Call Sign August 2013

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

I don’t usually like August and September so

out that I should turn right, then right again and

far as Call Sign is concerned because for some

stop. So in reality we did an extra 10 metres - if

strange reason drivers seem more concerned

that. They got out and the boy ran to the door,

about their own holidays than they do about

shouting at the carer to hurry up. Meanwhile the

writing to me! I can’t understand it! But life

woman proffered the exact money. I said nothing

goes on...

except a quick thank you whereas she remained

silent. I then cleared the cash ride and got ready to

Profit and cheap...

move off. Suddenly she came running back.

Hearing House of Commons disclosures concern-

“Receipt,” she barked. I picked up my copy of

ing the Government and its reliance on the private

the Evening Standard and pretended to read it. A

sector to run its services and to - at least in theo-

voice 100 times worse than fog horn junior’s

ry - save money, reminded me of something that

repeated the instruction of

‘receipt’! I slowly

happened in 2011.

looked up at her.

HMG accusations are being levelled at two Jack-

“Are you talking to me,” I asked?

of-all-trade companies - G4S and Serco - who

“Of course,” she replied, “ can you see anyone

between them are said to have charged UK tax-

else here?”

payers to monitor non-existent electronic tags. In

Remembering my licence, I carefully folded my

addition to non-existent names, others said to

ES so that Linda shouldn’t have to complete her

have been tagged with HMG being given the bill,

crossword on a crumpled newspaper. Well that

I have no doubt that some of our other large

were actually dead! The Serious Fraud Office has

was one reason!

accounts will be trying to save money by looking

been called in to investigate G4S over contracts

“I forgive that little brat who travelled with you

around, just as I have no doubt that should there

dating back since soon after the millennium. They

because he obviously learned his manners from

be offers substantially lower than ours, then it

are said to be the world's largest security company

you and that must be a huge disadvantage in life,

would affect the new suppliers’ coverage - espe-

and became famous during the London Olympics

but if you want something from me, then you will

cially as it now seems to be getting busier than it

because of their lack of staff.

have to ask properly.”

has been for several years. Nothing is for nothing

Serco, also one of Britain's largest companies,

She plainly had no idea what I was talking about

and the facilities that Dial-a-Cab offer may be

faces an auditing inquiry over its tagging charge.

and I led her by suggesting that most people ask-

dearer than some, but they are also superior to

Serco and G4S are said to receive around £1.5bil-

ing for a receipt offered the words please or thank

anything our opposition can serve up. Our cus-

lion a year, although both have contracts sched-

you - sometimes both. She rejected the sugges-

tomers are getting something that others can’t

uled to run for several years.

tion out of hand and said she would report me if

provide in our accounting system and excellent

Those allegations brought back memories from

I failed to give her the receipt. I have only on one

coverage.

2011 when private hire organisation Lewis Day,

other occasion refused a passenger a confirmation

I have always believed that you don’t get much

who had shown a turnover for the previous year

of the taxi cost and that must have been over 20

for nothing, because on most occasions that is

of around £36million, saw allegations levelled

years ago. But that was for a different reason in

how life is. But we all know that the grass always

against them of charging the NHS £50,000 for

that they wanted me to give them a receipt sug-

looks greener on the other side...

trips that had not actually been made.

gesting I had taken them to Luton airport where-

LD was billing an NHS Trust for sending four

as in reality I took them the one mile from Russell

Rudeness to passengers

ambulance workers to take a patient for dialysis

Square to St Pancras for the legal fare.

I am never rude to passengers, even though there

treatment at Hammersmith Hospital three times a

But this was different. I repeated that I required

are occasions when they may deserve a response

week although they were only sending two. Some

a please and she mumbled something totally

to their own rudeness - and of course as repre-

of the trips were charged at £400 each and the

inaudible. So I hand-wrote a receipt with my own

sentatives of London Taxis and Private Hire read

NHS alleged that hundreds of trips were falsely

signature, folded it neatly and gave it to her. She

this, I’d be a bit daft to say otherwise! However, I

claimed for. Lewis Day was given leeway to decide

took it and walked off. Suddenly she returned, her

broke that rule recently and I thought I’d tell you

how many ambulances were needed for each job

face the colour of ripe strawberries, her precious

- which really means telling the world as more

and the allegations suggested that this was where

receipt held tightly within her sweaty palm.

people read Call Sign Online than even get the

the overcharging totaling £50K took place. It only

“You taxi drivers make me sick and if I had a

mag delivered.

came to light during an internal transport cost

choice I would use cars.”

I know some drivers still get miffed when they

audit by the NHS Imperial Trust, who managed

I then realised that she was working for some-

don’t get a gratuity, but in all honesty “tips” seem

the hospital.

one and that my original guess of her being a carer

to be getting fewer and fewer and I expect future

A former Lewis Day worker, Dave Amphlett,

or maid was probably right, so I wondered what

generations to drop the custom all together. When

actually told his bosses what was going on but

her boss would say when he looked at her pre-

we get to the situation where Americans don’t tip

they did nothing about it and it was allowed to

cious receipt upon which I carefully wrote:

(and many no longer do it over here, although

continue.

“Carried free to compensate for a world shortage

they’d be scared not to at home), then you know

Lewis Day eventually repaid the NHS Trust

of pigs!”

it’s on the way out so far as London is concerned.

£49,921.74 but refused to explain publically why

To TfL, I plead guilty and you obviously know

In any case, I have never said anything about not

they had continued to overcharge even after being

where I am...!

receiving a tip, even when I have actually deserved

told by Mr Amphlett, claiming it would compro-

one! No, my rudeness came in a face-to-face con-

mise patient confidentiality! However, previous to

Richard Pomerance

frontation at the luggage window.

that, a Sunday Mirror investigation had shown

I rarely mention non-DaC drivers on this page but

It began as just another normal street ride from

how Lewis Day had also defrauded NHS Imperial

I must say farewell to fellow taxi driver Richard

Sloane Street to Ennismore Gardens. The passen-

Trust out of over £200,000 in the same way as it

Pomerance. Richard wasn’t always understood by

gers were a very loud lady who appeared to be a

had with Hammersmith Hospital ie charging for

everyone and certainly wasn’t your average guy.

carer/maid for the young boy in her charge who

journeys that never took place.

He began going down that road by doing the

was apparently in training for young fog horn

Lewis Day claimed that an error in the patient

Knowledge on foot, once telling me how many

voice of the year! Heading north up Exhibition

booking system had caused the problem. Soon

pairs of shoes he had gone through. On another

Road, I turned right into Princes Gardens and con-

after, Lewis Day was taken over by Addison Lee.

occasion, after waiting for a passenger inside a

tinued into Ennismore Gardens. As they said noth-

Sometimes, huge conglomerates believe that

London estate, someone threw a TV set over their

ing, I continued to the end where most of the

they can save money by taking cheap offers. That

balcony. It landed on the roof of his taxi and

houses are, even though I could have also turned

applies in our industry as well and was well illus-

Richard’s first thought was to see if it was

right before that. Either way makes little differ-

trated with the House of Commons account pre-

repairable!

ence.

senting their account firstly to Radio Taxis and lat-

But Richard wasn’t at all strange, he was just

Suddenly fog horn junior - who was probably

terly to a minicab company, both who had under-

one of life’s characters and his early death is trag-

aged around 9 or 10, shouted out: “Hey fatty,

cut our prices but who then couldn’t cover the

ic. My sincere condolences to his family...

you’ve passed the turning. Are you an idiot?”

work coming out. We currently service the HoC

I said nothing expecting the woman to tell him

Alan Fisher

again.

off. Silly me, she said nothing other than to shout

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign August 2013

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

Finally, Paul mentions there is concern

Terminals

amongst some in the trade regarding who

We are now in full flow regarding the fitting

is going to be the first to ‘fold’ RTG or

of cabs with our new terminals and I must say

Dial-a-Cab? I can’t or wouldn’t speak for

that the majority of the feedback we have

RTG as that has nothing to do with me,

received has been extremely positive.

but for some to suggest that Dial-a-Cab is

As I’ve explained on previous occasions,

financially embarrassed is at best mislead-

there are bound to be some bugs and anom-

ing and at worst a downright lie!

alies creeping in and we will rectify these as

Unfortunately, there are some very nega-

soon as we are aware of the situation. Like

tive people in our trade who would wish

anything new, there will be some ‘fixes’ that

for nothing more than one of the big

need to be made and if you have any sugges-

three circuits to go to the wall. So don’t

tions then please mail our IT department on:

believe everything you hear or indeed

techproblems@dialacab.co.uk.

read on the anti-Dial-a-Cab forums.

They will endeavour to implement the bet-

ter suggestions, but please remember that

just because a suggestion has been made, it

August

does not automatically follow that it will be

We are now entering the quietest month of

implemented. After all, one member has

some. After all, it is not as if we have a mas-

the year, but I am optimistic that it will better

complained the screen hurts his finger and

sive mortgage on the building and we need

than last August and the traumatic time we

he has to use his thumb - not sure what we

to downsize in order generate some cash; the

suffered due to the Olympic Games. It was

can do about that one!

building is paid for, we do not have any debt

undoubtedly the worst August for work that I

and to move premises would incur consider-

had ever experienced, so let’s just hope this

able expense.

one is much better. We can’t expect it to be

Mailshot

Even to just move our fitting bay here

busy but we have experienced a lot of visitors

There is a letter in this month’s Mailshot from

would be expensive. Our car park backs

coming to London this year.

Paul Hammett (V42), who is a long serving

onto residential property and that in

I know many of our members with children

member and I believe his letter deserves

itself could form an obstacle, however, I

are forced to take their holidays in August

more of a response than merely being

would not rule out moving the Roman

and pay inflated prices and those members

Way fitting bay in the future. The current

that remain here may experience the quietest

answered on the letters page.

Paul raises some interesting points which I

cost to Dial-a-Cab for the lease of Roman

month of the year - I’m not sure which is

Way is roughly equivalent to the cost of

worse?

have heard before, consequently, I feel they

employing one member of the adminis-

Either way, I hope you all have a pleasant

are worthy of a more detailed answer as some

tration staff. I think that statistic probably

summer...

of his suggestions have been raised by others.

Regarding loaning money to members in

puts things into perspective.

Brian Rice

Paul is also correct in that I mentioned at the

order for them to purchase cabs, this is not as

Chairman

AGM about an App for drivers who are not on

straight forward as it seems. Not just anyone

Dial-a-Cab and that situation is ongoing.

Dial-a-Cab

can set themselves up as a moneylender, they

would have to be licensed and regulated by

the FSA and we would be attempting to turn

Dial-a-Cab into a bank, which is certainly not

our primary objective.

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

Paul also mentions that perhaps we should

move to smaller premises as during the last

376 Strand, WC2

five or six years there has been a downturn in

our account work, plus the emergence and

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

success of on-line booking and of course the

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

size of the fleet has diminished.

When we first made plans to move from

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

Brunswick House in 2006, we were in dire

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

need of more positions to become available

for call-takers, consequently we found our

offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill

current premises which were able to more

than double the positions available to call-

We are certain that you will be delighted

takers.

However, since then the need for that

amount of space for call-takers has dimin-

ished and Paul is quite right in that respect.

Moving buildings is a mammoth task, I

know because I did it in back in May 2007! It

most certainly is not just a matter of moving

a few desks to a new building, we have to

move our whole IT and infrastructure, an

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

absolutely monumental task and something

Salieri Restaurant

which could prove to be a considerable risk

to your business.

376 Strand, WC2

We would be far better off utilising our

Contact Centre for other purposes and I am

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

sure that facility would prove attractive to

Call Sign August 2013

Page 5

Three men who posed as taxi (black cab) dri-

vers have received severe sentences in court as

the result of an investigation undertaken by

Bogus Taxi

the Metropolitan Police Safer Transport

Command

(STC), which is funded by

Transport for London (TfL). The three men,

who had never been licensed taxi drivers,

Drivers Sentenced

forged taxi driver licences, badges and plates

to hire black cabs but had their illegal activity

curtailed by the intervention of STC officers.

The sentences follow a five month investiga-

tion led by the STC in partnership with TfL's

Taxi and Private Hire Directorate (TPH), result-

ing in the sentencing of one of the men. They

were jailed for a total of two years for fifteen

offences under the Fraud Act.

The investigation began in December 2012

when Peter Speer, 62, from West Sussex was

stopped driving a taxi with the light on by offi-

cers from Southwark Safer Transport Team.

Officers checked his licence with TfL's Taxi and

Peter Speer

Terence O'Leary

Melios Themistokleous

Private Hire Directorate who confirmed Speer

was not licensed and his documentation was a

Camberwell Magistrates' Court to 4 months

sends a clear message that fraudulent activities

forgery. He was arrested and charged.

imprisonment, suspended for 12 months

that put the travelling public at risk or under-

The STC investigation led them to a second

to carry out 200 hours of community ser-

mined the legitimate and law abiding taxi

man, Terence O'Leary, 51, from Epsom, who

vice and disqualified for 12 months.

trade will not be tolerated. The result high-

was seen by officers on 11 January driving a

O'Leary appeared at Kingston Crown

lights the important work that the police and

taxi displaying forged area identifiers in the

Court on 4 July 2013 and was jailed for two

TfL do every day to enforce the laws relating to

vehicle. He was arrested and a search of his

years for nine offences under the Fraud

taxis and private hire vehicles and identify and

home address revealed a forged taxi driver

Act.

deal with those who act outside the law.”

licence and three forged taxi driver badges.

Themistokleous appeared at Highbury

TfL's Acting Director of Community Safety,

Whilst on bail, information was received that

Corner Magistrates' Court and was sen-

Enforcement and Policing, Helen Chapman

O'Leary was attempting to hire a taxi from a

tenced to a 12 month community order

said:

“We welcome the sentences handed

company using a licence that appeared to be

and ordered to carry out community ser-

down to these people illegally posing as

forged and he was arrested again.

vice for two counts of fraud.

licensed taxi drivers. Clearly they went to great

Then on 13 May, further information was

STC Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor told

lengths to try and portray themselves as legiti-

received regarding a fraudulent taxi driver

Call Sign: “This investigation has resulted in

mate taxi drivers but were still caught as a

plate on a vehicle already known to police.

three men who illegally operated as taxi dri-

result of rigorous action by the Safer Transport

Officers identified the driver as Melios

vers receive substantial sentences for their

Command and TPH teams. Today's sentencing

Themistokleous, 58, from Kentish Town who

crimes. The Safer Transport Command contin-

is a stark reminder that the only way to

was arrested the same day in possession of a

ues to work with Transport for London to

become a legitimate taxi driver is through hard

forged licence whilst driving a taxi that was dis-

improve passenger safety by identifying illegal

work and dedication by passing the world

playing forged plates and identifiers.

activity and bringing offenders to justice.”

famous Knowledge of London.”

Speer pleaded guilty to 3 counts of fraud

TfL's Acting Director of Community Safety,

Vicky Barnes, STC Media and

and using a motor vehicle without insur-

Enforcement and Policing, Siwan Hayward,

Communications Assistant

ance. He was sentenced on 27 June at

added: “The sentences given to these men

Notting Hill repairs almost finished

REED FISHER

It was 9 April 2013 when a water main

burst along Notting Hill Gate and the

STONE SETTING

road was shut. Taxi drivers have suf-

fered with burst water mains before

and we prepared ourselves for up to a

The setting of the memorial stone to Editor’s

week of traffic chaos. But when

son and Dial-a-Cab weekend dispatcher, Reed

Thames Water discovered what they

Fisher, will take place at 2pm on Sunday

referred to as a huge cavern beneath

4 August 2013 at:

the road, we knew that one week

had gone out of the window and

The Western Cemetery,

that we were looking at months.

Bulls Cross Ride,

Now heading into the sixth

Cheshunt, Herts.

month of closing the road, Thames

Water have told Call Sign that they

have filled in one of the ‘voids’ under

the road with expanding concrete, as

well as fixing one of the two water

mains. Explaining the problem, Thames Water’s Head of

Programming, Jason Aldred said: “It was a hugely complicated job

because in addition to the void under the road which needed to be

repaired, on top of the water pipes was a 24-inch gas main which we

had to ask the National Grid to remove before we could get the repairs

done.”

They now hope to complete repairs by August 20, with the west-

bound carriageway opening by the end of July...

Reed and wife Lara

Call Sign August 2013

Page 6

Jery’s World

“I heard that Boris was looking at reducing taxi emissions, but I think he may have gone a bit over the top...!”

Bank of England App

To save you asking, nope, there are no free

The Bank's

samples on offer, but yes, former Dial-a-Cab

gold vaults

client, the Bank of England, has launched its

with an

first App to give downloaders an amazing look

estimated

behind the scenes with a virtual tour of the

value of

Threadneedle Street building, its design fea-

£140 billion

tures, architecture, working rooms and yes, its

gold and cash vaults!

The virtual tour looks at the Bank’s inner

workings with a new iOS, Android and web

App. The tour is - perhaps surprisingly - free to

download and use and offers a rare chance to

see the inner workings of the UK's foremost

economic institution.

Included in the tour is a 360-degree picture

of the gold vaults, which houses more than 400,000 bars of the precious metal deep

within the bank. The gold is held for the UK government, central banks and members of

Call Sign

the London Bullion Market Association. The bank itself only owns two standard bars and

August 2013

two Roman bars. A gold bar is currently worth around £350,000, making the total value

Editor: Alan Fisher

of the room at around £140,000,000,000 - although none has ever been stolen other

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

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

than in an episode of Thunderbirds and in the movie, The Lavender Hill Mob. The

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

bank say their security was updated after M’lady informed them!

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

The tour also includes pictures of the cash vault, where some of the bank's vast cash

Printers: Premier Print Group

hoard is held, as well as the Garden Court, which is at the heart of the building.

25 - 31 Violet Rd, London E3

A Bank of England spokesperson told Call Sign:

Design: Aldan Publications

"Most of the Threadneedle Street building is a working space devoted to mon-

Tel: 07958 300 428

etary and financial stability. But it is a recognisable landmark to many people

Email: deborahfresco@gmail.com

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

and the app provides a unique glimpse of some of the Bank's more significant

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

locations behind its familiar facade."

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

The App and virtual tour is at: www.bankofengland.co.uk/virtualtourapp

either manually or electronically without the express

permission of the Editor.

Call Sign August 2013

Page 7

DaC Twitter Winner

Expanding DaC’s social media presence

tomers and Members), we would have to tweet

in our customer App downloads during this

out something more interesting alongside our

period, so clearly the campaign worked.

propaganda tweets. This is why, if you follow us

Unfortunately we couldn’t open the competi-

on Twitter, you will have noticed that every day

tion to Members or staff. This was our first

we tweet something different. Often this is DaC-

Twitter competition and we didn’t want it to

related, but we’re also sharing anything we

backfire with followers crying foul if a Member

think may interest you and the public: free Apps

or employee won! However, based on the suc-

and games, interesting blogs, articles and so on.

cess we’ve had with this competition, we will be

However, it doesn’t matter how interesting or

holding further competitions on Twitter and

regular your tweets are if you don’t have many

Facebook. Some of these will be for Members

followers! So we decided to find a way to gain a

only, some for the public.

respectable number of followers quickly in

We have increased our social media pres-

order to get our name out there. One very suc-

ence and will be using these platforms to

cessful model in use by a number of organisa-

communicate more with our customers,

DaC Twitter competition winner Jean

tions is competitions. As this is Dial-a-Cab’s 60th

Members and the public in general. It would

year, we decided to arrange a Twitter competi-

be great if you could follow us on whichever

Beer shows iPad mini to her son

tion to celebrate 60 years of providing a world-

platform(s) you use and spread the word a

As many of you know, Dial-a-Cab has a

class black taxi service to London.

bit. If you have any suggestions for content,

Twitter presence. In fact, we’ve been on Twitter

On 1st July we announced the competition

please feel free to let us know; we want to

since 2009. Admittedly, this account has been

on Twitter, which would end when we

use these platforms to promote the DaC.

neglected somewhat; posting regular tweets of

reached 1,000 Twitter followers. On 12th

On Twitter, you can follow @DialaCab at:

interest to Members and the public is no mean

July, we passed that goal and the lucky win-

https://twitter.com/dialacab On Facebook,

feat in the noise that is Twitter!

ner was randomly picked from all the

you can ‘like’ our page at the following site:

So we decided to do something about it.

entrants. She is Jean Beer (@jeansmiles) of

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dial-a-

Recently we’ve been tweeting about our App,

Bristol. We sent her a white and silver iPad

Cab/143343275702145

the ‘Supersides’ we’ve installed on some of our

Mini direct from the Apple Store.

On LinkedIn, you can link to us at:

Member’s cabs and the progress of the new

Congratulations to Jean!

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dial-a-

Mobile Data Terminal rollout. Of course, this is

We designed the competition in such a way

cab

of interest to customers and Members, but

that every single entrant would have to visit our

On YouTube you can subscribe to our video

there’s only so much you can say about these

Website and be presented with adverts for our

feed (including MDT training videos) at:

subjects!

App and services. This type of targeted advertis-

http://www.youtube.com/user/dialacabUK

We realised that in order to gain more fol-

ing ensured our brand and services were being

Jon Winterburn

lowers (many of whom are potential new cus-

seen by potential customers. We saw an increase

DaC Network Administrator

Call Sign August 2013

Page 8

With Dial-a-Cab now well into

DIAL-A-CAB: THE TIMELINE

its sixtieth year, Call Sign

thought it would give a brief

A piece of history:

historical timeline of this

Bonnie Martyn

Society’s progress...

meets the PCO's

George Turnbull on

It was Thursday Jan 29 1953; taxi driver

13 November 1953

Bonnie Martyn met a friend Albert Hall.. They

were both members of the Radio Owner

Drivers Association (RODA) but had heard of

tied into the taxi trade.

discrepancies in the accounts and that the cir-

ODRTS then grew

cuit was in financial trouble. They decided to

until on Monday

call a meeting in the back of Bonnie’s taxi,

March 1965, - exactly

which was to be parked on the Grosvenor

11 years since the offi-

Gardens shelter rank on Sunday 29 March.

cial launch - the organi-

Joining them were fellow drivers Eric Stoffel

sation moved to a four-

and Arthur Cutmore.

storey building at

144

They concluded that RODA was finished and

Shirland Road, Maida

that a radio circuit for owner drivers was need-

Vale.

ed. They advertised for anyone interested and

to go ahead and were granted a bank loan, but

Following a Board

set a date for those drivers to attend the Albany

all the committee had to offer security against it.

meeting on Friday 1 June 1984, it was decided

Tavern at the northern end of Great Portland

In addition to the original four and Frank

that as of Monday 11 June, ODRTS would adopt

Street. It was to be on Sunday 7 June 1953. A

Duncan, they had now been joined by Doug

the catchier trading name of Dial-a-Cab.

collection was made to go towards any costs

Naismith, Alec Cobden and David Fiertag.

Two months later, on 11 August 1984, DaC

and £200 was raised. A second meeting was

The following day, November 13 1953,

moved to their third home at Brunswick Place

called for Sunday June 21 at the Barley Mow in

Bonnie Martyn met the PCO’s George

and the builders moved in to turn it into the

Horseferry Road where drivers were signed up

Turnbull to inform him of our progress.

type of place that DaC needed with its increased

and it was agreed that they should look for an

Then on Friday 18 December 1953, the first

staff numbers..

office from which they could dispatch work.

jobs were dispatched, but most of the cabs

Following a great deal of preparation, 22 Nov

On Monday 10 August 1953, estate agent

couldn’t receive the signals. Pye Radio stepped

1988 was the day when DaC attempted to leave

Jack Rose calls Bonnie Martyn and tells him he

in and just over one month later on Tuesday 26

voice dispatching and to go live with data dis-

has found an ideal property for them to rent at

January 1954, the first official job was dis-

patch. The system failed due to an incorrect

172 Pentonville Road. The offer is accepted.

patched. The pick-up address was responding

MDI calculation.

Following a meeting at Dial House in

to local advertising and went from Pentonville

Five months later, on Saturday 29 April 1989,

Shaftesbury Avenue, it was agreed to install

Road to Gamages store in Old Holborn (now

DaC made its second data dispatch attempt.

phone lines at the new offices on Thursday 1

just Holborn).

This time it proved to be successful and has

October - by then the premises had been

On Tuesday 8 March 1955, ODRTS was offi-

stayed on ever since.

repainted and had new pipes fitted outside - all

cially launched by Sir Ian Fraser MP, famous

Saturday 7 June 2003 saw DaC celebrate its

done under the stewardship of Frank Duncan.

for his work on behalf of the disabled. He had

50th anniversary with a ball for 160 people at

Then on Thursday 12 November 1953, the

been blinded during active service in WW1 and

Vinopolis in the City, organised by Brian Rice’s

first-ever committee meeting was held at

worked tirelessly to promote welfare for blind

secretary, Jacqui Chart.

Bonnie Martyn’s home. They were told that for

people and ex-servicemen. He was also a found-

On Saturday 5 May 2007, Dial-a-Cab moved to

£2400 they could actually buy the lease rather

ing member and national president of the

our current premises at Dial-a-Cab House.

than pay a monthly rent. The committee agreed

Royal British Legion - an organisation forever

And the story continues...

Call Sign says…

UBER: MADNESS OR SUICIDAL?

In our April 2011 issue, Dial-a-Cab driver Jon Robinson (E88) sent us a Sunday Times article concern-

ing San Francisco cab company Uber, in which it said they intended coming to London with their US

app system of hiring stretch limo cabs. Well, over two years on and Uber’s Head of Operations Ryan

Graves says that TfL have given them the permission they needed, except that the stretch limos have

been replaced by a car service.

Although Uber has been available in London in a small upmarket way, they now intend running a

UberX service, which is a cheaper version using - they claim - BMW 3 Series or the Toyota Prius.

The reason for this article isn’t to offer publicity for Uber, but to show why we believe

their service is madness and suicidal. They say they will be 40% cheaper than Addison Lee

and up to 50% less than taxi prices and as an example quote Gresham Street in the City to

Kensington Church Street for a price of £13. They talk of a minimum £3 and then £1.75 per

mile.

Mr Graves calls their new service a “game changer.” Well if they can pay their “chauffeurs” and make

a profit on that £13, then we may as well all go home. So can they survive at those prices, unless they work as they do in Los Angeles?

Over there, the UberX service is banned, but that seems to matter little to them. Why are they banned? Well it seems they use ordinary people with a car

but without the correct licence. Surely TfL would be fussier should Uber attempt that here?

Mr Graves went on to say that in regard to getting their initial licence for operating in London, Uber found TfL ‘to be the most progressive regulatory

system they had worked with!’ He added that unlike the UberX service in some countries, London’s would not involve passenger sharing and that their

first job here would be to take on Addison Lees and then us!

Call Sign asked San Francisco driver Charles Rathbone, who at one time drove a TX2 up and down the city’s famed hills, what he knew

about UberX. He told us:

“UberX operate here in SF and they can survive quite nicely in London - even at those prices! In fact, you can be sure that London's cyberspace is awash

today with emailed offers of free UberX rides, sign-up freebies and generous referral bonuses. Their cars may be fancy models on day-one, but by day-two

they will be picking up passengers in virtually any model car. The cars are private passenger vehicles with non-commercial insurance and plates, no inspec-

tions, no training, no hack permits or any other kind of permit and no numbering or signage of any sort. Rates are set by Uber and can rise at will, notably

in times of public disaster. The drivers and vehicle owners are just about anyone with a used car, an email address and a few hours a week to kill.

UberX, Lyft, Sidecar and other faux-rideshares are direct challenges to regulators. They use blitzkrieg tactics to overwhelm regulators and force an immedi-

ate de facto deregulation of for-hire services. The roguish nature of their businesses makes them irresistible to the twenty-something generation.”

It’s not often that we and the Griffin family chase after the same enemy, but there’s a first time for everything…!

Call Sign August 2013

Page 9

PAM CAMPBELL

10 July 1951 - 1 July 2013

Although Dial-a-Cab staff knew that former

I had been friends at work for over eleven

account manager Pam Campbell had been

years and she will be so dearly missed.

diagnosed with lung cancer, news of her

Pam was a hard-working, intelligent, car-

death was greeted with shock as well as sad-

ing and very thoughtful person. She was

ness.

very close to her friends and so many peo-

Pam began her employment with DaC on 1

ple cared about her.

September

1997 as a Trainee Account

One of Pamela’s best traits was that she

Manager before eventually becoming a fully-

always lived her life to the fullest and

fledged account manager, taking care of a

loved to laugh and smile. It isn’t possible

number of important accounts.

to put the importance of friendship and

Following her diagnosis, Pam was given an

how much Pamela meant to me. She posi-

extended period of sick leave, but on 30

tively influenced my life in so many ways

November 2012, having notched up 15 years’

and I will miss her with all my heart.

continuous service, she announced her

Pamela, thank you for your friendship,

retirement and came to a special ceremony in

I will miss you forever and never forget all

the DaC boardroom. She looked surprisingly

of the time we spent together. God

well and enjoyed the presentation and party

Bless...”

afterwards.

Antoinette Gardner to pen a few words

Pam leaves a husband, John and their two

Pam was a popular member of the ground

about Pam.

sons, Colin and Darrell. Our sincere condo-

floor accounts department and we asked

“Pamela was my dearest friend. She and

lences go to them all..

Changing

London!

This pictorial look at our city and

shows just how much things have

changed over the years. There was a

time when the roads were filled with

cars, buses and taxis with the odd

bicycle weaving its way through the

traffic.

At the same time Dial-a-Cab taxis

needing to stop briefly to pick up

their radio passenger would take the

chance and stop wherever there was

a safe place to do so - often resulting

in a PCN.

And there was a slight buzz in the

air if a Rolls Royce or Bentley came

out to take its owners to one of

London’s posh restaurants or hotels.

Now it seems that Mayor

Johnson is intent on giving priori-

ty to cyclists, Pedicabs can do as

they wish while we still get pre-

sented with PCNs and Rollers are

no longer exciting with Ferraris

and Lamborghinis brought over

from middle east countries such

as Saudi Arabia by their owners

to be paraded around

Knightsbridge are the vogue and

show Londoners what a triple

exhaust system sounds like!

Yep, London sure is changing...!!!

Call Sign August 2013

Page 10

COMPLIANCE OFFICER’S REPORT

priate times on any problem trips without the

Charge card C code entry has now been

need to time your meter out or engage the

enabled giving support to accounts like

meter if you feel that the trip may not be to

Goldman Sachs (EC10).

your liking. Reasonable delays will normally be

Dispatch messages now automatically

accepted, unrealistic times to force the

move to next line at end of previous line

despatchers to recover or scrub a trip may well

without having to press the down button.

jeopardise an account. In this job you can

Since the introduction of the Superside

never be too clever and a journey that starts

campaign together with regular information

out as a short trip, often turns into a roader. It

on Twitter, downloads of the DaC App have

is so important that you play your part.

risen in a very positive way. This has further

increased the number of trips ordered or

New terminals...

taken on Credit Cards, which I hope will con-

The fitting programme for the new terminal

tinue month on month. With this in mind, it

is well under way and quite a number of you

really is very important that all Credit Card

Hello ladies & gents

have now been fitted. To answer to some of

receipts via the new PED

(Pin Enabled

your queries, the list below explains impor-

Device) are checked before the passenger

tant changes to the MDT software that the IT

leaves your taxi.

We are now well in to the school holiday peri-

department have implemented to improve

If you see a **Void** or **Cancelled**

od and I am sure that this August will cer-

the day-to -day operation. All new fits will

transaction at the bottom of the printed

tainly be an improvement on last year. Having

have the upgraded software but for those fit-

receipt or the words **No Connection** the

often mentioned that coverage at certain

ted before 22nd July, you will need to pop in

transaction has not gone through successful-

times of the day seems always to be a prob-

to the fitting bay at Roman Way. It takes

ly and you must either repeat the process or

lem, it is even more important now that it is

around 5 minutes.

arrange alternative payment.

as good as it can be. The Contact Centre

encounters more problems in the busy morn-

Map search of offer: When a trip is

For those of you taking a well earned sum-

ing period (predominantly in the West and

offered, if the driver presses the Map tab,

mer break, have a good one. For those still

South West areas) than at any other time of

the street will be copied into the search

working, drive safely be very lucky...

the day but I have always believed that you,

box enabling a map search prior to

the members, will try your best to help dis-

accepting the trip.

Allan Evans

patchers and I continue to do so.

Zone screens will refresh automatically

I am asking you to accept and offer appro-

every minute.

DaC Compliance Officer

Call Sign August 2013

Page 12

Do we need the Conditions of Fitness???

This issue’s Mailshot has TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels, replying to a driver’s

query regarding the Nissan NV200 and the Conditions of Fitness. Mr Daniels adds that there are always

companies that approach him who would like to see the CoF - especially the turning circle - abolished so

that more vehicles can enter the licensed taxi market. Call Sign knows of several that are “ready” for

London, but minus the 25 foot turning circle. It’s also no secret that the Vito has ongoing rear steer prob-

lems, so we asked the first seven Dial-a-Cab drivers we came across whether we still needed the CoF...

Stuart Miller (N01 + TX taxi)

conditions, which would give drivers greater confidence and

We should definitely keep the 25’ turn-

be more re-assuring for our passengers. While I accept we

ing circle. It aids manoeuvrability and

have a duty to carry disabled passengers, I personally have

therefore safety. For example allowing

never used the ‘step’ which takes too long to set up and the

us to get close to the kerb and other

ramp which takes up too much room in the boot. But yes, to

tight spaces so that passengers can get

get back to the original question, we must keep the

in or out safely and with ease. I’ve seen

Conditions as they are.

Vito owners struggle to make the turn

Stewart Lewis (D20 + TX)

downstairs at Euston Station rank,

The CoF should be kept, yes, but

choosing instead to take the wider of the two lanes so as to

revised by somebody with a brain! One

make the turn, even at the expense of losing a place in the

of the things I learned during a visit to

queue by allowing TX drivers to go first!

the Museum of London while on the

Stephen Young (E02 + Vito)

Cab Guiding Course was that in 1906,

We should keep the CoF even though

when the Renault Unic cab was intro-

my own Vito has continued to have

duced onto London’s streets, it didn’t

rear steer problems at 19000 and

have a reverse gear! So to compensate

26000 miles. I do still use the rear steer

and allow easy access to the narrow streets, the cab was

when necessary and luckily can use

designed to turn to face the opposite direction in one contin-

any MB dealership for servicing and

uous movement, hence the 25ft turning circle! Another point

repairs, a far nicer experience than

to bear in mind is that with saloon cars used as taxis, there is

some establishments I could mention!

often no physical division between the driver and passengers

as in purpose built cabs, which can leave the driver vulnerable

Dave Jennings (S91 + TX)

to assault or attack by less polite fares…

Relax the Conditions of Fitness?

Absolutely not! I have two friends with

Vitos and I’m told that even though the

rear steer can cost £1300 to fix, they

are keeping their cabs and seek to

defend their choice of taxi. I’ve seen

PHVs struggle to fit into spaces to pick

up or set down that I know I could get

into with ease!

Adam McGann (J09 + Vito)

We must keep the CoF - I do not think

we should flood the market with many

different types/shapes of taxis as in the

provinces. We should keep the distinc-

tive Vito/TX from the viewpoint of pub-

lic recognition and safety to be beyond

doubt. I’ve got enough problems

already convincing the travelling public

that I’m the real thing!

Steve Regan (K25 + TX)

We should definitely keep the CoF, oth-

erwise we lose our identity. As I see it,

the obvious benefit to volume produc-

tion vehicles being introduced would

be cheaper running costs and a wider

choice of service facilities, but at the

expense of our iconic recognition as

real taxis - and that’s not good.

Dave Willett (T27 + TX)

We should without doubt keep the CoF

as they are. However, the TX4 should

be more economical and have a bit

more ‘torque’ with perhaps a 1.5 or 1.8

litre turbo-charged engine and even

four-wheel drive for winter or adverse

Call Sign August 2013

Page 13

We each have a hobby or other interest away

from the cab and DaC Roman Way techni-

cian Steve Thomas has two - Welsh Rugby

CALL SIGN MEETS

and a passion for fishing. Steve takes both

seriously, but his fishing is almost akin to a

religion! When Call Sign saw a photo of Steve

with the ugliest fish we had ever seen - albeit

a really poor quality photo - we had to know

the story and Steve was happy to tell us...

Big Joe!

“I recently spent some time at Cleverley

Mere in the beautiful Essex countryside of

Hatfield Peverel, I fish there regularly; the

gravel lake covers about fifteen acres with

lush green reeds, an island and overhanging

trees that offer shade for fish and anglers

alike on warmer days. It’s all very peaceful.

The lake varies in depth from four to eigh-

teen feet, so the fish, of which there are plen-

ty, have loads of room to tease the angler and

challenge us to catch them. There are Rudd,

Perch, Pike and plenty of Carp, some of them

very large indeed. Some of these fish can

attain 30 - 40lbs or even more. There are sev-

eral Mirror Carp in excess of 40lbs and they

even have names, yes, fish with names!

On the day in question, I set up my gear

and made up my bait. Carp like hotdog

and sour cream bolie on a bed of chilli

hemp; it’s an irresistible delicacy to them!

Anyway, once the trap was set, I erected my

tent and settled down to wait and wait. It was

thirteen hours before my ‘bite alarm’ went off

and it took me almost forty five minutes to

reel in Big Joe. At 50lbs 8oz he’s just about

Fortunately the poor quality of the photo covers the ugliness of Big Joe!

the biggest Mirror Carp in the lake. Chester

and Hendrix are two others that weigh in on

the blighter is pretty tired and so if I were to

3lb test curve, Shimano 10,000 bait runners

the hefty side as well.

simply release him immediately after catching

and Amnesia line with 15lb breaking strain.

I pulled him in steadily, lifted him gently

him, he would be unable to catch his breath,

Completing the set is the Snake-Bite hook

out of the water and grabbed him firmly as

be confused and dis-oriented which might

line and Delkim TXi bite alarm.

best I could with both arms while we had our

not be too good for his health, so I eased him

More info from Cleverley Fisheries on:

picture taken and then lowered him equally

back into the water and gave him a chance to

01245 424881 email cleverleyfisheries

carefully back into the lake and held him gin-

settle down. But I still got ‘im!”

@hotmail.com

gerly by his tail for half an hour or so while he

Steve beamed proudly with a twinkle in his

caught his breath, before finally releasing him

eye as he told us about his brief liaison with

Jamie Corum

back to freedom.

Big Joe! For any aficionados out there, Steve’s

After a forty-five minute fight against a rod,

kit comprises Fox Warrior fishing rods with

Call Sign Online

The Dalston flower display

Of Anne and Tom Whitbread…

Many drivers have asked Call Sign if Tom Whitbread’s wife Anne has replen-

ished her usual floral display this year on their Dalston home balcony. The

answer is that yes she has!

So if you are sitting at the traffic lights on the corner of Queensbridge Road

and Dalston Lane, just look up to the right. The balcony runs along the side of

their house overlooking Parkholme Road. If you are unfortunate enough not

to be travelling that way, Tom has sent us a photo of this year’s display…

Call Sign August 2013

Page 14

Drilling for gas... in London???

dioxide compared to diesel buses and half the amount of CO2.

n a fascinating response to Nilima

However, the new buses are said to cost over £350,000 each and as any

Choudhury in Responding to Climate

taxi driver can already tell you, London is totally flooded with buses that

Change, Mayor of London Boris

outside of peak hours are running around well over half empty. Mr

Johnson’s Environmental Advisor,

Pencharz also said that City Hall might be testing some single decker

Matthew Pencharz, refused to deny that

electric buses which are much cleaner than even the current hybrids -

parts of London could be dug up in the

he admitted that there was currently no such thing as an electric double

search for shale gas. The recovering

decker to look at - but added that the electric route could well be too

process, known as fracking*, is covered in

costly.

controversy and following a huge deposit

The Mayor’s Environmental Advisor then spoke to RTCC about

discovered near Blackpool that is await-

Matthew Pencharz:

taxis and said that the vehicles we earn our living with are also

ing a decision for fracking to begin, it is

"We won't dig up

London’s heaviest polluters. He added that they had not found a

claimed that there could be considerable

Trafalgar Square!"

definitive replacement, but mentioned the London Taxi

supplies beneath the streets of the capital

Company’s hoped-for development of the hybrid taxi it displayed

- quite possibly beneath the very spot that your Dial-a-Cab taxi is cur-

at the London Olympics and which, in the long term, would be

rently parked! Mayor Johnson is expected to decide early next year

where London should apply for a permit following tests that are expect-

be made.

ed to be completed by the end of 2013.

The climate change problem was brought up with mentions of the

Mr Pencharz admitted that it was unlikely central London would be

recent hurricanes in the US and a question as to what would happen to

overrun by drilling rigs but added that all options needed to be

London if a Hurricane Sandy ever hit our shores.

explored if they involved any possible help with providing low carbon.

The Thames Barrier was mentioned but Mr Pencharz also said that the

“If there are deposits in London - there might be, but we won’t know

Mayor has initiated other flooding-related initiatives quoting ‘Drain

until later in the year - but it’s certainly worth having a look. The gov-

London’ which looks at parts of London where flooding could happen

ernment is obviously talking about the future of shale gas and there may

and to put in plans about how to make current infrastructure more

be deposits on the very outer edges of London. But we’re not going to

resilient.

be digging up Trafalgar Square!”

*Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-

Boris Johnson gave a clue in a Daily Telegraph article when he said

pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

that no stone should be left unfracked to keep the lights on following a

Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure

scare story about future power cuts. The Mayor said:

which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well. The process is car-

“It’s glorious news for humanity. It doesn’t need the subsidy of wind

ried out vertically or, more commonly, by drilling horizontally to the rock

power. I don’t know whether it will work in Britain, but we should get

layer. The process can create new pathways to release gas or can be used

fracking right away!”

to extend existing channels. It would also create many new jobs. However,

Following on from the legacy of 2012, Mayor Johnson published his

it also is said to have some dangerous by-products - especially in water pol-

2020 Vision paper where it tells about the future of London’s energy.

lution...

Emphasising the point, Mr Pencharz added that the power from shale

gas had the potential of giving us cleaner, greener, more secure and

cheaper retail energy and City Hall has applied to the UK energy regu-

lator for a licence to allow the GLA to buy excess electricity produced by

residents and public bodies which it could sell on cheaply to organisa-

TIGER

tions such as railway operators and hospitals etc.

Air quality concern is going to be an even bigger topic over the next

12 months with average nitrogen dioxide levels in the capital said to be

over twice the European legal limit and much of the blame being

off with this

squarely aimed at diesel vehicles such as buses and lorries - and of

advert

course taxis. By 2016, the Mayor has says that he wants 20% of London’s

buses to be hybrid, which his office says emits four times less nitrogen

TAXI TYRE SPECIALIST

STOCKISTS OF MICHELIN, AUSTONE AND

REMOULDS FOR ALL FX AND TX TAXIS.

Works at Palestra

HI FLY / BARUMS AND CONTINENTALS

Until October 2013 there will be works around TfL’s Palestra

FOR THE VITO TAXI

building, starting on the side of the building facing Blackfriars

Road. As a result, the nearside southbound traffic lane will be

FRONT PADS FITTED FOR TX1 & TX2

suspended for about three weeks.

£40 AND TX4

£45 INCLUSIVE VAT

From early August to early September, work will be carried out

on the Union Street side of the building and Union Street will

NEW VALVES AND BALANCING ON ALL TYRES

operate eastbound only between Blackfriars Road and Nelson

Square. Signage at the Great Suffolk junction will advise west-

WE ALSO DO LASER TRACKING AND PUNCTURES

bound vehicles that entry into Union Street is for access to

Nelson Square only, with other westbound traffic diverted north

FREE TYRE INSPECTION

along Great Suffolk Street and via Southwark Street and

Blackfriars Road. A contra-flow cycle lane will operate west-

OPENING TIMES: 08.30am - 17.30pm

bound on Union Street, with a barrier to segregate this from the

main eastbound traffic.

call now 020 7729 5237

Union Street will be returned to two-way operation as soon as

possible and remaining works on Gambia Street and the north

Unit 14 Peterley Business Centre

side of the building will be carried out in September and early

472 Hackney Road, London E2 9EQ

October.

Call Sign August 2013

Page 15

Views on life as seen through the

THE MISSING DAC

eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...

Kupkake’s

CHAIRMAN!

Eli ‘Trixie’ Solomons

Korner

Call Sign is proud of the files it keeps on Dial-a-Cab’s

past history. It has taken many years for this magaz

to get such a complete picture of its past and tho

that helped build DaC up. We have had 11 Chairm

since the Society’s beginning in 1953 and ma

Board Members.

The Chairmen were Bonnie Martyn

(1953

1957), Frank Duncan (1957 - 1959 and 1962

1964), Eli (Trixie) Solomons (1959 - 1962), Jac

Russell (1964 - 1969), Jack Taylor (1969 - 1972)

Martin Gellman

(1972

1976), Pete

Fennymore (1976 - 1984), Ken Burns (1984 -

Going to work!

1990), Phil Messias

(1990 - 1992), Aubrey

Siteman (1992 - 1996), Brian Rice (1996 - pre-

sent day).

My mate bought a Vito

Ken Burns, Aubrey Siteman and current

now he likes to go to work,

Chairman Brian Rice survive the list. But Call

wears the shirt and ties completo

Sign has photos and information on all of them -

except for one. We have never been able to track

in his silver, shiny Merc.

a photo or grab any info on Eli

‘Trixie’

Shame about the steering

Solomons. He had been Chairman from 1959

until 1962 and was a cousin to Martin Gellman,

It sometimes lets him down,

but Martin hadn’t any photos of Trixie, nor

So even though he looks the part

could he tell Call Sign much about him. Only

He comes home with a frown.

one driver currently on DaC was here in the

days of Trixie Solomons and that is Alan

Another mate got a TX4

Lewis (A44), but he was a mere youngster at

sooner him than me,

the time.

But in July we received an email from Janet Baine, who had been looking at our

sitting cramped against the door

Call Sign Online facility and asked if we could get any info on her uncle, Harry Croft. But the

just like the TX3.

email mentioned that Harry and Trixie Solomons were good friends, so we grabbed the

opportunity of getting some info on DaC’s “missing” Chairman...

Best cab I had was a Beardmore

Janet, who lives in Shirley, Croydon wrote:

Hand-made and built to last,

“I was interested to see your various articles mentioning Trixie Solomons. He was a lovely man

had only 3 doors - not 4

who lived opposite my uncle - who we always called 'Bon' but whose real name was Harry Croft.

with wings of fibreglass.

I just wondered if there were any drivers out there who remember Harry. I read the article about

jokers putting a couple of kippers in Trixie Solomons’ engine and must say that was exactly the

Red leather upholstery

sort of thing my uncle used to do!

Petrol-engined hush,

Harry drove a taxi in the 1950s and 1960s. One day he was hailed by two Americans dressed as

GIs who ‘hired’ him to go to an address near London Airport but obviously had no intention of pay-

economical and speedy

ing the fares. He was beaten up very badly and robbed but not before he broke his assailant's nose.

perfect for a mush.

Both men had escaped from a prison ship docked in London and were trying to get to the airport

to get back to America. They severely beat Harry and stole his takings. The beating was so bad that

Long before speed cameras

it was reported on in The Evening News. Harry was never the same after that.

I was in Queensbridge Road,

Trixie Solomons was a good and kind man who was a great friend and support to my

in the early morning hours

uncle, as was his wife Minnie. They were both much loved by our family. He was a tall,

empty without a load.

Jewish man with a long face that often looked sad and thoughtful, but it would crack into

laughter very easily. He was so lovely to us. Trixie kept encouraging Harry - who had been

I hit the bridge at 60

a bus driver during the war - to do the Knowledge. Eventually he did and Harry's daughter,

and the Beardmore left the deck,

Bettina, used to walk through London with her father so she could help him memorise

streets and landmarks! If it hadn’t been for Trixie's kindness and help, Harry wouldn’t have

4 wheels wildly spinning

had his business, which meant the family had a much lovelier way of life than if he had

I thought I'd have a wreck!

stayed in his job as a bus driver.

But she landed in a straight line

Later on, with cars still few and far between, my uncle Harry would travel to Shirley and pick us

all up in the back of his taxi and then drive us up to Whetstone, all the while poking fun at those

and I just motored on,

who lived south of the river! Trixie's wife, Minnie, was always very welcoming. Whenever we visit-

no damage, everything fine

ed them (living just across the road from Harry), Trixie would give me a ten shilling note.

My uncle Harry had a very rough life after the death of his parents had effectively split the family

that's why it’s my number one.

up. He lived for a while in the workhouse before re-joining my mother. He and a friend had acro-

But I'm happy with my Metro

batic skills and their variety act ‘The Great Warzans’ had them going round the halls. Harry's life in

his 20s and 30s is lost to me, but after the war Trixie encouraged him to buy that cab. The rest is his-

even though it's 10 years old,

tory.

Like me, it's a retro

If anyone at Dial-a-Cab knows anything about my uncle Harry, I would love to know about

from a time when we were bold.

it and perhaps you could let the Editor know. And if nothing else, your former Chairman

Trixie Solomons is not quite as much of a mystery as he was before...”

Kopyright Kupkake 2013

Janet Baine

Shirley, Croydon

Call Sign August 2013

Page 16

We asked what you gain from

having a Novus camera installed

in your taxi…

CALL SIGN LOOKS AT

* Get a discount off your insurance

premiums using the camera

NOVUS CCTV CAMERAS

* Provides undisputed evidence

* Reduces thefts, attacks on drivers and

Approved by TfL, insurance companies and affordable..

‘crash for cash’ schemes

* Provides clear facts as to what happened

in an accident

* Resolves liability disputes immediately

* Prevents spurious whiplash claims,

including those from third parties not

even in the vehicles

* Clarifies where impact occurred and

extent of damage

* Provides proof the passenger hasn’t

followed safety procedure such as wearing

seat belt

Why a Novus camera….

* No on-going cost - one off payment

* Free software and PC player

* User friendly

* Installation time approx 30mins

* Discreet camera

Features ….

* Continuously records onto SD card

* Automatically overrides old non important

clips and keeps clips with incidents

Fitting time is around 30 minutes and it will probably reduce insurance costs

* Records vital data such as speed, incident

are regularly being targeted and damaged,

can contact their insurance company to see if

location via Google map, real time and

which is costing huge sums in increased pre-

they can get a discount off their premiums if

date via GPS

miums. On top of that, drivers are being

using the Novus View-I SSL Ruby camera.

* Records audio for additional evidence

attacked and have no way to prove that they

Novus has a number of qualified engineers

* Easy to remove from vehicle every night or

are not at fault.

on standby to professionally hard wire the

to transfer to another vehicle

Novus Automotive Ltd now has a range

camera into ignition. All cables are hidden

* Simple and easy software to use

of CCTV cameras which are approved by

from view providing a neat, clean and profes-

* Easy to send clips of incidents to

Transport for London. This means Novus

sional installation.

organisation such as insurance companies

Automotive Ltd now have an approved,

You can get more information with no

Fact: Every day in the UK there are over

affordable, easy to use camera for taxis.

obligation whatsoever by contacting

1200 whiplash claims and annually there are

And the benefits don’t stop there! The

Jason, James or Aimee on 0208 515 7827.

over 30,000 ‘crash for crash’ fraudulent insur-

Novus View-I SSL Ruby is also insurance

Tell them you read about it in Dial-a-Cab’s

ance claims. Taxi (and private hire) vehicles

approved and recognised. This means drivers

Call Sign magazine...

Danny beats clock in Chai run

Call Sign’s Danny Fresco recently did a 10 kilometer run in aid of the Chai Cancer Care charity.

Running in memory of his mum Carole and Editor’s son Reed, Danny completed the run in a person

al best time of 54 minutes and 16 seconds - not bad when you realise that the temperature was clos

ing in on 90 degrees! At the time of going to print, his efforts had raised £365 for Chai on top of th

£700 he raised last time.

Danny has been with Call Sign ever since current Editor Alan Fisher’s first day in the hot seat in

June 1997 and while Danny may not be as well-known as his Taxi columnist dad Al, his layout

designs have helped Call Sign reach tremendous heights for an in-house magazine.

On Sunday 9 August 2009, Danny’s mum, Al’s wife and Ed’s wife Linda’s closest friend, Carole

Fresco passed away in Barts Hospital, just six weeks after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

After Carole’s death, Danny’s family were greatly helped by Chai Cancer Care and in return

Danny ran the London British 10k charity run and raised around £700 for the Hendon and

Redbridge-based organisation that provides so much care for Jewish cancer patients and their fami-

lies.

For his latest run, Danny decided to add Editor’s son Reed Fisher to his memory list. Reed died

last January, three years after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. He had worked in

the Dial-a-Cab call centre on Sundays for 23 years in addition to being an IT analyst with the Ford

Motor Company..

Danny told Call Sign: “Chai Cancer Care are a small charity, but do such a fantastic job

looking after families and patients who are, or have been, affected by cancer. Without

them, I would have struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss of my fantastic mum

who I miss so much. And in Reed’s case, not only did they help his family but I know how

much Chai helped Reed during his illness and gave him the support and comfort he need-

ed. I will always be indebted to Chai for helping me and I feel honoured to run in aid of them.”

Chai currently supports around 1600 patients at any one time at its 8 UK sites or in their own homes. This number is added to at the rate

of around 80 new patients each month. Over the past 12 months, Chai provided over 12,000 individual therapy and counselling sessions.

You can still donate to Danny’s charity page at: http://tinyurl.com/avatjvp

Call Sign August 2013

Page 18

Credit/Debit Card Step by Step Guide

11. The Credit/Debit Card Completion screen will turn grey and

the following message appears at the bottom of the screen:

Note: If the transaction times out, the following message

Acknowledgement

will appear at the bottom of the terminal screen:

‘Des na on

Updated’

Just re-press the ‘Process’ button to resend the information

to the Chip and Pin device.

You also have the option to ‘Soon to Clear’ into the zone,

Pass the Chip and Pin (PED) device to the passenger

when you are no more than 15 minutes away from the

through your partition window or luggage door. The device

destination.

will instruct the passenger and yourself through the

process.

At the end of your journey stop the meter.

12. If the trip is under £20, and the passenger has a

Press the ‘Clear Job’ button.

Contactless Card, they have the option of making a

Contactless payment. All the passenger is required to do is

The screen will change to the Credit/Debit Card

touch their card

Completion screen. Check that the amount is correct, then

onto the screen.

press the ‘Process’ button.

The terminal will

print a merchant

copy, which you

retain. Press the

green ‘Enter’

button to clear the

trip from your

screen and send

the information

through to Diala

Press

Cab.

‘Process’

Note: On a

Contactless

payment, the

passenger does

not receive a

Note: The handling charge of 10%, minimum of £2, is

receipt. If the passenger requires a receipt, they should

automatically calculated.

insert their card into the device.

10. The Confirm Amounts popup box will appear. Press the

13. Alternatively, if the

‘OK’ button to send the amount to the Chip and Pin device.

card is not

Press ‘Cancel’ to return to the Credit/Debit Card

Contactless, or the

Completion screen.

transaction is over

£20, the passenger

inserts their card

into the Chip and

Pin device.

14. Once the

passenger has

entered their pin

and pressed the

green ‘Enter’ button, and the transaction is authorised, the

customer copy receipt will be printed on your terminal.

15. Tear off the customer copy, and ask the customer to press

the green ‘Enter’ button and then remove their card, and

pass the customer copy receipt to the passenger. Ask the

passenger to pass the Chip and Pin device back to you.

Call Sign August 2013

Page 19

Credit/Debit Card Step by Step Guide

16. Once the passenger has removed their card, the merchant

As soon as you press ‘To Card’ the screen will switch to the

copy receipt will be printed. Tear off the merchant copy of

Credit/Debit Card Completion screen.

the receipt and retain for a minimum of 12 months.

17. Press the green ‘Enter’ button to finish the transaction

and send the information through to DialaCab.

Note: Always ensu

when the receipt is

printed that the

receipt does not

show **Void** or

**Cancelled** this

can occur when a

connection to the

host is lost or the

customer presses

the ‘Cancel’ button

If the receipt does

indicate that the

You now need to manually input the ‘Pick Up’ and

transaction was

‘Destination’ zones. Press your finger in the ‘Pickup Zone’,

unsuccessful. Pass

once the cursor is flashing in the field, enter where you

the passenger

picked the passenger up from. Carryout the same

their copy of the

procedure for the ‘Destination’ field. Check all the

‘Voided’ receipt

information entered is correct and then press the

and explain that

‘Process’ button.

you need to carry

out the

transaction

again. Press the

There will be a few second’s delay whilst the trip is created

green ‘Enter’

by the host at DialaCab House. Once the trip is created

button on the

the confirm amount box will appear.

Chip and Pin

device (PED)

and then press

‘Process’ on the

terminal. Follow steps 10 to 17 to

complete the transaction.

Change Cash Booking to Credit/Debit

Card Booking

Cash trips can be changed to Credit/Debit card transactions

even when the meter is in ‘Stop’.

From the ‘Cash Completion’ screen press the ‘To Card’

button.

Once you see ‘A/D DESTINATION UPDATED’ at the bottom

of the screen. Press the ‘OK’ button and pass the Chip and

Pin device (PED) to the passenger.

Follow steps 11 to 17 to complete the transaction.

Press

‘To Card’

Call Sign August 2013

Page 21

DaC driver Sean Farrell (B39) looks at trade history from a different angle

The Brethren of the Whip

cab driver. William Wilson (badge 6379) had

for the return of Lord Mandeville from

The Wild

taken Lord Mandeville to the Café Royal.

Ireland, all would be explained. Fortunately

Whilst the Lord dined, he told Wilson to drive

for Wilson, the magistrate adopted this course

Wild West

to his house in Great Stanhope Street (now

and released Wilson on his own recognisance.

…End!

Stanhope Gate) and pick up a revolver that he

But Wilson’s hope that Lord Mandeville would

had forgotten to take with him (he was about

come to his aid was all in vain.

Part I

to embark for Ireland and the Fenians - an

Mandeville never did attend court, even

At one time,

Irish Republican Brotherhood splinter group -

though a warrant was issued. He did send a

Hollywood was

were a major threat). This Wilson did, but the

letter which the magistrate refused to accept

transfixed with the

gun, which was wrapped in a bit of paper, was

in which he apologised for the foolishness of

Western - cowboys,

unbeknown to him, fully loaded.

the butler in not informing Wilson that the

‘injuns’ and gun fights! Tales of a gun fight

On returning to the rank outside the Café

gun was loaded, but that the accident would

at the OK Corral and suchlike gave script

Royal, he could not resist showing the gun,

never have happened had not Wilson “foolish-

writers much fodder to peddle out to the

which he described as “a pretty thing” to

ly and inadvertently toyed with the revolver.”

masses eager to read about those exploits.

Henry Spinks, another cabman who was also

After several legal arguments, the warrant

But they missed out on the opportunity of

waiting for his fare. Wilson pulled the gun out

against Mandeville was dismissed and Wilson

the tales of cabmen in London and their

of his pocket and as they were inspecting it,

was fined 40 shillings or to be imprisoned for

own exploits with six-shooters...

the gun fired, missing Spinks by inches. The

one month in default. As Wilson did not make

In 1886, Samuel Wakelind was hailed in

police were happy to accept Wilson’s version

any comment, it is most likely that his fine was

Regent Street by a smartly dressed man with

about not knowing the gun was loaded but

paid by Lord Mandeville’s legal team...

an umbrella. He was told to drive to Upper

the magistrate said it was one of the most

(To be continued)

Regent Street, which he did and was then

extraordinary stories he had ever heard and

told to turn around and drive to Waterloo

Sean Farrell

could not tolerate cabmen firing off loaded

Place. Once there, the passenger asked to go

guns in the busy streets of London. Wilson

Call Sign Online

back up Regent Street.

assured the magistrate that if he would wait

By now, Wakelind was becoming slightly

suspicious of the fare and made his feelings

known to the gentleman. His passenger, the

Earl of Shaftesbury, assured him that every-

thing was OK and that he was willing to pay a

O2 rank relocated

shilling for each trip up and down Regent

Street.

Some essential works must be carried out in the area where the North Greenwich

However, as they were passing the

Station taxi rank covering the O2 is, so during August the area will closed and the taxi

Polytechnic, a shot rang out and Wakelind

rank temporarily relocated.

looked about him to see a bullet had

August has been chosen as the time to carry out these essential works as there are

passed through the bodywork of the cab,

fewer events taking place at The O2. We are working closely with AEG and colleagues

missing him by inches. He jumped down

in TfL to manage the temporary relocation and make sure there are clear and direct

and demanded to know what was happen-

signs to show people where the temporary taxi rank is. The temporary rank will be in

ing. The Earl, who was not recognised by

the area used by taxis during the 2012 Games and which is normally used as the private

Wakelind, apologised, saying that the

hire pick-up area after events. During events, the coach area will be used for taxis to

revolver (he had just purchased it for £3

provide more space for drivers and passengers.

from a shop in Piccadilly) had accidently

The rank will be relocated from 07:00 on Monday 5 August until the end of

gone off and that if he would continue dri-

August and along with the essential works the taxi rank lanes will also be re-

ving him he would be paid the princely

marked

sum of a fiver.

Wakelind responded by saying: “I value my

life more than your fiver.” At that moment, a

policeman who had heard the gunshot

THE ALPHA POWER PILL

appeared and as he looked into the cab,

Shaftesbury placed the gun against his own

Now even better!

temple and pulled the trigger. The policeman

told Wakelind to drive round to the Middlesex

Helps cut the cost of diesel - and reduce Emissions!

hospital, which he did and both cabbie and PC

carried the still-living earl into the hospital.

OnlyCabs.co.uk are pleased to supply

But he was pronounced dead some three min-

Dial-a-Cab drivers with the amazing Alpha Pill

utes later.

The Earl of Shaftesbury had just six

Order Today to take advantage of the special price of £16.95

months previously succeeded to the title

following the death of his philanthropic

Go to www.OnlyCabs.co.uk or scan your smartphone

father, who had helped establish several of

on the ad code

the cab shelters that were appearing

throughout London as well as being

Or telephone your order to:

involved with several cab trade charities.

Stephen Vale at Only Cabs 020 3239 6101

Less than a month later and in the same

street there was another gunshot involving a

Call Sign August 2013

Page 22

Down

Arthur Willmoth

Wimbledon

1935 - 2013

Arthur was a well-known and very well-liked member of Dial-a-

Way...

Cab, especially to those who regularly used the Finsbury Square

Rank.

My regular stint on

the ranks at

Up until Friday 12th April, he was still working 4-nights a week as a jour-

Southfields Station

neyman (B65J) and leading a full and active life outside of cabbing. But after

and down at Gate 4

complaining of feeling exhausted, Arthur was soon to be diagnosed with ter-

was my 27th consecu-

minal cancer, the aggressive nature of which took his life on Tuesday 9th July

tive Wimbledon

at the age of 78.

Championships. Same

old faces (ones you

Arthur started driving a cab in 1968 and joined Dial-a- Cab in May 1977 as

hadn’t seen in

B71. He loved the job. He was a ‘people-person’ who enjoyed conversing

weeks), same old banter (all the old ones

with customers and fellow cab drivers alike. He was also well known for his

resurface) and the same old coin bags going

love of Arsenal, for whom he had a season ticket.

over the counter in the bank on the ‘3rd

People who spoke to him always said what a lovely man he was.

Monday’ - although you now have to pull

Arthur leaves his wife of 55-years Maureen and three sons Russell,

out the fake pound coins before the counter

clerk confiscates them!

Glyn and Jonathan, who is V18 on DaC. He also leaves five grandchil-

One of my fellow cabbies, a guy that

dren.

has helped me

Marshall the Augustus

Rest in Peace Arthur...

Road rank for many years, is Martin

King - who doubles-up as an author.

This year we got talking about keeping fit

and the need to do regular exercise at our

age (both 58) and the fact that it would be

unlikely that I would consider adding to my

13 Marathons any time soon, preferring the

more leisurely chal-

lenge of walking th

Severn Sisters hills

down on the south

coast near Beachy

Head some time

later this year.

The subject

came round to

Martin’s South

Downs Way - a

humorous tale

about a self-confessed couch-

potato London cabbie who decided not only

Arthur (on left) with DaC son Jonathan

to cycle the 100-mile long bridleway and

footpath running between Eastbourne and

Winchester, but to walk it as well!

This historic route is visited by over a mil-

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

lion people each year - and runs through

some of southern Britain’s most beautiful

countryside. People with families seeking a

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

day out and serious walkers alike visit the

variable bank interest rates?

Way, its chalky soil making it ideal for

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

cycling, horse riding or a leisurely stroll.

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

Martin’s book is full of hilarious anec-

dotes and the truly eccentric characters

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union. Any member of your family residing

he met along the Way - it will have you

at your address also qualifies for membership!

in stitches! As well as entertaining you

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

as you walk, ‘South Downs Way’ is a

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

comprehensive guide to the route,

up to 3 times your total savings…

including handy tips, useful addresses

and walking maps - ensuring that even

The cost?

the poorest navigators won’t get lost!

Just 1% per month on the outstanding balance (or APR of 12.7%).

Often bawdy and always amusing, this

Loans can be paid back early AND there can be an annual dividend on your shares.

book would be the essential alternative

guide for anyone experiencing the beauty of

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

the Downs for the first time.

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

Martin has also written ‘Hoolifan - 30

years of hurt’ - based on London’s history

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

of football violence and a complete contrast

Member’s funds protected up to limit set by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme

to his ‘South Downs Way’.

DaC Credit Union Ltd, Peterley Business Centre, 472 Hackney Rd E2 9EQ

Bob Woodford

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Call Sign Online

Registration number 213263

Call Sign August 2013

Page 23

With Barrie Segal moving on, Call Sign introduces John Vigus...

DAC PCNS:

INTRODUCING JOHN VIGUS

may not stop on red routes during controlled

charge notices:

hours. Taxis, of course, are not restricted to

Red routes: No more than three minutes

stopping on red routes to pick up or drop off

where taxis are allowed to stop.

passengers, but there is a reasonable time

Yellow lines: Maximum time waiting for pas-

limit for this to happen. In the case of taxis

sengers to arrive is three minutes.

and PHVs, since the judicial review hearing in

Bus stops: Avoid! Bus stops boarding and/or

My name is John Vigus. I have been involved

the High Court on 29th November 2010

alighting should be almost immediate.

in appealing parking tickets for over ten years

(Makda v the Parking Adjudicator), there is a

Loading Bays: You cannot stop in loading

for myself and since 2005 on behalf of various

period of time allowed to make contact with

bays to pick up or drop off passengers.

carriers and other business operators. Having

the passenger and also to take payment at the

Footway parking: NEVER! There is no

dealt with nigh on 10,000 appeals, my per-

drop off. This period is limited to around

exemption for you to park on the footway for

centage success rate is in the high 90s, both

three minutes and may be slightly longer in

any reason.

at local authority level and at adjudication.

certain circumstances.

Dropped kerbs: You cannot stop to pick up

During this period, I have gained knowledge

However, each case will turn on its own

or drop off passengers at dropped or raised

of parking regulations and exemptions as laid

merits. If your passenger does not appear at

kerbs.

down in local authority traffic management

around the three minute mark, then you are

Double parking: You cannot double park

orders and the relevant traffic Acts.

expected to move your vehicle to another

while waiting to pick up passengers.

Licensed Taxis (and private hire vehicles)

location (across the road) and begin another

Yellow zig zag markings outside schools:

are treated in much the same way as ordinary

short period to wait for the passenger. This is

Never during prohibited times.

cars in as much as they are all subject to the

not how taxis have operated, but since the

Zig Zags at crossings: NEVER! This is still an

same parking regulations but for a few excep-

introduction of CCTV this is now the world

endorseable offence.

tions. For example, a vehicle (any vehicle)

we live in because of the over enthusiastic

may stop for as long as is necessary for the

use of these cameras.

purpose of allowing a passenger to board or

John Vigus

Here are some basic rules to follow that

alight on a single or double yellow line, but

will help you to avoid receiving penalty

DaC PCNs

After DaC drivers asked for it...

Power Pills resized!

Granddad

Many Dial-a-Cab drivers have been using Alpha

Power Pills ever since Call Sign together with

Cricklewood Carriers taxi garage conducted

tests on two old taxis and showed the difference

between a cab on the pill and one that wasn’t.

Power Pills clean the entire fuel system, break

down carbon build-up in the engine, greatly cut

Garry

down smoke and assist with a better fuel burn

rate.

No one has ever suggested that the pills

could be improved, but some drivers had

June was a good month for Dial-a-Cab’s newest

suggested the pills were too big for the

Board Member, Garry White and his wife when

amount of diesel most drivers use in one

day.

they became grandparents for the first time. Their

Steve Vale, who is the online supplier, has

middle daughter, Fay, gave birth to a handsome

contacted Call Sign and told us that after hear-

8lb 3oz baby boy, Mason William, on 28th June

ing from all the DaC drivers who made the same

at Basildon Hospital.

suggestion, the new packs now contain twenty

half-size pills instead of the ten previously, with

Congratulations to all the family...

each pill now designed to put in with around 35

Garry with Mason

litres as against the previous 70 litres.

Steve told us: “When PowerPills were first

introduced, the idea of putting 10 plus gallons in

at a fill up was not that exceptional, but now

with the price of petrol and diesel being what it

is, realities have changed and we received many

requests for smaller pills because it[s easier to use

asaptrades

half a tablet if you are putting in smaller quanti-

ties.

I have also completely revamped the website

ELECTRICAL

at www.OnlyCabs.co.uk. While it will always

be a work in progress, it’s now much better than

it was. So please visit, have a look around and if

you have the time, send me any suggestions you

Electrical Installations - Fault Finding & Repairs

may have on how you feel it could be improved.

Also, if you have a Power Pill story you would

like to share, please send that to me.

www.asaptrades.com

I thank all you Dial-a-Cab drivers for your

custom and please remember that I’m

always here to help or just have a chat on

020 3239 6101.”

0203 130 6798

Steve Vale

Call Sign August 2013

Page 24

Sun, sea and Adventure Island? It can only be one thing...

LTFUC 2013 trip to Southend!

Fun, laughter and jollity

Children with the

were the order of the

prize-winning taxi

day on Thursday 27th

June, when a convoy of

100 decorated taxis took

300 children on the

them for giving up their

London Taxidrivers’

time to join us.

Fund

for

The winner of the best

Underprivileged

dressed taxi, displaying

Children’s legendary

an 85th anniversary cake,

outing to Southend-on-

was Steve Pulham who

Sea. This year the Fund

won the Terry Stapleton

is proudly celebrating its

Rose Bowl named after a

85th anniversary and

longstanding member of

this was the charity’s

the LTFUC who sadly

47th

outing

passed away in

1988.

Southend. And what a

Steve also received a

fantastic outing it was!

voucher from Vince

The taxis assembled

White Taxis of Waltham

very early at Victoria

Abbey - whom we sin-

Park and after decorat-

cerely thank

- with a

ing their taxis and hav-

choice of £150 or a cab

ing breakfast, the drivers

service and MOT. A final

waited for their special little passengers to arrive. The sun was shining

prize was a draw for the drivers. The winner was Stewart Murray who

and the atmosphere was great. On hand to entertain the children were

won an overnight stay for two with breakfast at Mayfair’s Connaught

the Furry Tail Folk and Clown Jolly Jack and we are grateful to them

Hotel to whom we thank for their generosity in donating the prize.

for entertaining the children for the whole day.

But all good things come to an end and at 6pm the children were led

We’d also like to thank Colin Hayfield, Upper Warden of the Tin

out of the room in a giant conga after getting an 85th Anniversary mug

Plate Workers and their Clerk Piers Baker (alias Wire Workers) for giv-

from the Fund as a gift, together with a stick of rock kindly donated by

ing up their time to meet the children and wave the convoy off. Can we

Southend Councillor Paul Van Looy. Our thanks also to Chingford

also thank Alison Denning, Festival and Events Officer for Victoria Park

Costco for donating bottles of water that were so welcome in the warm

and of course the Park’s management and staff who provided the break-

weather.

fast.

Special thanks go to our anonymous donor for giving £25 to

The huge horn blowing convoy departed at 10am and the LTFUC

each driver towards their fuel bill and also to the wonderful spon-

would like to thank Essex Police and the Blue Knights Law

sors whose donations helped to make this outing possible. And

Enforcement Motor Cycle Club (England 7 Chapter) for escorting us

huge thanks to Radiocoms Systems Ltd for the loan of their com-

so quickly and safely to Southend. We’d also like to thank Karen Hill

munication equipment.

(Green Flag) and Brian Bernard, Operations Manager and drivers

On our 85th anniversary, we are especially grateful to ITV who fea-

from Kavanagh Motor Group who joined the outing at the last minute

tured the outing on their London and Anglia evening news and also to

to help. Our grateful thanks also go to the Red Cross for accompany-

all the radio stations who gave us such great coverage.

ing us. People lined the streets waving and cheering as the children

Last, but not least, the Hon President, Hon Chair and Committee would

smiled and tried to master the ‘royal’ wave!

like to give special thanks to all the wonderful drivers and helpers. We

At midday we arrived at sunny Southend and after parading along the

really could not make these outings happen without you and we know the

seafront to cheers from a delighted crowd, we arrived at Cliffs Pavilion

children would also want us to give special thanks to you on their behalf.

for a lovely lunch. Out thanks to Southend Council, Derek Kenyon

They had a magical day that they will always fondly remember - their

and the Parking and Highways Team for the use of Shorefield Road

smiles, laughter and the sheer happiness on their faces throughout the day

Car Park and of course, the management and staff at the Cliffs Pavilion

was a joy to behold. Congratulations and a pat on the back to the

for all their help and assistance.

Committee for a brilliant outing... and roll on next year!

Snow White, the White Queen and Mad Hatter, the Furry Tail Folk,

More images can be seen on our website at www.ltfuc.org.uk along

Southend’s Salvo the Clown and Clown Jolly Jack were all on hand to

with details of future events...

greet the children as they arrived and had photos taken. Hon Chair,

Susan Angel, gave a welcome speech and 300 excited children were

LTFUC Press Officer, Raymond Levy

ferried to Adventure Island. Our gratitude goes to Brian Houssart

MBE, Hon President of the Southend Taxi Charity Fund for Children

for his support, along with Cooks Coaches for use of one of their

Keith Reading

coaches and also MD Bill Hiron and the drivers of Stephenson

Coaches for the use of their vehicles.

Professional Toastmaster

Vouchers for ice creams, donuts and drinks were given to drivers and

Master of Ceremonies

children; all you could hear was children’s laughter, their faces covered

in ice cream and candyfloss! Our gratitude to management and staff at

Tele: 01279 465 938

Adventure Island for their help and assistance in making the outing pos-

Mobile: 07774 860 374

sible.

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

At 5pm it was back to Cliffs Pavilion for tea and a DJ Dave Davies

disco. We thank him and his crew as we also do to Jackie Walsh and

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

her son Jake for kindly coming at the last minute and working tireless-

ly at face painting and balloon modelling, which the children loved.

Fellow of the Guild of

We were also pleased to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of

Professional Toastmasters

Southend, Councillor Brian Kelly and wife Ann, who were joined

by Adam Tregoning, the Mayor’s Mace Bearer and our thanks go to

Call Sign August 2013

Page 25

ALL WHITE WITH GARRY...

to assist if any difficulties are experienced. I

when the streets are busy. The DaC app can

have noticed that more customers are current-

establish a reputation for giving a great service

ly using cards as payments in taxis and it will

during both peak and quieter times.

certainly become more popular as a method of

payment.

Roof advertising

If, like me, you work nights, you cannot help

Card types

but notice some taxis in London with the

AMEX cards issued outside of Europe do not

Bright-Move Media advertising fins mounted on

have chip and pin technology, therefore are still

the roofs of cabs. This is giving a new look to

swiped. When clearing the payment, the PED

the taxi advertising market however, with the

prompts you to put in the last four digits on the

taxis needing much more height clearance it

front of the card and then to press enter. Once

could prove a problem - even though I am

the payment has been authorised, the mer-

assured they fit under the low entry point at

chant copy receipt is printed first and customer

Euston Station. Drivers with this form of adver-

Terminal and card

copy second, this is reverse to pin enabled

tising on the roof of their taxi can never be sure

cards. Please always check on your merchant

what exactly is being advertised as it can be tar-

geted to the area you are in or specific events

payment

receipt that it does not have VOID or CAN-

and products.

Last month we began fitting the fleet with new

CELLED printed at the bottom as this repre-

terminals and the response I have received to

sents that the payment will not be PAID.

DaC 60 years

the terminal, mapping and satnav while out

With her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, celebrat-

working, has been very positive.

Advertising

ing 60 years since her Coronation, we at Dial-a-

The taking of street hails for credit cards has

By now, hopefully, you have all seen our taxis

Cab are sharing the same celebration as this

changed, but hopefully after last month’s pull-

around London carrying the superside ads for

year sees 60 years since the Society was estab-

out in Call Sign, which the Editor tells me is

the DaC app, which has had a great response

lished. What a great achievement, especially

reprinting this month, members with the new

with downloads. But we need to give good cov-

being in the same year as the Queen makes her

equipment and those waiting to be fitted will

erage to make this campaign a success, while

own 60 year celebration.

both understand how to process a credit card

other app-based companies cannot due to dri-

using the new terminal and PED (Pin Entry

vers not being willing to run for work with the

Garry White

Device). Further training is available if needed

meter off and also giving free waiting time

DaC Board Member

ELCO OUTING TO MALDON

It’s Taxi Day!

The Essex town of Maldon welcomed

It was also announced that former Dial-a-

the East London Cabbies Outing

Cab driver Jimmy Pullum was standing down

(ELCO) once again in July. The streets

from the committee and grateful thanks went

were lined with cheering, flag-waving

to him for time and efforts in helping over the

people as the taxi convoy made its way

past few years.

down the High Street to Plume School

Call Sign’s thanks to Sandie Goodwin

where everyone had lunch. Pupils kept

visitors amused and entertained during

lunch and held a raffle for the drivers

taking part in the outing. Maldon calls

it Taxi Day.

This annual outing began in

1952 when Charles Flemwell

started the first East London

Cabbies Outing with 8 taxis tak-

ing special needs East End chil-

dren for a day out in Maldon. Since

then the trip has grown and Charles son Kenny is now one of the

organising committee.

Children from various schools and specialist centres within London’s East End meet up in the

morning ready for the outing. The convoy is always colourful with cabs dressed up for the occasion

and some drivers spending hours preparing them. This year’s the best dressed winning taxi attracted

• Roadside repair

much attention with its Dalek on the roof! For everyone involved in the outing, it is the welcome in

• Roadside assistance

Maldon that is so amazing. Balloons festoon the shops, along with flags and bunting. There is a real

• Running repair recovery

carnival atmosphere with everyone lining the streets to wave. The Mayor of Maldon is also on hand

in his robes and it makes for a fantastic sight to see all the taxis dressed up and driving along in

• Accident recovery

convoy.

• Pay as you go to membership

The trip is supported by the London Ambulance Service and motorcycle police providing an

• Credit card taken at roadside

escort alongside the cabs, as well as breakdown services just in case! A comfort stop is made at the

George and Dragon pub in Mountnessing. After lunch at the school, the convoy moves to the

Promenade Park where the children are given goodie bags before entering for the entertainment.

Although this year’s weather wasn’t sunny, it at least stayed dry so a good time was had by all.

0845 094 5307

Shortly before departing, the committee thanked everyone involved in making the trip a success and

awarded the best dressed cab shield. Thanks were given to everyone for their support and to the

We make wheels turn

sponsors in making the day possible. The afternoon ended with the convoy taking tired but happy

children back to their London homes.

so you can earn.

Call Sign August 2013

Page 26

Looking back over my years at Dial-a-Cab and

Lords (as it was called) remembering the charac-

ters I’ve met and the incidents that have hap-

pened, some were humorous, some were sad and

others just good for relating at one of the many

taxi meeting places. But stories are only as good as

TOM’S TRIVIA

the narrator; if they can add expression and move-

ment then they can hold an audience, making the

Tom Whitbread looks at everything

listener forget all worries of their growing traffic

problems. This is the art of a good storyteller - to

they will be calling me this afternoon. Ho hum…

make the story come alive and real so the recipi-

ent can actually image themself being within that

Ivor Pearce

scenario.

The Editor recently sent me a newspaper cutting

Some of the drivers who could achieve this

from the Evening Standard of Friday

included Patsy McCarthy C01), the late Dennis

December 1965. The story was about an ODRTS

Samuels (F25) and a group of mature drivers who

taxi driver who was murdered in his taxi whilst

frequented the Granby Grill when it was in

working late at night. The story relates how driver

Hampstead Road. These men were past masters in

Ivor Pearce was discovered by a police officer

the art of making a story come to life, turning a

walking his beat in Warren Lane, Stanmore. This

Sunday morning breakfast into such an enjoyable

would not happen nowadays as police officers

use of a few hours.

rarely walk the beat, you only get Community offi-

These men transported you into working for an

cers walking and they are more interested in play-

undertaker with the pitfalls that could befall you

ing with their mobiles or standing on a corner in

whilst transporting a body from a home to the

groups of 3 or 4 just chatting.

back of their hearse. Or perhaps chasing a bilker

The officer found Mr Pearce with a bullet in the

who was on crutches or helping a lady with her

back of his head and slumped over the steering

cases who was a regular going to the airport. But

wheel. Although a murder investigation was

her cases were full of car engine parts and

gone by, the first I knew was a threatening letter

launched, they could not find a motive. Had he

weighed a ton!

stating that my licence was to be terminated. This

overheard something he should not have heard

There must be a thousand true stories out there

was due to my not returning the forms from TfL

being talked about in the back of the taxi? Or

that are just waiting to be told and I’m sure that

that I had not received.

maybe the assailant was someone he knew as a

the Editor of Call Sign would love to see some of

Also when you reach 70, you have to renew

friend who had a dubious background? After an

them relating to your time as a driver on DaC in

your DVLA driving licence. There are pitfalls with

extensive investigation, no reason or culprit was

the magazine. So if you have been caught out by a

this too. They tell you that it can be done online

ever found. I did find out that Mr Pearce had

council spy camera or a new regulation that hin-

with no hassle; not for me, as the website crashed

worked for a short period as a journeyman with

ders your work as a taxi driver, then this is what

4 times and when eventually I did get to the final

Ivor Belkin (C97), but even he did not have any

the magazine is for - to keep you informed with

question, it asked if I wanted all my previous clas-

further information to relate.

information and matters of interest - as well as

sification groups added. I wanted light lorries and

This got me thinking how many other taxi dri-

entertaining articles.

minibuses kept on my licence, it then stated that

vers had died or were found unconscious in their

website was no good and I had to phone up and

taxi.. One ODRTS driver’s wife phoned the call

Theatre tickets

ask for a D2 form. I did this, spending the obliga-

centre in Shirland Road to ask if we knew where

During the end of June and beginning of July, we

tory 7 minutes pressing buttons 1 to 7 before

her husband was as he had not come home. His

were lucky enough to be offered tickets to some of

being able to explain what I wanted. The D2 form

wife was worried as he always came home at the

the top shows in the West End. Even those that

arrived and I filled it in, correctly affixing a photo-

same time every night from his taxi shift. As well as

were not smash hits, it is still wonderful to be able

graph of myself and my passport details. Some

being a taxi driver, he and his wife had just been

to go to the theatre after having had a nice meal.

questions on the form were regarding my sight

given the job as managers of a Bethnal Green pub.

If you have not found out yet, there are websites

and health, all completed correctly I sent it off and

I relayed his taxi registration to all the night dri-

where you can get vouchers for large reductions

received my new licence some 2 weeks later. But

vers and asked if they would look out for him as

in restaurant meals. If you have used Amazon,

when I looked at the categories and classifications,

he was not answering his radio. A short while later

they have one called Amazon Local or another one

I noticed they’d changed motorbikes; they were

a driver called in and said he had seen the cab

is bookatable.com and look for the star deals. You

not rated in CCs but now in 30Kw - something I

parked at Paddington by the tea stall. I asked him

can go to the Little Sicily in Rupert Street with

had not a clue about.

to go and look again just in case the driver had fall-

their voucher for a 3 course meal for two, then

So I telephoned to ask, only to be told by a

en asleep. The driver returned to say he had not

onto a show for £20. Now that can’t be bad. The

young lady to phone the Department for Trade

seen the driver but blood was coming from under

only catch is you have to go when the tickets are

and she gave me a phone number. When I called,

the back door. I asked if he had looked inside, to

available. But if you watch your Dial-a-Cab termi-

a recorded message said they were only there

which he replied no, so I quickly sent a more sen-

nal screen you will see when that is.

until midday!

sible driver around who found the driver on the

However, something you may or may not

I did find out from an ex-work colleague that I

floor in the back of the taxi with slashed wrists. We

believe; I get requests from drivers who have their

was covered for any type of motorbike. It was then

had him quickly rushed around the corner into

wife, girlfriend or relation’s birthday, anniversary

that I noticed the classification for minibus and

the St Mary’s casualty. I am sorry to say that I do

or special occasion but they do not want to spend

light lorries was not included so I contacted DVLA

not know how the driver fared.

any money - so unlike a taxi driver! So they ask if

again and a young lady asked if I’d had a medical.

There was also another driver who was travel-

I can get them special free tickets. My reply is that

I told her that I was never asked to do that. She

ling towards the Blackwall Tunnel with his son in

I’m good, but it’s Jesus who realises dreams! Now

asked if my GP had filled in my medical report to

the back, when he crashed with fatal results. There

and again you have to spend your own money!

which I replied I hadn’t received one to give him.

was also actor Bernard Bresslaw’s brother who

So it was back to square one. She said she would

suddenly died while relaxing in the back of his taxi

Life at 70…

send me one; three weeks later I was still waiting.

at the London General garage.

If any of you are approaching the age of 70 then

So I called again and spoke to a young man who

These are sad incidents to be talked about, but

beware pitfalls that originate from TfL. You need a

said I should have received it by now, but that he

yearly medical but are not always sent the appro-

it does strengthen the case to be very careful when

would send another one! His one arrived 4 days

out working. It also highlights not taking on too

priate forms. Also, if you’ve had stents put into

later, the original lady’s one arrived two days after

your arteries or any heart surgery, you need to

many debts, which in turn cause you to have to

that - a total of 3 weeks and 2 days. I then realised

chase every pound. You can still have a good life

have a stress test. I found this wasn’t available to

that what I should have been sent was what they

me as in the last 2 months I discovered I have

without trying to keep up with other drivers, who

call a VOK Pack, which includes all the forms and

plantar fasciitis (problem with my right heel). Last

may even be spinning you a yarn whilst being up

a medical examination form.

November, I had a Stress Echocardiogram and my

to their neck in debt. So just keep healthy and

I completed all the relevant facts for a second

GP gave me a copy of all the reports. I forwarded

remember the family you leave at home when you

time and added the medical examination report,

these with the normal GP medical test report,

go out to work.

but I deliberately left out the new pink plastic

which was on 24th June 2013 and I’m still await-

Have a wonderful Summer...

licence. This way they would get in touch with me

ing acknowledgement or to be told all is correct.

to say I had forgotten it, but I would then know

But as they had never asked for this year’s medical

Tom Whitbread

they had received all the other documents. As I

reports, I completely forgot that another year had

write this, I have a message on my phone to say

DaC Board Member

Call Sign August 2013

Page 27

In Jon Robinson’s (E88) article of the July

The last issue saw Jon Robinson (E88) responding to the Editor in

issue of Call Sign, he offers us the opportu-

wondering what might have happened had DaC accepted the buy-

nity to put the world to rights, or perhaps

more accurately putting Dial-a-Cab to rights

out offer from Sovereign Capital. Now Stephen Berndes (R14) joins

- that is always assuming that it’s broken.

the debate..

I am ambivalent about Dial-a-Cab sub-

scribers using Hailo. That App is an aggres-

sive competitor that is actively trying to wres-

tle our work away from us with what seems

WHAT IF...???

to be something of a disloyalty factor, with

the three former drivers who started up Hailo

knowing much about our system thanks to

should be retained. But what if we also

one disaffected DaC shareholder. So it is a bit

offered a parallel service called (for argu-

like the reverse of the Trojan horse, but the

ments sake), Thumbs Up Taxis. This is not an

paucity of the work is difficult at Dial-a-Cab

attempt at flippancy; it could work by incor-

and we all have to pay our bills.

porating a thumbs-up logo within Dial-a-

Then there is GetTaxi, which is a different

Cab’s logo on our fleet. So all work from the

type of App in that it makes no secret of going

general public offered at the same competi-

after our accounts even though it came into

tive prices as our rivals.

existence to take work back from private hire.

With our outstanding new technological

Well Addison Lee’s work is down even

advanced terminals coupled with the huge

though finance is up, but that isn’t through

new volume of work, overnight fellow cab

anything GetTaxi have done but much to do

drivers would be banging on DaC’s doors to

with Hailo offering cheap fares with no run-

go onto our waiting list. The Board may well

ins and 5 minutes free waiting time. Now that

have cogent responses to dispel all of the

it is getting busier, it isn’t surprising that

above suggestions and if so, I’d be interested

Hailo’s coverage is going down. Why should

Board Member, but unless I am mistaken we

in hearing them. After all, we all want the

drivers run past an outstretched hand to lose

still have two BMs who only attend Board

same thing.

money?

meetings, so you have to wonder what the

Returning to Hailo and Get Taxi, it has

But returning to GetTaxi, they had even

purpose of that is and whether two new and

been drawn to my attention that those

hired our former Sales Manager and followed

younger BMs could help bring fresh ideas to

cheeky yellow badge holders who refuse to

that up by poaching our Diver Services

what is a good Society. Or failing that cut the

display their yellow identifiers have come up

Manager. So I perhaps think that we need to

Board down and bring in a paid Sales execu-

with a ruse to continue picking up in town.

be more belligerent and compete head on

tive from outside of the organisation.

They have joined en masse Hailo and GetTaxi

with GetTaxi, offering the same terms and

We are the leading suppliers of black taxis

, this is a back door cynical abuse of the rule

conditions to Joe Public who use their credit

to corporate London, having built up an envi-

book and someone should investigate that

cards and cash. Cost is king to the general

able reputation over many years while offer-

appalling breach of rules...

public.

ing a superb service; reliability has been our

At the last AGM, we finally initiated a new

forte and our premium service with DaC

Stephen Berndes (R14)

Another true story from Geoff Levene

DECEITFUL USE OF A LOO!

There are far too many things in the taxi game that cause me to slap my forehead and cry out ‘oh no!’

Like coming out to the cab and noticing it sitting at a crazy angle. So out comes the spare tyre, jack, wheelbrace and scaf-

folding pole for extra purchase. Then forty five minutes later - sweating, filthy, greasy and shattered - I’m ready to start

work! These days I wait for Orange Van Man!

Then when you are at work and accepted a Dial-a-Cab job, arrived, done an Advise Arrival and suddenly realise you’re wait-

ing in the wrong place! So it's foot down and scream round to the correct pick-up to meet a none-too happy passenger

to whom you mumble an apology while trying to think of a plausible reason. UFOs causing unforeseen hold-ups don’t usual-

ly work!

And there's that moment when you uncross your legs having finally made it to the toilet, only to find that it’s

shut.

I recall crossing from Broad Lane to Seven Sisters and noticing an open Ladies loo with presumably a Gents behind it. So I

parked up and walked round there and of course it was closed. I don't know how long the iron grill had been in place, but

the old leaves and newspapers blown in had all turned brown and crispy! I saw one headline: LADYSMITH RELIEVED - well lucky for her, she could use

the front entrance. The loo had obviously been in service during the Boar War!

We all know about the dearth of public conveniences but at least there are 24 Hour McDonalds, big supermarkets and of course hotels.

But some hotels are not too keen on nasty cab drivers using their facilities. So here are Levene's Golden Rules for using hotel toilets...

* Try not to park too close but if you do, walk away, cross over and come from a different direction.

* Don't look like a cab driver. Hide the money bag and badge.

*If you know where the cloakroom is, stroll in as though you own the place - glance around the foyer as if you're searching for a colleague and then

make your way.

* Don't draw attention to yourself. If you see your mate, resist the urge to yell out: “Aw right mate! Ow ya goin' you old tos*er!”

Be discreet. Don't look lost. If you don't know your way around, march up to the receptionist and ask if Doctor Hackenebusch has arrived yet? She will

look at her computer and ask how you spell it. You reply H-A-C-K-E-N-E-B-U-S-C-H (he was actually a horse doctor played by Grouch Marx in A Day at

the Races). She will probably say that he doesn't have a reservation, so you smile and say that you are supposed to be meeting him at the hotel so

you’ll just hang around.

“Oh, by the way, where is the toilet?”

Of course this could beg the obvious question - what if there is a Doctor Hackenebusch staying there? Naturally you respond by saying: “It must be

another Hackenebusch. Any chance of using the gents...?”

I hope these suggestions help to make your day more pleasant...

Geoff Levene (W32)

Call Sign August 2013

Page 28

Last month’s mag featured an article by one

Having joined ODRTS in 1958, Norman Kerstein asked if he could

of our founder subscribers, Norman

look at us now...

Kerstein (Ex-A81), who recalled the days of

48 years ago when ODRTS moved from its

original base at 172 Pentonville Road to 144

Shirland Road. Norman also offered some

Founder subscriber

historic photographs from those far-off days.

Norman - now aged 83 - came to visit us at

Dial-a-Cab House and was given a guided

tour around the building by Compliance

visits DaC House!

Officer Allan Evans. He brought memories

and anecdotes from those long-gone days

slid open to reveal the huge, open-plan Call

and also artefacts relating to cabbing almost

Centre and almost silent buzz of activity from

50 years ago. Together with a specimen fare

the call-takers and ancillary staff.

chart from 1968, Norman brought his 1955

“My goodness” he beamed, “we never had

PCO Blue Book detailing Knowledge runs -

air conditioning either! Back in my day, it was

even though the book itself is actually beige

a conveyor belt system that took paper dock-

in colour! Flipping through the pages was

ets with passenger details from telephonists

like peering back into Edwardian London,

to the dispatchers, who then allocated jobs to

with many of the points now gone.

cabs via voice. You then had to change to

Norman gained his prized Green Badge

another channel to get the job details - often

on April 5th 1956 and worked for the

involving an annoying wait! My hobby is ama-

Great Cambridge Garage in Geoffrye

teur radio so I appreciate what the set-up

Street E2 before moving to Levy’s at York

here involves, but wow, the technology is real

Way a year later.

cutting-edge stuff for sure!”

“I joined ODRTS as a nightman in 1958

Still visibly incredulous at the growth of

with the call sign Apple 81. In 1961, I met my

ODRTS and the innovative technological

wife and moved over to day work. Living in

advances we have made since his time on

Neasden, Shirland Road was only down the

Lords so long ago, Norman bade his farewells

road. I remember going down a rickety old

to return to the peaceful tranquillity of his

staircase to get to the basement’s control

Allan Evans explains to Norman how

home in the New Forest.

room or occasionally climbing a creaking

current technology works

flights of stairs to reach the Shirland Road

Alan Green

Boardroom,” Norman recalled.

rent HQ offices and use of technology, he was

While Norman was impressed with our cur-

positively amazed when the elevator doors

Call Sign Online

Best in the World

Yes, when it comes to the art of taxi driving, there

Seymour Place and then turning right into Shillibeer, the passenger

John

is but a short list of one if describing the best in

looked stunned. Rubbing in his superior knowledge of the streets,

Dixon:

the world - the licensed London taxi driver. For

John even asked if he wanted the odd or even numbers before they

"We're

over three hundred years we have been described

were even near it!

as amazing when it comes to knowledge of the

The passenger’s reaction? “Well blow me down,” he muttered

the

city we work in and we suspect we could have

as he settled the fare! John just grinned impishly.

best in

picked any of the drivers on Dial-a-Cab and got a

“Mind you,” John continued, “I do have to work at it some-

the

similar story to the one below.

times. Last week an elderly couple got in and I was pretty sure

But we asked John Dixon (B67), who is now into

they wanted the Ibis Hotel, Earls Court but asked them to con-

world!"

his 21st year with the Society, for some instances

firm the address as Ibis is a popular hotel chain and I wondered if

that would probably amaze passengers, but which

there were a few other Ibis hotels nearby.

we would just consider to be part of the job...

“Ell Eye Ee Road they told me after fumbling for the paper-

“I do sometimes wonder what people expect

work. I repeated it back to them: L-I-E Road? Of course it just con-

when they get into my cab,” John told Call Sign,

firmed what I had originally thought - Lillie Road! The couple didn’t have the correct address from the inter-

“they obviously know of our reputation as being

net so they were a bit confused, but I got them there easily enough and it all ended happily. As the male

the best, but must think it’s a rumour!

passenger was paying me off, he said he thought I must have been some sort of mind-reader to be able to

“I recently stopped for a street hail and the lady

decode his incorrect travel documents and very limited information yet still get them to the correct hotel.”

asked me for Nell Gwynne House in

“You London taxi drivers are just amazing,” the passenger said as he walked slowly in the Ibis!

Sutherland Avenue. When I questioned the

“I could only smile modestly in agreement,” said John as he got ready to pick up his next trip, “but I reckon

address, she was insistent that it was W9 and so

any London taxi driver would have done the same. That’s what gets us acknowledged as the best in the world!”

off we went. I soon noticed in my rear view mirror

that her young son was busy scrolling on his

Alan Green, Call Sign Online

mobile phone and whispering something to her.

Then the question I had been half-expecting when

she suddenly asked me where I was going? I said

we were going to the destination she had insisted

TAXI DRIVER OF THE YEAR

on even though I had explained to her that the

Annual dinner and dance

only Nell Gwynne House I knew was in Sloane

The Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund is pleased to announce their 41st annu-

and not Sutherland Avenue.

al dinner and dance on 30th November 2013 at the Holiday Inn London

“She then accepted that my knowledge was a

bit better than hers, but when we finally arrived in

Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4DN.

Sloane Avenue I was still expecting her to moan,

The price again this year is just £62.50 per person. That includes a ‘welcome’

but she said the London taxi drivers’ understand-

drink at the reception, 4-course meal, half a bottle of wine per person and

ing of London just blew her mind!”

tea/coffee. Tea and coffee with Danish pastries will also be served later in the

Continuing with his reasoning as to why the

evening. There is dancing to a live band.

world knows we are the best, John told us about a

passenger who got in and asked for Shillibeer

We also have arranged a special deal if you would like to stay at the hotel

Place and queried if John knew where it was?

overnight. For more information please call (phone/ fax) 020 8952 1357 or

When the DaC driver simply responded by telling

mobile 07850 056 765

the passenger without any hesitation that it

Remember all money raised will be split between the five taxi charities...

involved going left into Harcourt Street from

Call Sign August 2013

Page 29

With five cyclists already killed on the roads this year, Call Sign’s

Gary Cox (O46) went to a cycling trial day in Wokingham to help

test experimental Dutch style roundabouts...

Cyclists: Can we

keep them safe?

l gave up a day - she gave up her life chasing the

Before you Dial-a-Cab lot start on me, yes I

dream of living in the greatest city in the world.

know you're going down Liverpool Road and

Then there was cyclist Alan Neve who was

being over taken by cyclists, that electric bicy-

killed in High Holborn at 0925 in the morning.

cles have no number plates, push bikes no

Mr Neve, who was 54, lost his life when in col-

insurance and traffic lights have not yet been

lision with a dumper truck. How long will it be

invented that can been seen from the handle

before an enterprising lawyer stands in the pul-

bars of some bikes!

pit, waves his magic wand and offers to sue a

So let’s agree from the start that ‘old Bill’

cyclist on a no-win no-fee basis claiming that

would love to nick rickshaws given a chance,

the cyclist caused the accident by not riding in

but the money for the overtime to do the

a safe way? So whose insurance would go up?

paperwork has all gone on Boris bikes. Last

I’d bet anyone a fiver that if Red Ken stands, he

year it racked up £11million, of which Barclays

will force cyclists to have insurance - that’s a

pay one sixth.

Dutch style roundabouts with cycle

fiver I’d lose but it was worth the fiver to prove

Anyway, the reason for this article is

lanes

a point, methinks.

whether we should we go Dutch? On 16

July, given a packet of marmite sandwiches

After a little digging, l sussed out that they had

The report from the transport research

establishment will soon be done and dusted

and a bottle of posh water from her

another 11 layouts in addition to saying proud-

with work on the roundabouts commencing in

indoors, I found myself at the gates of the

ly that they had bus drivers there the previous

transport research lab at Crowthorne

week!

early 2014 if a little bird at TfL is bang on the

money.

House, Wokingham in the heart of the

So wait for the letter via Boris. Hmmm.

If you fancy going along and being the

stockbroker belt and where they are testing

Now what was it he said before the last elec-

guinea pig

(and get

£50 for

6 hours

Dutch roundabouts.

tion? Any problems please write to

research) go to: enquires@tri.co.uk or web-

On arrival, the first impression was that if

me. Hmmm, interesting...

site at www.tri.co.uk. Be warned, it's a long

they ever did a follow-up to The Good Life,

I left the establishment thinking that if the

Felicity Kendall in those wellies and dungarees

roads don't go down to one lane in both direc-

day and a lot of hanging around, but then

on wheels, this could just be the place to do it!

tions like Millbank, this could just work so long

again you could just wait to see what they

throw at us.

How much does one's agent get? I'll settle for 5

as cyclists toe the line and ride like the Dutch,

Now about that stupid taxi lane at St

per cent.

or the perception we have of them. But the mil-

You can't help but think at first sight that this

lion dollar question is are we going to be left

Pancras... or was it Paddington? Tell a lie, it was

Victoria. Then again I hope I've got it wrong

place doesn’t take any prisoners and that you

sitting three days behind a bus going nowhere

and its St Pancras because that one stinks...

would never know if they were going to be

on a round junction? That will bang the price

jolly good mathematicians or not, because you

of fares up, you can see the smile on the cyclist

Gary Cox

are kept well away from anything remotely

lobby's face from here. If you can't, then you

Call Sign Online

looking like a tape measure, let alone a laptop.

don't know how well organised the London

So I guess they must have done the maths for

cycling campaign is when it suits them to be.

the blind spot on the Vito van and to leave

Let’s just hope that Islington and Camden

enough road surface for the Knowledge stu-

councils don't come up with their own version

dents to circumnavigate oil leaks from foreign

- because then God help us all. May I suggest

lorries and coaches who proudly display their

we send for Littlejohn of the Daily Mail to

eastern European routes via the exhaust pipe

report on that one.

and sump plug!

A few days later it hit me between the eyes as

Once it was explained to me what I was

I was passing through the Bow gyratory, which

going to volunteer for - even though my old

is hell for all and sundry, lest we not forget the

man always said never volunteer for anything -

death of Brian Dorling and Svitlana

but being sick of spending my working life

Tereschenko in 2011, which in turn became a

watching Darwin's theory of evolution being

political nightmare for Boris who, realising

practiced by cyclists constantly throwing them-

something had to be done, may well have

selves along the road like lemmings off a cliff

found his get out of jail card in this research

face, that was probably a good enough reason

establishment.

to give up a whole day of my life just once.

The irony is that if cyclists all had third party

I found myself in a small car going

insurance, when they sat down at a public

around and round in circles on round-

debate chamber to talk, money would then be

abouts with cyclists getting priority and

involved and consequently they’d have the

pedestrians going in all directions. I was

backing of big insurance institutions such as

filmed on my best side and worst side... and

specialist motorbike insurers, Carole Nash,

rear side. It was interesting that staff did not

who understand the phrase of ‘speculate to

want to divulge thoughts or opinions on the

accumulate’.

experiment.

Twenty year old Phillipine de Gerin-Ricard

The only thing I got of interest was out of

may well have been laden down with shopping

one staff member who said they wanted to

on her Boris bike as reported in the Evening

build 200 houses on the site! Funny what pri-

Standard when she lost her life at Aldgate by

vatisation does for a business that's just been

coming into contact with a lorry, but she never

flogged off. I guess our jobs will go abroad.

deserved that, did she? I never sent flowers, but

Call Sign August 2013

Page 30

Having worked for

Dial-a-Cab for the

last

23 years, many

Scout About!

members will have

either spoken with

Scouting