages for

availability…

For any non-fault accidents try either:

Chief Taxis: -------------------0800 055 6221

Cab Aid: -----------------------0800 028 3253

Overhauls or accident repairs:

Cricklewood Carriers: -----

0208 452 5461

KPM: --------------------------

0207 375 1179

Justcabs (formerly L&P):-- 0207 739 0210

Howard Kott of Justcabs is also happy to rent out a

DaC taxi if not being used as a loan cab

Call Sign May 2012

Page 5

FUEL SURCHARGE???

With the recent hikes in fuel charges, the question Call Sign has been asked more than any other is at

what level a fuel surcharge is added to the fare? So we are reproducing parts of the TfL press release

that was agreed in February. To save anyone asking, no, the garage in Sloane Avenue isn’t the barom-

eter used to calculate any surcharge…!

Since July 2008, special provisions have been in

the consultation.

increment be retained as this provides an

place to allow an extra to be added to taxi fares

The general response to extending this

appropriate degree of stability for customers

if London average diesel costs reached a thresh-

arrangement was positive, although the taxi

while compensating drivers if fuel costs

old level, in order to compensate drivers for sig-

radio circuits were against a fuel charge extra

increase significantly.

nificant mid-year rises in fuel costs. This

being introduced if taxi fares were increased

The Board is therefore asked to approve

arrangement was continued by the Board in

by 5.2 per cent, as they felt this would be

the introduction of a 40 pence extra to be

February 2011, with a 40 pence extra if London

unfair on passengers. Two of the main drivers’

charged if London retail diesel fuel prices

retail diesel fuel prices (as measured by the

associations considered that the extra charge

(as measured by the Arval index) reach

Arval index) reached the threshold level of

should be reduced to

20 pence and the

the threshold level of 179.7 pence per litre

159.7 pence per litre between 2 April 2011 and

threshold reduced accordingly. However, it is

between 14 April 2012 and 6 April 2013.

1 January 2012.

considered that this provision should only be

Once in place, the extra fuel charge would

The proposed extension of the fuel charge

implemented for a significant increase in fuel

remain in force until 6 April 2013 (the annual tar-

extra during 2012/13 was included as part of

costs and it is proposed that the 40 pence

iff revision) even if fuel prices subsequently fell.

Hammersmith flyover progress

Garrett Emmerson, Chief

Familiar

sight to

Operating Officer for Surface

taxi drivers

Transport at TfL has told Call

Sign: “We are approaching a

critical phase in our race to

reopen the Hammersmith

Flyover as quickly as possible

and it required the recent

overnight and weekend clo-

sures so as to ensure that the

works were carried out safely

and correctly.

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

“I would once again like to apologise

for any inconvenience that this work is

376 Strand, WC2

causing and reassure everyone affected

We Invite Dial-a-Cab drivers and their guests to our

that we are continuing to work around

the clock to complete the vital works as

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

quickly as possible.”

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

Work to strengthen the five weakest

and go over the years, we are happy to be able to

spans of the 16 span structure will be

offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill

completed in June 2012, well ahead of

the London 2012 Games. This will ensure

We are certain that you will be delighted

that the flyover can carry full traffic load-

ing during the Games and hopefully for

many decades to come.

However, following the Games, TfL will

return to the structure to strengthen the

remaining spans but that work will not

require further weight restrictions to be

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

imposed and TfL hope to complete it

Salieri Restaurant

with off peak lane closures and minimal

376 Strand, WC2

closures to the flyover, causing limited

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

traffic disruption.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 6

Jery’s World

"When they promised we could use the Olympic lanes before the Mayoral election, I thought they meant the ones OUTSIDE the arena!"

Triumph - Gary was right!

In the September Call Sign, Gary Cox (O46) wrote an article on what he thought

would be the re-emergence of the Triumph name to the world of motorbikes. He

praised John Bloor as the man who had rescued Triumph from the scrapheap in 1984

after the original manufacturer, Triumph Engineering, went into receivership. But in

Gary’s view, Mr Bloor was about to turn it into a British success story with his new

Triumph.

That was September. Now Triumph have unveiled their new bike, the Triumph

Explorer, to rave reviews throughout the biking world and in direct competition with

BMWs endurance bike, the r1200gs. The Explorer was designed by a Northumbrian-

based company, Xenophya, catapulting them onto the world stage of design. Now and

perhaps as a sign of acceptance, Lord Digby Jones has joined the Triumph board.

Triumph have now started up a bike factory to produce small bikes for the Indian mar-

ket - the cheapest but largest market in the world and one that will unlock the

Indonesian and Chinese markets.

North City Triumph who went from a small shop in Chigwell in anticipation of the suc-

cess of future models, to much larger premises in Romford told Call Sign: “We also kept

running out of our Triumph clothing range because it's so good, but at last have man-

aged to get on top of the problem. Apparently we no longer just sell Triumph bikes!”

• Roadside repair

Spanish based dealerships are complaining that the Euro is too strong, but Spanish

• Roadside assistance

businessmen returning home after working in the British markets are now buying retro

• Running repair recovery

Triumph Bonnevilles - named after the famous salt flats where Triumph test out the

• Accident recovery

bike’s top speeds. All in all, it represents a huge success for Britain.

• Pay as you go to membership

Thrilled with his prediction skills, Gary finished by saying: “Brian Rice told

me when l caught up with him in a posh café that the first Knowledge student

• Credit card taken at roadside

he sees doing the knowledge on a Triumph bike will get 3 months free subs on

Dial-a-Cab, because it’s great for British manufacturing!”

When we told the Chairman about Gary’s claim, he told us: “Well done Gary for your

0845 094 5307

spot-on forecast in our magazine, you would make a good Commodities Broker! I know

We make wheels turn

your last sentence was meant as a joke regarding the posh café and three months free

subs for the first person to do the KoL on a Triumph Explorer - but why not!”

so you can earn.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 7

Crashes? My DaC taxi must be magnetised

“Yes, my taxi does seem to have attracted a few

John said: “Eventually I had a phone call from

more incidents than you’d normally expect

yet another company admitting that their

over the years,” Dial-a-Cab driver John Kiely

records had been lost. I was very evasive in my

(V76) admitted to Call Sign.

answers as in my opinion there were just too

“Thankfully none of them have been of my

many lawyers involved. Then surprisingly, I

own doing; it’s just that other people seem

finally received a cheque for £300.00 in settle-

unable to resist colliding with my cab!” He

ment of my claim and a request to complete a

grinned and said with a sarcastic smile that he

questionnaire with regard to the particular

had even considered there might be a super-

company’s service levels!”

strength magnet hidden away within his cabs’

“Service levels? They had to be joking. It took

darkest depths dragging other metal vehicles

four years - yes, four long years - to settle a sim-

into his taxi!

ple claim because of the incompetence of

John Kiely - My taxi must have

Thinking back, he told us of just two of sev-

some jobsworth and they now wanted me to

eral examples of his magnetisation: “I recall one

magnets on!

fill out another form!” John roared with laugh-

collision where I was flagged down in

ter at the thought.

Fitzmaurice Place, Mayfair, and as I pulled into

to my insurers. I was also quietly relieved when

“On another occasion not long before, I

the kerb, a linen laundry delivery van decided

my passenger offered his details as a witness to

was in Gresham Street in the City when the

to exit from a service bay at some speed with-

the event. I then took the cab into my garage

lorry in front of me jumped the traffic lights

out any signal or looking to see if his exit was

for the repairs to be done.”

at Guildhall, realised what he had done and

clear - which it wasn’t because I was there! So

Continuing with his tale, John said that over

decided to reverse into the front of my cab!

there we were in a ‘V’ formation with his front

a period of time there had been correspon-

The lorry driver walked back towards me

end firmly against the nearside rear wing and

dence between his insurers and various legal

shouting why I had done that? He was sug-

corner bumper of my cab. He tried to drive off

agencies from the third party. He received let-

gesting that I had driven into the back of his

but couldn’t and also declined to offer his dri-

ters asking him to sign various documents, but

truck. Luckily, a passing pedestrian had seen

ving licence or insurance details. So I quietly

because it seemed every letter he received was

the whole thing and offered to be my wit-

suggested to the driver that he had just 5 sec-

from a different agency asking for the same

ness, handing me his business card with his

onds to provide those details before I called for

details he had originally given anyway, he

contact details and the case was eventually

the police - slowly removing the mobile from

began getting confused as to who was who and

resolved! I could go on with the rest of

my pocket to show him I was not kidding. I

to whom he had talking to on any phone calls

them, but I think you get the picture!

was blocking him in by the way the cab was

he received.

“As a kid, I loved playing with magnets…I

positioned on the road, so he wasn’t going any-

John decided that he would not sign or

have my doubts now!”

where soon. He got the message at that point

answer any more paperwork, taking the view

and came up with the goods, but I thought it

that somewhere along the line, those details

was all a bit dodgy and duly reported it all back

that he had supplied had been misplaced.

Martin Cordell & Co.

ACCOUNTANTS

Does your accountant supply you with the following?

Over forty years of experience with the Licensed London Taxi Trade.

Processing of self-assessment returns.

Advice on trading as a Limited Company with its tax advantages and potential pitfalls.

Preparation of accounts.

Initial consultation dealing with loss of earnings claims (due to accidents on the road etc.)

Letters to banks, building societies

and other lenders.

Specialist in-house facilities to deal with Inland Revenue enquiry cases.

(This is expensive and time consuming. Ask your accountant how much he will charge should this

unpredictable event occur).

A three hundred and sixty five days a year service.

A ‘nightshift’

service.

Offices in North and East London.

First consultation free of charge.

Martin Cordell & Co . . . Do!

All for one yearly fee

The London Taxi Trades Premier Accountants

(24 hour answering service for prompt service)

020 8980 7161

(24 hour answering service for prompt service)

1-5 Alfred Street, Bow, London E3 2BE also at

Front Office, First Floor, 9 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4AS

www.martin-cordell.co.uk

Call Sign May 2012

Page 8

GRIFFIN

DECLARES WAR!

It was mid-April when news gradually filtered

criminal offence for which PHV drivers may be personally prosecuted.”

He ended by saying: “Drivers who repeatedly contravene traffic regula-

into the trade of a letter that Addison Lee boss,

tions, including by intentionally driving in bus lanes, may be considered unfit

John Griffin, had sent to all his drivers. The letter,

to hold a PHV driver's licence and operators who encourage such conduct

may be considered unfit to hold a PHV operator's licence.”

signed by the AL Chairman, read:

In a statement, TfL said:

Dear Driver,

“As regulatory authority for taxis and PHVs in London, TfL con-

The directors of Addison Lee plc believes that the current bus lane regula-

siders the decision to issue this letter inciting drivers to break the

tions, which allow London black cabs to use the bus lanes but prohibit pri-

law is irresponsible. It has called upon them to rescind it. It is

vate hire from doing so, is illegal as it discriminates against private hire oper-

urgently considering legal and regulatory action against Addison Lee

ators and drivers who offer a competing taxi service. We also believe that it

and will revoke their licence to operate if necessary.”

denies the public freedom of choice as journey times in the bus lanes are

Addison Lee has brought legal proceedings arguing that current regula-

much quicker that those outside the lanes. Our legal advice in this matter is

tions are in breach of European Union law. TfL is contesting those pro-

that bus lane regulations are currently being misinterpreted to exclude PHV’s

ceedings, which have not been determined and there has been no order by

from bus lanes. Such misinterpretation is unlawful in the following respects.

the court suspending the regulations. The legal process is continuing.

It is in breach of European rules relating to the freedom of estab-

MD of Surface Transport at LTI, Leon Daniels, told Call Sign: “The letter

lishment and freedom to supply services, it infringes the general EU

from the management of Addison Lee is utterly irresponsible. By issuing it,

principal of equal treatment, it infringes the English common law

Addison Lee risk regulatory action against themselves and leave their staff

principles of equality before the law and it denies free and fair com-

liable to criminal prosecution. We have asked them to withdraw their letter

petition in providing an unfair advantage to one group of commer-

immediately and also writing to all Addison Lee drivers reminding them that

cial operators over others.

repeated breaches of traffic regulations could see their licence to operate

Addison Lee has sought and been granted a judicial review on this issue

withdrawn.

which is due to be heard by the end of the year. In the meantime Addison

“London’s bus lanes are in place to ensure the efficient operation of the

Lee believes that we cannot allow our customers to continue to be victims of

bus network, which carries more than six million passengers a day. Allowing

this unfair discriminatory treatment.

tens of thousands of Private Hire Vehicles to drive in bus lanes would seri-

As Chairman I can advise you that a lawful interpretation of the bus lane

ously disrupt the bus network and our passengers’ ability to get around the

regulations entitles Addison Lee drivers with private hire identifiers to use

capital.”

all bus lanes in the same way as our competitors. Accordingly you are fully

By the following morning, just one Addison Lee car was spotted in a bus

entitled to use the bus lanes.

and taxi lane. The passenger? John Griffin!

We can confirm that entry into the bus lanes is not an endorsable offence

and that we will indemnify all Addison Lee drivers from any fines or other

liabilities that may result from using the bus lanes as a result of this advice.

Should any conflict arise between yourself and any black taxi operator please

be patient, make a note of any details and use your camera where possible.

John Griffin

Chairman, Addison Lee PLC

Call Sign immediately called LTPH who told us that they were consulting

with their solicitors. Twenty four hours later they came out with all guns

blazing and threatened to prosecute and withdraw licenses from any private

hire drivers that used the bus lanes. While John Griffin offered to pay any

fines, TfL now spoke about revocation of licenses, which moved the ball to

a much bigger pitch.

Director of Taxis and Private Hire, John Mason wrote: “Under current

regulations, driving a PH vehicle in a bus lane during hours when the bus

lane is operative (and other than to pick up and set down passengers) is a

France: Breathalysers

must be carried

If you are planning to either cycle or drive

through France, then be prepared for new

laws that are scheduled to come into force

on July 1 and which require riders or dri-

vers to carry a disposable breathalyser

with them.

Should you be stopped by les gen-

darmes and found not to have the cheap un

that are sold for around 2euros, then you w

face an automatic 11euro fine.

The French legal alcohol limit is tougher than the UK’s at 50mg

per 100ml of blood. Ours is 80mgs.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 10

Mayor: We’ll keep traffic moving!

London will be the first city in the UK to make

around the vital arteries of our road system, but

utility companies pay for the amount of time

give us for the first time the chance to penalise

they dig up the busiest roads, incentivising

disruptive works where it hurts - in the wallet

them to complete works at the least disruptive

- using the revenues to fund further innovative

times, Mayor Boris Johnson has announced.

ways to keep London's taxis and general traffic

The scheme had been successfully lobbied

moving."

for by the Mayor and has now been formally

So far this year, the Mayor's campaign has led

approved by the Department for Transport to

to almost 4,000 fewer roadworks on TfL roads

begin in June 2012. This will allow TfL to charge

between last April and the end of 2011 - a fall

utility firms up to £2,500 a day for working in

of 13% over the same period in 2010. By the

congested areas or at busy times. It will cover

end of this financial year, serious and severe dis-

around 330km (57%) of the TfL road network

ruption caused by roadworks on London's red

(red routes) and covers areas most susceptible

routes is expected to be down by almost 40%

to major disruption from roadworks. The new

since permitting was introduced in January

scheme will also apply to any TfL works carried

will be jointly overseen by TfL and the major

2010.

out on its road network, farther ensuring that

utility companies. Specifically, this will be used

The Mayor added that since being Mayor, he

works are delivered with minimal disruption.

to research new innovations such as quick cur-

had cracked down on minicab touts and more

By encouraging utility companies and high-

ing materials and improved plating technology,

recently there had been a purge on dangerous

way authorities to carry out their work

which would allow excavations to be tem-

pedicabs. He said that over the past year, there

overnight or during off-peak hours, road users -

porarily covered and roads to return to normal

had been over 1300 arrests for cab related

including taxi and bus passengers - will benefit

use more quickly.

offences including touting.

from more reliable journey times and less dis-

Boris Johnson told Call Sign: "This is a real

He ended by saying that he had halved the

ruption. Any additional revenue raised by the

victory for all London road users, helping us to

size of the Olympic Road Network, which was

scheme once operating costs have been recov-

further tackle the scourge of shoddy and badly

now down from its original size of 140kms to

ered, will be put towards measures that could

managed roadworks. Lane rental is a win-win as

70kms but added that there was still more he

reduce disruption from roadworks and which

it will not only help traffic pump smoothly

had to do...

Brian Paddick: “Green loans for taxi drivers!”

Lib-Dem London Mayoral candidate and former deputy assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan Police

Brian Paddick, has revealed plans for a Green loan scheme to help drivers whose cabs are approaching

the 15-year limit upgrade to zero-emission vehicles. Mr Paddick claimed that the current Mayor had failed

on his projected £1m clean taxi fund of two years ago with Boris Johnson now saying that technology

had not progressed far enough to enable mass deployment of the scheme.

Mr Paddick spoke of a series of green transport policies he would bring in if elected as Mayor on May 3,

including offering to help London taxi drivers upgrade to electric vehicles and that he would achieve that

by setting up a subsidy scheme to reduce the upfront capital cost, although he did add that finer details

would need to be sorted out. Mr Paddick said that his idea would be based on the government's upcom-

ing Green Deal loan scheme. That allows property owners to install energy efficiency measures at no

upfront cost and then repaying the loan through their energy bill. According to Brian Paddick, estimated

savings on bills always exceed repayments to cover the initial costs. The Mayoral hopeful said that the

scheme could easily be adapted to taxis.

Mr Paddick added: “We should look at a scheme for taxi drivers whereby they can be funded upfront to replace their taxis with electric

cabs and then pay back the cost of the loan over the lifetime of the taxi from savings made by using electricity rather than diesel.”

He continued: “We have to look at the overall total cost to society of the issues of reducing the capital's PM10 levels and then make the

argument to government that part of the cost of helping taxi drivers to change their vehicles will come back because of lower running

costs.”

He said that Lib-Dems would invest £55million on electric charging points for London and that although he knew the upgrade programme

would require additional subsidies, he said that health improvements through lower PM10s and subsequent savings to the National Health

Service would help pay for it.

Mr Paddick has said that if elected, he would allow taxi drivers into the Olympic routes and also press for more parking and

toilet facilties…

LTPH on Twitter!

As part of their commitment to look into innovative ways to improve communication with the trade, LTPH have recently set up their own

Twitter account so they can get relevant information to licensed taxi drivers and operators.

‘Tweets’ will contain news and updates such as important information on taxi rank suspensions, train services being cancelled and details of

forthcoming TPH consultations. Initially LTPH expect there to be around 2-3 tweets per day. In addition, they will be providing drivers with real

time information during the Olympics and Paralympics Games, such as highlighting times of events and where there will be a significant

demand for taxis.

Join them by visiting Twitter and follow the signing up instructions for an account. Then search for the Taxi & Private Hire account by typing

in @TfLTPH in the search bar. Click 'Follow' to become a member and you will then begin to receive 'tweets' from them and join the several

hundred who already follow them..

The TPH twitter account will provide information only and will not respond to tweets from followers. Any questions should be directed in the nor-

mal manner via TPH.Enquiries@tfl.gov.uk. LTPH hope that you will support them with their new communication channel and help spread the word.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 11

You have long been known as very pro-

bus. Boris Johnson has cut back on some

bus numbers because they were clogging

Call Sign Speaks

up main roads just by sheer numbers.

Would you bring back the buses that were

taken out of service or are you happy with

numbers as they are?

to Ken Livingstone

KL: I hope I am known as pro-taxi too!

Actually the impact of the Tory Mayor’s policies

has been to increase the number of buses on

This issue of Call Sign has tried to give you the views of the main

routes where he took away the bendy-buses. He

candidates for the Mayoral elections on 3 May. This page asks a

had to, because the bendies could take so

few questions of the previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone...

many more passengers. But now they have

gone, I am not planning on bringing them

though the vehicle costs extra because it

back.

caters specially for the disabled? If you

You recently spoke of priority measures

agree that they should at least be partially

to help buses avoid the worst of the traffic

VAT free, would you recommend that to

jams. Does that include taxis?

the Chancellor if you win the election?

KL: Yes - because what I was talking about

KL: Part of the role of the mayor is certain-

was more bus/taxi lanes and more priority for

ly to lobby the government on behalf of

vehicles that use these lanes at traffic lights.

Londoners. I would be happy to discuss this

with the trade if I am elected Mayor.

Boris has his scheme to make utilities pay

What is your view on Addison Lee

if they take too long in digging up a road.

Chairman, John Griffin’s instruction to

Do you have any plans to speed up road-

his drivers to use bus/taxi lanes?

works?

KL: Addison Lee Chairman, John Griffin’s,

KL: Boris Johnson has taken four years to

instruction to his drivers to flout bus lane rules

implement the lane rental scheme that I start-

is incitement to break the law and create

ed negotiating with government when I was

anarchy on the roads. He should be prosecut-

Mayor. I will certainly be more energetic in

ed and Addison Lee’s suitability to operate as a

means Londoners have to have money in their

making use of it.

licenced private hire firm must be reviewed.

pockets to be able to afford a cab. My key elec-

Addison Lee is a major donor to the

One other thing I will do to speed up taxi

tion pledges are all about making Londoners

Conservative Party - giving £25,000 in to Boris

trips is to move to ban pedicabs, which are

better off - through a £30 a week London-wide

Johnson’s campaign in 2008 and at least a

dangerous to their passengers and pedestrians

Education Maintenance Allowance to help 16-

further £250,000 to the Tories since. The Tories

alike. During my last term I was well under-

19 year olds stay in education, a new lettings

should declare if they have received any dona-

way to obtaining a legal ruling. Mayor

agency to cut rents, bulk buying electricity to

tions from Addison Lee for the 2012 mayoral

Johnson abandoned this approach. If elected I

cut household energy bills, supporting child-

election and, if so, when they will be returning

will instruct City Hall lawyers to start the

care costs and cutting bus and Tube fares.

them.

process again.

Taxi drivers and their families will benefit

Taxis are allowed in bus lanes because they

Taxi driver's cabs over 15 years old are

twice - first through more money in their pock-

are licensed to pick up and drop off passengers

coming off the road. Do you have any

ets and purses, and second through other

when they are hailed in the street and so need

thoughts as to how you can help these dri-

Londoners having more cash to spend on cabs.

access to the kerb. Minicabs are only licensed

vers should you win the election?

Whilst any decision comes from the

if trips are pre-booked and so do not need the

KL: Drivers need to be able to recover the

Chancellor, what is your view on taxi dri-

same access. I will not support minicabs hav-

cost of buying their vehicle through fares. That

vers having to pay VAT on a new cab even

ing access to bus lanes.

Jenny Jones: Taxi drivers vote Green!

Dear Call Sign readers, at the Green Party we believe black cabs play a crucial role in helping Londoners and visitors

get around. We are worried about plans such as those to exclude taxis from the special Olympics lanes and generally

reduce taxi ranks at this time of high demand. We believe that the capital’s transport policy should not be putting

black cabs out of business and we think London needs a Mayor who will get to grips with vital issues like touts, con-

gestion, emissions and the safety of all road users - including cyclists, pedestrians and cabbies themselves.

But as well as safety, the health of Londoners needs to be a main focus of the plan for transport. As things stand,

over 4,000 people in the capital die prematurely as a result of air pollution every year. Taxis are the biggest contribu-

tor towards this pollution, generating nearly a third of the particulates that cause damage to our hearts, lungs and

respiratory system. It harms the drivers, their customers and many other Londoners. If taxis are to continue to play

a major role in helping Londoners and visitors get around town, we must help the trade ensure that its vehicles

pollute less.

A whole series of mistakes has been made in handling London’s air pollution problem. The biggest let-down is

that innovation has been blocked, partly because of the rigid adoption of the Conditions of Fitness, which favour a monopoly

provider. More fuel-efficient alternatives (with less CO2 emissions) to the TX series have been consistently blocked because of the PCO clinging to

the turning circle. The infrastructure for gas fuels, like LPG, has not been supported. TfL have shown little willingness to support drivers who for several

years have wanted to reduce pollution by switching fuels, rather than buying a new vehicle. Instead, cabbies have been required to fit clean up devices

that seem to have delivered unimpressive results.

The promise of an electric vehicle in the future has taken the place of a simple-to fit hybrid device in the here and now. Given that the cabs in inner

London spend the majority of their time stationary, this could potentially have been a cheap and very cost effective way of cutting pollution dramatically.

The Mayor has generated great headlines for himself since 2010 for his £1m fund to help cab drivers switch to low emission vehicles. This fund was

even mentioned in the November consultation document on the introduction of the 15 year age limit ban as a way of helping cabbies to upgrade cabs.

We now know that the Mayor's £1m pot of money never existed and was a complete fiction.

The Green Party believes that this is unacceptable and TfL should support making cabs low emission in order to make our air safer to breathe.

Supporting hybrid and resisting deregulation are two key ways in which a Green City Hall can help the taxi trade to flourish.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 12

Y INTERACT is a US company that works on

matters concerning today's changing commu-

nications universe - and nothing is changing

more than the world involving Apps. Although

their latest creation doesn’t yet involve the

Apps: It was just

London taxi industry, you can be certain that it

- or something similar - soon will. After all,

Hailo has arrived in New York, so nothing will

stop the reverse happening over here

The new App - Report a Taxi - is currently

a matter of time!

working in New York and allows taxi passengers

to instantly report their driver via a smartphone

App by just entering the cabbie’s medallion

New York passengers can now report their driver by App…

number and then selecting from a list of “com-

How long before this

mon complaints.” The passenger then fills out

App hits London

the data, time and location of the problem trip,

pushes a button and their complaint instantly

iPhone than to the road.

wings its way to the NY version of our LTPH -

There is no mention of

the Taxi and Limousine Commission. There is

protecting the driver

no need to inform the driver they are being

against passengers mak-

reported. And of course Call Sign doesn’t need

ing up complaints after

to remind readers that getting a London taxi dri-

a bad day in the office or

ver’s licence number has never been easier!

possibly out of bore-

They even know the colour!

dom.

Of the 814 passengers who used the NY App

More importantly,

between December and March, the number

we wonder not who

one gripe involved refusing to take customers

will create the first

to their destinations, with a close second being

App specifically to

that of the driver talking on their mobile

report a London taxi

phone. Drivers being “disrespectful” or not

empower and protect passengers across New

driver, but when it will be announced…

allowing the passenger to pay by credit card

York and that Report a Taxi would also “bring

followed closely behind.

justice” to anyone that has been refused a ride

Baghwat Singh

Y INTERACT say they hope the App helps to

or had a driver that paid more attention to their

Call Sign Online

UKIP Mayoral candidate says…

KEN AND BORIS DON’T CARE ABOUT TAXIS!!!

As the Mayoral election hots up, UKIP candidate

preserve of the black cab?”

Lawrence Webb has put his finger up at the

He said that traditional taxi ranks were being

two neck and neck favourites to win the position

removed, while satellite offices were springing up

- current Mayor Boris Johnson and former

everywhere with clipboard Johnnies working

incumbent Ken Livingstone. Mr Webb claims

alongside ranks of minicabs illegally plying for hire.

that the policies of Ken and Boris show they

He ended by accusing Messrs Johnson and

“don’t care about London’s taxi trade.”

Livingstone of arguing about “…whose train set

Mr Webb calls the taxi business “iconic” and says

will run faster than the others while trying to dis-

tourists associate us as being part of the London

tract us with their various vanity projects,” and

scene, but adds that our industry is under threat fol-

that London’s cabbies knew exactly what was

lowing last November’s decision that all new taxis

going on.

had had to be fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter.

He continued: “Instead of an all new engine,

this filter is simply being retro-fitted to the existing

model. Whist we all want to breathe cleaner air,

these filters are not the answer especially as they

add an extra £3000 or so to the cost of a new

taxi. In many ways, this is nothing more than a tax

levied at a sector that can ill-afford it at a time

when fuels costs are going through the roof.

“But it is not just the additional cost that these

filters bring,” says Mr Webb, “they just do not work

in an urban environment and can often result in

costly repairs, not only in having the filters re-gener-

ated, but also to the engine itself if the filters are

allowed to clog, which then causes back-pressure.”

He threw in the possibility of a VAT-free taxi as

we drive the only public transport that is fully

wheelchair accessible. That would put the cost

of a new TX4i down to around £28,000.

Mr Webb claims that Ken Livingstone despises

all that is British and particularly those things

that are uniquely so - with the UKIP candidate

obviously placing taxis into that category. He

asks why Mr Livingstone “…massively increased

the number of private-hire vehicles in London

while Boris has presided over ever-greater

encroachment of these operators into the areas

that were once (and legally still should be) the

Call Sign May 2012

Page 14

Outer zones again...

During these quieter times, more and more dri-

vers are not following the correct booking-in

Contact Centre Chat

procedures for outer zones. Without wishing to

With Keith Cain

sound like a broken record, all outer zones are

physical zones, which clearly mean a driver

vehicle to get the passenger to operate it. We

must be within the zone to book in.

are still working on the procedures and how

Drivers who have been caught are using the

we can deal with a scrub for a driver if the trip

excuse that so long as the driver can get to the

is accepted from the terminal.

pick-up in an outer zone within 15 minutes,

Initially, we are looking to put a minimum

then it’s ok. Unfortunately that is not the case.

deposit against the card as soon as it's taken.

A physical zone means the driver must be with-

This will ensure a payment is taken should the

in the zone to book in. Those drivers that have

passenger cancel the cab or fail to make con-

been caught have not only been monitored by

tact with the driver. As I said, this is still a work

the controller, but also by other drivers who

in progress and members will be fully informed

have been deprived of receiving the trip offer.

before we start fitting the PEDS as to what the

Please ensure you book in correctly at all times;

procedure will be.

no one enjoys putting drivers on complaint,

The terminals are currently in the final stages of

but if that is the only deterrent that works then

testing and at the moment everything looks very

it will be done.

good. The functionality of the new terminal will

not have changed, so there is no need for any

Procedure changes

time parameters for the going home facility

additional training for members - although it will

The changes we made recently to our proce-

have not been altered.

be available should anyone feel unsure.

dures have been very successful and while a

We recently experienced some rain during

few drivers have voiced their opinion of dislike

Credit cards and the

the daylight hours and oh how the clients

for one of the changes, the vast majority of calls

altered their policies to use our service. It real-

that have been received have been very posi-

new terminals

ly is amazing how our business is affected by

tive. By the time you receive this issue of Call

In the last edition of the magazine, we

not just the state of the world economy, but

Sign, you will also have been advised that the

informed you of the new terminals and the

also the British weather!

Board has reviewed the going home facility and

credit card PEDS we will be fitting. One part of

Keith Cain

made the decision to reduce the number of

the development of the PED we are very happy

account rides that need to be taken from 5 to 3

with is the security we have built in so that the

Contact Centre Manager

before the code 21 can be switched on. The

driver does not have to leave the front of the

Driver’s Operations Manager

Open door at the Bank of England

To save Dial-a-Cab drivers and their fami-

lies asking, no, this isn’t an invitation to g

to the Bank of England and to help your

selves! It is a repeat of a very popular tour

LTFUCOUTING TO SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

that also took place last year and which

many drivers asked to be repeated as they

were away on holiday.

TUESDAY 26TH JUNE 2012

The tours take place on two Saturdays

in June and again over a weekend in

September. On all dates, the Bank of

England will invite visitors into the

famous Threadneedle Street building

for a close look behind the scenes and

visit rooms in which some of the UK’s

key monetary and financial stability

decisions are taken.

Among the highlights of the visit will be the Garden Court at the heart of

the Bank, where mulberry trees reflect the origins of paper money, the Court

Room which houses a wind-dial originally installed so that the Bank’s direc-

tors could forecast the arrival of merchant shipping in the Port of London and

Drivers, come and join us and have a fun-packed day by the sea!

the Committee Room, where the Monetary Policy Committee meets to make

its monthly decisions - currently to keep the bank rate at 0.5%.

We hope you can join us on our legendary annual outing

On Saturdays 23 & 30 June between 9.30am - 5pm (last entry 4pm) the

to Southend to give 200 special needs and underprivileged

Bank and its Museum will be open to visitors for thirty-minute behind-the-

children a fun-packed day. As well as giving the children a

scenes tours, taking in the Front Hall, Garden Court, the Monetary Policy

great deal of pleasure, we promise you will have a brilliant and

Committee’s meeting room and the Court Room.

Then on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September (same times) there will

enjoyable day out yourself.

be two further tours. No booking is required but go early to avoid the queue.

The Bank of England has occupied a building in Threadneedle Street since

WITHOUT YOU THERE ARE NO OUTINGS,

1734. In 1788, Sir John Soane was appointed as 'Architect and Surveyor' to

SO PLEASE CONTACT OUR DRIVERS' LIAISON…

the Bank. Soane extended the Bank's original building until 1828, when it

Hon Chair Susan Angel on 07958 280881

finally covered the whole 3.5 acres of the present site and was enclosed with

Committee member Steve Bell on 07811 508772

the windowless wall that still stands today.

The Museum’s new exhibition, Gold and the Bank of England, which

Or enter your details on our website’s

begins its run on 22 June and examines the part gold has played in the

Volunteer Page at www.ltfuc.org.uk

Bank’s long history, will be open on each of the tour dates.

There is no charge for admission to the Museum or for any event. Enter

The Hon President, Hon Chair and Committee would be very grateful

via Bartholomew Lane...

Go to www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum or

if you could join us and we look forward to seeing you on the day

museum@bankofengland.co.uk.

Or phone 020 7601 5545 or Twitter on http://twitter.com/bankofengland for

“None Walks so Tall as he who Stoops to help a Child”

more info...

Call Sign May 2012

Page 15

CELEBRATION

LTDA’S TAXI TO THE

RUNWAY CAMPAIGN

TIME FOR VIKING

London Taxi Company giving free receipt

pads in support

TAXI METERS!

The London

umping

onto the LTDA bandwagon to lend support to its current cam-

paign - Taxi to the Runway - which promotes licensed taxi

usage over other forms of public transport direct to the airport.

To celebrate the successful Dial-a-Cab testing of the Viking Taxi Meter

London Taxi Company Sales Director, Rob Laidler, said: “This

with their new in-cab equipment, Cricklewood Carriers Cab Co Ltd -

is a fantastic campaign and we are really pleased to be

as the sole and exclusive agents of the new Viking Taxi Meter - are

able to support it in any way that we can. This is

delighted to announce a totally unique and exclusive package to all Dial-

absolutely the type of consumer marketing that we

a-Cab drivers. The package consists of:

should be pulling together as an industry to do and we

* 5 years meter hire *

commend the LTDA for leading the way.”

To support the campaign, The London Taxi Company will

* 5 years full maintenance including all tariff changes *

install rear-screen advertising banners on all of their demonstra-

* Peace of mind non-increasing rental price for 5 years *

tor and courtesy vehicles.

* Professional installation service with extended opening

Any driver purchasing a new or used vehicle from Brewery

hours including Saturdays and 24/7 website back up *

Road who wishes to support the initiative, can also have the

* One-off payment of £500.00 *

advertising placed on their vehicle free of charge, prior to delivery.

THIS OFFER IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 500 CUSTOMERS

The London Taxi Company has also printed thousands of

In addition, the first 50 Dial-a-Cab members who take this deal

receipt pads promoting the Taxi to the Runway message to

give away free to drivers. To get yours, just pop into Brewery

will receive an additional 10% discount!

Road and ask at reception.

See their ad below…

Call Sign May 2012

Page 16

Quite clearly, the friendship and comrade-

Tony Arnold has appeared in Call Sign many times over the years,

ship we always had within our trade is at the

mainly in the role of helping drivers in other countries became

lowest ebb I have experienced in my 30

years. As the work dries up and it gets harder

good cabbies. Controversy hasn’t been his thing…until now!

to scrape a living, things will get that much

more fractious. Some recent examples occur

to me.

Help another driver?

I have broken down a few times within

the past year - on one occasion for a 3 - 4

hour period awaiting RAC or AA recovery.

On these occasions my taxi was obviously

Sorry mate, I’m too busy!

rendered useless and disabled in busy thor-

oughfares. The bonnet was up, hazard lights

flashing and 100s - yes 100s - of cabs passing

me by with not one bothering to ask what

the problem was, even to enquire whether I

perhaps just needed a jump start. Not one

single offer of help. Absolutely nothing.

On two of those occasions, several mes-

sages were sent through the DaC terminals

requesting help of some sort. Not one driver

responded to either of those occasions.

I was always taught to drive respectfully

and most importantly, always with the pro-

fessional dedication that our public

expect and more specifically that our mas-

ters at TfL expect. We have to maintain stan-

dards? That’s a joke now as some of our fel-

low drivers in their high-powered Ferrari-

type Vitos and TX4s cut up the inside in flow-

ing traffic and then pull out in front of us, do

U-turns in busy High Streets just to get in

front and trap one of those elusive jobs that

will - mark my words - dwindle before our

very eyes.

We have become selfish while I have

become cynical - a 55 year old thug who no

longer gives diddlysquat about my fellow dri-

On one of Tony’s many trips - this one was Beijing’s Tiannaman Square

ver. We book into false positions that quite

clearly and flagrantly break Dial-a-Cab’s

And I don’t need to speak English cos I'm

long ago when we cared about each other.

rules. We are in danger of losing those long

driving a bus that costs in excess of £400K

Private Hire is no longer - and never has been

jobs that still pay high dividends, so much so

and in which I can basically just operate a

- a sleeping giant. It is here to take our very

that some drivers hang up for them to make

few buttons and it moves forward!

work ethic from under our noses…

sure only they get them. After all, what driver

I have been very fortunate to travel and

in his right mind would book into E99 for

work in 34 different countries over the past

Tony Arnold (F03)

4/5 hours waiting? Isn’t the idea to go out to

10 years and proud to have been a sort of

work? You know, where you take your

leading light in this once great job, being

chances that someone might stick their hand

able to spread the word and show what the

up to call a taxi. But no, rather than wait

words ‘black taxi’ means and has achieved in

some would rather deceive their fellow dri-

its

400 year history. How? Simple really, it

vers by hanging up. Among them are so-

was by being

above all else

called cabbies who work the hotels - partic-

courteous, polite, knowledgeable, profession-

ularly around the Gloucester Road area and

al and very proud to drive the most recog-

who I am told bung the doormen £20! Are

nised vehicle in the world.

you out of your minds? How much are you

Please don’t blow it all away, let’s stop

charging the punters? No, no the drivers say,

being stupid and be like we were not that

they provide a service even if that involves

screwing all the other drivers that try to earn

a legal and honest living.

Call Sign

Or how about this… Go and buy a Vito

May 2012

and drive a van with windows for £42K.

Editor: Alan Fisher

Great, it carries 6 people and it’s nice and

Address: 39 - 47 East Rd, London N1 6AH

smooth. But it’s a van you silly people and

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

not only that, but 70% of private hire drivers

Website:-www.dac-callsign.co.uk

are in similar types of vehicles. We are just

Printers: Premier Print Group

playing into PH’s final solution… we don’t

25 - 31 Violet Rd, London E3

need taxis and we don’t need to know the

Design: Aldan Publications

streets of London because we have satnavs.

Tel: 07958 300 428

Taxis will soon become a tourist attraction,

Email: dfdannyfresco@gmail.com

just like the red telephone box and the old

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

red bus that once had a conductor who

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

would engage in conversation with you

either manually or electronically without the express

rather than be whisked from the job centre.

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 17

Former fireman Richard Potter and life behind the

Washday…

These days it’s never been easier to keep your

taxi clean and tidy with the number of hand car

washes quadrupling over the past few years and

POTTERS WHEEL

yet another seeming to appear on every corner.

However, I have stopped getting my cab washed

responded from home via an alerter or pager.

in town but instead get it washed nearer home

This would go off at any time of night or day,

because the general quality and cleanliness of

whether you were in bed or in the shower,

the wash itself has got much worse. You’d think

come rain or snow.

hand car washes would pride themselves on the

One thing you learned quickly about the job

standard of their wash, but I fear that standards

was that you had to be able to laugh at yourself

are dropping.

and take a joke. As a general rule, you weren’t

One of the main reasons for this is that the

allowed to take yourself too seriously as work

washers don’t rinse out the woollen mitts on a

with colleagues quickly exploiting any chink in

regular basis, leaving them full of dirt that they

your armour. One school day morning at about

then spread over the cab. Sometimes, when

8.30, the alerter went off when I was in the

they wipe over the windscreen, you can see the

shower. I dried off, threw some clothes on,

dirt in the foam and afterwards you can see

jumped in the taxi and headed for the fire sta-

scratching in the paintwork. The whole idea of

tion. As I drove into the fire station yard, there

getting your cab hand-washed rather than put

were a number of schoolboys standing on the

through an automatic washer is that it is gen-

corner watching and waiting for the pump to

Closing 8 fire stations

tler on the paintwork and should last longer.

turn out. As I was delayed, the fire engine was

Washing with a heavily soiled mitt just defeats

to save £4million???

sitting there in the station with engine running

the object. So until people tell me otherwise, I

As you probably know, I worked as a Firefighter

and blue lights flashing waiting to go. In those

am staying out of town.

with Kent Fire and Rescue Service for 10 years

days I was about two stone heavier and the

and after reporting in the last issue that

entry door to the station was at the side with

For a change…

Wandsworth Parks Police has been disbanded,

some steps up. As I ran across the yard, I heard

If you work during the weekend, one of the

on 2nd April my local fire station at Seal near

one of the boys shout: “Hurry up fatty or they’ll

biggest headaches you can have is running out

Sevenoaks was closed for good with the station

go without you!” Is that right I thought! I’ll

of change. Personally, I find that foreigners are

having served the community since 1886 -

show them who’s a fatty as I tried to take the

much better at trying to give you the right

some 126 years. Now due to the latest Tory cut-

steps in one go. But instead of looking cool

money or giving you notes closer to the fare.

backs, it has closed its station doors for the last

with an excellent leap

up and through, I

Someone once told me that English people find

time. I am not going to get political, but KFRS

tripped on the top step and fell in through the

it too much hassle when it comes to change

has shut 8 stations around the county in order

door and heard a loud roar of laughter from the

and instead are quite happy to give you a £20

to save what is really the small amount of

‘erberts outside.

note for an £11.60 ride. Get 4 of those on the

£4million. I really can’t understand closing

Now bear in mind that the other five firemen

bounce and you’re in trouble. If you do get

frontline services.

hadn’t a clue what had happened, I got my

stuck for change, try parking on the rank at the

Seal Fire Station holds many memories for

firegear and jumped on the pump. It turned

bottom of Wardour and Coventry Streets and

me, some bad, some very sad but also some

right and passed the boys who were pointing

go into one of those amusement arcades. I’ve

very funny. I’ve always been a full-time London

and laughing. My Sub Officer, who was sitting

done this a number of times and when they see

taxi driver, but working at Seal meant that I was

in front, turned around to me and said: “What

the taxi they are usually quite understanding.

a Retained Fire-fighter, just like a fully trained

are they laughing at?” My response, “Err, well,

firemen who sleeps on station, except that I

err… don’t know sir…”

Richard Potter (T51)

IT’S AYE AYE LTI...

The company formerly known as LTI - The London Taxi

Company - has been gaining a reputation of late for

taking on highly skilled ex-military staff with former Royal

Logistics Corps warrant officer, Jon Harmon being their

SAVINGS!

latest recruit.

According to the HR manager of Forces Recruitment

Services - an organisation that places ex-military per-

★ KITCHENS

sonnel into UK companies - Graham Jones, ex-forces

& APPLIANCES

personnel are ideally suited to the highly efficient taxi

manufacturing operation in Coventry as they are well

★ BEDROOMS

trained and disciplined with many transferable skills.

★ WORKTOPS

Jon was “discovered” by Paul Lewis, a regional director

of Forces Recruitment and an ex-army man himself, hav-

★ DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS

ing served for 22 years before retiring from the Adjutant General’s Corps, which spe-

★ PLANTATION SHUTTERS

cialises in all administrative matters.

★ ALL TYPES OF BLINDS

He told Call Sign: “The military contains a diverse breadth of skills and professions. Military person-

nel, whatever their rank, are highly trained and disciplined. They are

used to working as part of a

★ AWNINGS

team, working in challenging environments and work well under pressure; they are also able to work

alone and are a huge asset to British companies at any level and in any industry.”

You are welcome to visit

As for Jon Harmon, who lives not far from the London Taxi Company factory in Coventry, he told this

our showroom at:

magazine: “I was recommended to Forces Recruitment Services by a friend. The transition to civilian

work can be traumatic and top of the list is always getting a job. It can be a frustrating time and you

Unit 8 Tripes Farm,

can easily feel dejected. The recruitment consultants at Forces Recruitment Services are ex-military and

Chelsfield Lane,

can translate our experiences into the civilian world's needs. They held my hand and gave me every

Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS

help, guidance and assistance.”

Forces Recruitment Services has just been short listed for a major recruitment award. If you know of

Instant Kitchen and

any ex-forces personnel who would like to register, they can find more information by contacting the

Bedroom & Blinds UK

agency direct.

Call Ian (R50) on 01689 897111…

Go to www.forcesrecruitment.co.uk or talk to Paul Lewis on 02476 100 660.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 18

COMPLIANCE OFFICER’S REPORT

The Chip and Pin card reader (PED) will oper-

meter companies that we have been in touch

ate differently from the existing reader, but

with, but hope that the ads we have received

again it will be very easy for you to use and

and published will help you decide what your

because it is mounted in the driver’s compart-

best available option is.

ment, it will be much safer and more secure for

you to operate - something that was a major

Apps

consideration for us. There will be more details

I know the Chairman has gone into great detail

published in future issues of the magazine.

regarding the many taxi Apps that are being

Again, as John stated, the Cabbie’s Mate A-Z

offered to you at this moment in time, so I will

and SatNav will be fully integrated into the

only say that any fixed data head or dash/win-

new system and there is a very good video

dow mounted units such as the GetTaxi system

demo on their website at www.navigation-

will, for obvious reasons, be viewed as direct

master.com should you have any worries on

competition and Dial-a-Cab we will not agree

the ease of operation. It is very straightforward

to their equipment being fitted alongside ours.

Hello ladies & gents,

and will certainly enhance the new system and

I am sure you agree that from a business point

Since the last edition of Call Sign which had a

be an exciting move forward.

of view, it is a no-brainer and I am certain that all

very detailed article on the new terminal by

other major circuits will treat it in exactly the

DaC’s Director of IT, John Bankes, a number

Taximeters and the

same way. I would certainly not want any one of

of drivers have contacted me, being a little con-

you to jeopardise your membership with our

cerned that the new equipment may be more

new system...

Society without being sure in your own minds

difficult to operate. So please be rest assured

As you are aware, the Society will be support-

that you were doing the right thing - I am always

that the operating system from your end will

ing only those meters that conform to the elec-

available to help or advise...

not change, functionality will mirror the exist-

tronic and software protocols and are totally

ing terminal and although the terminal will

compatible with the new Dial-a-Cab system.

look a lot more state-of-the-art and have a much

We have contacted all the relevant companies

more modern feel to it, there is no need to

and given them space in this month’s edition to

Allan Evans

worry about retraining.

offer our members any special deals if and

DaC Compliance Officer

As John mentioned, it will run on Windows 7

when current contracts come to an end. So far,

and the system will be faster and more reliable.

we are still to receive info from a number of

Allane@Dialacab.co.uk

Addison Lee political donations

raised the question of bus lane access and sug-

Dial-a-Cab Chairman Brian Rice has men-

The amount of £4045.58 was filed under

gested that HMG should outsource chauffeur

tioned in his monthly report about political

non-cash donations and could refer to any-

donations made by Addison Lee, so to allow

thing including, but not automatically, free

services for ministers to private companies.

Minutes of the meeting sparked opposition

Call Sign readers to understand what the

cab rides. The total for the above Addison

donations are, we are publishing figures from

Lee donations since December 2008 is

calls for the government to explain whether

the Electoral Commission website which

the donations and the meeting were linked.

£254,045.58

accesses donations to political organisations.

Shadow transport secretary, Maria Eagle, said:

In addition and following a Freedom of

All the donations from Addison Lee were

“The public have a right to know if ministers

Information request, it was revealed that a private

made to the Conservative Party...

gave preferential treatment to John Griffin and other

meeting was set up last year between then-

'premier league' donors who sought to use access

10 December 2008...

£50,000

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and AL

to ministers to advance their own interests.”

21 April 2008

£50,000

Chairman John Griffin. At the meeting, Mr Griffin

9 April 2010...

£50,000

13 April 2010...

£4,045.58

19 September 2011...

£100,000

Climatecars enter AL row

Climatecars MD, Nicko Williamson, has entered

the battle over whether PH drivers should be

allowed to join taxis in bus lanes but says

Addison Lee shouldn’t be allowed to use

• Preparation of wills and codicils

• Advice for

them! But he says his fleet of low emission

• Elderly Client Advisers

executors/trustees/attorneys

cars should have access! He has asked TfL to

• Inheritance Tax/advice about trust

• Lifetime tax planning

develop a two tier licensing system for PH to

• Lasting Power of Attorney

• Family & Matrimonial matters

recognise the difference between the different

• Conveyancing and all property issues

types of PH cars.

“Operators who pass the criteria for the

We rely on you to get us from A to B so you can rely on us to

higher tier to certain predetermined standards,

protect you with our legal expertise

should be able to use the bus lanes. This could

Contact Anna Coakes or Julian Hay on 0207 637 0661

be linked to vehicle quality, driver experience

Or email acoakes@moonbeever.com or jhay@moonbeever.com

and CO2 emissions.”

To discuss Wills, Inheritance Tax planning or any of the above range of legal issues.

However, the MD of greentomatocars, Jonny

Goldstone, says that Climatecars' proposal was

Moon Beever Solicitors

unfeasible. Meanwhile Pimlico Plumbers now

24-25 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2PL

say they too should have access. Sounds like

Website www.moonbeever.com • email: info@moonbeever.com

all-out war to us!

Call Sign May 2012

Page 19

Just as Call Sign’s April issue was being put to

In aid of Sport Relief, it’s…

bed, many Dial-a-Cab staff were heading full

tilt into a fundraising cake bake-off in aid of

Sport Relief, organised by DaC Trainer

Christina Simms and her Human Resource

colleagues.

The Great

The idea was for staff members to bake an

item of their choice - biscuits or cake - which

would then be sold to other members of staff,

helping to fill empty tums while raising vital

funds for the charity at the same time.

Dial-a-Cab

“We decided to introduce an element of

competition by asking a trio of judges

from the DaC Board to find the top three

bakers,” Christine told Call Sign with rather a

mischievous glint in her eye! “We gave each

Bake Off!

entry a number rather than name to main-

tain the baker's anonymity from the

judges, so that every entry stood purely

on its own merits. My colleagues and I in

HR knew who had baked what, but that

was classified information right up until

the judging panel had concluded their

deliberations and the winners were

announced later that morning.”

Head Judge Keith Cain added, while wiping

the remains of a sticky toffee muffin from his

lips:

“The standard of all the entries was extreme-

ly high, which made for some tough decisions

for the judging panel. Together with Allan

Evans and Allen Togwell, we munched our

way through some delicious and creative bakes

and after several

finally settled on the

top three entries.

But we must con

gratulate all th

entrants for thei

high level of creativ

ty and enthusiasm fo

didn’t win but said it all!

the project, not t

set pic: Antoinette Gardner was judged to be the winner

mention them bei

so generous with th

time in aid of such

worthwhile cause.”

First prize went

Antoinette Gardn

from Admin with

carrot cake entry.

won an extra d

leave, a bottle

Champers + other goodies. Second was Louise

Taylor from Despatch with her Victoria

sponge cake, whilst close by in third place

came Tino Mangwiza from the Contact

Centre who baked a banana and cinnamon

cake. They both won a goody bag.

When Call Sign spoke to Antoinette after

the winners had been announced, she told us

she’d done it for the charity, but had not really

expected to win!

“I was pushed for time the evening I

baked it,” said Antoinette, “and while I took

care over it, I didn’t really think anything

Dee, Daren and Christina with some of the staff who entered the bake-off

of it. I just took it into the office, popped

er with little chance of snapping the winning

£53million.

it in the fridge and entered it!”

cake itself and absolutely no chance of a crafty

Well done to all the wonderful

bakers

Paraphrasing her French namesake from the

bite!

and generous buyers, plus a special thank

past, Antoinette grinned as she proclaimed with

John Rogers, Dial-a-Cab's Director of HR,

you to the three judges for jeopardising

a twinkle: “If they have not got bread… let

later confirmed that the fund-raising effort had

their waistlines so selflessly in aid of a

them eat cake!”

realised £350 from cake sales, all of which has

good cause…

Her winning pastry was soon consumed by

been donated to Sport Relief as the charity’s

staff members, leaving Call Sign’s photograph-

total pushes ever-closer to an incredible

Call Sign May 2012

Page 20

Jon Trevor (W94) has appeared in Call

Jon Trevor asks Call Sign...

Sign many times since his arrival at Dial-a-

Cab in 1997. Usually those appearances

involve his participation in a triathlon - at

Who should I join???

his peak he was one of the top triathletes in

the UK - although more recently he did

1000 push-ups to help raise funds for a for-

never work for the prosecution, there is no

mer DaC driver who was having severe med-

conflict of interests. Should you lose a traffic

ical and financial problems.

related case and have joined the ‘Fines Pool’

But this time is different. He wrote to

costing £5 a year, then the fine will be paid

Mailshot to ask a question:

as well. Many fines also paid without court

“I have recently left the LCDC but would

appearance (details on a leaflet).

like to join another trade organisation as I

Possibly of more interest to some is the

believe that we should all belong to some-

option of attending 10 branch meetings a

thing. Could you give me any advice on who

year (more if the situation needs it) to have a

to join?”

say on branch policy and what decisions are

So we asked the LTDA, Unite and RMT to

made by the branch on things that affect the

tell Jon what they offered in return for his

trade. Despite noises made by others that we

membership. They appear purely in alpha-

are not recognised by TfL and LTPH, we have

betical order...

input with both and their political masters

and our voice is heard loud and clear.

We are also the only trade union that does

THE LTDA from General

not recruit Private Hire drivers, so we have

Secretary, Steve McNamara...

no internal conflicts of interest.

“Why should you join the LTDA? The obvious

answer might be because 9000 other drivers

can’t be wrong! But the correct answer is

Jon wants to know what the various

Unite (Cab Section) from

not because we are the biggest and ten times

trade organisations can offer him

Advisory Committee member,

larger than any other trade organisation, but

because we are the best at what we do. And

question, it struck me that I could do it in

Peter Bond (L67)...

what we do is protect and represent work-

one of two ways. Outline the benefits of

Unite is one of the most influential trade

ing cab drivers at all levels with a range of

being a member of the RMT or disparage the

unions in the country and the Cab Section,

membership benefits that are unequalled

other driver groups in general and London in

which was formed in 1874, has a long histo-

particular. Having been a member of all the

anywhere.

ry of leading actions to defend and improve

other groups at one time or another I guess

In recent years, with the advent of CCTV

the conditions of cab drivers. Unite’s Cab

and the growth of our ‘Big Brother’ society,

I could follow the second option but I do

Section is the only truly national organisa-

believe that it is better for each driver to be

there has been a massive increase in the num-

tion for cab drivers. The future of the trade

ber of Penalty Charge Notices being issued

in something rather that nothing and so I

has never been secure and Unite is fighting

will not follow that route, other than to say

and the number of taxi drivers being prose-

for the benefits of drivers and their passen-

straight off that though the RMT is a Trade

cuted for alleged motoring and other offences

gers.

has gone through the roof. The LTDA is the

Union, it is not affiliated to the Labour Party

Basic Membership: £13.96 per month.

and does not fund the Labour Party.

only trade association that employs its own

Benefits: Free legal advice for you and your

in-house solicitors and barristers who spe-

Members do pay a political levy (opt out is

family on Unite CareXpress helpline. Free

an option) but this is used by the union for

cialise in both Hackney Carriage and Criminal

Will Service for you and your spouse. Only

its own political ends. This means that when

law, and unlike other trade groups our legal

£333.12 incl VAT for Martin Cordell’s com-

protection has NO small print. If you are a

it gets political it’s for the member’s benefit

prehensive accountancy service.

and not at the request of or direction of oth-

member and your badge is under threat, we

Experienced representation/advice at all

cover you - no ifs and no buts. Our ‘Badgesafe’

ers.

levels

- LTPH, TfL, police, all Government

The main reason any driver should be a

is different to most other schemes because it

departments, local councils, airports, sta-

member of anything comes back to an old

is not run by an insurance company which

tions, European Commission - dealing with

restricts cover for certain offences. For exam-

adage told to me whilst doing the

fares, vehicle design, ranks, bus lanes, com-

Knowledge: It takes years to get your badge

ple, not providing cover when you are driving

plaints from the public, Carriage Officers (a

your car, or when you don’t have a passenger

and seconds to lose it. True then and even

daunting prospect without support) etc.

more so now with modern electronic equip-

in the cab at the time of the alleged offence.

Access to regular branch meetings run by

ment spying 24/7 on the roads. Legal protec-

There simply are no catches with the LTDA

working Cab Drivers elected by members.

scheme - if you are a member you’re covered!

tion should be the first thing any driver set-

Or with Driver Care: £17.42 per month.

ting out on the roads to earn a living makes

Accidents and illness can, and do occur.

Additional Benefits;

LTDA members have the opportunity to ben-

a decision on. No good coming running to a

£7000 for loss of licence due to injury, dis-

trade organisation after the event. None of

efit by upgrading to the Association’s exclu-

ability, illness, poor eyesight or assault.

them are registered charities and will not

sive protection scheme which provides

£5000 for death or permanent disability

income when a member is unfit or unable to

and should not use their member’s resources

due to an accident at work.

to defend those that cannot be bothered

work.

£1000 following an assault at work.

The LTDA, along with Unite and LCDC are

before the event. The RMT provide a 24 hour

criminal helpline which, should you be

Financial support for legal costs incurred

the only groups recognised by the Mayor, the

arrested for anything, then a solicitor is a call

whilst working as a Licensed Taxi Driver

PCO and TfL and we are consulted and

away and if necessary will attend the police

including some traffic offences. Payment of

informed on all issues that relate to the

station you are held at. There is also a legal

certain PCN’s whilst working, within reason,

trade, we don’t always get our own way but

helpline for other matters, whether they be

not parking or zigzag fines.

we do influence policy and our increasing

trade related or not, which is available to

All the above for less than 60p a day!

membership ensures that the trade’s voice is

members from 8am to 8pm. Legal represen-

The bottom line is, as Alan often writes,

heard.”

tation in court is also covered if necessary.

even if for only selfish reasons, when the

We use solicitors who are experienced in

‘proverbial’ hits the fan you don’t want be

RMT from former cab section

Hackney Carriage Law as well as

out there on your own! And yes we do have

Chairman, Eddie Lambert (V37)...

Thompsons, the national specialists in

a political edge that the others don’t - some-

Thinking on how to approach Jon Trevor’s

Employment and Civil liberties law. As they

thing we’re proud of.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 21

Eating out reasonably with Tom Whitbread. This time it’s a

Harvester restaurant…

Harvest the pleasures?

The first thing that I noticed about Simon

I am giving praise to a person who is supplying

was the way he connected to children in the

a service to me, the customer! But I do know

restaurant; parents can find trying to keep chil-

that if somebody deserves a good report I will

dren happy an horrific part of a meal. Simon

always make sure that you know about it. As

treated the children as though they were little

you know I spent many years as a waiter, both

adults, he didn’t try talk down to them but

silver service and normal service, so I have an

assisted and explained the menu so they could

insight into the problems of difficult diners.

make their own choices. He was then their best

During the time I was eating, I was watching

friend!

Simon and his method of inspiring the rest of

On a cold and wet Sunday afternoon in March,

Whilst my grandson and I waited for our hot

the staff to make all other diners have a plea-

my wife and I decided to take my grandson out

starters, my wife went to the salad bar to get

surable experience while eating in this estab-

for a meal of his choice. That was a barbecue-

her healthy starter. On her return, my wife com-

lishment. It is a very long time since I’ve seen

type meal which Harvester restaurants are

mented on how fresh and crisp the salad

one person - whether male or female - inspire

famous for, so we set off for The Chingford at

seemed to be with a good variety. My grandson,

other staff in such a way, this gave diners the

175 New Road, Chingford. After parking, my

assisted by Simon, had chosen the Harvester

reason to volunteer so many flattering remarks

wife went in to enquire how long the wait

classic starter which is designed for two to

as they paid their bills and left the restaurant.

would be? They said 30 minutes, so we decided

share. So I joined him. The starter arrived with-

This may not be termed a high-class restau-

to wait.

in minutes and had a fine variety; it was hot and

rant, but it is certainly one that I would thor-

We went into the pub and ordered some

very tasty. During the time we were eating the

oughly recommend. The experience was so

drinks while waiting. Both my wife and grand-

starter, Simon returned to the table to ask if

enjoyable that I finished my meal by having a

son decided that the rain had influenced their

everything was up to our satisfaction and if it

strawberry shortbread sundae, much to my

bladder and that it needed emptying. So they

wasn’t, then to call him immediately.

wife's disgust due to my expanding waistline!

went off to the toilets with both commenting

For our main course, my wife had chosen the

This was followed by a cappuccino coffee.

on the cleanliness of the facilities. In my mind,

steak with a side order of jacket potato and veg-

If you decide to follow my advice and make

if the toilets are clean then the rest of the

etables. Both my grandson and I ordered the

a visit to this restaurant and you spot Simon

restaurant usually follows the trend.

spit roast chicken with boneless barbecue ribs

moving rapidly around the restaurant trying to

After some 20 minutes, a friendly young lady

accompanied by buttered peas and seasoned

make the diners time more pleasant and giving

came to escort the three of us to our table and

fries. These arrived within a good time to allow

his staff the same incentive, just tell him that

gave us menus. Within a few minutes another

us to have digested our starters.

his service did not go unnoticed by a certain

very pleasant waiter, Simon, asked if we needed

As most readers know, I am never one to

patron, as you had read about him in Call Sign!

any help or whether we were ready to order

hide any complaint or not inform of any pitfalls

our meals. He was to change a miserable after-

that occur to me in restaurants, shops, theatres

noon caused by the depressing weather into a

or other establishments that I frequent. So as

Tom Whitbread

pleasure for us, having braved the elements for

you read this review, you may be shocked that

DaC Board member

a meal!

London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter

Peter Hendy and London’s black cab drivers...

Hendy, has told an American newspaper

that he gives up trying to please London’s

taxi drivers with regard to the upcoming

Olympic and Paralympic Games!

According to the highly respected Wall Street

I GIVE UP!

Journal, Mr Hendy showed little sympathy for

our trade and that his face even darkened (with

rage?) when the interviewer brought up mention

of the world famous London taxis! He was quot-

ed in the paper as saying:

“I have given up with some of the taxi

drivers now. I tell them that if they want

to go on holiday for three months, then

go on holiday and let their mates make all

the money.

“London is going to be absolutely full of

people bursting with money, full of people

coming here to have a good time. And if

the taxi drivers decide to go on holiday,

there will just be more work for the ones

that are left!”

Mr Hendy also has advice for Londoners in

general. They can save some rush-hour misery

by delaying their return home and taking a

detour via the pub to sink a pint first! That

could help spread the much heavier expected

rush hour during the tenure of the Games. Mr

Hendy steers clear of what the latecomers

should tell their better halves when getting

home to a burnt dinner!

But with a twinkle in his eye, Mr Hendy added:

“Going for a beer cures almost everything.”

Call Sign May 2012

Page 22

Cardiff City supporter, Welsh rugby mani-

Steve Thomas, depot technician at DaC’s Roman Way tells Call sign

ac, keen fisherman and Dial-a-Cab Roman

about…

Way depot technician, Steve Thomas has

told Call Sign of a recent incident while

going to the Millennium Stadium to see his

The Cyclist, the paintpot

team play Bob Woodford’s beloved

Millwall FC. While sorting out a DaC dri-

ver’s terminal, Steve told us his tale…

and the drunk!

“My pal and I came out of Cardiff rail-

way station around 9am on the Saturday of

the match so that we could have breakfast

before the place got busy with crowds

preparing for the lunchtime kick-off,” Steve

said.

“As we stepped out of the station,

about 30 or so yards away from us a man

in his mid-20s was staggering along the

street, obviously the worse for wear after

a steady night’s drinking in one or more

of Cardiff’s numerous hospitality venues.

Suddenly he threw the empty beer bottle

he had been waving in his hand, to the

ground. It was the noise of the glass

smashing on the paving stones that drew

our attention to this obnoxious individ-

ual, with such loutish behaviour so early

in the morning. With that I said to my

friend that if he came towards us, we

would give him a miss as he looked like

trouble.”

Many years ago, Call Sign reported on

When Steve isn’t at football or rugby, he likes to do a bit of quiet fishing!

how Steve had chased a mugger, caught

him and did something to the mugger’s

shouting loudly: “Who you looking at

“The two protagonists bore down on

former good looks that would be consid-

granddad,” using a very threatening tone. It

each other, the gap between them getting

ered definitely un-PC in today’s liberal

was then I decided if he came near us, I

smaller as they closed in on each other

society, so there was no way that the duo

was going to knock him out cold with one

like duellists. Neither seemed prepared to

were afraid. They just did not want any

punch to prevent him offending anyone

give way to the other. Finally, when the

trouble.

else. Yes, of course I checked if there were

drunk was within arms’ length, the cyclist

“Sure enough,” Steve went on, “as the

security cameras in the area,” Steve confid-

- without deviating from his course - raised

yob was generally creating an unpleasant

ed to Call Sign, grinning broadly!

the arm holding the paintpot and took a

atmosphere around him with his unsocial

“As the drunk wobbled unsteadily out

well-directed swing at the drunk, hitting

antics, an elderly gentleman came walking

into the roadway, a cyclist was making his

him squarely across the head, knocking

around the corner from an adjacent street,

way along the road balancing a large pot

him sideways to the ground - but also

quietly going about his own business. The

of white paint in one hand, while steering

splattering him with brilliant white gloss!

yob then staggered towards the pensioner

his cycle with the other,” Steve explained

He then finished the job by throwing the

still smiling at the memory.

remains of the now exploded open tin at

“The drunk then decided to challenge

the drunk lying stunned in the kerbside. All

the pedal cyclist to change direction or

that without hesitating on his bike for a

run him over by screaming ‘come on then,

moment,” said Steve still grinning broadly.

come on then!’ He was also waving his

“Well, he certainly saved me doing the

arms around menacingly in mid-air. The

job, the obnoxious idiot!”

cyclist continued on his chosen line, unde-

With that, Steve continued fitting the

terred by the idiot standing directly in his

radio. The match result? 0 - 0!

path,” Steve continued, his own arms flail-

ing around like windmill sails.

Fever taxi spares at the Liver

Fever Cab Spares have been around for many years with the man behind it, Ilyas Karim, having

been seen so often on the old Dial-a-Cab Finsbury Square rank in his mobile cab shop, that many

must have thought he was actually a driver!

But no, Ilyas is the man who has for all those years provided licensed taxi drivers with the spare

parts that you couldn’t get anywhere else because those establishments inconveniently closed at

around 5pm. Ilyas has been seen at all times through the evening and even into the night.

Now he has taken his taxi spares business one step further and joined up with Dave Williams,

whose dry cleaning and key cutting service is based next to the Liverpool Street taxi rank at

number 28. If you need something fairly easy such as a bulb, badge holder, account book, new

leather bag etc, then the chances are that Dave will have it at 28 Liverpool Street providing it’s

between 7am and 6pm on Tuesday to Thursday or till 11pm on Monday and Friday.

If the part is one that isn’t usually stocked, then just phone Ilyas on 07984 473 111 and he will

get the part for you and it will be in Dave’s shop by the next day. That’s what we call service…

Call Sign May 2012

Page 23

I am still in a state of disbelief as to what

It is unusual for Call Sign to publish a controversial unsigned article,

I witnessed on Saturday 7th April - the

but we know the DaC driver’s name and call sign. It has also been

day of the Oxford and Cambridge boat

sent to LTPH complete with full details of the drivers concerned…

race.

During the course of my shift, I had a job

in the early evening going down to Putney -

YELLOW BADGES PICKING

Lower Richmond Road to be precise. I was

pleased to see so many people still around,

obviously left over from watching the race

UP IN GREEN AREAS

earlier in the day and I knew I wouldn’t have

a problem picking up again once I dropped

them blatantly doing it right in front of you,

my job.

you begin to doubt yourself. But that still

As I pulled up and as luck would have it, I

doesn’t explain why so many cabs are dri-

saw a young couple on the other side of the

ving round with their For Hire lights on and

road indicating that they would like a taxi, but

their identifiers missing!

After I had filled up two sheets of my note

pad with all these taxi’s details, I then turned

Views on life as seen through the

my For Hire light back on and within a few

eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...

yards got flagged down to head towards

Petersham. Upon dropping my fare off, I sud-

denly saw in front of me Knowledge of

Kupkake’s

London examiner, Mr Thomas! Well if any-

one was going to know whether a yellow

whilst I was clearing my previous job, a taxi

badge driver was allowed to pick up on

with his For Hire light on was coming the

Lower Richmond Road, then he would!

other way and pulled up next to the couple.

I got out of my taxi and went over to his

Korner

To my amazement, he had a yellow identifier

cab to ask him. And just as I had thought, yel-

in his windscreen but then proceeded to take

low badge drivers are not allowed to take hir-

the job and disappear in a cloud of black

ings from Lower Richmond Road. The one

smoke. I tried to turn my cab round, but there

exception in Putney where a yellow badge

was a steady line of traffic flowing against me

Richmond-upon-Thames driver may take a

coming from the west.

hiring from is the Island rank outside Putney

Whilst waiting to U-turn, I noticed in this

Station on Putney High Street.

steady line of traffic two cabs pass me with

Obviously, these identifiers only came into

their For Hire lights on but with no identi-

force on 1st March 2012. Are they working

fiers in either front or rear windows, just the

well? Well your guess is as good as mine but I

empty sleeves that hold them on. I managed

really wish the cab enforcement team had

to complete my U-turn behind the second

been there earlier in the day to curtail this

cab and within

100 yards we both got

activity and all those people looking for a cab

Who’s for Mayor???

flagged down with us both reaching the cor-

could have got into legal taxis.

ner of Putney Bridge and Lower Richmond

But as you drive around the city and west

Who is gonna be selected,

Road together when the traffic lights were at

end, how many taxis do you see without

and do we really care?

red.

their identifiers or maybe just the rear one

Will our trade still be protected,

I pulled alongside this taxi only to see the

missing? Not many I bet. But if you drive fur-

by whoever becomes the Mayor?

driver inputting information into his satnav

ther out from central London towards the

and it crossed my mind that he perhaps was

suburbs and then take a look, it’s more than

We've got no dead cert choices,

none ever keep their word.

not an All London licenced green badge dri-

you think and I can only wonder why.

ver. However, I remembered reading in Call

As a professional driver, I understand the

When it comes down to OUR voices,

each one's fighting to be heard!

Sign that TfL did not want drivers to con-

importance of not confronting suspected

front each other, so I just noted his details.

illegal touts but I feel the issue of illegal tout-

There's one who's had the power

ing has not been resolved with the issuing of

My interest in what was going on in

with his strange reptilian stare.

taxi identifiers and we should not draw a

Putney had been heightened, so I then drove

And the man of the hour

line under this issue because as I witnessed

back to Lower Richmond Road and parked

with his blond, windswept hair.

on that Saturday, it appears to be thriving in

up on the corner of Waterman Street to

Putney!

There's the Save the Planet candidate

watch. To my bewilderment that evening -

I just wonder how much more illegal activ-

who wants us to be Green.

and some several hours after the boat race

ity was going on further up the river, because

But the ex-copper's mandate,

had finished - I watched taxi after taxi, some

I only observed a few hundred yards of

still I haven't seen.

with no identifiers, some with just the front

Lower Richmond Road and obviously the

yellow identifier and some with both yellow

As for the other contenders,

boat race covers a distance of over 4 miles.

identifiers, they were driving up and down

who knows what plans they store?

All the details I have taken of these

with their For Hire lights on. Some taxis had

Each wants control of London,

cabs will now be passed onto TfL and I

already been hired with passengers in, but

our trade, our lives and more!

shall keep you all informed of the out-

had no identifiers.

come.

So do we NEED a Mayor in London?

I also noted taxis taking hirings with yel-

Name and badge number provided to

Me, I've got my doubts.

low identifiers and without identifiers.

Call Sign and to the authorities.

Before you cast your vote,

Whilst sitting there noting all these details,

ask what is a mayor about?

number plates, times and locations etc, it

Editor’s note: It is not Call Sign’s desire to

went through my mind about whether I had

launch a witch hunt against yellow badge

A leader of the Capital?

made a mistake or was I just going mad?

drivers - the majority of whom do an excel-

A symbol of our might?

Were these drivers allowed to pick up on

lent job in their allotted areas. However, they

A representative of the people?

Lower Richmond Road, and although I was

have no more right to pick up street hails in

Or an enemy we must fight…?

99.99% positive that yellow badge drivers

green badge areas than minicab touts do and

Kopyright Kupkake 2012

were not allowed to pick up from Lower

as such, we will not look the other way just

Richmond Road, when you see so many of

because they drive the same vehicles as us...

Call Sign May 2012

Page 24

Divyesh gets his

WCHCD Freedom

of the City

Divyesh Ruparelia (V59) has been on Dial-a-

opportunity to take the Livery which is highly

Cab since 2004 and was the first driver to test

encouraged by the WCHCD. This is so that you

out Power Pill for Call Sign in the days when

can become eligible to serve the Company at

he drove a Metrocab.

committee and court level - not forgetting the

Nowadays he drives a Vito and this time his

entitlement to vote in the annual election of

entry into the mag is somewhat of a higher

The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs!”

brow nature, when at the end of March Divyesh

There was a time when becoming a Freeman

received his City Freedom having become a

would give you the right to take your sheep

Freeman of the WCHCD last year.

over London Bridge without paying the toll. Of

He told Call Sign: “This was a very proud

course there’s no toll nowadays but as Divyesh

moment for me, having come to Britain in 1982

so eloquently put it, there are times when it

from Tanzania and now, after almost 30 years to

would still be quicker to walk over the bridge!

be involved in one of the oldest surviving tra-

Well done Divyesh; could we be looking at

ditional civil ceremonies, was quiet touching.

the first Lord Mayor of London from Tanzania -

Divyesh (right) receives his Freedom of

“But more importantly, it now allows me the

not to mention Dial-a-Cab!

the City

Following a £2.3million upgrade...

HORNIMAN GARDENS RE-OPEN

On Thursday 31 May, the Horniman Museum and Gardens - a long-

time favourite of Dial-a-Cab drivers and their families - will reopen its

16.5 acre gardens to the public after a major £2.3million redevelopment.

The project, masterminded by landscape architects Land Use Consultants,

has taken 16 months to complete and marks an important point in the

history of the gardens, which were first opened to the public by

Horniman Museum founder Frederick Horniman in 1895. Funding from

the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery through the Parks for People

scheme has now allowed all major areas of the Gardens to be improved.

The most significant new development is the introduction of a Gardens

Pavilion designed by Walters and Cohen, which will host school groups,

conferences, lectures and public performances. The contemporary timber

building features floor to ceiling windows, a living roof and a spectacular

outdoor terrace with views of the London skyline. The building, situated

in the heart of the Gardens, will build on the Horniman’s educational rep-

utation, giving students close up experience of animals and nature. The

Gardens Pavilion is heated by a ground source pump allowing the

Horniman to reduce both its carbon footprint and utility costs.

The Horniman will develop many more diverse wildlife activi-

stems are used to make oboe, clarinet and saxophone reeds. The Garden

ties and scientific sessions including pond dipping, fungi walks,

also features plants used to treat illnesses in different parts of the world,

mini beast hunts and landscape painting using the Pavilion and

as traditional remedies or in the make-up of modern medicines.

the adjoining nature trail.

There is much to see at the Horniman Museum & Gardens at 100

The newly developed Animal Walk will be home to alpacas, goats,

London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ. Admission is free (the Aquarium has

sheep, chickens, rabbits and ferrets which will be introduced gradually to

an admission charge). It opens from 10.30am -5.30pm daily and the

the space and visitors will see how people live alongside domesticated ani-

Museum and Gardens are both wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

mals and how our relationship with animals has changed.

More info on 020 8699 1872...

Across the terrace sits the bandstand, designed by Charles Harrison

Townsend - architect of the Horniman’s landmark 1901 clock tower. The

bandstand has been given a new lease of life with oak floorboards and the

restoration of the original weather vane. The impressive views from the

Keith Reading

bandstand, which for decades have been masked behind screens, have

Professional Toastmaster

now been restored, with new glass panels evoking its heyday a century

ago and allowing the London skyline to once again become a dramatic,

Master of Ceremonies

living backdrop to both professional and community music performances.

In addition, there is the Sound Garden - a brand new musical play area

Tele: 01279 465 938

inspired by instruments from around the world. There is also the

Mobile: 07774 860 374

Sunken Garden, which now features a reflection pool surrounded with

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

a palette of plants and flowers used to make dye. Built in 1936, the

outer beds are now a showcase for dozens of dye plants grouped

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

according to the colour they produce.

The Food Garden celebrates plants from all over the world which

Fellow of the Guild of

thrive in the south London soil and climate and will include tips for

Professional Toastmasters

growing crops. The Materials Garden includes plants used to make a

whole range of products, such as the giant reed whose bamboo-like

Call Sign May 2012

Page 25

Last month’s Call Sign told of the sensa-

tional development at Wembley Football

Club where it was announced that no less

LEE’S WEMBLEY HEAD

than Budweiser are now sponsoring the

team - in addition to the FA Cup which

they are sponsoring as part of a three year

FOR THE BIG TIME!

deal. Dial-a-Cab driver and Wembley FC

goalkeeper Lee Pearce

(J71) told this

magazine that while Call Sign’s sponsor-

With Terry Venables the first big signing!

ship a few years back was very welcome,

Budweiser is a whole new can (sic)!

“Believe me, the help that both Call

Sign and DaC offered the club several

years ago was really appreciated, but

Budweiser intend pouring money in

from the grass roots upwards. But

even I was shocked when Budweiser

announced that no less that Terry

Venables had been brought to the club

as technical advisor to the club’s

coaches!”

El Tel, as he became known while man-

a g i n g

Barcelona, has

also

managed

Brian

Rice’s

QPR and Alan

F i s h e r ’

Tottenham in add

tion to Cryst

Palace and Lee

erry Venables arrives at Wembley

United. He succe

nset pic: Lee pulls up in the club’s car park as a taxi driver

fully managed t

England nation

team, whom

later led to the 19

E u r o p e a

Championship se

finals.

Now aged 69, Terry has returned to foot-

ball by joining Wembley in the premier

division of the Combined Counties

League.

Speaking to Call Sign, El Tel said: “To be

honest, my title is a bit up in the air.

You can call me the club’s technical

advisor, but I prefer to think of myself

as a mentor to the team and coaches.

And there may be a few surprises to

come!”

Long time Wembley captain, Ian Bates,

said: “This is a tremendous opportuni-

ty for Wembley. To have a football leg-

end like Terry Venables mentor not

Lee makes another save as Wembley goalkeeper as they beat Croydon 5-1

just me, but the whole club is a dream

In the meantime,

come true. I believe that our passion

Wembley continued

combined with his expertise will pro-

on their winning

pel the club to new levels. His arrival

ways with a 5 - 1

has brought extra magic to this

demolition

already fantastic experience for the

Croydon FC.

club and we're looking forward to the

Call Sign would

journey.”

also like to congratu-

Last word goes to DaC’s Lee Pearce:

late Lee and Becky

“When I returned to Wembley this

on the birth of their

season, I had no idea about what was

new daughter...

about to happen, but boy am I pleased

I did come back. This is one journey I

could never have dreamed of doing -

Ron Yarborough

even in a Dial-a-Cab taxi!”

Call Sign Online

Call Sign May 2012

Page 26

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

with Tom Quigley (Y33)

Foreman grills (plural), juicer, microwave, food

like how are you? Obviously he isn’t well

processor, sandwich maker, ice cream and

or he wouldn’t be there! But you have to

bread makers and even then I’m sure I have

ask, even knowing he is sick of everyone

A load of mugs?

probably left some other gadgets out, but I

asking the same question and him having

Having left behind the crowded 3-bed council

couldn’t see the back of the cupboards for the

to reply.

flat in Clapton where I grew up with my par-

number of cans - no doubt in case we get cut

But like all friends and relatives, the

ents and 3 brothers and 3 sisters and now resid-

off from the 24 hour shops!

big question is what to bring him in as

ing in the suburbs of Chingford with my wife

But talking of cupboards; when the fresh

the rules on foods and fruit etc are dif-

and two sons, it seems that what my parents

batch of Easter Eggs in mugs come from family

ferent for individual hospitals. It seems

would have classed as spacious living is still not

members for my young 26 and 28 year old sons,

that the whole debate about hospital

enough space for us. Despite modern furniture

I decided to have a count up of the number of

food being good or bad is an urban myth

being smaller and not so grand, believe it or

mugs (me aside) that were in our household -

(just as is school dinners). It’s more than

not, somehow my parents managed to fit a

despite only four adults and the occasional vis-

likely that the hospital patient is a fussy

piano into our flat along with an aviary on the

its from girlfriends and nans etc - I counted a

eater, obviously unwell and not feeling

balcony next to the coal bunker!

staggering 44 mugs! There were the Easter egg

hungry or on a special diet.

I don’t even think that any one of us had any

ones from yesteryear, the everyday ones on the

Every family I observed had a whole

musical talent, though I must admit my late

mug tree (another gadget), holiday memorabilia

range of foodstuff in bags, fizzy drinks

father loved on a Sunday morning to “show off”

ones and mugs reserved for DIY and builders

(surely not a dietary must) and from what

by reciting a full mass - including requiems and

uses. I didn’t even bother counting the special

I saw, the food was not even for the

hymns in Latin! He could also hold a tune at the

tea service brought out and fully laid on the

patient! I watched several families pull a

usual birthday or family celebrations and gath-

Xmas table - even though it isn’t used as we

range of plates and food, serving it up as

erings, which seemed to be every other week-

drink Champagne on that day!

though it was the annual picnic whilst sit-

end and always ending up with a song, maybe

We moan about the size of modern houses

ting around the bed and the patient being

a row - and on a good night, both!

and the lack of space; but on reflection it could

still asleep!

There is no doubt that we never had the

be that where the modern family generally have

It is not right and an extra strain on nurs-

clothes we have now, even the pairs of shoes I

fewer children, we now have more stuff.

ing staff, other patients and cleaners that

personally have would have deemed to be

Got to go… now which coat should it be???

this practice is allowed to go on with food-

extravagant to the point of the Rothschild’s

stuffs being dropped on beds and floors.

back then.

It should be mandatory that only food-

Hospital food: Good

Look at our kitchen with all its modern appli-

stuff for the patient is consumed on the

ances, devices and gadgets needed to make

or bad for the patient?

ward. It’s a hospital… not a restaurant.

sure we get through the day. There’s the fridge

I was on a recent visit to see a friend in

/ freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, tumble

hospital, sitting making small talk as one

Tom Quigley (Y33)

dryer, electric kettle, toaster, blenders, George

does and asking the usual stupid questions

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Call Sign May 2012

Page 27

I don’t have to tell you how hard it is out there;

as you know, I also drive a taxi and like you I am

certainly finding it difficult. Of course you can

be lucky and get the occasional decent trip -

Mike Son’s bits

perhaps out west to LAP - but relying on luck

doesn’t pay the bills.

Naturally members who see me when I am

working on my cab and perhaps sitting on a

and pieces...

rank, often come over and complain about the

lack of work and ask what are DaC’s Board

members doing about marketing the company

and sometimes even throw in the occasional

Cab logo? It has to be complimented by good

derogatory remark. However, most of those do

marketing strategies. Therefore the Board will

tend to come from a tiny minority.

be looking at various further cost effective

There is relentless competition in attracting

methods in promoting the services we provide.

our work from the owners of anything that has

Ladies and Gentlemen, in the meantime

wheels and the new interactive technologies

please pop into Driver Reception and pick up

such as mobile phone Applications, which I’m

both the business cards and receipt pads.

sure involve large investments from venture

capitalists. I hear that Hailo recently borrowed

Remember when...

around £12million. Drivers with friends and rel-

My thanks to the drivers that contacted the

atives on other radio circuits also say that they

Editor to say how much they enjoyed my look

are finding it extremely difficult in the current

back at ‘yesterday’. As you get older, you do

climate.

seem to remember more about what happened

So here’s the thing; even when the radio

twenty years ago than you do about last week.

work we have all regarded as lucrative and

Several drivers mentioned that they also

plentiful in the past is being lost, we must still

remembered taking passengers to the West

make the effort to keep our service levels to a

cessful in allowing the customer to feel

India Docks to see whether there was room on

maximum. Although the Board has a responsi-

they are part of a team of individuals at

the banana boat that had come to London

bility to you to provide work, as shareholders

DaC who have not only the best interest in

stacked high with the yellow fruit, but had to

we must also look to ourselves as members and

maintaining good service, but where pos-

return to the West Indies empty. So, if the pas-

owners of the Society to see what we can do to

sible to help them save costs. In other

sengers were happy to go the sunshine islands

help.

words, to DaC they are not just a name

in uncomfortable conditions, the fares on the

In my opinion, marketing any organisation as

and an account number on an invoice.

banana boat were ultra-cheap. However, never

an exemplary service is paramount. Working

Having new in-house constructed technolo-

mind no swimming pool, some passengers

together as both management and members is

gies such as an easy-to-use profile based online

even slept on the deck! Security? What was

extremely important. So what can drivers do?

booking system, new driver terminals with

that!

In our Driver’s Reception there are stacks of

satellite-navigation, chip and pin and new

There were also stories about Bourne &

Dial-a-Cab business cards; every time you get

invoicing designed software will benefit both

Hollingsworth and trying to fit weird shaped

paid by cash or a credit card street hail trip,

the driver and more importantly the customer;

items of furniture into the cab while parked in

please give a card to the passenger.

marketing will be an ever increasing strategy

Oxford Street with no trace of any traffic war-

Some of the Sales team at Dial-a-Cab House

promoting our Society.

dens, while another driver told of a radio job

are becoming even more proactive and visiting

In my opinion no other taxi company

that involved waiting at Charing Cross station

existing clients, showing our customers how

or for that matter minicab firm has such a

for almost 7 hours!

easy it is to use the new online booking system

professional dedicated team.

My thanks to all who gave their stories...

and also listening to clients should there be any

Nonetheless, if the business and private sec-

problems with our service, relaying those

tors are unaware of what Dial-a-Cab can offer,

Mike Son

issues back to their relative account manager.

what is the point of all the investment of time

These measures are proving to be suc-

and money having cabs with the unique Dial-a-

DaC Special Projects

Annual Taxi Fares and Tariff Review 2012

Following the annual consultation and review of taxi fares, on 2 February

DaC cab available

2012 the Transport for London (TfL) Board approved a 5.3% increase to taxi

fares. The increase was calculated using the Cost Index agreed through con-

sultation with taxi trade representatives and combines changes in the costs

Dial-a-Cab drivers often ask if

of operating a taxi in London with national earnings to produce a change in

anyone knows of a DaC cab

average fares.

available while their one is in

The TfL Board also approved:

overhaul. Well, DaC subscriber

* A 20p increase to the ‘flagfall’ taking this from £2.20 to £2.40

and proprietor of Just Cabs in

* A 40p additional charge which will be implemented only if London retail

Dunbridge Street, Howard

diesel prices (as measured by the Arval index) reach 179.7p/litre

Kott (B74), has a spare TX4

* Increases to certain fares for the existing fixed-fare taxi schemes

taxi on DaC that is very often

* Additional fixed-fare schemes for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

available for rent.

Although there was a suggestion to introduce an additional charge or premi-

If you aren’t sure where

um for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this was not approved by

you’ve heard his name

the TfL Board and normal fares and tariff rates will apply during the Games.

before, Howard is a three-

The TfL Board also approved the implementation of a scheme which will

time winner of the Taxi

allow certain taxi companies to charge pre-agreed fares for pre-booked taxi

Driver of the Year competi-

journeys. The criteria that companies must meet and the circumstances

tion!

when these fares could be charged are being finalised and once completed a

Although Just Taxis carry

separate notice will be issued confirming the details.

out all manner of taxi run-

The new taxi fares and tariffs come into effect from Saturday 14 April 2012.

ning repairs, servicing, overhauls and bodywork,

John Mason

Howard is happy to rent the cab out even if you are having your

Director LTPH

work carried out elsewhere. Just call Howard on 0207 739 0210…

Call Sign May 2012

Page 28

Election ahoy!

Are we moving to Never Neverland???

roots ordinary bloke who understands how

London’s worst crime areas. Newham has over

tough life is for Londoners, so has vowed to cut

a dozen known gangs and the Metropolitan

fares by 7%. So Boris responds that slashing

Police have used dispersal zones to combat

fares by this much is not achievable as London

street gangs/crime. It also has the highest rate

needs capital investment to safeguard its future

for child poverty in London, allied with the

and improve its services.

highest birth rate in the UK!

Ken has not exactly endeared himself to

If any or all of this frightens the living day-

Roll up, roll up, I have an important

London's taxi drivers by implementing two

lights out of people, then it would be best for

announcement to make. Buy a ticket now for

overhauls on their taxis while he was in office.

them to weigh anchor in somewhere like

the magic roundabout and you could become

Boris removed the two overhauls saying it was

Richmond-Upon-Thames, which has royal

a winner and be transported to Never

too much red tape for drivers. So we’ll have an

approval and is one of London’s most genteel

Neverland where everything is free! Life today

overhaul and an MOT instead! However, both

boroughs, with a low crime rate to match.

is a bit like a magic roundabout, you never

say they are supporters of the black cab and

Voting for political parties today is at an all-time

quite know how it will end up...

that it is the finest taxi service in the world.

low. People are fed up with the large amounts

In reality, it’s the same old faces running the

The Olympics this year is a great oppor-

of money that they and their entourage enjoy,

show, with the same old promises. A case in

tunity for London, which hopefully kick-

whilst strumming out the same old hackneyed

point is the Mayoral election in May. You wheel

starts the economy for us all and helps

tunes that they think the electorate will lap up

in the two front runners in the race, take the

regenerate a deprived part of London.

like manna from heaven whilst in this financial

dust sheet off and place a glass of best

As a London taxi driver, we are sometimes

wilderness.

Bollinger in Boris's hand and a Chilean red in

asked whether an area is safe and a nice place

Politics has become like sport, huge amounts

Ken’s. After a few sips, they are up and running

to live in. No doubt that could be asked by peo-

of money for not much in return. Is this why

and can talk the talk whilst doing the Lambeth

ple travelling to the Olympic stadium in

today we are in such Dire Straits ie “Money for

Walk!

Stratford. The security for the Games will be

nothing and get your chicks for free, just play

Some of the spin going out on all this is that

paramount and so the answer would be a

that old guitar on your hands and knee!”

Boris is a toff and doesn't understand real-life

resounding yes, it is safe! However, Stratford in

David Heath (Ex-W27)

working people, whereas Ken is your grass

the borough of Newham is in the top ten of

Taxi driver

guilty of rape...

Edward

Chapman

In a very rare case, a licensed London taxi driver has

been found guilty of raping his passenger. Edward

Chapman was sentenced to seven years behind bars

and told he will remain on the sex offenders’ register

for the rest of his life.

The court was told that a woman had been out

with friends when she hailed Chapman’s taxi in the

early hours. She said she felt unwell and asked to be

taken home to Finchley. Almost outside her front

door, the driver raped his passenger.

CCTV evidence was found after an investigation by

Barnet’s Sapphire Unit, which investigates serious sexual

crime and which recognised the taxi’s distinctive livery.

EARLY TREATMENT MEANS SPEEDY RECOVERY

Judge Nicholas Browne sentencing Chapman, made the

Treatment for pain & discomfort doesn’t have to be expensive

point: “Black cab drivers have rightly earned a very high

reputation as the most reliable drivers round the streets

of London. By your conviction, you have damaged the

The Centre offers fully qualified therapists in Physiotherapy,

reputation of black cab drivers generally. This rape

involves a gross breach of trust by a professional driver

Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Remedial

to his passenger, taking advantage of a vulnerable pas-

senger. The victim is still affected by her ordeal at your

Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hydrotherm, Massage Therapy,

hands. But what emerged about her character was her

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

calmness, her quiet dignity and her quest for justice,

which has been achieved.”

Call Sign had to think twice about reporting the

Call us on 020 8507 8169

rape because it brings shame on our world

or mobile 07973 639 473 for an early appointment

renowned profession. However, this is just the third

case we know of going back over many years and

Email: andy@bptconline.co.uk or fax: 020 8507 9650

keeping it secret would just have rebounded as news

Out of hours enquiries welcome

of the rape hit the public domain. Yes, that is three

cases too many, but compared to minicabs it is most

definitely the exception rather than the rule. Licensed

Barking Physical Therapy Centre

taxis carry approximately 1/4 million taxi passengers

90 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8SF

every single day of the week. This was a deplorable

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9am till 8pm and Saturday 9am till 2pm

incident but our passengers can be confident that

www.bptconline.co.uk

there are no safer taxis anywhere in the world.

Call Sign May 2012

Page 29

Daniel Heaven (O01) wasn’t a very happy

Fellow taxi driver scrapes half of Daniel’s cab...

bunny when Call Sign spoke to him recently.

“Actually, I’m fuming mad and disgusted that

a fellow taxi driver should have done such

damage to another driver’s cab and simply dri-

THEN DRIVES OFF!

ven off without acknowledging any responsi-

bility for it,” Daniel told us, pointing to the

Daniel points out the

creases that ran the length of the nearside

damage which covers

doors and rear wing of his cab.

both doors and the

“Is there no respect for other people’s proper-

rear wing

ty anymore,” Daniel asked almost rhetorically?

“I have another driver on the cab when I am

nected to this incident or

not using it,” he continued “and it was he who

if you have any informa-

parked up in Great Suffolk Street taxi cen-

tion, Daniel would dearly

tre to buy something in JVBright’s shop

like to hear from you on

before nipping into the café for a takeaway

sandwich and cup of tea. When he came back

07525 538 983. You don’t

to the cab just a few minutes later, the foul deed

even need to leave your

had been done! It looks like some idiot had

name if you don’t want to.

tried to squeeze into a parking space that was

Whoever hit Daniel’s cab

clearly not wide enough, scraped the side of

must have realised what

my cab and driven off a bit smartish!”

he/she had done and that’s

“There are security cameras around the site

what has upset Daniel. He

and I’ve checked with JVBright’s, but they did

to get the matter sorted. I now have to get the

knows that accidents hap-

not see or hear anything, but maybe another

cab repaired, losing time while it’s off the road,

pen, but running off after doing that to a fellow

driver did - and that is the point of my appeal,”

of course.”

taxi driver is what upset Daniel far more than

Daniel said.

If you were in the Great Suffolk Street Taxi

the accident itself. If you can help, give Daniel

“All information will be treated in the

Centre around 1.30pm on the Wednesday after-

a call…

strictest confidence, of course. I would just like

noon of 28th March and saw anything con-

London Bridge Taxi Rank

Although it began on Monday

16 April, some of you may not

have yet been into London

Bridge since that date to see

taxis ranking in their new posi-

tion (see image and also avail-

able on the TfL website). The

head of the rank will have a

new taxi shelter where passen-

gers will be able to wait for a

taxi. There will be three set

down bays to use directly out-

side the entrance to London

Bridge Station. This will also

allow access for dropping-off

disabled passengers

Last month’s Call Sign contained a small article on the launch of new

Call Over now

magazine, CallOver, aimed at those on the Knowledge. But when a

message went out via driver’s terminals to say that there were some

copies in the Dial-a-Cab driver’s reception and that if they knew any-

available at

one on the Knowledge, this magazine would be a useful tool for

them, all the copies were snapped up before you could say leave on

the left Northumberland Avenue!

We have spoken to Editor Frankie Peet and DaC is now on the list of

DaC

places where the monthly mag is left. If you have a son, daughter or even a

neighbour who is doing the KoL then keep a look out for CallOver in Driver

Reception and pass a copy along to them.

CallOver is a welcome addition to all the stuff Knowledge students accu-

mulate...

Baghwat Singh

Call Sign Online

Call Sign May 2012

Page 30

Every issue of Call Sign takes a look back at ODRTS history through the pages of the magazines of

the time with a flashback

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

Following last month’s article

cab trade for 30-odd years since I began in

Bonnie has been able to

1925 and I venture to tell you, old boy, that

advise many prospec-

on Bonnie Martyn’s controver-

without your guidance and good counsel, the

tive users. However,

sial departure to Bermuda in

ODRTS Ltd would in my humble opinion

some are disap-

1957 to set up Bermuda radio

have been a complete and utter flop.

pointed that he has

I don’t doubt that the anxiety, worry and

so suddenly left our

taxis, Call Sign found this letter

forthright insults that he has secured and

Society.

written in 1958, so this month’s

born would have broken the hearts of many a

Mr and Mrs Martyn left for

Flashback returns to the

man made of less stuff. However, there are

Bermuda via New York on the Queen

many of us on the circuit who hold Bonnie

Mary on December 28th.

January 1958 ODRTS

Martyn in high esteem and readily appreciate

Newsletter. Does anyone know

all he has done for us, if that is a comfort to

Mr Calcott…?

him as I am sure it must be.

I would personally like to wish him good

LETTERS

luck, good fortune, good health and may God

I learn from the October Newsletter that our

bless him.

Chairman, Bonnie Martyn, is resigning and

Sincerely yours,

going abroad ‘with deep reluctance’. Under

R.W.Calcott, Black 17

these circumstances, I feel compelled to

write and express my deep regard for him

Newsletter Editor says: The elected

and to thank him for his untiring work and

ODRTS Chairman, Bonnie Martyn, has

effort that he so generously gave to the

resigned from ODRTS for at least 12

London taxi trade. I must confess that I have

months having been approached to go

often wondered how he had so much

to Bermuda to introduce a taxi company

patience and energy to do all the things that

with two-way radio over there. His drive

he has so admirably done for us all in the

and initiative were recognised in 1953

radio world.

when ODRTS was founded and he was

I realise only too well what a task he under-

made Chairman. Many foreign visitors

took, having myself been associated with the

have visited our London operation and

Former Dial-a-Cab driver, Bob Woodford, writes a regular column for Call Sign from his home in

Languedoc, France and his taxi somewhere in London…

CALL SIGN EN LA BELLE FRANCE

Goodbye Barry...

when his manager - the late Benny Fenton -

As a lifelong

at the Club's Christmas Party one year went

Millwall fan, I was

around and finished up the players drinks as

saddened by the

he was so concerned about the team per-

passing of our

forming well against Crystal Palace the next

club's all-time

day! Fenton hit a curb driving towards the

appearance holder

Blackwall Tunnel on his way home to

Barry Kitchener. He

Chingford, was spotted by the police and got

played an incredi-

nicked for being over the limit! Those were

ble 602 games for the Lions, mainly at

the days... real football!

centre-half and mostly as Captain.

Another story, and this one I witnessed for

He was a giant of a man who epitomised

myself, was the time of an away game at

the spirit of Millwall Football club, spanning

Coventry City. The players had travelled up on

3 decades from his first game in 1967 to his

the train with the fans and had to walk with

last in 1982. His leadership and loyalty was

them to the stadium after the train had been

Millwall legend Barry Kitchener

loved on the terraces and he was quite

severely delayed. The manager, Gordon Jago,

rightly labelled a legend.

and try to out-shout each other.

was going spare when most of the players van-

On the several occasions I spoke to him in

Kitch was a hard, but always fair player. I

ished and he discovered his team had dived into

retirement, he just seemed like a genuinely nice

recall one game against Birmingham City

the bookies en route! We all saw him shouting

guy who simply wanted to talk about Millwall,

when he hit their wide player Trevor Hockey

through the door of the bookies: “Kitch, get

past, present and future. Throat cancer cut this

so hard that the momentum took him up

your f***ing team out of here now! If we get

huge oak down at just 64 years of age.

into the air and over the wall at the Cold

to Highfield Road a minute after 2 o’clock, the

It was my dad who took me to my first

Blow Lane end of the ground! Kitch ran back

club will be fined and the Chairman will take it

game at the old Den at the age of 8 in

to his central position, while our left back -

out of my f***ing wages!”

1964 - I sat up on his shoulders on the half

way line. I was hooked. The roar of the

another uncompromising defender called

Yes, those were the days... real football!

crowd got to me. Before the old Surrey

Harry Cripps - went over the wall and with

Rest in peace, Kitch...

Docks closed down in the 1970s, we used

one hand on Hockey's beard and another on

Bob Woodford (Ex-P49)

to attract much bigger gates and the work-

his nuts, threw him back onto the pitch!

Those were the days... real football!

Saint Genies de Fontedit,

ers from the Millwall, Royal and Surrey

Docks would stand on separate terraces

Kitch once told me a story about the time

Languedoc, France

Call Sign May 2012

Page 31

Call Sign is a magazine for readers associated

with Dial-a-Cab. We were also the first taxi mag-

The view from a bus...

azine to embrace modern technology when in

breaks between them, that's what my duty card

early 1998, thanks to our internet guru Vince

says. My first bus should already be at Marble Arch

Chin, we decided to put every issue online. The

waiting for me, but it ain’t 'cos there was no dri-

idea was to aim it at taxi drivers worldwide who

ver! He was on holiday! So I have to dig it out at

had no magazines and were out there somewhere

the garage and drive it up there myself, which is

on their own. We began getting emails thanking us

good for me because now I get a 45 minute over-

and nowadays we have over 9000 regular on-line

time docket.

readers!

When I arrive at the Arch, I don’t have the time

But not all of them are taxi drivers and we get

left to make the trip, because the travelling time

emails from all walks of life - but recently, and for

was based on getting myself up to the Arch by

the first time, we got one from a London bus dri-

tube, then finding and driving the bus took much

ver and member of the London Vintage Taxi

and kitted them out with 8 track stereo systems

longer. Now the driver who should take the bus

Association, Barry Elson - and although you

with a dozen or so internal speakers. The tapes

over from me (are you still with this?) is on holi-

might suspect he would be having a go at us, it

were meant to play soft music and plug adverts all

day, so my instruction is to merely take the bus

was quite the contrary. He wrote:

day, but I managed to tweak the volume level and

straight back to the garage with no passenger

“Call Sign Online provides really good read-

replace my 8 track cassette with ones by Status

work actually being done

well goody goody,

ing. But one of the pages that fascinates me most

Quo or Led Zeppelin and whichever one it was,

'cos I just got me another 45 minute overtime

is Nash's Numbers and I commend Alan Nash

it transformed my sedate carriage into a 'mobile

docket!

for the effort that must go into providing all his

bloody disco' or at least that's what the Inspector

Now I need bus number two, which should be

information. It amazes me just how much info he

said when he nicked me for tampering with the

at Marble Arch. But NO! It’s in the garage 'cos the

seems to provide. What with train times, theatre

executive’s equipment!

driver is on holiday and its due out NOW! Errr, ok,

events, airport arrivals and working out a fare

but I'm compelled to have a 40 minute break, ain’t

table, he certainly seems to put some effort into

Problems beginning...

done no work but have to have a rest. Forty min-

aiding the working DaC cabby. Perhaps we should

Problem No1: Fares at that time for conventional

utes later and there’s no point in going out son,

have him do our Olympics bus timetables as well,

buses in central London started at 8p, which

you can’t do the trip - not enough time so have a

then we might have a chance of actually being on

would take you from the Arch to Notting Hill Gate

cuppa before you start your next 40 minute meal

time - as I'm sure all you taxi drivers are really

before it went up to 12p and so on. Fares on the

relief.

looking forward to the traffic problems as much

Shoplinker began at 30p - even for just 1 stop! We

Ok, meal reliefs and breaks all done, now it’s

as we are!”

were never exactly busy to say the least.

time for bus number three... and guess where that

Problem No2: The powers that set all this in

So for those who have been driving a taxi for

one is? Yup, sitting in the garage! Same scenario,

motion failed to notice that nearly all of the ex-

30 years or over and remember when London

run it up, no trip, run it back, two 45 minute over-

BEA drivers and conductors had been allocated

Transport tried stealing our work by putting spe-

time dockets. So let’s recap: 8hr 40mins paid duty

their summer holidays at the same time, so come

cialised buses out there - remember the theatre-

- actual work done nil - passengers carried nil -

July there was no one left to drive the ruddy bus!

linker and the Shoplinker? Barry was involved

fares taken nil - extra pay is 3hours at overtime

Now at this point, if you're still reading all this,

with Shoplinker and has written about some of

rate and then sent home an hour early because

LT was left with the proverbial egg on the face

those memories just for Call Sign. Perhaps it helps

there wasn't time to do a trip because everyone

because they had decreed at the start that no ordi-

explain why London Transport was eventually

else is on holiday!

nary bus crew was allowed to work on

broken up...!

Six months after it started, the plug was pulled.

Shoplinker. It was effectively closed shop stuff

Can’t think why and I really don’t think that taxis

“I started bus work in 1967 at Dalston Garage

imposed by management, which meant that the

suffered too much!”

on the 11 route and in 1975 transferred to

100 or so drivers who were resting on any given

Happy days...

Stamford Hill and the 253. I have also been at

day but worked on say the number 2 route, could-

Leyton, Walthamstow, Stockwell and Barking

n’t be used to cover the shortfall on Shoplinker.

garages before returning back to Leyton garage in

Oh yes, it gets better! What we then had was

Barry Elson

2000 and I'm still here. I have been the Unite

the following true scenario: I sign on at Stockwell

London Vintage Taxi Association

Branch Secretary for the past 10 years.

during this July fiasco and have to do 3 round

member and London bus driver

So do you taxi drivers at Dial-a-Cab remem-

trips on 3 separate buses with two 40 minute

ber the Shoplinker bus that was painted yel-

low and red and circled the west end in 1979?

Well, my claim to fame in life is that I am the

only living crew member from those days, all

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

the others have snuffed it - which makes the

re-union's a bit dull!

The Shoplinker ran for the six months of sum-

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about variable

mer during 1979 and was a circular route from

bank interest rates?

Marble Arch - Notting Hill Gate - South Kensington

- Hyde Park Corner - Regent Street - Oxford Street

Well wonder no more! If you are a subscriber, journeyman or mem-

and back to Marble Arch. It operated in both direc-

ber of staff at Dial-a-Cab, then you qualify to join the Dial-a-Cab

tions and was really just an advertising gimmick.

All the big names like Burberry's and Harrods

Credit Union. Any member of your family residing at your address

etc paid money to LT to run the thing, supposed-

also qualifies for membership!

ly to cater for the hordes of passengers who were

Then if you are over 18, have been a member of the Credit Union for

going to be attracted to this wonderful service

just for them! As it happened, the BEA contract

over 3 months and have established regular savings, you can borrow up

that ran grey-painted Routemasters towing lug-

to 3 times your total savings…

gage trailers from Heathrow to Central London

had just come to its conclusion, so there were a

The cost?

bunch of drivers looking for re-location and LT

plonked them all on this new Shoplinker service.

Just 1% per month on the outstanding balance (or APR of 12.68%).

They were just a couple of crew short for full

Loans can be paid back early AND there is usually an annual dividend on

complement, so my conductress and I volun-

your savings.

teered to switch over to Stockwell, where it was

based. The average age of the ex-BEA crews was

The question is: Can you afford NOT to be in it…?

64 and I was just 31, that's why I am the only one

left! They painted our Routemasters red at the

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

bottom and yellow from just under half way up

Call Sign May 2012

Page 32

DIESEL COSTS

SINCE 1996

Every year in the May Call Sign we look back through our files at the

cost of diesel since 1996

AL in bus

1st June 1996 - 51.9p per litre -

£2.36 per gallon

1st June 1997 - 54.9p per litre -

£2.50 per gallon

1st June 1998 - 65.9p per litre -

£3.00 per gallon

1st June 1999 - 72.9p per litre -

£3.72 per gallon

lanes

1st June 2001 - 77.9p per litre -

£3.54 per gallon

On the first day following Addison Lee chair-

1st June 2002 - 75.9p per litre -

£3.45 per gallon

man John Griffin’s edict that his drivers “could

1st June 2003 - 77.5 per litre

£3.52 per gallon

use bus and taxi lanes” and that he would pick

1st June 2004 - 89.0 per litre

£4.05 per gallon

up any fines, Call Sign spotted just one car

1st June 2005 - 89.7 per litre

£4.08 per gallon

trying it on - and that was on the television

1st June 2006 - 96.9 per litre

£4.41 per gallon

news with Mr Griffin himself as the passenger

1st June 2007 - 97.9 per litre

£4.45 per gallon

along with the TV crew!

1st June 2008 - 128.9 per litre -

£5.86 per gallon

On the second day, a few more were spotted

and Call Sign were sent photos from drivers

1st June 2009 - 101.9 per litre -

£4.61 per gallon

who had snapped them. According to

1st June 2010 - 121.9 per litre -

£5.51 per gallon

LTPH/TfL, the drivers will not just receive

1st April 2011 - 140.9 per litre -

£6.37 per gallon

fines, but could be putting their licenses at risk.

1st April 2012 - 151.9 per litre -

£6.87 per gallon

To make life easier for the authorities, we are

publishing two of the photos - both taken in

The 151.9 was at Esso, Edgwar

the Farringdon Road bus lane within opera-

Road and in the view of this

tional times.

magazine, was taking

advantage of the recent panic

situation. It later went back to

146.9p per litre and we believe

that garage should be

avoided.

Should the diesel price reach

179.7 pence per litre between

14 April 2012 and 6 April

2013, TfL will bring in a 40p

per trip extra charge…

You may not need us now, but cut us out for when you do!

LOCKHOUSE SECURITY

All types of locks, opened, repaired and replaced

10% discount on keys and locks for DaC drivers

Transponders / chipped keys

For a great deal in taxi tyres

On site key cutting services including taxis

Locks replaced / fitted to insurance specifications (BS3621

TRY THE TIGER!

Burglary repairs / boarding up

Additional security / security upgrades

Safes opened, repaired and serviced

Grilles and security gates

Specialists in UPVC doors and windows / patio doors

Free estimates / no call out charge

24hr service

Tiger Tyres

You can find us at:

472 Hackney Road, E2

8-10 The Arcade, Farnham Road, Harold Hill

0207 729 5237

Tel: 01708 371115

Call Sign May 2012

Page 33

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House

or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

Vito rear steering

delivery on the front expensive seats while

truth in its inference that the closure

Dear Alan

giving us periodic glances to affirm our

was down to our service. Had that been

Re my Vito, it has been almost a year now and

importance.

the case, most accounts would have

I must say that overall I would not go back to

At the interval, we sat glued to our seats

asked for a meeting and if still unhappy,

a traditional cab until there is another engine

waiting for someone to eject us whilst

put the account out to tender.

like the Nissan. But you can't buy perfection;

observing the bejeweled daughters of elderly

Westminster did neither! So yes, I am

I've not had much go wrong with mine apart

men and bejeweled elderly men with their

pleased that DaC maintained its dignity

from the rear steer - it has worked for no

daughters.

at what was obviously a fait accompli. I,

more than three months at most and that

A most satisfactory evening; splendid meal

on the other hand, have the freedom to

after spending many days in the garage hav-

and entertained by the doyen of stand-up

say what I think about Westminster.

ing upgrades that only give you a reprieve

comedians. And all for twenty quid! The taxi

Sadly, my language could cause prob-

from the warning lights flashing and the

driver’s lot is not always drudgery in these

lems so I won’t! But to Mr Grief and the

alarm buzzing. It's totally intermittent so you

austere times…

many other Westminster TaxiCard users

get the odd few hours where it’s ok, so it is

Stephen Berndes (R14)

who have either written to Call Sign or

not easy to pin the fault down. Over the last

Thanks for the letter Stephen. I’m not

phoned Carol Carpenter to say how

few days I've spoken to many Vito drivers and

sure what hold Tom has over the the-

happy they were with the service, I

they all have the same problem on both the

atres, but they seem to queue up to give

thank you. It is just a pity that the

Euro 4 and 5 models. All had the 9-hour

him first option for DaC drivers! As for

account operators don’t have the same

upgrade, which was a complete waste of

the Salieri, I have spoken to proprietor

manners …Ed

time.

I'm not sure if Mercedes are aware how

Sonmez Sami on a number of occasions

Hello Al

and he is always delighted to see Dial-a-

many of us are driving with this problem, but

I was very surprised when one of my

I will be letting them know and hope that

Cab drivers there. Not only does the

Westminster TaxiCard passengers told me

Salieri give us a genuine 25% discount,

other drivers will as well. I’m surprised there

that they were moving to ComCab and now I

isn't more press about this, but I can see it

but the food is also always excellent. All

have heard this officially. Do we know why

coming to a head very soon.

they ask in return is that if you enjoyed

ComCab won the contract? Was it something

Steve Bryant (Y41)

your evening at the Salieri, then you rec-

we did wrong or they did right!

I spoke to DaC driver Colin Salmon

ommend them to passengers looking for

And what am I going to do with myself now

(N81) - who bought the first Euro 5

somewhere nice to eat around the

that this work has gone? Maybe I should go

model - and he assures me that he has

Covent Garden area. Of course, they will

and play tennis over in Regents Park with all

had no problem with his rear steering;

not get any discount, but this restau-

this spare time I am going to have!

others with the newer model say they

rant’s Mediterranean menu is very fairly

Francis Robinson (G18)

have. So I guess you pays your money

priced and you can be certain that your

Brian Rice responds: Hi Francis, DaC

etc… Ed

passengers will have an enjoyable meal

received a letter from Westminster say-

in a lovely restaurant with ultra-helpful

ing they would be joining the

‘All

staff …Ed

London’ scheme as from 1st April.

King’s supper to a

Unusually, the account never went to

Queen’s box!

Westminster goodbye…

tender with Westminster apparently

Hi Alan

I was very sorry to see that we had to part

having no intention for any organisa-

I recently took advantage of the generous

company on

1st April. Throughout my

tion to tender for their business and

offer from the Salieri restaurant in Call Sign.

TaxiCard experience I have been blessed

obviously wanting to merge it in with all

Starter and main course, bottle of decent

with your kind and efficient telephone oper-

the other London Boroughs - which they

Merlot, two coffees, left £6 tip - 25% discount!

ators, together with the very professional and

did. ComCab service the ‘All London’

Shook hands with the owner, nice chap with

caring taxi drivers who have transported me

scheme and will now also service

a beaming smile. Can’t be bad! I then sprint-

to my various and numerous medical

Westminster in with their scheme.

ed to the main event at the Wyndham Theatre

appointments. Many thanks. I salute you all…

However, there is one major change in

- our Tom Whitbread freebies to Jackie

John Grief

that all the Boroughs, including

Mason and Fearless.

London SW1

Westminster, will not be paying for a

Five minutes to have a leak and find seats

Nice of you to write, Mr Grief, I’m sure

run-in for the taxi in order to service

in the Royal Circle. I asked an usher where

ComCab will attempt to provide a simi-

their residents. I believe this will lead to

the rest rooms were - a polite Americanism

larly good service although it may be dif-

a deterioration in service for the resi-

meaning bog - but was met with incompre-

ficult for them due to the financial con-

dents. I know how difficult it was on

hension so I changed it to loo. She gave a

straints that have been imposed. It cer-

occasion to cover some of their work

monologue of directions that led us out

tainly is no fault of ComCab, but it would

and it will only become more difficult in

through many doors then into the street. We

have been nice had someone from

the future. Some suburban drivers rely

tried again taking the main entrance, found

Westminster contacted DaC. I think I can

on TaxiCard work, I am not so sure that

toilets near the foyer and then ran hell for

safely say that their late Transport

the ‘All London’ green badge driver is in

leather up the stairs. I asked the same usher

Contracts Manager, Michael Dwemoh,

the same predicament, consequently I

for the Royal Circle, she hesitated then gave

would have been appalled at what to me

am convinced the service given by taxis

an odd smile, pulled back a concertina door

appears to be a gross lack of manners by

to the inner London Boroughs will only

and escorted us into the Royal Box! We sat

the council. I’m just pleased that DaC

deteriorate in the future without a run-

rigid not knowing whether to scarper or give

maintained its dignity as it was fairly

in.

the regal smile! Jackie Mason was already

obvious that the letter Westminster sent

However, there could be something

going through his spiel, concentrating his

out to those using the card bent the

on the agenda for the future that we are

Call Sign May 2012

Page 34

Mailshot

Continued from page 33

not aware of because I know there is not

an organisation that can surpass the ser-

vice we gave them. Francis, you can rest

assured the only reason Westminster

have merged with the ‘All London’

We TLC are becoming increasingly wary of

Thank you Alan…

scheme is as a cost cutting exercise and

these corporate app businesses who are

Sid Nathan (K88)

nothing more.

inserting themselves between drivers and

But did you like it? …Ed

customers under the banner of win back the

A bum ad???

work! That is fine but if one of these entities

Gordon Poluck

Hi Alan

disrupts the London taxi market to the extent

I read the Call Sign piece on Gordon

I have just read my copy of the April Call

they win a significant customer base, what

Poluck (ex-R34) and as my mother is in the

Sign and the advert for Cricklewood

control does anybody within the trade have

same home, I went and had a chat with him.

Carriers on page 15 (I did notice this in a

over that business and what cost will drivers

He sounded just like he always has and was

previous issue, but thought it might be a one-

pay once it's work from their app at their

still very interested in how the cab trade was

off so I didn’t say anything). If you read the

price or no work at all? At that point they

progressing. He told me that he’d love to see

wording across the picture, it isn’t very

own the customers with no taxi driver hav-

any of his old friends. The home is Rubens

appropriate and I find this very offensive.

ing any say whatsoever? At least one has a

House, 184 Ballards Lane, Finchley.

Perhaps they should advertise without the

short term exit strategy following the activa-

Max Arnold (D66)

picture?

tion of which, profits will be taken and the

As Max says, Gordon would be delighted

Natalie Ezekiel

business will be sold off to the highest bidder

to see any of his old friends and

DaC Sales Executive

(whoever that may be) leaving the drivers

acquaintances from Dial-a-Cab …Ed

Natalie’s was one of three similar com-

who have built the businesses who knows

plaints this magazine received following

where?

Leaving LCDC

the April issue and I plead guilty to igno-

Winning back work from Addison Lee etc

Dear Al

rance because I never even noticed the

is admirable, but not if the cost is so high as

I have recently left the LCDC, but would like

small picture. However, once it was

to be out of the frying pan and into the fire?

to join another trade organisation as I believe

pointed out to me I immediately phoned

I would urge you not to underestimate the

that we should all belong to something.

Cricklewood Carriers and asked them to

threat here and would be happy to talk if you

Could you give me any advice on who to

take the photo out. This from an Editor

ever wanted to find out more about us.

join?

whose long established policy is not to

Lee Patterson

Jon Trevor (W94)

advertise lap dancing clubs with photos

@tweetalondoncab/TLCtaxiapp

It isn’t a secret that I am a long-stand-

of the girls! If anyone was offended,

Former DaC driver Richard Cudlip was

ing member of the LTDA; however I

then I apologise …Ed

instrumental in the beginnings of TLC

have asked representatives of Unite, the

and readers may remember my objec-

RMT and the LTDA to write for Call Sign

tions at the time. They weren’t at the sys-

But…

on why Jon should join their organisa-

Dear Alan

tem itself, but purely when TLC/DaC dri-

tion. I too am a strong believer that we

I liked the toochas picture on page 15 of the

vers took DaC terminal messages - a sys-

should all belong to something; after all,

April Call Sign and wondered whether you

tem our drivers pay for - and put them

we cannot fight the ever-growing oppo-

could send me a blow-up of it - but only so

out over TLC. My real objection hap-

sition on our own. The article is else-

long as it isn’t yours!

pened when a TLC driver took a job at

where inside this issue …Ed

David Marks (R22)

the rear of the Savoy after a DaC driver

There’s no accounting for taste! …Ed

put it out that the person was waiting.

However, I now accept that we are on

Addy’s biggest

the same side as regards fighting the

account yet?

opposition. My view re our work mes-

Tweetalondoncab

Dear Al

sages going out to those who are not on

Dear Alan

It would appear that Addison Lee have won

DaC haven’t changed though …Ed

I am not a DaC subscriber but have read your

another prestigious - perhaps the most pres-

publication with interest for some time and

tigious - new account. How do I know this?

wanted to introduce myself so that you are

Well, as I sat at the lights at Brent Street and

aware exactly what Tweetalondoncab is and

Excellent!

the North Circular, one of their vehicles

to know that we are committed to retaining

I have just finished reading the April Call

pulled up next to me. The horn sounded and

control of our trade, despite the attentions of

Sign and I have to say it was the best issue

the window came down. I wound mine

business-based disruptors from elsewhere

ever! It ended up taking me over five hours

down mine and an African driver leaned

using smart phone booking applications.

because page after page turned out to be so

towards me and said: “You know that Jesus

By way of an introduction, I am heading up

interesting. Information on the new terminals

loves you.”

the management team at TLC, which you may

was fascinating and I am looking forward to

“Are you sure about this,” I replied. “Yes,” he

or may not know is a "not for profit" driver

getting mine. Then there was the excellent

said, “he told me to tell you. Salaam.” And then

collective which first started as a twitter.com

piece by Philip Benjamin (K20) on his yellow

he was gone. What I want to know is where

taxi booking service but which has recently

box problems, plus the article that turned

did he pick him up and did we tender for the

launched a smartphone booking app, offer-

PCNs almost into something humorous for a

account?

ing ASAP cash rides, much like Hailo but

change. Even the Board member reports

Geoff Levene (W32)

without their "for profit" business ethos or

were interesting! It just continued in that

Just last week at Kings X after 20 min-

the eye watering amounts of venture capital

vein for page after page and I just can’t

utes ranking, the driver of the cab

they have raised. In fact, TLC's hopes and aspi-

believe it is sent out free of charge. All the

behind came up to me and said God help

rations would not be so very different from

other trade papers are the same and often

us. Just then I got a radio job to

the ODRTS although on a much less grand

carry the same stories. Thankfully we have

Brentford. Your driver is an amateur!

scale.

Call Sign.

...Ed

Call Sign May 2012

Page 35

Mailshot

Continued from page 34

Yellow to the core!

have tendered for the account with no

Sir

run-ins? There is no point pretending

In common with lots of drivers, I felt that the

that we would cover locals with no run-

identifiers were another load of nonsense

in or worthwhile minimum. Sadly, the

from TfL, but I am not so sure after a tale from

only people to suffer will be the

a fellow driver at my garage.

TaxiCard holders because they are not

single payment run where all drivers

This chap works days and for many years

‘bread and butter’ work; they are real

would be paid at the same time. We

has used the All Nations shelter in

people with real disability problems.

could have easily said that we will make

Kensington. One of the regular faces at the

DaC will soon have an iPhone App

one monthly payment, but in fairness a

shelter had not been seen for some weeks

available and Director of IT, John

fortnightly payment was the best com-

and concern was growing as to his welfare.

Bankes, will write about it in Call Sign as

promise for drivers and staff. If as you

Following lots of speculation, it was discov-

soon as it is ready to go - but I cannot

suggest, we go back to weekly payments

ered that he was a suburban driver from

understand why a radio taxi company

then you are doubling costs at a stroke,

Kingston who for six years had been working

that takes cash work already would want

when the ultimate goal of this exercise

in town - having more front than Blackpool!

an App that does the same thing and

was to keep costs down. I am sorry that

So I have to concede that the identifiers are

where the driver would have to end up

you haven’t been getting your state-

not such a bad idea after all.

subsidising it. But well done re the PCN

ments on time, but we will endeavour to

Yours shaken and angry...

Martin. We should never give ‘them’ an

rectify this as soon as possible...

Joseph Batty (W90)

inch ...Ed

Read the article inside this issue called

Yellow badges picking up in green areas

Dark forces watching?

...Ed

Statements

There are dark forces out there who will try

Hi Alan,

to grind Dial-a-Cab down, to sell us off cheap

A few years ago I used to get a paper state-

and make a quick buck. But who could blame

A result?

ment every Tuesday or Wednesday and got

them if they were not going to be in the cab

Dear Alan

my credits paid into the bank every Friday.

trade in five years time? So you lot out there

We all like a result verses the Westminster

This worked great for me and helped with

need to get your act together and start acting

PCNs, well I have had one this week. I went

cash flow. Then I, along with every other dri-

professionally - and accordingly this will go

for a pee opposite the toilets in Warwick

ver, was offered the chance of having my

straight over the head of the prats in flip

Avenue at around 11.14am, parked in a resi-

statement delivered online and was told that

flops and vest and to be honest I don’t care,

dent’s bay and did not see a warden. So I

it should arrive in my email earlier. The pay-

because those people are yesterday’s chip

thought it was safe. However, on return saw

ment stayed the same (on Friday). This was

paper and an enemy of our future.

him taking photos so called out and returned.

convenient for me, so I started printing my

Mr Chairman, if there has to be blood on the

He did not speak but walked back across the

own statement and saving the PDF to disk.

carpet, then so be it, but I am not going down

road, so I left thinking he had not printed the

Following this, the statement/payment

like the printers or the coal miners. This busi-

ticket. A month later I got a bill for £130 hav-

became fortnightly, arriving on the Tuesday

ness will be grown by us - or someone else.

ing NOT paid the ticket! I appealed saying I

prior to the payment. Recently the statement

Yes, we should have a top of the range limo

could not pay (I would have as I was in the

has started arriving on various days from

service and parcel service because if we

wrong) what I had not been given or put

Tuesday to Thursday prior to the fortnightly

don’t, then the enemy will. Plus if it means

onto the windscreen, only to be told that he

payment. Can you please tell me how this is

we, the members, can earn money on the

had processed and handed it to me and noted

better for me? I now get a fortnightly state-

backs of others, then why not? In other

the same on the PCN. His notes sent did not

ment which I print myself, DaC no longer

words, tidy up our minds and our bodies and

say he handed it to me, just that I came back,

has to print my statement and send an enve-

let's do it. I will work with you, Mr Chairman,

called him “you dogs” and left!

lope to me. I understand that DaC has now

because you're currently the best on the mar-

I asked for a hearing and was told my

taken the production and delivery of online

ket. But to Mr Togwell, don’t bother shouting

appeal was upheld due to incorrect times on

statements back in-house. Why is it that we

at the prat in the vest, he’s not at home - nor

his report and that I was believed when I

can't go back to weekly statements/pay-

am I - but I am on the streets.

asked why I would NOT pay as I was in the

ments? Surely this could be written into the

Gary Cox (O46)

wrong. I am now informed that wardens can

software...

Brian Rice replies: Another interesting

hand, post or place on your windscreen to be

Mick Davis (M14)

letter Gary. I believe you are saying we

legal and that the wardens do not like it as

DaC Financial Controller, Warren Smith,

should give an excellent service and

they are getting too many problems with dri-

responds: Dear Mr Davis, the intention

smarten ourselves up, something most

vers.

of the Management over three and a half

members would agree with! I also think

Changing tack, I along with many other dri-

years ago was to implement a stream-

you are saying we should diversify,

vers are so sorry that we lost the TaxiCard

lined and more efficient way to produce

some would agree with you while oth-

account. It was good bread and butter work.

a driver payment run that was fair and

ers perhaps would not. However, what

I understand we did not have a choice in the

equitable to all drivers, as well as reduc-

I do know is if you do endeavour to

matter and that ComCab do it with no run-

ing the amount of resource in the admin

diversify then some

(mostly outside

ins! Can you tell us if the new terminal will

and IT departments. At that point, we

Dial-a-Cab) will accuse me of putting

have an APP like Hailo on it as this seems to

had a weekly run, two alternate fort-

taxi work in other vehicles, which

be the way forward against the private hire

nightly runs and two monthly runs and

would not be the case as the client

mob!

a “four weekly” run. So there was not

would already have determined their

Martin Freeborn (C67)

one week when driver payments

mode of transport. I believe you under-

You are right Martin, the account never

weren’t run, at least two runs some

stand that. Finally, thank you for the

went out to tender - which is usually the

weeks and three some others.

compliment and keep doing whatever

norm for big accounts approaching the

Unfortunately, this was very labour

you are doing ie giving a good service.

end of a transport account. Would we

intensive so we had to choose to make a

You can do no more!