Call Sign February 2013

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Significant or otherwise?

venture fail so miserably? The answer was that

Because Call Sign rolled off the Christmas presses

London was busy in 2002 and in 2012 it was quiet

much earlier than its usual schedules require, I

and drivers were happy to take anything. So while

missed an article in the London Cab Driver’s Club

London is quiet, systems like Hailo will work but if it

turns busy, then it will go the way of Zingo because

magazine - The Badge - that had a pop at little old me!

As usual for that paper, the article was unsigned.

otherwise if we are going to charge minicab rates,

Now while I don’t see every issue of that paper I

there is no point in doing the Knowledge...

have to say that when I do get it, it’s usually quite an

enjoyable read seeing who’s in their bad books for

MoT

When Call Sign first heard of the two MoTs in addi-

the month - and of course, anything I need to know

about Dial-a-Cab I can be sure to read it there! As a

tion to a TfL visual check, we were somewhat con-

bonus, on one occasion (albeit several years ago), the

cerned but listened to everyone who said it was an

item was correct! Mind you, it WAS a press release!

improvement to the old overhaul system. So all we

However, in saying that, I have to also be honest

now need to know is whether it will cost us more,

because the ‘passing’ cost used to be £154 and we

and ask what the purpose of the organisation itself is?

Perhaps I’ve missed something, but to me the LCDC

now have two MoTs at a cost of anything between

just seem to hang onto the LTDA’s coat-tails. All I hear

£40 and £55 - depending on where you go - to add

its Chairman, former Dial-a-Cab driver Grant Davis,

on. According to LTPH there will be a reduction in

talking about is what “we and the LTDA” do together

the £154 cost - the question is by how much?

ment? £146 DaC subscriptions meant you would

to help the trade. Don’t get me wrong; before the

LCDC were even thought about, I was going on in

have to be taking £1460 a month before you would

Can we live in DaC’s new termi-

Call Sign about the LTDA and T&G needing to work

be better off at the 10% charge. And where did they

nals???

get that comment? Well they pinched it from a Steve

I was reading about the Oxford University British

together as they often deliberately disagreed with

Shaller letter in a recent issue of Call Sign! Not sur-

philosopher, Nick Bostrom, who some ten years ago

each other. But that was a long time ago and the

prising mind you, as they don’t appear to get any let-

wrote a paper suggesting that our universe could

LTDA really don’t need the LCDC and could

undoubtedly do everything they currently do with

ters other than on their website, which are several

actually be a computer simulation run by our descen-

the LCDC, on their own.

months out of date with some apparently being cen-

dants. University of Washington physicists are now

sored because the good old Chairman won’t allow

said to have devised a new experiment to test the the-

Anyone knowing anything about how this trade

his readers to attack any other organisations! Well

ory. I would explain how that works, but I got a bit

works will know that LTDA General Secretary Steve

fancy that!

confused after reading the piece about the super-

McNamara leads the LCDC around for the sake of

peace. But does he need them? Nope, not for one

As usual, they make up their own arguments - yes,

computer using a technique known as lattice quan-

second. The LCDC are, in reality, pointless. And as we

as I said, entertaining to read in the paper but

tum chromodynamics and which starting from the

nonetheless silly. As I wrote last month, it isn’t just

fundamental physical laws that govern the universe,

get more and more organisations coming into being,

the 10% you have to pay to the three clever Yanks

can simulate a tiny portion of the universe on the

we will eventually end up back where we were in the

who managed to convince London drivers to work by

scale of one 100-trillionth of a metre. That leaves us

1970s and 80s - organisations slagging off each other

while trying to sell sickness insurance!

subsidising the passenger’s costs, when our equiva-

with the possibility that as there are billions of worlds

I have never denied being an LTDA member and if

lents in Chicago said “up yours, Charlie” with the

around billions of suns, it seems likely that if the the-

result that the passenger there pays a surcharge. No,

ory is possible, then it has already happened.

they weren’t the best organisation by far, then I’d join

they also missed me pointing out in that next issue -

That begs the question; does this supercomputer

whichever group was the best. But that is the LTDA -

which also came out before The Badge - that in addi-

have a touch screen and can Dial-a-Cab drivers pop

and most certainly not the LCDC!

So what of their little pop at what they call my

tion to the 10% and taking an average £3.60 run-in

into the Society’s new terminal to have a quick kip if

“misinformed nonsense.” I said in the December

(rather than the £4.20 maximum) and the five minute

it’s a bit quiet out!!!

wait, a DaC radio job was already £3.60 ahead and

Call Sign that it was nice to see the LCDC eventu-

that’s BEFORE the 10% is snatched. As many drivers

Reed

ally accepting that we are black cabs. Now they

on a day shift tell me that Hailo rides often go under

This has undoubtedly been the hardest issue I have

tell me they have been saying it for a whole four

years! Like wow! Four years!

£10, you can probably add a minimum of £1, making

ever done. The death of my son Reed on 12th

Well Grant, I’ve been battling in Call Sign over the

a loss of £4.60 on each Hailo job compared to a real

January ripped a hole in my heart and the thought of

radio job. So if you do four Hailo trips compared to

filling Call Sign was a million miles from my mind.

past ten years for this trade to accept that being

described as “black cabs” was brilliant and that you

four identical DaC, RTG or ComCab radio jobs, then

But within hours, I became inundated with mes-

couldn’t buy publicity like that. It told the world that

I estimate that you would probably be between £18

sages of condolence from drivers and members of

you were a London taxi driver in just two words -

and £20 a day worse off. There is undoubtedly a sub-

DaC’s staff via text, email and even Facebook. It gave

black cabs. The rest of the trade - including even

stantial amount of work on Hailo and so long as dri-

me the incentive to want to continue with the issue.

some of our own DaC drivers via Mailshot and espe-

vers are happy to work cheaply, then that will contin-

My thanks also go to Brian Rice who immediately

cially then-Editor of TAXI, Stuart Pessok, insisted

ue. If it suddenly got busy then Jay Bregman and his

called and said that if I wanted to skip February, then

that the term was derogatory and that we drove

two fellow entrepreneurs would very quickly do a

I should. I don’t know if it is up to the usual stan-

licensed taxis. But as I said - without meaning to be

Chicago and try to get passengers to pay. Then there

dard, but I sincerely hope it is because for a short

sarcastic in any way - I welcomed the LCDC finally

would be a gradual loss of work back to minicabs,

time after Reed died, doing the magazine saved my

accepting the black cab scenario and their newly

although Messrs Bregman and co would be off to

sanity.

launched Back to Black campaign. Better late than

their next money-making scheme and not concern

Those of you that don’t work on Sundays may not

never is better than never.

themselves too much. That’s what entrepreneurs do.

know Reed, but for 23 years he did the evening dis-

The Badge also pointed out that I replied to a Call

The Hailo system reminds me of the phone system

patcher’s job and became known as Mr Message

Sign reader that the TX4 was a better taxi for London

that arrived in the taxi trade in

2002 - Zingo.

because there was no time in the week where so

than the Vito. Sadly we know what happened to

Developed by Manganese Bronze under the shrewd

many messages went out! Some didn’t like it, but the

Manganese Bronze, but that doesn’t alter my

eyes of Chairman Jamie - now Lord - Borwick, the

majority seemed to enjoy the stream of traffic

answer at the time - and if the TX4 returns as it looks

technology involved a nationwide phone number

reports and updates on where the work was etc. But

like doing, then my answer would remain the same

that prospective passengers used to hail a taxi via GPS

if radio work wasn’t covered, his annoyance became

because a £42,000 taxi where many feel compelled to

and speak to the actual driver that would be picking

obvious!

disconnect the rear steering fuse is no wonder cab. If

them up.

My thanks to everyone for their thoughtfulness

I couldn’t get a TX4, I’d wait to see what the Nissan

Drivers were given a hands-free cell phone that

and also to the estimated 300 people, including

was like because £42k just to go to work is ludicrous.

they were allowed to use for personal calls and

many drivers, staff and the BoM, who came to Reed’s

Last but not least, The Badge brought up my view

through which a passenger called them. They also

funeral or to see the family afterwards. It was very

on Hailo, but as usual only put in the bits that suited

had a smart card swipe with ultra-rapid validity con-

much appreciated…

their argument. They responded to my comments

firmation. But there would be no run-ins. Sounds

about no run-ins on Hailo and there being a five-

familiar?

Alan Fisher

minute wait before you put on the meter. Their argu-

But if Hailo works, then why did Zingo’s £7million

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign February 2013

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

Reed Fisher

look exactly the same to you.

As most of you are probably aware, January saw

To add to the above, our IT department have

now built an App for our credit account cus-

the passing of Reed Fisher, son of Call Sign

Editor Alan Fisher.

tomers so they can also have the facility to book

their account taxi via our App, whether that be

Reed started working for Dial-a-Cab over 23

an ASAP or a pre-booking. We are looking to go

years ago; he worked part time as System

live with the Account Customer App at the

Supervisor on Sunday evenings, his full time

beginning of February.

occupation being an IT Analyst at the Ford

The next stage is more contentious and that

Motor Company.

is whether we should build and launch a

Reed was very good at his job and also very

Driver App. That would mean that all taxi dri-

popular with the small team of staff that

vers that had our App could receive certain

worked on the Sunday evening shift and he did

work from Dial-a-Cab on their iPhone or

love to send a fleet message should a job need

Android without having a Dial-a-Cab terminal

covering!

in their cab. They would not need to be a mem-

It is a travesty that Reed was taken so young;

ber of Dial-a-Cab.

he was just 40 years of age with a lovely wife

I realise the foregoing is an extremely con-

Lara and two small children, Samuel and

tentious issue and our rules might have to be

Imogen whose ages are just 9 and 7 years. It just

to handle keep polling the fleet to obtain a

changed to accommodate that facility, but only

seems so unfair when someone so young who

taxi’s position for despatching purposes.

you, the members, can do that. Those drivers

has everything to live for is taken away.

With the new infrastructure, we will have that

with the Dial-a-Cab App might have to become

Reed had been diagnosed with an inoperable

capacity. However, you must remember that

associate members or something similar.

brain tumour and there was a slow deteriora-

this is a new system and no matter how much

Don’t think the above is our course of action,

tion over a period of time and I found it quite

we have tested it in the past, we are still expect-

because it isn’t. I am merely floating the idea so

amazing how positive and strong both Reed

ing to have some bugs in the early days. If we

you can realise the course that could be open

and his family were during that traumatic peri-

do, then I hope we can all show a little toler-

to the Society. A driver App would not be and

od.

ance.

could not (in my opinion) be launched unless

I am grateful that Alan brought Reed to the

you, the members, agree.

office for a few hours some weeks before he

Account Customer App

passed away and I had the opportunity to see

We launched our Credit Card App in

AGM

and talk to him.

December and it is working really well - a cred-

Finally, I would like to remind you the AGM

His whole family have remained very strong

it to our IT department who built the whole

is on February 3rd at the HAC City Road at

throughout this whole tragic experience and I

App from start to finish in-house. So if you

11am and I hope to see as many of you as

hope they can continue along that path,

have taken a credit card booking off the sys-

possible there on the day...

although it must be terribly difficult. It is always

tem, it could be that it was ordered by the cus-

very traumatic when you lose a loved one, but

tomers App, because the way the trip is

Brian Rice

probably even harder when one is so young

despatched the member would not know how

with such a young family.

Chairman

we received the trip, whether we receive by

I can only offer my sincere condolences to

phone, on-line, e-mail or App, the trip will

Dial-a-Cab

Alan, Linda and Lara and the remainder of their

family over such a tragic and unfair loss.

Terminals

THE SALIERI RESTAURANT

By the time you read this piece, we should have

received our first delivery of the new terminals

376 Strand, WC2

- although we have had several on test for some

time.

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

Keith and Allan, together with Shelagh

Adkins, are constructing a fitting programme

restaurant where you can partake of the finest food and wine

and you will be notified when it is your turn to

And as a thank-you for helping our clients come

have the new equipment. We will fit a designat-

ed number of units and then stop to see how

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

they perform before we fit the remainder of the

offer you a genuine 25% discount on your bill

fleet.

The system is basically the same as the cur-

rent one and I’m sure most of you will be able

We are certain that you will be delighted

to use the new equipment without any instruc-

tion. However, we will have staff on hand to

give you some instruction regarding the new

mapping and satnav facility, together with the

chip and pin should you require it.

We are also moving away from our private

network and onto the O2 facility.

This new facility will give us greater capacity

Please bring along your badge or Bill as ID

and the opportunity at a later date to upgrade

our current despatching system. A great deal of

Salieri Restaurant

capacity is needed for GPS and that was unavail-

able to us under our own private network. You

376 Strand, WC2

no doubt remember that there were signal

Reservations: 020 7836 1318

problems in the past when business was better

and the infrastructure did not have the capacity

Call Sign February 2013

Page 5

December’s Call Sign wrote of the forthcoming MOT tests for taxis. They are now here!

NEW TAXI LICENSING SERVICE FROM 1 MARCH

This notice pro-

than 14 days prior to the taxi licensing inspec-

from SGS to NSL, TfL have set up a separate

vides important

tion and the second MOT test is to be issued six

booking number for vehicle inspections

information

months from the date the taxi licence is grant-

depending on when you want the inspection to

regarding

the

ed. The six-monthly MOT tests help to ensure

take place.

forthcoming

that taxi and private hire vehicles remain safe

To book an inspection now to take place on

change in the taxi licensing

and road worthy for passengers and other road

or after 28 February 2013, ring 08432 241 777.

service, which will commence on 1 March

users.

For any inspection to take place before the

2013.

In addition to the two MOT tests, NSL will

28 February, continue to use the existing tele-

In 2010, the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy

carry out a taxi vehicle specific inspection on an

phone number 0845 378 2345. From the 28

(MAQS) was published which announced a

annual basis prior to a licence being issued.

February you will be able to continue to use the

number of changes for taxis and private hire

This annual inspection will only be carried out

current 0845 378 2345 to book all vehicle

vehicles including the introduction of age lim-

where there is clear evidence that a standard

inspections

its. Following requests from the trade through

MOT has been issued within the 14 day period,

The fee payable for taxi and private hire

the MAQS public consultation, one such

unless the vehicle is new. If the taxi is new then

vehicle inspections is reviewed annually

change was that with effect from early 2013 the

it is exempt from the requirement to undertake

and is based on the cost incurred by TfL to

current taxi licensing system would change to

an MOT test for the first 12 months from the

deliver licensing services. New fees will be

introduce two MOT tests per annum and an

date of first registration.

applicable from 2 April 2013 and TfL are

annual licensing inspection.

Please note as part of the transition to this

currently in the process of approving these.

The new taxi licensing system, which will

new system, it will not be possible to have a taxi

While we anticipate there will be a reduc-

commence to coincide with the changeover of

licensing inspection between

14 and 28

tion in these fees we are unable to

the vehicle licensing and inspections service

February 2013. This period will be available for

announce details at this stage. Please note

from SGS UK Ltd to NSL Ltd, will require all

taxi re-tests only.

all inspections undertaken prior to 2 April

vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles have

All taxi vehicle licences due to expire within

2013 will be charged at the current fee.

passed two standard (Class 4) MOT tests per

this period will need to be booked in for a

John Mason

year. The London Cab Order 1934 has been

licensing inspection before the 14 February to

amended accordingly.

ensure continual licensing.

Director, London Taxis and

The first MOT test must be issued no more

As part of the changeover in service provider

Private Hire

London

Knighthood for Peter Hendy

Bridge bus

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has welcomed the

award of a Knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s

Honours list to the London’s Transport

station

Commissioner, who now becomes Sir Peter Hend

CBE. The award was for services to transport and the

community and takes him a long way from his first

ondon Bridge bus station is cur-

job as a bus conductor on the number 11 bus route!

rently closed as the result of a

Mayor Boris said: “Sir Peter Hendy richly

sewer collapsing in London Bridge

deserves this honour. He has shown outstand-

Street. The station is expected to

ing leadership as London’s Transport

be closed for a total of approximately 12

Commissioner, including overseeing the

weeks to allow the sewer to be repaired.

largest ever investment programme in the

The taxi rank in the bus station will not be

capital’s transport network and record break-

operational during the closure and there

ing passenger numbers and operational per-

has been some confusion about what the

formance. He also led the successful opera-

temporary arrangements for taxis are.

tion of the transport network for the

During this closure, a temporary taxi rank

London 2012 Games, demonstrating to the

has not been set up in Tooley Street and

world that London is the best city to live,

the loading bays in Tooley Street have not

work, visit and invest in.”

been suspended. This means that taxi dri-

It was back in 2006 when Sir Peter left his job

vers must not stop and wait in the loading

as Director of Surface Transport - ie London’s

bays in Tooley Street, as the normal loading

bus network - to take over from Bob Kiley as the man in

bay restrictions apply and any driver who

charge of London transport. That included the bus and tube networks as well as making

stops and waits risks being issued with a

him responsible for the congestion charge. At the time, Sir Peter was somewhat anti-

Penalty Charge Notice by police. Taxis park-

cyclists and in a Guardian interview that year in response to criticism of bus drivers by a

ing in the loading bays in Tooley Street are

cyclist organisation, he said: “Cyclists are the bloody last people to talk about bad

also obstructing other road users, including

behaviour on the roads with the way they jump red traffic lights!”

taxis, and causing congestion in the area.

Now aged 58, Sir Peter is a very down-to-earth man who once famously asked a news-

Whilst the bus station is closed, a

paper taking his photo not to make him look ‘ponsey’! He certainly isn’t afraid of getting

temporary taxi rank has been set up in

his hands dirty and will roll up his sleeves if something needs doing, rather than waiting

St Thomas Street with the head of the

and telling someone else to do it.

taxi rank next to the bus stop shelter

However, many in the taxi trade will remember him for being the person most respon-

(stop K) and the bus stands have been

sible for bringing in the 18metre long bendy buses - which now must be looked on as a

suspended. All passengers wanting a

failure following their removal from service.

taxi will be directed towards the rank

A self-confessed bus man all his working life, Sir Peter Hendy has shown that there is

in St Thomas Street

no limit to where you can go if you try hard enough and Call Sign congratulates him on

LTPH will inform the trade as soon as the

the honour of his knighthood...

works in London Bridge Street are complet-

Jamie Corum

ed and the bus station reopens.

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2013

Page 7

Obituary

REED FISHER

For as long as I have been the Editor of Call

Reed , Lara, Samuel

Sign, I have always made it a policy that if any-

and Imogen on a

one connected to Dial-a-Cab should die and

2012 holiday

there was someone that could write about

them, then that article should be a priority -

A letter from DaC

and if at all possible, accompanied by a photo

Trainer Daren Morley

because we often don’t know names but imme-

about Reed told me about

diately recognise faces. Never did I think that

his dry sense of humour

my dear son Reed would come into that cate-

but also how he wasn’t

gory and be written about by me.

afraid to speak of his ill-

Reed was a wonderful young man who at just

ness and his amazing posi-

40 years of age was still years away from reach-

tivity. There was a time

ing the prime of life. I loved trying to embarrass

when we began to think

him by calling him my little boy and pinching his

that perhaps Reed could

cheeks when in company. But he defeated my

outlive all of us, but it was-

attempts by not minding in the least!

although he had no intention of leaving Ford!

n’t to be and he deteriorated fairly suddenly but

He always had an inbuilt need to constantly

He just loved challenges.

thankfully, free of any obvious pain. However,

work and whilst he enjoyed holidaying with his

He started working life in the music biz,

the tumour affected one side of him, stealing

wife Lara - whom he met in 1994 and who she

learning to play the piano and general key-

the use of his arm, leg, sight and speech.

described as her soul mate - and his children

boards while recording late-1980s pop group

But that wasn’t enough to stop him and he

Samuel and Imogen, he worked full-time as an

The Pretty Things. But the money was dire

continued doing the things he did before - hol-

IT analyst for the Ford Motor Company as well

and eventually Fords came along.

idays, going out to eat and shopping. But sadly

as having been the Sunday evening dispatcher

Reed fell ill almost three years ago but doc-

work had to stop. And on 12th January, the

at Dial-a-Cab for over 20 years. There was some-

tors put it down to stress. His insistence that it

world stopped.

thing about the DaC job that he just couldn’t

was something more serious led to a closer

Everyone in the family loved Reed, but he

give up - possibly the endless stream of mes-

examination and discovery of an early - but due

was my little boy...

sages he constantly put out!

to its position, inoperable - tumour on the

Then to pass the time he also did and passed

brain. But that early find meant that Reed had

the Yellow badge suburban Knowledge, rarely

three good and happy years whereas had he

Alan Fisher

ever using it but hinting that he would like a

accepted the stress finding, that could well have

Editor and Reed’s dad

crack at the Green badge as a challenge,

disintegrated into just several months.

Martin Cordell & Co.

ACCOUNTANTS

Does your accountant supply you with the following?

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

Processing of self-assessment returns.

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

Preparation of accounts.

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

Letters to banks, building societies

and other lenders.

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

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

unpredictable event occur).

A three hundred and sixty five days a year service.

A ‘nightshift’

service.

Offices in North and East London.

First consultation free of charge.

Martin Cordell & Co . . . Do!

All for one yearly fee

The London Taxi Trades Premier Accountants

(24 hour answering service for prompt service)

020 8980 7161

(24 hour answering service for prompt service)

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

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

www.martin-cordell.co.uk

Call Sign February 2013

Page 9

Reed Fisher

I would like to send Alan and Reed’s wife and

CONTACT CENTRE CHAT

family my sincere condolences on the death

of Reed. Although he only worked for us on

the Sunday evening shift as a controller, he

With Keith Cain

was very much part of the whole team who

rules for accepting payment via credit

work within the contact centre.

card, the new PIN Entry Device (PED) is a

Reed began working for us as a telephonist

requirement that sees the passenger

more than 23 years ago and through his deter-

entering their PIN number into the

mination, worked through the ranks to shift

machine at the end of the journey.

controller. With Reed in control of the Sunday

We will have staff available at Roman

evening shift. I knew full well the Society was

Way to go through the credit card accep-

in very safe hands. There was no question that

tance process and the other enhance-

Reed always took his position very seriously

ments we have made with every driver

and did his job to highest standard possible.

while the terminal is being fitted.

He will be sadly missed by us all.

Literature explaining how to take a credit

card will also be available for you.

Trying to beat the system...

In order to speed up the fitting programme,

There are still a very small minority of drivers

please try and not alter the appointment we

who are trying to beat the system by booking-

rently in the process of planning the new ter-

have made for you. We will be taking into

in incorrectly to gain an unfair advantage

minal fitting programme. Very soon, every

account whether you drive primarily days or

over their fellow members.

driver will be sent a letter with an appoint-

nights, so unless there is a significant unfore-

Some drivers adhere to just being spoken

ment date and time. The fitting will take

seen problem preventing you from keeping

to by a controller, who will tell them that they

approximately one and half hours and Dana,

your appointment, please try to attend at the

have booked-in incorrectly. Others, for rea-

our Roman Way manager, informs me that

time given. We look forward seeing you.

sons best known to themselves choose to

they hope to improve on this time as more

There will be no need for any driver to

ignore the friendly warning, which then

and more drivers are fitted.

call Driver Services to see where they are

leaves our controllers with no option but to

The functionally of the new terminal is very

on the list. We will ensure all drivers are

issue a complaint against those that continue

similar to that of the existing one, with the

fitted as soon as it is possible.

to do it for a second time. Please don’t do it.

exception of the new hand held Chip and Pin

Keith Cain

machine we are fitting and the map facility

New terminals

upgrade.

Contact Centre Manager

I am pleased to inform you that we are cur-

For Dial-a-Cab to meet the compliance

Drivers Operation Manager

The last Morris Oxford taxi is about to go under the hammer...

‘UNCLE LIMA’ UP FOR SALE!

Pic left: Bonnie Martyn greets Cyril

Nathan in 1957 with his Morris Oxford

Saturday 9 March will see a piece of history take place in the taxi trade as the last Morris Oxford

taxi goes up for sale at the Historics auction house at Brooklands Museum in Ivor, Bucks. There is

also an inescapable link to ODRTS history as the one hundredth driver to join this Society, Cyril

Nathan, arrived at our Pentonville offices in his Morris Oxford (JXD 949) in 1957 and was greeted

by founder Chairman Bonnie Martyn. Even in 1957, the cab was fairly old.

While not Cyril Nathan’s taxi, the history is undoubtedly similar as both would have

• Roadside repair

been around during the 1940/41German Blitz on London and come through it unscathed.

• Roadside assistance

The Morris Oxford was originally built for export in the days when the UK was the main exporter

• Running repair recovery

of cars after the USA and the vehicle was known as the Empire Oxford, but sales were disappoint-

• Accident recovery

ing and many of the 1,700 vehicles manufactured were returned and put onto the UK market.

Now there is just one left. UL8 563 was built in 1929 and nicknamed Uncle Lima by Morris sup-

• Pay as you go to membership

porters. It was used as a taxi for around 10 years before being bought by a farmer for use as a trac-

• Credit card taken at roadside

tor to help support the war effort. So much so that when the war ended and the Oxford finished its

farming duties, some scrap iron in the adapted rear of the cab turned out to be two unexploded

mortar bombs in addition to an anti-tank rocket!

Historics say that the former taxi is something of a celebrity and has made many appear-

0845 094 5307

ances at shows and they anticipate strong interest and expect offers of up to £30,000...

We make wheels turn

Ron Yarborough

so you can earn.

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2013

Page 10

London’s latest tourist attraction

opens to the public in February

2013 and I, together with many

GARRY AND THE SHARD

other licensed London taxi dri-

Garry tests his head

vers, was invited courtesy of the

for heights!

London Taxi Drivers Association,

for a viewing of the Shard on

Monday 14th January.

sleet

- in your face is

I arrived at 18:30 via the London Bridge

some experience and if

concourse and was directed by security to the

you look up from this

lower level via an escalator at St Thomas

point, you can see the

Street. Once in the building, I was greeted by

top of the Shard.

staff in smart uniforms who were issuing tick-

When leaving, you

ets that were scanned to count the number of

take the lifts back down

people going up to the viewing area.

and are then directed to

You first go through very efficient airport

see your photo which

style security and once through, you can have

was taken on entry. As

your photo taken. You are then shown to the

day, night or live views and which can zoom

you can see, I did buy

first lift, which takes you up to the 33rd floor

in or out. With the advanced technology, I

mine for a memento of the day.

where you enter from one side of the lift and

was able to locate various buildings with

You can now browse the souvenir shop,

leave on the opposite side. Lift attendants are

places of interest appearing on the screen by

which has many items to choose from. Upon

very knowledgeable about the speed at which

name - something that I found to be very use-

leaving you go up a small escalator to find

it elevates and yes my ears did pop as the lift

ful and interesting.

yourself back on the London Bridge station

stopped - you go up that quick!

As you can imagine, the view you see is

concourse, wanting to look back up at the

You then take a short walk to the second

stunning; you can’t help but be impressed

shard to where you have been looking down

lift, which takes you up to the 68th floor. This

with yourself realising that you know the

from with amazement! I would highly recom-

then leads you to the enclosed viewing plat-

majority of those streets and buildings

mend it as a must do experience - providing

form with its 360 degree view of London. You

you can see in the distance from your

you have a head for heights!

can hear the wind whistling outside of the

days of doing your Knowledge of London.

Prices: Advance adult £24.95, advance

Shard and on a clear day you can see for 40

If you want an extra view with fresh air, you

child £18.95

miles.

can take the stairs up to the 72nd floor, which

See you at the AGM...

There are viewing aids that are very easy to

has wooden decked floors, glass walls and is

operate and which allow you to set them to

open above. To feel the wind - and in my case

Garry White L65

Call Sign February 2013

Page 11

Years before the UK fell in love with the

Paralympics as well as the London Olympics

themselves, Dial-a-Cab driver Bernie Silver’s

Knights of

(G08) daughter Melissa was being written

about in Call Sign after taking part in what

were then known as the Special Olympics - a

the road?

smaller version of today’s Paralympic Games.

Melissa suffers from Angelman Syndrome. It

Not the RAC!

was first recognised in the 1960s with symp-

really cold by then and the thought of yet

toms in young people showing a developmen-

another hour was just awful. Perhaps had

tal delay, severe speech impediment with no,

or minimal, use of words. There will usually be

Melissa not been with me, I might have been

a movement or balance disorder and those suf-

able to put up with it, but the RAC had said we

fering from the neuro-genetic disorder become

were a priority!

easily excitable

- although very often, like

All David said was for us not to worry. The

Melissa, with an apparently happy demeanour.

next thing I knew was when just 15 minutes

Those with the syndrome also have a very short

later David pulled up behind me having been

attention span.

to my home, collected my wife and had now

Bernie often takes part in fund-raising activi-

come to take the two of them back to Berkshire

ties to assist in raising funds to help advance

and then bring my wife back home!

knowledge into Angelmans and several years

With my daughter now taken care of thanks

ago Call Sign reported on his successful

to David’s kindness, I sat and sat for a total of

attempt at swimming the equivalent distance of

2.5 hours. Finally an RAC a contractor turned

the English Channel at his local baths, eventu-

up with a low loader and put the cab on it. But

ally covering 1600 lengths.

A true knight of the road!

there was only one passenger seat on board.

Bernie regularly travels from his house in

They didn’t know that someone had taken

Essex to pick up Melissa at the residential

I was stuck on the North Circular Road unable

Melissa so how would I have got her to climb

home she has been in for many years in leafy

to move.

up into the seat? They then informed me that

Berkshire to take her back to the family for a

So I phoned the RAC to tell them what had

they would only drop the cab at my garage but

weekend before returning her back to

happened and that I had a disabled passenger

that we would then have to make our own way

Berkshire. He uses his taxi because of its wheel-

on board who was unable to walk, stand or talk

home!

chair accessibility - but on one recent occasion,

and that I did not have her wheelchair with me.

I am still waiting for a reply to my letter of

Melissa didn’t have her chair with her.

They told me not to worry and that we

complaint to the RAC, but through Call Sign,

Bernie wrote to Call Sign about that

would classify as a priority breakdown. So we

recent trip involving Melissa that doesn’t

sat and waited - and waited! It was freezing

can I thank David Marks once again - a true

show a motoring organisation in a very

cold with heavy rain falling. Then I got a text

knight of the road...”

good light.

saying they would be yet another hour.

Times may be hard in the taxi business, but

“On Sunday 16th December, I was taking my

So I then phoned fellow DaC driver and to

the spirit of helping each other still surfaces

daughter back to her residential home in

me now knight of the road, David Marks

occasionally

- times such as Bernie and

Berkshire when the engine on my cab blew up.

(R22). I just didn’t know what to do. We were

Melissa’s taxi trip..

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?

You may have seen media reporting of the ongoing sear

being carried out by detectives from the Counter

Terrorism Command for a man who has absconded fro

a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures notice

(TPIM).

It is now believed that Ibrahim Magag may have

used a London taxi in the vicinity of Osnaburgh

Street and Triton Street NW1, at around 17:20 hour

on Wednesday 26 December. On Wednesday 2

January, officers spoke with cab drivers at King

Cross and Euston stations in an attempt to identify

the driver.

The taxi is described as a classic shaped London taxi -

not a Mercedes Vito - which had its fog lights on.

Police were alerted on the evening of Wednesday 26

December when Ibrahim Magag failed to meet his

overnight residence condition and the Counter

Terrorism Command immediately launched inquiries to

trace the man and these continue.

Ibrahim Magag is not considered at this time to rep-

resent a direct threat to the British public. Public safety

remains the priority. At the request of the police, an anonymity order imposed by a court

was lifted on Monday 31 December to allow a public appeal. Anyone who sees this man or knows

of his whereabouts should not approach him, but call 999 immediately.

If anyone has other information which they think could be relevant to police efforts to

trace the man, they should contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

Ibrahim Magag is described as a black man of Somali origin, 6ft 2ins tall, of slim to medium build

with a beard, although it is possible that he may try to change his appearance.

Nick Henegan

Directorate of Media and Communication, Metropolitan Police Service

Call Sign February 2013

Page 12

“Hello, my name is Ian Lawrence, this is Ray

Call Sign was recently invited to take a close look at the new

and another twenty-plus guys who make up

Nissan taxi and take part in a forum, so we sent Vito driver Gary

the Nissan taxi team. Welcome to the forum!”

I stood there along with 14 other drivers

Cox (O46) to give his view...

and it made me ask: Just what are you flogging

son! The reply came from Ray, whom I got the

LOOKING AT THE NISSAN TAXI

impression would probably be just as happy

working in a garden shed banging up the next

big invention! You know the type: “Ray, I've

lost a bolt, have you got one?” “Nah, I'll make

you one better than that!”

Ray interjected into my private thoughts and

amazingly for this type of presentation, asked

the gathered drivers to tell him what we didn't

like about the Nissan cab standing there in

front of us and to offer any tips we could using

our experience of driving current models!

I’m not sure if waving my LTDA diary - after

Gary Cox in the Nissan

Trying it for size

all it was their Assistant General Secretary Bob

Oddy who set us up for this stunt in the first

tance. Mind you, it could be a real winner

the roof.

place - or just wearing my Dial-a-Cab polo

down the Vauxhall Tavern and you never

Oh yes, the doors are manual - they may be

shirt was going to save me from the possibility

know; we could earn a few bob from doing

electric if you so desire to shell out - either way

of money-sucking vampires. But it was too

gay marriages!

the doors are sliding on runners and running

cold for a polo shirt and being a licensed

boards - not electric steps. Well what's to be

“The engine, the engine,” you shout, “what

London taxi driver was guaranteed proof that

expected for a suspected price they have float-

about the engine? It’s a Nissan, isn’t it, cos

I had no blood left! Well, after 30 years of deal-

ed of £34,000 all but a penny?

we liked the Fairway?”

ing with the PCO, TfL and folks in sheepskin

Take a tip from someone who's been

Well no, it's not actually; it's a Renault diesel

coats under cold arches, what could you

1500 made in Spain - but they have made on

mugged more times than the average citi-

expect?

the way to a million of them. The point seems

zen in his life time, if you're thinking of

to me to be that we'll take the engine, but

taking the plunge then drive a very hard

“Mr Cox (please call me Gal, dear), tell us

what's wrong with our Nissan and not what's

poke the rest of that Renault or Nissan petrol

bargain and buy a black one. Do say to the

1600 made in Japan, thanks! Or were those

dealer: 'Remember credit is debt’ and

right with it. Compare those over there with

engine sizes the other way round? Let’s face it;

smile. He will probably say:

‘But our

our taxi. Looking ‘over there’ I espied a TX4

I was surrounded by more blokes who seemed

wheels work” once the bitching starts over

Chinese model and a Mercedes Vito van (did

to be asking me more questions than the

flogging them.

someone say van? It's £42K and made in

Spanish Inquisition.

So that leaves the question: “Would I buy

Europe - it can't be a van... can it)?”

The NV200 also has a glass roof that does

one if the price was right? Well I may! In fact

At this point l wanted to shout out that I

not open, the reason is said to allow enough

you should write to Nissan and say that you

think they mean me - although not sure the

headroom for wheelchair punters and a swivel

are interested in their thirty grand cab (less a

blue gingham dress or red shoes were mine,

seat. Well let’s face it - the Mayor did sell the

penny) - fully loaded of course - and await his

but Toto - sorry, I mean Ray - was asking for my

Olympics on it!

reply. Nissan have chucked a lot of money at

hand in a marriage of convenience and wanti-

Time for a job on the third floor l hear you

this taxicab and you must commend them for

ng to be part of the cab driver’s family! We had

cry. Hold your horses; you can’t see anything

that fact alone, I just wonder how much cred-

already left Glyn Hopkins dealership in

apart from the odd head when someone is bal-

it we should give the Mayor of London for

Romford and flown over the first speed bump

anced on the tip up seat - still with no arm

pushing Nissan Europe with this project. Mind

on the yellow brick road, leaving for the bright

rests!

you, he's a sharp cookie and knows Nissan will

lights of London Town.

And why, you may well ask, in the 21st cen-

probably be the first to deliver an electric cab

Ok I'll get round to the objective - what-

tury has it got ugly side windows that open

in London. Because one thing is for sure, this

ever your ambitions hopes and aspirations

about 9 inches - or should l say centimetres for

cab has had a lot of cups of tea over the board-

are for a younger model, it's you that’s

those of us that have woken to the fact we're in

room to get to this point.

going to have to ask the other half if you

Europe, sort of, but anyway not enough to

Must dash, the phone's ringing... bet its KPM

can move in a younger model should you

throw up out off!

telling me to stick a date in my diary for their

And the Conditions of Fitness? So far as the

wish!

updated model. I do love a new model and

full lock is concerned, it is in fact more than is

The facts are that it's called the NV200 taxi

soon you will be able to find out if a Japanese

required for fitness as a London taxi re the

at the moment. It's made in Spain for the first

model is as good as a German ride.

steering; there is full air conditioning; the ser-

build with the second build most likely done

The expected launch of the first one was to be

vice schedule is open to debate due to the way

in England. A quote from Ian Lawrence, who

mid-summer - but rumour suggests October to

we drive and the tyres that are a dinky sized

works at the Nissan tech centre at Cranfield

be more likely. One thing is for certain - they

175 /70. But the question is that if the ratio of

and whose responsibility is to organise vehicle

won't launch until they think they have got it

tyre on the ground is longer, will we be forev-

durability tests on the new taxi, told Call Sign

right on the money and product.

er changing them? Mind you, if they're half the

that the Mayor sees their new cab as part of his

Funny thing is that our Chairman Brian

price it's ok as I'll have an oil change and

Olympic legacy.

Rice said to me in the yard before going to see

another set of rubbers please at the same time

The length is significantly shorter than a

as a set of brake pads because l am doing a

this new taxi that if you're going to slag it off,

Vito; the width is also much less and she's not

long one this weekend! The quote from

make sure you stick your name onto the arti-

such a tall girl. Because of that, the weight will

Jetyres: Expect to pay around £50 per tyre at

cle. That’s a bit different to those mobs on the

be significantly less although it carries 5 pas-

present prices, if not less.

blogs who write under pseudo names!

sengers and a lump (that's you) and is said to

But can l change a head light bulb, Mr

So hello, my name is Gary Cox (O46) and

be capable of getting around 55miles to the

Mercedes driver asks? Well it's a yep once

I'm not slagging it off!

gallon. The rear seat is retractable, giving more

someone has shown you and I suspect some-

boot space - great for those golf clubs; but I’m

one will impart the knowledge at the dealer-

not sure that passengers will be happy gazing

Gary Cox

ships, not moaning at 3am on the rank. The

into one other’s eyes from such a short dis-

headlight canopy is connected magnetically to

Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2013

Page 13

Confirmation of the new taxi inspection sites as published in the December Call Sign...

New Inspection Sites Announced

As previously announced

East site, Crayford near Dartford: The site is 9,000 sq ft and has suf-

ficient of parking space for waiting vehicles. There will be 5 inspection

in February 2012 and fol-

bays.

lowing a comprehensive

West site, Heston near Hounslow: This site is in the Air Links

tendering process, NSL Ltd

Industrial Estate and within easy reach of the M4 motorway. The site is

were awarded the con-

approximately 14,500 sq ft with 25-30 parking spaces and capacity for

6 inspection bays and a limousine bay.

tract to provide the taxi

Second east site, Canning Town: Slightly more central in the

and private hire vehicle

Canning Town/Bromley-by-Bow area. With the total grounds being

licensing and inspection

approximately 22,000 sq ft, it will have sufficient parking for 18 park-

ing spaces with the inspection centre itself having space for 3 inspection

service, replacing the

bays plus a limousine bay.

existing service provider

Second west site, Staples Corner: This is based in the Aquarius

(SGS) when their contract

Business Park in the Brent Cross area, which allows for access via

expires in February 2013.

major roads. The site is approximately 10,500 sq ft with parking for 18

This notice provides taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and own-

spaces, 3 inspection bays and an additional limousine bay.

ers with important information regarding new locations identified by

The key factors that both NSL and TfL took into consideration are

TfL and NSL for the inspection of Taxis and PH vehicles.

the size and accessibility of the site, access to facilities and parking

New and additional vehicle inspection locations:

spaces for vehicles to wait etc.

Through the new contract with NSL, extensive work has been under-

All sites have the following facilities:

taken to improve and expand the number of vehicle inspection sites

Air conditioned waiting and viewing areas equipped with televi-

available to the taxi and private hire trade. Locations for a total of six

sions, high quality seating with a supply of newspapers and mag-

new vehicle inspection centres have been identified and these will be

azines, toilets (including wheelchair accessible ones), parking

managed and operated by NSL under the new contract.

facilities, electric car charging points, limousine inspection bays

All six sites will offer inspections for both private hire and taxi vehi-

and coffee, tea, cold drink and snack vending machines.

cles, expanding the current availability of sites from 3 to 6 for taxis

We will be sending out further communications and reminders of

and from 4 to 6 for private hire vehicles.

the new taxi licensing services that will be provided by NSL Ltd in the

These include sites in the north, south, east and west of Greater

lead up to the changeover on March 1st.

London and two additional sites in a more central area, providing a

better spread of sites across the Greater London area.

John Mason

The six inspection centres will be at the following locations:

Director, London Taxis and Private Hire

North site, Enfield: This site is based in the Watermill Business Centre,

close to distance of the current SGS inspection centre. The site is 10,000

sq ft with space for 6 inspection bays and parking for up to 17 vehicles

An Exclusive for Dial-a-Cab drivers!

outside.

South site, Coulsdon: The site is 22,000 sq ft, however, not all will be

used for LTPH services. There will be 5 inspection bays and sufficient

parking for waiting vehicles.

Buy one,

NOTICE OF

get one free offer!

2012 DAC AGM

All members should by now have

Buy an oil and filter service during

received an envelope containing the

December, January and February and get

DaC AGM Agenda, Ballot Form, Annual

Report and Minutes of last year’s AGM.

the same service FREE on your next visit!

The meeting is at the HAC,

Armoury House, City Road, London

EC1Y 2BQ on Sunday 3rd February

2013, commencing at 11:00hrs.

Cable Taxis/Cabfix

The meeting this year will consider an

agenda including the Election of

Arch 100, Golding Street

Officers and any proposed Rule

(off Cable St), E1 1QH

Changes and Propositions, all of which should have been received

at Dial-a-Cab House on or before 09:00hrs on Monday 12th

Tel: 0207 488 9397

November 2012 and in accordance with Society Rules.

As a reminder; if you do not vote by post in the pre-paid

envelope, which must be received at the Electoral Reform

Our other services include:

Services by first post on Friday 1 February 2013, then you

Overhauls at sensible prices

TX11 Timing Chains/Belts

must attend in person. If you do neither, you may be subject

Tracking

TX11 Heater Control Valves

to a £50 fine...

Tyres Supplied and Fitted

Howard Pears

Company Secretary

We are soon to be an MOT testing station for taxis and class 4 vehicles...

Call Sign February 2013

Page 14

Call Sign was sorting through its old files and came across this arti-

cle from 1998 that was written by DaC driver Len Bell, who sadly

died in 2005. For some unknown reason - too racy for 1998 per-

haps - it wasn’t published but could so easily have been written

yesterday...

All in a day’s work!

£10.20 fare.

wants,” she screamed to his face.

“It was only a token of friendship, darling.

By now a crowd had gathered. Even I

I don’t even know if they are her size. It was

wanted to know what was what! Oprah

her birthday, you know it was. I’ve told you

Winfrey had nothing on these two.

enough times.”

“And he treats me like a woman” says she.

“Really,” she snarled, “so if I bought John

Mr Passenger took up the cudgels while rais-

Isn’t it strange how you sense tension in the

a large packet of condoms for his birthday,

ing the stakes.

back of the cab - especially between the

you wouldn’t think that strange? Don’t you

“Angela definitely knows what a man

opposite sexes? There are many occasions

agree driver?” I was about to say that I did-

wants,” he said with more than a hint of

when passengers in the rear of a Dial-a-Cab

n’t know John either, but Mr Passenger beat

utter vindictiveness before Mrs Passenger

taxi don’t communicate with each other, but

me to the punch.

added her next piece of prose.

you just know that there is no reason other

“Of course not,” he lied in obvious des-

“That slag wouldn’t know how to please a

than a nothing-particular-to-say scenario.

peration while battling to dig himself out of

man unless there was money involved. You

But then there’s the young couple sitting

the large hole he was digging for himself.

pay her, do you? That must be why you

in the back who leave room for two passen-

“That is £10.20,” my totally ignored voice

couldn’t afford to pay the gas bill - the small-

gers between them. They go out of their

asked again…

est one of the year!”

way to look totally natural, yet that very

“And anyway,” Mr Passenger went on, “I

“I wouldn’t worry about me” said the

action makes them look strained. He looks

don’t like the way you are all over John

man, “start worrying about yourself. John

out of the window pretending to notice

when he pops round. The least you could

must have been with every woman this side

things, whereas if a totally naked female ran

do is dress decently.”

of Soho! I’d go to the clinic if I were you to

past he wouldn’t even realise. In reality, he

With that, she let loose making what went

have a check-up. It’s not conceivable that he

is trying to think what to say. She, on the

before seem rather quaint!

wouldn’t have passed on something to

other hand, is looking straight ahead with a

“You are a ***

*** for saying

you!”

look that seems to be aimed at the driver

that. You’ve seen Angela in her undies - you

With that, she burst into tears and got

(who she must assume is watching interest-

even buy them for her! I never want to

back into the cab - followed closely by him.

edly) that says: “Why am I with this pillock?

speak to you again.” With that, she slapped

“Hampstead High Street,” said the young

Do you treat your partner like this?”

him round the face and got back into the

lady.

Occasionally you may sense them

cab! My meter was already on ‘stop’ with

They said nothing for the rest of the five

gradually making up when they start

that £10.20 still showing.

minute trip. When we arrived they both got

shouting at each other - at least they’re

“Dean Street please, driver,” she quivered,

out. He paid - the stopped meter only went

now talking. But sometimes it goes

“we’re going out!”

up another 40pence and of course I got a

beyond that when the warring couple

I looked at him. He shrugged his shoul-

legal. I decided to say nothing!

are looking for someone to act as an

ders and walked away. So I edged forward

They walked off saying nothing to each

arbitrator. And in a cab, who is there

when suddenly there was a bang on the side

other until slowly but surely, his right hand

of the cab. I thought someone had hit me.

other than the couple themselves? Right

moved towards her left one. Their hands

on brothers and sisters - the good, old

Just as I stopped, I saw him standing outside

touched and clasped followed by a quick

the cab screaming bitch at her before saying

driver who is carefully trying to mind his

peck on her cheek. She then put her arm

the nastiest thing he could think of:

own business! The following happened

around him in a cuddling motion and their

“I bet the undies look better on Angela

to me recently…

lips met.

than they would on you!”

We arrived at Haverstock Hill and the

Me? Well it’s all in a day’s work…!

With that she opened the door and got

silent couple exited the cab, neither having

out and stared at him.

said a word all the way from Fenchurch

“At least John knows what a woman

Len Bell (L01)

Street. She walked off leaving him to pay the

fare.

“Do yourself a favour, mate” he moaned,

“don’t get married.”

THE ALPHA POWER PILL

I just smiled. I didn’t fancy getting into a

conversation with someone whose wife

Now even better!

looked ready to bite his bum! Then his wife

ran over to the cab.

Helps cut the cost of diesel - and reduce Emissions!

“What’s the big sh*t told you? I don’t sup-

pose he told you about Angela, did he?”

OnlyCabs.co.uk are pleased to supply

“Sorry” I replied,

“I don’t know any

Dial-a-Cab drivers with the amazing Alpha Pill

Angela.”

She was bright red by now with previous-

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

ly held in anger.

“Well he certainly knows Angela - don’t

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

you darling,” she said with a rather heavy

on the ad code

hint of sarcasm. “You know quite a lot about

her otherwise why would you have bought

Or telephone your order to:

her that set of lace undies?”

Stephen Vale at Only Cabs 020 3239 6101

Whoops, I thought, this is about to get

bloody! I still had my hand out for the

Call Sign February 2013

Page 15

“We left London (a group of 12 strangers with

The December Call Sign told how DaC driver Divyesh Ruparelia

the exception of 2 brothers) on January 9 by

(V59) was attempting to climb Africa’s highest mountain,

Ethiopian Airways to Kilimanjaro Airport via

Kilimanjaro, in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, Help for

Addis Ababa. At Kilimanjaro we were met by

Heroes, the WCHCD’s Magical Taxi Tour and Dial-a-Dream...

the chief guide who took us to our lodge, a

lovely coffee plantation outside Arusha.

We left next morning at 8.30 am and were

given holdalls to carry our mountain gear,

Divyesh beats

sleeping bag, down jacket and other essential

items. This bag would be carried on the moun-

tain by a porter, so the weight limit was 15kg.

The porters quite rightly (and I don't say that

Kilimanjaro!

lightly) only carry 20 kgs including 5 kg of

Divyesh beats Kilimanjaro

their own, thanks to the limits set by The

(see cover pic)

Kilimanjaro Porters Association Project.

Prior to the setting up of the KPAP, porters

were made to carry huge loads with very little

only way to relieve the symp-

pay! That's all in the past, but they still do an

toms and possible death. Credit

amazing job lugging all that weight up the

to his brother, who in spite of

mountain!

feeling ok, decided to go with

Day 1: Leave the lodge by 4WD vehicles to

his brother. This was also the

Londorossi and a 4 hour journey to the west

day when I took walking slowly

of the mountain. After completing registration,

to the next level! The trek after

we were driven a further 5 km on a back and

5200 m to Stella Point 5745 m

butt massaging road to the Lemosho road

was relentless and energy sap-

head (2250 meters). Lemosho is the name of

ping. It's a steep gradient walk-

the mountain route we took. After a short

getting right through, making you wet, cold

ing on scree, shale and gravel

break to enjoy a packed lunch and meet our

and miserable (7-8 hours of walking and 9 for

making it a hard slog. The last half hour to

support team, it was the start of the trek -

moi)!

Stella took the biscuit. In fact someone

some 4-5 hours through the tropical rainforest

Day 4: Another day of acclimatisation. A

described it as taking the entire tin! I eventual-

to the next camp at Mti Mkubwa (the big tree

long steep trek up to the Lava Tower (4550

ly got to Stella point at 8.45 with still 220 m to

2650 meters). On reaching camp, the process

m). Spent 10 minutes here experiencing the

go to the summit at Uhuru Peak. Uhuru

was the same every day. You signed in and

lack of oxygen before another long downhill

means independent in Swahili. The chief

went to your tent (which would be ready for

trek to the Barranco camp (3900 m). This is

guide tried to put me off, by saying I'd done

where the 2 brothers in our team started

enough by reaching Stella and I'd get a certifi-

you courtesy of the porters). They brought

showing signs of AMS.

cate. I think he realised I hadn't got any sign of

you hot water to wash your face and feet

Day 5: The day when we tackled the great

AMS when I very calmly explained to him

before going to the mess tent for some pop-

Barranco Wall - a steep 800 ft climb up a

about the charities and the fact that even

corn and tea. Then 2 hours later, dinner is

rocky face. Trekking poles tucked away, this

though I was devoid of any energy, I wasn't

served. After a short briefing about the next

was hands and feet job with grappling on to

about to give up even if it meant crawling to

day’s climb, you go to sleep for a good rest.

secure rocks to lift yourself up. I stopped feel-

the top! He called me a dogged mother*****

The support crew included 1 chief guide,

ing sorry for myself after watching the porters

and smiled as I carried on. My guide kindly

5 assistant guides, 1 cook, 9 senior porters

with luggage on their hands and HEADS clam-

carried my back pack for me to make it easier

and 33 porters! A total crew of

49!

bering up the rock! You can check a 30 second

and I made the summit at 9.55 am, a whole

While the porters carried your holdall, you’d

YouTube video (just Google Barranco Wall).

2.55 hours after the rest! But on the plus side,

carry a back pack containing 0.75 litres of

Once you're over the wall, you carry on

I had full sunshine and freedom compared to

water, toilet roll

(in case you need to go

trekking on volcanic scree to the next camp at

the mist and crowds at 7am. Winning or what!

behind the bush/rocks) hand gel, camera, first

Karanga (4000 m). Around 5 hours trekking,

After 10 minutes at the top, it was now a 7

aid kit and a lunch box on longer trek days.

so after lunch and a rest, we went for a short

hour downhill climb to Millennium Gate via a

The weight was around 7 kg. The water and

200 m acclimatisation walk. This camp is the

short break at base camp. Boy did I sleep well

walking slowly (pole pole) are very important

last water point, so no washing water at the

that night. The next morning we had a short

in avoiding AMS (acute mountain sickness). I

next camp! To be honest, after 6 days without

ceremony to thank and tip all the crew. Then

was so determined not to fail due to AMS that

a bath or shower, not washing your face and

there was another 4 hour trek downhill to the

I took walking pole pole to a whole new level!

feet didn't really matter! And it was too cold

Mweka Gate to sign out and a lunch with beer

Day 2: Woken at 6.30 am with a cuppa and

anyway!

and back slapping followed by a 4 hour drive

hot water to wash after which you pack your

Day 6: The start of the trek to the final

back to the lodge. A hot shower to scrub off 8

holdall and your day pack. Breakfast at 7.30

camp. The base camp of Barafu (ice in

days of dirt and more beers!

and start the trek around 8.30. Today we left

Swahili). A 4 hour steep trek to 4600 m to

Remember, go to justgiving.com/teams/

the lush mountain forest behind, ascending

arrive by lunch, after which we had to prepare

divyeshmidlifecrisistrekupthekilimanjaro -

into the moorland zone of giant heather. A

and rest ready for the summit climb at mid-

my Just Giving page - is open until the end

steady climb to Shira Plateau at a camp called

night. Ha! Easier said than done! Try sleeping

of March or you can donate directly to Dial-

Shira 1 (3550 meters). It was a walk of about 7

when you're both excited and scared about

A-Dream.

hours (8 hours for me)!

being so close to the summit. It's all or nothing

I have also organised a charity gig at East

Day 3: We lost the first member of our team

now... the most important 24 hours of my life!

Village in Shoreditch on 14 February with

to AMS and the poor chap had to be escorted

Days 6/7: Woken at 11 pm (did somehow

some of the top drum & bass & bass music DJs

down by a guide (so we lost a guide too). This

sleep). After putting on every available layer, it

performing for free downstairs. And don't

was a day of acclimatisation. We trekked up to

was to the mess tent for some porridge and

worry, there's soul, funk & jazz upstairs where

Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock sur-

tea. The bag was packed with 3 litres of water

the back2backfm.net DJs will be performing.

rounded by steep spires and pinnacles (3862

in a platypus bottle, energy bars etc with a litre

B2B FM includes 2 cabbies as DJs. Ticket

meters). A proper climb on rocks with hands

of water in the inside pocket of the down jack-

prices are just £5 via ticket sellers or the flyer

and feet. It’s both scary and exciting. Then a

et (the platypus would freeze in 3 hours). We

link on page 19 of this issue of Call Sign...”

long walk to the next camp at Shira 2 (3895

left soon after midnight and after 5000 m one

meters). It rained all day, which made climbing

of the brothers was in a bad state, so he had to

Divyesh Ruparelia (V59)

the rock interesting with the rain eventually

be taken down to lower altitude ASAP - the

Call Sign February 2013

Page 16

As the LTFUC celebrated its 85th birthday, 450h

enjoy a brilliant party and shou

ALL WHITE O

Photos Alan Green (age 67) and Samuel Fisher

nce again Call Sign enjoyed the party of the year at

Before talking about the entertainment, huge t

ark Lane’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel along

staff of the JW Marriott Grosvenor House who fo

with 450 disabled or underprivileged children and their

Great Room over to the Fund. Clearing up afterw

carers. The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for

are truly appreciated.

Underprivileged Children’s annual shindig, which also

In addition to all the food and drink dished up

celebrated an astonishing 85 years in the London taxi

though the snow kept away some of the expecte

trade for the LTFUC, was hit by a snowbound London!

lent afternoon, which as usual was held together

But around 450 of the 600 invited children got there

Warming up the kids was the wonderful danci

and enjoyed every minute of the 4-hour spectacular!

act that everyone loves each year, the Bournemo

Like last year, this magazine sponsored guest’s food

young lady with a big voice and one to look for i

on behalf of Dial-a-Cab, but the entertainment, togeth-

Act Now Entertainment then entertained the cr

er with the sheer professionalism of the LTFUC com-

part-time performing arts training programmes.

mittee and partners is what makes it a day to remem-

dous voice, with the rest singing, acting and dan

ber. Fund PR man, Raymond Levy and wife Maureen,

Academy proud.

somehow get hold of acts to appear for nothing who

The winning pair from ITV’s That Dog Can Da

would normally command large fees, while the rest of

Indie made a 4-hour snow-interrupted journey f

the committee - several of whom are DaC drivers -

children. But suddenly Indie got a touch of nerv

run around from 8am till late to make sure every-

attempts, Lucy gave up and told Call Sign that it

thing goes well.

down together with a lack of toilet activity for In

Word about the loss of my son reached the ears of

home at 11pm - around 15 hours after leaving b

Fund Chairlady Susan Angel and she got DaC’s David Lessman (D19) to

ed their attempt at getting there.

invite Reed’s two children - my grandchildren - Samuel and Imogen. It was a kind gesture that

As in the previous 10 years, the Cheeky Gir

was really appreciated and certainly cheered them up. We were welcomed by beardless Gerry

surprised them when presenting the duo wit

Dunn MBE and DaC Board member Mike Son - both LTFUC committee members.

bers of the LTFUC!

Aunty Sue was very nice, but the oth

get dressed!

Call Sign February 2013

Page 17

appy children battled through snow blizzards to

t out to the world that it was...

N THE NIGHT!

(age 9). Photo captions Imogen Fisher (age 7)

thanks must be given to the management and

Then it was 12-year-old Shaniah Williams, who wowed

r the 21st year gave the hotel’s prestigious

everyone with an amazingly mature singing voice. Shaniah

ards must be a nightmare and the hotel’s efforts

was the winner of Hertfordshire’s Got Talent and it was eas

to see why. Also on were excellent cheerleader group,

p, the four hours are just one big party and even

Crystal Girls, who appeared with several of the acts - and

d entertainers and guests, it was still an excel-

Mike Son - to show how adaptable they were (cover pic)!

by Dave Davis.

We must mention young Cara. If you thought the Hula

ng of Amanda’s Action Club, followed by the

Hoop died with the tea strainer, think again as this young

outh Carnival Band. Then came a 12 year old

girl went through a mesmerising musical routine with

in the years to come, Lily Jewel. The brilliant

her gold hoop! Perhaps more for the carers, party regu-

rowd with their 40+ boys and girls who are on

lar Elvis Shmelvis sang some of the King’s hits that saw

They were led by a girl singer with a tremen-

adults mouthing along to the words! Magic and Dance

cing in a way that would have made the Fame

(MAD) then brilliantly did everything the name sug-

nce, Lucy, together with her gorgeous dog

gests!

rom Lincoln so that they could entertain the

As usual, around the Great Room’s periphery were a

es and ran off stage! After several unsuccessful

range of face painters - one of whom came all the

may have been a combination of the long trip

way from Norfolk to do his art at no charge - a Police

die. They then travelled back to Lincoln, arriving

and Army presence and a 10-minute portrait artist

ut with the gratitude of everyone that appreciat-

and Mr Balloon, both of whom had queues around them all after-

noon. A chocolate fountain and completed another memorable party, which proved that even

ls sang their hits, but this year Sue Angel

Mother Nature’s worst can’t stop the LTFUC’s brilliant party - and their birthday cake was lovely!

h a certificate as deserved honorary mem-

Alan Fisher (age 27… and a bit!)

er two girls must have forgot to

Call Sign February 2013

Page 18

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

The DaC driver and Carlos the Jackal!

I really haven't had that much to do with international terrorism...well

up with some very dang

maybe just the once...

ous people. The old

The early 1970s were a particularly torrid time in the seemingly

woman had been Carlo

never ending struggle between Israel and her enemies - shootings,

lover. A young man sta

bombings, hijackings and the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972

ing at the flat had opene

Munich Olympics.

a cupboard and disco

One evening in December 1973, a man forced his way into the

ered an arsenal o

St Johns Wood home of Edward Sieff, President of Marks and

weapons and the polic

Spencer, and shot him as he lay in the bath. Then as he prepared

were brought in.

to finish him off, his gun jammed and he escaped just minutes

Carlos was finally cap-

before the police arrived.

tured in

1996 in the

It must have been the Spring or Summer of 1974 when I was dri-

Sudan by French Special

ving up Queensway in my taxi and was stopped by a woman in her

Forces and sentenced

40s. She ushered a girl of about 20 into the cab and in a Spanish or

to life imprisonment

South American accent asked me to take the girl to 13 Hereford Road,

for the 1975 murder of

wait and then bring her back to Queensway. The two spoke a few

two French policemen.

words of Spanish to each other and off we went.

Then last year he was

Two things were obvious. She was very pretty and very nervous - in

also found guilty of 11

fact she was shaking with fear. At Hereford Road, she went down to

more murders and

the basement of number 13. Five minutes later and she was back and

will be in prison until

looking greatly relieved. I dropped her back at Queensway and

he is 80. At his second

thought no more about it.

trial, he expressed his

Meanwhile the outrages continued in London and across Europe.

admiration for Bin Laden,

Then at the end of 1975, one of the most audacious incidents of ter-

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Nicolae Ceaucescu.

rorism happened when a gang attacked the headquarters of OPEC in

Was he really there in Hereford Road that afternoon? I think he

Vienna, killing three people and kidnapping the oil ministers of sev-

probably was. Why else would that girl have been so nervous? But just

eral countries. They were flown to Tunis and after threats to murder

suppose he had decided that she might give the game away and

more of the prisoners, the hijackers' demands were met and several

bumped her off, would the cab driver waiting upstairs have knocked

terrorists were released.

on the door to see when she was coming out? Thankfully I never had

The leader of the gang was a stocky bespectacled young man

to make that choice...

who before flying off with his comrades tuned to the waiting

cameramen and declared: “Tell them it was Carlos. They will

Geoff Levene (W32)

know who I am!” Indeed they did. Carlos was the code name for

a Venezuelan Marxist revolutionary born Illych Ramires

Sanchez and Scotland Yard soon announced that he was the

man they wanted for the Sieff shooting - a man who became

known as Carlos the Jackal. Things were falling into place.

It was perhaps 18 months later that I noticed an item in the

Evening Standard. Two South American women aged 42 and 21 had

been found guilty of hiding and aiding the escape of Carlos. He had

been living at some stage in a flat in Hereford Road. No wonder that

10% Discount for all Dial-a-Cab Drivers!

girl had been so scared; she was just a waitress who had got mixed

Why not take advantage of the

Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club

PCN request from

special offer for all Dial-a-Cab drivers

Come down and try out this amazing golf package

on our superb par 70 parkland course and you will be

Barrie Segal

treated to (for example):

Dial-a-Cab’s PCN expert, Barrie Segal

Coffee & bacon roll

has an incredible record of getting

Penalty Charge Notices cancelled.

~ ◆ ~

However, he is asking for some assis-

18 holes golf

tance from DaC drivers and asked if Call

~ ◆ ~

Sign could put a message out:

Pie, mash & peas

“Can I ask that all drivers please write

the date of receipt on all Penalty Charge

And all that for only £30.00

£27.00 per person!

Notices (PCNs), Notices to Owner, Notices of Rejection Charge

This amazing offer is valid any weekday from

Certificates, Orders for Recovery and any other correspondence

1st January 2013 to 31st March 2013

they receive relating to a PCN and then take photocopies

(Minimum 4 players)

before they send it to Jacqui Franklin in Drivers Services.

This will help enormously, particularly where councils claim

Alternatively 10% discount on

they never received an appeal or where they say they sent

any chosen packages during 2013.

out a notice of rejection which they claim was ignored.”

To book call now and speak to our sales coordinator

Barrie Segal

Elaine Cochrane on 01992 466666 ext 249

Call Sign February 2013

Page 19

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

The Brethren of the Whip

With tiredness creeping in, the pace

Going the distance...

of the fight diminished but resurged

Boxing and cab driving have always

again by round 27 when Holmes

appeared to be closely linked and

knocked Blake down again. The next

there is often an article on boxing in

round saw Blake go down yet again

Call Sign. But never one like this...

and this time sprain his knee, looking

Back in the 1860s, Henry Mayhew

like he would have to retire. The bet-

noticed that when a pugilist retired

ting had now switched in favour of

from the scene, he would either run a

Holmes.

pub or drive a cab - Tom Cribb and

By Round 37, Blake was not only still

Ben Caunt famously became publicans

fighting but had actually turned the

but boxers / drivers such as Joseph

tables on his opponent and looked the

Rough Diamond Arnold or Augustus

more likely to win. Round 40 was a

Long Fisher (“a thief, pugilist and a cab

severe round with Holmes getting cut

driver”) have long been forgotten.

above the eye and falling. Another

Holmes was another to be forgotten, so much so that even his first

severe punch to the eye followed in round 48 and again Holmes fell, but

name is not recorded in the press of the early nineteenth century. We

in the next round he rallied and knocked Blake down.

know he was a Hackney coachman and that he lived in Knightsbridge. We

By Round 51, both fighters were blind in one eye; by the 53rd round

also know that he took on a bet for a boxing match for 20 guineas against

Holmes could barely see out of either eye, but still he fought on. Then in

a sailor, Thomas Blake.

round 60, Holmes’s second called it a day as he saw his man get weaker

It is January 1804 and the fight is to take place on Paddington

and weaker.

Green. This was pre- Queensbury, bare knuckle and the ring was

The fight was said by many to have been one of the best ever wit-

whatever space there was in the crowd. The Hackney coach trade,

nessed and despite the number of rounds, the fight lasted just sev-

as usual, turned up in force when one of their own was fighting.

enty minutes. Blake had to be brought back to London in a Hackney

There were Hackney coaches all over the place, with drivers either

coach, his injuries preventing him from celebrating his win.

bringing their friends or talking their passengers into watching the

Holmes was actually up and about shortly after, no doubt pondering

spectacle.

that pushing a Hackney coach over London had got to be an easier

But it was nearly over before it even began - the owner of the land

way of making money!

objected and the whole ensemble, boxers and spectators, decamped

from Paddington Green and in a fleet of about twenty Hackney coaches

Sean Farrell (B39)

and many other types of carriage, arrived at Willesden Green where the

bout began in earnest.

Round 1 was chalked up to Holmes - there was no points system in

these days; last man standing was the winner and at one point during

that opening round, the sailor was knocked to the ground. Round two

was more balanced with tough fighting between the two, Holmes giving

the sailor several good bare knuckle punches to the head. Round 3 and

Holmes rushed at the sailor who parried the punch and dealt the coach-

man several hard blows that knocked him to the ground. By Round

seven, Blake the sailor was deemed to be the clear favourite with odds of

1 to 4.

In the eighth round, Hackney coachman Holmes rallied and hit the

sailor with several hard blows, knocking the tar to the ground. He carried

the advantage into the next round as well. The sailor then found inner

strength and was judged to have had the better in rounds 10, 11, 12 and

13. Round 14 began before the seconds were ready, such was the eager-

ness of the two protagonists towards each other. Still Blake had the

upper hand. Round 17, the most desperate round thus far, saw Holmes

going for the ribs and head of the sailor who replied with a blow to

Holmes head, which knocked him down but many thought that the

coachman still had the upper hand.

London Taxi Co working again

The London Taxi Company has informed us that

the Service Workshop at Brewery Road is now

fully operational again and is accepting service

work again including work on vehicles which

qualify for the interim Goodwill Policy during

administration. The Parts Department is also

fully operational. They are at 39-41 Brewery

Road N7. Tel: 0207 700 0888...

Call Sign February 2013

Page 20

COMPLIANCE OFFICER’S REPORT

take long to drain a battery and a simple pre-

hand during fitting to assist you with any

caution may save you time - and as we all

queries and a number of people will be avail-

know, in our business time is money.

able at this office to further assist should you

encounter any problems, so don’t concern

yourself over the changeover. Help will be

DaC logo

readily available.

Please remember that it is a rule of the Society

that all members must display the Dial-a-Cab

logo at all times. I have recently received a

Customer care

number of calls from fellow subscribers who

I have mentioned a few times previously that

have spotted a Dial-a-Cab taxi without the

as professional drivers, we at Dial-a-Cab need

company logo. As I have mentioned before,

to keep our Society at the head of the pack, so

apart from advertising our circuit, it also great-

customer care is essential and discretion vital.

ly helps clients locate their particular taxi.

At both Rolling Ranks all trips are As

Roman Way will be only too pleased to replace

Directed and as you know many journeys can

any missing or damaged logos and arrange-

Hello Ladies and Gents,

be of varying distances. If a trip is reasonably

ments can also be made for a set of logos to be

local, please do not aim your displeasure at

Flat batteries

picked up at this office for evening and night

the passenger in the back of the cab, it is

The first snowfalls of the year did help to gen-

drivers.

embarrassing for the client and can cause

erate more work, however it left road condi-

problems with the account and if it continual-

tions far from ideal which made the job that

New terminals

ly happens, could even jeopardise two of the

much more difficult. So please be careful as we

Adding to both Brian and Keith’s comments in

most prestigious accounts in the cab trade. It

may well yet see more icy conditions.

this issue regarding the new terminals, can I

is currently working extremely well and with

In a similar vein, I recently suffered a flat

just say that our IT department is now in the

your full support it will continue to do so.

battery on my taxi. Whilst you don’t necessari-

final stages of testing before the fitting pro-

Please keep up the good work.

ly have to completely disconnect the battery, it

gramme commences for the terminal and

may be good advice to remove one or both

indeed the contactless credit card reader.

With the AGM upon us, I look forward to see-

radio fuses if the taxi isn’t being driven daily,

The new terminal will be very user friendly

ing you there. Drive safely and be very lucky!

or even if it is left unused over a weekend. The

and will incorporate a Satellite Navigation as

auxiliary fuses (5amp and 20 amps) are in the

well as the Cabbies Mate system and chip and

fuse compartment or by the battery, depen-

Allane@Dialacab.co.uk

pin credit card reader which will be linked

dent on the actual model of the taxi. It doesn’t

into the terminal. There will be someone on

DaC Compliance Officer

Lee Pearce’s sliding doors!

Back in 1998, one of the most surprisingly popular movies around was a Rom-Com starring

Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah. Sliding Doors alternated between two parallel universes

and showed the difference in a central character’s life depending on whether or not she caught a

train. The movie became one of the biggest hits of the year.

Now Dial-a-Cab driver and goalkeeper for Evo Stik league team North Greenford United,

Lee Pearce (J71), has told Call Sign that he feels a bit like the Sliding Doors movie!

In 2008, Lee was starring in goal for non-league Bedfont Green and helped them gain pro-

motion as Combined Counties Premier League Champions. But following a bust-up with the

manager, Lee was signed by Egham, but soon left them as well to join Middlesex team Ashford

SAVINGS!

Town who played in the Zameratto Central League.

Sliding doors? Well, one of Lee’s first games for Ashford was against Football League division 2

outfit Bradford City and Ashford slaughtered the Bantams 3 - 0. Yes, it was only a pre-season

★ KITCHENS

friendly, but a win was a win and one as clear-cut as that sent a warning to the rest of their

league, while Bradford City looked more than likely to lose their position as a Football League

& APPLIANCES

club and indeed had already battled through - and only just - two administrations.

★ BEDROOMS

Ashford’s manager, Jamie Lawrence, was a former Bradford City player and tried to

★ WORKTOPS

convince them that it was only a friendly, but it looked likely that the Bantams were on

a long slope downwards and heading into soccer oblivion.

★ DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS

“Look at them now,” Lee told Call Sign, “Ashford are still where they were, I’m at North

★ PLANTATION SHUTTERS

Greenford while Bradford City are in the League Cup Final at Wembley! Don’t get me wrong, I

enjoy playing for NGU. It’s a great club with a great set of players and a great manager in former

★ ALL TYPES OF BLINDS

Chelsea and Southampton star Neil Shipperley.

★ AWNINGS

“But somewhere along the way I must have got on the wrong train! Last season I was at

Wembley in a Budweiser sponsored penalty shooting contest - well, in the car park outside the

You are welcome to visit

main stadium - and now the team we slaughtered are at a real cup final! And should the miracle

our showroom at:

continue, they could even win and go into Europe! The nearest I’ll get is the taxi rank at Eurostar.

Unit 8 Tripes Farm,

Having said that, I sincerely wish Bradford City the very best of luck in the final against Swansea

Chelsfield Lane,

because - wrong train or not - they are representing all we players who will never get that opportu-

Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS

nity. Mind you, Bradford City also fell into that category! Hmmm, will it be Upminster or Hainault!”

And did we mention Greenford’s next game? Last Saturday against Ashford...!

Instant Kitchen and

Bedroom & Blinds UK

Baghwat Singh

Call Sign Online

Call Ian (R50) on 01689 897111…

Call Sign February 2013

Page 21

Stephen Berndes (R14) with a collection of…

Stephen Berndes makes his

can only aid the feeling of security.

You pay your money and you take your choice, but it will proba-

first appearance as a Call

bly be us who absorb the cost with the insurance companies liabil-

Sign columnist…

ities protected from fabricated accidents.

Cab insurance…

Costco

My renewal of insurance falls on the

I entered Costco; my thoughts filled with the expectation of four

first day of the New Year, which

filled nitrogen tyres at bargain basement prices alleviating the con-

means I go through a stressful peri-

stant checking of tyre pressures.

od waiting for correspondence to

I discussed the price and time with the Costco tyre man when my

arrive close to the Christmas holi-

eye caught sight of a row of batteries. I said that those batteries were

day period. This year I received no

brilliant, that I’d had mine for five years and it was still going strong.

post at all so I rang my Brokers, Emrose Insurance, and ques-

The salesman looked at me in surprise and said I must be the only

tioned the delay.

cab driver then!

Trident are my underwriters and in order to extend insurance, it

He told me that a significant percentage of cabbies claim for

is now mandatory to have a Smartwitness camera fitted, but firstly

defects before the three year guarantee wears down and that they

I had to accept the terms and conditions relating to the camera and

now no longer supply cab drivers.

claims procedure with a signed agreement. So rather than wait for

Now I consider there are three reasons for this;

arrival of the renewal policy, I decided the next day to visit The

1. The cheeky chappy London cabby being opportunistic

London Taxi Co in Brewery Road, which I was assured was open

given the chance.

for business.

2. It is only slight deception, after all everybody is capable of

On arrival, I was directed to an unorthodox entrance - a hole in

that.

an electric door - and then walked the entire length of the building!

3. After all, I’m only getting back a small amount and I’ve

Rows of immaculate shiny taxis like the Mary Celeste, but apparent-

spend lots of dosh there!

ly with less future. Eventually I spoke to a solitary lady who

There may be a forth reason. An amoral taxi driver with no shame

informed me that Emrose Insurance was short of staff and nobody

and an embarrassment to his family. This is a classic example of self-

was there.

ishness impacting directly

an excellent

service which has now

I was now doggedly determined to conclude arranging my

stopped.

insurance and headed to another office in Dunbridge Street,

Bethnal Green. I signed the legal document acknowledging

Stephen Berndes

responsibility of the camera working at all times, that camera

was the property of Markerstudy Insurance and paid a fitting

Call Sign Online

charge of £40 + VAT. The same charge will apply for each

installation, strip out or reinstallation. And if the policy is can-

celled, you can buy the camera for £155 or return it undam-

aged for the aforementioned amount at £40 plus VAT, which I

thought slightly cheeky if premiums suddenly jump, making

the policy costly.

The good lady of Emrose said to expect a call from Smartwitness

within two days to arrange an engineer to visit my house. We

arranged an 8am appointment for Friday 4th January. The evening

before, Smartwitness called and changed the time to 11am. I lost a

working day because I work mornings, nevertheless I agreed; the

camera had to be fitted within ten days of the start of the policy.

The chap turned up, took twenty minutes to fit, explained that

the camera is fixed, has a visual picture of only the front of cab and

a limited peripheral view. I also have no access to video images and

in the advent of an incident, the insurance company sends an

expert with a key and takes the evidence away.

In the interest of comparisons, I rang two other leading

insurance broker companies…

Tradex / Westminster: They offer 10% off premiums, but you

must arrange your own camera fitting. They do not recommend any

service provider, but give a company called Daltec a plug at 5

Oxford Road, Wealdstone, Harrow HA3 7RG. Phone 02085157820;

they will install it for £200.

Their camera is removable and has images at front as well as

inside the cab. They provide a key to release images and download

onto your personal computer. All the equipment is yours thereafter,

which allows you to swap policies to another insurance company.

Sutherland Brokers: They seem to be dismissive of CCTV, gave

only one enquiry that led nowhere. The general consensus is that

CCTV will be part of most insurance policies fairly rapidly.

Given the precarious situations drivers get into through no

fault of their own, the video evidence against say the igno-

rance of the tragic Spanish family getting flattened by a bus on

Charing Cross Road whilst allegedly looking the wrong way,

Call Sign February 2013

Page 22

Obituary

BOB BRANWHITE

When I started to work in our Shirland Road office during the 1970s, I got to know many staff and drivers

well. One of these was a subscriber, Bob Branwhite (F29).

Bob was a lovely man who had joined ODRTS in 1973; a bit of a joker but he held the Society high o

his priority list.

Some years back he suffered a minor heart attack, but in April 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer

Although he had a consultation with specialist Dr Peter Harper in Harley Street - the same consultant who

had been treating Bee Gee Maurice Gibb, even Dr Harper could not supply the cure.

Bob was a subscriber who would always make his point known at an AGM, on many occasions going up

against the Board of Management to retain the rights of other subscribers. But he never held grudges and

at the end of the meeting, his point having been forcibly put, it was handshakes all round.

Bob was a great friend of the late Board member, John Saunders and current subscriber Patsy

McCarthy (C01). John often held parties at his house in All Saints Road NW10 on weekends to which

Bob and a few other drivers and staff used to attend. These parties became quite renowned within the

Society.

During this time, Bob had a partner on his taxi, Dave. He was the dayman who would start at the same time early each morn-

ing, a man so laid back he nearly fell asleep! Their working partnership lasted some ten years or so until Dave died.

Bob, 69, leaves Lynne his wife of 46 years and son Paul, to whom we send the condolences of all the subscribers and staff of

Dial-a-Cab...

Tom Whitbread

LOZ’S KEEP FIT CLASSES

ial-a-Cab’s Paul Taylor (M01) has reminded us about Phil Hewson - more commonly known in the

ab trade as Loz. Phil has been running keep fit classes for taxi drivers for over 30 years - the last fif-

een of them at the John Orwell Sports Centre in Tench Street, Wapping. Paul told Call Sign:

“If you’re thinking of trying to shed a few pounds and need to get fit after all those years stuck behind the

wheel, or even if you are already fit but need to find a new class, then this will be the one for you. Phil’s class-

es are suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness abilities, regardless of your current fitness status. From the

very fit to the very fat, you can feel rest assured that you will get a thorough but safe workout because you

are able to work at the pace that suits your level of fitness.

The workout starts from a free standing position (there are no apparatus), consisting of exercises ranging

from aerobics, muscular strength and stamina, reaching every body part including those all-important lungs!

If you are a bit overweight and feel a bit shy or embarrassed about joining this type of class, then don’t be.

There are no targets and there is definitely no ‘peer pressure’. In fact it’s a very warm and friendly atmosphere.

Loz’s classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, all starting at l.15. The added

bonus is the price at just £5 per session. You can attend as many or few times as you like to suit

your work patterns and fitness levels, so if you are a beginner and you only fancy once a week, then that’s

fine. You only have to pay for the sessions you attend, so if you don’t attend, then you don’t pay. Just pay as you go. There are

no membership fees and no contracts, but importantly there is ample free parking so you don’t have to watch out for wardens!

£5 represents excellent value for money. If you are thinking of joining, come along and enjoy a week’s free trial from the Loz...”

The Loz’s keep fit classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at l.15 at the John Orwell Sports Centre,

Tench Street, Wapping..

SMALL INCREASE IN

MERC SALES

With Manganese and its’ TX4 in administration at least until the end of January,

Mercedes claimed a small increase in November sales with 14 more Vitos sold

that in 2011. However, with a total of 82 TX4s sold in that month last year, it

begs the question: What are drivers waiting for?

Some say that the promise of the new Nissan taxi - probably an automatic

petrol version with a diesel manual and then auto to follow - is the reason,

although Call Sign now believes the launch may not happen until October.

But another reason could be some driver dissatisfaction with the service side of

the Vito - especially where it applies to the ongoing steering problems. However,

a recent meeting between drivers and Mercedes ended with MB promising to

increase its Vito parts availability.

In the meantime, there is an article by DaC’s Gary Cox (O46) on the Nissan on

page 12 of this isue...

Call Sign February 2013

Page 23

No doubt many Dial-a-Cab dri-

vers and their families will have

Britains Brightest...

watched the BBC One TV pro-

gramme, Britain’s Brightest, on

Is seeing believing?

the prime-time Saturday

Chris checks where

evening slot where contestants

Vale Road E7 is

Inset pic: Bill hears Bale

pit their wits to answer chal-

Road E1 - the correct

lenging questions posed by pre-

address

senter Clare Balding.

Featuring prominently in the very first edi-

tion of this programme were two of our own

Dial-a-Cab star performers, Chris Ferrugia

(S11) and Bill Frampton (P71).

did our own thing on the

The challenge they both faced was to drive

road, with separate film

from West Ham Rugby Club to a given desti-

crews recording our every

nation through the medium of an iPad! But

move at our allotted destina-

while Chris was able to both hear and read

tions. However, we did not

his destination on the device screen, Bill had

repeat any part of the actual

to rely on his hearing alone to inform him of

experiment as this would

his ultimate goal, because he was blind-fold-

have defeated the object,”

ed for the purposes of the experiment!

Chris stated firmly.

Chris later met with Call Sign to explain

Amazingly, the producers

the procedure

obviously expected the two

trial and give us

DaC drivers to do exactly

behind the scen

what they actually did, mak-

insight into the filmi

ing the experiment a fascinat-

of their TV appearanc

would be revealed

ing success.!

“There were actual

ater on. That’s all we

“This hearing/seeing thing is called the

several cabs on standb

ere told,” Chris said.

McGurk Effect and there is a wealth of

just in case Bill and

“We filmed the show

information on the internet about the

failed to achieve th

November 2012 for

subject, but in actual fact it just confirmed

objective of the experi

ring in January 2013.

what I was told when I was on the

ment, which was to

e began at 9am and

Knowledge - always repeat the passen-

prove that you cannot

nt on until around

gers’ destination and that is indeed some-

always take for granted

m, with several

thing I have always done, and did on the

what you hear and

eat shots along the

TV show as well.”

see,” Chris explained.

way as the film crew

With that, Chris made his way home and

“I clearly heard my destination as Vale

wanted different angles or if things did not

had no doubt that he knew where that was!!!

Road E7 and saw the movement of the per-

quite go according to plan.

son’s lips as I looked at the iPad screen form-

“Each cab was fitted with a tiny camera in

Alan Green

ing the letter V. So off I went, confident that I

the top corner of the windshield as each of us

Call Sign Online

was heading in the right direction. Bill on the

other hand, being blind-folded, heard Bale

Road E1 and confidently made off towards

his point!

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

“So imagine my complete disbelief when I

was met in Vale Road by the shows’ presenter,

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

only to be told I had come to the wrong

variable bank interest rates?

street, while Bill had got it right just by only

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

listening. It proves that your eyes can some-

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

times deceive you,” Chris exclaimed, the dis-

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

belief still echoing in his voice.

at your address also qualifies for membership!

“We both thought that, in our opinions, we

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

had gone to the correct address we had been

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

told to go to, but it’s how your brain inter-

up to 3 times your total savings…

prets what you see and hear and I must admit

The cost?

- and you can put this in Call Sign - I have

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

never taken anybody to the wrong location

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

yet in all the years I have been driving a cab,

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

and I doubt that Bill has either!”

So we asked how was the programme

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

made and Chris explained.

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

“Firstly, we were not told the point of the

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

experiment and instructed not to talk about

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

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

it between ourselves during the long lapses

Registration number 213263

between scenes. We were just told that all

Call Sign February 2013

Page 24

Although I’ve written about

cyclists in a previous issue of Call

Sign, I am still waiting to see

Mike Son looks

what legislation the authorities

will decide on - if anything.

Various cycle lanes that were

at cyclists...

introduced some time ago have

not really been maintained.

properly by either the car driver or cyclist, espe-

cially at junctions. Failure to look properly was

Licensing of cyclists and cycles

attributed to car drivers in 57% of serious colli-

has been talked about but still

sions and to cyclists in 43% of serious collisions

not been introduced.

(at junctions). Other common contributory fac-

I recently witnessed an accident between a

tors attributed to drivers are classified as poor

taxi driver and a cyclist and realised as many

turn or manoeuvre (in 17% of serious accidents

others also do, how cyclists flout the law - espe-

involving a cyclist) and careless or reckless dri-

cially at junctions - and how they often show a

ving, exceeding the speed limit or travelling too

total disregard for other road users. Many of

fast for the conditions.

them also appear to have a death wish while

HGVs present a particular danger for cyclists,

showing a total ignorance of any form of com-

especially in London where around 20% of

cyclist fatalities occurring involve an HGV.

monsense when using the public highways; so I

took an online look at what reports others have

These often occur when the HGV is turning left

at a junction. Around 25% of accidents result-

investigated...

ing in serious injury to a cyclist involved an

Every year in this country, around 19,000

group.

HGV, bus or coach passing too close to the

cyclists are killed or injured in reported road

Another fact is that males are far more

rider.

accidents. In 2011, 107 were killed with anoth-

likely to be involved in cycling accidents

The above figures were provided courtesy of

er 3,085 very seriously injured. A further 16,000

than females; four out of five cyclist casual-

ROSPA, the Royal Society of the Prevention

were injured, but far less seriously. These fig-

ties are male.

of Accidents but with the introduction of the

ures only include reported incidents and it is a

Most cycling accidents happen in urban areas

Mayor’s Boris Bikes, there was an increase in

well-established fact that many cyclist casualties

where most cycling takes place, with around

cycle accidents during 2012.

are not reported, even when the cyclist is

half of cyclist’s deaths occurring on rural roads.

With so much data submitted and so much

injured badly enough to be taken to hospital.

Almost two thirds of cyclists killed or seri-

concern by the public, what on earth is being

Although the number of deaths will be accu-

ously injured were involved in collisions at or

addressed to save lives and to make London a

rate, there could be many more seriously

near a road junction, with T-junctions being the

safer place for cyclists, pedestrians and other

injured cyclists and possibly double the num-

most commonly involved. Roundabouts are

road users?

ber of slightly injured.

also particularly dangerous for cyclists. Not sur-

At this time most cyclists are still uninsured,

About one fifth of the cyclists killed and

prisingly, the severity of injuries suffered by

have no identifiable marking on their bikes and

injured are children. Cycling accidents increase

cyclists increases with the speed limit, meaning

with no legislation to wear crash helmets. 122

as children grow older, with 10 to 15 year old

that riders are more likely to suffer serious or

cyclists died in 2012 - a five-year high - and

riders being more at risk than other age groups

fatal injuries on higher speed roads.

Transport for London has admitted that the fig-

including adults up until the age of around 60

Perhaps surprisingly, around 80% of cycling

ures were “an area of concern” for the Mayor.

years. To some extent, this reflects increased

accidents occur in daylight - but of course that

But action is needed now!

cycling as children grow older followed by a

is when most cycling takes place. That figure

Oh, by the way, I also ride a bike...

switch to motorised transport from the late

increases to 90% for child cyclists.

teens onwards. It also coincides with the age

In collisions involving a bike and another

Mike Son

when children attend secondary school and

vehicle, the most common key contributory fac-

may indicate riskier behaviour by this age

tor recorded by the police is a failure to look

DaC Special Projects

LONDON UNDERGROUND’S GREATEST DESIGNS!

With Poster Art 150...

London Underground has a long tradition

The public will be able to vote for their favourite poster by voting in

of commissioning memorable advertising

the gallery or online in the

posters. Now the London Transport

Siemens Poster Vote and the winning poster will be announced at the

Museum is celebrating the 150th anniver-

end of the exhibition.

sary of the Underground with an exhibi-

tion featuring 150 of the best posters

produced for the Underground. These

Keith Reading

have been chosen by a team of experts

drawn from a variety of backgrounds,

Professional Toastmaster

including Art on the Underground,

Master of Ceremonies

Christies and Central Saint Martin’s

College of Art and Design, to name a

Tele: 01279 465 938

few. A film introducing the panel and

Mobile: 07774 860 374

their choices can be seen in the exhi-

bition.

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

The posters were chosen from over

3,000 posters in the collection, which represent some of the best graphic

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

art of the last 150 years and will be the most comprehensive poster exhi-

bition the Museum has ever done. Poster Art 150 is judged to be

Fellow of the Guild of

arguably the best of London Transport and Transport for London poster

Professional Toastmasters

output since 1908.

Call Sign February 2013

Page 25

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

With Tom Quigley (Y33)

from the ladies - they take no prisoners! I still

London drama

stuck at it and noticed a rapid improvement

I do like a TV drama series with good actors

in my mobility and gradual weight loss which

and a gritty storyline and if it has London as a

then allowed me to do other classes.

backdrop, then even better. At the moment

For the past few years, I’ve had small skin

I’m hooked on Ripper Street, set in the Jack

pigmentation on my back but as it was not

the Ripper era of Whitechapel.

hurting or getting any bigger, I gave it no seri-

With the use of BBC iPlayer, I can watch this

ous thought although my wife and sons had

on my own without any disturbances; mind

you, it’s not that I don’t want any of the fami-

told me to get it checked. Luck had it that one

of the ladies in the class was a nurse at a pri-

ly around when I watch, more that they don’t

want to be in the same room as me when I

vate clinic and told my wife to insist I get it

watch anything with London in it. I tend to

checked. A visit to my doctor resulted in an

scream at the set when I see a building - just as

appointment within two days at Whipps

if I am on an appearance at the PCO - letting

Cross Hospital, where on inspection the

the TV know that the getaway car can’t leave

mole was removed immediately. In a state of

on the left, or that road is now one way going

shock, I was informed that it would be tested

the other way! If they use a building for a

for melanoma (Skin Cancer) and the results

scene, I knowingly inform them that it really is

would take six weeks and to make another

an insurance and not a coroner’s office!

Aqua Aerobics - life

appointment for then.

With constant repeats of Minder, Sweeney

Six weeks later I was informed that I

and The Professionals getting the worst of my

saver?

had a malignant melanoma and although

treatment, not only do the buildings get it but

Like most of us after years of manual work

they were sure they had caught it in time,

I also run through the cast - especially the vil-

and then transferring to a sedentary job,

further surgery was necessary to make

lains or bit part actors - as I turn into an expert

overweight and bad eating habits took their

sure, after which there would be constant

from Equity rolling out details of their careers

toll resulting in me having back pains with

checking every 3 months for a year.

before and after, who they’re related to and

Sciatica and disc problems.

Gratefully on 19th December I was given

where they lived! There isn’t a fact - interesting

After hospital visits and MRI scans and cost-

the all-clear with the instruction to keep a

or not - that I leave out!

ly trips to physios and chiropractors, I was

check and not to go out in sun without a

Ealing Comedies, Sparrows can’t Sing,

recommended to take up swimming.

strong SPF cream. They were in no doubt

Steptoe and Son through to the present day’s

With gym membership cheaper than the

that was the cause of melanoma.

Law and Order, which always seems to show

medics, I started swimming regularly. One of

I am now a lot fitter, almost 3 stone lighter

Bradley Walsh outside Prêt a Manger on High

the instructors then recommended I try an

and able to do a lot more. I still do an aqua

Holborn. Should anyone interrupt me, I tell

Aqua Aerobic class as the exercise in water

class at least once a week and if any twinges

them to keep quiet as I am watching a pro-

would help my back and disc problems. I was

appear in my back or legs, I go more often.

gramme! But worse still, when a passenger get

apprehensive at first as being the only male in

For me it’s been a life saver...

in and starts talking about a programme, I

the class of 26 women, putting up with mick-

have the audacity to say that I don’t watch

ey-taking from the guys and more than my

Tom Quigley (Y33)

much TV! Now where’s the remote...?

fair share of not politically correct banter

London taxi guide Bob Woodford looks back at London’s past...

London’s posh 18th century prostitutes!

“Next time you head up St James's Street you will probably be going slow enough to take a glance down Park Place - snuggled between Justerini &

Brooks whose own house blend (J&B) is the world's second best selling whisky - and Brook's Club whose architect, Henry Holland, laid out much of

Hans Town near Harrods.

You won't find much going on down there - apart from the odd cab coming or going from the Royal Overseas League - but Park Place was

a hell of a place for goings-on back in the day!

Back in the early 1700s, Park Place was home to the most notorious brothel in London! Its procuress was Elizabeth Needham - one of the world's most

notorious brothel keepers and her house was the most exclusive of anywhere with clients coming from the highest strata of fashionable society. The artist

William Hogarth was a fan! I'm not saying he was a punter - although he may well have been - but Liz Needham was identified as the whore in his series

of satirical etching's A Harlot's Progress!

Yes, Mother Needham liked a pound note, but she was also quite ruthless towards the women that worked for her. They were forced to hire their dresses

from her at exorbitant rates and if they failed to make payments, they would have to take in more punters or face being committed to a debtor’s prison -

wicked old bag!

One of Needham's most celebrated prostitutes was Sarah Salisbury. All her clients were notable members of the aristocracy - but it was a

violent London in 1722 and Sarah stabbed and wounded a client which led to her trial and subsequent imprisonment. She died 9 months into

her one year sentence.

Old Mother Needham was arrested herself a few years later - Justice of the Peace Sir John Gonson was a fervent supporter of the Society for the

Reformation of Manners and had been conducting raids on brothels all over town. Liz was eventually convicted for keeping a disorderly house and sentenced

to stand twice in the pillory at the top of St James's Street. The crowds gathered and she received such a pelting that she died in prison before she could be

pilloried a second time. It wasn't just rotten fruit that was slung in the direction of pillory victims - it was just about anything a drunken mob might get hold

of!

Talking about prostitution, I heard a guest on radio recently trying to convince me that we must now start calling prostitutes by the much more politically

correct term of sex workers! Well I'm sorry, I'm old school - I'll carry on calling a prostitute... er, a prostitute! My Call Sign readers can call her whatever they

like, but the end product is still the same: She gets the money and she gets the clap!”

Bob will be leading a Westminster Guides Association Walk on Saturday 2nd March - St James's Gentlemen's London. Interested? Then

meet Bob at the Green Park exit to Green Park Station at 14.30 - DaC subscribers will enjoy the concessionary rate of £5.

“We shall be getting up close and personal with the Gentlemen's Clubs and Posh Shops as well as finding some hidden gems of this unique area of

London. On my Walks there is always more than a whiff of scandal - and of course there is always sex! Let me entertain you...!”

Bob Woodford, Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2013

Page 26

Everyone likes a gadget, so we asked Jon Winterburn to look at

Views on life as seen through the

some of them...

eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...

JON LOOKS AT UPCOMING GADGETS

Kupkake’s

Now that 2013 is in full swing, I thought I’d

tell you about some of the slightly futuristic

but totally genuine gadgets anticipated to

arrive this year. So welcome to the world of

tomorrow!

Korner

The Ubuntu phone

For those of you who are not familiar with the

free Linux operating systems, Ubuntu is

probably the most popular and easy to use

version. You can install it on laptops, desk-

tops and servers and do just as much (if not

more) on it as you can with Windows or

Mac. The only difference is that it’s 100% free.

The team behind Ubuntu (Canonical) are working on a project to bring a complete

unified ecosystem to the end user. This means that everything you do and all software you use

will run exactly the same on your desktop, your laptop and even your phone. Ubuntu Phone

will be sporting a fully-functional desktop operating system in your pocket. If this phone works

as well as they promise, it’s the one gadget that could tempt me away from iPhone. More infor-

A window

mation, including a video is available at http://www.ubuntu. com/devices/phone.

BlackBerry 10

The fruity-named phone from Research in Motion had its heyday until the explosion of

on life

iPhone and Android smartphones eclipsed the BlackBerry market. Add to the mix a number

I was driving home on Boxing Day

of issues with RIM’s enterprise services last year and the BlackBerry seemed all but doomed.

However, there is a ray of light that will either make or break the company - BlackBerry 10.

after a very busy shift,

The number is actually referring to the operating system; it is my understanding that RIM will

it began to rain so I pressed the button

launch around six different handsets, all using the BlackBerry 10 operating system. None of

to make the window lift.

these devices will be available until February at the earliest (the Z10 is the likely first device).

However, I have used a simulator running the most recent development build of BlackBerry

A whirring sound was all I heard

10 and I must admit that I was impressed. Gone is the clunky interface, tiny physical buttons

and rubbish web browser. The new interface is very clean, intuitive and easy to use and I can’t

and then a sort of bang,

help thinking that if RIM deliver the goods with the handsets, that this might well get Apple

the window dropped inside the door

and Google hot under the collar! Only time will tell. More information is available at

with a mighty clang!

http://global.blackberry .com/blackberry-10.html.

“Oh no,” said I “not what I need”

PlayStation 4 / XBOX 720

as the rain came through the frame,

I’ve listed these two consoles together because they’re essentially providing the same solution

“the garage is closed till the 2nd of Jan

and not much is known about either, other than they are in development. In the rapidly

and there's no one I can blame!”

changing technology industry, the XBOX 360 and the PS3 are both oddities; they’ve outlived

their expected timespan. Considering both consoles were released in 2005 and have both sold

I tried to pull the glass in place

70 million units to date, their respective owners have certainly milked their products for all

but I just couldn't get a grip,

they’re worth. Think back to 2005 - the iPhone did not even exist back then; this came out in

2007 and there have been 6 variants out since then! So there’s no doubt that new consoles are

I got home wet eventually -

well overdue, not least because game design technology has moved on in leaps and bounds.

a nightmare of a trip!

Being able to play PC-quality, triple-A titles on a home console is the dream of many a console

gamer. Perhaps now that dream might become a reality.

Next day I got up early

determined to fix the window,

Wearable computing

with a screw driver and some pliers

The concept of “wearable computing” might sound a bit sci-fi but it is rapidly becoming a real-

I just hoped it wouldn't snow.

ity. There are various concepts out there, but the idea that is looking to become a real prod-

uct is augmented reality glasses. These “glasses” - being developed by Google (known as

It was hard work removing the panel

Project Glass) as well as other companies - look a bit like headsets. They project an image in

but then I saw the fault,

front of your eye, displaying pretty much anything you could wish to see via a Bluetooth feed

from your smartphone. Talk about true hands-free computing! More information on Google’s

the ‘worm’ was completely broken -

variant of this concept is available at http://plus.google.com/+projectglass.

perhaps something had caught?

Ultra HD TV

I raised the glass and wedged it

I only bought a HDTV a couple of years ago and I haven’t bothered upgrading to 3D, yet on

with two screws in the channels,

the horizon is the new Ultra HD TV! Known more commonly as “4K UHDTV” and “8K

now at least it couldn’t drop -

UHDTV”, these new formats provide the viewer with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels (this

so I then replaced the panel.

is 4K) or 7680 ? 4320 pixels (this is 8K). To put these numbers into context, 4K UHDTV is four

times the pixel density of current HDTV (1080p) and 8K UHDTV is 16 times the pixel density

But now I can’t open the window

of HDTV. The clarity of picture you can expect when these TVs come out (and when UHD con-

although at least I'm protected

tent is available to watch on them) will make HDTV look positively fuzzy by comparison.

from rain,

Remember switching from standard definition to HD? What a contrast that was for me - it was

like I’d been watching TV without my glasses all these years and HD was like watching with

I'll get it repaired next week for sure...

them on!

and be an ‘elbow out’ cabby again...

Well, that’s it for now. See you next month!

Jon Winterburn

Kopyright Kupkake 2013

DaC Network Administrator

Call Sign February 2013

Page 27

“Yes, some folk can be very strange,” Ken

We all pick them up from time to time, so we asked the first Dial-a-

Bateman (C8) told Call Sign. “In the nearly

Cab driver we came to if he remembered any...

thirty years I have been on Dial-a-Cab there

are two really unusual incidents that stick in

ECCENTRIC PASSENGERS!

my mind.”

With that, Ken’s mind went back...

Dial-a-Cab taxi behind me, but could not fig-

“I recall some years ago when I was driving

ure out why he was frantically flashing his

a Fairway cab, the type with the rear carriage

lights as we drove north over the Serpentine

heater console below the glass division. Some

Bridge. Suddenly a message flashed up on my

Japanese gentlemen stopped me in the West

terminal screen advising me there was a brief-

End to go somewhere in the city - Moorgate I

case still perched on my cab roof!

think. Anyway, off we went and along the way

It was only then that I realised what the fol-

they apparently decided to change their desti-

lowing cab had tried to tell me and why the

nation. I could hear them calling me, but those

passenger had been waving! Who puts a brief-

older cabs could be quite noisy so I looked

case or any item of baggage on the roof of a

around into the passenger compartment to

cab? Surely you would put it on the pavement

better understand where they wanted.

or your arm?

Imagine my surprise when I couldn’t see

Anyway, I quickly spun around and headed

them sitting on the back seat as I had

back to where I had set the man down and

expected, but huddled on the floor of the

returned his briefcase. So it all turned out right

cab talking into the heater grille as if it was

Ken Bateman remembers some taxi

in the end. But it’s nice during these difficult

a radio speaker!

eccentricity!

times to be able to look back at some of the

At that point I was approaching the one-way-

more amusing and eccentric events...”

system of Newgate and King Edward Street, so

memory of his story, Ken went straight

If any driver has some taxi tales that may

as I began my turn they started to roll with the

into his next eccentric passenger’s tale.

amuse Call Sign readers, send them in -

cab, hanging on to the handles to stabilise

“This time came soon after we had our data

with a photo of you if possible - to

themselves.

terminals fitted and I remember setting a man

callsignmag@aol.com or just drop it into

Thankfully, they too saw the funny side of

down in South Kensington. He paid me off

driver reception at Dial-a-Cab House.

the situation when I set them down and

and waved as I pulled away and then disap-

explained what the heater did! They walked

peared into a shop while I began making my

Alan Green

away from the cab still laughing.”

way north through Hyde Park towards

Call Sign Online

Still with the broad grin on his face at the

Paddington Station. I was aware of another

Book Review

*** Book Review

Advanced

Memoirs of an Independent Contractor

By Steven G Chervenka (Smashword E-Book, $4.95 USD)

Varta taxi

Steven Chervenka’s opening paragraph goes a long way to describing the tone of his

self-published E-book: “This is a true account of my life. Because I wrote this nar-

battery

rative non fiction from memory, the time line of events may not be accurate.”

‘Memoirs’ charts cabbie Steven’s life growing up in Philadelphia, the child of second

generation immigrant parents and whose grandparents originally came from Eastern

launched

Europe - his grandfather from Czechoslovakia and his grandmother from Lithuania. Like

many immigrants, they fought hard to gain a decent life in the USA. We pick up

Steven’s story as a youth growing up in Philly. His parents run a successful restaurant,

frequented by the Philadelphia cognoscenti; but his father dies of a heart attack. Not

long after, his mother also dies leaving Steve traumatised, withdrawn and introspective.

At college, he gains a BA, but it’s boosted by drugs that are easily acquired from deal-

ers in the murky park opposite his family home. Steven battles his addiction and with

the help of dedicated Christian organisations, gets clean. He’s encouraged to get a

‘hack’ licence and cruises the streets of his hometown, facing reality away from the

chemically enhanced world in which he’s been existing, fighting his personal demons

A new Varta battery with advanced AGM

and trying to come to terms with them.

technology specifically designed for taxis

With his faith renewed, he arrives back home in Philadelphia and reconnects

has been launched by Johnson Controls.

with the cab trade. He battles as an ‘Independent Contractor (hence the book’s

Whether it’s starting and stopping during

subtitle) to improve his and his fellow ‘self-employed drivers’ ‘impoverished’

status. It’s an uphill struggle against the authorities and against crooked cab

rush hour or waiting on ranks with addition-

proprietors out to get as much as they can from their ‘captive’ fleets.

al electrical consumers such as heating etc in

Steven changes tack and through his contacts in the ‘transportation industry, gets

operation, taxis have much greater electrici-

himself a trucker’s licence, carrying freight and furniture day and night around

ty requirements than cars in conventional

Philadelphia. Somehow in all this to-ing and fro-ing from cab unions to trucker’s frater-

use.

nities, he finds the time to marry and have children.

Compared to conventional batteries, the Varta Taxi

Then the Revenue guys crack down on him and he takes them on to reduce the

battery is characterised by its high resistance to deep

astronomical tax bill they’ve presented him with. But the stress causes another heart

cycling, so offers a significantly longer service life.

attack. Again, despite the seriousness of his ill-health and the lack of private medical

Practical tests in various countries, including some

insurance (through being self-employed), Steven has to tackle the social services to

under extreme climatic conditions, have shown that the

gain some sort of financial help.

Varta Taxi battery with AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat)

At the end of the book you’re left breathless by the intensity of Steven’s journey - all

technology is up to three times more durable than

74,000 words of it - the faith he has in himself and the people along the way who try

standard batteries.

to reinforce that faith and in equal measures, destroy it.

Johnson Controls is launching a full range of five dif-

To download this book, follow the link at:

ferent types of the new Varta Taxi battery offering 60,

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/StevenGC

70, 80, 95 and 105 Ampere-hours (Ah) enabling them

to cover the full spectrum of popular taxi applications.

Al Fresco, Call Sign Online

Call Sign February 2013

Page 28

Mailshot

Either write to Call Sign at

Dial-a-Cab House

or email us at

callsignmag@aol.com

Hand brakes and bad

neys will exceed £2, which probably

(G08) re the EC5 rank and its rein-

means it’s a non-issue, but it is an

statement, you joked that you would

backs...

oversight that needs to be rectified

now probably receive letters from dri-

Hello Alan

when the TfL tariff chart is next

vers who preferred the new system.

For a number of years I was driving a

printed

Well I am one of those drivers in favour

Fairway taxi and for many of those

of having EC1, 2, 3 and 4 rather than

years I suffered with a bad back.

EC5 in the evening, but am I really in

Someone said to me it was in connec-

Memories...

the minority? I met a friend the other

tion to where the handbrake was and

Hello Alan

evening who was leaving DaC and he

the way it had to be pulled up. Now I

I was interested to read Brian

said the same as me - the individual

believe my backache was caused by the

Marcantonio's

(R73) story about

zones were better while work was

handbrake as since I have been driving

Peter Ustinov in the January Call Sign,

quiet. So that makes at least two of us.

a TX1 with its differently positioned

as it reminded me of a similar incident.

My main objection is this ludicrous lot-

handbrake, my bad back has all but

I too have been successful in the Taxi

tery; if the work is light and the quiet

vanished! Has any other Dial-a-Cab dri-

Driver of The Year competition - win-

time from 20:00 to 21:30 is upon us,

ver had the same problem with the

ning the title in 1989, 1991 and 1992 -

you ‘hang up’ in say EC2 while waiting

Fairway...?

and also had the plaque affixed to the

for a job with your queue position

Sid Nathan (K88)

tip-up seat, which prompted many con-

gradually decreasing, but still no job

If you have, let Call Sign know -

versations with my passengers.

offer at 20:50. Your option then is to

although sadly there are now fewer

On one memorable occasion, I men-

join the lottery and hit EC5 and jump

and fewer of them around ...Ed

tioned to a fairly short but stout lady in

from (eg) number 3 in EC2 to number

the back of the taxi, that it was good to

76 on EC5. At least on the Island you

win a competition that was judged by

retain your position.

Credit card charge

one's peers. She replied that she knew

Whinge over, lets vote on it or as the

Hi Alan,

what I meant as she had won a BAFTA!

main gripe is the early morning lull

Can you explain something for me.

I had failed to recognize Miriam

with little traffic and work, perhaps we

Why do Dial-a-Cab charge a £2 mini-

Margolyes and spent the remainder of

could have a switch over to EC5 at mid-

mum charge for credit and debit cards

the journey quite humbled...

night or 1am?

when the fare table states: 'Some taxis

David Lessman (D19)

Alan Nash (A95)

accept credit or debit cards and there is

Sorry Alan but I think the decision

a maximum of

£1.00 or

12.5%

More memories...

has now been taken and there is

whichever is greater.' So for example:

more chance of you winning the lot-

£6.00 fare + 12.5% = 75 pence.

and EC5!

tery than getting the reversal

Maximum charge = £1.00

Hi Al

reversed! ...Ed

£9.00 fare + 12.5% = £1.125.

I read with interest the article by Brian

Maximum charge = £1.12

Marcantonio (R73) with his passenger

The fare has to reach £16 for our £2

Peter Ustinov. When anyone asks me

Thank you Ivor

minimum charge to comply with the

who my most famous passenger was, I

Dear Alan

rules. Whenever someone wants to use

reply either George Michael or Peter

I'd like through Call Sign to give a

their card for a short journey, I feel

Ustinov - according to the age of the

mention to Ivor Belkin (C97) for his

embarrassed and warn them about the

person asking. Of the two, Sir Peter

excellent determination and helpful-

£2 charge and they usually elect to use

was my favourite (although the George

ness to we drivers during his Christmas

a cash machine. If the charge was

Michael story is something else).

Day dispatching shift. It not only made

reduced, usage would increase and

I picked Sir Peter up at the Coliseum

the day go very smoothly, but hopeful-

Dial-a-Cab would make more money.

going to the Berkeley Hotel. It was just

ly will have assisted Dial-a-Cab to retain

Mick Kennedy (M30)

a year or two before his demise and he

the customers that took advantage of

Allan Evans replies: Dear Mick,

was quite unsteady on his feet, assist-

the excellent service provided that day.

when the credit card charges were

ing himself with two walking sticks. I

Tony Arnold (F03)

discussed at TfL some time ago with

had a Fairway at the time, which had

Ivor was recently presented with a

the three main circuits present, it

the useful small step unlike the huge

DaC long service certificate to cele-

was brought to their attention that

unusable TX type. I kept the step in the

brate 40 years dispatching with his

on the fare chart there was in fact an

front at all times. Just before arriving at

official

starting

date being

oversight and that at that time the

the Berkeley, I told him that when we

November 1971. That was probably

£2.00 booking and 12.5% fee would

arrived the hotel the doorman would

because of a lack of details when we

still apply and remain unchanged

rush out and open the door for him,

went over to and transferred infor-

by all three radio circuits. TfL agreed

but that he should remain seated as I

mation onto computer. In reality,

that there were significant charges

would bring the step round to aid him

Ivor first dispatched on a Saturday

to process credit card transactions

leaving the cab. This was exactly what

1961 at our Pentonville Road

and the tariff chart was due to be

happened and as he left the taxi, he put

base, standing-in for the regular dis-

corrected this year. As you men-

his hand on my shoulder and said with

patcher. He joined the young Lou

tioned, the fact that it only applies to

his usual wit: “I shall call you my step-

Gitlin, who had been dispatching on

a minority of really short trips and

son!”

a part-time basis since 1958. Ivor did

that even though we are now charg-

Changing tack, after the letter in the

his first ODRTS dispatching shift in

ing 10% the majority of longer jour-

January Call Sign from Bernie Silver

1960 on a weekday and followed

Call Sign February 2013

Page 29

Mailshot

continued from page 28

that by taking any shift where the

regular dispatcher was away sick.

But he seemed to pop up more often

on a Saturday. Ivor remained an

occasional face on the box until sev-

eral years later when he was offered

the permanent Saturday day shift

deliberately refusing to help LTI when

critical of our Board because they real-

spot. He has kept it ever since ...Ed

it needed more funds to get it through

ly do have the very difficult balancing

a difficult period and causing it to have

act of keeping subscribers and cus-

to call in administrators. The Chinese

tomers happy.

Clothing maketh the

obviously aren’t fools; they buy into

I am not sure about what we can do

legitimate companies for peanuts and

about it, but I believe that removing

man or the crook?

reap the benefits at our expense and it

the £2 cash booking fee as we have

Hi Al

looks as though Geely is trying to bid

done on credit card rides may help.

Reading Allen Togwell's piece about

for the remains of Manganese Bronze

Drivers don’t like having to charge it

the tieless Jeremy Paxman interviewing

at a knock down price, possibly via an

and as a result I believe our coverage of

a suited and booted Conrad Black con-

intricate method of supplying second

cash work suffers. After all, how can we

firmed two things I have always sus-

rate items to M&O in order to weaken

justify giving a passenger a DaC hand-

pected. Firstly; he doesn't have a bee in

them financially and make them vul-

out card when not only can there be up

his bonnet he has the entire hive. And

nerable to a takeover bid. That, allied

to a £4.20 run-in, but then a £2 charge

secondly, he regards clothes as more

to the fact that a class action is being

on top when you know that if they call

important than the people inside

taken to gain recompense for faulty

Hailo it will be just the £2.40 flagfall?

them. Remember that Black is a con-

vehicles being supplied

(re the TX4

Even if drivers decide to arrive with no

victed thief and fraudster, but so far as

fires in 2008).

run-in, we still have to explain the £2

I know, Paxman is neither. Yet if Allen

That is in addition to the black hole

when Hailo has nothing.

did not know them, he would appear

discovered in the company’s accounts.

Gerald Webber (E11)

to have more respect for the criminal.

Just who was responsible for a diaboli-

Brian Rice responds: I don’t blame

I don't suppose Bernie Madoff'’s vic-

cal ‘mistake’ like that? Was it a firm of

you for not wanting to come off

tims would have handed over their bil-

accountants or the management of

Dial-a-Cab Gerald, for £1 per month

lions to a man in a t-shirt and jeans, but

MBH? And who will be made to com-

subs, neither would I!

stick him in a Savile Row suit and they

pensate the losers - ie the drivers - or

You state how well Hailo are doing

couldn't wait to write the cheques!

do those highly paid directors get away

and I’m pleased for them, however,

Geoff Levene (W32)

scot free? And what about the workers

no-one knows how well they are

Allen Togwell responds: Mr Levene

actually doing because as far as I am

at Coventry and the London outlet at

has taken my tie-less comment com-

M&O? They seem to have been left

aware there have not been any fig-

pletely out of context, influenced I

ures published.

high and dry with no job and few

would imagine by his obvious dis-

prospects - a real shame.

Hailo have invested millions of

like of my views concerning the cab

pounds into their ‘start up’ and I

So without an iconic vehicle in

trade needing to change its image.

London, the legitimate licensed

would be extremely surprised if

My mentioning Mr Paxman being

they were showing any sort of prof-

London taxi trade will be weakened

tie-less was solely because of the

forever, no longer having a real trade

it at the moment. The three

caption in the article I was reading

Americans who started Hailo have

identity and the aggressive minicab

that said

‘there is nothing more

people will be there to decimate our

been very clever with their

pathetic than an old man trying to

Marketing by stating that every trip

trade, gaining even more ground and

be groovy’ which is a comment I

street credibility, with all that ensues -

completed is another trip taken

could see aimed at me if I followed

from the minicabs; that may be true

ie ranks for AL cars...

the advice of Mr Lyons (Y52) who

Roy ‘the boy’ Manix (Ex-K98)

to a certain extent, but they are also

suggested I dress casual rather than

covering taxi street work that was

always being seen wearing a suit. I

Hailo and the book-

ours initially. What is actually hap-

also mentioned one of the reasons I

pening is that instead of the passen-

wear a tie is to hide my unseemly

ing fee...

ger coming onto the street for a taxi,

old lizard neck. The fact that Mr

Dear Al

they are using their App with the

Paxman’s tie-less interview just hap-

Over the last few editions of Call Sign

taxi they would have hailed off the

pened to be with an ex-convict

there have been articles written that

street now going to their front door

whose mode of dress made Mr

were critical of Hailo. Let me make it

to pick them up - for nothing! Then,

Paxman’s choice of clothes look

quite clear - I have been on Dial-a-Cab

of course, the driver pays 10% of the

noticeably odd, particularly as he is

for 51 years and have no intention of

fare to the App supplier for the priv-

usually suited and booted, is totally

coming off, but many are saying that

ilege! And you think that’s good?

irrelevant. I have no bee in my bon-

there isn’t enough work to justify sub-

Regarding our cash work, for

net whatsoever, for all I cared

scription fees while Hail seems to be

some reason it has never been pop-

Paxman could have been talking to

going from strength to strength, with

ular with the Members of Dial-a-Cab.

Kermit the Frog and still looked a

many drivers who use it telling me that

You wrote that Members do not like

mess.

they are more than satisfied with the

charging the

£2 booking fee.

system and that it is taking a tremen-

Unfortunately, I will have to dis-

Chinese takeover?

dous amount of work away from mini-

agree with you Gerald, Members do

Hi Alan

cab companies such as Addison Lee. I

not mind charging, what they object

Re your comments in previous Call

have to assume that to be true and if

to is collecting. If DaC collected the

Signs about the possibility of Geely

so, then I am all in favour of it. I am not

£2 instead of them, then there

Call Sign February 2013

Page 30

Mailshot

continued from page 29

wouldn’t be a problem. Incidentally,

the £4.20 run-in does not have to be

charged, neither does the £2 book-

as a precautionary measure, we sug-

ing fee. I know you pay £1.50 to

gest a once-only extra fuel filter

Dial-a-Cab for every cash trip but

replacement after 5 tank fulls of fuel

because I had a feeling what the

surely that is not a lot different to

have been used. Then revert to the

answer was but wasn’t sure what I

the 10% that is charged by the App

vehicle manufactures recommenda-

believed was correct! It’s probably

supplier to the driver?

tion.

not what you want to hear! Simon’s

How can we expect Dial-a-Cab to

This is for advice only, each owner

response was that there is no mini-

gain nothing from a cash booking,

will know the state of their own

mum number of doors for PHVs.

whilst an App can take 10% of the

vehicle. If it’s brand new, then

The regulations simply say that ‘the

fare and gratuity? You must also

ignore the above. If it’s ill main-

number of doors must be sufficient

bear in mind that with an App, the

tained, barely starts and runs badly

to allow safe access and egress for

driver bears all the overheads

they may want to change the full fil-

the number of passengers that the

including supplying the Smart

ter earlier than we suggest.”

vehicle is licensed to carry’.

Phone and paying for the Air-Time,

unlike radio circuits that pays (via

Steve confirmed the no-4 door

Euro car parts

rule, but added that over the years

Members subscriptions) for hard-

ware in the cabs plus air time. What

Alan

many people had taken advantage of

Don't know how much of a car DIY

the exemption from Congestion

you must remember is that radio cir-

cuits charge the customer whereas

man you are, but I have found out that

Charging by licensing all manner of

Euro car parts, who are suppliers to

delivery vans, smart cars and even

this App charges the driver.

However Gerald, since your letter

both to trade and DIY and who have

pick-up trucks. So sorry Colin, your

many stores in and around London (as

confusion may now still be there but

to the magazine I have personally

taken a look at the situation and

well as being online), will give trade

headed in a different direction ...Ed

there could be a way around it; we

discount for most car parts to London

could abandon all charges for cash

taxi drivers. They provide parts for

RFID and the new

and to recoup that income, we could

every make and model and if they

scrap the £1 per month for mem-

don’t have the part, they claim they will

terminals

bers with over

30 years’ service

get it the same day. I purchased some

Hi Alan

which would produce an income of

cabin filers for my car that they priced

Do you know if our new terminals will

just over £181k per annum to the

at £29 including VAT and asked if they

have the RFID ‘touch and go’ facility as

Society. So thank you for bringing

gave discounts to taxi drivers? I was

I have just seen a video showing some-

this to my attention...

told they did and paid £21 - a good sav-

one demonstrating a device that sells

ing. Not sure if all parts qualify, but it’s

online for under $100 that can scan the

worth a try and all helps. There’s a list

Power Pill and fuel

RFID chip without even touching it. It

parts

then gains your credit and debit card

www.eurocarparts.com/car-parts

filters

details. Does our IT department know

Hi Alan

and their oil looks to be of a very good

about this?

quality.

Could you advise me regarding Power

Pat Keefe (G01)

Pill, which I have just purchased, and

Changing tack, I spoke to Edna

DaC’s IT Director, John Bankes

Mitchell's daughter Jill yesterday. She

the instructions advising to change the

responds:

fuel filter after five pills have been

told me that both she and Ronnie had

Pat, how could it affect us? We are

seen the obituary on Edna in last

used. Have you found this to be the

not a credit card provider. Our new

case as my garage has told me that this

month’s Call Sign and how nice they

PEDs will be able to read contactless

thought it was. They asked me to say

can cost £40 a time?

(as they are known here) credit

Morris Abrahams (R85)

thank you...

cards, but responsibility for the

Jon Robinson (E88)

I suppose the biggest problem

security of credit cards in peoples

with Power Pill is that it works and

Thanks Jon ...Ed

wallets is firstly with the credit card

the rubbish it clears out of the sys-

provider and secondly with the indi-

tem has to go somewhere, but I have

Courier licensing

vidual. The passenger does not have

to say that I have never changed my

Dear Al

to use the contactless card in a Dial-

fuel filter in between services.

I wonder if you could get someone to

a-Cab if they don’t want to. The situ-

However, I asked Steve at Power

explain the situation regarding private

ation in Europe is very different to

Pill and this is what he told me:

hire courier companies. I recently saw

that of the States anyway. The US do

“One of the functions of the Alpha

a white Fiat van (reg EJ62 AOT) which

not use chip and pin and that is why

Pill is to clean and maintain the fuel

I took to be a courier. But it had the

the guy in the film was able to clone

delivery system and an important

regulatory green roundel disk in the

the card and use it based on just the

component of the fuel system is the

back window yet only had two doors. I

PAN (credit card number) and the

fuel filter designed to prevent impu-

was under the impression that LTPH

expiry date. Since we use chip and

rities in the fuel reaching the

licensed vehicles had to have a mini-

pin in Europe it is much more diffi-

engine. Over time, various forms of

mum of 4 doors and I find the situation

cult to clone a card and you certain-

impurities will have adhered to the

confusing.

ly can’t do it with a mag card read-

inner surfaces of the fuel system;

Your help would be appreciated...

er/writer. So in answer to your ques-

upon introduction of Alpha pill to

Colin Jenkins (Y22)

tion, I would say it has no effect and

the fuel, these impurities will start

Hi Colin, I asked both Simon Buggey

has nothing to do with us.

to be stripped and cleaned away to

of LTPH and Steve McNamara,

Ed’s note: RFID - Radio Frequency

be trapped in the fuel filter. Purely

General Secretary of the LTDA

Identification

Call Sign February 2013

Page 31

Mailshot

Continued from page 31

BoM salary?

of them have salaries as all are on

Dear Alan

hourly rates

- well below other

If memory serves me right, it was

radio circuits that do indeed pay

agreed at an AGM some years ago that

very large salaries.

the BoM would receive an annual

From the top of my head as I don’t

salary increment in line with the annu-

have actual figures in front of me,

al meter fare rise. At the time it seemed

Dial-a-Cab will save around

£600

Reed Fisher

- and indeed was for many years - to be

over a full year by the Board not

We were all profoundly sad to hear that

a system that worked very well with dri-

accepting the increase. A company

dear Reed is no longer with us. The

vers increasing their takings year on

with £7million or so in the bank

only consolation is that his suffering is

year and Board members increasing

asking its Board to save that fairly

over. I will always remember him as a

their salaries in line with that.

paltry amount gives a false impres-

kind, gentle man for whom no one

However, since 2008 there have been

sion. Struggling like everyone else,

ever had a bad word. I wish you a long

massive changes with drivers strug-

yes, but to tell the BoM that they

life...

gling to maintain their takings even

should forfeit such a small amount?

Martin Hizer (M47)

after allowing for the annual percent-

If you want to know about savings,

age increases, whereas the Board have

go and ask Brian Rice how many

continued to reap the benefit of the

£thousands have been saved since

adopted system. May I emphasise that

2008. Believe me it makes your £600

Reed

this has happened through accident

look like pennies. Perhaps we

We are so saddened to hear of the loss

and not design and is in no way a criti-

should charge drivers 50p to use the

of such a dear friend and colleague,

cism of the BoM, who like the rest of us

DaC loos - that would raise far more

Reed. I have known him for over 20

work hard to achieve in what are such

than £600 - and yes Mike, that was

years; he started out working Sunday’s

difficult circumstances.

just a joke! So for your info, the BoM

as a telephonist until Joe Brazil, the for-

If my facts are correct. I think the

only take an increase when DaC

mer evening shift controller took him

Board should consider forfeiting their

makes a surplus and the staff get an

under his wing in despatch and

increment for this year only in order to

increase. If there isn't a surplus and

showed him all the ropes. Reed then

redress the anomaly.

the staff do not get an increase, then

took over and became the main Sunday

Mike Lyons (Y52)

the BoM also forfeit theirs ... Ed

evening shift controller when Joe left.

Hi Mike, while I agreed with your

Reed will be sorely missed by us all.

Rest in peace dear friend and God

last letter decrying the 50p charge to

use the Aldwych toilets, I disagree

Taxi offer

bless.

It isn’t just taxi drivers that are suffer-

Curlette Villiers

strongly with your suggestion about

the BoM, even though in actual fact

ing. I recently saw a South Ken hotel

DaC Senior Night Shift Controller

it will automatically happen by

doing a £35 a night offer to get people

I picked Martin and Curls tributes

default. I haven’t asked anyone on

in! But in the same area, there is a deal

out at random from literally hun-

the Board to answer but personally

that benefits taxi drivers and is worth a

dreds that I received within hours of

speaking I wish they wouldn’t

mention in Call Sign. Café Deco in

a message going out saying that my

accept no increase as it makes the

Gloucester Road

(opposite Elvaston

dear son Reed had died. It was also

Society appear to be in trouble,

Place) is offering black cab drivers any

astonishing how many non-radio

when that certainly isn’t the case.

large coffee and a large bacon and

drivers had also heard and wrote to

We currently have a BoM consisting

sausage bap for £2.50. Sounds good to

me in that brief time. My sincere

of the Chairman and five Board

me...

thanks to everyone ...Ed

members. Of the five, two currently

David Heath (Ex-W27)

come in only for monthly Board

meetings, a third comes in between

1 and 2 days a week, Allan Evans

works 4 days, leaving just Contact

Centre Manager Keith Cain as the

only full-time member on the BoM

in addition to the Chairman. None

Call Sign

February 2013

Editor: Alan Fisher

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