Call Sign December 2013

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Fares consultation

balance disorder and those suffering from the

On 23 October 2013, Call Sign, along with other

neuro-genetic disorder sometimes become easily

trade organisations, received details of a taxi tariff

excitable. Against that, sufferers such as Melissa

consultation document that set out proposals

often have a happy demeanour.

Bernie regularly travels from his home in Essex

relating to the yearly taxi fare hike that occurs

every April. However, I can’t ask you to send in any

to pick up Melissa at the residential home in

comments as the consultation closed on 20

Berkshire she has been in for many years to take

November.

her back to the family for a weekend, before then

However I did put it onto the Call Sign Online

returning her back to Berkshire.

Bernie usually uses his taxi because of its wheel-

website and hopefully those of you who felt

you wanted to make a comment took advan-

chair accessibility, but on one recent occasion

tage of the opportunity to respond.

Melissa came to London to see Dirty Dancing

The document shows how complicated our fare

with two carers. There were no problems - at least

structure is and surely there can be little doubt

not until they got off the train at Waterloo and

went to the rank to pick up a taxi, where according

that over the past five years, it has taken away

many of our regular clients because of the cost -

to the carers, the driver refused to put out the

especially on rate 3. There was a time when many

wheelchair ramps and the carers had to physically

you want to have your cab converted BEFORE

lift Melissa and the chair into the cab. The driver

accounts used to send their staff home with us, but

its 15th birthday.

just stayed in his seat. I can’t believe it was some-

now choose a cheaper option.

There are more details inside this issue, but I’d

one on this circuit, but whoever it was should be

Neither can we talk about the competition using

like to add something that will undoubtedly - and

ashamed of themselves.

rust buckets, because it would be untrue. In fact,

rightly - be brought up by some drivers. It could

many private hire companies advertise on the

mean that Dial-a-Cab will have a substantial num-

Earls Court development

radio and one recent ad gave comparisons - not

ber of older taxis rather than the young fleet that

Yes, I know that people have to live somewhere,

with licensed taxis, but against other minicab com-

the opposition private hire companies have. I can’t

but surely there must be some thought given to

panies! That probably says it all - they no longer

deny that and I agree that a young fleet makes us

what is being taken away in order to put up a new

even think of us as competition because we are on

look “fresher.”

development. Just as surely the Earls Court

such a different price schedule as cars.

But with my other hat on, I know that Call Sign

Exhibition Centre is a critical part of the London

Part of the consultation document suggests

is here for all of DaC - the Board, staff and the dri-

tourist industry - and of course that includes us.

moving any increase to

2 January so that

vers - many of whom have been with us for over

Without it, an awful lot of small hotels will have

announcements of the increase would be made at

half of their lives. Some of those drivers will soon

no drawing power, while the lack of customers

the same time as buses and trains. I can’t see

have to go into a forced retirement because it just

staying in the area will have a direct bearing on the

where that would benefit us unless it was to

isn’t worthwhile at their ages to buy another taxi

local shops. So if the arena is pulled down, how

announce that we weren’t seeking an increase on

or perhaps they don’t work enough hours to make

much will it help the housing shortage situation?

any given year. Put next to buses and trains, that

renting a cab a viable option.

Well, the type of housing described looks to be

might look good.

I like to think that many older drivers actually

very upmarket and expensive, with the new

The document points out that in 2012, overall

look forward to a time when driving a taxi is no

incumbents looking to be from the wealthier side

passenger satisfaction for London’s taxis was 85%

longer absolutely essential to give them a reason-

of London Society. Is that what London is to

and that the overall satisfaction score has

able standard of life and that they can cope with

become; somewhere nice to live but with nothing

remained fairly consistent since 2002. But - and

the more relaxed way of living in retirement.

to do?

there is a rather large but - the survey also showed

that whist 35% of taxi users thought taxi fares were

Unfortunately, through circumstances that

The 77-acre redevelopment has been approved

may not even be of their own making, some

by Mayor Boris and involves demolishing two

about right, some 65% thought the fares were

will need to work so long as they have the

estates in addition to the Exhibition Centre. In its

either a bit or much too expensive.

strength and almost as importantly the tool we

place will be four ‘villages’ and a so-called ‘High

If so many drivers are happy to work on an App

all need to drive a taxi - ie the cab!

Street’. The end result will be some 7,500 upmar-

with no run-in or gratuity and to pay 10% for the

I don’t know how many drivers will apply for

ket homes.

privilege, perhaps we should consider a year

where we don’t take an increase? After all, it could

the extension, because it’s a long way from being

Against that, the Exhibition Centre is said to be

be that the publicity we get might be worth more

free. However, spread over the extra five years that

responsible for bringing in over

£1billion to

than the 2% or so increase we’d get and which

it gives owners, it is a much better - and possibly

London's economy while attracting 1.5million visi-

the only - option for many. And for those in the

tors. It also provides far more work for the taxi

would frighten even more passengers away.

DaC Credit Union, it could be a real life saver!

industry than the new homes ever will. The devel-

Anyway, hopefully you read my messages re the

consultation document being on Call Sign’s web-

Yes, it will increase the average age of the fleet, but

opment is expected to be completed by 2035.

site and if you felt the need, then took advantage

in reality it will also make it greener.

of it. If you didn’t, then it’s now too late...

But of course, if Mayor Johnson would like to

Christmas already!

spend some of his funds on a worthwhile project,

Yes, Call Sign has followed tradition for more

15 year taxi conversions

rather than some Barclay-BoJo electric bikes float-

years now than we care to remember and that

Inside this issue, there is the first report in a trade

ing around north London, then come to Dial-a-

means that the issue dated December, actually

paper concerning five year extensions for 15-year

Cab and pay for the whole fleet to be converted.

means that it is now officially Christmas! The fact

old taxis. The converted Gastech Liquefied

Then this Society, in its job of transporting the

that this issue comes out on 1st December has

Petroleum Gas (LPG) TX1 and TX2 taxis will give

public around London, would become completely

long been irrelevant, even though the 1st January

drivers whose cabs are in good condition, an extra

green and immeasurably help the capital become

issue will probably drop through your letter boxes

five years as licensed taxis.

a much cleaner place. And it would cost him a frac-

just a day or two after the magic of December 25

The eventual passing of the two engines at the

tion of what Europe will fine him/us for being

and at a time when you are still noshing at the

Millbrook Emissions Testing Centre was, as

dirty...

turkey leftovers.

you’d expect, a long drawn-out process - but also

So can I wish you all the season’s greetings. For

a very successful one that knocks NOX readings

Taxis and wheelchairs

those working, I hope it is successful and for those

through the floor as it promotes the converted

Dial-a-Cab driver Bernie Silver’s (G08) daughter,

taking the more relaxed option, I hope you have a

taxis to Euro 5+ standards. Call Sign has followed

Melissa, has appeared in Call Sign several times

wonderful time. For Jewish readers, substitute

the process from its early days and is the reason we

over the years - the first of which was after she

Chanukah for Christmas. Unfortunately I missed

have been given the story of its successful conclu-

appeared in the Special Olympics - an early ver-

Eid-al-Adha for our Muslim drivers as it occurred

sion before any other paper.

sion of today’s Paralympic Games.

in October this year. But to everyone, I just wish

The conversion can also be carried out on

Melissa suffers from Angelman Syndrome. It

you all a peaceful holiday time...

newer taxis for drivers who are keen to be

affects young people, bringing with it a develop-

green, but cannot be given to taxis whose lives

mental delay, severe speech impediment and min-

Alan Fisher

have already ended. TfL MUST be notified that

imal use of words. There is often a movement or

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign December 2013

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

Minimum fares...

All Change

As some of you are probably aware, we

I have had several of our

have had a change of jobs at Dial-a-Cab

Members asking me if Dial-a-Cab

House. Keith Cain has moved from

intend invoking a minimum fare

Operations to Sales, I believe this to be

important because if the pundits are to be

of £15 during tariff rate 3 to

believed, then business could be picking

compete with an App that is out

up in the near future and we should be in

there and currently charging that

a position to respond. Keith has many

years’ experience and will not have to be

amount. The simple answer is

taught the ways of the taxi industry, which

‘no’ as I believe the charge could

is a niche market.

be illegal and drivers could be

Neither will he be coming in from the out-

side to be taught our business, only to then

prosecuted by Transport for

promptly be hired by another circuit or

London.

minicab outfit in an attempt to leave us with

I know the company supporting the App has stated that it is

as many of our Accounts as possible in tow!

they that would be prosecuted by TfL and not the driver, as the

Allan Evans has been moved from Compliance Officer to

contract is with the App supplier and the customer.

Operations with Garry White moving into Allan’s old position of

Personally, I do not agree with that assumption, as I believe the

Compliance. Garry has been here for 9 months, consequently, I

contract is between the customer and the driver - the App sup-

hope he now has some idea about how we operate and as he still

plier has merely acted as an Agent and put the customer in touch

drives a cab on a regular basis, he is well acquitted to take the roll

with the driver for which the App supplier has taken a 10% com-

of Compliance.

mission from the driver. If anyone is going to be prosecuted, in

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the three of them

my opinion it will be the driver and not the App supplier

well in their new roles.

because as I have stated previously, I believe the contract to be

between the customer and driver.

Christmas

I know all the arguments regarding the customer agree-

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a

ing to terms and conditions and because they have agreed

Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year. Let’s hope work levels

to the £15 minimum, then it is ok to charge it, so I would

continue to improve in 2014 as they appear to have done in recent

like to give you a little scenario.

times.

A prospective passenger stops a taxi one wet night when it is rag-

Brian Rice

ing busy; the passenger asks the driver to take him on a £10 jour-

Chairman

ney to which the driver replies that he will take him for £25 and

Dial-a-Cab

the passenger agrees. At the destination, the passenger hands over

the £25 for the £10 fare and the next morning, promptly reports

the driver to LTPH for overcharging. Now I wonder what LTPH

would do about this situation, do you think they would prosecute

the driver for overcharging? Of course they would! And do you

think the driver’s defence that the passenger agreed to his terms

and conditions

(the agreed £25 fare) before he entered the cab

would be taken into account and the driver let off? I think not.

I’ve had some Members telling me that Dial-a-Cab operate an

£8 minimum and have done so for quite a considerable time;

that is correct but that is charged to Account Customers only

and is charged by Dial-a-Cab and not the Member. We have

never charged a minimum on any credit card or cash ride.

I believe the law states that it is illegal to charge more than the

metered fare, so if someone leaves a taxi and the metered fare is

showing £7 and the driver demands £15, then I believe the dri-

ver could be leaving himself open to prosecution.

However, I have to say that in recent times my confidence in

LTPH has gradually dwindled away and it would not surprise

me in the least if they just endeavoured to ignore the situation.

A problem may arise however if an individual makes a stand and

invokes some sort of action. That situation is certainly feasible.

In my opinion, what needs to be made clear is that the App

supplier has not introduced the minimum fares for the welfare

of the drivers, but that it has been done because their coverage

was so abysmal and the App’s management or venture capital-

ists saw their 10% commissions dwindling away and they had to

increase their income, hence they introduced minimums to

improve coverage, which it probably has.

However, what it has also demonstrated to the public is

that we are a greedy, grasping trade that only wants to do

the trips that suit us and that we do not give a jot about pro-

viding them with a service. If it doesn’t suit us, then you

don’t get a cab! But then they probably thought that any-

way!

Call Sign December 2013

Page 5

OVER the last 12 months, the

new Nissan NV200 London Taxi

has been undergoing an inten-

NV200:

sive development process by

Nissan engineers. At the same

“Nearly ready to go!”

time, Nissan’s design centre in

Paddington has been applying

The Nissan NV200

the finishing touches to what

with a mask over

they refer to as ‘an iconic new

the front end. It

exterior designed especially for

will be revealed

next week...

the London cab’ - although the

front end is still a secret!

new NV200 London

Now Nissan has begun London-specific

Taxi. It’s an iconic and

real-world testing of its NV200 with the aim

very exciting vehicle -

of making it the most reliable, economical

we’re looking forward

and user-friendly Hackney Carriage the

to looking after the

Capital has ever seen. Perhaps surprisingly to

needs of our new taxi

some, the new taxi will have a Nissan-sourced

customers.”

1.6-litre petrol engine - although they say a

Nissan will reveal the

diesel version will be available, with an elec-

final look of the new

tric version on the cards within two years.

five-passenger rear interior, while other high-

NV200 London Taxi at

In its final specification, the NV200 now

lights include a glass roof (so that those on

an event in the next few days - possibly

enters the last phase of its testing process -

board can enjoy the view of the city), rear air-

December 2. Designed to be instantly recog-

hitting the streets of the city where it will

conditioning and even plug-in ports for charg-

nisable as a London taxi, it gets a bespoke

spend its working life. Based on the NV200

ing smartphones. It all adds up to the most

‘face’ with distinctive and modern lighting,

compact van, the taxi version has been

advanced and enjoyable London cab yet.

plus a new grille and bumper treatment over

designed from the inside out for the well-

Nissan also announced that the Glyn

the regular NV200. The exterior certainly isn’t

being of passengers, drivers and even other

Hopkin dealer group has been selected to

the only part that has had the bespoke treat-

road-users. It complies with all TfL regula-

sell, service and maintain the NV200

ment, though; everything has been taken into

tions with a 25ft turning circle and thanks to

London Taxi.

consideration to ensure it can meet the

its petrol engine, be more environmentally-

Glyn Hopkin, Chairman of the Glyn

demands of life as a London taxi.

friendly than current diesel models.

Hopkin Group, added: “We’re very proud to

Sales are scheduled to begin in the second

Sliding doors give easy, safe access to the

be selected to sell, service and maintain the

half of 2014...

Call Sign December 2013

Page 6

Jery’s World

"Oi...stop! When you said you wanted a cab to deliver presents, I fort you meant wiv the driver!"

London taxis still the best

Same old, same old...

It’s now six years in a row for London taxis being

voted the best in the world, according to the annu-

al global taxi survey from Hotels.com. London

won 22% of the votes, followed by New York City

with 10% and Tokyo with 9% in third place. Berlin

came fourth with Madrid, Mexico City and

Amsterdam tying in fifth place.

Of the 30 countries surveyed, London topped

the list across five of the seven categories, including

cleanliness (23%), knowledge of the area (27%) and quality of driving (30%). We

were also voted top for friendliness, although this category was said to be the least

important to most travelers. Safety was the number one priority for travelers and we

also topped the list for safest drivers with 23% of votes.

TAXI AIR

The Hotels.com survey also revealed the world's more obscure objects that travelers

have admitted to leaving behind. They included a prosthetic leg found in an Australian

CONDITIONING

cab, a trombone in Finland, a set of dentures in Germany and a wig in a US cab! Mind

All makes and models

you, none compared to the baby that Call Sign’s Editor discovered in the back of his

taxi many years ago!

serviced and repaired

In answer to which nation was the most amorous in the back of a cab, Brits took the

Mobile service - we

lead with 14% of passengers surveyed admitting to displaying passionate behavior. The

come to you!

average among other countries was a paltry 4%!

Call Mick Wheeler on

Alison Couper, Hotel.com’s Senior Director of Communications told Call Sign:

“Six years running and London cabs are still leading the pack when it comes to travel

020 8715 0079

- it's great to see! Our iconic black Hackney Carriages and their well-informed cabbies

can pride themselves on being globally recognized for their expert knowledge and

Covering London

quality of driving. Maybe next year we can top the list for all categories!”

and the Home Counties

Call Sign December 2013

Page 7

Following his exclusive interview in the

October Call Sign, Chairman of the Zhejiang

Geely Holding Group - owners of London

GEELY:

Taxi Company - Li Shufu has also spoken to

the Chinese-based Global Times about buy-

ing the LTC and his plans for the future of the

THE FUTURE OF THE TX5

London taxi.

There is no doubt that before the purchase

went through, which removed the LTC from

ing taxis. His goal now was to make “profes-

ment of a new TX5 cab which the company

the hands of the administrators, some had

sionalised taxis.” He also admitted that the

hope will outperform the energy-saving effi-

assumed that the name of China alongside

LTC profits were a drop in the bucket, but

ciency and environmental protection func-

that of the TX4 would mean cheap and poor

that what he valued was the special status the

tion of the existing vehicles in terms of index-

quality. Geely’s purchase of Volvo certainly

company enjoyed in the UK, its additional

es. This will include a low-weight body, zero-

removed those perceptions.

service concept and brand effect.

emission standard and hybrid power. The

Geely is a cash-rich private motor company

Director of Operations at Coventry, Paul

plan will be put forward formally in 2018.

who take their purchases seriously and who

Woolley, added that over the next five years,

Research and Development of the new TX5

have no intention of allowing the London

3 new models would be developed on the

will make use of the global R&D network,

taxi product to fall below its accepted world

basis of the existing product brands. The first

including the R&D power from the coopera-

famous iconic standard and who intend

would be to improve the current TX4. Then

tion with Volvo. The hybrid power technolo-

improving it. A £150million investment pro-

plans are afoot for a smaller-sized taxi for pri-

gy will come from Volvo. It looks like the tra-

gramme into the TX4 taxi business over the

vate use, while the last new model and per-

ditional London taxi is on the march..!

next five years is testament to that.

haps the most significant was the develop-

Our thanks to Global Times...

The addition to the wall at the Coventry

factory entrance of the words Zhejiang Geely

Holding Group displays the pride they have

in the product. In addition, all senior execu-

Holborn Circus

tives of the company now have Chinese trans-

lations on their business cards with the com-

Permanent Closures

pany’s new identity proudly displayed on the

back - Wholly-owned subsidiary to Zhejiang

For those who have been away, these are the changes at Holborn Circus

Geely Holding Group!

that will eventually create a new public square between St Andrew Street

Global Times asked Li Shufu why he had

and New Fetter Lane. The first two changes are permanent:

invested money in the London Taxi Company,

You can no longer turn right from Charterhouse Street into Hatton Garden

after all, compared to companies such as

There is no access from Hatton Garden to Holborn Circus

Volvo, it was relatively tiny! Mr Li replied that

There is no access from Holborn Circus into Hatton Garden, but this

there were no other automobile companies

reopens 22 December...

in the world that specialised in manufactur-

Call Sign December 2013

Page 8

Over the past six months, Call Sign has

Got a 15 year old taxi that is approaching the end of its working

been in contact with a company that

life and causing you to consider your future? Call Sign now has

claimed they could convert 15 year old TX1

and TX2 taxis to run on Liquefied

news that could help your TX1 or TX2 get...

Petroleum Gas - aka LPG. That would give

drivers who assumed their taxis’ working

lives were over, an extra five years. Whilst

A FIVE YEAR TAXI

we took an interest, all we could tell them

was to come back if their system was ever

passed by TfL for use as a licensed taxi.

Well, some two months ago, they did

EXTENSION!

indeed come back and after much test-

ing, they informed us that the converted

taxis had been passed and would Call

takes a little getting used to, but garage staff

Sign like to test them?

have been trained in how the filling proce-

Former Dial-a-Cab driver, Stanley Roth

dure works so you won't be on your own

(ex-Y53) is one of those behind the

for those first few times. I would recom-

Gastech conversion. He told this magazine

mend going to a filling station that has lots

about the battle to get extensions for older

of staff on hand. Stick a part-time partner

taxis. Both the Gastech TX1 and TX2

on the cab and within

12 months

engines are rebuilt to a new standard and

you're quids in!

the notorious TX2 timing chain is replaced

Finding a garage to service it might be a

with a real Ford timing chain and not the

bone of contention until the company

ones originally fitted to the cab. It will oper-

behind the conversions line up a set of rec-

ate even better because of not having pres-

ommended service garages, because you're

sure put on it by driving the fuel pump.

not going to leave it in the hands of a back

Gastech gave Call Sign some figures con-

street Johnny who will rub his hands at the

cerning the replaced LPG engines. The

thought of trial and error on your nice

Gastech TX1

NOX emissions are 0.0254

clean engine.

gr/km. That is claimed to be 91% lower than

The craftsmanship and detail is very

diesel Euro

5. Their TX2 has

0.014041

impressive on parts we put a spanner to.

gr/km - some 95% lower than diesel Euro 5.

On close inspection on the ramp, the dif-

It is significantly lower in Oxides of Nitrogen

ferential appears well balanced with the

than any modern day diesel engine and

engine - the complete opposite of the 3 litre

there are zero particulates / smoke.

Perkins upgrade substitute engine on the

You cannot bring your taxi out of

2.2 FX4R. At around 26miles to a gallon, it's

retirement once it has passed its 15th

not overly impressive, but then again at

birthday, but provided it hasn’t reached

The NOx reading is at least 40% cleaner

today’s cost of LPG you can excuse it for

that birthday and you want to convert it

than the Euro 5 TX4

that and in reality could represent up to a

and gain another 5 years, the cab owner

40% fuel saving.

must write to TfL and tell them they wish

Before you think about a conversion, get

to convert the cab to the Gastech LPG

plates out of the jalopy with an LPG upgrad-

it on paper how much oil it's going to do,

system.

ed engine, plus LPG is running at 71.9p a

because if it's more than a litre of oil every

The price of the TX1 conversion is

litre at Edgware Road / Staples Corner or

700 miles, that could work out expensive.

£6,300 plus VAT and the TX2 is £6300

65.9p at Sainsbury London Colney - at least

Think about the timing belts and tell them

including VAT.

until the chancellor is feeling foolhardy

the bloke in Call Sign reckons they should

All the above has become fact since the

enough to take on the green lobby!

give a 100,000 mile warranty if they think

LPG Gastech’s Euro 5 cabs were successful

The engine has a seal on the tuning dial,

it's as good as they say it is.

at the rigorous testing procedures under-

which should of course extend the life of

Your cab may fall to bits, but someone

taken at the Millbrook Emissions Testing

the engine and allow it to stop on the orig-

will always buy the cab for this engine. Bet

Centre. The engine is capable of operating

inal braking system. Sorry lads up at the air-

you're smiling if you’ve a TX1 or TX2

on 100% LPG but can be switched to

port, you can't tune her up without TfL or

because the price is going to rocket thanks

Automotive Petroleum if ever required.

the conversion folks knowing.

to the conversion to enlightenment.

It sounds like the answer to the problems

The obvious best thing about the cab is

Is it good for DaC to have old taxis on its

some older drivers now find themselves in

the engine; the rest of it is still a TX2. But

fleet? No! Would I do it? Well if the body of

- although the conversion can also be car-

then again, it is still YOUR TX2! The boot is

the cab was up to it, then quite possibly yes.

full of gas tank, meaning no spare wheel.

ried out on newer cabs whose drivers wish

It's also tempting to have a quick respray,

The battery is located where the derv tank

to become far greener than they currently

change the back seat, bang on a cheap per-

was, although you can still jump start the

are. Those interested should email gas-

sonalised number plate, then to the public

battery from the bonnet of the cab.

taxi@ gmail.com.

it’s a brand new cab - especially with the cab

The word interesting keeps cropping up -

Call Sign decided to send out a

engine just whispering compared to a

none more so than the life span of the bat-

reporter to test one of the converted

diesel taxi. Will any of the big manufactur-

tery and starter motor compared to a diesel

cabs. Gary Cox (O46) used it for around

ers ever fulfil our dream of a dual fuel

engine. The engine has none of the heavy

eight hours and although the taxi was

taxi? Don't hold your breath. And if they

vibration of a diesel, from the front of her to

licensed, he decided to simulate a day’s

do, you will be the last to know, mate!

the clean exhaust up its rear. That must be

work instead so that he could stop

I wish to point out that this was a blind

in its' favour when it comes to longevity.

whenever he wanted. This is Gary’s

test, not knowing who did the conver-

Maybe FX cab wings wouldn’t have needed

report...

sion, which in turn meant l had no pre-

welding until much later with LPG engines!

I was given a 10 year old LPG TX2 cab to

conceived ideas or prejudice against any

With the click of a switch in the drivers'

test for as long as I wanted. You could say

compartment, the cab changes from gas to

person or company.

the converters were either tempting fate or

petrol with about 75 miles going downhill.

I would like to personally thank Stanley

very confident! Like all things, it's got its' up

It's going to get you to Gatwick and a quick

Roth for his pearls of wisdom and in fulfill-

side and its' down side. The fact is that you

flick of your smart phone app will display

ing my curiosity. Stanley, you're always a

can get another five years-worth of licence

the nearest LPG station. Filling with gas

gent...

Call Sign December 2013

Page 9

A strange coincidence happened

to Call Sign recently. This maga-

Power of the CabCam?

zine’s long-time photographer,

The bilk and the Bill arrive together!

Alan Green (E52), had stopped

because there are sometimes instances of

for a street hail on Finchley Road

passengers attacking each other in the back

and was asked to take the pas-

of taxis. In my conversations with the Met

senger close to The Ivy in West

police, I was interested to hear that they

regard the provision of CCTV in taxis and pri-

Street. His clothing suggested he

vate hire vehicles as helpful in cases of sexu-

wouldn’t be dining there!

al assault or rape that occur after people have

The passenger was silent throughout the

been taken by taxi to a place of residence.”

journey until close to the Shaftesbury Avenue

Richard Fuller then told of a sad occasion

junction with High Holborn, where the traffic

when one of his constituents, Mehar

slowed down almost to a halt. As they

Dhariwal, was murdered. This, he claimed,

entered the top end of Shaftesbury Avenue,

was what brought into sharp relief the dan-

the passenger said he would get out and walk

gers that men and women in taxis can be

the rest of the way. So Alan pulled in towards

under when they are put in situations of risk.

the kerb, but was prevented from getting in

“This Bill,” he continued, “proposes to pro-

too close because of other parked vehicles.

vide for secure and encrypted CCTV in taxi

Alan continued the story that so many

cabs. It is important from the point of view of

drivers over the years have come up

privacy that the information is secure and

against:

encrypted. It should also be accessible by the

“The passenger got out, closed the door

police only in circumstances in which a crime

and while I was expecting to be paid the £22

is reported to have been committed. The sys-

The quality may not be brilliant but is

at the nearside window, calmly just walked

tem should be mandatory, because then the

good enough for the person to be

away from the cab before breaking into a trot

citizen would know that it was being used

recognised!

towards Cambridge Circus! Stuck half out in

when they got into a taxi cab. If the take-up

the road and with other traffic close by, I

circuit televisions in their vehicles.

were voluntary rather than mandatory, peo-

could neither leave the cab where I’d

According to Mr Fuller: “Taxi drivers have

ple would not know exactly what type of safe-

stopped, nor open my door to give chase.”

been treated like second-class citizens and are

ty provision was in use. Councils around the

Alan described the bilker as white, around

an overlooked community when it comes to

country have seen the value of introducing a

6 feet tall, slim build with short dark hair,

personal safety. Yet they are an essential part of

mandatory system over a voluntary one.”

bushy beard and dark framed spectacles. He

our public transport system, for in many

He ended with the issue of costs, saying

was wearing blue jeans and a dark coat with

towns across the country who is going to take

that bus drivers do not pay for the CCTV that

a satchel on his shoulder.

people home in the evenings? It will be a taxi

protects them and nor should taxi drivers

But Alan also had a witness - a Novus

or private hire vehicle. However, the safety

have to pay for their own personal safety

CabCam attached to the inside of the cab’s

provided in those circumstances is below that

while they ply their trade.

front windscreen, which took the image

provided in other forms of public transport. It

However, CabCams are also able to see

shown here.

is the most trusting of circumstances: one, two

outside the vehicle as well as inside. The

Alan added that his Novus camera was pri-

or three people in a vehicle at night, with

outside view is what Alan Green used to

marily a road safety feature, but it also has

nothing to provide evidence if a crime is com-

get the photo of his bilker. The outside

other obvious benefits, such as capturing the

mitted.”

view also enables insurance companies to

image of a bilker for everyone to see - includ-

Mr Fuller described bilking, but added that

reduce premiums and those views are

ing the police.

drivers from ethnic minorities were being

available to the drivers, whereas inside

Not too long before Alan Green’s bilk,

racially abused and claimed that incidences

the cab would not be unless downloaded

Conservative MP Richard Fuller (Bedford)

of that abuse were reduced where the cab

by the police or licensing authority first.

was attempting to bring in a new Bill to

had CCTV fitted.

Further information on the Novus CabCam is

Parliament that would require all licensed

“Having CCTV in taxis is about providing

available from Deltec AI Ltd, Oxford Road

taxis (and private hire) to install closed

safety, not only for drivers but for passengers,

Wealdstone HA3 7RG or call Jason 0208 515 7820.

Complaints / Appeals results

An Appeals meeting took place at DaC House on Wednesday 30 October 2013

Name & call sign

Description

Verdict

David Tobias (N80J)

Driver accepted DaC credit card trip through

2: Two week susp

system and shortly into the journey changed

3: Two week susp

trip to cash and cleared the credit card ride

21: Expelled

through Hailo

Rules 2, 3, 21

Original Complaint result: 2: One week susp, 3: One week susp, 21: Two weeks susp...

David Jones (N86)

Driver completed two trips

2: Reprimand

24 times in one-month period

6: Warning

Rules 2, 6, 11

11: Two week susp

Original Complaint result: 2: One week susp, 6: One week susp, 11: Two weeks susp...

Call Sign December 2013

Page 10

Hello Ladies & Gents

CONTACT CENTRE CHAT

This will be my last report as the Society’s

With Allan Evans

Compliance Officer. At the last Board of

Management meeting it was decided that

Please consider the consequences of

there would be a change of Board Members

these actions. I have spoken to many of you

responsibilities with immediate effect. My

recently and I believe we all understand

new role will be head of Driver Operations

that the climate has changed dramatically

and Contact Centre Manager, a position that

and we as a Board know that to gain

Keith Cain has previously carried out. Keith

accounts and maintain our existing account

will now be head of Sales and Garry White

base, we must react to the competition out

will step into my shoes as the new

there in the market place. Some of the deci-

Compliance Officer.

sions may be tough, but the Board will con-

All three of us will, I am sure, be working

sider all available options to take our

very closely to make the changeover as smooth

Society forward.

as possible and we will all share our knowledge

Finally, in my new position I will still be con-

and experience with each other whilst we get

tactable on my current line number of 0207

to grips with our new responsibilities. All three

553

7222

and

address

roles are very important and I know all three of

Allane@Dialacab.co.uk. I will always be happy

us have the confidence and knowhow to make

to help and advise any member that may need

the re-shuffle a success.

assistance. Be very lucky in what we hope will

Before I pass the position fully over to Garry,

now expecting no run ins or gratuities, with

be a busy lead up to Christmas and please help

I’d like to bring to your attention a number of

cheap fares on par with minicabs!

us cover trips in problem areas from East to

issues that are still cause for concern. I have

It is certainly not helping the Society and

West/North to South at all times of the day.

received more reports lately of members not

even though we sell our services as the circuit

Remember local trips often end up as roaders

displaying the Society Logo, and what is more

with true professionals and with the technical

and you can never be too clever.

alarming is that one or two DaC members have

back-up to match, it makes it increasingly hard

Allan Evans

been seen with the Logo missing while display-

to compete on a level footing without compro-

ing ‘Hailo’ stickers on the windows or parti-

mising our taxi drivers as Hailo seems to be

Head of Driver Operations

tions of their taxis. It’s no wonder accounts are

doing.

Contact Centre Manager

Dial-a-Cab Chairman Brian Rice has announced a reshuffle of Board of Management

positions.

Former Operations and Contact Centre Manager, Keith Cain, now becomes Head

DIAL-A-CAB

of Sales. Former Compliance Officer, Allan Evans, will be taking over Keith’s position

in the Contact Centre, while newest Board member, Garry White, is now Compliance

Officer.

RESHUFFLE

Both Tom Whitbread and Mike Son remain without portfolio...

Taxiworld launches

Brewery Road office

Winter Pro Am Series

Taxiworld has announced the opening of a new office at the TX4 retail-

er’s Brewery Road dealership site, now giving customers the choice of

The Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club is pleased to announce dates

three dedicated Taxiworld sites and complimenting their 16 strong dealer

for the 2013/14 Winter Pro Am Golf events

network throughout London.

Taxiworld MD Jill Paton commented: “The Group is very excited about

2013

the prospect of working more closely with The London Taxi Company

Friday 13th December 2013

and the opportunity to give our joint customers an enhanced level of ser-

2014

vice.

Friday 17th January 2014

“The facility at Brewery Road is an ideal location for our customers to

Friday 28th February 2014

visit and experience our complete range of products, from our unique

Friday 28th March 2014

SIM card taximeter, which negates the necessity to attend time con-

suming annual tariff changes; to the latest range of Smart Witness

The format of each event will be in teams of three amateurs with a

CCTV cameras.”

Professional played as a team with the best two Stableford scores to

Taxiworld’s new range of products, coupled with their expansion to the

count and an individual Professional competition

new facilities, has created a requirement for a number of new personnel

to join the company. However the existing team led by ‘Auntie’ Linda

Each event will follow the below itinerary:

will be splitting their time between all sites, ensuring that there will

09.30 Coffee & bacon roll on arrival

always be a familiar face to provide product information and demonstra-

10.30 Shot gun start

tions.

15.00 Two course meal

The new outlet will be manned and open during Brewery Road’s

normal operational hours, Monday to Thursday, 8.30am until 5pm

Team prizes and Individual cash prizes for Professionals

and Fridays, 8.30am until 4pm.

For team of 3 Amateurs visitors £135

UK Retail General Manager James Dennison added: “We knew this

Members & Dial-a-Cab drivers £105.00

partnership would make sense for both parties, however, most of all for

(£25 for professional)

our joint customers. We’re excited about the opportunities that this ven-

Maximum handicap: (3/4 handicap) of Gentlemen 24, Ladies 30.

ture will bring, including the possible efficiencies to be gained for both

operations.”

You may enter an amateur team only (we will allocate a Professional

Customers will find the Taxiworld team in their new office adja-

for you) or Professionals can bring their own team

cent to the Service Reception entrance or they can call the team

Please call Elaine on 01992 466666 ex 249 for an entry form.

direct on 0207 700 9837.

To confirm entry, full payment will be required with your entry form

Call Sign December 2013

Page 12

Former Dial-a-Cab driver Bob ‘The dog’ Heath

(Ex-F44) retired from taxi driving around 16

years ago: “I was forcibly retired from dri-

Parking paradise at

ving a cab following heart bypass surgery,”

Bob told Call Sign, “and yes, contrary to pop-

ular belief, they actually found one to

bypass!”

Six years before that, Bob and Tom

Surfers Paradise!

Whitbread had founded Dial-a-Dream, the

charity that makes the wishes of terminally ill

children come true and coincidentally, the for-

mation of which you can read about inside this

issue.

Earlier this year, Bob and his wife Jacquie

had been on holiday at Queensland’s Gold

Coast City of Surfers Paradise, which is said to

be the Australian Gold Coast's entertainment

and tourism centre.

Surfers also lays claim to the world’s best

looking traffic wardens! Fortunately for this

mag, regular reader Bob took a photo of the

Meter Maids on his iPad and passed it over

to us.

It isn’t just that they are female and gorgeous

- Bob’s words as Call Sign always keeps clear of

sexist comments (!!!) - but while patrolling

Surfers beachfront area, the Maids keep a sup-

ply of small value coins on them for those

parked motorists whose time is on the verge of

Bob with two of the Meter Maids at Surfers Paradise

being up, but need a few extra minutes to buy

most people thank them by donating a buck or

Bob said referring to Dial-a-Dream’s East

that last souvenir. The Maids use the coins to

two to the local charity. For an extra dollar, the

London HQ, “and I doubt that many of our war-

give those motorists an extra 15 minutes before

Maids will pose with you for a photo!

dens would look that good in a swimming cos-

the real wardens come along and for which

“I don’t think it will catch on in Wanstead,”

tume anyway!”

Of all the account clients that have passed on over the years, none seem to have brought on memories

like Sir David Frost did. We have already published several and Eddie Smith’s will be the final one...

Memories of Sir David Frost

“Who could forget the real

gentleman that was Sir

David Frost?” Eddie Smith

(Y56) posed the question to

Call Sign when we met

recently while discussing the

long-time Dial-a-Cab client’s

recent death.

“As a youngster, I

watched his television pro-

grams with interest, espe-

cially those celebrity inter-

views, with searching

questions that some inter-

Eddie Smith

viewee’s squirmed to answer fully!

“And then a few years ago, I clearly remember picking him up

from a TV studio late one night to take him back to his Chelsea home. He looked

absolutely shattered, completely drained and yet during the journey, he still thought to

ask how I was and if I had had a good day. Then he asked if I had a family and asked

about them. How could you not be impressed when one of the world’s most recognis-

able celebrities takes the time to enquire about you.

“He could have just fallen asleep in the back and who could have blamed him, but he

took the time to enquire about me which was really unforgettably nice,” Eddie told us.

“On another occasion I took him from Kensington to Harley Street. My instructions

were ‘wait and return’ but little did I realise that wait was to be well over an hour.

Anyway, when he came out from the address, as he got back into the cab he gave me a

David Frost smile, apologised for the length of waiting and added that at least it was a

nice job for me! Then we moved off swiftly back towards W8.

“He is missed by the world as a celebrity but is also missed at Dial-a-Cab as just a real-

ly nice guy.”

Then Eddie went back to work...

Call Sign December 2013

Page 13

AGM REMINDER

All members

Sunday 9th February 2014 at 11am.

09:00hrs on Thursday 5th December

should have

The meeting this year will consider

2013 as per the Notice of Annual

received the

an agenda excluding the election of

General Meeting 2013 letter.

Notice of Annual

officers, but including as usual,

Please remember that if you do not

General Meeting

proposed Rule Changes and

vote by post then you should attend.

2013 advising

Propositions.

If you do not attend or vote by post,

that the meeting

Any proposed Rule Changes and

you will be liable for a £50 fine.

will again be held at The HAC,

Propositions must be received at

Howard Pears

Armoury House, City Road on

Dial-a-Cab House on or before

Company Secretary

Call Sign’s Stephen Berndes (R14) says..

Its a Cabbies Life

I had joined the Victoria Coach Station

A heavy problem...

I was on point of the Cheapside rank at One

rank and was third from point. Two drivers were

stretching their legs talking to one another, giv-

New Change, the new City shopping mall. A

morbidly obese lady - ok, a very fat lady - wad-

ing the distinct impression that they had no

interest in the fare standing next to them beside

dled up and said she wasn’t going far but had

a heavy laptop and could I please take her to

his battered suitcases.

I walked up and tried to engage in conversa-

Marks & Spencer on Cheapside.

“You are on Cheapside,” I said with

tion with the chap, establishing that he was

Polish. So I then called my wife and passed my

incredulity. All that extra data was loading her

down methinks. She thumbed around using

mobile over to him. They spoke in Polish for a

her podgy fingers, stabbing at her iPhone and

while and when he passed the phone back to

then corrected herself by curtly changing the

me, my wife said the guy was fine and

address to Finsbury Pavement. I acknowl-

explained what he had said.

edged and engaged the meter. She squeezed

I began to load his cases into my cab. One of

her bulk through the extended door, occupying

the drivers ahead of me wandered up and with

the volume of space like a plug occupies the

rather colourful language, warned me that the

circumference of the hole in a bath.

character was decidedly dodgy. I told him it was

On our short journey, she contested every

And on a ‘lighter’ note!

ok and that my wife has vetted him by explain-

street and every turn. I could clearly see her fol-

My wife is a foreigner. As a proud Lithuanian, she

ing that she speaks Polish.

lowing the journey path on her iPhone - no

refuses to renounce her Lithuanian passport in

I then pointed the cab in the direction of

doubt on the Google map.

favour of a British one. In common with many

Hounslow...

My blood pressure was rising in proportion

foreigners, her linguistic skills are plentiful; fluent

in four languages - which sometimes have unex-

Stephen Berndes

to the number of interruptions she had made

by this time and I was beginning to develop a

pected advantages relating to my work.

Call Sign Online

nervous twitch, using deep breathing exercises

to ally the onset of a seizure! Then with her

operatic bulk and a satisfied grin, she suddenly

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

yelled out: “There it is!”

I laughed and congratulated her as I pulled

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

up at Finsbury Pavement. She then began

extracting her potato frame causing - may I add

variable bank interest rates?

- huge and deep indentations on the passen-

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

gers’ seats; she had straddled all the seating

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

positions!

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

I suggested as pleasantly as I could that it

at your address also qualifies for membership!

might have been less stressful for her if she

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

had just relaxed in the back seat and read

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

the paper or made phone calls like most

up to 3 times your total savings…

other passengers.

“I’m not a taxi driver,” she replied.

The cost?

I ended our conversation with a quiet “evi-

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

dently not” before wishing her a polite “have a

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

good day.” Her response was to slam the door.

If you think I’m a touch fattist, it’s just that I

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

find being rude avoids the need for expletives.

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

Perhaps next time I’ll handle it differently, but

with the advent of technology these incidences

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

are likely to increase, causing some consterna-

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

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

tion - even when we are carrying out our job in

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

the correct manner.

Registration number 213263

Call Sign December 2013

Page 14

Tom Whitbread: Colostomy bag for six months...

Around seven years ago, I suffered a bout of

the following morning. As soon as my Consultant

Diverticulitis. It seemed to be under control with

came in and saw my dilemma, he had the aspira-

drugs until four months ago when I suddenly

tor replaced and another one and half litres

developed a new set of pains in my stomach.

removed from my stomach. If I could have got

After repeated visits to my GP and explaining the

hold of that Registrar in the middle of the night,

symptoms, his explanation was that I was getting

I would have shown him how a dog feels like

old and that half the population had

after being neutered.

Diverticulitis. But he agreed to send me for a

Dracula arrives…

colonoscopy (camera up the bum).

On the day of my examination, there was a

Each morning, Dracula came in to draw off more

problem due to my intestine either being partial-

blood, then you had the young F2 doctors who

ly blocked or narrowed, so it had to be aban-

inserted cannulas. During my time at Homerton,

doned. The doctor said I would need an urgent

I never found one F2 who could insert a cannula

CT scan via my GP, but he booked the appoint-

with no problem and get it to stay in without

ment incorrectly. After my wife, eldest daughter

falling out. Twice in the middle of the night I had

and I laid into him, he contacted Homerton

to have my bed linen changed, as the doctor tried

Hospital and said I needed the CT scan urgently

to insert the needle and ended up covering the

scuffling. This was to last for the next four nights.

as he thought I might have cancer - that meant

sheet in my blood. Luckily Dracula had gone!

I discovered that this person had been forcibly

they had to see me within 72 hours.

I’m someone who has a problem with nee-

put on the ward via a 28 day mental welfare sec-

Within a few days, I had an appointment with a

dles. My fear stems from a past job as an acci-

tion order while he received surgical treatment

Gastroenterology specialist Surgeon at the

dent ambulance driver. I had been assisting a

for his arm. He was guarded by up to ten escorts

Homerton. He immediately saw the serious

doctor who was treating a rather awkward

at a time. His room was six feet away from my

nature of the situation and said he would try again

bed and each night he’d get out and away from

drunk with a knee injury. As the doctor

for a colonoscopy or failing that, the CT scan. I

inserted the hypodermic needle by the knee

his escorts, then put on his demonstration next

had full confidence in him as he explained what

to my bed. Why was he not transferred to the

joint, the patient lashed out and broke the

was awaiting me in the near future. But four days

hospital wing next to ours that specialised in

needle. We then had to hold him down whilst

later, I had a serious problem with my intestine

mental problems as he was able to walk about?

the doctor cut out the broken part of needle;

and bladder - which had perforated - and my body

Well whilst I was at the Homerton, a murderer

since then I have not liked to watch a needle

was becoming poisoned.

serving 28 years escaped from there!

being inserted into my flesh.

I phoned the hospital and was admitted

I also got talking to the patient in the room

It was not until I had to have my dressing

within the hour with an operation set for the

opposite my bed and next to the night entertain-

changed for the first time after the operation that

next morning. The surgeon impressed on me

er’s room. This man in his late 40s, had a heavy

I was told of the new ruling; that they were not

how dangerous the operation would be, but I

American accent and had gone to the US when a

allowed to shave hair off sensitive parts of the

had faith in him and his team - as you must

young boy. He told me that in his early 20s he

body but had to use an electric hair trimmer. That

have at a time like this.

became involved in heavy drug dealing and dur-

doesn’t get right down to the skin and leaves a

At 7.40 the following morning, the surgeon

ing his last drug deal, his seller had pulled a gun

small stubble around a man’s most precious part,

came rushing onto the ward and asked if I would

and tried to shoot him, but the gun jammed so

then they stick a 2 inch wide super strength plas-

complain if need be as someone in administra-

he took his chance and stabbed him in the neck

ter over the wound and hair so when the ‘don’t

tion wanted to put my operation off for several

with a knife and killed him. He was caught,

make a fuss’ 15 stone nurse decides to change the

days. The surgeon said that any delay could

arrested and sentenced to 23 years imprison-

dressing, you have a scene resembling a Tom and

mean I would not be seeing the next weekend!

ment. He could have been released on parole

So he got two of his team and a porter to take me

after

15 years, but got into more trouble in

Jerry fight with this Tom hanging from the ceiling

up at full speed to the anti-theatre to be prepared

prison and had to serve 18 years. During our

screaming in pain! The nurse always says that it

and installed on the operating table. Now there

time in hospital, we had a lot of chats to pass the

wasn’t so bad! Not bad? She had just given me a

was no going back…

time.

Brazilian with no warning!

One evening at the end of my second week, I

At the end of week 3, a doctor arrived with

Tom or the London

felt some serious pain and called a young doctor

a bag filled with vitamins to compensate for

over to explain my problem. He examined me

the food I’d been deprived of. It looked like

Underground!

and called down a Registrar for a second opinion.

liquid Polyfilla and put into my body via a

The next thing I remember was coming around

They both agreed that because I was not eating,

cannula inserted in the side of my neck dur-

at 5pm and having more tubes coming out of me

my stomach was filling up with bile (which acts in

ing a previous visit to the operating theatre.

than the London Underground and a colostomy

the stomach to break down food allowing it to

During my stay, most patients were there for

bag fitted for a period of 6 months. While uncon-

pass through easily). This had the effect of mak-

just a few days and by week three I felt like a

scious, the surgeon and his team had sliced into

ing me drown! So that was where they came up

prison lifer. The boredom, especially at nights,

me like a Sunday roast and removed six inches of

with another minor torture, passing a narrow

was only broken when someone fell out of bed

intestine, while re-routing the rest.

tube up my nose and down the windpipe towards

or decided to re-enact a scene out of the film,

This was the start of a dignity breaking four

the stomach. Then they attached a large syringe

one flew over the cuckoo’s nest.

weeks; they pushed a tube or aspirator into any

to the end of the tube and drew out excess bile.

By the end of week 4, my surgeon decided to

orifice they could find as well as cannulas in my

The first attempt drew 2 litres with another one

allow me home for some good food and exercise.

arms and hands. Then to finish, they put main

and a half litres the next morning. I thought that

But I soon realised that due to the operation

line tubes - five at a time - into my neck! This was

had cleared it, but again I was wrong and two

across my stomach, trying to bend over was

topped off with the humiliation of wearing idiot

days later I again had the same pains.

gowns. If I needed to go to the bathroom, I had

The same doctor from two days previous was

strictly restricted as the healing flesh did not

to drag along a mobile stand with all my intra-

on duty and contacted the Registrar who said he

want to be stretched. I also didn’t realise how

venous drugs and liquid vitamins. If I tried to

would be down. Three hours later and still no

long the heeling processes takes - according to

sleep, they’d wake me up every hour for my

sign of him. When they did contact him, they said

the surgeon, it takes as long as the body needs.

observations to be taken, although that eventual-

an x-ray was needed so we waited and it was

But he added that the reversal operation could

ly became every 3 hours. There were also regular

eventually done at 4.20 am. Whilst there, anoth-

take place in 6 months but that I should not

injections.

er mentally disturbed patient went berserk out-

thank him until 5 years had passed. Well, at my

During the following

3 weeks, I was not

side the door. So if you want an eventful time in

age, his thinking that I will still be alive in five

allowed any solid food and for almost 3 weeks,

hospital, just stick with me!

years’ time is a bonus!

no fluid by mouth. Watching others eating what

The Registrar had the x-rays within five min-

But I must say a big thank you to all the doc-

looked like appetising food and drinking hot tea,

utes on his portable PC, so now it should have

tors, nurses, physios, assistants and even clean-

was torture.

been all systems go. But no, he said as it was

ers without whose expertise and good humour, I

During my second week in the Homerton, I

4.45am it could be left until my consultant came

would have gone mad.

was having great difficulty in sleeping due to all

in at 8am. All this Registrar had to do was to tell

Be careful, keep yourself healthy and a very

my tubes, so the curtains around the bed were

my senior male nurse to go ahead and I would

Merry Christmas to you all…

drawn whilst I had the light on allowing me to

have been out of pain within minutes, but

read. Then at 2am, there was a noise on the

because of an inability to oversee their workload

Tom Whitbread

other side of my curtain with much arguing and

and delegate, I had to suffer from 8pm until 8am

DaC Board Member

Call Sign December 2013

Page 15

In the days of taxi overhauls, Call Sign often

received letters from Dial-a-Cab drivers telling

us about something petty that stopped their cab

from getting its yearly plate. There were unau-

SO SIZE DOES

thorised stickers such as the AA’s Relay, which

was banned along with many others stickers of

that ilk. There was the occasional missing screw

and the best of all - the missing strap to tie the

MATTER!

luggage in for when you took a corner too fast.

The fact that in those days of yore taxis had just

three doors and no luggage door, mattered not

NSL tell DaC driver it’s too small*

because even with four doors, the old PCO

*(…the font on his insurance certificate that is)!

insisted on the strap being there. But those days

have mostly gone - which is why DaC driver

pedantic? Or is it

ance with the relevant sized font! This I did

Laury Bartlett’s (L84) tale stunned us. We’ll

me... am I the

through Quotax - and I managed to save almost

leave Laury to take up the tale...

wrong type too?

a £1000 in premiums! Plus I now have a pro-

“I have been mushing for some twenty years

But it wasn’t all

tected no claims which I never did before. What

and it has always amazed me the trivial things

bad because hav-

is it they say about clouds having a silver lining!

they find to stop you from getting your new

ing phoned my

I am still puzzled as to why Aviva changed

plate. Today at Crayford was, I thought, going to

brokers, they were

the way they produced the certificate, as it was

be easy. New tyres, freshly washed and after all,

informed that the

perfectly acceptable before. But the serious side

the Vito taxi I drive is only two years old.

Nothing could possibly go wrong... could it?

font size on the

to it is that there may well be Dial-a-Cab drivers

appropriate tem-

out there with a similar issue regards font size,

Well it failed. Why? Well the size of font on the

insurance certificate was a size ten and it should

plate had been

and although they may not warrant a stop on

approved by NSL.

the street, it could mean a ‘fail’ when it comes

have been size twelve so people can see it from

However, when I

to the annual test..

the kerbside! I don't really think they would

informed

the

manage to see a size 12 font either, but there

The office manager at NSL went over and

you go! Ok, there was also the matter of the

office manager at

above his duty to help me get back on the road

the

Crayford

that afternoon for which I am grateful, but

MoT certificate not being signed twice (it had

been only signed once), but surely they could

depot, he said he had not received any commu-

another cabby might not be so lucky.”

nication from his director about this. In fact he

use a bit of discretion. The taxi driver in front of

Call Sign wrote to the head of NSL - who

me had left his MoT at home and it still got

phoned his boss whilst I was there and was told

appeared in this mag last year to explain how

that no such approval had been sought or grant-

passed on the understanding that he dropped it

they would operate after winning the account

in later. Could they not have done the same

ed! I guess there was some sort of communica-

from SGS - but sadly no reply arrived. So we

tion breakdown and the only way I could see for

with me? I know they have a job to do and are

have to assume that contrary to popular belief,

applying the letter of the law, but isn't it just a bit

a way out of this was to find some new insur-

size does matter... !

Call Sign December 2013

Page 16

Lee Pearce:

We were tanked!

Island, Dial-a-Cab driver Lee Pearce (J71)

“We were awful in that second half and

was looking forward to a run in the presti-

just allowed them to take control. We were

gious FA Trophy. But unlike their FA Cup

well and truly tanked!”

game, there was no dispute over the result

Lee, perhaps unsurprisingly, refused to tell

against Calor Gas Premier League leaders

us what NGU manager, former Chelsea leg-

Hemel Hempstead Town. As Lee put it: “We

end Neil Shipperley had said after the game.

were well and truly tanked!”

A brief he wasn’t very happy was enough!

Yet Lee’s North Greenford United took an

We’re not sure if NGU can take any comfort

early lead with a well taken goal from striker

from one fact: Hemel Hempstead’s next

Jeffrey Kalejaiye and were playing well. But

match was in the league against Bashley FC

Hemel showed that their attacking prowess is

and incredibly, after their

9 goals against

deadly when scoring 2 goals late in the first

NGU, they smashed in another ten in a 10 - 0

half and no less than 7 goals in the second

whitewash, which actually makes Hemel

half. Hemel’s domination can be seen when

Hempstead the most free-scoring side in all

you realise that Lee was possibly NGU’s best

of Europe with no less than 49 goals in 13

Having lost in the last seconds to a disputed

player, saving five one-on-ones!

league games!

goal in their FA Cup match against Canvey

Lee Pearce told Call Sign after the game:

It can always be worse!

DaC driver Richard Potter asks if this is the...

Self-Destruction of the Taxi Trade?

s we end the year, 2014 now makes this the longest downturn in Taxi trade history -

year six. Without doubt, things have been hard and the trade is now starting to split

apart, or should I say self-destruct in a way I have never seen before. One radio pre-

senter recently said there was no love lost between taxi drivers and you only have to

look at the LTDF website to see that. Or you need just look at what the app companies are doing

or see how many times you get hooted at or not let out by other taxi drivers. In my eyes, it has

become quite sad.

As regular readers of Call Sign will know, I used to work for the fire service in Kent and the

flexibility of taxi driving allows you to commit to being full time whilst working another job part-

time. During my time at KFRS, I was approached to become a rep for the FBU (Fire Brigades

Union), which I accepted. I represented Retained (part time) Fire-fighters in my own brigade and

also my region, which covered Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex. Not long after I started, we went into dispute with the Labour

government over pay and organised strikes to get a financial increase, which we eventually got. The history behind the strikes was that the

Labour Government wanted to make changes to Fire-fighters terms and conditions of service, which were detrimental to us and the FBU were

pursuing a pay increase. Funnily enough, Labour Ministers had over a number of years refused, but said they would discuss pay in return for

changes in terms and conditions. Fire-fighters pay had not increased for years and was falling behind other services like the Police. New

Labour knew it was only a matter of time before the FBU came cap in hand. The general consensus was that the FBU needed a pay formula

which would allow Fire-fighters a yearly pay increase without having to trade off more pay and conditions - nor go cap in hand to the Fire

ministers.

Now what other organisation has a yearly pay formula which is indexed linked and gives that organisation an unconditional

pay increase? What the FBU or any trade organisation like the RMT would do to have a pay formula like ours!

So...

Did you hear the story about the trade organisation that had the best pay formula in the country, but some of its trade members decided to

undercut it by doing work at a lower hourly rate than what had been agreed to try and ‘win work back’ that they already had! And that the

whole structure was founded by members themselves and the benefits don't stay within the organisation, but go to outsiders who don't care

whether the trade lives or dies! So who are these people hell bent on self- destruction? Of course it’s us - the taxi trade!

If you are foolish enough to do work for the app companies, you are paying yourselves on average £4 less per job compared to DaC. So

what's their motto: "Come and work for us, do shorter jobs, work harder, get paid less?”

Geely

On a more positive note, it’s good to read Geely in Call Sign saying they are looking into ways of improving the TX4. But one thing that

never gets a mention is the danger of the blind spot you get from the windscreen pillars. It really is about time they made them thinner and

safer, whilst we all know the benefits of improving the MPG by making the taxi lighter and removing the Laurel and Hardy type chassis.

One useful thing you might like to know is that if your brake light stops working during a shift, swap it with the reversing light bulb as they

are the same and easy to change. The chances of you being stopped by the law after you both reverse up the same street are remote, howev-

er no brake light is an easy stop.

As Christmas is fast approaching, wherever you are and with whomever you spend it, I hope that all DaC members and their families have a

Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Richard Potter (T51)

Call Sign Online

Call Sign December 2013

Page 17

This series commemorates next year’s centenary of the beginning of WW1 in 1914...

DAC WAR HEROES

A few days later on December 29th

Lou Sherman’s War

came the worst raid of the Blitz thus far;

Lou Sherman was with ODRTS for only a

Lou was called out to tackle the large

brief period, but his story is well worth

fires at the gas and oil works at

telling. His war began even before the

Thameshaven. There was little they

Germans invaded Poland on September 1st

could do other than keeping the large

1939. The day previously he had gone into

holders that were not damaged from

his garage, Watson’s of Caledonian Road,

exploding by keeping them cool. Lou

only to find an officer from the fire brigade

and the other men tackled those fires for

telling him that his cab had been requisi-

three days and nights - they believed

tioned. He was told there was no point in

they had been forgotten as no one came

arguing and his cab, a Beardmore, went. It

with any food for the first two days!

was the last he would ever see of it. The fol-

May 10th 1941 was to be the last night of

lowing day, Lou was told that he too had

the Blitz, although London didn’t know

been requisitioned along with his two cab

that. The Luftwaffe dropped 10,000 incen-

driving brothers, into the newly formed

diaries onto London and the whole of the

Auxiliary Fire Service. Entrants to the AFS

City was ablaze. Emergency water supplies

had to pass a physical test - using a hook

soon dried up, so Lou was sent down with

ladder to scale up the outside of a building.

his tender to the Tower of London,

Lou passed the test, his two brothers failed and Lou was in the

dragged his hose over the side of the railings and linking up with

AFS.

other tenders every 200 yards, managing to get water up to the

There was supposed to be a week’s training, but even that did

Bank of England where the fires were still raging. With London

not materialise. The first air raid siren of the war was heard on

a beacon from the air, the Germans had no problem following

the opening day of the war, September 3rd 1939. Lou and his

up the fire raid with high explosives. As the fires raged, the tide

crew rushed to their tender and drove out into the City. And

went down and there was nothing anyone could do but wait for

waited! And waited! It was a false alarm. There were plenty of

the fires to burn out. By this time, Lou had been sent to

other false alarms during what was termed the Phoney War.

Shadwell Hospital, having been hit on the hand by a piece of

To pass the time Lou and his mates reared chickens and rab-

shrapnel following an explosion.

bits, selling the meat to the butchers and the rabbit pelts to a fur-

Lou was later recalled back to the John Lewis building to assess

rier. The vicar of St Botolph’s in Aldgate allowed them to grow

whether an outbuilding there was safe. It wasn’t. In an all too

vegetables in the garden - the churchyard was still in ruins from

familiar setting, the floor caved in there as well. As before, the

being bombed in the Great War.

other man came off worse with his spine severed. Lou had badly

Lou was based at Fairclough Road School, just off

damaged his back. After a week at Shadwell Hospital - described

Backchuch Lane. There were 3 other cab drivers and they

by Lou as an awful place - Lou returned to his duties but by now

helped turn the canteen into a virtual cabmen’s shelter, selling

could only act as driver. He carried on like this until 1943 when

the type of food the cab shelters were selling pre-war. So suc-

he was pensioned off. Lou Sherman’s war was over.

cessful were they that officers from the nearby fire station in

In 1946, Lou returned to cab driving whenever the pain in

Commercial Road would forsake their own canteen and eat at

his back allowed him to. He was an ardent trade unionist

Fairclough Road!

and stood for election in Hackney Council, eventually

The Phoney War ended when the Blitz began on September

becoming Mayor there in 1960. He helped regenerate the

7th 1940. Lou and his crew had their first real shout. A runner

Lea Valley into a green lung for Londoners and was vice-

came to the school to tell them where to go and with Lou dri-

chairman of the Harlow New Town housing committee. He

ving, the other men clambered on the outside of the tender.

was later awarded the OBE and was then knighted.

They only got as far as Plumbers Row when a bomb damaged

In 1975 he handed in his badge after 39 years. Lou died in

wall came down on them, one of the AFS men was killed and Lou

2001. Perhaps his greatest memorial is the Olympic stadium - if

escaped with just a broken finger.

it had not been for Lou Sherman’s effort to get rid of the facto-

The fire at John Lewis eleven days later was particularly dan-

ries along the River Lea, London may not have had a chance to

gerous for Lou. He and another man had been walking through

stage the 2012 Games.

the smoke-filled store, kicking a stone in front of

them to test if

there was actually a floor. Unfortunately the floor they were on

Sean Farrell (B39)

gave way, Lou fell to the floor below but was relatively

Call Sign Online

unscathed; the fireman next to him fell several floors and was

killed. Two other firemen died that night inside John Lewis,

though the 200 people taking shelter in the basement all sur-

Keith Reading

vived.

Professional Toastmaster

Just before Christmas 1940, Lou had been having an extreme-

Master of Ceremonies

ly lucky session of brag in the canteen when the bells went down

for another raid. He scooped his winnings, 15 shillings, all in tan-

Tele: 01279 465 938

ners (6d) into a handkerchief and set off towards the fire. Driving

through the blackout was hazardous at the best of times and Lou

Mobile: 07774 860 374

was fortunate to stop his engine just in front of a large crater that

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

had appeared in Commercial Road, down which was an equally

large ticking bomb. Unable to drive around it or reverse due to

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

the tenders behind him, Lou stood in the road and pulled his

Fellow of the Guild of

handkerchief out to blow his nose - and 30 six-penny bits fell

Professional Toastmasters

down into the crater! Fifteen shillings was a lot of money to Lou

and despite the dangers, he jumped down the crater and

retrieved every single sixpenny piece!

Page 18

Call Sign December 2013

TAXI CHARGING

INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH

Transport for London has commissioned

15 minutes and can be completed on a

potential development of an electric taxi

research on charging infrastructure to

smartphone, as well as a computer. A

network for London and we are grateful

assess the potential for electric or

link to the survey will be available on

for your time.

hybrid-electric taxis. The research

the Call Sign website home page from

includes a survey which asks taxi drivers

early December and all drivers who

Ian Featherstone

about their typical working patterns,

complete it will be entered into a draw

Knowledge Manager,

breaks and the areas where they work.

to win one of two £50 Amazon vouchers.

Energy Saving Trust

The survey should take no more than

Your feedback will be crucial to the

NCA Blackmail Warning

Views on life as seen through the

eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...

Kupkake’s

Korner

If you get this splash screen with a countdown timer, you could be in trouble!

Unusually, the National Crime Agency’s Cyber Crime Unit has

issued a warning alerting people to a mass 'ransomware' spam

email. The email has a legitimate looking attachment from a

Teenage Drinkers

They’re drinking in the boozers,

bank or financial institution and purports to inform about an

They’re drinking in the streets,

invoice or suspicious bank payment etc, but is in fact a malware

They are drinking as they're walking,

that can install Cryptolocker.

They’re drinking on their feet!

If opened, the malware encrypts the user's files as well as that of the local

They drink away their sorrows,

network it is connected to.

They drink to celebrate,

Once encrypted, the computer will display a splash screen with a countdown

They drink like there's no tomorrow,

timer and a blackmail demand for the payment of 2 Bitcoins in ransom

Drinking till it's too late.

(around £535) for the decryption key. See photo with the countdown timer.

They drink with their smart 'phones,

Lee Miles, Deputy Head of the NCCU told us: “The NCA are actively pursu-

Held in the other hand,

ing organised crime groups committing this type of crime. We are working in

They’re drinking as they're texting,

cooperation with industry and international partners to identify and bring to

To their friends in foreign lands.

justice those responsible and reduce the risk to the public.”

They’re drinking till they're legless,

Who is behind Cryptolocker is a matter of speculation, but the culprits are

And propped against the wall,

believed to be an organised crime house with Russian and Ukrainian connec-

Acting really reckless,

tions. The NCA say they would never recommend paying a ransom as there is

As they try not to fall.

no guarantee it would be honoured, while Russian firm Kaspersky Lab has

And then they need a Taxi,

warned that criminals using the malware appeared not to be supplying unlock

To get them to their home,

keys to paying victims anyway.

And they wonder why they're stranded...

If your computer is infected, it should be reported to

And drinking all alone.

www.actionfraud.police.uk immediately. For further advice on staying safe

Kopyright Kupkake 2013

online see www.GetSafeOnline.org.

Call Sign December 2013

Page 19

COMPLIANCE WITH GARRY

or long stops en route. If a client requests to

However that's not the case with DaC work.

go a preferred route that will make the meter

App clients wanting cabs at busy times are

fare higher, then please inform the dispatch-

being let down by these new players (as I like

er as this can then be logged or in some cases

to call them - the Kings new clothes outfits)

to gain the permission needed so as not to

and I feel sure they will revert back to the cir-

delay your payment. And of course, only

cuits that have always given good service at

clear journeys for what is showing on the

the going rate for the job to ensure they get

meter.

cabs when they require them and not just

I will always be available to answer any ques-

during quiet times of the day.

tions that you want to ask. At present I will be at

DaC House on Mondays, so if you have a prob-

Overhauls

lem that's the day to contact me. If, however, you

When you get your cab back from overhaul,

need to speak about an urgent job related query

please be aware that if you have the new terminal

or other DaC matter, please ask for Shelagh

(which is working well now on the O2 network)

Adkins or another Board member.

you may need to have your meter reset so the ter-

Anytime you see me out working in the cab, I'll

minal can read when it's switched on and off.

Change round

always be happy to assist if it's just a quick ques-

tion - so long as I'm not POB!

Hello ladies & gents

Clearing jobs

As some of you may already be aware, there

Busy month ahead

When doing a DaC job, please leave the fare

has been a Board member shuffle at Dial-a-

As this year comes to the busy time for the taxi

showing on the meter before clearing through

Cab with myself being appointed as the new

trade, I do hope the coverage given by you, the

your terminal so the fare gets captured on your

Compliance Officer - a position I am looking

driver, to all our clients new and old gets the

terminal as shown on the meter.

forward to carrying out.

appreciation it deserves when considering the

If a complaint is made against a member, I will

appointment of their taxi supplier if contracts are

Holiday season

investigate to find out all the facts before making

up for tender!

All that’s now left for me to say is for you all to

any judgement and will always do this in an unbi-

Clients take good service / coverage as a given

have a lucrative run-up to Christmas and for

ased way, using the experience I have gained

by taxi suppliers, however not all suppliers value

those taking the time off, to have a happy and

from driving a taxi for over 26 years.

the driver’s time when tendering for work.

peaceful Christmas...

I'm sure you all know what's required from

Many non-radio drivers tell me they switch

Be lucky,

you when undertaking a DaC job. So please

off the app devices that give them work as

make sure you watch your run-ins. Let the

soon as it gets busy as it does not pay them to

Garry White

dispatcher know of any destination change

accept jobs offered via these companies.

DaC Compliance Officer

Bob Woodford looks back and recalls...

THE BILK OF CHRISTMAS PAST

It was during the run up to Christmas in 1991 that I was cruising the streets looking for nothing more than a few more jobs

while the extra 40p was on the meter. For those Call Sign readers who are younger than me, this was a time before rates 2 and

3 were introduced - we got an extra 40p after 8pm and 60p after midnight. Everyone in my circle of tea drinkers on Chelsea

Bridge called it chocolate time, which I think was brought in years earlier by Dial-a-Cab dispatcher Johnnie Thwaites. By the

way, that tea stall was once known as Snotty's - presumably after the relish that used to fall from Ray's hooter into your hot

dog along with all his fag ash!

Anyway, my method of cruising seemed different to others. I would never for instance turn right from Fulham High

Street on to either the New King's Road or Fulham Road to join a grand procession of cabs all hoping that a punter would

leap out of a doorway. Instead I would take my chance heading up the Fulham Palace Road. Or if I set down in Clerkenwell,

I wouldn’t head west towards Holborn with all and sundry but instead would consider having a mooch up St John Street

towards the Angel.

On the night in question I was Angel-bound and found my angel in Upper Street; the outstretched arm of a well-dressed business

man with a briefcase in his other hand. I stopped, suitably impressed with his smart dress code and thinking I should get this guy off the

streets before closing time!

“Could you take me to East Midlands Airport please driver,” was the opening salvo in a German accent. His surprising request was met with me

asking if he wanted St Pancras Station. But no, he asked me to please take him to East Midlands Airport!

In those days I would instantly forget any feelings of tiredness and just crack on, which I did - straight up the M1 to a partially deserted set-down

point arriving an hour into the following day. A glance around revealed a couple of guys pushing brooms about - and nobody else as far as I could

see! But I was very happy with the £90 showing on the meter and Fritz seemed happy to have been safely transported to an International Airport ter-

minus - albeit not exactly buzzing with business!

He stepped out of my F477 PUV, placed his briefcase on the paving and began tapping all of his pockets in the age-accustomed way of letting you

know he was searching for his wallet, only to exclaim that he was sorry but he did not have any money! My surprisingly calm response was to sug-

gest we should find a Policeman and he agreed: “Yes, please take me to a Policeman.”

We headed for Loughborough Police Station and by the time I had given my Statement and the local constabulary made enquiries about my

Bavarian bilker, it was approaching 5am and all I could think about was my pending round of golf at Lullingstone Castle being kicked into touch.

I was interviewed by a PC that resembled Dickie Henderson and listened out to hear if he was tap dancing when he went down the corridor in

search of mugs of tea! The delay was ended when a WPC (who resembled Giant Haystacks) strolled in to inform me that my 'Angel on Upper Street'

was certified insane and that the German authorities would reimburse my fare. Great! I made my way home to Kent via the newly-opened Queen

Elizabeth Bridge ready to forgo golf for several hours sleep.

But there are two questions still to this day that remain unanswered:

1) Why did it take the German Chamber of Commerce 6 months to post a cheque to me for £88 instead of £90 and 2) Why do WPC's never look

like Julie Andrews or Angela Lansbury?

Be careful out there over the next few weeks - and have a great Christmas!

Bob Woodford, Call Sign Online

Call Sign December 2013

Page 20

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

rethren of the Whip

The first cyclist/taxi clash OR the Dawn of the Velocipedes...

The Times had

not in front as Davey had asserted. The old

already described

adage of having an independent witness to

them as “...a new

back your side of the story is not a bad thing;

terror on the

Davey produced his passenger, Liberal politi-

streets!”

There

cian Sir George Bowyer MP who in addition

were also cries for

was also a barrister. He testified that Davey

them to be banned

took the corner close to the kerb and that the

or at least licensed.

cyclist was at fault for driving on the wrong side

Such were fears cre-

of the road.

ated by the intro-

The magistrate said he’d heard enough and

duction of the first

found for Davey, the cabman, in his complaint

bicycles to hit the

against Keane for assault. Keane was ordered to

streets of London.

pay £3 with a further £1:3s (£1.15) costs. Keane

The first cycle dealer had opened up his

was also ordered to pay 10s for a new whip

premises in Old Street in 1869, selling models

plus 12s:6d (62.5p) costs and a further 10s for

imported from France. By the end of the

breaking it in the first place. The magistrate

decade, a Coventry-based firm was manufac-

then turned to the three charges made by the

turing bikes for export to France! But with the

Keanes against Davey... and dismissed all

outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, orders

three. If that was not bad enough for the

ceased and the company turned its direction

Keanes, their predicament got even worse

towards the home market. The following year

when the magistrate also ordered that for each

The first bicycle to be involved in a

they produced the Ariel cycle, to became

of the three charges dismissed against Davey,

clash with a cab was a Penny-Farthing

more famously known as the Penny-Farthing.

the Keanes should pay 10s:6d costs.

On October 13th 1878, cabman William

The Keanes left Hammersmith police court

Keane Senior. Keane Senior demanded that

£7:7s poorer and with a damaged bike. Davey,

Davey picked up his fare from Inverness

Davey get down from his box, but Davey

Gardens, at Vicarage Gate, Kensington and

unlike many cabdrivers who despite winning a

refused. Keane then grabbed hold of the cab-

court case still lost out on expenses, must have

turned right into the nearby Brunswick

man and tried to pull him down, but in doing

counted himself lucky. After paying out his

Gardens. As he took the corner, he was con-

so broke the cabman’s whip.

expenses, he would have got a share of the £3

fronted with Raymond Keene Junior on a

The subsequent court case is, I believe,

fine, his moiety, and no doubt celebrated his

cycle (what type is not declared by the press

the earliest ever between a cabman and a

and the trade’s first victory over the cycling fra-

report) who collided with the horse, resulting

cyclist. Davey summonsed Keane Senior for

ternity. The Keanes no doubt, were none too

in the cycle and cyclist falling to the ground.

assault, for the breaking of his whip and

‘kean’ (sic) to bring any further actions against

Keene was not hurt, in fact in a scene all

wanted 10s (50p) for a new one. The

the cab trade.

too familiar in the years to come, he sprang

Keanes fought back with three summonses

Sean Farrell

to his feet and took William Davey’s badge

against the cabman; one for driving dan-

number. Davey himself thought little of the

gerously, one for assaulting the cyclist and

Call Sign Online

accident and did not even get down from

a third for assaulting the cyclist’s father.

the box to check his horse.

The Keane’s provided witnesses who stated

But Davey’s ordeal was not over, because fol-

that Davey had taken the corner into

lowing behind the cyclist was a private carriage

Brunswick Gardens too wide and that the

and inside it was the cyclist’s father, Raymond

cyclist was riding by the side of the carriage and

Now it’s Kabbee v Hailo

Once Hailo announced that their drawing attraction of cheap taxi fares for the public was

going to attract a minimum fare of up to £15, it was just a matter of time before the

minicab app, Kabbee - which links PH companies into one - would jump in.

• Roadside repair

Kabbee now claims to have secured £3.8million in investment to challenge Hailo, with

backers such as Zoopla, food firm Graze and Simon Nixon, the founder of moneysuper-

• Roadside assistance

market.com, lining up!

• Running repair recovery

Taking the advantage thrown by Hailo of taxis once again being expensive, Kabbee’s

• Accident recovery

chief executive Justin Peters said: “Satnav systems mean that The Knowledge is no longer

• Pay as you go to membership

essential and because black taxis congregate in Central London, minicabs now offer bet-

ter coverage. Londoners have a right to demand the best transport service, so it looks like

• Credit card taken at roadside

London’s iconic black taxis will have some difficult decisions to make.”

TfL is still looking into Hailo’s minimum fares to decide whether it is the drivers or the

company that is responsible in charging more than the metered fare - something that is

0845 094 5307

prohibited in the rulebook. But Hailo appears to be sticking to its minimum fare plans.

The Kabbee app links up a fleet of 5,000 minicab drivers and pushes the fact that it

We make wheels turn

does not have a minimum fare.

so you can earn.

Call Sign December 2013

Page 21

David Heath (ex-W27) - who lives on the

south coast - was strolling down Falcon Road,

Battersea on a bright - if cold - Sunday morn-

Ex-DaC driver in crazed

ing having arrived by train at the station and

on his way to pick up a cab.

“I noticed the road was blocked with

knifeman horror!

police,” he told Call Sign still sounding

shocked. “Car lights were flashing and a heli-

copter was flying overhead. I stopped for a

few seconds where a small crowd of people

had gathered to see what was going on.

Suddenly I heard a voice shouting at us to

look out as he was coming our way! I had no

clue as to who or what they were talking

about.

“Suddenly a young guy ran into the road.

He looked crazed and agitated and was bran-

dishing two huge knives. He ran around the

police cars and straight at us! We all legged it

like mad in different directions.

“There was lots of shouting and screaming;

it really was very scary wit

many of those who had bee

onlookers now lookin

absolutely petrified; it wa

like a horror movie - bu

this was real. My first

thought was why the police

verything stopped as a crazed knifeman ran riot (inset David Heath)

didn’t take him out with a

Taser, but apparently not a

fficer if they had got him and he

the papers said that a man running riot in

response units carry them.

said that they had. What I saw on that sunny

Battersea had been Tasered by police and that

“A few minutes later and more sirens, with

Sunday morning made me. realise what a

there had been mental and medication issues

people congregating once again. I asked an

tough job the police have. The following day

with him. Welcome to the 21st century!”

Montpelier Street: New rest rank

The rank in Montpelier Street has now been converted into a rest rank for taxi drivers. This rest rank will oper-

ate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be for up to three taxis.

However, this is not a rank for leaving your taxi to go Christmas shopping. It is a rest rank for taxi drivers

where you can stop for up to 60 minutes..

Toggers and Remembrance Sunday

Call Sign recently heard from former

DaC Marketing Manager, Allen

Togwell, concerning Remembrance

Sunday.

“I had a nice experience on Remembrance Day

when helping to get licensed taxis to take war veter-

ans to Whitehall for no charge. I was allocated Kings

Cross Station by the UCG, who organised the event.

I did it with the help of two Knowledge Boys from

8am to 10am; then it was down to Westminster

Bridge to help get the vets back to wherever they

wanted to go. Some went to stations, others fur-

ther afield to Essex and Kent, The response from

drivers was great, with a double row of cabs -

many of them sporting the Dial-a-Cab logo -

going the length of the Bridge. There were many volu

teers organising the event, one driver especially deserves to be named - Mike Hughes,

who organised the event on behalf of the United Cabbies Group.

Fortunately it wasn’t raining, but it was ruddy cold! My feet felt like ice. But I was pleased I did it; it was something I hadn’t done

before. And the response from the veterans when saying what a wonderful job the London taxi trade had done was most appreciated.

Perhaps the nicest part was that there was little or no publicity involved; it was done because the taxi trade wanted to show its

appreciation to these brave people. Whilst perhaps I felt a little surprised at the number of cabs at Kings Cross who said no when I

asked if they would do a love job for a vet down to Whitehall, the number that did work for nothing that day made me feel proud of

our trade.”

Call Sign December 2013

Page 22

Just what is going on at

Hammersmith rank???

Do you use the rank at Hammersmith

have been fleecing drivers for allegedly

Broadway? There are times when it moves

over-ranking at Hammersmith Broadway

well, besides being situated in a part of

rank for some time now. But it's no won-

London where ranks are few and far

der drivers get confused - the whole rank

between. But it is also seen by some as some-

itself is completely confusing.

thing of a cash booster for Hammersmith

The PCO sign (see cover) says the rank

and Fulham Council because they have a

shall extend 16.5 metres. However, the

CCTV camera pointed straight at the rank and

length of a TX cab is 4.58 metres, with

anyone putting on ‘foul’ will receive a PCN

Vitos even longer. So just going by the

through the post.

“shorter” TX cabs, 4.58 times four comes

It could also be said that some taxi drivers

to 18.32 metres and that doesn’t fit easily

ask for trouble when they put on behind a

into a rank legally marked out as extend-

full rank and are subsequently parking on

ing 16.5 metres!

double yellow lines.

Then, if that wasn’t enough, there is the

But Dial-a-Cab driver Steve Thomas

bizarre marking at the front of the rank

(N10) has raised an interesting point that

where you would be ok if your taxi was

should qualify for a PCN refund for many

the same width as a bike!”

who have been “caught” by those cameras

Surely Steve’s discovery should mean that

over the past few years.

those who have received PCNs at this rank

The fourth cab overlaps while the front

As a regular user of the rank, Steve told

should be entitled to a refund? Perhaps

section is impossible to get onto (see

Call Sign:

Hammersmith and Fulham Council would

cover for PCO notice)

“Hammersmith and Fulham Council

care to comment?

TOUTING: CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

Rogue minicab drivers convicted of plying for hire

Three ‘rogue’

Taxi & Private Hire, said: “We welcome the

reminder to all bogus drivers and

minicab drivers

courts’ decisions in these cases. These dri-

licensed private hire drivers that breaking

have been con-

vers were blatantly flouting the law by

the law will not be tolerated and can

victed of ille-

picking up passengers without being pre-

result in a criminal conviction.

gally plying for

booked and one bogus driver was wilfully

“These convictions are a result of the

hire and

putting the public’s safety at risk by pre-

important work carried out by TfL’s

accepting

tending to be a legitimate driver, fully

Compliance Officers, who are out every

bookings

aware that he had not gone through the

night of the week to enhance the safety of

without hold-

thorough criminal and medical checks that

the travelling public in London. I urge the

ing a private

we insist on before we licence a driver.

public to remember that that only licensed

hire operator

“In recent years we have spent time

taxis (black cabs) can be hailed on the

licence. All

reviewing the law and building some

street or outside a venue and any minicab

three were caught by TfL’s

solid cases for illegal plying for hire prior

journeys should be pre-booked through a

LTPH Compliance team in three separate

to testing these in court. Clearly the

licensed private hire operator, details of

West End incidents in December last year

fruits of our labour are now being

which can be found through our free

and January this year. The courts ordered

rewarded and I hope this acts as a stark

Cabwise app.”

all three drivers to pay fines and costs

which totalled nearly £4,500.

Two of the drivers, Arnold John-

Mensah and Anas Amiri, were licensed

The Flower Mill

private hire drivers and were ordered by

Westminster Magistrates Court to pay

Creating Beautiful Flowers For Weddings

fines and costs of £1,200 and £1,710

respectively. The other driver, Arif Said

Moqiam, was posing as a legitimate mini-

Tel: 07854 738895

cab driver despite being unlicensed. He

was ordered by the City of London

Web: www.theflowermillessex.co.uk

Magistrates Court to pay £500 for each

offence, plus a victim surcharge of £15.

He was also ordered to pay £960 in costs.

Email: theflowermill@yahoo.co.uk

This brings the total up to four suc-

cessful convictions for illegal plying

Covering Essex & The Surrounding Counties

for hire in recent months, with many

more cases currently awaiting court

dates.

“It is at the edge of a petal that love waits”- William Carlos Williams

Helen Chapman, General Manager for

Call Sign December 2013

Page 23

It's always open sea-

Another true story from Geoff Levene

son on the taxi trade.

The media loves to

THE SIXTH SENSE OF TAXI DRIVERS…

have a go. Some

young so-called come-

faint alarm bell rang. But away we went. He was

“It's a good book,” he wailed.

dian will declare that

very chatty and it made me nervous. We pulled

“I just want the money,” I yelled.

we never go south of

into the forecourt of the Dukes Hotel and he

“I've had some problems,” he pleaded.

the river. Never ever

leapt out saying he would be back in a few min-

“Tell that to the police,” I replied expecting a

ever! And journalists

utes. I was sure he was going to do a runner and

reaction but not the one I got. What he said next

short of a story fill the

disappear through the Little St James Street

caused the alarm bell not to just ring but to toll

space by writing that

exit but out he came and imperiously ordered

like the Great Bell of Bow.

we are opinionated, boring, right-wing bigots.

the truck that had pulled in behind to let us out.

“Certainly. I'm well known at Savile Row and

Fact. And then there's Steve Allen of LBC 97.3 -

On to Coutts Bank in Cavendish Square

St Johns Wood.” I was beginning to wish I'd

a man whose smugness almost outweighs his

from which he emerged with an armful of

gone home early. At Seymour Street Police

ignorance. According to him, we earn £100,000

brochures, shaking hands with a manager. But

Station I explained all to the Sergeant and he

a year and made a fortune during the Olympics!

still

ding ding! A similar scenario round the

asked Rupert if what I had said was correct?

It must be right then!

corner at the offices of the De Walden Estate in

Rupert nodded enthusiastically and quoted all

But the problem is that the public believes all

Queen Anne Street. No rubbish for our man

the laws he was breaching. I could've been hav-

this guff and thinks it knows all about us. But

and then it was the bottom of Marylebone

ing a cuppa with the good lady wife.

one thing they may be unaware of is that sixth

Lane. When he came out he was hooting and

“So what are you going to do,” the copper

sense we develop. We invariably realise when a

hollering with another middle-aged Hooray

asked him.

job looks like it's going to be a problem. But

Henry. They laughed and slapped each other on

“Well you could call Johnny and have his sec-

how do we know our instinct is correct?

the back.

retary bring down fifty quid.” It seemed like a

Because we go ahead and pick up and after-

“Bye Johnny !”

good idea, so I did it. There was a stunned

wards when the inevitable aggro occurs, we say

“Bye Rupert !”

silence when I told Johnny the story.

we knew it was going to be trouble!

Rupert looked at the meter and asked how

“Of course, “I said, “it's entirely up to you, but

So what was it about the man at Acacia

much the fare was so far? It showed £45.

otherwise I'm afraid the next time you see your

Road rank on that cold grey afternoon?

“Not too bad,” said Rupert showing no sign of

pal might be in a police cell.”

Strangely, it was his trousers! Corduroy, too

concern. “Let’s go to the other end of the road.”

That seemed to do the trick and Johnny

baggy and too long. They were fraying as

Ding ding! When’s the sting coming? Not

replied that if I got to him in fifteen minutes,

they dragged on the ground and despite the

weather, he just wore a shirt and sleeveless

long now.

he’d have the money for me. I prepared to leave

jumper. He looked like he’d been dressed by

We stopped outside a pub. I could see him

the Police Station.

Oxfam, yet the voice was pure Eton,

through the frosted glass wandering about. Out

"What am I supposed to do,” cried Rupert. I

Sandhurst and the Guards.

he came.

suggested something physically impossible!

“Now look here,” he intoned, “I want to go to

Now at last. Throughout the journey he had

And that book Rupert thought was so good?

St James's, a few stops in the West End and

been clutching a paperback. He thrust it

How to run a successful business by Sir John

then back here. What do you reckon... about

towards me and said: “Hang onto this,” he said,

Harvey Jones!

forty - fifty quid?”

“I'll have the money in half-an-hour!”

“Sounds about right,” I said as far far away, a

“I don't want your lousy book!”

Geoff Levene (W32)

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

magazines of the time with a flashback

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

This issue harks back to the May 1999 issue of

showing an exhibition of ideas resulting from the

'Car-free London’ competition at the Oxo Tower

Call Sign and a look at the future as seen from

Wharf until 31st May 1999.

almost fifteen years ago...

Keynote speaker for the opening event on

From Call Sign, May 1999

April 21st was London mayoral candidate

Trevor Phillips, who was driven in a special-

ly liveried TXI to deliver his speech. One of Mann &

Overton's courtesy TXI's will sport the car-free London dis-

tinctive logo throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Terry Fryer, Public and External Affairs Manager for London Taxis

International told Call Sign:

"It is clear from government policy and public attitudes that

cars will not have the same level of access to our cities in years

to come. In the next 20 years, the travelling public will depend

more and more on low or zero emission taxis to transport them

from door-to-door rather than see too many buses and cars clog-

ging up the streets.”

LTI recently announced continuing progress in its development of

a green taxi of the future. The company further re-iterated its low

In the future the public will depend more on low

emissions policy of providing a clean form of transport that will allow

emission taxis

taxi drivers to ply their trade in areas where other vehicles are likely

to be excluded.

A TAXI RIDE TO THE FUTURE?

The Architecture Foundation's exhibition of ideas will show

Imagine a car-free London with people very much dependant on low

the fun and serious sides of a car-free London. The competition,

emission taxis, buses and Underground trains for public transport.

which they launched in July 1998, received 205 entries of which

Such an idea has been explored by The Architecture

17 were selected as prize-winners and 5 were short-listed to

Foundation, an Arts Council supported organisation, which is

develop their ideas further.

Call Sign December 2013

Page 24

“It was really rather scary,” Trevor Denton

(Y51) recalled to Call Sign, “because this whole

incident took place just about 30 yards away

The DaC driver and the

from my taxi!”

The incident Trevor was telling us of occurred

recently when the Dial-a-Cab driver was head-

spooked police horse!

ing west towards Kensington with a passenger

on Board. Trevor continues his story...

“As I came through Admiralty Arch and drove

A lovely sight - but what

along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, the

happens if a police horse

sun struck the taxi windshield and I could bare-

becomes spooked?

ly see ahead of me. In my twelve years of cab dri-

ving, I do not recall such blinding sunlight

mounted police officer got there

necessitating me reaching for my sun glasses at

and gave the animal a handful of

this time of year! Anyway, ahead of me were two

sweets from her pocket to calm it

mounted police officers on patrol and I could

down and regain control of the

just about make out other traffic between me

situation, but it really was a pret-

and the two mounted officers, when suddenly a

ty hairy time. Even my passenger

car in the line of vehicles ahead of me appeared

was shaken because there was no

to pass by them very closely indeed. I think it

way of knowing what the police

could have been because of the extreme sun-

tend to her fallen colleague. She also shouted

horse might do in a panic situation - especially

shine that the driver did not see the police hors-

for the car that had passed them to stop, telling

when heading towards my cab!

es until the last second and then had to swerve

the driver not to move! She then called out to

“I hope the fallen police officer turns out to

to avoid them. That overtaking manoeuvre must

passers-by to try and stop the runaway horse.

be ok, but it goes to show that even with the

have taken the police horse by surprise because

“The frightening part was the spooked

high degree of training that police horses

it suddenly reared up, throwing its rider back-

horse running frantically towards my taxi!

undertake including crowd control, general

wards to the ground. Then it turned round and

Thankfully it did come to a stop - right

traffic noise and coping with busy streets, a sud-

bolted back in my direction looking to be run-

alongside my driver’s window! I could have

den and perhaps unwitting movement can

ning completely amok.

reached out and touched it, it was that

catch them unaware with possible dire conse-

“The thrown male police officer was laying

close!

quences. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps

there, a crumpled heap on the tarmac. It was a

“Meanwhile, the mounted police officer was

the mounted police should use the bridle path

terrible sight to see with the female police offi-

calling to her injured colleague not to worry,

on the other side of the road by the ICA

cer looking to be in a state of turmoil as to

telling him that she had an ambulance on the

Gallery...”

whether she should chase after the crazed, out

way. Eventually a member of the public duly -

Alan Green

of control horse that was now a danger to

and I might say bravely - strolled calmly up to

pedestrians and other traffic or dismount and

the riderless horse and held the reins until the

Call Sign Online

Call Sign December 2013

Page 25

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

With Tom Quigley (Y33)

photos show him with a lovely basket and suit,

Bicycles and the ‘Ride

but no helmet. I have no desire to comment on

the inquiry, which was said to be running at a

to Work’ scheme...

cost of over £300,000. But perhaps it would be

nice for someone to actually ask Mr Mitchell

why he doesn’t wear a helmet.

As I write this, the sad news has come

through of yet another cyclist being killed on

London’s roads - this one in Camberwell and

the fourteenth this year, with the last six in just

thirteen days compared with three in the

whole of the first 6 months At the same time,

Mayor Boris has launched the new fully inte-

grated CS2 cycle lane. Yet with this recent

Andrew Mitchell minus crash helmet

death in mind, Boris rode his bike along the

new lane with his coat undone and flapping in

the wind! And just as bad, he did so with dark

clothing and no hi-vis clothing on. Does he not

As winter sets in and the darker evenings are

see or understand why whilst promoting or

upon us, the increase of cyclists without prop-

riding a bike, how imperative it is to wear

er high visibility clothing and a lack of lighting

appropriate clothing at all times, even if it’s just

and protective headwear during rush hour

for TV and press.

periods becomes all the more evident.

I have checked out the new segregated lane

A major contributory factor to the increase in

for both myself and Call Sign and whilst wel-

cyclists is the government’s Cycle to Work

coming the idea and the concept, I have con-

scheme. This is a commuter-based idea with

cerns at the design of the ramp areas next to

the added incentive of leisure and health ben-

bus stops and crossings. There seems to be a

efits for all, while offering up to 42% towards

flaw in the drainage outlets and as the winter

the cost of a bike and equipment with a top

Mayor Boris with flapping coat

rains leave their puddles, it won’t take long for

price of £1000. This offers individuals a very

don their bikes are put into the wagon and

the lane to become clogged with leaves and

good incentive to get on a bike.

driven to the finish. I’ve read autobiographies

debris, making the ramp areas hazardous.

Unfortunately, the scheme - although

of many famous cyclists who say it is the most

Then if the temperature drops, these areas

offering the discount for equipment includ-

humiliating feeling in cycling; arriving in the

could become icy and dangerous. Will we now

ing lights, clothing and protective head-

wagon! The other option is to confiscate the

see signs proclaiming: Beware blue ice!

wear - does not make the purchasing of

bike until a proper fine is paid and lights are

Also, with bus stops and the likelihood of

these essential items compulsory. As a keen

fitted. The bike could then be returned, but a

crowding, it will be difficult to keep the lane

cyclist, I spend many an hour in different

second offence would then lose the bike per-

clear of pedestrians and to avoid this I can

bike shops and have stood and watched

manently...

envisage cyclists going up the ramp, out of the

people buying bikes under the scheme.

lane altogether and riding in the road as it will

The differences between the buyer and sell-

be clearer.

er can be quite alarming. Generally the pur-

Plebgate and the CS2

It’s early days and like all things there will be

chaser wants to get the more expensive bike

In the above piece, I have reflected on the

teething problems, but there has been a lot of

and blow the whole £1000 on the bike with no

wearing of safety helmets and using the correct

money spent on the design and surely some

regard to their safety or any interest in the

lighting during periods of poor visibility lights

questions should be asked first.

equipment. I have seen reputable sales staff

whilst riding a bike. Yet once again we see an

guide customers into the benefits of safety

Honourable Member of Parliament doing nei-

A Merry Christmas to all at Dial-a-Cab and

equipment - although sadly, there are also oth-

ther,

Call Sign Online readers around the world...

ers who just try to sell the most expensive bike.

You must have seen the photo of Andrew

As this is a government funded scheme and

Mitchell MP leaving Downing Street with his

Tom Quigley

in effect subsidised by us all, I believe the

bike in the affair now known as Plebgate. The

Call Sign Online

scheme should insist that the purchase of the

bike includes all the relevant safety equipment

and actually make it compulsory. In addition,

THE ALPHA POWER PILL

once purchased and used, should any of the

cyclists be stopped without the minimum set of

Now even better!

lighting or for not wearing a helmet, then they

face having to return the subsidy.

Helps cut the cost of diesel - and reduce Emissions!

I certainly would never go out in the twilight

hours without the full equipment being worn

OnlyCabs.co.uk are pleased to supply

and fitted. After all, you cannot buy a car, van

Dial-a-Cab drivers with the amazing Alpha Pill

or lorry without lights and for a government to

subsidise a bike without it makes a mockery of

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

their ‘safe bike’ campaigns. Can you imagine

buying a new TX4 and finding out that lighting

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

was an optional extra!

on the ad code

As for those cyclists who do ride without

lighting, stopping and fining them is all well

Or telephone your order to:

and good, but I would like to see the intro-

duction of Le Tour de France Broom Wagons.

Stephen Vale at Only Cabs 020 3239 6101

These are where riders who’ve had to aban-

Call Sign December 2013

Page 26

We all have theories on something. Ron Matthews involves traffic

holdups!

I Have a Theory…

“I have a friend who also drives a cab,

in my taxi. This not only promotes Dial-a-

although not on Dial-a-Cab. As cab drivers

Cab, but bodes well for the trade in general,

do, we frequently discuss routes and the cur-

while enhancing our reputation as the best

rent spate of roadworks and general conges-

taxi service in the world!

tion. He says he always goes on the cotton ie

“My friend and I recently decided to put

the straightest possible route between two

my theory to the test,” Ron explained. “Both

points regardless of the circumstances on the

of us were on Paddington Station rank and,

road at the time.

by co-incidence, both went into the City. My

“I, on the other hand, have this theory that

pal decided to use Proctor Street, Holborn

suggests by going a different way, using roads

and the roadworks at Holborn Circus, while I

that might be slightly longer but less congest-

chose - with the customer’s agreement - to

ed, I am giving the passenger a better service

use Clerkenwell Road and drop down at

by using my knowledge to negotiate the

Aldersgate Street. We still met with some traf-

streets and getting them to their destination

fic of course, but I was there before him and

more speedily while my friend is stuck in traf-

while he was about to set down, I was already

fic and hardly moving.

paid off and looking for my next fare!”

“I’m not talking about ‘scenic route’ runs,

Ron grinned broadly to Call Sign’s

Ron believes in going the way that will

but if my Dial-a-Cab terminal flashes up a

reporter - who thought to himself that he

be quickest and not necessarily the

message that so-and-so street is blocked for

would have used the Embankment!

straightest

whatever reason, I tell my passenger the situ-

“It would be interesting to hear other dri-

“Yes, I have a theory,” Ron Matthews (T56) -

ation and suggest we go another way, asking

ver’s views,” said Ron, “because the traffic

now in his 25th year with Dial-a-Cab - told

if that’s alright with them. I see it as a cus-

conditions are not getting any better and it

Call Sign, paraphrasing Martin Luther

tomer service issue by giving my passengers

can be a real struggle at times to move

King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

the best possible experience when travelling

around, even with the best intentions.”

LTFUC 85th anniversary

raffle results

The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children’s raffle draw to celebrate the charity’s 85th

anniversary took place at the LTDA offices at Woodfield Road.

LTDA Chairman, John Thomas, drew the five winning tickets out of the box in the presence of LTFUC Hon

Chair, Susan Angel.

The winning tickets are:

1st prize

- No. 1972

- Weekend at a Warner Leisure Hotel (BB & EM)

2nd prize

- No. 3484

- IPad

3rd prize

- No. 2558

- Digital Camera

4th prize

- No. 2631

- Set of Suitcases

5th prize

- No. 3524

- DVD Player

The Hon President, Hon. Chair and Committee would like to extend grateful thanks to all the people who

purchased raffle tickets leading up to the draw..

POLICE Witness Appeal

The Police are appealing for assistance. On

Monday 28th October 2013 at or shortly after

12.52pm, a licensed Hackney Carriage picked up

asaptrades

a female passenger (white with blonde hair) from

Ludgate Hill, close to the Earl Of Sandwich at 40

Ludgate Hill and took her to an address in the

ELECTRICAL

Belmont area of Sutton, Surrey (possibly Westover

Close in Sutton). The fare cost approximately £55.

The Police need to identify the driver who

picked up the above fare. If you were the driver

Electrical Installations - Fault Finding & Repairs

who took this fare or have any information that

could assist the police, please call the appeals

number on 0208 721 4066 or you can call

www.asaptrades.com

anonymously on the Crimestoppers number of

0800 555 111 quoting Operation

Jaspersgreen.

Your assistance is much appreciated...

0203 130 6798

Call Sign December 2013

Page 27

My fake

£50 note...

ately aroused because people usually

passing more notes of dubious origin to other

fold or crease a large denomination note

unsuspecting shops, who knows?

like that, although the overall colour was

“They were both very dowdily

too accurate for comfort anyway.

dressed,” said Pat, “one was short, about

“They scraped £7 together, pushed it into

5’ 6” wearing a blue top and the taller

my hand and walked away, one wandering off

one around 5’ 9” and even more tattily

towards the Oxfam shop, probably to pass it

dressed than his accomplice. So watch

off there - and where the clothes in the win-

out for them and be on your guard...”

“It was a very good copy, as dodgy £50

dow were better than the scruffy items he was

Alan Green

wearing - while the second male walked off

notes go,” Pat Keefe (G01) said with a

grin to a Call Sign reporter, “but it didn’t

down the road, possibly with intention of

Call Sign Online

fool me!

“I had just dropped off a passenger at

THE HON. PRESIDENT, HON. CHAIR

It didn't fool Pat but keep a look out

AND COMMITTEE OF

for fake £50s

THE LONDON TAXIDRIVERS’ FUND

the top of Kensington Church Street and

before I knew it, a voice from the back of

FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN

the cab asked for Westbourne Grove.

Suddenly there were two characters sit-

Would like to wish you all

ting in the back, but I had no problem, I

compliments of the season

was just pleased it was so busy! When we

got to Westbourne Grove by the toilets at

and a very happy new year

the top end of Queensway with £6.20 on

with grateful thanks to all our

the meter, they got out, and handed me a

drivers, sponsors, helpers and supporters

£50 note with the offer to ‘take £7 mate’.

However, the £50 was brand new and

quite crisp, not even a fold or crease in it.

“None walks so tall as he who stoops to help a child”

In fact it was pristine as though it had just

www.ltfuc.org.uk

come off the printing press - which it

probably had, but not from the Royal

Mint!” Pat laughed at the thought!

“Yes, it was extremely good as fakes go

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

and might have fooled somebody at

night or in poor light, but it did not have

376 Strand, WC2

the vertical security strip and it was just

so new that my suspicions were immedi-

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

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

New rank in

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

Charterhouse Street

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

A new taxi rank has been appointed

offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill

in Charterhouse Street outside

Smiths Restaurant and the Fabric

nightclub. It temporarily replaces

We are certain that you will be delighted

the old rank, which is currently sus-

pended because of Crossrail works in

the area. The rank is in three por-

tions; the first portion is for two taxis

and the second and third portions

are for three taxis each.

The rank operates Monday to

Thursday from 13:00 to 23:59.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday from

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

midnight to 07:00 and 23:00 to

Salieri Restaurant

23:59

Usual taxi rank regulations apply.

376 Strand, WC2

Private hire don’t like it, so use it or

lose it...

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

Call Sign December 2013

Page 28

There have been many mentions in Call Sign over the years of Dial-

a-Dream - a charity run by Tom Whitfield and former DaC driver

Bob Heath - including regular ads for the Charity’s amazing holiday

homes in Florida. Tom told us how it began...

Dial-a-Dream:

How it all started

Whilst out working in our taxis, we often get

used to sitting in heavy traffic listening to moans

from the passenger compartment hinting at why

we didn’t go “the other way!” Of course, no mat-

ter which route we decide to use, it should have

been the other one! Why did we not know that

British Gas was going to suddenly dig this big

hole in the middle of the main road!

It was a time like that when I was making a

regular trip from Hackney to Sutton’s Royal

Marsden Hospital. The reason for the journey

was to see my nephew who was in the cancer

unit; he had been subjected to a bone marrow

transplant that failed and now he was back for

another.

Whilst in the waiting room, I got talking to

a lady by the name of Margaret Hayles who

ran a charity called Dreams Come True,

which made dreams a reality for terminally

ill children.

Being an avid book reader, I sourced her auto-

biography and read it. I was moved by the fact

that here was someone making what were per-

haps the last days of some very short lives, much

Tom and Bob

happier. So the next time we met, I delved a bit

deeper into what I could possibly do to help. Mrs

Our time limit was 8 weeks; however Bob

You will not be disappointed because these will

Hayles then related a sad story about a group of

had to phone the British Airways Chairman

provide you with magnificent family holidays.

terminally ill children in Belfast who with the

to get us a 2 week extension. But those ten

One driver’s wife (Mrs B49) even wrote in the

help of friends had raised money to have their

weeks allowed us to complete our task and

October Call Sign how much her family had

we got the children and their families on

enjoyed their time in one of our dream villas. We

holiday of a lifetime at Florida’s Walt Disney

World. However, a female helper had run off

their holiday of a lifetime. Keeping in touch

can also help with advice on air fares, car rental

afterwards, we discovered that for some of

and Disney passes. The money you pay for the

with the money, with the funds alleged to have

ended up in the coffers of an illegal Republican

these children it was to be the last big holiday

rental of these villas goes towards the upkeep of

of their tragically short lives.

the villas and funds needed to help make anoth-

organisation - this being at the time of the

Our success in getting the children to Florida

er terminally ill child’s dream come true.

Northern Ireland troubles.

got Bob and I wondering whether we could start

The Charity’s only stipulation is that it

I asked Margaret how I could help, assuming

our own charity. So we applied, gained a regis-

must be the child’s dream and not that of

that she’d give me a few raffle books to sell or a

tration from the Charities Commission and now,

the the parents, guardian, nurse or social

collecting tin to rattle outside Sainsbury’s. She

well over 20 years on, we are one of the few char-

worker.

looked at me and responded by asking if I could

ities undertaking this type of work, especially

Over the years, we have helped children to

raise £28,000! To say this shocked me would be

where no funds are taken out for wages or

meet celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Phil

an understatement. It’s a huge sum now, but

salaries. Everyone at Dial-a-Dream works on a

Collins, Phillip Schofield and many others.

back in 1990 it was absolutely massive!

voluntary basis. I don’t think I need waste too

There were also dreams such as the one a boy

Later that evening whilst out in my cab, I

much of Call Sign’s glossy paper explaining how

whose sight had almost gone asked for - to drive

came across a Dial-a-Cab friend of mine - Bob

we thought of the name!

a racing car around a race track. Or the young lad

Heath - and related the story to him. After

Since 1991, we have completed well over

who wanted to be a customs officer for a day at

talking about it at great length, Bob said we

1000 dreams ranging from meeting celebrities to

Gatwick using searchers and drug dogs! Another

should at least have a go at it, even though it

Disney trips costing thousands of pounds. In

boy toured Concorde, even going into the cock-

sounded almost impossible. Neither of us had

addition to us working on a voluntary basis, nei-

pit and sitting in the Captains seat! We also sent

ever tried anything like it before, but with the

ther do we do employ a full time promotion

two terminally ill children to Lapland so they

help of Dial-a-Cab allowing us the use of a

team which would cost us a fortune. So it is twice

could meet Santa Claus, while one young girl

phone, photo copier and fax machine (comput-

as hard for us to get the funds to make the

wanted to go to Jerusalem to see where Jesus

ers were still in their infancy), we began contact-

dreams a reality for these terminally ill children.

was born. I could go on, but I think you can see

ing companies and organisations requesting

During the time we’ve been going, we have

what we try to do.

their help and maybe their money. The first col-

always been very careful with the charity’s

If you know a child with a life-limiting ill-

lection was at Heathrow’s taxi feeder park; we

money and have been able to purchase some

ness or would just like to help Dial-a-Dream,

also organised raffles and some fund raising

properties in Florida, just minutes away from

the Children’s Charity, take a look on

events. We also came across a man who ran the

Disney. So if you are thinking of a holiday in

www.dial-a-dream.co.uk.

Seven Kings pub in Ilford. This was a very large

Florida, visit our website at www.thedreamvil-

pub and car park - a great place to hold a show

las or see our ad in every issue of this mag - an

and auction. We had a very successful fundrais-

Tom Whitbread

ad that the editor kindly donates at no charge.

ing night there.

DaC Board Member

Call Sign December 2013

Page 29

lasgow Taxis have been called

Scotland’s Dial-a-Cab. Like us,

GT began as a friendly society

Army Reserve

and still remains so. They too

have steadily expanded and now boast

around 2000 drivers - the largest taxi com-

pany outside of London and have visited

salutes Glasgow

DaC House on several occasions.

But they have now gone one up

when they recently received a special

Taxis for support

commendation from the 6th Battalion

(6SCOTS) of the Army Reserve and

were presented with a handcrafted

clock in recognition of its support for

Reservists and ex-servicemen and

women.

In a relationship spanning multiple

decades, Glasgow Taxis Ltd has been an

avid supporter of the armed forces, both

full time and reservists, and has been

actively involved in initiatives such as

Supporting Britain's Reservists and

Employers (SaBRE), providing work expe-

rience opportunities to Reservists and

those returning from duty.

SaBRE is a Ministry of Defence cam-

paign tasked with promoting a positive

relationship between members of the

Army Reserve and their employers. It

works impartially on behalf of the military

and civilian communities and was created

to help employers, particularly small busi-

nesses, understand the role and skills of

Stephen Flynn, vice-chairman of

very idea of community engagement

Reservists and increase their support for

Glasgow Taxis told Call Sign: “We are

with the Regular and Reserve Army. They

Reserve Forces employees.

humbled to receive such a gesture from

have made an outstanding contribution

The handcrafted wooden clock - which

6SCOTS and delighted to be involved

over the last few years and I am therefore

incorporates the Army’s slogan ‘Be the

with one of the country’s most impor-

honoured to be presenting them this

Best’ - was designed and sculpted by a for-

tant organisations. The people of

engraved clock in recognition of our

mer soldier and presented to Glasgow

Glasgow and Scotland are hugely indebt-

appreciation.”

Taxis by Lt Colonel Sandy Fitzpatrick of

ed to the work of the Armed Forces and

we will continue to provide their per-

The photo shows (L-R) Lt Colonel

52nd Lowland,

6th Battalion, Royal

sonnel with as much support as we can

Sandy Fitzpatrick of 52nd Lowland,

Regiment of Scotland (6SCOTS).

through initiatives like SaBRE and any

6th Battalion Royal Regiment of

other means.”

Scotland

(6SCOTS), Stephen Flynn,

Lt Colonel Sandy Fitzpatrick added:

vice-chairman of Glasgow Taxis Ltd

“Glasgow taxis have championed the

and Jim McVicar of SaBRE.

LTFUC

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

AGM

LOCKHOUSE SECURITY

All types of locks, opened, repaired and replaced

10% discount on keys and locks for DaC drivers

Transponders / chipped keys

On site key cutting services including taxis

Locks replaced / fitted to insurance specifications (BS3621

The Annual General meeting of

Burglary repairs / boarding up

The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for

Additional security / security upgrades

Underprivileged Children takes

Safes opened, repaired and serviced

place on Tuesday 3rd December

Grilles and security gates

2013, 7.30pm at:

Specialists in UPVC doors and windows / patio doors

The New Park Day Centre, 19

Free estimates / no call out charge

Highbury New Park, Highbury N5

24hr service

Parking is available at the Centre

and refreshments will be avail-

You can find us at:

able. All drivers are most wel-

8-10 The Arcade, Farnham Road, Harold Hill

come to attend...

Tel: 01708 371115

Call Sign December 2013

Page 30

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

Hailo ads

Dear Alan

whereas the DaC subs are fixed.

The best taxi service on

Just a few thoughts about three topical sub-

I am a great believer in Dial-a-Cab and hope

that we go from strength to strength. But I

the cheap?

jects... though perhaps other drivers have

feel that all the major radio circuits have been

Hi Al

already said the same.

(1) No run in / no gratuity debate: If just

caught with their trousers at half-mast by the

I totally agree with your views on Hailo

the latter was brought in, it could mean

new players in the game. However, I hope

(November Call Sign, Mailshot). Drivers that

reducing income by well into 4 figures.

that at least DaC can be flexible enough to

I know are becoming wise to it. Christmas

Would those backing the idea be happy

compete with them. Five minutes free waiting

will prove decisive. London is one of the

working an extra week or two?

time or 12-20 minutes lead time for £4.20?

only places where Hailo is active but where

(2) Hailo stickers: Your example about

What's best? I don't know, but just knocking

the driver foots the bill. The best taxi service

run-ins in column two of the November Call

drivers for doing it is not the answer. We need

in the world on the cheap, but with passen-

Sign says it all. I'd favour banning all stickers

to be more flexible or we will lose more

gers still using private hire for the longer

/ equipment on our taxis which are not for

accounts.

trips!

DaC. Further, I'm not sure a DaC driver

Mick Davis (M14)

And as a little extra, have any other drivers

should be on any of them. I spoke to one

been told by their passenger that according

driver who had two of these apps. Mind you,

to Google, the trip had been estimated as tak-

I wouldn't have adverts on the cab or allow

No run-ins or gratuities...

ing x-number of minutes and we were

Hi Alan,

those dreadful new monstrosities on the

already a minute over that! Modern technol-

I would like to reply to Garry White’s article

roof either. Am I alone in thinking that stan-

ogy? Keep it!

in the November Call Sign where he consult-

dards in the trade have dropped or am I just

Mickey Lappin (Ex-E46)

ed the membership as to whether we should

a stick-in-the-mud!

work with no run-in or gratuity? I read the

(3) My licence renewal took less than 4

E14 Marshals

article with interest and naturally I can only

weeks and I don't recall sending anything

If rumours are true, then we have lost a big

speak for myself, but I would be very reluctant

apart from the form, having ticked the cor-

to do this. The whole point of a run-in to the

account back to a competitor. But life goes

rect box for TfL to ‘check me out’. A minor

on and if official indicators are correct, we

metered fare is to compensate drivers for the

gripe was having to visit the Post Office twice

additional cost in fuel and time to get to the

are at long last coming out of recession and

- once to pay for the TMG CRB check and

pick-up point and the potential tip that we

hopefully work levels will increase. I just

then returning with the reference number

would receive from the cash paying customer.

wonder if the way forward is to have a

(received by email) and completed form for

If we go down the road of trying to match

Marshall at all E14 accounts at the island so

TfL. I'm no great shakes on the computer but

Hailo and the GetTaxi pricing structure, I

cabs can be called at any time day and night,

encountered no problems and found the

think we will erode away any advantages that

as and when required so there would not be

Wealdstone PO staff very helpful.

currently exist for being on a radio circuit.

a five minute period where the meter is idle.

Alasdair Kay (C47)

The additional cost to drivers of running to

Meanwhile, last night at Morgan Stanley I

jobs will escalate and although Dial-a-Cab’s

counted 18 Ad Lee cars and just 1 DaC cab.

Run-ins

subscription payments are the cheapest

I did a trip recently from Morgan Stanley,

Dear Call Sign

(thank God!) amongst the radio circuits, it is

but only due to GLH cars being unable to

Here's an idea; how about no run-ins on ASAP

still a cost that I would have to think twice

cover. What is the actual status of this

jobs to help DaC compete with others. This

about if the opportunity to offset this expense

would go some way in compromising with

account? There are many companies at

was removed.

account clients who are obviously being

E14C: Barclays, HSBC, Northern Trust, Price

However, I do agree with the points made

offered this and more by our competitors. I

Waterhouse, Credit Suisse and thousands

some time ago by the Chairman, Brian Rice,

think this could help. Obviously you need to

more. Perhaps a permanent presence is

when he said that once you agree to these

keep a run-in on pre-booked jobs to help get

required there and Mike or Keith together

concessions, it sets a precedent for all future

them covered (drivers won't do 12 - 20 min-

with some staff members could be there

business and the only direction our fares can

utes for nothing) and this can surely be justi-

24/7? Our sales staff are great, but they are in

go after that is downwards. Just ask Radio

fied to our account clients?

a results business...

Taxis who had to secure the London

I think DaC have to do something. Just

Stephen Field (F68J)

Underground account by accepting 75% of

knocking our competitors and app suppliers

the meter per job!

is not good enough. Whether DaC like it or

I accept that it is a conundrum, but in the

Does the trade need one

not, drivers do cover the app work. How

light of ever burgeoning costs of new taxis

much the driver gets for the job is the driver's

super-circuit?

and repairs, and as much as I enjoy being a

problem (Hailo currently have a £10 mini-

radio driver, if this trend were to proliferate, I

Hi Alan

mum on rate 1 and a massive £15 minimum

would seriously have to look again at the via-

You may remember me from my letters to

on rate 3 and all jobs are ASAP). But the pric-

bility of being part of a radio circuit.

Call Sign. I still read the magazine online as

ing structure for other organisations is their

Hopefully, all those drivers who have eagerly

I think it's the best trade mag about.

business. 10% of each job means a driver has

signed up for the ‘dumb down the trade’ cir-

Regarding Hailo, I’d like to make you right in

to earn around £350 per week from an app-

cuits will have a good look at themselves and

your latest piece in the November issue, but

based despatch system to match the cost of

see what they are doing to the future of the

not too sure if I can. This mail will seem a bit

DaC (approximately £5 per day). Obviously

Licensed taxi trade.

hypocritical because I use Hailo. When I first

he would need to earn the same on DaC to

I hate to be a purveyor of doom and gloom,

went on about 18 months ago, I thought it

cover his subs otherwise the driver would

but if the taxi trade persists in this race to the

was a breath of fresh air to the trade. I was

actually be paying proportionately more to

bottom in order to keep up with minicabs,

willing to run (a bit) to a job for nothing or

DaC than the 10% he pays to the app. The dif-

this could be the beginning of the end for the

wait a little minute with no meter on.

Best Taxi Service in the World!

ference is that if he doesn't earn the £350

However, the service that was originally for

from the app, he only pays the same 10%

Clarence Ishmael (R54)

the benefit of drivers and passengers alike

Call Sign December 2013

Page 31

Mailshot

It's because they all wanted to take control of

continued from page 30

the work and make money in the process.

And as soon as that all started, that's when

has seemed to have swung so much in

the war of prices started and that's when the

favour of passengers and shareholders. Now

driver started to come second.

I believe it could possibly turn detrimental

Come to us, we do it this way or that way,

to the driver just like I believe most taxi pre-

their drivers are scruffy - ours are smart! All

booking systems have done over the years.

but I thought you might want to correct it in

our drivers are owners, all theirs rent etc. As

Passengers (not all) seem to think the five

case anyone who knows them queries it.

soon as we (the drivers) allowed ourselves

minutes free waiting period is mandatory

Janet Baine

to be divided, that's when the trouble start-

and think nothing of keeping you waiting,

Thanks for pointing it out Janet ...Ed

ed. A single circuit with one set of rules and

then getting in to go to pick little Johnny up

fees would stop all the price wars over night.

from school 200 yards away. Now I don't

Don't get me wrong, this is not a pro-app

Strictly come taxi?

mind doing them, but in those instances I

feel an instant flag drop should be allowed.

mail, far from it. I think the apps started off

I’ve been watching Strictly Come Dancing

with good intentions but over time non-taxi

and noticed that all the contestants arrive by

I don't mind waiting five minutes either if

they're going to be a £15 - £20 fare, that's

people got involved and that's when perhaps

limo / PHV with not one taxi being involved!

they started to get greedy. I'm only 41 and

It goes to show that we have been relegated

why the minimum fare introduction is now

a success and a lot more of these jobs are

hopefully have many more years of work. I

to second class transport, scratching round

don't think the trade or the knowledge is

for pennies falling from the rich man’s table

covered.

dying. I think the apps in some respects are

and with Private Hire having a stranglehold

Regarding the 10% fee, I believe this is the

fairest way but with perhaps a maximum. My

working; my takings ain't down - although

over us. Admittedly Addy Lee is not a real

yes, they would be more if run-ins etc were in

threat; everyone knows they are a bunch of

fare to subs ratio with DaC most months

worked out between 10 and 12 % so I

place, but sometimes you have to approach

misfits who can’t read, can’t write and not

work and adjust to things differently. We have

even spell their own names correctly. It is

believe the paying for the privilege argument

the best job in the world and if only we

said that their cars smell of used chicken

is a non-starter. However I do think the apps

are the future because more and more every-

worked as one, we'd be untouchable.

bones and associated detritus. Should their

Anyway, I hope you are keeping well Alan

GPS ever go down then they would look like

day people are using Internet apps just for

their daily lives.

and my thoughts and prayers are with you

a bunch of total misfits. It is only then that

over your recent loss. Keep up the good

the black cab driver could show a superior

I take on board your point about no run-

work on the magazine, it’s a sterling read...

knowledge to his advantage. But I’m only

in and how radio circuits have fought for 50

Michael Beevor (Ex-N76)

wishing. What a shame. Will it happen?

years for the terms you have now, but equal-

Thanks for all the above letters. Rather

Roy the Boy Manix (Ex-K98)

ly these charges you brought in back

than have individual responses, I have

Hiya Roy, hope your health is improving.

then could also be seen as a death knell and

left them all open for any comments you

I almost agree with you about Strictly

it's only now the customers have started to

wish to add. However, the next issue will

except I think the contestants should

really notice. Your point about how Russell

be out early due to printers closing for

arrive by Pedicab! The funny thing is that

Hall would react to no run-ins if he was still

Christmas, so if you do want to enter the

having recently taken my grandchildren

on the circuit is a valid one, but doesn't it

debate, please do so as soon as possible

to see the WWE wrestlers, they promote

equally show how Russell has changed in his

after receiving this issue.

their UK trip by having a red phone box

approach and attitude to a changing market?

Incidentally, I’m not sure if it will be

and a gleaming TX4 by the entrance

I guess it's the same change as Dial-a-Cab

common knowledge by the time this

where the wrestlers appear from. And

had to make when introducing Concierge.

issue comes out, but we lost an account in

that image literally goes right around the

I've said it before; we have no right to any

central London after a rival taxi compa-

world. So we do represent something -

work and the public can choose Hailo,

ny’s tender offered cut prices compared

sadly I’m just not sure what because the

GetTaxi or even DaC’s app. As a trade we

to ours. Within a short period of time the

name of the London taxi is famous

need to change. We need to stick together

account asked if they could return to DaC

around the world, yet ask an American or

and become one almighty force. I guess a

because the other circuit’s service wasn’t

Australian what Addy Lee or Brunel are

super circuit is what's needed And Hailo are

as good as ours. You have to assume that

and they’d probably guess breakfast cere-

50% of the way with over 12,000 drivers.

was due to their cut prices and drivers

als! As for Addy Lee and as I’ve never

You've said it yourself; DaC lost an account

reluctance to cover trips at cheap rates?

been inside one, I’ll have to pass on the

on the basis of no run-ins and I believe that

Will drivers be happy to work cheap if

chicken bones comment. However, jok-

you could be pointing the finger at the apps

things become busier - as it seems to be

ing aside, no one should underestimate

as the instigators and you’re probably right.

getting? You will have to make your own

the big PH companies. They are not just

But I don't think it's as simple as that

minds up. And just one other point to

dangerous competitors, they are a threat

because DaC has for years battled with other

throw into any debate, is there anyone

to our trade.

taxi circuits and private hire on price alone

out there who really believes that we

There is now so much money in that

to win an account. For example, the LTDA

would have a Hailo or app war had it not

side of the business that it would not sur-

advertise

£75 to Heathrow, Hailo’s fixed

been for the recession? ...Ed

prise me if one of the big ones tried to

price is always around the £60 mark and a

buy us out in the next few years. We once

flyer is still as rare as rocking

turned down around £10million, but

horse manure. DaC offered the House of

Trixie and my Uncle

everyone has their price. Of course,

Commons for one price and Radio Taxis for

Harry

someone could pay a fortune and our dri-

another price. The only price we offer

Dear Alan

vers could then just take it and walk

should be one price across the board and

I just seen your Call Sign Online article re

away. But there is a new breed of taxi dri-

the only competition it should be with is PH.

my Uncle, Harry Croft and former ODRTS

vers out there who will do what is best

But it's not; it’s with each other within the

Chairman Trixie Solomons. I thought I

for them and their families. And that

trade. So the LTDA, apps and circuits don't

should point out that the lady you showed

opens up possibilities that we thought

lose - it’s the driver as always.

in the photo as being Minnie Solomons, was

would be impossible just a few short

Ask yourself why DaC was formed, then

in fact Harry's wife, May. Minnie Solomons

years ago. And to save anyone asking, no,

Mountview, then ComCab, then Zingo,

was the lady in the black beret! Never mind,

I don’t know of any offers! ...Ed

Tweet-a-London cab and Hailo etc.