Call Sign November 2013

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

Firstly, I must thank the numerous numbers of

I don’t know the three people behind Hailo or

Dial-a-Cab drivers who emailed and phoned me

two of the three drivers whose faces front the sys-

following the October issue, when I mentioned

tem, but I know Russell Hall and like to think

that my wife (and head proofer), Linda, was in

that anytime we meet we would have a coffee and

hospital. She is now out and once again searching

discuss life as we have done so many times in the

high and low for typos. We both thank you for

past. In fact, Russ wrote for Call Sign for many

your concern over her health and hopefully typos

years and has always claimed that’s where he

will now be even fewer once again! I’m too mod-

learned to write.

est to tell you that they were few and far between

Had he still been on DaC and there was no

last month anyway!

such thing as Hailo, I wonder what Russell’s view

Thanks also to Darren Crowson at London

would be if a suggestion to open accounts with

Taxis Private Hire. He read my Editorial that also

no run-ins or gratuities was put forward? I don’t

appeared in the same issue re the letter from

think that if he is still the Russell Hall I knew, that

Mayor Johnson. It asked drivers to place a stick-

he be too chuffed. In fact I often wonder what

er on their off-side taxi door explaining to pas-

some of those old time DaC/ODRTS drivers who

sengers that a cyclist could well be passing as they

are no longer with us, would have said after their

open the door. I said I would have put one on but

years of helping to build up a radio taxi circuit

received the letter and no sticker. A sticker then

acclaimed as the best by offering an excellent ser-

magically appeared several days later from

vice in return for a ‘fare’ rate of pay.

just a few days to go, they remember and forward

Darren, together with a note saying that if any

I ask myself what DaC/ODRTS stalwarts such as

it on expecting their renewed licence to pop

other Call Sign reader failed to get one, to let this

Alan Boca, Morry Kirshner, Paul Bishop,

through the post. Well it ain’t gonna happen!

mag know and I may be able to pilfer one from

Lenny Bell, Tibor Hajdar, Chris Westbrook,

If you are online, the whole process can be

Darren’s LTPH stock!

Derek Chandler, John Wells and of course our

completed fairly quickly and if you complete it

And thanks to all those who remembered that

founder, Bonnie Martyn would think of the way

when first notified, then the chances are very

it was my birthday month!

taxi drivers are helping to destroy their own trade.

good that you will get the new licence in ample

I could add numerous other names to that list,

time. Yes, it means you have to pay earlier than

Licensing problems

but I think you get my drift.

any of us would like, but hey, you’re going to have

Inside this issue is an update from London Taxis

Many drivers have said to me that they

to pay soon and it does last for three years. If you

Private Hire giving various bits of news that we as

wouldn’t be happy, but would put up with no

hang on to your money till the last second, but

London Taxi drivers should know about. One

gratuities. However, no run-ins makes radio

then end up being unable to drive for even a few

piece, though, referring to licensing contains a

work rather pointless. But hang on, it’s not

days, let alone several weeks, are you any better

small piece aimed at drivers who have been

even that simple now because since the last

off?

“impacted by recent changes to the Disclosure

issue of Call Sign came out, around a dozen

There will always be some who are delayed

and Barring Service and are currently unable to

drivers have phoned me - one at 3 in the

through no fault of their own, but I’d bet that

work.”

morning obviously expecting me to answer -

many delays are self-inflicted and I think that

This refers to the estimated 200 or so drivers

all either telling me or leaving a voicemail

LTDA General Secretary Steve McNamara has

whose three-year licence renewals have been

that they have seen queues at railway stations

probably got it right - if a check box was added

delayed because unlike the previous system when

being handed Hailo hand-out cards!

onto the application allowing the completed form

using the CRB and a temporary cover would have

Could it be worse? With work picking up,

to go directly to TfL then the problem would be

been issued, with the new system that doesn’t

unsurprisingly their coverage has declined with

solved, because we could then go back to being

happen because it is now the driver’s responsibil-

passengers receiving messages about going to the

issued with temporary licenses.

ity to forward the completed check onto TfL.

nearest rank. Sadly, even that gives the rest of us a

The Home Office under Theresa May dis-

Previously, the CRB would have sent it

bad name.

directly to TfL so there would be little chance

played their usual unhelpfulness and say it would

So I revert to last month’s point. The way this

of any delays - deliberate or otherwise - from

require Parliamentary approval. Yeah, right! If I

trade is moving will make the Knowledge point-

drivers. Now the approvals are sent to the dri-

had a dog, I’d try to teach it to bark in French. If

less. More and more people will phone from

vers and it has become their responsibility to

that failed I’d allow it to bark as it wants... if you

home for a taxi if there is no run-in and free wait-

forward them on.

get my drift Mrs May...

ing time, whereas minicabs such as Addison Lee

As a result, TfL has become more cautious and

with their minimum charge will be a far more

will not renew a licence unless the driver pro-

Hailo branching out!

attractive proposition to those wanting to drive a

duces his or her new certificate and as a result,

My views on Hailo are well known and haven’t

cab. Then with fewer on the KoL, this trade will

delays have occurred. LTPH say they are checking

changed since day one when I first heard the

die and the game really will be finished...

every day and treat those drivers whose licenses

words “no run in, no gratuities, drivers pay for

have expired or are close to it, as a high priority.

credit card charges and free waiting time.” Sure

Alan Fisher

But some drivers - including at least one Dial-a-

enough, they have now indirectly caused huge

Cab driver that I have heard of - have been

problems for the account side of this business.

callsignmag@aol.com

unable to work for weeks because their licence

It’s hardly surprising to hear that account

application was still waiting for the Disclosure

clients quibble when taxis with Hailo stickers pick

Call Sign

and Barring Service - which replaces the CRB and

them up on a Dial-a-Cab trip and see a run-in,

November 2013

Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and

whereas the day before they may have called a

Editor: Alan Fisher

which is an executive non-departmental public

Hailo cab from home and found the same cab and

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

body of the Home Office.

driver turning up with no run-in! Be honest,

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

So is there no way out of the mess? Well this

would you not also be confused if you were the

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

page has been known to let out our frustration on

passenger?

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

those at LTPH when we believe something could

Now I hear that we have lost a large account to

Printers: Premier Print Group

be done better. But none of the above is really

another radio taxi circuit who won it by agreeing

25 - 31 Violet Rd, London E3

their fault and whatever rumours are out there,

to the client’s terms - no run-ins and no gratu-

Design: Aldan Publications

most of those at what many still refer to as the old

ities. The fact that Hailo don’t do account work

Tel: 07958 300 428

PCO, are reasonable people who certainly don’t

doesn’t diminish the problems caused - not by

Email: deborahfresco@gmail.com

want to destroy our living.

Hailo themselves because they just collect any

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

So whose fault is it? Could it be the fault of

profits - but by the drivers that continually cover

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

some taxi drivers who have their clearance certifi-

work by throwing out of the window conditions

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

either manually or electronically without the express

cate but then put it aside while they go out for

that have taken radio circuits fifty years to build

permission of the Editor.

dinner and then forget all about it? Suddenly, with

up.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

Whilst I am in this mood - and having a

Work levels and

moan - I would like to draw your attention

service...

to Rule 5(b) which states that Members

should not carry any advertising for third

There isn’t any doubt that work levels are

parties unless they have the permission of

increasing, but then they should be as we

the Company Secretary. I know this has

approach the Christmas period. There has also

not been forthcoming to any Member, so if

been a big increase in requests from clients for

any of you are carrying any type of adver-

us to Marshal events they will be holding over

tising for any organisation other than Dial-

the forthcoming weeks; that is always a good

a-Cab, then please remove it. I have had

sign and something we have not experienced

numerous complaints from Members

to this extent for a few years.

regarding this situation and they quite

This is the part of the year when we can

rightly feel that this type of advertising is

show the difference in our levels of service

doing harm to their Society and I couldn’t

compared to the organisations that are offer-

agree more.

ing a cheap service, cheaper than minicabs

We do not wish to have a heavy handed

and subsidised by the taxi driver.

approach, so we are requesting you to remove

It is all very well offering a cheap service,

this type of advertising for other Apps (you all

but if they can’t supply a taxi when it is

know what I am talking about).

required, then there isn’t much point.

If some Members do not adhere to our request, then we will review

However, over the forthcoming weeks it is up to every one of you to

the matter again and possibly adopt a more robust policy.

do that little bit extra to help supply your customers with a service at

the expense of street work and particularly other organisations.

And finally

Are you with us?

Finally, you can all do your little bit for the trade and this Society in

I do sometimes wonder if we are all endeavouring to pull in the same

particular by offering a prompt and reliable service in the coming

direction. It’s bad enough that our liveried Dial-a-Cab taxis transport

weeks. Please endeavour to avert this ‘Race to the bottom’ that some

passengers for other organisations at a reduced rate, but some of you

would like us all to enter!

are not only sticking the knife into your Society by offering the above,

but some of you are now actually twisting the knife!

I’d like to relay a little story to you that has resulted in a complaint

Brian Rice

against a driver; I feel justified in relaying this incident to you as the

Chairman

Complaints Meeting would have been completed by the time you

read the piece.

Dial-a-Cab

The complaint came from a customer who felt they had been over-

charged on a trip to Stansted Airport. They produced the receipt to

us which had been issued on behalf of an organisation that operates

an App. Obviously we informed the customer they should contact the

App organisation concerned.

The customer then sent us a picture of his iPhone with the Credit

Card trip clearly displayed on our App. There was no doubt about it

- the customer had ordered a taxi on our App to go to Stansted, but

what transpired leaves me exasperated and depressed when I see

how some are prepared to do this Society so much harm in favour of

the App organisation.

Seventeen minutes into the journey, the driver changed the trip to

Cash. Then, when he was outside the Airport, he cleared the trip - that

is according to the receipt that was issued by the App organisation. If

that wasn’t appalling enough, the driver then added a 10% handling

charge to the fare and cleared it with the App organisation!

In consequence, we build and supply an App for the benefit

of our Members and when we take a booking with that App,

some are prepared to add the 10% and clear it with another

organisation, thereby giving them any profit for doing

absolutely nothing!

My goodness, it has been a tough 4/5 years and yet we have a few

of our own drivers attempting to work against us! As I stated earlier,

it is so exasperating and depressing for those of us - Members includ-

ed - who endeavour to service and protect our work while others, it

seems, seek to destroy us!

There is no doubt in my mind that this whole episode was pre-

meditated by the driver concerned, I will be very interested how three

of his peers view the situation when he appears in front of a

Complaints Committee.

Under normal circumstances, I would not mention this topic until

after the meeting was held, but I am so upset about the situation that

I wanted to bring the topic to your attention as soon as I could. As I

mentioned previously, the complaint would have been heard by the

committee before this piece is published, thereby it will not influenc-

ing the outcome.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 5

Further to TPH Notices 07/13

From London Taxis Private Hire...

and 10/13, Transport for London

has commenced issuing replace-

ment licences and identifiers to

New Design

all licensed London taxi drivers

in October 2013.

The new licences and identifiers will be of

a similar design to existing ones but will

Licences and

contain a number of new security features

including a hologram and a barcode unique

to the driver. In addition, following feed-

back from the trade, the new suburban iden-

Identifiers

tifiers have a larger space to show the areas

in which a driver is licensed to ply for hire.

The replacement licences and identifiers are

being issued as follows:

* From 1 October, any newly licensed dri-

ver is issued with the new style licence and

identifiers.

* Drivers renewing their licence from

Welcome to

Ruby

October will be issued with a new style

Any driver who has not yet responded to

licence. Their new style identifiers will be

this request is urged to do so without further

sent separately.

delay as until a photograph is provided, TfL

Carole-Ann!

will be unable to issue the replacement

* All other drivers will receive their replace-

licence and identifiers. Photographs can be

ment licence and identifiers together by the

emailed to TPHphotos@tfl.gov.uk or post-

end of 2013.

ed to:

Drivers should display their replace-

Taxi Driver Photographs

ment identifiers and carry the copy of

4th Floor, Green Zone

their replacement licence as soon as they

Palestra

receive them. Drivers renting taxis should

197 Blackfriars Road

give the original licence to the owner of

London SE1 8NJ

the taxi and ask for the return of the exist-

ing licence.

Further information regarding the date by

Accompanying the new documents will

which all drivers will have to display the new

be instructions advising how to return

style identifiers will be issued shortly. Drivers

existing documents to TfL.

found not displaying new design identifiers

As the new licences contain a digital image of

after this date will be liable to compliance

The birth by Debbie Fresco on

the driver, we will not be able to issue a

action.

October 21 of the gorgeous Ruby

replacement licence and identifiers to those

Carole-Ann gave Call Sign even more

Helen Chapman

drivers who have not responded to our

of a buzz than we usually get anyway

requests to provide passport size photographs.

Interim General Manager

by the birth of a new baby, because in

a strange way it involves the whole

trade.

Taxi driving dad Danny is Call Sign’s

lay out man and has been since June

1997. Ruby’s granddad, Al Fresco, is a

former Radio Taxis driver / magazine

editor as well as currently writing the

Two Fingers column in TAXI, while

Ruby’s other granddad is long-time

Dial-a-Cab driver Gerry Tobin (L32).

Gerry’s wife Madelyn has no taxi link

other than being thrilled at her new

granddaughter, whereas Ruby’s big

brother Harrison has two toy taxis!

Ruby’s middle name, Carole-Ann

comes from Danny’s much missed mum

and Al’s wife - not to mention Ed’s wife

Linda Fisher’s closest friend - Carole

Fresco.

Our best wishes go to Debbie, Danny,

Harrison and all the Fresco family.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 6

Jery’s World

“And they say WE pollute the air! The Mayor should cancel Guy Fawkes this year and convert every cab to gas... ‘ere Bert, is that a

pig flying among the rockets!!!”

Bill was the 2005 UK Tai Chi

Champion in the Under 75Kg weight

bracket, beating all-comers in this presti-

Learning Tai Chi

gious competition and bringing home a

Gold Medal in the process. Tai Chi is an

ancient Chinese healing art using a series

Bill Cornish with his

Tai Chi Champion's

of gentle focused exercises for mind and

gold medal

body. It is also referred to as the ancient

art of wellbeing. By increasing stamina,

flexibility, relaxation and overall quality of

life, the body’s natural healing process is

in turn, encouraged.

Anyone who sees Bill around can

stop him for a chat and he would be

happy to explain further...

Dial-a-Cab’s Bill Cornish (T76) of the Wu Style Hao FamilyTaijiQuan Association

TAXI AIR

UK invites any Dial-a-Cab driver or their friends who are interested in Tai Chi or

Martial Arts, to attend a seminar on Sunday 24th November 2013.

There will be a free demonstration of form etc from 2 pm and the seminar will com-

CONDITIONING

mence at 3pm until 7pm at the modest cost of £25 per person. All are welcome from

All makes and models

beginners to advanced practitioners.

Tea and biscuits will be provided or you can bring your own snacks.

serviced and repaired

Hao style TaijiQuan is a distinctive style with small, subtle movements, highly focused on

Mobile service - we

balance, sensitivity and internal Qi development.

come to you!

It is considered a rare style witch maintains the traditional methods to achieve

good health and martial skills. The seminar will be held at:

Call Mick Wheeler on

St Johns Hall,

Bourne Hill,

020 8715 0079

Palmers Green,

London

Covering London

N13 4DA

and the Home Counties

Call Sign November 2013

Page 7

When Graham Waite (B35) contacted Call

Sign and mentioned four words - Freedom

of Information Act - our ears pricked up

Camden gives a kick

because generally speaking, few people apply

for information that no one wants when

quoting the 2000 Act.

in the South End!

Graham was enquiring about a CCTV

camera that oversees a pedestrian cross-

ing outside Hampstead Heath Station on

Vehicles are up

South End Green. It is fairly difficult to

against CCTV

spot being located on top of one of the

centres like this!

lampposts in addition to being very small.

But Graham knows it because he got a PCN

CCTV vehicles. CCTV

there when a lady passenger jumped out

enforcement operates

after seeing her sister just as he was about to

alongside the on-

do a U-turn and pull up closer to the station

street CEO patrols.

entrance for her.

Contraventions that

Graham told this mag that he feels his

are enforced by way

defence was not given a fair hearing and he is

of CCTV are governed

currently disputing the matter in Court. He

by the London Local

added a belief that most would agree with -

Authorities Acts 1990

some Councils cared more about generating

to 2008, Road Traffic

vast incomes than having any real interest in

Regulation Act

1984

road safety. He also called for a Judicial

contraventions issued by that camera for 5

and Traffic Management Act 2004. All CCTV

Review.

years ending in July 2013 was 3601 and the

cameras used in Camden are approved for

Camden provided the information

revenue they provided came to over £270,000,

use by the Department for Transport.

regarding that camera for the Dial-a-Cab

an average of around £75 per ticket!

Motorists who are observed contravening the

driver under the Act. The info provided

So how many cams should we multiply that

restrictions will receive a Penalty Charge

answers to a number of questions, includ-

by to get the total income for Camden? To be

Notice through the post instead of finding it

ing the number of appeals and how many

honest we haven’t a clue but it must run well

on their vehicle.”

of them were accepted (quite a high per-

into high three figures

- if not more.

We’re no wiser, but we suspect that

centage and something worth remember-

According to the council:

Camden Council could probably loan

ing).

“We use CCTV cameras to enforce parking,

money to the Bank of England!

However, we were just interested in the

moving traffic and bus lane restrictions in

number of PCNs and how much Camden

areas where it is difficult or unsafe for a Civil

Jamie Corum

earned from that one camera. Anyone care to

Enforcement Officer to be able to enforce. In

take a guess? Well, the number of PCNs for all

addition to static cameras, we also use mobile

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2013

Page 8

Addison Lee’s equality battle in regard to

bus lane use for their minicab fleet against

Addy Lee/bus lanes hit

London’s licensed taxis, is heading for

European Court of Justice after the British

Appeal Court asked for a ruling on

Euro Court of Justice

European anti-competition laws and whether

making a bus lane on a public road available

to black cabs but not minicabs during its

hours of operation, involved the use of ‘State

resources’ of Article 107 (1) of the Treaty on

the Functioning of the European Union.

Addison Lee’s first trip to Court ended in fail-

ure and led to this Appeal.

If the European Court comes to a deci-

sive decision, then it could be

Luxembourg rather than London WC2

that makes the important decision on our

future.

Addison Lee and their owners, Eventech,

have been battling against TfL for several

years in a bid to win equality with taxis. The

Court of Appeal has been dealing with the

matter since April and has obviously decided

that it needs a European ruling to assist in its

decision and recently released documents

Europe may decide Addy Lee bus lane appeal

from both sides.

Unsurprisingly, an Addison Lee spokesper-

allowed to drive in bus lanes because they

referred back to the Court of Appeal for a

son commented on the decision:

can ply for hire, whereas minicabs cannot

decision on the wider appeal. Pending

“We are pleased the matter has been

and how difficult it would be to hail a taxi if

that outcome, we continue to maintain

referred to the European Courts as we

the vehicle was not close to the kerb. The

our policy on access to bus lanes and to

believe that the current legislation is a

Authority added:

contest the appeal.”

breach of the EU and UK law. You can’t

“The Court of Appeal has referred to the

Interestingly, Addison Lee Chairman John

discriminate between two types of taxis

European Court of Justice the issue of

Griffin generally refers to his car company as

and we are pleased to have the opportu-

whether or not TfL’s policy, which allows

minicabs, while his spokesperson has now

nity to continue the fight against this

taxis but not private hire vehicles to drive

elevated them to a taxi company.

injustice.”

in bus lanes, amounts to State aid. Once

A decision is not expected imminently and

TfL responded after reiterating their case

the European Court has given its judg-

the judge does not have to accept any Euro

in the original proceedings that taxis were

ment on this aspect, the case will be

decision...

Licencing Fiasco

London’s taxi drivers have been through the wars over the

past few years. There were the TX4 fires, the Vito’s ongo-

ing steering problems and now an estimated 200 or so dri-

vers who just cannot get their licenses renewed - with that

number said to be growing.

Most drivers renew their licenses every three years without too

much hassle - including the former CRB check. But since July,

there have been delays in getting the criminal record check -

now known as the Disclosure and Barring Service - complet-

ed. And until TfL get it, no licence is forthcoming to the driver.

At least one Dial-a-Cab driver has been waiting so long that

the Board have suspended his subscriptions. The problem is

that drivers now forward licences to TfL as against it going

direct.

According to the Disclosure and Barring Service, they claim

that they handle 75% of applications within a fortnight and

90% within a month. But they admit that some drag out for longer and won’t explain exactly

why. Some delays have taken up to ten weeks.

The LTDA General Secretary, Steve McNamara, told Call Sign that he has spent three months trying to get the Home Office to pay attention. He

said:

“They find it impossible to understand that self-employed people don’t get paid if they don’t work. Delays have been common in the system since its foun-

dation, but it never mattered too much because the approvals, when they came, were sent directly to the drivers’ licensing authority, Transport for London.

“Because of that, TfL was prepared to issue a licence pending the arrival of the certificate a few weeks later because they knew that they would get

it and that they could act if a problem had occurred with the driver. Now the approvals go directly to the person seeking clearance. The change has left

TfL more cautious and has led them to refuse a licence renewal unless the driver can produce a new certificate.”

The LTDA carried out a lobby outside the Home Office building in Westminster where their Advan and 200 taxis were painted with a photo of Home

Secretary Theresa May and the slogan: How am I supposed to feed my family whilst I am waiting? An ad- was also placed in London’s Evening

Standard, The Metro, New Statesman and others. The result got Steve a meeting with Theresa May.

“It’s funny how quickly you can get a meeting with people when you put a photograph of the Home Secretary on a cab and start issuing statements

to newspapers, when those same people ignored you before,” Steve told us with a smile.

In the kind of world we inhabit nowadays, most drivers accept the need for checks that reassure the public just how safe you are in a licensed taxi.

Most also accept - even expect - that some will take longer than others to process, but the LTDA have suggested the system goes back to how it was

up until fairly recently, when temporary renewals were given until the original certification arrived.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 9

You may recall

DaC’s Jon Winterburn looks at a car computer...

last year I

wrote about

Raspberry Pi,

RASPBERRY PI PROJECT:

the British-

made credit-

card

sized

“THE CARPUTER!”

computer for

£30, which

has had phe-

nomenal suc-

cess both here and abroad. Hobbyists of all

ages have been using these computers to cre-

ate some amazing projects, from game emula-

tors to supercomputers.

I use several of them for various tasks,

including monitoring my home network, a

wireless repeater, a retro game emulator (for

my son) and a media centre. The possibilities

are endless and most projects only require a

few hours’ work and a bit of Googling.

I like to keep an eye on the Pi community as

there are always new ideas emerging. What’s

great about the community is that everyone

shares their ideas - and most importantly -

their code. This allows even inexperienced

hobbyists to quickly build cool gizmos, espe-

cially the younger generation.

One new project idea that has been men-

tioned on the Internet is the so-called

GPS receiver module, a memory card and a

sorts of data about the car such as RPM, Speed,

‘Carputer’

- a fully integrated computer

bunch of cables. It’ll cost you around £120, a

Temperature and a million other things you

embedded into your car. Whilst this may

bit of elbow grease and a moderate learning

wouldn't guess a car was monitoring.” Again,

sound far-fetched or even a bit dystopian, it’s

curve.

there is a video, instructions and free soft-

not really; all modern cars have built-in com-

Before you think it’s too good to be true, a

ware to download at:

puters, albeit very basic for the most part. In

hobbyist has already done it and has uploaded

http://www.stuffaboutcode.com/2013/0

fact, all drivers on the Dial-a-Cab circuit

the software you need and full instructions,

7/raspberry-pi-reading-car-obd-ii-

have sophisticated in-cab computers which

including a video at:

data.html

we call Mobile Data Terminals. These inter-

http://www.engineering-

You can find more about Carputer projects

operate seamlessly with hardware in your

diy.blogspot.ro/2013/08/car-pc-projectau-

at:

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

cab (meter, GPS, Chip-and-PIN device).

gust-2013-update.html

archives/4462

The Carputer concept extends the idea of a

Perhaps you’d like to extend the function-

Please bear in mind that these are hob-

basic computer-integrated car and branches

ality of your carputer to monitor your car’s

byists and anything you do to your own

into two sections: entertainment and manage-

performance? This will require only a bit

vehicle(s) is at your own risk! I would

ment.

more work and learning to achieve.

advise you NOT to try these projects out

Do you want to build a personalised, fully-

According to another hobbyist’s blog:

on your taxi...

featured in-car entertainment system, featur-

“OBD or On Board Diagnostics and OBD-II

ing a 7-inch touch screen display, movies and

is a standard for communicating and reading

Jon Winterburn

music, customisable SatNav maps and a rear-

data from a car, it’s standard across most

DaC Network Administrator

view camera? All it takes is a Raspberry Pi, 7-

modern cars and the likelihood is you have a

inch touchscreen LCD display, a rear camera, a

connector in your car which you can read all

Fuel duty frozen if...

The Petrol Retailers' Association has told Call Sign that they

welcome Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement that he

intends freezing fuel duty until the next election (May 2015).

That would include the planned duty rise of 2 pence per litre in

September 2014.

Brian Madderson, Chairman of the PRA, told us: “We have

• Roadside repair

been lobbying Government and Treasury to make an early

• Roadside assistance

announcement about their intentions on freezing fuel

• Running repair recovery

duty, so it is welcoming news to hear the Chancellor’s commitment at

• Accident recovery

last month’s Conservative Party conference. It will be the longest period

• Pay as you go to membership

of duty freeze (4 years, 4months) in over 40 years if the announcement

goes ahead as planned.”

• Credit card taken at roadside

But Mr Madderson added: “Although this is a step in the right direction,

it is disappointing that the announcement was dampened with a com-

0845 094 5307

ment by Mr Osborne that the freeze was only provided they could find

the savings to pay for it. The PRA will continue to liaise with govern-

We make wheels turn

ment and we hope to see further developments in due course.”

so you can earn.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 10

DaC driver Jon Tremlett (Y32) has written to Mailshot querying

have read Jon Tremlett’s letter

Control Centre operations during very busy periods. Control Centre

to Call Sign. I think it fair to

Manager Keith Cain answers...

say that the weekend Jon

refers to was very busy for

the reasons he mentions and for

Control Centre

staff to help drivers on that day

and give our clients the service

they were demanding, was not

controlling chaos???

an easy task.

To address Jon’s first question; does

someone really call us and order a taxi

without knowing the destination? The

answer is yes. Do we ask the caller for a

destination? Yes we do! But there are

many reasons why the caller may refuse to

give a destination.

I can relate to a trip just a few weeks

ago when I was standing with the call-

back telephonist who was advising an

account client that we were having a

problem covering their trip and if they

knew the destination, then it could possi-

bly help us to get them a taxi that bit

sooner. The answer I was given was that

he had ordered the taxi for his wife and

he had no idea where she was going! The

card. Within the dispatch system, we have

has not been marked as a dedicating taxi

CSR asked the caller if his wife was con-

listed both the arrivals barrier and radio

waiting point, not only is this confusing to

tactable and he replied that she was

taxis pick-up point. These are offered to

them but we find our telephonist has dif-

upstairs getting ready and just to get her

the caller and more often it is the case

ficulty explaining where the pick-up is as

the cab!

they select where they want the driver to

well. That is why we use the main road

Then there are the occasions when a PA

be. In the scenario I mentioned earlier

nearest to the main entrance and wait for

orders a taxi for their boss or their own

when someone orders a taxi on someone

the driver to advise where they can park

clients and the PA does not always have

else’s behalf, the arrivals barrier is the

legally and safely. We then inform the pas-

the information we require as to where

most common and easiest place to find

senger and if necessary patch the driver

the passenger is travelling to.

for the traveller. It is also a regular occur-

through to the passenger.

The reason why the same trip is offered

rence for us to patch the passenger

While Jon wants everything to run

time and again is partly down to the dis-

through to the driver’s mobile phone to

smooth in his working day, so too does

patch system. Trips that are unmatched

assist with making contact with each

our staff. Unfortunately we are in the ser-

will flag up to the controller after a set

other. I must say that when HALT was

vice industry and as much as we try and

time. It is at this point that the controller

manning the taxi information desks, the

make both client and driver’s lives easy,

will make a decision about how to get the

radio taxi pick-up ranks were our pre-

there will always be obstacles cropping

trip covered. On some occasions, they

ferred collection point and our staff was

may increase the run in amount or offer

up no matter what we do.

encouraged to persuade clients to use

I like to think it is how all of us deal

the trip with a premium or even unmask

them. Now the desks have gone, the only

the trip. They also have the facility to

with the problems of giving a service. We

travellers who request being picked up

make the trip non-rejectable and on the

all know what suits one client is not going

from them are the regular users who

day in question, I’m sure Jon will be

to suit another and what suits one driver

know where to find them.

pleased to note that the controller never

will not favour another. Rest assured, Jon,

Jon also asks about Twickenham pick-

used the option, knowing how it would

we all know who should come first but

ups. Like many other public venues, this

have been received by those out there

trying to convince the one coming second

will always be a problem to drivers meet-

working. But whatever method they

they are not number one is not only a

ing passengers, simply because the pas-

choose to use to get the trip covered, they

skill... but virtually impossible!

senger very rarely knows the street name

have to rematch the trip, which again

where the stadium is. If we select a street

starts the dispatching cycle from the

Keith Cain

location where to meet the passenger that

beginning and that is why the same trip is

Control Centre Manager

offered again.

It's not uncommon for the first driver or

other drivers in the queue to reject a trip

TAXI DRIVER OF THE YEAR

and accept it when it's offered to them

Annual dinner and dance

again. When traffic is bad, it is very com-

There are still tickets available for the Taxi Driver of the Year Charity annual dinner and dance

mon for drivers to reject trips because

It takes place on 30th November 2013 at the

they feel they will not get to the pick up

Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road SW7

on time. Then as soon as they have reject-

The price: £62.50 per person (includes welcome drink at reception, 4-course meal, half a bot-

ed the trip the traffic moves and then they

tle of wine per person and tea/coffee. Tea/coffee/Danish pastries will also be served later).

find they would have made it. The

Dancing to a live band!

rematch trip gives them the option of

We have arranged a special deal if you would like to stay at the hotel overnight. For more

being offered it again.

information please call (phone/ fax) 020 8952 1357 or mobile 07850 056 765

John also refers to airport pick-ups and

asks why we can’t instruct drivers to pick

All money raised is split between the five taxi charities...

up from the radio taxi pick up ranks

Russell Poluck MBE (T55), TDoY Charity Fund Hon Chairman

rather than stand at arrivals with a name

Call Sign November 2013

Page 12

Last month’s Call Sign saw Bob Woodford asking for unusual war

damage to help him put together a tour for 2014 - the hundredth

anniversary of the start of World War 1...

BOB’S WAR TOURS:

DAC DRIVERS RESPOND

RAF in 1918.”

Luftwaffe pilot that you referred to in your

I thanked Terry but I did know about the

article who was nearly lynched at the estate

plaque and I would be a pretty rough guide if

near the Oval, was the subject of a documen-

I didn't - because it is a City of Westminster

tary - or rather his plane was. If you remem-

Green Plaque and being a City of Westminster

ber the Battle of Britain film, a German

I was very pleased with the response to my

Guide, I should know them all - but I'm sure

plane is seen trailing black smoke as it passes

request for war related anecdotes in last

I don't! The RAF took over part of the old

Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.

month’s Call Sign. The first cab driver off the

Cecil Hotel, which was demolished to make

This was based on the same incident. The

rank whose email was received before my

way for Shell Max House - apart from the

plane actually crashed at the crossroad of

own copy of Call Sign had even hit the mat

front of the hotel, which is now shops.

Ebury Bridge and Pimlico Road. The docu-

was Richard Potter (T51). Richard asked if I

Did you know that there is a water-tight

mentary was one of those Time Team ones

was aware of a bomb shelter in Thirleby

tunnel under the Thames linking the two

and as roadworks were about to take place at

Road off Victoria Street, which could be seen

Shell buildings that their staff used to use?

the junction, the BBC decided to kill two

by looking through the bushes.

And did you also know that its clock on the

birds with one stone. They actually found

I had to say that I had no idea whatsoever

Embankment side has the biggest clock face

parts of the engine block of the plane buried

about this - even though I worked for 7 years

in London? Its nickname is the Big Benzene!

quite deep. The pilot bailed out and it was he

right next door at the District Post Office in

And talking of ‘rough’ guides, did you know

who landed near the-then LCC estate.”

Howick Place! But a recent visit proved

that the building is now home to the travel

Unfortunately I must have missed that par-

inconclusive when I discovered what

guide publisher Rough Guide?

ticular Time Team episode, but I responded

appeared to be a couple of out-buildings

Peter Arnold (F40) got in touch and was

to Sean:

higher than street level - but whatever was

wondering if the General Wolfe statue in

“You’ve reminded me about what the old

lurking in the bushes was well and truly cov-

Greenwich Park was on my list, as there is

guys in the District Post Office where I used

ered up - and I decided against the option of

some visible bomb damage to the plinth and

to work in Howick Place, called the junction:

splitting my breeches or impaling my cob-

he thought it was from a V1 explosion. Well

Fuselage Corner. It was they who told me

blers on the railings to find out!

I've been on that hill many times and had

the story of the crash, but in those days I was

Richard also reminded me that the last

never noticed - but images on the internet

even more fascinated after being told also

remaining air-raid siren stands in Bayswater

prove it to be the case. I discovered that a

that where the Audit Office is now in

Road. I can remember when I was on the

high explosive bomb landed in the Avenue by

Buckingham Palace Road was once a facto-

Knowledge, I always made a mental note of

looking at a fantastic website called

ry that made condoms!”

where air-raid sirens were in London - be

www.bombsight.org which maps where all

I've done some digging and found a few

they on tall green poles or on top of police

WW2 bombs fell in London - go check it out

internet reports on Sean’s Fuselage Corner.

stations. I can also remember when the one

for yourselves; it is incredibly addictive.

Look at:

in Aldgate High Street was taken down;

Interestingly, many bombs fell in Greenwich

www.westendatwar.org.uk/page_id__146_

it lay on its side for what seemed like days.

Park - probably due to the fact that raiders

path__0p3p.aspx

I wonder if readers can remember the old

came down the Thames corridor, when a full

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lon-

Britain at War museum that was for a time in

moon would be bad news for Londoners!

don/3760097.stm

Druid Street. They had an air-raid siren in

Peter also mentioned rumours about enemy

www.bbm.org.uk/as-holmes.htm

the entrance hall - and what a noisy thing it

fighters soaring through the park Avenue

My sincere thanks for all your help, guys -

was!

using the General Wolfe statue as target prac-

all contributions were very much appreciated!

Next Terence West (A64) wrote: “As you

tice! Nasty or what!

enter the Shell Mex building at 80 Strand,

Fellow Call Sign contributor Sean Farrell

Bob Woodford

on the wall to the right is a plaque stating that

(B39) also wrote to me. He said:

here was the first HQ of the newly formed

“Not sure if you already know, but that

Call Sign Online

Confirmed... Two DaC drivers on Hydrogen taxis!

Last month’s Call Sign revealed our suspicions that two drivers on Dial-a-Cab have been road testing the temporarily named

TX4H - H being for Hydrogen - and will continue to do so for a total of around two years. We have now had it confirmed

but have agreed not to name the drivers.

Behind the scheme are Intelligent Energy, who specialise in the development of modular, low carbon fuel cell

systems. They lead a consortium that hopes to introduce zero emission fuel cell electric taxis to London, featur-

ing a hydrogen fuel cell and lithium battery powered electric hybrid that should provide a 250-mile driving

range whilst still maintaining all the passenger and luggage space that London taxis are famed for. Refilling is

said to take five minutes.

Whether Geely will rejoin is unknown at this time. However, in an exclusive interview Call Sign interview last month,

Geely Chairman Li Shufu told us in response to a question as to how he saw the near future of the TX4:

“It will retain its iconic design and be more light weight, with improved reliability and driveability; it will also have

improved fuel efficiency and be a green solution. These are the success factors for the next generation of black taxis.”

Whether that means that the two organisations will end up together again is also unknown at this time, however the end

result seems similar with drivers being offered a 21st century taxi in which to earn their living. How much will it cost? Nope, we haven’t a clue - but if that

price is affordable, the TX4H could be a real winner.

The two DaC drivers testing the vehicle are using TX4 taxis during test days. But although licensed, they do not pick up passengers.

The Hydrogen taxi, when finally in service, will benefit from zero road tax, will emit zero CO2 and zero particulates with zero tailpipe emissions. Comfort and

reliability will improve compared with conventional taxis as there are no moving parts in the fuel cell and with electric motors driving the wheels. Testing will con-

tinue until each taxi has covered a minimum of 50,000 miles.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 13

The London Taxidrivers' Fund for

The London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children & the Pearlies...

Underprivileged Children had the pleasure

of being invited to attend the traditional annu-

LTFUC at the Costermongers

al London Pearly Kings and Queens

Costermongers' Harvest Festival Parade

Harvest Festival

held on Sunday 29th September at Guildhall

and I went along, together with the fund's Hon

By LTFUC Press Officer Raymond Levy

Chair Susan Angel, committee members

Malcolm Shaffron, Steven Bell, Mike Son

and our wives to witness this colourful and

spectacular event.

Scores of Pearly Kings and Queens from all

corners of London had gathered for the festi-

val, more than 130 years on from when road

sweeper Henry Croft covered his finest whis-

tle and flute (suit) in shiny white buttons in aid

of the City's poor, with the modern day Pearlies

continuing his mission and doing such great

charity work.

The brilliant entertainment was greatly

appreciated by the huge crowd that gathered

in the Guildhall Yard and included the volun-

teer Drummers who opened The London

2012 Olympics. Our taxis then joined the

very long procession led by the Pearlies

around the City to attend St Mary-le-Bow

Church where the pealing of the Cockney

Bow Bells welcomed the congregation for a

LTFUC committee member Malcolm Shaffron with the Pearlies and Steve Bell's

thanksgiving service. It was a warm and sunny

amazing taxi!

day and great to see the cheering crowds out

crowds and attracted many people who came

for organising such a brilliant event. Her late

in abundance.

over to take photos. Well done to Steve and

husband, Larry, would have been so proud of

Committee member Steven Bell and his wife

Wendy for doing such an amazing job, which

her and thrilled to see so many people in

Wendy had worked tirelessly converting

took hours of hard work and was greatly

attendance. We would also like to thank all the

Steve’s taxi into a ‘Pearly’ Taxi adorned with

appreciated by all the Pearlies.

wonderful Pearlies who help so many charities

hundreds of magnetic pearl buttons - and what

Congratulations must go to Doreen

in London and the Greater London Area and

a brilliant job they did. The taxi delighted the

Golding, Pearly Queen of the Old Kent Road,

for all the continued help they give our charity.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 14

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

magazines of the time with a flashback

DIAL-A-CAB FLASHBACK

This issue harks back 33 years to a 1980 issue of Call Sign

After a careful study of this amazing outfit, I

and a look at some letters...

thought of a few army regiments it may have

CALL SIGN LETTERS PAGE

resembled; The Winnipeg Rifles, Vancouver

Dear Mr Emden,

Rangers and the Quebec Infantry (32nd foot)

Recently I came in for a credit job unopposed, to pick up at the

came immediately to mind, so I asked what

Eccentric Club going as directed and to make contact at the Members

regiment he was in? He replied: “Well, it

Bar with a Major Timothy Upshott-Bagley. I was directed to the

speaks for itself surely, old chap”.

Members Bar and waited rather patiently when a voice said: “Give the

I asked what RCMF stood for admitting that it had me

completely baffled.

driver a pint and I'll be back in a moment.” The barman then pro-

“Well think about it,” he said as he looked at me still trying to work

ceeded to pull me a pint and put it up on the counter. I was halfway

out what the initials stood for. “Isn’t it fairly obvious? It is the Regents

through this beautiful foaming pint when I heard from behind me the

Canal Minesweeper Flotilla.”

same voice: “Ah, there you are driver; when you have finished your

So I asked why he needed the spurs. He just stared straight at me as

pint, I am ready when you are.”

he responded:

I turned round and there before me stood the most amazing

“Well, somebody's got to ride the bloody horse!”

sight I had seen for years. I nearly choked on my pint.

From J L Clifford E45

I was confronted by a 6' 4" hulk of a man, at least 18 stone in

weight, his face best described as something that resembled an

Dear Phil,

upholstered skull with a ginger beard. He was wearing a military uni-

Hi you ‘orrlble lot! Just thought I'd send you a Christmas greeting from

sunny LA, California.

form, which could be described as follows:

It's hard to describe in a letter exactly what one feels, but here goes.

A bright red scouts hat, which looked as though it had been placed

During my time at ODRTS, I experienced a kind of family work unit

on his head with a spirit level. It had all the necessary dimples in it,

which does not seem to exist over here, so keep up the good staff rela-

while at its side was a large orange plume! In the centre of the hat was

tions, you're doing a fine job.

a brass badge with the initials RCMF vividly inscribed on it. Then

Anyway, another former ODRTS driver, Brian Myers and I are working

there was a khaki shirt with RCMF on the collar, red and gold shoul-

very hard in the toy shop which he now owns and which is located in

der flashes, sergeant type stripes on both sleeves - gold bordered of

the San Fernando Valley in a fairly posh area. With the Christmas trade

course - six black horizontal stripes with gold edging on each wrist

just a snowflake away, it’s a good game to be in. Of course we never play

and a pink tie complete with woggle and RCMF inscribed on that as

with the toys or throw cream cakes at each other!

well. A Sam Browne belt with knife and whistle, riding breeches with

So long for now, I will write again when something gooder happens!

black and gold flashes down each leg and riding boots and silver

From David ‘Kupkake’ Kupler

spurs completing the outfit!

Los Angeles, California

Lee’s cup dreams go for another year

They had a brilliant victory in the FA Cup second qual-

wrong way. Now it was 1 - 1 and Canvey stepped on

reach Wembley but this

ifying round against Ryman Premier team Harrow

the gas. But NGU and Lee Pearce kept everything out.

was really a heart breaking

Borough. But Dial-a-Cab driver and goalkeeper for

It looked like NGU were going to grab a replay. But

way to go out, especially

Evo Stick Southern Division One (Central) team North

in the 92nd minute, Canvey’s Jay Curran was closing

as I saved the spot kick

Greenford United, Lee Pearce (J71) saw his dream

in on the NGU goal and was tripped. The referee

and the Canvey forward

of an appearance in the FA Cup first round proper fall

pointed to the spot. Curran took it and Lee Pearce

was offside when he

in a heart breaking way in the third qualifying round

made a great save but couldn’t hold the ball and beat

received the ball that pro-

against Isthmian Premier League team Canvey

it away. Sadly it went to Canvey’s Ashley Dumas who

duced the winner. Had

Island. A win there would have left Lee’s team with

sent it back across goal for Curran to get a second

we got them back to our

just one more match before they could have gone into

chance and this time he smashed it in leaving the DaC

place, we’d have fancied

the hat with former FA Cup winners such as Sheffield

man with no chance. North Greenford players sur-

our chances and would

United, Coventry City and the once mighty

rounded the ref because Curran appeared to be in an

certainly have had a

Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now Canvey and

offside position when the ball was played, but the ref

good chance against

Biggleswade Town battle it out for that honour and

wasn’t having it and with the last kick of the game,

Biggleswade Town,

the chance of a genuine FA Cup upset.

Canvey knocked out NGU.

who are just one division

But North Greenford certainly didn’t disgrace

themselves at Canvey’s Prospects Stadium. The

match seemed set for a replay until Canvey

grabbed a controversial last second winner.

Lee Pearce was in action from the first minute

when he saved bravely from the home team’s Simon

Thomas who was through on goal. NGU’s Anthony

O'Connor then raced in behind the Canvey defence,

asaptrades

but their keeper, Josh Vickers - on-loan from Arsenal

- made a good save. Then Lee Pearce denied Canvey

again by tipping a Thomas' header over the bar.

ELECTRICAL

It quietened down after that and although Canvey

had more possession, NGU still created several

chances. But Canvey took the lead after 39 minutes

when a headed cross reached Spencer Bellotti who

Electrical Installations - Fault Finding & Repairs

steered the ball into the top corner.

The first 20 minutes of the second half were all

Canvey. They launched attack after attack but North

Greenford and Lee Pearce held out - even on 67 min-

www.asaptrades.com

utes when the crossbar helped to keep out a free kick

from Canvey’s Sheldon Sellears. But in the 68th

minute, Canvey’s Rob Bartley conceded a penalty

after fouling Harry Walker. NGU’s Liam Hind stepped

0203 130 6798

up for an excellent penalty with Vickers going the

Call Sign November 2013

Page 15

Garry White asks DaC members...

Would you work with

no run in or gratuity???

er how we move forward with a pricing struc-

members, cover work without run-ins or gra-

ture that blue chip companies would be will-

tuities whereas previously we have been able

ing to pay for their taxi usage.

to charge clients to make sure we gave them

As a Board of Management, we at Dial-a-

the excellent service they require.

Cab try to get the best deal for you as mem-

I would like to know if introducing a poli-

bers of this Society. But it now seems that

cy of winning accounts at any cost, so long as

other circuits are willing to tender for work

the wheels keep turning, suits the DaC mem-

Hello ladies & gents

with no run-ins and no gratuities, giving their

bership...

I have previously written of the influx of new

drivers no incentive to cover work during

players in the taxi supply market selling your

busy periods - which is obviously when they

Be lucky...

services cheaply. This now seems to have set

need cabs most.

Garry White

a dangerous precedent and that to compete,

The dilemma is whether we do the same to

DaC Board Member

the major radio taxi circuits have to consid-

get those accounts. If so, would you, the

BOOK REVIEW BOOK REVIEW BOOK REVIEW BOOK REVIEW

A London Cabbie's Year

If you take away those books written by former Dial-a-Cab dri-

By the time this

ver Alf Townsend and the prolific writer on taxi trade history,

book has been re

Bill Munro, then there aren’t many books penned by

or about

many outside the

London licensed taxi drivers. In fact, if you go back to June

trade will know

1930 and the Anthony Armstrong - he of the famous ‘AA’ in

almost as much

Punch magazine - book simply called Taxi, then you’d be hard

about us as we

pushed to find more than a dozen or so since then.

do... except how

Let’s face it, taxi drivers are a unique bunch. You don’t get

get there! Mick

plumbers meeting up talking about what drains they had fixed

Rose’s book will

that day or milkman comparing their sales of those funny look-

also put the inter-

ing orange drinks in bottles. You definitely don’t hear of win-

net out of busi-

dow cleaners telling their fellow cleaners how many windows

ness when it

they had done that morning. But we taxi drivers thrive on sto-

comes to working

ries about ourselves. Yes, we all say that we don’t want to go to

out what makes

functions with too many other cabbies in case they talk shop,

us tick and the

but when it comes to it, we really love it!

amazing part is

And that’s why I enjoyed the book from London cab dri-

that A London

ver Mick Rose, A London Cabbie’s Year (Earlswood Press

Cabbie’s Year is a

£9.99 and online at Smashwords.com or Amazon.com). It

good read for

was similar to talking to another taxi driver about his

we taxi drivers

year.

as well.

Mick’s 72,000 + words are aimed at those who either drive a

If you want

cab, intend being a tourist to our capital city or take an interest

an enjoyable -

in what many outsiders consider to be akin to a secret society.

albeit light read - then A London Cabbie's

Well if it is, it won’t be for much longer because Mick’s book

Year by Mick Rose may well be it...

goes through the whole business, detailing it on a monthly

Michael Toomey

basis. It also has interesting asides about London itself, such as

Call Sign Online

the secret ghost of Marylebone - something that according to

Mick is unpublished stuff coming from someone who was afraid

to make his experiences public, probably through a fear of

ridicule. What is it? You’ll have to read the book but it may stop

Keith Reading

you ranking there late at night!

Professional Toastmaster

He goes through the lot - from prostitutes still out at 7.30

Master of Ceremonies

am because it’s so quiet to the TX4 fires to minicabs to Mick’s

view on the majority of us who aren’t tour guides. He refers to

them as not having a clue - which is also why we are probably

Tele: 01279 465 938

the best bullshitters in the world! Is he wrong? Who among

Mobile: 07774 860 374

us can honestly say they have never made up a story to tell a

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

desperate tourist with a thirst for the most insignificant piece

of information!

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

But there is also sadness with the tragic death of his daughter

Fellow of the Guild of

Katie who seemed just to have an ear infection not long after

Professional Toastmasters

presenting Mick with a grandchild.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 16

Views on life as seen through the

One way for minicabs too!

eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at...

Kupkake’s

Korner

Hurdy, Gurdy

…and Gurdy!

Brake lights are visible as the Smart car shudders to a stop almost outside DaC

House, while his telescopic camera keeps recording the scene of a minicab going

Legions of Norwegians,

the wrong way along East Road!

Swedes and Danes,

Some licensed taxi drivers seem to think that minicabs get all the benefits - while just as many

arrive each week

minicab companies believe that taxis get them all. What we at Call Sign know is that the

on aircrafts and trains,

Department for Transport and the Highways Agency both apparently agree that neither section of

spending their money

the personal passenger carrying section of Transport for London are allowed to drive the wrong

and stewing their brains.

way along a one-way street! That applies doubly when passing Dial-a-Cab House in East Road

because besides giving a bad impression, DaC staff tend to look to the left when crossing the

They party in Shoreditch

road, not expecting the Mayor’s minicabs to head northwards from Old Street against the long-

and the West End,

standing one-way system!

even in Dalston

Rather astonishingly, on the day we obtained the photographic evidence of this rather stupid

now there's a trend,

minicab driver via a taxi video recording system, heading the correct way and also filming the

for youngsters to go there

incident was an Islington Council traffic smart car - in fact the minicab almost collided with it!

with mates and friends.

The Islington Council car was forced to brake sharply as the errant PHV driver contin-

ued on his way, passing the taxi taking the film rather too closely for comfort.

The Council car stopped for several seconds in the roadway with the driver unable to believe

They all speak good English

his eyes. But he was quick witted enough to record the scene as a clear breach of traffic regula-

though their accents are rough:

tion and will no doubt forward the footage to TPH, who may well be interested in how the PHV

“Ve are here for the shopping

driver found himself in a one-way road, heading in the wrong direction yet when realising it,

and oser good stuff.

failed to pull over and turn round in a road that is more than wide enough for any car - even

Ve luv you in London

one without our turning circle.

you peoples are cool,

For pedestrians familiar with the one-way road layout and expecting to only need to look in

back home in Oslo

the direction of the usual traffic flow, the outcome of this dangerous manoeuvre might have had

ve have such strick rules.”

a different and more tragic outcome.

These images, taken from a DaC driver’s taxi on-board camera footage, prove the value

They have money to spend

of a valid surveillance device to confirm traffic movements in real time and are increas-

like once the Yanks had

ingly being preferred by insurance companies as a means of verifying events as they

till the dollar collapsed

occur on the road. Had the minicab collided with the taxi, it would be his word against

and the economy went bad.

the driver that he was going the wrong way. This system leaves no doubt...

But not the Norwegians

or even the Swiss...

outside the EU

they know what is bliss!

LTFUC AGM

So welcome Vikings; get in my cab,

The Annual General meeting of The London

I'll drive you wherever,

advise you what’s bad.

Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children

Show the sights of our wonderful City

takes place on Tuesday 3rd December 2013,

while reflecting inside that it’s a pity,

7.30pm at:

that we are tied up with the greedy EU

whilst the Norwegians are free to do as

The New Park Day Centre, 19 Highbury New

they do...

Park, Highbury N5

Parking is available at the Centre and refreshments

Kopyright Kupkake 2013

will be available. All drivers are most welcome to attend...

Call Sign November 2013

Page 17

Call Sign was recently chatting to Edward

Rubbins (D25) about nothing in particular,

when the DaC driver managed to make our

reporter’s face go a rather red shade of embar-

Call Sign: A

rassment...

“I must congratulate you guys on producing

a really excellent in-house magazine,” he

enthused. “In fact, my wife reads it before I can

great read but...

get even get to it, just as soon as the postman

drops it through our letter box!

“It’s a real family magazine, interesting dri-

the use of name boards whilst on their prop-

ver stories, Dial-a-Cab updates and informa-

erty. I was told by the doorman of one Mayfair

tion into the bargain; your editor does a mag-

hotel that it was because a guest staying there

nificent job. And while we’re on the subject of

might not be with their wife or husband and

Dial-a-Cab, I’d like to add that I’ve been on

that could cause embarrassment!”

this circuit for 23 years and not had a single

Hang on Ed, are you saying that DaC are

reason to complain or find anything to moan

responsible for client affairs as in you know

about. It is undoubtedly the best radio taxi

what?

firm around!”

“I was recently ordered to move out of an

Of course we knew it just had to come...

hotel and onto the street while waiting for an

“B-u-t...” Well, there just had to be a but! “I

account client and was concerned about park-

just want to take a moment to have a gripe!”

ing in the roadway. It might be something

Go on then Eddie, what is it you don’t like...

other drivers have experienced as well?”

responsible for roadworks!

“It’s the confounded roadworks that are

Well Edward, I’d say that would likely be the

everywhere, you simply cannot move about

“But...” Aaahhhh! This must be it, because

case if it was always the same DaC account

we knew there just had to be a but...

easily any more. Every street seems to have

holder and he was beginning to look tired and

been dug up and left unattended for weeks or

“I have a problem regarding client pick-ups.

this Society was blamed for it!!!

Client confidentiality is one thing and one I

even longer. It’s now beyond a joke and it is

But...Whoops, sorry, just a force of habit!

choking our city to a standstill.”

understand, of course, but I’ve noticed that

when picking up at certain hotels that they ban

Well, that wasn’t too bad. DaC can’t be held

LOOKING AT (TAXI) LIFE

With Tom Quigley (Y33)

Is The

But in fact I believe that modern technology has

what fees if any the celebrities get, but there

Knowledge

made some aspects of The Knowledge even hard-

are times and places where the government

not easier?

er. When a student is calling over, the other stu-

could save money by asking the general public /

No it isn’t...

dents will produce some sort of smart phone gad-

man on the street what they think and listening

get, laptop, or other device with the route lined

to what they say. Perhaps even employing

The saying goes:

up. We never had that pressure in the classroom.

someone as Minister for the Bleeding Obvious!

“Those that can, do;

After the run is called, various debates and

those that can’t,

Tom Quigley

arguments still occur; strings and lines are pulled

teach!”

Call Sign Online

out across the large map of London. That is my

In previous employment, I have taught brick-

favourite part; getting the students to actually

work to City and Guilds certificate standard at a

look at a real map and mentally visualising London

local college, have numerous football coaching

inside their brains. No virtual realities here!

badges and in addition, my wife, tells me I am

Of course, after a successful appearance the

the master at doing nothing!

same smile and grin comes over a student’s face

It was whilst talking to some friends that I

when they are congratulated by their peers and of

mentioned having previously been used to

course me as well. That still remains a precious

cover classes for a Knowledge school that I

moment.

was asked if I would be interested in starting a

In fact it is a real pleasure knowing that some

class up again. Well my classes are now up

of these students are at the start of a friendship

and running and have been for the past few

for life, because no matter about any roads or

months, with me playing catch up on points,

points they drop, they will always remember their

turnarounds and madly reciting the Blue book

callover partner and their moans. Mine was

in my head all over again!

Stewart Jopling (T72). He moaned all the way

There has been many an article written

through... in fact he has never really stopped...!

about how The Knowledge is easier, with

SatNavs and technology having superseded

Minister of the obvious

everything. In the short time that I have been

The Football Association have launched a work-

teaching my new group of students again, I

ing party / committee to see where we are going

can state that not a lot has changed. The stu-

wrong at international level.

dents still endure all the same angst, pain,

Whilst there is a real need for proper investiga-

hardship and fear that we all did.

tion into finding out the truth of issues at tragic

There is a whole new breed of examiners;

events such as Hillsborough, Bloody Sunday,

some having reputations and questioning the

the Brixton riots and many others, it seem that

parenthood of Knowledge boys (and girls).

no matter what happens anywhere, there is an

Besides going through the regular runs and

investigation with some lawyers or celebrities

points that come out, we also have students

involved. We have had Lord Justice Leveson for

moaning about appearance delays, not being

the press, Mary Portas for High Street failure and

able to get out on their bikes, telling me they

Jamie Oliver for school dinners.

are calling the Blue book religiously, whilst then

I don’t know how much these enquiries cost or

struggling on everything south of Balham!

Call Sign November 2013

Page 18

We know what you are thinking... who or

Watch out, watch out; the sonofthewind cyclist is about and...

what is sonofthewind? Well to start with,

it’s actually sonofthewindinc and he is

looking for you - but sadly not in a friend-

ly way. Sonofthewindinc is a cyclist whose

life’s ambition seems to be to film

HE’S LOOKING

motorists because he claims they drive

too close to his ridiculous looking two-

wheeler.

Of course, using the word ridiculous

is subjective - if you think a bike cov-

FOR YOU!!!

ered in lights and a video camera is

great, then cancel the

‘ridiculous’

description.

Dial-a-Cab driver Melvyn Harvey

(E87) thinks that both sonofthewindinc

and his bike are both ridiculous and after

hearing his story and looking up

sonofthewindinc on YouTube, we tend to

agree with him because this cyclist and

his anti-motorist campaign has put hun-

dreds of videos on YouTube - which sug-

gests that he is looking for problems.

In fact, on one of the videos he actually

admits he’s out there looking for

motorists that he considers are wrong

and we have to assume that if he doesn’t

find any, then perhaps he has to encour-

age them? Pull out a bit sharp perhaps?

After all, no one else on the road is as

important as sonofthewindinc!

In the case of Melvyn Harvey,

sonofthewindinc reported him to the

Melvyn and Sonofthewindinc

Met Police Roadsafe London scheme.

This is a police information and intel-

tellingly, added that it may not always be

he cycles, both in relation

to other

ligence gathering tool where members

possible but “better was expected from

road users in motorised vehicles and

of the public can fill in an online form

professional drivers.”

his fellow cyclists.”

and advise them about criminal, nui-

If that sounds like a friendly warn-

He asked that any record of the com-

sance and anti-social behaviour on the

ing then forget it. The letter ended by

plaint be deleted from Roadsafe and the

roads of London. It is said to be staffed

saying that should the police hear of a

fact that the video vanished seems to sug-

by experienced traffic officers. We

similar report about Melvyn, then they

gest that has now been done. Even so,

assume that sonofthewindinc is an

would inform TfL That turned the let-

watch out for sonofthewindinc because

experience user of the site.

ter into a direct threat on Melvyn’s

he probably doesn’t like us even more

The original incident occurred in

ability to earn a living and all because

now! He might even now be

January when Melvyn pulled over to the

of a cyclist who obviously enjoys try-

sonofabi*chinc...!

left to pick up a passenger in Devonshire

ing to catch motorists with the aim of

Baghwat Singh

Street W1. A cyclist pulled alongside and

not just turning them into film stars -

Call Sign Online

accused Melvyn of being too close.

together with added captions

Melvyn was astonished at the complaint

designed to point blame onto them -

because as he told Call Sign, the bike was

but also reporting them to the police.

so heavily illuminated that it just couldn’t

So as an LTDA member, Melvyn spoke

be missed! The cyclist claimed he had

to their in-house solicitor, John

filmed the incident and would be putting

Luckhurst, who wrote to the Met at their

it on YouTube - something we now know

Empress State Building premises in Earls

he tells all his victims having watched

Court.

many of his clips.

Mr Luckhurst actually pointed out that

We should add that a few were danger-

the lighting used by the cyclist was prob-

ous, but most seemed to be caused by

ably unlawful but didn’t labour the point,

sonofthewindinc constantly looking

preferring to point out the lack of riding

around to film incidents with a camera in

skills of the cyclist writing that he

his crash helmet and in all honesty,

appeared to deliberately ride in the cen-

watching too long was akin to standing

tre of the road. Rule 51 of the Highway

on the bow of a ship in very rough water!

Code, he wrote, refers to all road users to

The cyclist then continued along his

be considerate. That, pointed out Mr

merry way as did Melvyn. Then just one

Luckhurst, surely applied to cyclists as

week later, the experienced DaC driver -

well. Having watched the video taken by

now in his 34th year with this Society -

sonofthewindinc, the LTDA legal eagle

received a letter from the Met Police that

came to the conclusion that Mr Harvey

said after watching the sonofthewindinc

had driven his taxi in a correct and safe

video several times, they came to the con-

way and wrote:

clusion that the distance Melvyn had

“This video by sonofthewindinc is a

allowed between his taxi and the cyclist

bias piece of footage from an individ-

was “not good enough.” They then quot-

ual who is quite clearly anti-cab. It is

ed from the Highway Code about dis-

also an individual who quite clearly is

tances that cyclists should be allowed but

inconsiderate in the manner in which

Call Sign November 2013

Page 19

“I did my National Service in the early

So far in this series, which commemorates the soon to come 100th

1950s and did a lengthy stint in the sun

anniversary of the start of WW1, we have featured both past and

- namely the Yemen port of Aden!”

Norman Adler (F80) told Call Sign.

present DaC drivers and their stories. This issue tells Norman

“I completed my six weeks basic train-

Adler’s (F80) story...

ing at RAF Station Padgate, near

Warrington, before transferring to

Rifle Squadron, RAF Regiment, and to

this day I clearly remember my service

DAC WAR

number…2518704 Sir,” Norman recalled

proudly.

“I then went on a driving course

where I trained up on various different

military vehicles ranging from cars and

HEROES

jeeps to three ton trucks. Then I went on

a Bofors Gun Training course down in

Somerset before reaching Squires Gate

near Blackpool for embarkation to Aden.

I spent sixteen months in Khormaksa

RAF Station, Aden.

“I was a good swimmer and recall

snorkelling with friends in Aden and

looking down into the clear water when

I put my foot onto what I thought was a

rock. To my absolute amazement, the

‘rock’ decided to flap its’ wings and

move gracefully away while I shot up to

the surface like a rocket, heart pounding

like a steam train. I had stepped onto the

back of a Stingray!

“But it wasn’t all fun and games. As a

Grade 1 driver, I was responsible for a

wide variety of vehicles ranging from

Fordson and Bedford

15cwt vans

Norman in his cab and in Aden 55 years ago!

through to Austin 1-ton trucks and a

whopping Bedford 3-tonner. Had I kept

roof collapsed as if in slow motion, hit-

If you have had a

military

service

up my all groups licence, I would still be

ting the ground in a cloud of dust!

record, Call Sign would like to hear from

permitted to drive those categories of

“One time when in Tripoli (Libya) I

you. Please email at the usual address

vehicles to this day. But I let my licence

was guarding a De Haviland Hastings

and we will contact you.

lapse and fortunately there are no 3-ton

type aircraft. I had been instructed that it

taxis!

was a top secret machine with restricted

“All these vehicles were checked

access to personnel. I raised my loaded

daily, including a new Bedford truck

rifle to my shoulder as a uniformed man

with just 36 miles on the clock. One

approached me, requesting permission

day I discovered the battery was miss-

to enter the aircraft. He explained he was

ing and saw another person walking

a Wing Commander and the pilot of said

SAVINGS!

away with it in his hands. I confronted

‘kite’ and that he needed to check various

him and he said it was needed for the

instruments on the flight deck. Even hav-

C.O.’s car. I grabbed it back, saying

ing satisfied myself he was ok, I told him

★ KITCHENS

there were many other cannibalised

I would have to escort him at all times.

& APPLIANCES

vehicles in the motor pool he could

He played around with instruments for a

★ BEDROOMS

take a battery from, but not mine. He

few minutes and then left.

★ WORKTOPS

grabbed it back from me and while

“Shortly after that another man came

★ DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS

both of us had our hands on the bat-

towards me holding a black box. He was

tery, the C.O himself appeared wanti-

a scruffy-looking individual whom I was

★ PLANTATION SHUTTERS

ng to know what the fuss was about

not at all happy about. He said he was a

★ ALL TYPES OF BLINDS

and I respectfully explained the situa-

technician and had to replace the power

★ AWNINGS

tion. I must have impressed him

pack for the communications system. I

because the next thing I knew, I had

was apprehensive at first, but he had the

You are welcome to visit

our showroom at:

become his personal driver!

right paperwork so I followed him into

“I sort of blotted my copybook a little

the aircraft, watching him like a hawk. To

Unit 8 Tripes Farm,

when I took a 3-ton truck and its’ trailer

my relief he soon left.

Chelsfield Lane,

Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS

a little too close to the Cook house and

“It was only later that I discovered I

promptly dislodged the upright posts

had been guarding an aircraft that was

Instant Kitchen and

supporting the roof on the building

actively involved in the first nuclear

Bedroom & Blinds UK

extension. To my utter horror, the posts

tests at the top secret Woomera

Call Ian (R50) on 01689 897111…

fell one by one - like dominoes - and the

Testing Station in Australia!”

Call Sign November 2013

Page 20

As the latest new terminal upgrade seems to have solved the O2

signal problems, DaC Director of IT, John Bankes, explains what this

latest upgrade involves...

VolanteMDT Version 7Upgrade

nal that is available. Obviously our software

press the zone buttons in order to refresh the

cannot make a signal appear if there is not one

zone query screens.

present, but it can lock on faster and hang on

* The volume of the terminal has been given

longer when a signal is present. The terminal

greater range and the offer alert volume has

will now lock onto the 3G network and will

been split out so that you can have it turned

not migrate to the 2G network.

up louder than the other alerts.

If you live in a 2G only area, you can over-

The following malfunctions have been correct-

ride this by going to Settings->Options and

ed:

pressing the “2G and 3G” button. We recom-

* Meter sometimes loses contact with MDT.

mend that you leave your terminal locked

* PED loses contact with MDT necessitating a

onto 3G only.

card trip is changed to cash.

* ‘Advise Arrival’ and

‘Delay Advised’ now

* The erroneous ‘4G’ indicator has been

What is this?

appears in the Action Log (pressing the bot-

changed to correctly display ‘3G’. Our termi-

VolanteMDT is the name of the software that

tom bar).

nals are not configured for 4G.

runs on your new MDT. The software has

* A credit card trip that is less than £100 may

* Review trips disappear.

been developed in-house. This latest upgrade

now be cleared even if there is no signal. The

* Error - In Service STC expired.

(version 7) includes a new version of the soft-

transaction will take place as soon as the MDT

* Meter on not getting to host prohibiting cash

ware on the MDT and new software on the

is back in a signal area.

STC.

Pin Entry Device (PED).

* If POB has not been pressed after 15 min-

If you experience problems, please leave a

utes, the driver will be notified.

voicemail on our technical problems line (020

What has changed?

* The layout of the date, time and signed on

7553

7266)

This version contains only a few new features.

time has been changed to make it easier to

techproblems@dialacab.co.uk. Please be

It is more about correcting problems reported

read.

advised that if you are reporting an area of bad

by drivers with the previous release. A list of

* The zone broadcast is no longer automatic.

signal, your report will be logged but you may

changes is below:

The automatic feature on the previous release

not receive a return call.

* Signal Management: The software has

has led to a number of problems, particularly

John Bankes

been tuned to make better use of the O2 sig-

when the signal is weak. You will now need to

DaC Director of IT

Now Brisbane calls for the TX4

Last month’s Call Sign reported on London

TX4s land at

Taxi Company owners, Geely, sending a

Freemantle Port

batch of TX4 taxis to Fremantle Port

WA. Now

(Western Australia) for various trials within

Queensland may

the State. According to LTC’s man in Oz,

want them too...

Chief Exec Evan Simeon, they were in

negotiations with various States about the

cab.

The news soon arrived in Queensland,

where a Brisbane taxi owner has called for

a trial of the TX4 following a firebomb

attack on one of his cabs, which forced the

driver to flee when his passenger, after

arguing with his partner, turned on him.

After the driver ran off, the passenger

allegedly set the cab on fire, causing sub-

stantial damage to the front of the vehicle.

Police were called and it took five officers to

detain the alleged offender. He was later

charged with arson and common assault.

Taxi owner John Rahilly said Queensland

THE ALPHA POWER PILL

should consider following Western

Australia’s lead and trial the TX4 because of

Now even better!

the screen separating the driver from pas-

sengers.

Helps cut the cost of diesel - and reduce Emissions!

“Separating the driver and passenger

seems like one of the only feasible

OnlyCabs.co.uk are pleased to supply

answers to the problem of rising vio-

Dial-a-Cab drivers with the amazing Alpha Pill

lence against cabbies,” said Mr Rahilly.

“It’s an idea worth floating especially

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

given the WA trial.”

Another Queensland cab owner, Andy

Allom, joined Mr Rahilly’s call, saying vio-

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

lence against taxi drivers was happening to

on the ad code

cab drivers every night of the week.

The Queensland State Government has

Or telephone your order to:

said they will take an interest in the

Stephen Vale at Only Cabs 020 3239 6101

Western Australian trial.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 21

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

The Brethren of the Whip

The case of cabman Phillips OR: “A more monstrous, scandalous, infamous, and atrocious

exercise of arbitrary power from the magisterial bench, we never remember.”

1853 was a pivotal

were empty. It was his first job of the day, he

year within the cab

had no money and cabmen never carried a

trade, not just in

float. Phillips was so sure of his case that he

London but across

asked the magistrate to make Bond pay him the

the UK. The imposi-

disputed fare, five shillings, which he would

tion of a sixpence for

return to the court to have the ground mea-

the first mile fare as

sured.

opposed to one

Nothing doing! Magistrate Henry turned to

shilling, had caused

Phillips (who, it should be remembered had

many cabmen to go

not been summonsed to court but was only

on strike up and

there for magisterial advice) and told him:

down the country.

“Then, as you cannot pay the 5s deposit,

London cabmen were not happy about it but

I shall take Mr Bond’s statement as evi-

everyone was telling them it would create

dence of fact and convict you of the over-

more work, so they were willing to give it a try.

charge. You must pay 40s or go to prison

In July 1853, Thomas Phillips was called

for 1 month.”

from a stand he was waiting on and told to go

After things such as cab rental etc,

Lord Palmerston was non-committal

to 20 Victoria Grove, (now Netherton Grove)

shillings (£2) was pretty close to 3 days earn-

about the case in response to questions

Fulham. His passenger, Mr Bond, did not

ings. Phillips was locked up and his cab was

in the House

require him at that time but asked that he

taken to the greenyard - the Victorian equiva-

report back in the morning to take him to

that the cabman take them to a Magistrates

lent of the car pound - with just as exorbitant

Wellington Street (Strand). Cabman Phillips

Court and the case could be heard without hav-

charges!

was happy and duly turned up the following

ing the expense of taking a summons out. Note

It is not recorded how long Phillips actu-

morning - noting that Victoria Grove was half a

that the passenger could insist on the driver

ally spent in jail, friends and family began

mile away from the stand and he could add

taking them to a court; the driver had no such

collecting for him and as word spread,

that to the final charge.

rights. Phillips was sure the distance was over 4

complete strangers paid towards his fine.

The next morning, Bond made several stops

miles and as Bow Street Magistrates Court was

Two days later in the House of Commons,

along the way and carried an extra passenger.

just round the corner, it seemed the simplest

Home Secretary Lord Palmerston was asked

At no point was either the waiting time or the

option.

about the case, “...the sort of case one would

route called into question. When they arrived

Another aspect of the 1853 Act was that all

associate with Turkey or Russia.” Palmerston

at Wellington Street, Phillips said his charge

cabmen should carry a book of fares, but as the

was non-committal and stated that the facts

was five shillings

(25p), this included

Commissionaire of Police had not printed one,

may not have been recorded accurately.

shillings (10p) waiting time, 6d (21/2p) for the

Phillips was covered. Unfortunately it meant

This prompted the anonymous court

extra passenger, 6d for being called from the

that the magistrate, Mr Henry, did not have

reporter who stated that whilst he had the

rank and 2s for the actual journey. Bond dis-

one either! The tried and tested method in

utmost respect for Mr Henry, all he ever

agreed; he thought the fare should only be 4s

such disputes was to have the ground mea-

seemed to report upon was the extortionate

6d. Everything that happened next came down

sured. Each party would pay a deposit of five

demands of cabmen - he stood by his report,

to a disputed tanner.

shillings and whoever was proven right, would

word for word.

One new aspect of the 1853 Act was that the

have their deposit returned. Mr Bond put for-

The Daily News, no great friend of the cab

passenger could, in cases of dispute, demand

ward his two half-crowns - Phillips’ pockets

trade, saw this as an attack on the free press -

the same press that is necessary to bring the

powers of the magistrates and politicians to

WALKING THROUGH THE PAST:

question. Reynolds Newspaper, always sympa-

JACK THE RIPPER

thetic to the working class, described the case

as “a more monstrous, scandalous, infamous,

The Worshipful Company of Hackney Drivers is pleased to invite taxi drivers,

and atrocious exercise of arbitrary power from

their families and friends to join former Dial-a-Cab driver Alan Goldsmith

the magisterial bench, we never remember.”

(ex-S45) as he leads another guided walk through London’s Whitechapel

It took a month, but Lord Palmerston had

area. The walk will be on Sunday 3rd November 2013 starting from

to inform the House that Phillips was right all

Whitechapel Station at 10.30am. He will trace the footsteps of London’s -

along. The journey was actually short of seven

perhaps even the worlds - most notorious killer, Jack the Ripper. Jack’s grue-

miles, not under the three miles asserted by

some crimes began in the autumn of 1888, when prostitute Mary Ann

Nicholls was found with her throat cut.

Bond and the magistrate, so Phillips could

As you walk through the areas where Jack carried out his crimes, be prepared to learn

have charged more. The 40 shilling fine

more of his heinous actions - luckily you will be walking in daylight! Alan claims this to

would be returned to him plus forty shillings

be the best ‘Ripper walk’ of all because you get to visit 4 of the 5 murder sites - no other

compensation.

Guides cover more.

The 1853 strike by London cabmen was

Alan Goldsmith, a Liveryman of the WCHCD and City of London Guide, assists with The Cab

the first in its history. Many cited the

Guide Course run by the Company and is a working cab driver. Alan will ask for a small donation

unfair treatment of Cabman Phillips as the

for each person (£5 is suggested, but please be generous if you think he’s worth more), which he

reason why they walked out...

will collect on the day and all donations will be passed onto the WCHCD Charity fund. So bring

as many friends and family as possible. No need to book - just turn up on the day...

Sean Farrell

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2013

Page 22

any Dial-a-Cab dri-

vers knew the Call

Reed’s ‘Sugar’ ball

Sign Editor’s son

Reed, who worked

in the Control Centre for over 23

raises over £20,000

years as well as having a rarely

used Yellow badge licence.

Sadly Reed succumbed to a

brain tumour in January of this

year, after bravely battling it for

three years during which time

he returned to work and even

began driving again.

For a substantial part of those three

years, Reed was helped enormously by

Chai Cancer Care - a north-west London

based charity.

Reed loved music and was a talented key-

board player in a pop group as well as being

a better than average classical pianist. Part of

Chai’s therapy involved a music room

something that Reed really enjoyed. He also

underwent counselling at Chai, which helped

him to come to terms with his incurable ill-

ness. The fact that he outlived initial esti-

mates is testament to the battle he put up

Editor and Linda at the Ball

together with that vital help from Chai.

Several months ago, Reed’s wife Lara and a

friend of the couple, Caroline Saunders

Rich, decided to try and raise some much

needed funds for Chai with a dinner and ball

held at More London’s Tower Bridge Hilton

in Tooley Street. Caroline, who is also a can-

cer sufferer, had some experience having

already organised four similar charity events.

This one was called the Sugar Rush Ball and

featured what Lara and Caroline referred to

as an intoxicating spectacle of confection! That

meant that whichever way you looked, you

were surrounded by sweets - from a choco-

late fountain to a candy floss machine to a

huge jar of jellies on each of the tables - with

a myriad of other goodies between them!

But the evening was about raising funds for

Chai and just before and after dinner, there

was a raffle and an auction with goods rang-

ing from a holiday to a Tottenham Hotspur

shirt signed by the 2013 squad. That alone

raised some £700 and contributed to an

incredible final total of £20,677.94.

Lara and Reed; the Ball was held in Reed's memory and in aid of Chai Cancer Care

A representative of the charity told Call

Sign what the money could do; £5,000 pays

for the charity to furnish a new consulting

room with an electronic bed, computer

equipment and everything else that Chai

would need to support visitors for that

accessory.

£15,000 covers the cost of a

music therapist for a year and knowing how

much Reed enjoyed the facility, it would

have been fitting for that figure to be

reached. She never expected to be able to

The final total raised

afford both!

Among the 300+ present were several DaC

drivers as well as Chairman Brian Rice, Allan

Alan Fisher told this mag: “Bearing in

the understatement and he would have

Evans and Mike Son accompanied by their

mind that the ball carried my son’s name, I

undoubtedly looked around and said: That

wives. All acclaimed the evening as brilliant!

wasn’t sure that I could bring myself to enjoy

wasn’t bad!!!”

It continued with a full dance floor until

it, but seeing so many friends of Reed there

Congratulations to Caroline and Lara - and

01.00 with the Editor leading what he

and remembering how hard and for how

of course well-done Chai...

referred to as dancing! Others looked more

long Lara had worked, I almost felt com-

Dennis Latchett

normal, but all had a brilliant evening.

pelled to smile. But Reed was the master of

Call Sign Online

Call Sign November 2013

Page 23

COMPLIANCE OFFICER’S REPORT

and reports that are sent out to our account

card usage to you the members, it is now an

customers with run-in and arrival amounts in

important income stream and it is working.

excess of what they should be - for no apparent

The Board of Management will always do our

reason.

best to give you the full meter fare unlike

All trips are now being closely monitored

some organisations, but It is certainly a vio-

by the Control Centre and account managers.

lation of the procedure rules and unaccept-

With clients now not only closely scrutinising

able to accept a booked trip through the DaC

their usage, but also demanding no run-ins, a

system and then process the same trip

stronger stance will be adopted.

through a third party as has recently been

If the arrival figure is higher than it should

brought to light through a customer com-

be and there is not a genuine note on the trip

plaint. Not only has it wrongly brought our

logger that warrants an increase in the autho-

Society into disrepute with the customer, it

rised arrival amount, they will be adjusted

also results in a loss of revenue to the Society.

and reduced accordingly prior to invoicing. It

I know all of you will understand where I

appears that some competitors may be offer-

Hello ladies & gents,

am coming from and I hope that you will all

ing these terms, so I am sure you agree that

Leading on from my most recent article in last

weigh up the consequences of this type of

we must do everything possible to safeguard

month’s edition of Call Sign, I must remind

action.

our accounts and be as competitive as we can

you once again how important it is not to

Be very lucky and drive safely...

possibly be in what is now a tremendously

exceed the authorised run-ins on all trips. It

demanding marketplace.

appears that there is an increase month on

Allan Evans

As you know, we have put a lot of hard

month of trips that are not only captured on

work and effort in trying to increase credit

DaC Compliance Officer

in-house reports, but are shown on invoices

Mystery of the stop/start taxi

“It was all rather scary really,”

seconds and fixed it within min-

utes!”

Ian MacDonald (C64) told Call

The now knowledgeable Ian

Sign, “because one moment I

explained that there is a power

was buzzing merrily along the

lead from the battery to the taxi

main control box, which over

road and before I could blink,

time can become loose, espe-

I had lost all engine power

cially with older vehicles and

and the electrics, so I couldn’t

that causes everything to fail.

even indicate my predicament

“I was in and out of the

garage within 15 minutes and

to other traffic nor open a

back on the road with com-

window to give a hand sig-

plete peace of mind and my

nal! Anyone remember

mystery solved,” said Ian. “So

those,” Ian enquired, smiling

my very grateful thanks to

Arnie and the guys at A&S.”

broadly as he recalled the day

the taxi died (apologies to

Alan Green

Don McLean)!

Call Sign Online

“With a dead engine, besides no

electrics there is also no power steer-

ing or power brakes. But with much

effort I wrenched at the steering wheel

and managed to slide into the kerb.

THE CALL SIGN INTERNET LIBRARY

Once I’d calmed down, I thought I’d

Want to look up something in

give the starter a try and to my sur-

prise and relief, the engine started!

an old issue of Call Sign?

“Can you imagine the situation if I

Don’t want to spend hours looking through old issues?

had been going at speed, perhaps on

There is a simple answer - the Call Sign Internet Library!

a motorway?” He looked quizzically at

Log on to www.dac-callsign.co.uk or on to www.dac-callsi

Call Sign’s journo.

Then either browse through every issue of Call Sign since

1998 by using the Search facility or type in a clue and let

“It then happened a few more times

our search engine do the rest…

on odd occasions, so I knew it had to

be sorted out quickly. I drove very cau-

If you want to read each complete issue with ads et al, you can now do that as

tiously up to my garage, A&S Services

well. Since May 2006, Call Sign has also gone online in a PDF version. Just click

the PDF logo. No search facility for that though!

in Geddings Road, Hoddesdon who are

LTI service agents. I explained what

There are also issues from 1967, 1977 and 1987 as a reminder of the old days!

Happy searching!

had happened; they looked under the

bonnet, diagnosed the problem within

THE CALL SIGN INTERNET LIBRARY

Call Sign November 2013

Page 24

KEVIN THE

DAC COWBOY!

As children, most of us at some

time in our young lives probably

played Cowboys and Indians.

Perhaps a kindly relative, parent or grand-

parent may have bought a cowboy or cow-

girl outfit for Christmas comprising a check

shirt, fringed waistcoat with a ‘sheriff ’ or

‘marshal’ star attached and most important

of all, a Stetson style hat. TV stars such as

Kevin the Cabby and Kevin the Cowboy!

Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans,

Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), Tex

on. Looking back on the event with an

see me and me him.”

Ritter, or more recently Rowdy Yates (Clint

obvious fondness, Kevin told us:

We didn’t see Billy the Kid or the

Eastwood) in the TV series Rawhide all por-

“There was stuff like roping steers, bron-

Cisco Kid, but we saw Kevin the Kid as

trayed the Wild West herdsman, while

co-riding and many other associated activi-

he and Chino rode off into the distance

movies of the genre abound to this day.

ties recalling the wild west being re-enact-

smiling, giving us a friendly cowboy

But Dial-a-Cab driver Kevin Dedman

ed. But make no mistake you need real

wink and waving his 10 gallon hat in

(C59) takes the role of cowboy a lot more

horsemanship to cope! And yes, before you

the air...

seriously than just play-acting. Every week-

ask, I do tote a de-activated Colt .45

end sees him don wild west clothing and

If you have an unusual pastime or hobby,

Peacemaker pistol just like the pioneers

living the life of those pioneers of yester-

Call Sign would like to hear from you for

of the 1880s!

year right down to eating the food they

possible inclusion in a future issue, so please

“My horse

‘Chino’ is an American

would have ate, pursuing activities they

email us at the usual address: callsign-

Standard Breed, stabled in Bromley and

would be familiar with and dancing to the

mag@aol.com.

we form a tightly knit team as we go

music frontier folk such as Wyatt Earp,

through our paces at the regular events

Wild Bill Hickok or famed sharp-shooter

held at the ranch. He is always pleased to

Annie Oakley would have easily recog-

nised.

Talking to Call Sign, Kevin explained: “I

got the bug as a kid watching with my dad

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

the likes of John Wayne films and many

other westerns on TV. After that, I was just

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

hooked.

variable bank interest rates?

“Nowadays, together with my wife

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

Christine, we spend our weekends with

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

like-minded people at the Western Trails

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

Group on Bromley Common in Kent. We

have an authentic 1880’s style town where

at your address also qualifies for membership!

we all dress appropriately in traditional

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

western clothing, no zips on our jackets or

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

denim because in 1880 zips were not yet

up to 3 times your total savings…

invented! We ride our horses and dance to

The cost?

Country and Western music. We also take

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

on the lifestyle of modern cowboys by dri-

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

ving those big ranch wagons you see in

films and on television. That’s possibly our

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

only concession to modern day western

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

lifestyle.”

In July

2008, Christine and Kevin

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

took part in the National Day of the

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

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

Cowboy Parade at Apache Junction in

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Arizona. It’s a rodeo style event where

Registration number 213263

the skills of the Old West cowboys live

Call Sign November 2013

Page 25

You may have seen articles in Call Sign about

the London Taxidrivers’ Fund for

Underprivileged Children’s Ranks of Angels

LTFUC celebrate

thanksgiving to celebrate 85 years of helping

children with special needs.

Complementing the evening service inside

85th anniversary with

the magnificent St Pauls Cathedral, the

LTFUC was granted use of St Paul’s

Churchyard to promote the activities of the

charity and to make collections. Although it

St Pauls concert

was a cold and windy day, all those that

attended did enjoy the exper

delighted that Blue Badge

Guide Stanley Roth (ex Y53)

gave his support by creating

do you know London competi

tion with a bottle of champagn

for the winner. Another comp

tition came from committ

member Steve Bell and w

Wendy when they turned his

into a ‘Pearly Cab’ with thousa

of buttons. Visitors had to g

how many buttons there were

the winner receiving a one n

stay at any Thistle or Guo

Hotel. Another great piece o

arlie Chaplin and vintage cab in the churchyard &

artwork was the creation by

ke Son making final preparations for the St Pauls

and Kay Pullan with a huge

ncert

day cake on the roof of a ca

brating the LTFUC’s 85 years.

aregiver

Could I also thank Tiba and Paresh Dewan of

There were also five vintag

nd her

Market Financial Solutions Ltd for their gen-

organised by Doug Cheshire

elpers

erous donation in sponsoring the order of ser-

London Vintage Taxi Asso

h o

vice.

with former PCO Head Roy E

organ-

My personal and sincere thanks go to

of the vintage taxi drivers. Al

ised the

Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Rev

were the Pearly Kings and

p r e s -

Sarah Eynstone, Chaplain Jane Laws, Rev

and ‘Charlie Chaplin’ who

ence of

Ally Barrett, Vicar at St Mary with the Offords

happy to pose for photos. Five

a well-

and Buckden for her inspiring sermon and to

mals entertained visitors an

equally

all the Ushers at St Paul’s Cathedral who

with the many inquisitive children visit-

delighted to see various faith leaders who

made the event move so smoothly.

ing the displays.

accepted the invitation to join this unique

My gratitude also goes to my friends and

In the evening, The ‘Ranks of Angels’

occasion. After the service, I was told by one

colleagues, the LTFUC committee members

Thanksgiving, hosted by the Chapter of St

of the Ushers of St Paul’s that the estimated

and their partners who supported this once

Pauls Cathedral proved to be a tremendous

attendance was around 1000 guests.

in a lifetime event and to all who attended

success. Many important guests were present

The Funds’ grateful thanks also go to the 70

such a unique occasion in one of Europe’s

including City of London Sheriff Adrian

musicians from the London Charity

most awe - inspiring and iconic buildings.

Waddingham, Westminster City Council

Orchestra conducted by William Carslake,

I hope it was as enjoyable for all of you as

Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Jan Prendergast,

40 children from the New London

it was for me. Months of planning and lots of

Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers

Children’s Choir and 30 from the Pembroke

sleepless nights... however it was all worth-

Master Colin Hayfield, Master of the

Academy of Music, conductor Ronald Corp.

while. Here’s to the next time...!

Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage

All donated their time and dedication to make

Michael Son

Drivers Graham Woodhouse, Roger Salmon,

the occasion so special with music, songs and

Master of the Worshipful Company of

hymns all performed to perfection.

DaC Special Projects

Launderers Benevolent Trust Fund, Jaki

Howes, Master-Elect of The Worshipful

Company of Chartered Architects and

Redbridge Council Deputy Mayor Tania

Hungry?

Solomon.

I was very pleased to see Dial-a-Cab

Nellie’s waiting!

Chairman Brian Rice, Geoffrey Riesel CEO

of Radio Taxis and the LTDA’s John Thomas

20% off the bill when you show your badge

and Barry Hooper in addition to a number

of licensed taxi drivers.

Great pastas, chicken, steaks, fish and roasts!

Other trade charities were there includ-

ing The London Taxi Benevolent

Nellie's Restaurant

Association for War Disabled and their

12-13 Greville Street, EC1N 8SB

guests of five Chelsea Pensioners, The

East London Cabbies Outing, The

Southend Fund for Underprivileged

Show your badge and it’s 20% o

Children and the Taxi Driver of the Year

Charity Fund.

Open 9.30 am to 12 pm

It was also wonderful to see so many chil-

Free parking from 6.30 pm

dren. Heartfelt thanks go to Pam Mason,

Call Sign November 2013

Page 26

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

IT’S A CABBIES LIFE!

It has now been established that malad-

Pensions

ministration occurred and it was left to an

What rarely gets a mentioned via taxi media

elected Conservative government to intro-

channels and which affect us crucially in old

duce an Equitable Life scheme to pay out pol-

age, is pensions. I profess to not being an

icy holders who suffered loss - sadly some

expert on financial matters, but I discovered

twelve years after the debacle when many of

some extraordinary facts which lay bare the

the policy holders may have died.

enormity of saving for a meaningful pension.

Throughout that worrying time, I was

Current and former public sector workers

corresponding with my MP, Enfield’s

who drive taxis have less to be concerned

David Burrows. He sent reams of letters

as the Welsh team ran out 2 - 1 winners.

about, assuming they are provided with a pub-

relating to this mess. What I discovered is

Of course Kinnock, nicknamed the Welsh

lic sector pension. A 65-year old who retires on

that an excellent local MP is worth their

windbag, has form when it comes with tri-

a protected inflation and widow’s benefits pen-

weight in gold.

umphalist behaviour - notably during the

sion similar to the public sector, will need a

My pension has since been rejuvenated

infamous Sheffield Arena rally repeating :

pension pot of £500,000 just to have an annu-

with the help from my mate, a wealth manag-

“We’re alright, we’re alright,” to his fanatical

ity of £15,000 before tax. The average index-

er giving me free tips making outrageous bets

Labour supporters; an own goal that has

linked accumulated private pension pot

against the market. For instance, betting my

been acknowledged as a decisive blunder

nationwide at the point of retirement is just

entire pension in the Japanese sector imme-

that cost Labour the 1992 General Election.

£40.000 - little more than £1.200 a year.

diately following the aftermath of the nuclear

I seem to remember Lord and lady Kinnock

You need to squirrel away a constant

reactor leak when the markets tumbled. A

also did rather well out of the gravy train that

stream of dosh, be extremely fortuitous in the

move he said was a no- brainer although

is lesser known as the European Parliament.

sector your pension is invested in and the

risky; he likes to cover both bases.

An EU Commissioner for ten years (with Lady

performance of your fund manager, while

So what is the difference between a sophis-

Kinnock an MEP), they do not have to worry

refrain from paying high charges that signifi-

ticated investor and an ignorant investor? Just

about pensions, six large public sector pen-

cantly eat into your final pension pot.

luck! So as we often say in this trade... Be

sions being in the bag. An investigative jour-

A stakeholder pension has a cap on charges

lucky!

nalist in Brussels noted Lady Kinnock leaving

but a limit on the range of funds to choose

the Parliament building within an hour of

from. But it is better to have a personal pen-

Unlikely football

signing in on 26 occasions during a period of

sion paying high fees with good results than

2 years while collecting £270 each day using

a pedestrian stakeholder pension getting a

hooligan!

the revolving door.

crap result.

During a football match between Fulham

I thought socialism principles involved a

I, and I suspect many others on Dial-a-

and Cardiff on Saturday 28 September, a

fairer distribution of wealth. I reckon the

Cab, had put all their eggs in one basket -

rather tactless man together with his grand-

nouveau riche and not-so-recently nouveau

The Equitable Life Assurance Society - and

children was escorted by ground security “for

riche, Baron Kinnock of Bedwelty and Lady

through its mismanagement had 20% of your

his own safety” after celebrating by leaping

Kinnock secretly share their good fortune

pension wiped out at a stroke. All without

up and down in the home fans enclosure

with their Cardiff brethren!

profit pensions had to be scaled down. The

after Cardiff scored.

Labour government at the time failed all pol-

Lord Neil Kinnock before the match was

Stephen Berndes

icy holders at every stage of the process by

heard to say: “Decorum will not come into it

blocking, frustrating and delaying justice.

if Cardiff wins!” He was as good as his word

Call Sign Online

Another true story from Geoff Levene

Guess who I just picked up...!!!

God knows there are enough things to moan about.

There’s the price of diesel, TfL, Boris, parking tickets, Addison Lee and about it being so quiet out still for the time of

year. The list seems to be endless, but there must be some advantages... surely? Well one thing is when occasionally you

get to go somewhere interesting or pick up someone famous. Ok, not everyone is as impressive as you think they're going

to be, but I suppose when it comes to it we’re all only human after all.

I've been lucky enough to have driven some people who really meant something to me. There was Eric Clapton and the autograph I

obtained to give to my son was treated like the Holy Grail. And my favourite living author, some of whose books have been serialised

for TV and which have also been made into films not to mention also happening to be a Dial-a-Cab account holder, was just an absolute gentleman.

Then there was the classical pianist Mitsuko Uchida who was so delighted that I recognised her and knew of her work that she left two tickets at the

Festival Hall for me. Simply unforgettable!

And what about Harold Pinter? When I was in my early teens, his first plays came out and were shown on TV. My elder brothers and I were fascinated

by them and some of his dialogue became so familiar, that it entered our vocabulary. Around the same time, I saw him act in The Caretaker in a tiny

Theatre in Worthing.

About thirty years later, The Caretaker was back on the West End stage and I picked Harold Pinter up. I really wanted to talk to him but was unsure what

to say; luckily he asked me something so I was able to get into conversation with him. I mentioned having seen him all those years ago and his eyes lit up as

he said to me that anybody that had sat through one of his acting performances deserved a reward and would I like to see the current production? Would I?

Wow! Tickets from our then greatest living playwright. Yes, he was considered a controversial figure, but I found him charming and generous.

Sometimes your path crosses with that of a friend. I knew a guy who was a fire fighter at the old Chiltern Street fire station. He had tried

to get into the army and the police service, but a slight case of childhood polio ruled him out. However, he was OK for the fire service.

One afternoon as I sat at the corner of Seymour Place and Crawford Street, I heard an emergency vehicle approaching. Round the corner it came, lights

blazing and sirens blaring and there was Ian at the wheel with the white-helmeted Senior Officer seated next to him. So what do you do when you see a

mate? You wave of course! Ian had both hands full steering the huge red beast, so he merely nodded and went on his way.

The next time we met, I reminded him about that incident.

“Oh yes,” he remembered, “and do you know what the guv'nor said? Why is that stupid **** waving at us!”

I no longer wave at firemen...

Geoff Levene (W32)

Call Sign November 2013

Page 27

London Taxis

Private Hire

has updated

NEWS FROM LTPH

Call Sign with

it’s latest

the new suburban identifiers have a larger

Update on vehicle licensing

space to show the areas in which a driver is

foray into technology…

service

licensed to ply for hire.

Our new vehicle licensing service went live in

Drivers should display their replacement

New licensing system...

February and so far we have undertaken

identifiers and carry the copy of their replace-

Over the past 3 years we have been working

10,900 taxi inspections. Overall feedback from

ment licence as soon as they receive them.

hard to deliver a more efficient and modern

customers is positive and now that the new ser-

Drivers renting taxis should give the original

licensing service and we now take another

vice has settled into a steady state, we will be

licence to the owner of the taxi and ask for the

large step in this programme of work as we

looking to undertake a customer satisfaction

return of the existing licence. Accompanying

launch our new licensing system for drivers

survey in the near future. The survey will be

the new documents will be instructions advis-

and operators. Whilst our old licensing systems

carried out at each of the six inspection centres

ing how to return existing documents to TfL.

were heavily paper-based and disparate, the

over the course of a week. If you are asked to

new system (TOLA) provides an end-to-end

Guide to new online accounts for

take part, please do take the time to answer the

licensing system for TPH staff. While you may

questions as your feedback is important to us.

licensees

not realise the benefits immediately, once we

You can book a vehicle inspection by calling

As part of our new vehicle licensing service and

have bedded in the new system and new ways

0343 222 5555. We will also soon be launch-

modernisation programme, we will shortly be

of working, it will speed up the licensing

ing our new online service and you will then be

introducing new functionality for licensees.

process and make the whole process much

able to book your vehicle inspection online.

Once live, this system will enable all licensees

more transparent.

to manage their licences and applications

New TPH contact details

You will be able to apply and renew online

through a new online account, allowing us to

In order to improve the service we give our

as well as track the progress of your applica-

move away from our current paper based file

customers, Transport for London is moving

tion. It may take time for the new system to set-

system.

away from higher rate 084 and 087 contact

tle in and we appreciate your patience during

You will receive a letter from us providing

numbers across the whole organisation. These

this transition.

details of your individual account and a pass-

are being replaced with 03 numbers, which are

Benefits of the new system

word. Once you have received this letter, you

charged as a local rate number and are also

Our new licensing system brings a range of

will be able to use the information to access

included in many fixed line and mobile phone

improvements to the way we work. As well as

your new online account through our website.

bundles. The new numbers to contact us on

helping us move away from paper based files

As we have records for a number of licences

are:

which can take longer to process than elec-

with the same address or more than one busi-

Driver licensing queries on 0343 222

tronic applications, the system will also

ness name linked to an address, you may

4444 with vehicle licensing enquiries on

improve our operational capabilities.

receive more than one set of account details. If

0343 222 5555.

We will be issuing compliance officers with

that happens we’ll include instructions on how

If you would like to be included on the dis-

handheld devices. These will enable the com-

to contact us to get the accounts merged.

tribution list for the regular ‘In Gear’ bulletins,

pliance team to undertake on-street licensing

We really believe the move to a new

please email TPH.Enquiries@tfl.gov.uk or alter-

checks on drivers, operators or vehicles in real

licensing system and the imminent intro-

natively all information on our new vehicle

time. Handhelds will be capable of scanning

duction of online accounts will revolu-

licensing service can be found at

barcodes printed on the new licences, which

tionise the way we work and the service we

www.tfl.gov.uk/tph.

will instantly bring up the licence holder’s

offer, making our licensing process more

General enquiries to Customer Support on 0343

details. Handhelds will also allow the printing

efficient and effective for you.

222 4444 or email TPH.Enquiries@tfl.gov.uk.

of notices on street, enabling the compliance

team to spend less time in the office complet-

ing paperwork and more time conducting

enforcement activities. Additionally, as the new

system will allow operators to upload details of

drivers and vehicles online in the future, part

of the compliance inspection will be able to be

completed remotely.

If you are one of the drivers impacted by

recent changes to the Disclosure and Barring

Service and currently unable to work, we are

EARLY TREATMENT MEANS SPEEDY RECOVERY

checking every day for the results of new dis-

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

closures. Any results received for renewal

applicants whose licences have expired, or are

The Centre offers fully qualified therapists in Physiotherapy,

close to expiring, are treated as a high priority

case. We aim to make decision on these high

Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Remedial

priority applications within 24 hours of receiv-

Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hydrotherm, Massage

ing the results of the disclosure (see page 3 edi-

Therapy, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

torial).

New taxi driver licences and iden-

Call us on 020 8507 8169

tifiers

or mobile 07973 639 473 for an early appointment

Transport for London have commenced issu-

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

ing replacement taxi driver licences and identi-

Out of hours enquiries welcome

fiers to all licensed London taxi drivers. The

new licences and identifiers will be of a similar

Barking Physical Therapy Centre

design to existing ones, but will contain a num-

90 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8SF

ber of new security features including a holo-

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

gram and barcode unique to the driver. In

www.bptconline.co.uk

addition, following feedback from the trade,

Call Sign November 2013

Page 28

LTPH ranks update

News for November from London Taxis Private Hire

Alexandra Palace

The actions of the drivers causing

side of Turnham Green Terrace, meaning

Alexandra Palace has two ranks -

these problems risk this informal

that the carriageway and rank are not in

one near the main entrance to the

agreement being revoked, the loading

the London Borough of Ealing. This

bay being enforced and drivers parked

means that only ‘All London’ drivers and

Palm Court bar for smaller events

on the loading bay being issued with

those taxi drivers who are licensed for the

and one in the east car park for

Penalty Charge Notices.

London Borough of Hounslow are per-

larger events such as concerts etc.

If taxi drivers block the cycle lane in the

mitted to use the rank.

bus station it means that cyclists cannot

Prior to 2000, the Turnham Green rank

November at Ally Pally...

use it, are forced around the taxis parked

was outside any suburban sector but was

2nd November: The Ally Pally

there and put at risk of colliding with

designated as an island rank which sub-

German Bier Festival (Great Hall).

buses coming into the station. Taxis park-

urban drivers were allowed to use. When

9th November: Alice in Chains + spe-

ing next to the loading bay also block the

the old sectors were converted to the cur-

cial guests Ghost and Scar the Martyr

entrance to the station, causing problems

rent ones, drivers formerly licensed for

featuring Joey Jordison from Slipknot

on Seven Sisters Road and St Thomas’s

Sector 5A who customarily used the rank,

(Palm Court entrance).

Road.

could no longer do so as their new sector

13th / 14th November: The National -

There have also been reports of drivers

was Ealing and Hillingdon. To address

From the new album (Great Hall via

using their mobile phone while driving

this disadvantage, these drivers were

Palm Court).

through the bus station, turning left out of

allowed to apply to be licensed for the

16th / 17th November: Vans Warped

the bus station onto Stroud Green Road

London Borough of Hounslow subject to

Tour 2013 - VWT returns to Ally Pally

which is not allowed, reversing out of the

with headliners including Rise Against

undergoing a knowledge assessment of

bus station, not using their lights when

that one borough. However, this conces-

and Enter Shikari. 50 bands 4 stages

dark and being abusive towards bus dri-

(Great Hall via Palm Court).

sion was only available to drivers licensed

vers and police officers. Those actions are

28th November: The Lumineers with

prior to April 2000 and is no longer avail-

unacceptable and put other road users,

special guests Thao

(Great Hall via

able.

including taxi drivers, at risk. Action will

Palm Court).

Any driver first licensed since 2000

be taken by LTPH against any driver

1st December: Antiques, Collectors,

for the Ealing and Hillingdon sector

caught committing any of the above

20th Century Art Deco Fair (Great Hall

only is not permitted to use the taxi

offences and their fitness to remain

via Palm Court).

rank at Turnham Green Terrace. These

licensed will be reviewed.

drivers would only be permitted to

use the taxi rank if they were licensed

London City Airport

Turnham Green rank

for the Hounslow, Kingston upon

The feeder rank at City Airport changed

LTPH has received a number of calls

Thames and Richmond upon Thames

from early October with a new taxi feeder

about which taxi drivers can use the

sector or had become

‘All London’

park that will have 10 taxi lanes. This will

Turnham Green Terrace taxi rank. The

licensed drivers.

be located just off of Hartmann Road.

rank is in the London Borough of

LTPH Compliance Officers will be con-

Taxis should move from the feeder park

Hounslow and whilst the borough

ducting visits to the Turnham Green

to the new small feeder rank on

Hartmann Road. Initially there will be

boundary for Ealing is very close to the

Terrace taxi rank to ensure that only dri-

marshals on-site to assist.

rank, it actually runs along the far western

vers who are licensed to use this rank are

side of the pavement on the northbound

using it.

Finsbury Park Station

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

LTPH have received reports about prob-

lems at Finsbury Park Bus Station. The

problems involve taxi drivers and the use

of the loading bay outside Costa Coffee,

LOCKHOUSE SECURITY

mainly from 20:00 onwards and on all

days of the week.

The problems include taxis blocking the

All types of locks, opened, repaired and replaced

cycle lane which runs alongside the load-

10% discount on keys and locks for DaC drivers

ing bay, not allowing delivery vehicles on

Transponders / chipped keys

to the loading bay and not moving up on

the loading bay when there is space.

On site key cutting services including taxis

LTPH has been working to try and offi-

Locks replaced / fitted to insurance specifications (BS3621

cially appoint a new night time taxi rank in

Burglary repairs / boarding up

the loading bay and also a part-time taxi

rank in the loading bay in Rock Street.

Additional security / security upgrades

While this work has almost been complet-

Safes opened, repaired and serviced

ed, they have now had to suspend it fol-

Grilles and security gates

lowing reports about the above problems.

Specialists in UPVC doors and windows / patio doors

If the problems continue, then the addi-

tional taxi ranks will not be appointed.

Free estimates / no call out charge

Following a significant amount of work

24hr service

and engagement with taxi drivers at

Finsbury Park, there was an informal

You can find us at:

agreement to allow drivers to use the load-

8-10 The Arcade, Farnham Road, Harold Hill

ing bay outside Costa Coffee under certain

Tel: 01708 371115

conditions and for a third taxi to use the

designated taxi rank after certain times.

Call Sign November 2013

Page 29

Mailshot

Either write to

mobiles and to describe where to find us?

Call Sign at Dial-a-Cab House

There is one very helpful dispatcher who

or email us at callsignmag@aol.com

will do this; there is another who unhelp-

fully sticks firmly to the script. I suppose he

is only doing his job as told, but for the

Getting it off your

good of all concerned, please re-write the

drivers cannot afford a new cab. Then we

bloody script!

chest!

have the Law Commission report that is

Can I also suggest that a Board Member

Dear Editor,

due out at any time. I could go on forever,

takes a half day out and drive to each ter-

I write in the aftermath of working difficul-

but I hope that other drivers will add their

minal, judge how long it takes from the

ties that occurred over the 3-day period that

views.

feeder, park up, making another note of

included the Yom Kippur holiday over Friday,

I would also like to add one further point

how long from parking to barrier, go and

Saturday and Sunday. Those of us who

- this one about Dial-a-Cab. We seem to be

stand with all the other muppets, observing

worked were under great pressure because

losing good, long-standing drivers from the

the morning and afternoon chaos, and then

apart from the holiday absence of many dri-

circuit who perhaps now want to cut down

walk back to the car park, noting again

vers, this coincided with the closure of many

on their workload. This loss has happened

exactly what the parking fee is. Plus which,

roads due to the Triathlon in Hyde Park and

since the £1 subscription rate for drivers

of course, the meter fare will be much high-

surrounding areas and the extra demand of

who have been Members for over 30 years

er because the trip is dispatched that much

Fashion Week. Plus it rained. During this

was changed to one of half subs instead.

earlier to allow the driver time to park and

period, we were constantly exhorted to

Would it not have been better to charge

position himself. This is a dumb system to

cover the credit work, but it appeared to me

them a small percentage of the work they

nobody's benefit.

that the Control Room either did not under-

did? At least that way if they didn’t go to

And another thing while I'm on the sub-

stand the situation or have any idea about

work they would have no subs to pay.

ject, do not ask drivers to pick up in Rugby

the psychology of the drivers, or were not

At this stage I haven’t even broached the

Road after a match. It's closed, it's always

instructed or trained efficiently. For exam-

subject of Hailo and the damage they are

closed so that 80,000 blokes can get to the

ple, during this chaos, I was offered several

doing to our trade!

pub in Twickenham, again a Board Member

'genuine as directed' trips. Does someone

Paul Hammett (V42)

should visit such similar sites and scope

really ring to say they want a cab, but don't

Interesting letter Paul. During the inter-

out alternative pick-ups. It’s no good leav-

know where they are going? If so, they

view with me, I was asked if I’d recom-

ing it to untrained dispatchers with no idea

should be told gently but firmly that a desti-

mend the Knowledge to my grandson

of the on-the-ground problem.

nation would enhance their chances of get-

and I couldn’t honestly say yes, because

I'm glad that's off my chest; I'm only try-

ting a cab.

even if it took him two years - which is

ing to help, but the radio circuit exists to

Which leads to my point of As Directed

going some - would he be better off

enhance our working conditions and hope-

trips during such chaos

- and I mean

than driving a minicab and starting

fully satisfy the customers need. But where

absolute chaos - with jobs from Paddington

almost straightaway with a satnav? I’d

any dichotomy exists, remember who

or anywhere north of Hyde Park, to even

like to have said definitely to the KoL

should come first... us!

Victoria being impossible to complete. Two

but I’m not sure it would have been the

Jon Tremlett (Y32)

of mine ended up at Green Park under-

truth, whereas even 10 years ago I’d

See Keith Cain’s response on page 10 of

ground station. I fully understand the reason

have said a positive yes. In all honesty, I

this issue ...Ed

for As Directed during the morning rush

wouldn’t really recommend either.

hours, but at the end of a day from say 1600

You are so right about the lack of fight

hours onward, I cannot believe any drivers

Is the game finished?

that most drivers put up to help the

who are getting toward the end of their shift

Dear Editor

trade, caring only about their day’s work

and who are just about heading for home,

Regarding the Ron Yarborough article in

and then going home. But that’s how life

can afford to take a chance on a job going

the September Call Sign quoting you as ask-

has developed with most of the newer

several miles in the opposite direction. In

ing if the game is finished? I personally

drivers being far more savvy when it

my case, on Sunday after a difficult long day,

think that the game has finished as we cur-

comes to business than we ever were.

I ended up in W8 and while inching my way

rently know it. As I said in the August

And while it’s not really for me to defend

westwards, I was offered the same as direct-

Mailshot, our trade needs a good kick up

the trade organisations, without them

ed trip in W14 several times over a 10

the backside! We have sat back whilst the

we would be in a real pickle because

minute period, so thus afraid of a Canary

minicab trade has grown professionally and

they do so much behind the scenes that

Wharf or even a London Wall, these were all

allowed them take hotel, club, airport and

we don’t know about. The LTDA in par-

refused and it was bleedin' obvious that

account work etc. Yet if one licensed taxi

ticular have been in many courts of law

other drivers had the same thought; so why

driver mistakenly takes another one’s job

over the years fighting for the trade.

not unmask the trip? It isn't rocket science to

off a rank, we want to fight each other!

As you know, Paul, I was one of those

connect a customer and a driver with similar

All our so-called trade leaders do is to

affected by the dropping of the £1 subs

destinations. I live west by 20 miles and

slag each other off via the trade press, but

and I was as “thrilled” as any of the

while an airport is a wonderful finish, draw-

do nothing about the real issues that affect

other thirty year drivers. But times are

ing an arc from Ealing to Richmond, any-

our trade. Our vehicles are far too expen-

tough and although I had actually men-

thing going from town within that arc, I'll

sive to buy, while the cost of road tax, insur-

tioned a similar suggestion to yours at

run for, the same ethos must apply to drivers

ance and servicing etc has gone through

the time, the figures showed that a large

who live east.

the roof.

number of those drivers were almost in

And while I'm on the subject, the rigidity

When I moved to Hertfordshire 26 years

semi-retirement and even when they

of some dispatchers borders upon the

ago, I wondered how much extra time it

did go out to work, were covering very

ridiculous. After a lot of wheeling and deal-

would take me to get into town but cer-

little work. It probably would not have

ing we now have radio cab pick-up ranks

tainly not how much extra it would cost me

mattered had the terminals cost a fiver

on all Heathrow terminals, so why are we

in fuel. I am now spending up to £45 a day

each, but they are extremely expensive

instructed to go into the terminal and stand

on diesel. The days when our tips would

and many were just being wasted, bring-

in among all the other chauffeurs waving a

pay for the day’s fuel cost are now long

ing in very little revenue while not

placard when it is so simple to patch the

gone. We also have the 15-year rule - yet

being used much in the way of cover-

customer and driver together over their

another nail in our coffin because we older

age. You’re right Paul, we lost a lot of

Call Sign November 2013

Page 30

Mailshot

Dear Boris

continued from page 31

The east end of London has enough compli-

cated problems, as you well know, without

really nice guys when the £1 subs went,

having passengers passing through London

but while we are a driver’s circuit, it still

City Airport paying £3 extra, which would

has to be run like a business otherwise

bring a flag fall to £5.40 - shocking, I am sure

it would have gone under years ago. And

you will agree. But that is the ambition of the

let’s be honest; we are talking about £18

seconds when a car door was opened on

folks who run the City Airport. Plus the fact

or so a week - hardly life-changing ...Ed

him whilst he was cycling home. The top

that it is trying to build up the Yellow subur-

corner of the door severed his jugular.

ban areas, with some success I am sure you

Stickers and the Mayor

Really, a sticker on each door would have

will also agree. I wish also to point out that we

Hi Alan

made much more sense...

receive no subsidy, unlike all other forms of

This is a copy of a letter I sent to Mayor

Eddie Lambert (V37)

public transport and which puts us at a major

Johnson. I think it explains my view...

Two stickers sounds logical ...Ed

disadvantage when competing for business.

Melvyn Harvey (E87)

You only have to see what a pigs ear has been

Dear Mayor Johnson,

made at Victoria Station to see that we are less

The death of a battery

Thank you for yet another sticker to put in

than a poor relation in the eyes of Mr Hendy

Hi Al

our windows. I'm sure my passengers will

and

his

staff

TfL.

Re battery messages in recent issues of Call

take heed. My problem is the lack of enforce-

It jeopardises the good work done in the past

Sign, my cab battery has just died after 6

ment of the majority (yes majority) of cyclists

by the taxi industry if this charge goes through.

years, 7 months and 4 days and has depart-

that have a total disregard of the Highway

But in layman’s terms, I do hope you will put

ed to that big scrap merchant in the sky.

Code. I could stand you at traffic lights,

a spoke in the wheel of the City Airport author-

Beat that!

zebra crossings and no entry signs all over

ity's ambitions regarding charging.

Terry Mears (M63)

London and show you what your elite corp

I would like to apologise for sending this via

Beat it? I’m sorry I ever started it!!! ...Ed

of cabbies see every day - cyclists that think

my MP, but l trust my MP implicitly in doing

they can do what they like and God help

his best at getting this through to you person-

Vito steering problem

anyone who remonstrates with them.

ally rather than take a chance on getting it

Hi Alan,

They take their life in their hands when

binned by some flunky via a return email say-

I noticed on page 29 of the September Call

they jump a red light and the major problem

ing your comments have been recorded.

Sign, the headline was Vito: Rear steering

now is when we are indicating to turn left at

Well, its over to you now Mr Mayor. Good

problem fixed? I’m glad there was a ques-

traffic lights and pull away, they come flying

luck with our problems and of course with

tion mark because as far as I know the same

up the inside to go straight ahead. Absolute

your election campaign in the future.

old problems are still there, even after the

madness, yet we get a mouthful of abuse if

Gary Cox.

latest fix. I’ve had my Vito for over two years

we don't break in time - could we have a

Last month’s Call Sign revealed that LCA

now and haven't found a driver who hasn't

sticker for this to put on our cabs please!

had outlined plans to double passenger

got some kind of problem. The Mercedes

Whilst sitting at the traffic lights at Oxford

numbers over the next 10 years by

garage I go to admit there isn't a fix as yet

Circus, a cyclist smashed into the boot of my

increasing the number of flights, taking

and know there are hundreds - if not thou-

taxi, denting and scratching it. As he drove

larger aircraft and providing an aircraft

sands - of us, all in the same boat having

off through the red light, he told me to claim

taxi lane to allow more passenger jets to

been sold a defective rear steer.

off my insurance (£350 excess). Until you

use the single runway while helping to

There is a Vito taxi drivers club who are

make it compulsory to have cycles registered

clear that runway much more quickly

well worth joining. It’s the best £20 you can

and insured, things will not change.

than at present. But - and it was a big

spend; they have been putting pressure on

Looking forward to your response.

but - they also want to charge taxi dri-

Merc /KPM to deal with this problem and

Melvyn Harvey

vers £3+ to pick up there. They have

send you regular emails on updates about

Badge number *****

suggested a bill that would allow drivers

the rear steer. There are two guys running

to pass much of the charge over to the

the club. They are:

And again...

passenger, making the initial charge - as

Irving Lomon(irving.lomon@me.com)

Dear Alan

Gary Cox points out - £5.40. The ques-

and Mike Canty (mfcanty@tiscali.co.uk).

I recently wrote to Boris Johnson but did so

tion is how many passengers will contin-

So if you’re thinking of buying a Vito, drop

via my MP, Charles Walker (Broxbourne),

ue to use the service at that price? ...Ed

them an email first to find out if there is a fix

as I felt it would have a better chance of

for the rear steer problem yet, before you

being read by the Mayor.

end up like the rest of us... waiting for this

And again...!

Gary Cox (O46)

miracle fix!

Hi Al

Dear Sir

Ref the October Call Sign and the door

Steve Bryant (Y41)

I am a member of your constituency and also

sticker warning about passing cyclists; sure-

Any Vito owners had a successful fix for

a London taxi driver. At the present time I am

ly the intelligent thing for TfL to have done

the rear steer problem? ...Ed

on holiday in Spain and have just been

(if that’s not an oxymoron then I don’t

informed that taxi drivers are to be charged to

know what is) would have been to issue

Not Appy!

Dear Alan.

pick passengers up at the City Airport, which

two stickers ie one for each door. The

would make a flag fall of £5.40 instead of the

largest portion of cost must be the post and

It is now 5 years since I retired from driving

a cab and there have been many changes in

£2.40 at the present time. Because you are a

packaging with the cost of the stickers

Conservative Member of Parliament and the

being possibly no more than 30% of that

the trade since then, most of which make

me glad I got out when I did. However,

Mayor of London is Conservative also, I sus-

total cost. I’m sure we have all had or seen

pect you have a vested interest in supporting

close shaves when passengers have sud-

there is also one new innovation that I am

at a loss to understand and that is the so-

one another's political campaigns and re-elec-

denly decided to bale out before we were

tion.

expecting them to and so were not close

called Apps. My understanding of these

things comes largely from what I've read in

I would write directly to Mayor Johnson but

enough to the kerb to stop a cyclist getting

feel if it came via you, there is less chance it

between the two.

Call Sign Online, but it appears there is no

run-in and you wait 5 minutes before start-

will be filed away never to see the light of day.

Several years ago, Peter McNamme, a

Gary Cox

well-known courier company boss died in

ing the meter. Is that right? Surely things

Call Sign November 2013

Page 31

Mailshot

continued from page 30

Advertising

contraceptives!

can't be that bad that drivers are willing to

Hi Alan

do this? My only hope is that when the

I recently came to the UK to visit some family

work finally picks up (and it will - it always

and friends. While out and about I couldn't

has in the past) these things will disappear

help noticing some taxis with illuminated

like so many other fads I've seen in the 35

to increase credit card work. Well here's

roof advertising. How long has this been? Not

one member who won't be doing more

years I drove a taxi.

impressed at all, it is cheap, nasty and taste-

Terry Farmer (Ex-T55J)

because reluctantly after 20 odd years I

less. I have no idea what the drivers or

have decided to take a credit card machine

Nice to hear from you again Terry. You

garages are getting paid for these media mon-

ask if it’s right that the taxi Apps have no

from another provider. This is because tak-

strosities, but they certainly bring down the

ing a card job on the new terminal has

run-ins and you then must wait 5 min-

status of our industry. No way would the old

utes before starting the meter. Well it’s

turned into a lottery as to whether we can

guard permit this kind of advertising on

clear it or not.

partially right... except that you also have

London taxis.

to pay 10% for the privilege! Do yourself

My main gripe with the old terminal was

When can we expect drivers to wear

Ye Olde Map we had and the new one is dif-

a favour Terry - stay retired! ...Ed

sponsored clothing bearing company logos

ferent class, if a little complicated. But once

or adverts for Durex and safe sex?

Captain Kirk lent me Lieutenant Uhuru for

Sliding doors on all

Steve Shaller (Ex-F34J)

a couple of days I worked it out! The prob-

Spain

lem, as I'm sure you know, is the signals.

taxis...?

Your sex life is nothing to do with the

They are truly shocking. Added to all the

Hi Al

rest of us señor! As to your other prob-

old black spots we now have huge swathes

Re the Mailshot letter from Clarence

lem, if we all buy the soon-to-be Nissan

of the West End, Knightsbridge and most

Ishmael (R54) in the October Call Sign

NV200 then that could solve your prob-

helpfully Canary Wharf.. I can't believe the

Online, he is probably the owner of a Vito

lem, as their panoramic glass roof will

new terminals were on test for a year with-

or has shares in Mercedes-Benz when sug-

be unable to take the ad boards ...Ed

out anyone noticing. The other night I took

gesting that all taxis should have sliding

a job off the rank at Terminal 5 to Barnes

doors. We've all been there; a dark wet

Swastikas

and tried a soon to clear all the way from the

night, poor visibility. We are parked behind

Dear Alan

Hogarth. I finished the job and cleared it

a van, be it a minicab Viano/Vito or a

Re Bob's War Tours article in the October Call

only to find I was still number one in the

licensed Vito taxi. Someone steps out of the

Sign Online; if you pick up Hindu passen-

airport. On the plus side, I can now sign on

vehicle and for a second we can't work out

gers from their homes, then the swastika - a

outside my house in deepest darkest Kent

how. Then we realise that when the doors

symbol of good luck in India - is almost as

so if a job ever comes out in SE99 again I'm

of these vehicles are open in bad condi-

common a sight on their doors as a mezuzah

up for it.

tions, we cannot tell unless we have seen

is on a Jewish home, hence its presence on a

Charlton Clark (F25)

the whole operation.

plaque on the wall of India House.

Hi Chuck, you will be pleased to know

So we go from a cyclist colliding with a

Bill Munro

that an update to the software looks to

door of ANY vehicle - why single out taxis -

Earlswood Press

have solved the signal problems. At the

to a pedestrian stepping out of a vehicle

Bob Woodford is looking for bombing

time of writing (two days into testing it)

into the path of a cyclist. Two people hurt

potholes left over after the two wars

I have had not one problem,

instead of one! Two injuries clogging up A

that are still there but which few know

Also, last month’s Mailshot had a let-

& E! I believe a door opening is easier to

about. He has already received several

ter from Steve Bryant (Y41) asking why

see than no door opening and someone

leads following the article, but would be

the noise announcing an incoming trip

appearing Dynamo style into the road. As

grateful for more ...Ed

was so quiet and I hinted that it could

an ex-ADI qualified driving instructor, slid-

soon be solved. Well this update has

ing doors make me shudder and should be

cured that too and you can now have it

resigned to the bin with Gwyneth Paltrow

New terminal

as loud as you want! There is a more

and John Hannah.

Dear Al

technical explanation inside this issue

A possible solution to this dilemma of

In his reply to Jon Tremlett in last month's

from DaC’s Director of IT, John Bankes

cyclists going into taxi doors is something

Call Sign, Brian said that DaC were hoping

...Ed

we can perhaps help to stop by taking some

responsibility. Keep your foot on the brake,

thereby locking the doors until you can see

that there are no cyclists around (mirrors)

The Flower Mill

and then only allow people out by the door

nearest the kerb. Also try to park tight to

Creating Beautiful Flowers For Weddings

the kerb so a cyclist isn't tempted to try and

squeeze down the side. Take control; don't

let people out in the middle of traffic. It's

dangerous.

Tel: 07854 738895

We witness cyclists everyday who could-

n't give a toss about their own well-being,

Web: www.theflowermillessex.co.uk

but if they get hit it is nearly always the

motor vehicle driver who gets it. Protect

Email: theflowermill@yahoo.co.uk

yourself, take responsibility, take control.

Mickey Lappin (Ex-E46)

Thanks Mickey. Anyone else have a view

Covering Essex & The Surrounding Counties

on the safety or otherwise of sliding

doors? But more to the point Mickey,

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

what have you got against Gwyneth

Paltrow and John Hannah! ...Ed