Call Sign March 2015

Page 3

from the editor’s desk

DaC elections and democracy…

struck me as being a fairly sensible person who

So that’s another AGM out of the way - I think it

cared about the trade just as I do. But he is incor-

was my 39th out of the 42 years I’ve been with

rect in his assumption that I sign on to that site

Dial-a-Cab. I’ve probably seen most things at

using someone else’s name. I don’t. I was shown

those meetings from drunken drivers to virtual

the site and its contents by a member of that group

riots to comedy performances that beat anything

while looking over his shoulder. On this occasion,

on TV! Indeed, there was one moment this year

the emails I am writing about were forwarded onto

involving age that had the HAC first floor rolling

me. He also tries to justify why that group should

around with laughter - and no, it won’t be on

be allowed to slag off anyone they like whilst using

YouTube!

aliases. Sorry Mickey, it rarely happens in Call Sign

I’ve seen attendances range from 60 up to

because I disagree with it. But the biggest load of

almost 1200. Nothing really surprises me and so

tosh is reserved for his comment of several mem-

far as most AGMs go this one was fairly interesting

bers of DaC being expelled because of their views

- and by recent standards well attended with

on an internet forum. Never mind several, Mickey,

standing room only. At five hours, that must have

give me just one name of someone expelled for

been as difficult as sitting on a hard chair for 300

their views and I’ll try to find out if it has any truth.

minutes!

Call Sign via Vince Chin put the first UK taxi forum

Of course, it is always sad to see a Board mem-

that perhaps he did run before he could walk, but

(Discuss) on line in 1999 and it would upset me

ber lose their place - although I suspect that after

he would also have seen Brian Rice not only con-

greatly if I thought it had any truth to it. I’m not

his well-publicised illness for much of 2014, Tom

trol a meeting that lasted five hours, but also have

even sure if you have ever been on DaC, so how

Whitbread will count it as something of a blessing

the answers to a multitude of questions put to him

you would know anyway is something of a puzzle.

- although not those that made such good use of

during the meeting - without once having to look

But if you have any details about such an expulsion,

his contacts in the world of freebie theatre tickets!

up an answer.

then send it to my email address.

By the same token, well done Joe Brazil (K16),

But of course, one day we will need a new

Then there is former driver, Mark White. This is

who after several attempts has now made it onto

Chairman. So that brings me back to the question

the man who is apparently proud that he nicked

the Board. Joe has had many years of working at

of democracy and while not everyone will agree,

one of our old terminals after being expelled. He

Brunswick Place as a Senior Systems Supervisor,

this Society embraces that concept as much as it is

claims it sits “proudly” in his home in a box. Wow!

including long spells as a dispatcher and I’m sure

possible to do so. Call Sign is uncensored and dri-

Does that mean that it wasn’t really stolen but jus-

he will become a valuable member of the BoM.

vers can say what they like within reason just as

tifiably not returned? Nope, regardless of his reason

Everyone wants to be liked - including me - but

any member can stand for the BoM. This year’s

involving the printer, it was stolen. If his email was-

I suspect that some may have jeered me had I men-

results - just as did that of two years ago - showed

n’t so long and boring (around 720 words) I’d have

tioned this at the actual meeting, so I slept on it to

that just being a sitting member is no longer a

reprinted it just for comedy value.

make sure my view didn’t change - not to mention

guarantee of victory.

Apparently I was one of the drivers on the

my need to fill up a page! There was one aspect of

My belief for future AGMs is this; if there is

Complaints Committee that expelled him and

the meeting that I disagree with and that was for a

going to be someone opposing the sitting

according to Mr White I did that to rule myself out

Board member to oppose the sitting Chairman for

Chairman - and that is democracy - then the

of sitting in Arbitration on him. Who’d have

no reason other than because he or she fancied a

person should be proposed from within the

thought I was that clever! It apparently meant that

crack at the job. This piece applies to Board mem-

Boardroom by a majority of BMs unless the sit-

he had ‘only’ 9 names to choose the 5 needed to sit

bers in general but will automatically be linked to

ting Chairman does not intend standing again.

on the Committee!

Garry White, because he was the BM that threw

Then perhaps it might end up as a free-for-all,

I was also “upset” because he refused to speak to

his hat into the ring. That is coincidence.

although a unanimous agreement would

me when I said hello at a press visit to the Olympic

I’ve spoken to Garry many times and I under-

always be best.

Stadium prior to the Games. No Mark, I wasn’t

stand his reason as to why he opposed Brian for

Just because things aren’t tearing busy, it does-

upset. I was with the editors of Taxi Globe and

the Chairmanship - because he says he is ambi-

n’t mean we should treat being a Board member as

Taxicab News and we were just laughing at your

tious. But DaC isn’t a board (sic) game; it’s a real

akin to taking part in a game. As I said at the begin-

sheer childishness. There are a few I may disagree

business that operates for and on behalf of its

ning of this piece, Garry just happens to be the BM

with or who disagree with me, but we can talk and

members - that’s us! If I was an outsider rather

that enabled me to bring up the subject. It isn’t a

even share a joke. But I guess that’s not you.

than a driver with the Society and heard of a Board

dig at him personally just another extension of the

He also says that if he had the funds, he would

member opposing the Chairman, I’d assume

democracy this Society operates under. The ques-

have sued DaC and sued me “for defamation of

something was going on, because in reality it was

tion is how far it should be allowed to go…

character, libel and slander.” Mark then “hoped”

nothing less than a vote of no-confidence by a BM

The above text was sent to the Board prior to

DaC would take him to court! Well surprise, sur-

in the Chairman.

publication.

prise; unlike him, I’m delighted to say that this

It has to be said that Garry doesn’t see it that

Society had far more sense than to waste a fortune

way, but it is the way the challenge is perceived

Who are you?

in getting an old terminal back - even though the

outside of the Society that matters, because if I was

“Who are you” is an oft-heard chant at football

principle was important. Nevertheless, the terminal

the MD of a large company that considered giving

matches, but in this case it applies to an off-shoot!

had very little value - although some would say that

DaC its business and heard of disruption within

If you were the driver I had a brief chat with at

still made it worth more than Mr White! But it

the Boardroom to the extent of the Chairman pos-

Spurs recently and you told me an interesting story

cheered him up as he says that his nicking it

sibly losing his position because someone else fan-

about your wedding ring, then the reason I haven’t

stopped DaC earning an income from it and that

cied a go, I would probably look elsewhere.

contacted you isn’t because I didn’t like the story,

means he got his own back. He obviously doesn’t

I remember in years gone by when we almost

it’s because I have forgotten your name and lost

put his worth as being very high.

lost a large account - based in Aldermanbury -

your phone number! Sorry…

To those drivers that tell me to disregard the

because they didn’t like the fact that our then year-

LTDF, sadly that isn’t me. If someone has a dig then

ly elections meant that they could never be certain

LTDF (sigh)…

I reserve the right to answer back - especially to

as to who they would be dealing with.

Yes, it’s them again! Following my piece in the

those that like to criticise while hiding their names.

I don’t blame Garry for being ambitious and

February issue regarding the London Taxi Drivers

Of course, if no one tells me about them, then I

wanting to push himself forward, but in my view it

Forum chat site, two long emails and a short third

won’t know and then can’t write about them!

was wrong because of the signals it sent out and I

appeared there involving me and they were again

But it isn’t just me and Call Sign they have a pop

wouldn’t be surprised if some of our clients hadn’t

passed over to me. Apparently there was quite a lot

at. Someone on the LTDF called Deci described the

heard via the “grapevine” that the Chairman was

more but in all honesty I couldn’t face reading it -

majority of DaC members as “lazy minded fools.”

being opposed and how it could affect the stabili-

not because it worried me, but it was beginning to

Obviously he isn’t a member or he would have to

ty of DaC.

bore me. However, as the posts contained a number

include himself! Ah well, at least they’re having

Following the result being announced, Garry

of inaccuracies, I decided to answer them here…

fun…!!!

walked straight up to Brian and congratulated him

The first email was apparently from Mickey

Alan Fisher

-which is what you would expect of the gentle-

Walker. I have had several email exchanges with

man’s circuit. Garry admitted to me afterwards

him in the past away from any internet sites and he

callsignmag@aol.com

Call Sign March 2015

Page 4

reflections of the chairman

phone number of the other person they are

AGM

speaking to.

On a personal level, I would like

We are very hopeful that we can implement

to take this opportunity to thank

this system in the not too distant future as it

will be of obvious benefit to both parties.

Members for returning me as

Chairman for a further two

London Assembly

years.

There has been much talk in recent times

I thought this year’s meeting went very well

regarding the Transport Committee of the

and considering that there were nine candi-

London Assembly and their enquiry into Taxi

dates standing for five Board positions and

and Private Hire services in London.

with two candidates standing as Chairman, the

The report was quite rightly damning of TfL

amount of time the meeting took to conduct

and their administering of Taxis and Private

was not overly excessive given the number of

Hire in London and there isn’t any doubt in

topics on the Agenda.

my mind that the committee understands and

Bearing in mind the extremely traumatic

sympathises with our predicament.

time our trade has experienced during the past seven years or so and

By the time you read this piece, a meeting would already have been

the considerable downturn in our work, I thought the meeting was

held at City Hall on February 25th where there was a questions and

quite mellow and certainly very productive.

answers session with Sir Peter Hendy. Hopefully, I will have attend-

After over twenty years as a Member of the Board of Management,

ed that meeting.

Tom Whitbread was replaced at this election by Joe Brazil (K16) and

Although the meeting will have taken place by the time you read

it would be remiss of me not to thank Tom for his valued services to

this issue of Call Sign, I urge all Dial-a-Cab Members to attend all

this Society, covering a number of varied positions within the Board

Public meetings concerning the Taxi Trade that are held at City Hall

over those years. As many of you are probably aware, Tom has not

and wherever possible, to contact your MP and bring the findings of

been in the best of health in recent times, so I’m sure I speak for

the Transport Committee to their attention.

The Transport Committee have done a sterling job in producing the

everyone when I say that we all hope Tom can now take things a little

report; it is now up to the trade to put as much pressure on TfL as we

easier and return to full health within the near future.

can in an attempt to make sure they adhere to some of the proposals

So we now move on to our new Board Member, Joe Brazil. I have

in the report, rather than sweep them under the carpet, which given

known Joe for around twenty years because he worked in our Contact

half a chance they will attempt to do!

Centre when I took over as Chairman in 1996, until he left the employ

of the Society to drive a taxi full time in 2004.

Brian Rice

On a more personal level, I sold Joe his first taxi and with it he also

Chairman

took over my old call sign of King 16 - one that he still retains. I am

Dial-a-Cab

not sure if there is a moral there somewhere!

I have had an initial meeting with Joe and explained some of the

ways that Dial-a-Cab Board Members are expected to behave,

although I do not believe he was unaware as he worked within

Brunswick House for probably around fifteen years. I am extremely

optimistic that Joe will be an invaluable addition to the Board, after

all he has a fairly good idea regarding the ways of Dial-a-Cab albeit

that probably some things have changed - not to mention even the

building itself - in the ten plus years he has been away from the

Society. However, I am confident Joe will not endeavour to run before

Golf discount for all Dial-a-Cab Drivers

he can walk; I have been through that scenario with him and he seems

Why not take advantage of our winter offers at

quite comfortable with the situation.

As I explained to Members at the meeting, we are now in a situation

The Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club

where Dial-a-Cab employs professionals and in reality there is no longer

Come down and try out this amazing golf package on our

the need for five elected Board Members. However, we will do our

superb par 70 parkland course and you will be treated to

utmost to accommodate Joe for time within the building so that he may

once again acquaint himself with Dial-a-Cab and its procedures.

Coffee & bacon roll

~ ◆ ~

Drivers contacting the customer

18 holes golf

For some time now, many Members have requested the facility to tele-

~ ◆ ~

phone the customer when there is a problem contacting them. By the

Snack lunch from our varied menu

same token, many customers are reluctant to have their telephone

numbers disclosed to anyone other than when it is absolutely neces-

sary. I have no doubt that some DaC Members hold exactly the same

All this for only £30.00

£25.00 per person

sentiments regarding their own telephone number.

But our IT department have now commenced a dialogue with a

company that will alleviate that situation and make it possible for two

This amazing offer is valid

parties to speak to one another without either party divulging their

Monday-Thursdays

telephone number to the other.

1st January to 31st March 2015

What they actually do is to distribute a telephone number to the

(Minimum 4 players)

two parties concerned, so that when either party telephones the num-

ber that has been supplied to them, it automatically contacts the other

To book call now and speak to our sales coordinator

party’s personal telephone number and the conversation can then

Elaine Cochrane on 01992 466666 ext 249

commence! But of course neither party are aware of the correct tele-

Call Sign March 2015

Page 5

Tom Whitbread loses seat at AGM

As DaC welcomes new Board

ing place and owner-

ship of the estate

member Joe Brazil

changing hands fre-

The AGM of two years ago when Allen

quently. Even more

Togwell lost his seat on the Dial-a-Cab

intriguing is the near-

Board to Garry White by a solitary vote,

by ancient graveyard

showed that anything can happen at the

where still exists to

meeting and that contrary to what used to be

this day a small cell

said, voting on the day can and probably does

where Bonnie Prince

make a difference. The 2014 AGM - perverse-

Charlie hid from the

ly held in February 2015 - showed that to be

English troops!

correct yet again when Tom Whitbread lost

The good news is

his seat to Joe Brazil by just 14 votes.

that the title will be

Tom has been with the Society for forty

handed down from

years and this was his second spell with the

generation to genera-

BoM, having famously resigned in 1985 when

tion of Joe’s family -

he disagreed with the company DaC intend-

the not so good news

ed doing business with for our first foray into

is that his

“estate”

data dispatch (Dowty). In the end, Tom was

only covers one

proved to be right and we went with MDI.

square foot! However,

Tom was re-elected to the Board four years

whichever part of that

later and he has stayed there until this AGM.

area Joe stands on, he

He had spells as Complaints Officer,

But what might not be so well known is

can truthfully say that he is the Laird of all he

Control Room Liaison Officer and as Training

that on Father’s Day in 2004, Joe got a gift

surveys!

Officer. He was also in charge of our ‘track-

from his two children that turned him into

Call Sign has it on good authority that Joe

ing’ system in the old days when we had ‘ani-

the Honourable Lord Joseph Gerard Brazil

will not be wearing ermine for Board meet-

mals’ trying to disrupt voice transmissions by

of Loch Borralan!

ings and will not expect any of his fellow

holding their talk-buttons down and shout-

The estate of Loch Borralan is situated on

Board members to go on their knees - but

ing. Back at our Shirland Road days, he ran

Scotland’s northwest coast, just north of

not because some may have trouble in get-

the Control Room evening shift for six years.

Ullapool in Inverness and has been associat-

ting up again!

Dial-a-Cab owes Tom Whitbread a huge

ed with a number of various Scottish clans

Well done Joe and sincere thanks to Tom…

vote of thanks for all he has done and the

over the centuries, with several clan wars tak-

round of applause he got at the meeting

showed that quite well.

Brian Madderson is Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association…

But as one leaves, another comes in. This

time it was Joe Brazil (K16), who has Brian

Rice’s old call sign. Joe had worked in the

Fuel prices on

DaC Call Centre from 1987 as a telephonist

before leaving in 2004 to become a full-time

DaC taxi driver by which time he had become

Senior Systems Supervisor. He had passed

the way up again?

the Knowledge several years earlier, but

remained at DaC because he enjoyed it so

much although eventually needed to buy a

“The wholesale cost of unleaded petro

new cab and that involved working his taxi

has risen by nearly 3.5p per litre since

on a full-time basis.

26 January, which will inevitably stall

further falls in pump prices,” Chairman

of the Petrol Retailers Association,

Brian Madderson, told Call Sign.

Energy Minister, Amber Rudd, recently

raised the prospect of petrol dropping below

£1 per litre ahead of the general election as

crude prices continued to fall. However, from

the low point of $45 a barrel for Brent

Crude in mid-January, there was a significant

rally back to $54/barrel by the beginning of

February. By mid- February, Brent Crude had

topped $60.

Mr Madderson continued: “The PRA has

always felt that crude oil needed to drop to

$40 or less per barrel for a sustained period for petrol to consis-

tently be priced at below £1 per litre across the UK and averages today remain stub-

bornly above 106p. With this rebound in wholesale costs, we are going to see pump

prices heading north again fairly soon. The current market is unsteady and predictions

can quickly be overturned by events. We are questioning what short term impact will

the strike by refinery workers in the US have on European wholesale costs and will the

changing regime in Saudi Arabia affect their draconian pricing policy for crude oil?

“There is growing sentiment in the city that the bottom of the crude oil market may

have been reached and the rebound has now commenced.”

Call Sign March 2015

Page 6

Jery’s World

“Mr Chairman, we don’t want to waste time talking about taxis - can we move straight on to Mergers and Acquisitions and

then Property Development!”

GLOBAL WEBSITE FOR A GLOBAL ICON

The London Taxi Company has launched a brand new global

website to provide news, information and updates for a glob-

al audience at www.london-taxis.co.uk. The new website con

tains all of the information available from the Coventry-

based Black Cab manufacturer and retailer's former websites

-aUK-focused siteand an internationallytargeted portal -

amalgamating all content into one global online presence.

This move follows the decision to streamline all online and digital communications, includ-

ing the company's Twitter streams which now sit solely within the @LondonTaxiCoUK feed.

The new website provides visitors with the functionality to:

* View the latest finance deals available direct from The London Taxi Company and Black Horse Taxi Finance.

* Build their own vehicle using an updated configurator for both UK and International customers.

* Discover the myriad features and benefits of the iconic Black Cab.

* Work out possible Hire Purchase monthly payments using a Finance Calculator.

* Search available Used London Taxis across the UK.

* Request 'first choice' of specific Used London Taxis using a Vehicle Matching Service.

* Search for International Partners, both distributors and operators, across the globe.

The new website also has the following new features, aimed at both London Taxi drivers as well as their passengers:

* A new Approved Service Dealer section with even more information on the products and services available from this dedicated UK network.

* Book a service online for The London Taxi Company's Brewery Road dealership.

* Dedicated Passenger Centre with interesting facts about the trade, FAQs and contact details of Black Cab fleets across the UK.

* Improved history and heritage section detailing the company's origins and iconic vehicles.

* Links to prominent publications and titles - such as Call Sign - that report on and support the licensed taxi trade.

* Information on licensing official LTC merchandise.

The website has been designed as an effective online global destination, which the company intends to continually improve and build on

during the coming months. It was built in conjunction with Crasmundo - a digital and online services agency with a wealth of specific

expertise and insight.

Call Sign March 2015

Page 7

Call Sign recently heard of the death of Margaret, loving wife for 45 years to Call Sign’s Alan Nash,

who has been editing Nash’s Numbers since 1997. Alan gives his own tribute to the woman he

knew simply as Mags…

MARGARET NASH

Margaret - or Mags as she has been known for the last 35+ years - had only ever bee

admitted to hospital twice in her life, and that was to give birth to our two boys.

Whilst nowhere near being what could be called a fitness fanatic, she ate, drank and

exercised sensibly. In late October 2014 she developed a stomach ache that lasted longer

than any normal stomach ache should. Our wonderful GP acted very quickly with blood

tests, ultrasonic scans, an endoscopy and finally a CT scan. The CT scan showed up, just

a week before Christmas, as an inoperable pancreatic growth.

On Christmas Eve, Mags had a biopsy and by New Year’s Eve she had been

admitted to hospital with deep vein thrombosis and urinary infections. The prog-

nosis was terminal and palliative care was the only way forward.

After discussing it with Whipps Cross Hospital, I agreed to have Mags discharged so

that she could enjoy some home comforts and to have her family and friends close dur-

ing her final hours.

The decline was rapid and she passed away in my arms peacefully at 6:30, on 9th

February 2015. She is now in peace.

Alan Nash (A95), husband for 45 years…

In addition to Alan, Margaret will be sadly missed by her children, their partners, her five grandchildren and many friends. If anyone

would like to make a donation to either of two very worthy charities, then you can.

In 1975, Call Sign enlisted the help of four Dial-a-Cab drivers who assisted in taking patients to and from an east London hospice.

That led to the funding of the first MacMillan Nurse - now their name goes before them with the wonderful help and support they offer

- just as they did with Mags.

You can help Macmillan Nurses at www.justgiving.com/magsnash

There is also Alan’s daughter-in-law Louise, who has recently been successfully treated for breast cancer. She will be running along

with her two daughters, Holly and Amy, in aid of Cancer Research: Race for Life.

You can help Cancer Research: Race for Life at: www.justgiving.com/louisenash7

To Alan and his family, we send our sincere condolences…

Call Sign March 2015

Page 8

Frazer-Nash Research and Ecotive,

the makers of the all-new

ELECTRIC

Metrocab, are proud to confirm

that the Metrocab has become the

first zero-emission-capable taxi to

METROCAB READY!

be licensed by Transport for

London to operate on a trial basis

as a London Hackney Carriage.

First three already licensed

The first few Metrocabs are already on the

streets of London transporting fare-paying cus-

tomers around the capital for the first time.

and picking up passengers!

Metrocab chairman, Sir Charles Masefield,

said:

“The Metrocab has received numer-

ous accolades and plaudits across the

board in recent months, but now it is

official - it is the first licensed range

extended electric cab for London and

indeed, the first in the world. We’re

proud and delighted with the

Metrocabs’ performance, economy

and range at the hands of the first few

London cabbies to be operating our

range extended electric taxis.”

The first London taxi driver to operate

the Range Extended Electric

(REE)

Metrocab, Preston Morris, said:

“It’s

great news for me and for cabbies

across London that the Metrocab is

now licensed to work in the capital.

The cash savings on fuel are signifi-

cant, the ride and comfort outstand-

ing and my first customers are thrilled

with the new cab. With its air suspen-

sion providing unrivalled comfort,

panoramic glass roof for views of the

Charging is also available via any mains electric outlet, providing

city and silent powertrain, what’s not to like?”

even lower fuel consumption. Speed limit 80mph (restricted).

The Metrocab has also been shortlisted for the London Transport

Developed by Surrey-based Frazer-Nash Research and Ecotive,

Awards 2015 in the Taxi & Private Hire Innovator of the Year cat-

this unique powertrain system offers ultra-low emissions and a zero

egory. Keynote speaker at the awards presentation, to be held in

emissions mode, improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and

London in March, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, said: “I am delighted, as

economic benefits including tax incentives and grants.

always, to support these awards, which recognise all that our

industry does every day to deliver transport innovation and

Metrocab key features:

progress for London and the UK, and congratulate those

* 98 MPG on the EC101 and over 3 times more fuel efficient than

organisations and individuals nominated for their achieve-

comparable current London taxis.

ments over the last year.”

British designed, engineered and built to help London meet its

* 75% less CO2 than comparable current London taxis.

* New Metrocab 50g/km CO2

air quality targets, the Metrocab is a new generation zero-emissions

capable range extended electric-powered taxi and represents the

* 560km combined range.

* Significantly lower running costs, typically saving a London cabbie

cutting edge of green transport technology, with styling both evolu-

tionary and sympathetic to the iconic black cab. The Metrocab’s

£20 - £40 per day.

Range-Extended-Electric

(REE) technology delivers a range of

* Zero-emissions mode and home charging via standard mains out-

560km, typically saving a London taxi driver £20-£40 per day based

let.

on the average cab duty cycle in the capital.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has described the Metrocab as

See www.newmetrocab.com

“superb and absolutely beautiful - a masterpiece of British

engineering, the Rolls Royce of taxis that can do 100mpg.”

About the all-new Metrocab

Keith Reading

The purpose-built all-new Range Extended Electric (REE) Metrocab

Professional Toastmaster

taxi represents the cutting edge of green transportation technolo-

Master of Ceremonies

gy. The vehicle incorporates the latest technology for comfort, per-

formance and safety, providing unrivalled efficiency and economy

Tele: 01279 465 938

with significantly reduced daily operation and maintenance costs

Mobile: 07774 860 374

together with customer benefits, including full disabled accessibili-

Email: kgr.2@virgin.net

ty, panoramic roof for views of the city, increased luggage space and

unrivalled comfort for up to seven passengers (optional seventh

10% discount for DaC drivers and staff

passenger seat in the front).

The taxi is driven by two electric motors, range extended with a

Fellow of the Guild of

1-litre petrol engine coupled with a generator to recharge the bat-

Professional Toastmasters

tery pack (which takes as little as 10 minutes while driving).

Call Sign March 2015

Page 9

Following his successful election to the Board at the recent AGM,

Joe Brazil writes his first official Call Sign article

BRAZIL CALLING…

allows me a chance to talk directly to every-

less than a week after the election. Brian Rice

one, for that I am immensely grateful. The

welcomed me to the office personally, telling

first thing I must of course do is to thank you,

me the levels of conduct and expectations

the subscriber, for your fantastic support on

required of all elected members, his pride for

the run-up to, and during the election; the

Dial-a-Cab is obvious and after withstanding a

sheer surge of energy and willingness to trust

challenge to his Chairmanship, showed the

is a potent force, I intend to repay that trust.

personal qualities he holds, proving that lead-

On election to the Board, you

Of course to my proposer and seconder

ership and learning go hand in hand.

Darren French (F63) and Roger Kensit

My first Board meeting will be within the

are afforded little time to rest on

(W31), my eternal thanks. Your words and

next few weeks, ideas that I have will be

your laurels; deadlines move at

actions and sheer belief in the company stay

brought to the table and I look forward to the

an extraordinary rate and our

with me always.

discourse. It will hopefully become an ongo-

To Tom Whitbread, who shook my hand

ing discussion, an exchange of views. As part

esteemed Editor, Mister Fisher -

shortly after the election, my best wishes for

of that committee, I'm sure we can forge a

as he tells me to address him at

the future. I was allowed to thank him for his

bright future together.

all times - ensures there is no

service to Dial-a-Cab and Tom responded

Again my thanks to all of you for this oppor-

with the stoic rhetoric he has become well

slacking in the prose depart-

tunity. I will not let you down…

known for, showing himself to be the true

ment!

gentleman we all know. I'm sure we all wish

Joe Brazil (K16)

Being elected to the Board affords you the

him good health and long and fruitful future.

privilege of addressing the membership and

As you may not be aware, I am writing this

DaC Board Member

An occasional series from DaC’s Simon Wallis (M11) on the golf courses he has played

SIMON’S GOLF COURSES

Welcome to an occasion

al review from a strug-

gling 14 handicapper at

some of the marque gol

courses I've had the

privilege to play in my

golf days away from

the cab…

Royal Cinque Ports

Golf Club

During winter, we tend to

look forward to sunnier

times and possibly seaside golf. Links golf is not for everyone,

but it is the purest form of the game, with one of the finest

examples being Royal Cinque Ports at Deal, on the Kent coast.

I've played this course in both the winter and summer and it really is worth a trip down

there. So let me tell you Dial-a-Cab drivers why.

You arrive at the old style clubhouse (fine breakfast there) and it's worth taking a look across the links from the upstairs

balcony where there is an old brass telescope for your use. What you'll see is possibly the most raw rugged terrain with

holes all the way out and back again.

The front 9 - or even up to the 12th hole - offer up some birdie opportunities, but be warned that this is

where you must score as the last 7 holes are usually played into the wind. They have been described as pos-

sibly the sternest finish at any links - and not without reason!

Of the front 9, the 6th offers a good chance to pocket a birdie and if you're brave or perhaps a bit foolish, you can go

for the green on this short par 4.

I make no bones about it - there are so many fabulous holes at RCP, but a special mention has to go to the par 5 16th,

the best hole on the course and my personal favourite par 5 anywhere.

For the long DaC hitters, you can 'just' go for the green in two, but for most of us mere mortals, it's a drive long iron to

the valley short of the plateau green. Bernard Darwin once described this as the Valley of Indecision and you'll soon

learn why when you are there!

Above all else, it's actually tremendous fun and you go home wanting to go back for more

Simon Wallis (M11)

Call Sign March 2015

Page 10

t was just before Christmas; I was out

With overnight temperatures still cold, Darren Hawley (A80)

working driving my Dial-a-Cab taxi

appeals to DaC drivers…

around town trying to keep as busy

as possible while listening to the

Robert Elms show on BBC London. He

SLEEPING BAG APPEAL

was interviewing a lady from a homeless

shelter who was talking about the work

they do, especially at Christmas. One of

chat and to top up their

the things she mentioned was that they

supplies.

needed volunteers to help out, especial-

I get to hear their sto-

ly at night, over the Christmas period. I

ries and I often get told

thought it sounded like a good thing to

how they end up where

do but like those people who when hear-

they are, the common

ing what we do for a living say: “Oh

theme is a loss of a part-

you're a cab driver! I was going to do the

ner, lost job, family or

Knowledge but… I didn't do anything

personal issues; things

beyond think that I'd like to do that.

we all can suffer. After all,

A week later, I heard that my friend

who is born on the

James was on his way to volunteer at the

streets…!

Crisis shelter in Paddington; a slight

I'm

constantly

tinge of guilt set in because he was actu-

amazed at the level of

ally doing something to help.

humility and often hope

James was so moved by the experi-

that I get from our rough

ence of his two nights talking and

sleepers, most have a pos-

helping the many rough sleepers at

itive slant on life and often

Crisis, that it inspired him and his

say to me that it’s what it is

friend Rachel Frodsham to set up The

and you have to make the

Sleeping Bag Appeal.

most from life. When

The Sleeping Bag Appeal was set up on

you've got what seems like

FaceBook on 29th December 2014, its

nothing, an attitude like

aim being to provide as many rough

that is priceless.

sleepers with a dry, warm sleeping bag as

The Sleeping Bag

possible. The initial interest was amaz-

Appeals Facebook page

ing; the appeal received 300 bags in the

has so far received 5000

first two weeks with celebrity endorse-

likes, been viewed by

ments from Sam Faiers (TOWIE and

130,000 people and has

Darren with some of the donated sleeping bags!

Celebrity BB) plus Louisa Zissman

received around

600

(Apprentice and Celebrity BB).

bags from as far away

James then asked for my help; he'd

than he! The striking thing about that

as Australia. It's a totally non-profit

was that his reaction wasn't uncommon -

organisation; it’s not a charity and

been out in his own car but found it dif-

ficult to get out to reach as many people

a homeless person receiving a bag would

doesn't accept monetary donations.

often say no thanks if whatever they

If you would like to read some of our

as he wanted to, a taxi would be per-

were using was ok and to give it to some-

homeless people's stories, donate a bag

fect! So we loaded up my cab with

one else. Or they would alert you to

or other items (there is an Amazon wish

around 100 bags.

where some others may be in need.

list), or just share the site with your con-

Then with help from Rachel, we drove

We stayed out till 1am, covering

tacts, that would be a great help.

around town handing out bags and chat-

areas from Hammersmith to Hoxton

ting to rough sleepers wherever we

The appeal would like to reach out

to Camden to the Southbank and

found them.

to other areas in the future, so please

returned home with just 10 bags!

We started at 6pm, covering the likely

follow The Sleeping Bag Appeal on

Our last bag was given to Martin;

spots from Temple to Charing Cross; I

Facebook

Martin was in the Texaco garage on The

stopped where I could while the others

Keep Safe

Highway westbound. James spoke to

went out to the homeless sitting in door-

him and got him some food while I wait-

ways etc. We moved on to Leicester

Darren Hawley (A80)

ed. I met Martin again when I stopped

Square, where I was able to park the cab

for him outside Tesco in Eastcheap (his

and take some bags out myself. I recall

two regular spots). He remembered us

one young woman called Emma who

from before and thanked us for our

had lost her home before Christmas

TAXI AIR

efforts. I spoke to him for a while; he's

when a bad relationship got even worse.

from Manchester and was a chef. He

Another poor soul had lost his finger tips

sleeps rough in the city now. If you see

CONDITIONING

to frostbite, yet managed to keep his dog

him, say hi, he's really a nice guy.

warm in a blanket.

All makes and models

I kept the 10 bags and told James

One of the saddest stories came from a

I'd carry that many each day to work

serviced and repaired

gentleman in his 60s who we found on

from then on and hopefully won't

Mobile service - we

the Southbank. He sat on some steps by

miss a flyer, as my luggage compart-

the National Theatre with a dog. He’d

come to you!

ment looks like a Go Outdoors store-

lost his wife a few years previous and as

room! I hand out bags from my cab

a consequence, his own life fell apart

Call Mick Wheeler on

every day I work and the sleeping

until he ended up homeless. The dog

appeal has now been getting gloves,

had been his wife's. When James got

020 8715 0079

hats, hand-warmers and even dog

back to the cab, he found a slightly bet-

coats! I hand them out too. I've got to

Covering London

ter bag and went back to offer it to him

know a few regulars from where they

but he wouldn't take it. He just said to

pitch up and often stop for a quick

and the Home Counties

give it to someone that needed it more

Call Sign March 2015

Page 12

All you need to know about the 2014 AGM

Next up was Gerry Harris (D58). He asked

new outsourced company’s costs now came

unday 8 February 2015

what was included in Operating Costs and was

under Legal and Professional. Brian Rice

saw the 2014 Dial-a-Cab

told that among other items, they included the

added that on our behalf, Chantrey Vellacott

AGM held again at the

cost of aerial sites and staff transport etc.

had made an application to HMRC for a rebate

John

Rubini

for Research and Development re our new ter-

HAC Barracks on City

(F55) then asked

minals. That came to £128,000 of which

Road. What follows are not the

whether it had been

Chantrey Vellacott got 20% leaving us with

official minutes, but an unofficial

worth upgrading ter-

£102,400. Bernie enquired whether ongoing

minals etc consider-

talks with the Radio Taxis Group had

record of the meeting as cap-

ing how things were

incurred any costs yet and the answer was no.

tured by Call Sign Editor Alan

out there and what

Next, Mike McGlynn (F60) came to the

Fisher. It is not a full record and

the financial costs

lectern and supported the Chairman’s answer

involved were. Brian

regarding how many terminals we had

neither should it be taken as

Rice answered say-

ordered and he agreed that because they had

including every word said or

ing that the cost of the terminals and the PEDS

to be ordered so far in advance, it was impos-

indeed the exact wording spo-

was around £3.4million. The reason for

sible to gauge exactly how many would be

upgrading was to hopefully improve signals.

needed several years into the future.

ken. Some paragraph grammar

Brian added that the original terminals had

Robert Stroulger

has been sacrificed in order to

begun their fitting program in 2000 and were

(Y50) asked how

make the report as compact as

very old for that type equipment and that their

much road testing

original life had been estimated at around 5

had been carried out

possible. Approximate atten-

years. John suggested that an App would have

on the new termi-

dance was 167, not including the

been better but Brian said that the terminals

nals.

Brian

BoM…

had been ordered long before there was such

explained that the IT

a thing as Hailo or Uber. He also added that we

department

had

The meeting opened

now had our own App for credit card and

their own taxi,

11.00

with

account customers and that it had become

which has three ter-

Chairman Brian Rice

very successful. When John suggested that we

minals fitted and they would drive it round to

asking for the tradi-

could have been £3million better off had we

different areas. In addition, there were a small

tional one-minute

not had new terminals, Brian’s response was

group of drivers that had the terminals first

silence to remember

that half of the old ones would not have been

and they reported any problems found. Then

those that had passed

working by now.

they were fitted to ten cabs at a time and these

away during the pre-

Trevor Denton

drivers were asked to give feedback on the ter-

vious

12 months.

(Y51) continued

minal’s performance and any problems.

Approval was then

with the subject of

These initial groups were also used to test any

requested and given for the presence of a

terminals and asked

updates and upgrades needed and asked to

sound engineer and two DaC ladies, Jacqui

why we had 400 ter-

report problems etc to the DaC House IT

Chart and Shelagh Adkins. The Chairman

minals over. Brian

department. That procedure is ongoing.

pointed out that those who had already voted

explained that there

Robert suggested that the old terminal was

by post should not vote again...

was no way of know-

much easier and thereby safer to use. Brian

ing how things

invited Robert to come to the office and act as

2013 Minutes

would be when you

a tester. He added that going onto a public

begin ordering terminals

2/3 years before

network with O2 should have made a huge

Minutes of the 2013 meeting were passed.

There were no matters arising…

delivery. There were fewer drivers than we

improvement to the system, but it hasn’t.

had at the time of ordering but he also added

Robert asked if we could go to EE and Brian

Annual Report including the Chairman’s

Report and Financial Statement

that the manufacturers advised that a number

said that stress testing showed that they

of spares be kept because of computer prob-

would be no better, but Robert thought we

There were no matters arising…

Auditor’s report on the Financial

lems or cracked screens etc. Brian inferred

should investigate and also have testers who

that if you could order and collect at the same

went out at times when phone signals were at

Statement…

Mike Tovey then

time then you could order exactly what you

their worst and when terminal signals were

wanted, but it didn’t work that way and you

affected most.

spoke about the

Chantry Vellacott

had to order well in advance and there was no

Former data dis-

way you could know how many you would

patch tester, Barry

Auditor’s Report. He

said that considering

need several years into the future. He added

Groner (V30) was

that we had been paying £160,000 per year on

up next. He brought

the way things were

out there, we still

maintenance costs on the old terminals and in

up the fact that the

response to Trevor asking what the mainte-

old terminals ran on

had considerable

reserves in the bank

nance costs on the new terminals were, Brian

Windows

98 and

said that there were none at present.

there is no longer

(£5.5million) and a

building

worth

Bernie

Silver

any support from

(G08) asked why

Microsoft for that

around £7million. Although he said the finan-

cial report could hardly be described as good

there had been an

system so there was no way we could have

increase in Legal and

continued with the old system.

with income from clients down by 11% and

re-equipment included, there were many

Professional

fees

Stephen Field (F99) then returned to the

from £32,000 up to

lectern and said that he likes the new terminal

companies out there that would love to have

had one like it considering current trading

£96,000. The answer

but went onto ask if we could pre-authorise

was that our Human

credit cards as we used to. Brian Rice said that

conditions. There were a number of sub-

scribers wanting to question Mike…

Resources depart-

no one could get that other than hotels, but

First up was Stephen Field

(F99). He

ment had been

he was trying to speak to the bank at the

asked Mike what the business rates for the

closed down and outsourced, so the HR staff ’s

moment. He added that our credit card was

building were. He was told around £100,000.

wages were taken off the wages bill but the

now our biggest account. The Chairman also

Call Sign March 2015

Page 13

All you need to know about the 2014 AGM

said that there could be a new update that

Pat Keefe (G01)

accounts. Steve then

meant details could be kept in the PED if a sig-

was next and

suggested a referen-

nal wasn’t available until it returned.

returned to the

dum among drivers

R i c h a r d

question of the 400

to see whether they

Chamberlain (C96)

terminals that were

would be happy to

then spoke and

over and queried

operate no run-ins

asked Mike Tovey

why we couldn’t sell

and gratuities, but

how long we could

them on. Brian

Brian intervened

sustain losses such

responded that we

and said that it was

as the one this year.

would be able to use

too late for that and

Mike said that our

them for spares etc but hoped that our driver

that customers were now demanding no run-

funds could sustain

numbers would increase because of all the

ins etc and if we wanted our share of the

losses such as this

work behind the scenes that was being done

work, we would have to give them that.

one for many years but that circumstances

by the Society. Pat also asked about the possi-

Robert Stroulger (Y50) then returned for

change. Richard then pointed to the loss of

bility of using a roving Sim card that would

a second go. He spoke of last year’s meeting

two big accounts in Docklands inferring that it

enable terminals to switch between incoming

and about knowing that clients were looking

would affect next year’s figures. He suggested

signals. Brian said they were looking at the

for no run-in accounts because Brian had

that we have a referendum on whether we

possibility, but that during tests they had

mentioned it. But Brian said DaC had been

should close the doors, sell up and share out

found it was taking up to 15 seconds to switch

assured that the account he was referring to

the money among drivers! Brian reminded

between companies and that must have felt

would definitely be renewing it.

drivers of the days in the early 90s when DaC

like 15 minutes. However, if that could be

Unfortunately, the person we had been deal-

was operating on a day-to-day basis and said

sorted out and the asking price was right, it

ing with suddenly left and strangers took it

that nowadays, however tough things have

was something DaC would consider.

over. Brian reminded Robert that two sub-

been over the past few years, Dial-a-Cab was

Next up was Steve

scribers at last year’s meeting asked for a vote

still here and still had substantial reserves

Hutchinson (S49).

of those present as to who agreed that we

even though we had been - and still were -

He asked about the

should offer no run-ins, but out of 108 people

under sustained attack from Hailo, Uber and

loss of an EC5

there, just five voted yes. But things had now

70.000 minicabs. He then pointed to the

account that had

changed dramatically and that looked to be

demise of LTI, Just Taxis and KPM and said

been

“taken by

the way things were going to go. Robert

that we were still here. He said that Radio

ComCab.” Brian cor-

ended by telling Brian that people cared

Taxis were struggling and that ComCab had

rected Steve in that it

about DaC and that he shouldn’t take criti-

to spread their costs on to Metroline buses

was Brunel that had

cism personally. Brian assured him that he

in order to show a profit. He added that our

taken the account by

didn’t but made one proviso, and that was

operating costs and staff costs had been cut

putting their platform into the account, but

from non-members on various forums - some

every year over the past five years. He said that

that any taxis used by the account would be

of them former members - who get very per-

the taxi trade’s best chance was if TfL began

from CC as there were to be no run-ins etc.

sonal. To applause he said that everyone at

protecting the licenced taxi trade as they

Brian added that we were now talking to that

the meeting had the right to say what they

should have been doing, otherwise it would

particular account client. He reminded every-

wanted, but those who were on forums and

be a race to the bottom! The Chairman admit-

one in the hall that we were the first to build

not even members did not have the right to

ted that the loss of the two E14 accounts had

a platform back in 2004 (Concierge) and

become personal.

shaken us and said that the result was that

warned at the time that lots of the competi-

Russell Poluck MBE (T55) brought up a

other accounts are now asking for no run-ins

tion out there would be trying to catch us up

Point of Order saying that we had gone total-

and no gratuities having now seen what our

- and now they all have. He added that it was

ly away from the subject ie questions re the

competitors had offered in order to prise

possible to buy a ready-made platform off the

Auditor’s report.

away the accounts from us. He continued his

shelf and car companies were indeed buying

Gerry

Harris

answer by assuring Richard that we had

them. In response to Steve then asking why

(D58) then came

learned lessons from this - not just from the

we didn’t match CC, Brian said that we were

back to make a fur-

account losses but from whom we had

unaware at the time that anyone would be

ther point; he said

employed as account managers. He also asked

selling their services with no run-ins etc and

that drivers were

how, when completing a tender, we could

that we were never given the opportunity to

taking a big down-

now include run-ins etc. Our competitors had

go in and match them. In response to Steve

turn but that the

killed that. However, he also said that laying

then asking if we would now be offering no

BoM were taking a

blame on anyone was pointless and that

run-ins etc to all our EC5 accounts, Brian said

far smaller down-

everyone in the licensed taxi industry had to

that he was a big fan of giving the driver a bit

turn judging by the

band together and fight what TfL were doing

extra, but that DaC had now been given no

totals. Brian explained that he had cut down

to us. To applause, Brian said that this would

choice because of the actions of our taxi com-

on the number of BMs that come in every day

never have happened under the old PCO

petitors. In other words, if we fail to match

as used to happen. Now two come in just one

administration. He said that there were now

our competitors, then we would have no

day a month (for Board meetings only) while

civil servants who were riding roughshod over

chance of getting accounts back again. Brian

one comes in just once a week. He reminded

us and that although he wasn’t a fan of Ken

also surprised many when he said that our

Gerry that when things were good and drivers

Livingstone, at least the former Mayor lis-

relations with one of the E14 accounts was

were rewarded with cash bonuses for cover-

tened and you could get an appointment to

still very friendly and that when he and Keith

ing work at Christmas, the BoM got no extra

see him! Brian had been to the public forum

Cain visited it recently, they were told that

at all. We bought a building that has doubled

in January following the GLA report on TfL

they weren’t overly happy with the new ser-

in value and no one said that the BoM should

where they had been branded as being woe-

vice. The question of a third account at Cabot

be rewarded for good business. It is taken for

fully inadequate, whilst Mayor Boris

Square was mentioned and Brian said this

granted that is what they do, he said. “You

Johnson admitted that he hadn’t even read it.

company were determined to use no taxis

can’t have your cake and eat it. If you want a

Brian thought the Mayor’s inaction re the

with the person in charge of transport saying

Board to run the Society then it has to come

report was ludicrous and said again that the

that he didn’t like taxis or the drivers! The

at a cost.” After saying how we had learned

trade needed to stick together and to fight

Chairman went on to tell those at the AGM

lessons when employing Sales staff who when

together.

exactly why we had lost the two Docklands

leaving, took away a list of accounts with

Call Sign March 2015

Page 14

All you need to know about the 2014 AGM

them, Brian said that was why it was impor-

years and had seen the way that company had

through. He then went on to tell John that

tant to have the person dealing with Sales

gone down and he didn’t want DaC to go the

during his two initial years, he had been given

coming from the Board. The Chairman then

same way. He suggested that we were going

several Board jobs to do including Driver

asked whether we actually needed so many

through a tumultuous period with also the

Training, Driver Recruitment, Head of

on the BoM and whether in reality we needed

possibility of a merger with Radio Taxis on the

Marshalling and Buildings Manager and that

more than three. But he added that he would

horizon and asked if it would it not then make

he believed he had shown the BoM at the time

not be proposing that because he knew what

sense to keep the status quo and keep with

that he was capable after building up a large

some would say - ie he was trying to get a lit-

those we already had and who knew what was

portfolio of various Board duties. He also had

tle clique together that would become

currently going on around us.

a good head for figures thanks to his previous

unbreakable and that if a reduction ever hap-

Next up was

employment with the Inland Revenue and as

pened, it would be because a member had

Kevin O’Connor

a Civil Servant.

proposed it. Brian said that he was always try-

(T75). He read out a

Joe Brazil (K16) was next up and after

ing to do the best he could within the para-

list of accounts that

cracking a joke about the Chairman’s beloved

meters of the rules we operated under.

he claimed no

QPR, he said that we were facing difficult

Last up under the

longer used us but

times with Uber etc, so he asked Brian and

‘Accounts’ heading

Brian corrected him

Garry what representations they had made to

was

Gary

and said that we

the authorities on our behalf. Brian Rice

Cowderoy

(N17)

were, in fact, used by

answered first and said that he’d had meet-

who said that as the

several of those on

ings with Palestra mentioning those that he

current accounts

the list. He asked what was the last account

had actual meetings with and suggested that

only included three

we had won and Keith answered with two

he was trying to get more joint meetings with

months of the lost

names. Kevin then said that when Brian had

the authorities. He called TfL a disgrace.

E14 accounts, could

first been elected, he had only been on the

Garry said that he had emailed and had

Mike or Brian give a

Board for two years just as Garry White had

written correspondence with his Thurrock

projection of what the losses might be for a

been here now. Kevin then asked individual

MP, Jackie Doyle-Price.

full year of the loss. Brian answered that it

Board members if they would work under

Next to speak was

would come to around £300,000 off the bot-

Garry White’s leadership. Mike Son said that

Terry Buffin (S16).

tom line if nothing else replaced any of it.

although he thought Garry was a nice guy, he

He asked what

That was on a turnover of around £3million.

didn’t think Garry could act as Chairman and

would happen to

Brian said that we were intending to now

would not work under him. The rest of the

Brian if he were to

spend some of our many on getting more

BoM said they would work under him if they

be struck by light-

work. That included a young lady whose

were elected. Keith Cain said that as a respect

ning on his way out.

remit was marketing and that we would also

to the membership, he would work under

Brian said that the

be rebranding.

Garry. Allan Evans agreed with Keith adding

Board would select a

that he already worked with Garry but that

temporary Chairman

Questions to the Auditor

although he would work under Garry as

until a postal ballot could be organised. Terry

ended at 12.35

Chairman, he didn’t consider that Garry was

then changed tack and said that he had been

good enough to do the job but that he would

worried because Call Sign had allowed three

The Report was voted on…

be prepared to assist him as best he could.

people to write about the election who were

To reappoint Chantry Vellacott as Auditors

Tom Whitbread said he would work with

not members and that the magazine should

to the Society

Garry as Chairman because there would be

be unbiased. He said that no one had written

This was then voted on…

the need for a strong Board if a new and inex-

in favour of Garry White while someone had

Rule changes

perienced Chairman were to be elected and

cast a smear over his actions by inferring he

There were no rule changes…

that he had never been afraid to tell any of the

had not carried out his job regarding a com-

Propositions

Chairmen he had worked under that they

plaint he had dealt with. To applause, Terry

There were no rule changes…

were not good enough. Kevin ended by saying

suggested that he considered this to have

that we had the chance to vote in a younger

been a dirty campaign and that the rest of the

To elect a Chairman

man with more energy and that subscribers

Board appeared to have got the hump with

The meeting was

should consider that when voting.

Garry because he was standing as Chairman.

then handed over to

John Rubini (F55) was next up and said

In response, Call

Company Secretary,

that Mike Son had “made a rod for his own

Sign’s Editor Alan

Howard Pears. Two

back” with Tom Whitbread’s answer being the

Fisher (F07) got up

candidates

were

only sensible one. While Mike replied that he

and said that he had-

standing for the

didn’t want to be two-faced, John said that the

n’t made anything

position

question should not have been asked and that

up and that anything

Chairman of Dial-a-

the Board worked with the Chairman while

that went in, did so

Cab for the next two

Mike said that the Board were trustees work-

because it was sent

years. They were the

ing for the membership. John then said that

in. He added that

current Chairman, Brian Rice, and the cur-

Brian had only been on the BoM for two years

had anyone sent in

rent Compliance Officer Garry White. Both

before being elected and that up until this

something nice about Garry, then that too

spoke with neither using their proposers or

year had never faced a challenge to his

would have gone in. He said that he was an

seconders.

Chairmanship before. He said that Brian to his

editor and not a politician so if it came in then

Questions to candi-

credit had grown into the job and there was

it went in. He implied that this was not a gen-

dates

no reason why Garry couldn’t do so as well.

eral election but an election to choose a

First up was Mike

John also said he couldn’t understand why

Chairman for a radio circuit and as such, he

McGlynn (F60) who

there should be any rebranding when there

felt that drivers should be able to read the

made a statement

was the possibility of a merger on the horizon.

views of others. He was asked by a subscriber

rather than ask a

Brian explained that any merger would take

from the ‘floor’ why he published a letter

question. He said he

some years to make two companies into one

from Allen Togwell, who was no longer a

had been on

and that both would probably act as individu-

member? Alan replied that he was happy to

ComCab for many

als for some time to come, should it ever go

publish all letters in the Mailshot pages,

Call Sign March 2015

Page 15

All you need to know about the 2014 AGM

although he refused to publish it on the pages

agreed that Call Sign published everything

driver’s terminals to

that had been put aside as specific questions

but said that not everyone wrote to the maga-

get an idea of how

to BoM candidates. As a result, Allen Togwell’s

zine just as night drivers didn’t get opportu-

many would attend.

letter appeared in the Mailshot pages, where-

nities to get to the East Road office. He said

Then if the forum

as subscriber’s questions appeared on a sepa-

that we all drove cabs and were all affected by

did go ahead and

rate page headed DaC Elections: Drivers

various aspects and problems in the trade. So

something came up,

Questions Answered. He added that he felt

if we brought back forums, those drivers

they could act on it

drivers were clever enough to make up their

would get an opportunity to question the

very quickly. He said

own minds. Brian Rice added that the Editor

Board on anything that was on their mind

that Robert was cor-

was given carte blanche to run Call Sign and

involving the trade. Brian said that if drivers

rect in that not

that it was completely uncensored. He contin-

wanted forums, then they could have them,

everyone would want to speak to a Board

ued by saying that the only sections he reads

but reminded drivers that in previous times

member about a problem that affected the

before it goes to print are reports from the

when forums were held, they were so poorly

Society, whereas they would do so at a forum.

Board.

attended that they became a waste of time.

In answer to Robert, Garry then said that yes,

Next to speak was

Brian added that in addition to writing to Call

he would bring them back.

Gary Cox

(O46)

Sign, members could email him and that he

Acting Chairman Howard Pears then asked

who said that he had

would always reply. Someone (who Call Sign

those that were eligible to vote because they

written a number of

couldn’t see) called out that they were told

had not voted by post, to hand their voting

controversial items

they couldn’t speak to Brian when they asked

papers to the representatives of the Electoral

for Call Sign and

to speak to the Chairman. Brian suggested he

Reform Society. It was now 1.30pm and a

not once had the

had asked the wrong person because this was

short 10 minute break was called.

Editor turned round

the first he had heard of it and that he was

Some 15 minutes later, Howard Pears called

to say that it couldn’t

always available - even if that meant the fol-

the meeting to order and announced the

be published. Some

lowing day. John

results of the vote for DaC Chairman.

things he even said that he was surprised to

Davis

(V41) said

The voting was Brian Rice 773 and Garry

see go in but more often than not, his articles

that he had gone to

White

385. To a big cheer, Howard

had received praise for being so honest. To

the office to ask if he

announced that Brian Rice had been duly

applause, Gary finished by saying that we

could speak to the

elected to serve as Chairman.

needed Call Sign just as it was.

Chairman for five

Garry was the first to congratulate Brian,

Terry Buffin then spoke again saying that

minutes

about

who then went on to make a short thank you

his comments were not an attack on Alan

something and was

speech and took the meeting back from

Fisher but brought up an article by Richard

given an hour!

Howard Pears.

Potter (T51) who in his article had said that

Robert continued by

The next item was to announce the

with the possibility of a merger, we would be

saying that forums would stop problems of

result of the vote to approve the 2013 AGM

better with the Board we had rather than

not being able to see the Chairman or mis-

minutes. There were 1115 votes received,

changing it around. He thought that was

communications; Brian responded by sug-

with 1112 voting in favour.

wrong. Brian mentioned a meeting he’d had

gesting that if drivers couldn’t be bothered

The next item was to announce the

with former Minister of Transport for London,

writing an email or phoning, would they take

result of the vote to approve the Annual

Steve Norris, who had said how much he

the time to attend a forum? Robert suggested

Report. There were 1115 votes received,

enjoys reading Call Sign and went straight to

that they would and that with a few of them

with 1101 voting in favour.

the letters page to look for bold type that said

together it would take any fear out of a one-

The next item was to announce the

‘Brian Rice replies’ “because you never knew

to-one meeting, because not everyone was an

result of the vote to reappoint Chantry

what would be there!” Brian also mentioned

eloquent speaker or able to put a good email

Vellacott as company auditors. There were

the published letters that had attacked him

together. Brian then brought up Call Sign

1113 votes received with 1063 voting in

and he accepted that as the freedom of the

again and pointed out that no one had ever

favour. All three items were carried.

magazine.

seen a poorly worded letter in the Society

Javid Raja (N72)

magazine as the Editor always made sure that

Election of Board

spoke next and

no one looked clumsy. Robert agreed but

asked both candi-

added that if someone wrote a lengthy letter,

Members

dates what their

then Alan would have to go through it to

All prospective Board members then spoke

strategy was for

make it look ok. Brian reiterated that he

with the option of seconders speaking if

fighting Uber. Brian

thought forums would be a waste of time and

required, although none did. Because the

gave a rundown of

said that both he and

subject of planning permission for luxury

what Uber had done

Allan Evans always

apartments at Dial-a-Cab House was brought

in London so far and

answered driver’s

up by Joe Brazil,

said that all we could

emails. He added

the

re-elected

really do was to keep lobbying TfL who had

that he always spoke

Chairman brought

chickened out, and to make a nuisance of our-

to new drivers and

up a Point of Order

selves. He added that the Transport

told them that if they

and explained the

Committee of the GLA had taken that on

needed to know any-

situation while Joe

board and it was now a matter of getting it

thing, then they

gave his view. Jim

across to Boris and hoping that he comes

should come back

Edwards

(E76)

down in our favour.

and that if the person they spoke to couldn’t

came to the lectern

Garry then responded to Javid and said that

help then they should ask to speak to Brian.

and pointed out that

he had emailed both his MP and the Mayor

He would never refuse to speak to anyone

it wasn’t the building that was important, it

and complained how the Mayor had let the

even if he couldn’t at that particular time.

was the land and that all we needed was an

trade down.

Robert assumed that meant that Brian’s

architect! Brian told the story of how we had

Robert Stroulger (Y50) then paid his third

answer to bringing back forums was no.

bought our current building for £3.7million.

visit to the lectern and asked whether both

He then asked Garry White the same ques-

He also said that should the situation go any

candidates had any plans to reinstate the dri-

tion. Garry said he thought forums could

further, then a series of forums would be

ver forum meetings that DaC used to have. He

work and suggested advertising a meeting via

held.

Call Sign March 2015

Page 16

All you need to know about the 2014 AGM

Brian then told drivers that they should

had affected him, especially as he had previ-

Questions to candidates

vote for the Board members they would like

ously been on £1 per month. He said he had

First up was Stephen Field (F99). He said that

to see elected with a maximum of five selec-

spoken to Garry White about giving drivers

Keith Cain as Sales Manager shouldn’t be

tions each. There followed a short break.

the choice of paying the new percentage sub-

involved with any talks on any possible Radio

scriptions or going back to a fixed monthly

Taxis merger and perhaps should even have an

amount. Otherwise Gerry said he would,

office at Canary Wharf. Brian explained that he

Any Other Business

when busy on the streets, go for that work

had asked Keith go with him to a meeting

AOB began at 3pm and first up was Russell

rather than account work regardless of radio

because he was the longest serving Board mem-

Poluck MBE (T55). He said he had brought

work being better quality, because he was pay-

ber and Brian felt his experience and input

up the subject of better name boards at last

ing 9% (including VAT). Gerry then brought up

would be important. Brian also added that he

year’s AGM and he was told that the Board

the Supersides and the discount for those that

never went to meetings of this kind alone for

would look at the suggestion. Brian respond-

had them on their cabs and asked why they

reasons he said we could all appreciate.

ed that they had indeed done so and brought

were not offered to the 30 year drivers, or at

Tony Sam-Yorke

out new ones that were now in the office.

least charge those drivers the same rate as

(W95) then spoke

These had the DaC logo in colour. Russell also

those with Supersides. Brian explained what

and said he had been

thanked Brian for the help and support he

the subscription rates consisted of and at what

on DaC for 30 years

always gives the TDoY charity and Brian said

rate they kicked in, saying that drivers had to

and was upset

that it wasn’t him but was on behalf of DaC.

do a lot of radio work before they were paying

because as Pat

Russell also said that he thought we had too

more than before and that in fact it was cost-

Graves

(L53) had

many messages put out during busy periods

ing the Society money to have this subscrip-

said in her speech,

and unless important, that they should be

tion rate. Gerry came back to say that older dri-

we wanted to see

kept until quieter periods.

vers should have had the Supersides with any

bums on seats and

David

Marks

discount they offered but Brian said that they

Tony felt that the BoM were “letting go” while

(R22) was next up.

were intended to advertise the Society so that

things out on the road were desperate. He

He asked whether

the drivers that did the longest shifts were the

said that it was a shame that more drivers did-

the two accounts

ones that had them as their cabs were on the

n’t come to AGMs because they probably did-

lost in E14 had said

roads for the longest periods.

n’t care and that those attending were the

anything to Brian

Peter

Doyle

ones that cared. Tony made the point that say-

regarding the service

(P60) then spoke.

ing we tried to get work isn’t relevant and that

from Brunel and

He said he had spo-

out in the business world, if you didn’t get

ComCab as the two

ken the previous

results then you were sacked! Brian respond-

companies that had

year about looking

ed that it wasn’t just DaC, it was the whole

taken them. He made special mention of

after our account

taxi business. Tony brought up DaC having an

ComCab as they were using Yellow Badge

clients better and

App and Brian explained about our App but

drivers. Brian said there had been some com-

that uncovered trips

said that we didn’t really want a cash App

plaints re the YB drivers use, but any com-

should be men-

because our cash coverage wasn’t good. Tony

plaints went to CC and not us. Brunel seemed

tioned on the termi-

ended by saying that it was the Board’s job to

to be coping, but they had asked us if we

nal sooner rather than later. He also said that

get us work.

would be prepared to act for any taxis

rather than saying a job was uncovered in a

Last on this sec-

required and we agreed provided that did not

zone, the actual street should be used as for

tion was Steve

involve us going onto their platform. He

example; cab needed in SW1E wasn’t worth

Thomas (N10). He

added that the account did not differentiate

advertising, but if you said, for example,

asked Keith Cain

and if they wanted a taxi, we got the job

Carlisle Place, then even drivers in SW3 could

what his Sales bud-

regardless of where it went. He said that

be interested. Brian agreed and said that it

get was should he be

rumours we only got the locals that Brunel

was up to the individual controllers and that

elected. Keith said

couldn’t cover were untrue.

they had all been spoken to about it. Peter

that until such time

Stephen Field

then spoke about credit cards that were affect-

as the elections were

(F99) then returned

ed by a bad signal. Brian said that the PED

over, no individual

to what was becom-

should store the signal but that it was really an

budgets had yet been discussed because if he

ing his second

Ingenico problem and it was they that need-

were not to be elected, then the whole sce-

home! He began by

ed to sort it out.

nario could change. Brian explained that he

thanking Call Sign

Next was David

and Howard Pears sit down every year to plan

Editor Alan Fisher

Ford (E10). His first

a budget for the following 12 months but indi-

for the assistance he

point was to ask if

vidual budgets couldn’t be planned until after

had provided follow-

Roman Way could be

the elections.

ing

problems

given a credit card

Russell Poluck

Stephen had with his Vito and said that he

that they could use

MBE

(T55) then

hoped as a result of that, Vito owners had

to check PEDs. Brian

announced that the

received letters confirming the resurrection of

asked Allan Evans if

Taxi Driver of the

their service plan after the demise of the orig-

he could arrange

Year Charity had

inal KPM policies. Stephen’s second point was

that. David then

raised £420 in a raf-

to ask whether we had given any thought to

asked if the Board could do something to

fle held prior to the

having a permanent site at Canary Wharf.

reduce the £2 minimum charge on credit card

meeting and gave

Brian said the expense of renting premises

trips. The Chairman responded that all the cir-

the results. To total

would be far outweighed by the fact that DaC

cuits charged it and that as it took the cus-

disbelief and much

was less than 30 minutes away. Brian added

tomer up to £20, it wasn’t unreasonable and

laughter, the first of several winners was Brian

that because most large accounts now go out

pointed out that DaC had to pay the charges

Rice! Russell then announced the rest of the

to tender, there would be little advantage in

whether it was £6 or much higher. David then

winners. Ticket 331 - 335 also won, but the

having a permanent presence in E14.

said he had read in Call Sign that we would

driver wasn’t there. If you have that ticket, go

Gerry Harris (D58) was next and brought

be switching to a GPS system soon and Brian

to Driver Services

up the question of the new subs and how it

confirmed that testing the system would get

Call Sign March 2015

Page 17

All you need to know about the 2014 AGM

underway by the second quarter of this year.

Javid Raja

(N72) was the penultimate

ended by saying that

David then asked about an account ride he

speaker and said that he had designed letters

there were other

covered in the City where the details said not

for drivers to send to their MPs regarding Uber.

options that he had

to use DaC. Brian explained that the EC2 com-

“I’ve done all the hard work for you,” he said.

spoken to Geoffrey

pany concerned was divided into separate

“all you have to do is put your name on and

Riesel about and these

departments, one of which used cars only and

send it to your MP. Javid gave the letters out

would all be explained

that message went out on trips for that depart-

after the meeting.

when and if forums

ment. If a taxi was required then we got it.

He also complained about the map freezing

were needed. John

To laughter, David then looked around and

and and then needed to be updated to return

Rubini urged drivers to think very carefully

wondered if everyone had been on £1 per

it to normal. Brian said that the terminals had

before voting to demutualise - which would

month “as you all look so old!” He said it was

been tested against heat, but perhaps it had

have to happen before any merger could take

nice for so many old people to show so much

been too cold. Javid then asked Brian about the

place. Brian agreed saying that it was a good

passion! He then turned to the Board and said

possibility of DaC being registered overseas to

point because any new company would be set

he hadn’t been as close to them as this before

help us pay less tax. Mike Tovey came back and

up to earn money. He then went through how

and they too looked really old! There was more

said that we weren’t paying any tax at the

the voting procedure would work should it go

laughter than had been heard for the whole of

moment, but Javid said he was talking about

that far…

the previous four hours! He said that he had

individual drivers and not the Society as a

Board of Management

been watching a lot of history programmes on

whole. Javid then asked if the Society could

TV and being in the hall was like living history!

somehow reduce the VAT we pay and Mike

Election Results

He said that it worried him because Garry

answered that it was as low as it could be, but

The meeting ended with the BoM election

looked like a teenager compared to everyone

as he worked for the Society as a whole and not

results. They were:

else. He then spoke about E14 account Morgan

individual drivers, he couldn’t really help any

Allan Evans 857

Elected

Stanley who he had been told by one of their

more than that. Javid made the point that

Garry White 767

Elected

staff were looking to use Uber. Brian said that

“shysters” such as Uber and Google were tak-

Keith Cain 721

Elected

the US side had started with Uber and were try-

ing full advantage of our tax laws so why could-

Mike Son 625

Elected

ing to encourage this side to use them as well.

n’t we? Mike said it was because we didn’t have

Joe Brazil 585

Elected

David finished by telling Brian that his mum

offices in every major city around the world!

Tom Whitbread 571

Not Elected

thinks the world of the DaC Chairman, but that

John Rubini (F55) was the day’s final speak-

Pat Graves 341

Not Elected

he was starting to look like the late Bob Crow

er. He said that he understood that Brian’s

Michael Parkins 211

Not Elected

and she wanted him to go back to looking like

hands were tied to a certain extent, but could

Javid Raja 152

Not Elected

Ron Atkinson again!

he give us any timeline re the possible link with

Next up and

Mountview. At what point would our drivers

Brian Rice then thanked Tom Whitbread

returning us back to

become involved and how did Brian envisage

for his long service to Dial-a-Cab and

normality was Alan

the set-up of any new company. Brian said that

there was a round of applause. The meet-

Hall

(B48) who

so far all that had happened was that a few

ing ended at 4pm…

asked about our App.

meetings had taken place, in addition to RTGs

He spoke of Hailo

financial people with Mike Tovey. Brian said

and Uber and said

that the Non-Disclosure Agreement meant that

that it was galling to

he couldn’t say too much. However, what he

see people with

could say was that if it went through, then

phones in hand wait-

Mountview would sell their building, get rid of

ing for their App cab. Alan asked if ours was the

any debt they had and whatever money they

same. Brian said ours was as good but it would

had left over would go into a pot which would

be better if every trip was As Directed because

be matched by DaC. Any money that DaC had

Alan Fisher,

customers could see if we had cabs available

over would be distributed to members and

callsignmag@aol.com

just by looking around, but the App could say

then we would either sell the building and

there were none in the area if drivers didn’t

lease it back or we’d sell the building to NewCo

fancy the trip. Alan said that AD could be the

and take a mortgage on it while operating both

Immaculate White

way we had to go then. He also asked if we

organisations individually from DaC House.

could send an automatically generated

However, Brian also added that it wasn’t writ-

Cab Available for

response to callers that linked to our App use.

ten in stone and was just the current “loose”

Brian said that they would look into the possi-

thinking. The Chairman ended by saying that

bility. Alan also suggested offering money off

there was a time element because developers

Weddings

vouchers for a users’ first trip. Alan then spoke

would obviously want to move into the RTG

about DaC moving into the property business

premises. He added that the initial approach

referring to luxury apartments being built on

had come from RTG and not DaC but because

the top of our East Road office and said that

there was our AGM on the horizon, the process

could be the future. Brian said that while he

had become rather stationary. He expected

agreed, we were talking “big, big bucks!” He

another meeting soon after the AGM, but

also reminded members of what happened in

added that nothing would be done in terms of

2007 when prices went through the floor. He

a link without driver’s forums etc. He also went

said we were taxi drivers and not property

into some detail

developers, but DaC would certainly look into

about how a new

it. Alan said this opportunity could provide a

company would look

legacy for every single Dial-a-Cab driver. Brian

in terms of who

said that the building on the corner was going

would run it etc but

Female driver

up to 39 storeys and that we would have to get

added that for the

10% reduction for Dial-a-Cab drivers

professional advice. Mike Tovey added that the

initial period, the

Contact Debbie (W18) on

Society would have to demutualise first should

two

companies

we move in that direction. Alan Hall referred to

would be run as sep-

07956 317040

it as being possibly the ‘Golden Goose…’

arate units. Brian

Call Sign March 2015

Page 18

Another true story from Geoff Levene…

GUESS WHO I HAD IN MY CAB!

Not for the first time, I was stuck at

So the next day I went back to Warwick Way and hung about for a

the bottom of Gower Street. I don't

while hoping he might appear. I asked a few people if they knew him,

know what the plans are for this route

but drew a blank. I was certain that if I handed the envelope into a

when they turn Tottenham Court

police station, they would never be claimed but decided I had no

Road into a cross between Rodeo

choice and would have to do that. I was now at the other end of

Drive in Beverly Hills and the

Warwick Way and suddenly I spotted him! I went up to him and said

Corniche in the South of France, but

that he had left his photos in my cab the previous day. Without break-

I'm sure things won't get any better. I

ing stride he popped the envelope back in his pocket, said ‘oh thanks’

suggest if you want to go north or

and just carried on walking. I didn't expect anything more than a

south it might be best to…go some-

thank-you, but if a complete stranger returns some property that you

where else!

didn't even know you'd lost, wouldn't you look a bit surprised?

My mind wandered to an earlier

So you can get the wrong idea about people, but you can also do

occasion in similar traffic. I was driving the famous rock star from his

the same about yourself. I had an early appointment in the East End.

Primrose Hill home to Denmark Street. I'd read various estimates

I wasn't working that day so armed with my Freedom Pass, I walked

of his wealth - everything from £20 - £80million! Suddenly he called

round the corner to the station. I changed at Euston to get to

out that there was already £15 on the meter and that he was getting

Liverpool Street but there were problems at Moorgate and we had to

out! What was amusing was that he said it in the same shrill frantic

get off and walk down to ‘The Liver’.

voice that he used in his biggest hit. I didn't get a whole lotta love

I did what I had to do in Hackney Road and then made my way

from him.

back to Liverpool Street. I sat on the Metropolitan Line train for an

But I digress. I had become fascinated by the driver of the cab in

age and then decided to try the Central Line to Oxford Circus. So by

front - long blonde hair falling onto slim shoulders. Every so often

the time I got there and onto the Bakerloo Line, perhaps I was look-

slim fingers flicked, twisted and played with those flaxen locks. Cab

ing a bit hot and flustered - and that was when a most terrible thing

drivers have certainly changed since the days of

‘Twiggy’

happened - something that shook me to my very soul.

Barraclough and Jack ‘Trousers’!

As I stood there, a very pretty young girl of around 25 stood up and

Anyway, I was determined to get a closer look at this vision of love-

asked if I would like to sit down! I politely refused her offer while

liness, so I managed to pull alongside and glanced across. It was a

inside I was screaming: ‘Oh God, I'm old and I look it. I'm finished!’

bloke but he had a ‘boat race’ that would have caused an SAS platoon

I’m ten months short of the ‘three score years and ten’ but I don't feel

to screech to a halt and crawl away, howling in horror! It shows that

it and I've been told that I don't look it. Mind you, the person that told

you just can't tell!

me had just asked to borrow a tenner…

Moving on, I was surprised to see the name of the passenger when

I received the details of a Dial-a-Cab account job. If it was the same

Geoff Levene (W32)

man, then he had been one of the top people in the Security Services.

Call Sign Online

It was rumoured that he smuggled a Russian defector out of East

Germany in the boot of his car. Basically he had been a spy. His name

and photo had been in the papers and it was certainly him. But was

he a tall and suave James Bond type? Well no. He was average height

and slightly thick round the middle. Quiet and still, he was a real life

HACKNEY ROAD TAXI TYRES

version of John Le Carre’s George Smiley. When he got out, he was

careful not to get in anybody's way. After all, you never know who's

standing next to you - especially if they are carrying a brolly!

FOR THE BLACK CAB TAXI TRADE

Then there was that ninety year old chap who had been sitting on

a bench at the shopping centre and who was once a lean young man

storming a beach in Normandy. Or perhaps he was the dapper old boy

• Austones for the TX

I dropped off at that tower-block at the end of Warwick Way. He had

• Barums for the Vito

worn a smart blue blazer emblazoned with the badge of the Burma

Star Association - meaning he had fought in the Far East. About half-

an-hour later, I noticed an open envelope lying on the back seat.

• Michelin and Continental

Inside were several black and white photos showing battleships and

also supplied

sun-tanned soldiers and sailors. On the back of one were the poignant

words: “My best mate.” These were precious war-time memories that

I needed to get back to him.

•

4-wheel laser tracking

for the Mercedes Vito

• Puncture repairs

LTC moves into an Igloo!

• Also free tyre checks

Nope! No snow in sight, but while you can expect to see images of the

London Taxi Company TX4 on apparel in the Ted Baker range, in

addition to new die cast models, you will soon be seeing the Coventry

Find us downstairs the

based company with its Chinese leaders, Geely, featured in children’s

books.

DaC Credit Union at

LTC and Bulldog have negotiated a licensing agreement for

The Peterley Business Centre,

IglooBooks, which will see a range of titles featuring London Taxis.

Bulldog group Managing Director, Rob Corney, said:

472 Hackney Road, E2

“IglooBooks is the perfect publishing partner for this iconic brand. With

their knowledge of the taxi industry and strong array of formats, we are

sure that this will be a successful partnership on a global scale.”

0207 729 5237

Call Sign March 2015

Page 19

DaC Sales Report

with Keith Cain

I would first like to say a big

for it. That’s why we must be mindful of the

service we provide on a 24/7 basis.

thank you to all those members

The Chairman stated at the AGM - and I

who re-elected me to the Board.

have to agree - that while we can look at

The future for the Society will

removing or reducing the gratuity, we should

do everything we can to try and keep the run

be challenging and I just wanted

in wherever we possibly can. We see this as a

to reiterate that I will continue

major part of being able to supply a service

to work hard on behalf of the

and it encourages drivers to want to be on

the circuit and take the work.

whole membership.

I reported that last year how I visited

I have been asked to respond to the letter

clients who felt that the car companies they

sent to Call Sign by David Fletcher (O15). I

had chosen as their preferred supplier

can truthfully say that the most common rea-

because they were offering a much cheaper

son for clients both large and small to stop

service, had started to show they had taken

using our services, is cost. Well, that’s what

on too much work. In these instances, they

they tell us! There is nothing to say that what

how you deal with complaints. Of course, the

were being forced to use us and although the

prompted some to start searching the market

last part of any tender process is to price the

journey cost would be higher, the service was

for an alternative supplier was attributed to

example trips.

becoming an important factor in their busi-

poor service.

I can assure David that the tenders we have

ness.

As we all know, the morning coverage has

completed over the past year have been

In general, we are now offering clients an

been a problem for a long time and when

offered with reduced admin costs and prices

administration charge much lower than ever

coverage is poor we can honestly say that

that take into consideration journey costs

before. Journey costs for longer trips espe-

there is no discrimination between clients. I

without gratuities and run ins. But it all

cially are based on similar mileage rates to

don’t need to inform you, the members, that

comes down to the journey cost. It’s so hard

those offered by car companies.

offering a tremendous service during the day,

to offer a journey cost that car companies

Regular journeys for taking staff to and

evening and through the night will not be

offer £18 for when our meter reading without

from work have been reduced, together

enough to sustain a poor service to clients

a run shows £30. There is only so far that we

with journeys to stations and airports. I

when they are having to get to work on time,

can set a journey cost, knowing what mem-

believe the future will require a combina-

attend meetings or meet trains and planes.

bers will be prepared to accept. It is a fine

tion of both, more competitive journey

As for the major clients, they will regularly

line at the moment but as I have said in my

costs and good service…

go to tender every three to five years. The

articles before, we have a £20million business

Keith Cain

types of questions they put into the tender do

made up of customers who are very happy to

relate to fleet size, response times and even

use our service and pay a reasonable charge

Head of Sales

Everyone but taxis…

Transport for London has now approved £160million to deliver London’s series of cyclists

Superhighways. The claim is that the scheme will provide around £75million in benefits, including

health improvements and a “reduced absence from work.” The scheme will give cyclists two lanes seg-

regated from vehicles at junctions and on designated roads.

Against that will be increased journey times, which Call Sign assumes will probably lead to

more aggravation and frustration, leading to more absence from work and poorer health!

Looking at the long term, the TfL Board’s claim is that within 30 years, around £277million in bene-

fits will be delivered by bringing in Europe’s longest cycling road program. However, an internal report

has suggested that some of the positive effects brought by the scheme will be off-set by the econom-

ic impact of increased journey times for taxis and cars and that the cost of bus operations will also

increase. The report suggests that there could be a £200 million negative economic impact caused by

the 18-mile east-to-west stretch of segregated roadway.

The original suggestion had motorists coming in from the east of London during the morning

peak time having an extra 16 minutes added to their journey because of the Superhighways. TfL

now say that thanks to their engineers, that could be down to 6 minutes - although looking at the

proposals, you would have to expect an extra 5 or 6 minutes could be tagged on just trying to get along

Victoria Embankment and then negotiating Parliament Square!

The length of queue of those attempting to avoid going to the Square by turning right at Northumberland Avenue doesn’t bear thinking about. That will

also probably also lead to a U-turn ban along Whitehall for those using Horseguards Avenue.

Call Sign was told two months ago that the taxi industry would receive £40million to help those affected if the Mayor’s new ten year plan replaces the cur-

rent fifteen year maximum life of a taxi. But details as to how that would happen are rather sketchy as to be almost invisible. However, buses will definitely

receive some 2400 hybrids and 300 electric buses. Cyclists will definitely see their Superhighways cause mayhem as they ride along their merry way with

undoubtedly many of the quicker ones ignoring the lanes because they won’t move fast enough for them. We actually wrote to the Mayor’s Cycling

Commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, and asked whether cyclists would have the choice of not using the Superhighway lanes and instead use the main section of

the road reserved for cars, taxis and buses etc if they felt the cycle lane wasn't moving fast enough for them. We weren’t disappointed with the answer

because we never expected one - and never got one!

Of course, it could be that the £40million said to be allocated to taxis actually exists and we would be delighted to be proved wrong, but it just seems that

buses are given precise details of where their money is going - ie into new buses, while cyclists will be able to see the chaos their scheme will cause as the

Superhighways cause their disruption during building work and then when the scheme actually starts. Yep, everyone but taxis!

Michael Toomey, Call Sign Online

Call Sign March 2014

Page 20

The best taxi service -

with the worst regulators!

By ‘Taxi Leaks’ Jim Thomas

Since TfL took over the responsibility of

We have the ability to bring the working

administering the Taxi trade from the Met,

capital to a complete full stop on a regu-

the trade has more or less suffered in silence.

lar basis. Obviously this is the very last

But the worm has finally turned. There seems

thing we want to do, but we will if we

to be a new fire in the belly of the rank and

have to. The next few months are critical

file driver and 2015 is about to become the

to our survival. We will not go down with-

year the trade fought back.

out the fight of our lives.

After five years of carrot and stick manage-

Our trade is self-financing and drivers have

ment where TfL - with the help of an unfair

gone through the arduous Knowledge of

engagement policy - managed to keep the

London, a process that turns out Taxi drivers

he London Taxi trade is currently

trade representative orgs and unions frag-

of the highest standard. The Knowledge is

engaged in a fight for its life on multi-

mented, their greatest fear is about to be

completed at the driver’s own expense and

ple fronts; under attack from a $bil-

realised as the orgs and unions finally strive

carries no cost to the tax payer. The trade

lion multinational company out to

to achieve unity. An historic meeting took

receives no government subsidy, unlike other

destroy the worlds Taxi trade - a technology

place at the LTDA's Taxi House recently

modes of transport.

company with no respect for Taxi regulations

where previously excluded groups were invit-

We do this to win the sole right to ply

anywhere in the world, who also believe

ed in for talks.

for hire and all we ask in return is for our

themselves to be above the law.

If TfL fail to respond to the GLA recom-

right to ply be protected and policed by

Under attack from environmentalists who

mendations by March and the Mayor pushes

our licensing authority.

see our only manufactured, only authorised

the trade for a 5 year reduction in the present

Jim Thomas

vehicle as the devils child, with a Mayor about

15 year Taxi age limit, our drivers will have no

to introduce (in 2018) conditions of fitness

Aka Thomas the Taxi

option other than to use the only weapon left

that no current produced vehicle can meet.

Taxi Leaks blog

in their arsenal.

Worst of all, under attack from our own

licensing authority who have bent over back-

wards to make legitimacy easy for big money

Nissan cab sunroof shatters over passenger!

operators that do not meet the required con-

Nissan may have put their NV200 on hold so far

ditions of fitness and who operate in a grey

as London is concerned, but as New York’s Taxi

area outside the Private Hire Act 1998.

of Tomorrow, it is still part of the scene including

Sir Peter Hendy's present directorate

its specially designed sunroof that gives passen-

refuses to accept responsibility for adequate

gers a unique view of the skyscrapers as it sails

on-street enforcement, which has seen mini-

past them. But what the drivers would never

expect is for the sunroof to shatter and come

cab related crimes including serious sexual

crashing down over the passengers!

assaults, spiral out of control. To add insult to

It happened when a manhole cover exploded

injury, they have manipulated statistics in an

as the cab was passing Grand Central Station,

attempt to justify their lame actions. The Met

causing the sunroof to shatter and fall in on top

Police have openly admitted that sexual

of the passenger. A witness told a news TV chan-

attacks that go unrecorded have gone from

nel about what the impact did to the sunroof.

80% in 2010 to 90% at present. This gives a

“The passenger couldn't get out because both passenger doors were

false reduction in recorded statistics.

jammed shut as well, but the sunroof actually collapsed in, so he climbed out through the top of

TfL presently have a team of 68 cab

the sunroof and I escorted him down.”

enforcement officers. In a 12 month peri-

According to New York attorney Ethan Gerber, who represents owners of city cabs:

od last year, they were responsible for a

“Why they needed a panoramic roof we don't understand; why they need a glass roof we don't

pitiful 34 convictions for illegal touting.

understand, but we know cabs and we know they need to be durable over NY’s rough streets and

to have a glass roof is a really dangerous, bad idea.”

Other cities around the country realise

this figure just over a busy weekend.

Baghwat Singh

We have seen the line between Taxi and

Call Sign Online

Private hire eroded in the media to such an

extent that the BBC’s Inside Out London

documentary, presented by Louise Hulland,

found that 90% of night revellers didn't know

the difference between licensed Taxis on a

rank and a line of un-booked minicabs out-

side a night venue - one of the major causes

of minicab predator sexual attacks.

After a mass of complaints, the GLA

held a review of TfL's handling of the Taxi

and Private Hire trades. The transport

committee's report found TfL ‘woefully

inadequate’ and has submitted 19 serious

recommendations.

If the situation continues as at present, we

could see the complete demise of the world’s

best taxi service (a title awarded to London's

taxi trade for the past six years). The London

Taxi service is the gold standard that other

Taxi services around the world aspire to.

Call Sign March 2015

Page 21

In this series, Cab Guide, City of London Guide and City of Westminster Guide Bob Woodford looks at

infamous peace time London explosions…

Blast!

In 1980, any

Knowledge Boy

or Girl would

have been able

to tell you where

the Royal School

of Needlework was. What they couldn’t

know was that everyone inside that Princes Gate

establishment on the afternoon of 30th April was

to have visitors that would shatter their peace.

It was from this most genteel of society headquarters that Deputy

Assistant Police Commissioner John Dellow set up his command post

with a deployment of police marksman in order to deal with a “little scuf-

SAS soldiers waiting for the signal to enter the Embassy

fle” that was developing just a few doors away.

what those guys were like. They kill people. They'd killed others. They're

Six members of a terrorist group from the oil-rich Iranian

baddies. They were on our home soil and they were the invaders. My only

province of Khuzestan - which they called Arabistan - had taken

job at that point was to get onto the balcony, place the charge, get back,

over their country's embassy at 11.30am that morning.

blow it, turn around and go back in through the window.” Describing

The gunmen were demanding independence for Khuzestan and the

how he took out one terrorist who had been holding a grenade, he mem-

release of 90 of their provincial countrymen from jail - but essentially they

orably said in the best thriller writer fashion: “I could tell by the look on

were attacking the year-old Islamic regime of Ayatollah Khomeini and

his face that he knew he was dead.”

were reported to have had the backing of Khomeini's arch-enemy, Iraqi

Just for the record, McAleese died of a heart attack at the age 61 in

leader Saddam Hussein. You may remember him!

Thessaloniki, Greece in 2011. The newly crowned World Snooker

Armed with submachine guns, Browning 9mm pistols and Russian-

Champion the night that John blasted his way to victory was Cliff

made hand grenades, they initially held 26 hostages, including PC Trevor

Thorburn, who edged the late great Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins 18-16 in a

Lock who had been on duty outside the Embassy and two BBC employ-

different thriller, while the Society of Needlework is now far away from

ees who had been applying for visas so that they could head out to Iran -

any Embassies - inside the apartments at Hampton Court Palace!

a real focus of world attention at the time. The leader of this band of

Next month: A Blast at a Clerkenwell Prison leads to one of

despots was known as Oan. He announced that if their demands were not

London's most infamous of hangings

met, then they would blow up the Embassy, together with their hostages.

This was going to be a real test for Margaret Thatcher’s recently elect-

ed Government - the heroics of the Falklands War was still 2 years away

LTDA plan to clean up London taxis

and Dellow’s team would have to eventually give way to some very spe-

The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) and Clean

cial servicemen, who had been on 'stand by' from their own headquarters

Air in London (CAL) have called on London Mayor

that they had recently set up at Regent's Park barracks.

Boris Johnson to implement an eight point transfor-

The gunmen had released 5 hostages in return for minor conces-

mation package to encourage private hire and taxi

sions - but any hope of a peaceful outcome ended at 7pm on 5th

companies in the capital to use electric vehicles on their fleets.

May when they shoved the body of an Iranian journalist out of the

Aimed at reducing air pollution in London, the package says all newly

front door and Oan, who had been his assassin, announced that fur-

registered private hire vehicles should be plug-in hybrid or fully electric

ther hostages would be killed if their demands were not met.

with at least a 40-mile electric range immediately and that this should

That was more than enough for Mrs Thatcher. She gave orders for

be in place for taxis by 1st January 2018.

Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw to deploy the SAS, who were more than

It calls for a fund of £150m to offer drivers a £10,000 discount or

ready for the challenge. Top Gun John McAleese led the black-clad SAS

the removal of VAT from new vehicles that meets the requirements,

team, which blasted its way into the Embassy overlooking tranquil Hyde

on top of the existing £5,000 Plug-in car grant for the Vehicle Excise

Park on 5th May - 6 days after it all started. Coincidently, the Balcombe

Duty and Benefit in Kind system to recognise particulate matter and

Street siege (covered by Call Sign in the last issue) also lasted the same

nitrogen dioxide emissions, as well as carbon dioxide.

length of time.

The 15-year (and proposed 10-year) age limit for new registrations

Blasted their way in? It was going to be the only way to free hostages

and the 25-foot turning circle requirements should also be scrapped,

held by the Iranian terrorist group and the dramatic assault, broadcast live

according to the report and geofencing near areas of high pollution

on TV, in what became iconic images, turning the SAS overnight from a

should not be allowed.

shadowy, secretive regiment to one with national and international hero

Finally, the package would include 500 rapid charging points across

status.

Greater London exclusively for use of PHV and Taxis, offering a 30-

It took just 17 minutes for Lance Corporal McAleese and his team to

minute, 80% charge at little or no cost.

break in, secure the remaining 19 hostages and to execute 5 of the 6 ter-

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the LTDA, said: “London taxi

drivers want to be able to purchase and drive clean modern taxis. With

rorists without the niceties of asking any questions.

Those of us watching the drama unfold on TV when the man in black

the right incentives and by working with the trade, Boris has the oppor-

blew up a window and burst in, with the explosion being the signal for

tunity to ensure that London is the first city in the world to have a taxi

fleet comprised exclusively of Zero Emission Capable vehicles.”

other members of the squadron to abseil in from the back and storm the

Call Sign says:

building, didn't mind the World Snooker Championships Final being

One of the eight points is to scrap the 25 foot turning circle

interrupted!

requirement from the Conditions of Fitness and while Call Sign

Thereafter, Sterling-born McAleese, unmistakable with his chiseled fea-

can see the benefits of that, we can also see the downside - that

tures, Zapata moustache and lowland Scots accent, served in Northern

eventually PH will drive around in the same vehicles as we do

Ireland, the Falklands and Bosnia before appearing in documentaries and

and that WILL be the end of the trade…

TV shows including SAS: Are You Tough Enough?

In a 2008 documentary on Channel Five, McAleese said: “We knew

Call Sign March 2015

Page 22

had never considered buying a new

We’re all owner drivers on Dial-a-Cab, but Gary Johnson has had

Vito, especially after following one

more problems than most…

along Chelsea Embankment one

evening and seeing it crabbing with its

front wheels in the near side lane, crossing

the white lines with the rear wheels and

drifting into the oncoming lane. But then on

Christmas Eve 2011, a minicab changed all

that when it ploughed into the back of my

MY VITO & ME

trusty TX1 and wrote it off. I needed a

month off work with a very sore neck and

shoulders, while the two grand I got paid

out for the TX1 wasn't going to buy me

much of a replacement.

My long term girlfriend also decided that now

would be the perfect time to trade me in for a

younger model and fled to foreign parts taking

our son with her, so I needed something to

cheer myself up and what could be better than a

shiny new cab that comes with a promise of 3

years trouble free motoring.

I weighed up the comparisons of a new TX4

to a Vito and the Mercedes agility deal came out

on top as the most cost-efficient way of getting

me back on the road. My biggest concern was

always the Rear Wheel Steering and all the hor-

ror stories I had read about it. But Heydon, the

salesman at KPM reassured me the RWS prob-

same technicians to do the same job time and

abling the power steering. Problem solved with

lems were a thing of the past and nothing to

time again. Even the rear door locks could not

a few clicks on a laptop!

worry about.

be repaired and it failed one annual inspection

I often kick myself for being so naive in look-

because of this. Basically, it was an intermittent

Two Big Macs and a

ing forward to 3 years trouble free motoring

fault and the passenger doors did not always

while believing the salesman telling me the RWS

strawberry shake please!

lock, so unless the fault happened in front of

had been completely re-engineered and that

On another occasion, I witnessed dashcam

their very eyes at Mercedes, it could not be

everything apart from the obvious ie tyres, brake

footage of a technician blatantly using my cab for

addressed; but obviously Sod's Law made it hap-

pads etc would be covered under warranty. But

a trip to McDonald's drive-thru at Hatfield

pen at an SGS test.

it still came as a bit of a shock when I returned

Galleria to pick up a load of burgers and drinks

I contacted management at every depart-

to KPM just 2 weeks later with failing electronic

for the lads. I guess they called that a test

ment I could think of and pleaded with them

rear steps, only to be told I would have to pay

drive! All in all, these bungled repairs cost me a

to get my taxi fixed once and for all, but to

for any repairs as they weren't covered under

fortune in unevenly worn rear tyres not to men-

no avail. Mercedes seem to have a knack of

warranty. Not even a polite plea for goodwill

tion the cost of diesel getting to and from

passing the buck whenever they can, making

could encourage the KPM team to take a look at

garages and the ‘test drive’ of a 9 mile round trip

it so difficult and frustrating to speak to any-

it for free, as they reminded me that “this is not

to McDonald's!

one who is able or prepared to help.

a genuine Mercedes part,” so Mercedes would

Another incident I feel worth a mention is

Occasionally they’d promise me that the 'top

not take responsibility for the useless seals that

when S&B harassed me for a £240 towing-in

man' would be taking charge of the next

allowed grit to clog up the mechanism. So,

fee. My rear wheel steer had locked itself at

repair, but when the 'top man' also failed to

against manufacturers advice, I cleaned it out

a dangerous angle making the cab impossi-

make any improvement, those 'top men'

with my Karcher and that solved the problem -

ble to drive. Fortunately this happened out-

faded away into the darkness never to be

albeit temporarily.

side my home, so I called Mercedes 24hour

seen again.

In fact, from the first day I collected my cab

breakdown cover; after a mere 5 hour wait

On one particularly memorable occasion, I

from KPM, the “non-genuine Mercedes parts”

the guy turned up and got to work on my

had picked the cab up from S&B Welham Green

failed and continued to fail throughout the

cab. This has happened many times previ-

after yet another RWS repair. I immediately

whole 3 years I had the damn thing. I'm sure any

ously, so I felt no need to oversee what he

noticed the steering wheel feeling really heavy,

Vito driver who has had RWS problems has

was doing. He then handed my keys back

so before leaving the premises I asked a techni-

heard the line: “It's not a Mercedes part” more

telling me the job was done “but I needed to

cian to take a quick drive in it to confirm it was

times than they can remember. So far as I'm con-

book in at S&B to have it looked at.”

ok; he said it was fine and sent me on my way. I

cerned, if Mercedes approve and fit the parts,

I thought no more of it and assumed it was

was really tired due to sleepless nights and

Mercedes should take responsibility for them!

now safe to drive. Coincidentally, I felt quite ill

financial worries, so I thought maybe I had been

that day (probably the stress of losing more time

imagining it all. But the steering became so diffi-

We can disable the RWS?

off the road) and was unable to drive for a few

cult to control, I knew something was wrong. If

Over the 3 miserable years I owned my Vito, the

days. Then when I got in the cab for the first

I was hailed and pulled in to stop for a passen-

RWS failed on a daily basis. Even after countless

time, I realised it was still crabbing drastically

ger, it took extreme force to straighten up and

repairs and upgrades, it continued to malfunc-

and was certainly unsafe to drive. I called Merc’s

avoid knocking the passenger down! That's how

tion eg the alarm going off daily, disabling it until

24 hour assistance again and requested the cab

serious it was.

reset manually or it wouldn't work at all, or it got

be towed in for the repair. A few days later, a bill

So I booked it back into S&B and they diag-

stuck at an angle while trying to use it resulting

came for £240 and they were adamant that I had

nosed the problem as a steering rack and after

in a Merc call out. At the last count, my RWS was

to pay it because the cab had not been in for

another week off the road, they fitted a new one

in for repair at either KPM or more commonly

repairs since the first call out. I tried to explain

under warranty. At this point, it's worth men-

S&B Welham Green some 40 times. It could have

that the first technician had not made the cab

tioning that I believe S&B still get paid for every

been far more, but I just couldn’t afford the time

safe to drive and it had done no mileage in

job they do in your cab, whether it works or not.

off the road. Their favourite solution was to dis-

between, but they weren't interested and con-

The new steering rack made no difference what-

able the RWS and be done with you! But I was-

tinued to harass me for payment. It seems

soever, but they were still happy to return the

n't prepared to be fobbed off that easily; I paid

Mercedes brainwash staff into believing that all

cab to me in its dangerous condition and as

for a cab with RWS and I wanted one to do what

technicians are perfect and do not make mis-

usual, with a bundle of wires hanging down in

it said on the tin! At a rough estimate, I guess it

takes. Eventually after many phone calls, the

the luggage side footwell. Such was the care I

cost me at the very least 100 days off work due

darlings at head office agreed to pay my towing

had become used to receiving at S&B. Eventually

to some kind of upgrade or repair. Every single

fee as a “gesture of goodwill.”

it was realised someone had inadvertently pro-

repair failed and I was sick of taking it in for the

continued on page 23…

grammed the cab into ECO MODE, thus dis-

Call Sign March 2015

Page 23

OPERATIONS MANAGER REPORT

And chat from the Contact Centre

journeys are now included in your weekly trip

ful, irrespective of whether they were mem-

total. But we cannot just rest on our laurels

bers of his organisation or not - he was that

because there is so much competition out

type of person, honest and straight to the

there - so please carry on giving those cards

point.

out.

It was so obvious from the numbers of

attendees at his funeral on 5th January that

Barry Hooper

Barry was held in very high esteem amongst all

his peers. It was good to see the trade come

Although it was just before Christmas, I can’t

finish this article without also mentioning the

together, it is just a pity it takes such a sad

occasion to make it happen.

sad passing of Barry Hooper. I have been a

member of the LTDA for many years and have

Barry you will be sadly missed and you have

known Barry for a long time. He was always

certainly left your mark on the taxi industry…

more than happy to help and assist not just

LTDA members, but taxi drivers across the

Allan Evans,

Hello Ladies & Gents,

board.

Can I start by thanking you for your support at

Contact Centre Manager

On many occasions I spoke to him on behalf

the recent AGM elections and for having the

of our own members who needed advice and

Operations Manager

confidence to vote for me yet again to repre-

assistance and he was always more than help-

sent you on the Board of Management for a

further term in office. I would also like to con-

gratulate Joe Brazil (K16) who as you know,

MY VITO & ME CONTINUED…

was elected to join the Board at the meeting

and wish him all the very best for the future.

There is a long learning curve that every Board

Going back to the early days of my Vito, the cab began losing coolant at quite a dramatic rate.

Member undertakes and I am sure that Joe

I needed to top it up every day, costing me around £20 a week. KPM told me they couldn't fix the

will treat his new position with the integrity it

fault for about 2 weeks, so I asked if they would supply me with some coolant gratis to keep me

deserves. It is a privilege and I’m sure Joe will

going. It was no real surprise when KPM staff lived up to their reputation of “goodwill gestures”

treat it as such.

and refused! While making the booking for the coolant repair, I asked if they would repair the

Joe replaces Tom Whitbread who served

inner wheel arch / splash guard (or whatever it's called) as it had been hanging down slightly since

for many years as a Board Member and I hope

the day I bought it and inevitably at some point I knew it would catch a speed hump and get

that whichever path Tom takes in the future,

dragged under the tyre. I also asked if they could do something about the TAXI sign on the roof,

he will be blessed with good health. I have

which rattled like a woodpecker when on motorways. It seemed to make sense to get all the jobs

worked alongside Tom for the past fourteen

done at the same time.

years and I think we’d both agree we never

always saw eye to eye on some situations, but

No swearing please!

we always shook hands and moved on after-

I also booked a KPM courtesy cab to enable me to work while my cab was in the garage and as

wards and there was never any malice.

usual it came as no surprise when I arrived for my appointment to be told there were no cabs

available, as someone had yet again forgotten to reserve one for me. So, and incidentally for the

Contact Centre

third time in a row, I lost another day’s work and had to pay for a train to get home. When I picked

I have mentioned in previous articles about

the cab up, the coolant leak had been repaired but apparently it was my error that the other faults

my implementation of a number of changes

weren't looked at as I should have made a separate appointment with the body shop. It was obvi-

ously too much effort for them to book it in for me internally and I suppose I should blame myself

throughout 2014 and all members of staff

for assuming it was their job to do so. On top of that, when I dared to mention - as politely as I

have responded extremely well to the restruc-

could being very aware of the KPM policy of not tolerating abusive language - that I was very

turing, which I truly believe has been for the

unhappy about the condition of my cab, the cocky staff member told me that every cab leaves

betterment of both members and clients alike.

KPM’s showroom in A1 perfect condition, so the wheel arch must have been something I had

It was always my intention to make the

damaged myself! Needless to say the wheel arch /splash guard did soon hit a speed hump and

Contact Centre a more driver-friendly envi-

tore a sizeable chunk out of it.

ronment from all sides and get rid of any ‘us

I contacted Heydon Williams, the salesman at KPM who had sold me the cab. I told him about

and them’ scenarios. In the main I believe it

how frustrating the situation had become, asked him if he could pull a few strings to get the work

has been successful and well received by the

done and get the rear steering sorted once and for all? I had recently read an article Heydon wrote

staff. I, more than anyone, know that there is

in a trade paper telling readers about how he was more than a salesman, he was there to help and

always room for improvement and taking on

how aftercare was too important etc. So far as I am aware, he did absolutely nothing and a follow-

board suggestions from some of the member-

up courtesy call would have been nice, but it didn't happen. So I lived on with the woodpecker

ship, I will continue to make these changes.

up on the roof and the damaged splash guard and vowed to never return to KPM again.

I know our brilliant editor, Alan, is itching to add the line “well, you pays your money” etc, but

there is one saving grace I can take away from this disgraceful episode; some of my minuscule

Credit Card Bookings

contribution to the might of Mercedes Benz went in some way to funding Lewis Hamilton’s

Credit Card Bookings are steadily rising and I

Mercedes world championship! Cheers Lewis… but I'll never be buying a Merc again…

ask you once again to please give out the new

Gary Johnson (P28)

hand-out cards and display the seat adverts in

your taxis. Both the cards and ads are available

February issue update:

at DaC House and from Roman Way and as I

In last month’s Call Sign, Stephen Field (F99) also complained about the RWS and the war-

have mentioned before, the ‘proof of the pud-

ranty accompanying it after buying a Vito from the old KPM. He has now been given con-

ding is in the eating’ and trip totals are

firmation by S&B at Thurrock, Essex of five free services because he has never used any-

increasing day by day with quite a number of

thing other than authorised Mercedes dealers. Stephen says that S&B at Thurrock have

passengers setting up personal profiles in

been excellent and he recommends them to Call Sign readers.

order to regularly use the service. So yes, the

We believe that Mercedes are looking to TfL to get rid of the need for the 25foot turning

new CCB system seems to be going down very

circle…

well with you, the DaC members, and in

answer to a few driver queries, each of these

Call Sign March 2015

Page 24

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

Brethren of the Whip

on a stand in Oxford Street, when he was

fourth. Although they said they would not be

The

approached by a gentleman who told him to

long, the coachman began to panic and after

Resurrection

drive further along the street. He stopped twice

five minutes drove with all haste to Bow

in Oxford Street, each time picking up another

Street, office of the famous Runners. They

Men…

gentleman. When all three were in the

took down a few details but told him to return

“Then I got a

Hackney coach, they directed him to drive to

to them at 11am, it being now 6am. In the

corpse - you can

Grosvenor Place. Whether this is the present

meantime, he was to take the body to the local

always get a body

thoroughfare or part of what is now Grosvenor

mortuary

- The St Martin’s Bonehouse.

in London if you

Street is not clear, as there were at least three

Unfortunately for him they would not accept it

know where to go

thoroughfares by that name in the Mayfair and

because as far as they were concerned, it was

for it. I fetched it

Knightsbridge areas at the time.

the property of St George’s, Hanover Square

back in a trunk on

The coachman could see that the three gen-

parish. He then took it to the Bonehouse in the

the top of a four wheeler and I had to be

tleman were digging and there was little doubt

latter parish where, much to his relief, it was

assisted up to my room.”

about who his fourth passenger was about to

received.

So wrote John Buchan in his classic novel

be. After quite a long time, the three returned

The driver did not turn up for his meeting at

The 39 Steps in 1914. The best place to find a

carrying with them the body of Abel Griffiths.

Bow Street and nothing more was heard of

corpse is a graveyard and the best way to get it

The coachman was then directed to drive to

him. As far as the authorities were concerned,

from there to a surgeon is - as Buchan alluded

Foley Street. Before he did so however, one of

the body was back in safe custody and there

to - in a Hackney coach!

the grave diggers took out some paper from a

was no point in pursuing the point any further.

The fresher the cadaver could be received by

pocket and folded it over the Hackney carriage

the anatomical surgeon, the better. He may

plates. Once done, they told the driver to pro-

want a fresh corpse for his own research or for

ceed.

Sean Farrell

the income it would raise from teaching med-

At Foley Street, the three living passengers

Call Sign Online

ical students the art of anatomy. Sometimes the

got out, leaving the coachman with the lifeless

body was not even buried before being taken

to the surgeons. There could be an affray fol-

lowing an execution between members of the

NEW INTERNET CHATROOM

deceased’s family wanting to give the unfortu-

A new internet chatroom - London cabbie chat - has been launched for London taxi drivers.

nate felon a decent burial and body snatchers

The idea is to freshen up the social media that taxi drivers use by making a more open and

who, as their name implies, wanted to snatch

accountable forum which taxi drivers can enjoy using, as well as find informative.

Anyone wishing to join will have to register in their own names. There will obviously be sec-

the body and cart it away as quickly as possible.

tions of the forum which will be political, but also sections where drivers can discuss musical

When William Russell and William Holden

tastes etc. A section on traffic news can be updated instantly.

were found guilty and sentenced to death in

Many Dial-a-Cab drivers are keen cyclists, so a section to discuss makes of cycles, planned

1728, Russell struck a deal with his fellow

rides etc, whilst of course taxi sales, mechanical tips and help and the best garages are also

street robber:

included.

Everyone is welcome whether you are in the LTDA, Unite, RMT, DaC or any other licensed

“I’ll provide a coach for carrying off our

taxi circuit.

bodies, and your fraternity will preserve

The forum can be found at: londoncabbiechat.proboards.com

our bodies from being carried off by vio-

Richard Potter (T51)

lence.”

Holden had been a Hackney coachman and

as such, given the large number of coaches that

Dial-a-Cab Credit Union

would attend a public execution; there was lit-

tle chance of his body being snatched. Russell

on the other hand had no such allegiance to

Ever needed money quickly but were anxious about

the fraternity of the whip, but by ensuring that

variable bank interest rates?

his body and Holden’s would be taken away

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

from the gallows together, no one would try to

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

get hold of their bodies. What happened to

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

them after they were buried is anybody’s guess.

at your address also qualifies for membership!

Stories of ressurectionists and the Hackney

coach trade were legion throughout the 18th

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

century and no doubt the subject will be revis-

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

ited at a later date. For now, however, we jump

up to 3 times your total savings…

forward to

1823 and the account of an

The cost?

unnamed Hackney coachman and his unusual

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

fare.

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

The talk of the town at this period was the

murder of a man named Griffiths by his son,

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

Abel. The latter then decided to “terminate his

Call us on 020 7729 8171 or 020 7749 0585

own existence by blowing his brains out.” The

parricide and suicide, as Abel was now

Members of the Financial Ombudsman Service

labelled, was according to custom, buried at a

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

crossroads between two parishes. The

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

unknown coachman may have been discussing

Registration number 213263

the case with his fellow jarvies whilst waiting

Call Sign March 2015

Page 25

Tom Whitbread looks back at the taxi driving life of Stevie Marks, who sadly died in January…

STEVE MARKS 1932 - 2015

It was towards the end of the 1970’s, the time

annual holidays and it was not until his later

was just after 1am and a voice called in on the

years that he used other less stressful ways of

voice channel. He used no call sign because most

traveling, so that he was more relaxed when they

drivers out there knew I had a good ear for the

arrived. His other passion was his garden at the

different voices.

house that he bought in Stanmore and where he

“Who’s in front this morning?” This was

and Adele spent many happy years.

the regular early morning contest between

Stevie survived a by-pass operation in 2001 -

Stevie Marks (G12) and Michael Walsh (C77).

even though he had a heart attack on the oper-

They would come out every morning in the

ating table and slipped into a coma for five days.

Kenton area and race towards the West End to

In the years that followed, he was fitted with a

see who could get the first job on the way in.

pacemaker and then a defibrillator. Then in 2006

Then they’d work through until 6am before

after missing a medical, he was summoned by

stopping for breakfast at the café on Addison

the PCO and after some discussion, had to hand

Bridge. The amount of credit work these two dri-

his Badge in due to the heart problem.

vers did was so helpful for the Society, not to

Although he enjoyed his retirement, he still

mention how helpful it was to us dispatchers

yearned to be out there driving his taxi and

and as a result, the clients would keep phoning

mushing and joined ODRTS (Lords). This was a

meeting the group of friends and clients that he

us and it would help in keeping the account

few years before Brian Rice and I joined.

had built up over the years.

open. The duo didn’t worry if it was going to the

I was dispatching on voice and soon realised

Stevie died on 25th January 2015 soon after

airport, although if it was then that was a bonus.

that Stevie was prepared to run anywhere to

being admitted to Northwick Park Hospital due

Stevie was a gentle guy who I rarely heard

help cover work. On one Sunday morning, I rec-

to further heart problems. He was 82. His burial

raise his voice and I don’t think I ever heard him

ollect him running from Waterloo to Carshalton

took place at Bushey Cemetery on 26th January.

bad mouth anyone; yes, he had his gripes but he

Beeches on a hotel staff pick-up, even though he

He will be sadly missed by all his family and

always went through the correct channels.

knew he had to be there in just 20 minutes. How

friends, of which I’m proud to say I was one. I’m

Usually this meant giving me an ear bashing, as I

he achieved it I’ll never know, but we needed dri-

sure he’s up there looking down and saying to

was the one Board Member that all drivers had

vers like Stevie.

himself that if they don’t cover that credit ride,

access to being the night despatcher for over 8

Steve was married to Adele, having 2 won-

they’ll lose the account!

years.

derful children in Nicky and Adrienne. They

On behalf of everyone at Dial-a-Cab, I send

Stevie was born in 1932 and in the early

were married for 58 years. On their 25th

his family our condolences. May he rest in

1950’s did the Knowledge. Like most of us, he

wedding anniversary, their children paid for

peace…

got a cab by working on the meter for various

them to go to Paris and celebrate the happy

garages around Stamford Hill and Dalston. Then

Stevie Marks - a real ODRTS man…

event.

around 1971, he bought his own taxi to go

Tom Whitbread

Each year he would drive to Italy for their

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Call Sign March 2015

Page 26

Richard Potter (T51) and a few things that are…

ON MY MIND!

knew that, as PPI can’t be claimed by the

time, Boris enraged taxi drivers by admit-

self-employed and I had told Stanton

ting that he hadn't read it! Then he admit-

Fisher that at the time. So In the end I got

ted that TfL had got it wrong over Uber

nothing. Well at least I know now that

and that they should never have allowed

nothing was owed to me and it didn't cost

them an Operator’s Licence. But what’s

Dial-a-Cab accounts

me anything.

more alarming is the number of taxi dri-

I read through the Dial-a-Cab accounts

But who really has a claim? The word

vers aged over 55 who will retire in the

that dropped through the letter box and

mis-sold is puzzling, because if you never

next 15 years. With it taking 4 years plus

they were not pretty reading; but what I

took out PPI in the first place then you get

on the Knowledge, we are going to have

found interesting was that the turnover

nothing; so the people that got some

a big deficit and should the economy

figure went up in 2011 as against 2010 but

money must have taken it out! So what did

pick up and an inconsistent supply not

have been on the decline since then.

the finance companies do wrong?

meet the demand, we could end up with

Personally, I feel that austerity has taken a

I was told that some had ticked boxes

a one tier system. There were times years

heavy toll on this Society but that the lack

after agreements took place, but how

ago when there was shortage of taxis,

of work isn't necessarily all down to bad

would they know this? Perhaps selling PPI

punters would hire a cab for most of the

service and cost. If there was more busi-

to those that didn't need it or adding it on

day rather than lose the driver. TfL simply

ness taking place between companies, this

without them knowing and increasing the

would not allow that to happen today.

trade would obviously benefit because I

interest rate, so they inadvertently paid for

don’t believe that any of the big compa-

Finally, as bus drivers strike again

it? Who knows, but the average pay out is

nies use Private Hire by choice, but are just

over pay parity, those taxi drivers who

£3k and maybe those people that got a

bound by best value led accountants.

work for App companies that pay the

rebate actually wanted the PPI anyway!

drivers less should go and speak to

Well at least the phone calls have stopped

T-attributes

those on strike. What they would do

- although I’m still none the wiser!

One of the downsides of doing T-

for what we have… but some drivers

attribute trips is having to listen to pun-

can`t see past the end of their bonnets.

Mayor’s admissions

ters complaining about the coverage they

As mentioned in the last issue of Call

get from cars and then having to remain

Sign, the GLA Future Proof document

Richard Potter

silent when they tell you how much the

was damning; but at Mayors question

Call Sign Online

car company would cover the trip for. We

know you get what you pay for, but these

people truly believe that even though PH

does jobs at a cheaper rate, the service lev-

els should still be the same as ours.

You can only really manage the public`s

transportation expectations if those com-

panies make promises they can keep - and

we know some are so small that they sim-

ply can’t!

It was also good to read that we still

have 1300 loyal subscribers. Whether we

still have 1300 loyal subscribers after the

merger pay-out is yet to be seen, but I do

hope so. Any new company should be big-

EXTRA TO PARK YOUR TAXI AT HOME?

ger, better and hopefully worth staying on

the radio for.

Who’d have thought it…Islington say no!

If you live in the London borough of Islington, it may well cost you more to park your

PPI for all???

diesel car outside your home from April - which can already cost you up to £434!

Over the past few months probably like

London Mayor Boris Johnson is said to support the idea from the Borough famous its

most Dial-a-Cab drivers, I have received

humps and choice of restaurants, where they now want resident parking charges for

numerous PPI texts and phone calls; so I

owners of diesel vehicles to increase by a further £96 per year on top of the current

thought the only way to stop them would

resident charges.

be to relent and pass over some informa-

It is claimed that there are around 9000 diesel vehicles in the borough, which would

tion.

bring the council in another £864,000 in extra residents parking charges - enough for

One company wanted money up front,

a further nine humps to be placed on top of any they currently have that don’t already

so that went nowhere. Then I agreed to

cause enough damage to vehicle’s undercarriages!

use Stanton Fisher, you may know their

And for any Dial-a-Cab drivers laughing because they own a diesel car but don’t live

radio advert: “Have I got PPI.com.” After

in Islington, the Mayor’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) pollution crackdown could

filling out the forms and having a courier

mean that other boroughs will be watching the scheme and using it to rake in even

come to my house to collect the signed

more loot from London’s already over-penalised car owners.

paperwork, I was looking forward to some

So unless you have bought an electric taxi, then you would normally be

good news. Well after all, the phone rep-

liable for the charge. But believe it or not, the borough have made taxis

resentative said that Black Horse was one

exempt, quoting our own oft-used and true excuse that we have no choice as

of the worst offenders - although, appar-

to what vehicle we drive. Even Euro6 diesel vehicles are not exempt - and they

ently, along with all the other 15 finance

are said to be the next taxis available before electric.

companies I had used over the last 15

years!

So whilst the London penalising of diesel owners goes on, we should thank Islington

One by one I received letters saying that

for realising that what we have said for many years - ie we have no choice as to what

each finance company had no evidence

vehicle we drive - is actually true!

that PPI had been taken out. Of course I

Call Sign March 2015

Page 27

A recent article in a motoring

magazine cited the case of a

motorist who strayed into a yel-

Would You Risk It?

low box junction to allow the

way. Obviously I wouldn’t do anything dan-

manoeuvres to help emergency vehicles on

passage of an emergency vehi-

gerous such as moving into the path of

their way, with 48% prepared to go through

cle that had its blues & two’s

oncoming traffic across a junction, and I

red lights and 31% to exceed the speed limit,

going full blast - clearly being

would also be aware of pedestrians and

but in those cases they will lay themselves

cyclists. But you would expect a yellow box

open to prosecution by the police.

on a shout. A PCN duly arrived

and/or major junction to be protected by a

Overall,

39% wouldn’t worry about bus

through the motorists’ letterbox

camera that would allow the observer to see

lanes, red lights, box junctions, speed limits

and caused months of grief

what I had done - and of course, why.”

or pulling up onto the pavement if an emer-

gency vehicle needed to get past. with most

before the matter was finally

Mark

Compton

AA members (and other drivers) feeling that

(G45): “No I would

resolved.

the risk the chance of a penalty charge in

not risk it. The emer-

Every day on the busy streets of London and

order to possibly save a life is worth it.”

gency vehicle would

indeed up and down the country, well-inten-

AA President Edmund King added: “Most

have to find a way

tioned road users face a similar dilemma. Do

drivers will believe that there but for the

around me. I’ve heard

they stay their ground and hope the emer-

grace of God go we - because the next time,

of other law abiding

gency vehicle can find a way around them,

that emergency vehicle could be for us. But

motorists that have

knowing that every second of delay could

in return, too many bus lane, yellow box

been penalised because they thought they

jeopardise a life? Or do they move into denied

junction and moving traffic offence enforcers

were doing the right thing by going into a

territory - be that a yellow box, mounting the

will seize on the opportunity to dish out a

box junction to allow emergency vehicles

pavement or even going through a red light -

penalty charge. Inevitably, some drivers won’t

through, only to find themselves then caught

in order to let the vehicle go on its urgent way

take the risk and it only takes one to block

on camera and fined. So no, I would not

with the minimum of hindrance?

and hold up an ambulance or fire engine.

chance it.”

Call Sign conducted a short survey to

Councils operating enforcement cameras say

gauge the opinions of some Dial-a-Cab

So Call Sign asked the AA for their view.

that they take the presence of an on-call

drivers that were chosen at random

They told us:

emergency vehicle before issuing a penalty

before then asking the AA…

“Our figures show that nearly one in five

notice, but, too often, that’s not the case.”

Alex Winters (Y86):

(19%) of Londoners wouldn’t stop in a yel-

“I assume that if an

low box junction to allow emergency vehicles

emergency vehicle has

to pass. That compares to 13% nationally,

its sirens and blue

which isn’t surprising as London is the only

Call Sign

lights going, it is effec-

part of the UK where yellow box junctions

March 2015

tively

being

have been enforced with cameras.

Editor: Alan Fisher

directed by a police

Furthermore, one in six car drivers would

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

officer, so yes, I would

not go into a bus and taxi lane to let a fire

Tel: 0207 251 0581 Fax: 0207 553 7293

Email: callsignmag@aol.com

get out of the way

engine, ambulance or police car through -

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

provided my movement would not endanger

even if the sirens were wailing and the bea-

Printers: Premier Print Group

anyone or other road users. I think that

cons flashing. Then you realise that most UK

25 - 31 Violet Rd, London E3

would be ok. Why would you obstruct or

cities fine drivers £60 (£30 if paid within 14

Design: Aldan Publications

delay an emergency vehicle? Surely that could

days) for entering a bus lane, whereas in

Tel: 07958 300 428

be regarded as wilful obstruction - but know-

London the penalty charge is £130 (also

Email: deborahfresco@gmail.com

ing TfL or Camden Council…! No, I don’t

halved for early payment). Stopping in a yel-

Views and opinion expressed in Call Sign must

want to give them ideas!”

low box junction also sees similar fines.

not be assumed to represent those of the Editor or

Board.No part of Call Sign may be reproduced

However, our AA survey shows that more

Colin

Sostman

either manually or electronically without the express

drivers are prepared to carry out riskier

permission of the Editor.

(H46):

“It’s simple;

yes I would mount the

pavement or enter a

yellow box - in fact

whatever it took - to

PAUL’S TAXI SPECIALISTS LTD

allow free access to an

emergency vehicle.”

Antony Goddard

Unit 10, Ford View Industrial Estate, 83 New Rd Rainham, RM13 8ET

(C34):

“I

would

mount the pavement

or do whatever else I

Tel: 01708 553037

could in order to assist

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Demetriou (M3):

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“Yes, I’d risk it and do

whatever it reasonably

Fax: 01708 551443

Web: www.PaulsTaxiSpecialists.co.uk

took to get out of the

Call Sign March 2015

Page 28

OXFORD STREET EMISSIONS

Is it taxis… or is it really buses?

As those Dial-a-Cab drivers

A normal day in Oxford

that work during daytime

Street, so who causes

and early evening hours

the emissions?

will testify, traffic levels in

town on January 13 made

As one member of the

driving far more of a plea-

TfL Board said following

sure than it usually is.

the second bus strike on 5

Streets such as Oxford,

February when a further

Regent and Piccadilly

1000+ buses ignored the

were suddenly free moving.

union and problems were

The reason was that mem-

still at a minimum, perhaps

bers of the Unite union at

there are just too many

18 bus companies had

buses? And surely, whilst

walked out complaining

we agree that electric taxis

that there were 80 different

are the way to go, there is

pay rates for drivers doing

no reason to lower the 15

the same job.

year rule that in itself will

We didn’t think much

see a natural departure

else about it until a week or so later when Dial-a-Cab driver Jon

from diesel without the hardship that Mayor Johnson looks set to try

Robinson (E88) phoned Call Sign to ask if we had seen Jeremy

and impose on us. How about getting rid of all 18 bus companies and

Clarkson on Top Gear, because the BBC’s controversial presenter -

bringing back London Transport - that would also sort out the dif-

who once road tested a taxi and compared the results to driving a

ferential in pay rates. They could then get Sir Peter Hendy back to

tank - had commented on how low emissions along Oxford Street had

run the new group - undoubtedly his first love! Sorted!

been without buses and just taxis running along the UK’s premier

Oxford Street in Roman times was known as vi a

shopping street.

Trinobantina. Several years ago it was estimated that the aver-

We hadn’t - but we did remember Mr Clarkson writing in mid-2014

age bus speed along there was 3.7 mph, which was similar to

about the view that if you stood at a street corner on a sunny day and

someone walking at a reasonably fast walking pace. We bet that

watched a diesel-powered vehicle pull away, you would see a haze

Romans out for a drive in their chariots along via Trinobantina

made up of unburnt particulates that then worked their way into chil-

in AD50 wouldn’t have put up with a 3.7mph speed!

dren's lungs and killed them. He added that walking down Oxford

See cover for a better look!

Street was the same as smoking a thousand cigarettes an hour for two

Jamie Corum, Call Sign Online

hundred years!

But he then went on to write: “Sensible motor-industry bods

point out that a hundred modern diesel cars produce the same

amount of polluting elements as just one that was made in the

seventies. They say that modern cars have filters which capture

99 per cent of all particulates and that nitrogen oxide (NOX)

emissions from cars were reduced by a whopping 81 per cent

between 1990 and 2010.”

Moving on, Lonely Planet is probably the largest travel guide book

publisher in the world. Following the January 13 bus strike, their

magazine commented on the fact that suddenly London was showing

lower levels of pollution than usual, with scientists believing there

was a “strong possibility” of the bus strike being the reason for the

sudden environmental boost.

The London Air Quality Network measures pollutants from 50

various sites around town and on strike day recorded particularly low

levels pointing out that nitrogen dioxide emissions, which are main-

ly emitted by diesel vehicles such as buses and taxis, were at a much

lower level than on each of the previous seven days.

Citing Oxford Street in particular - known to be one of the

world’s most polluted roadways - at midday on the day of the

strike, NOx levels were well down on usual readings yet there

was no reduction in taxi numbers. Perhaps even more pertinent

was the fact that London’s black cab fleet was moving along at

normal speeds as against the usual crawl when buses are pre-

sent.

The Met Office added to the debate by claiming that because it had

been quite windy throughout the week, that could have kept emis-

sions down. Of course it had been just as windy for the four previous

days but emission levels hadn’t dropped anywhere near as much as

they had on strike day!

So what is the answer? Ban buses from Oxford Street? Of course

not! But perhaps someone in the Mayor’s office could look at the

ultra-high number of buses travelling along that street - most well

under half full - and think about cutting them down to a more man-

ageable number.

Call Sign March 2015

Page 29

Mike Higgins not only edits New York’s Taxi Talk magazine, but also runs a chat show for cabbies on NY’s

public service MNN1 TV channel. He also writes for Call Sign about problems in the NY cab trade...

Uber’s Fuzzy Math...

So, lemme get this straight. There have been 300,000+ postings and articles on the internet for the last si

months containing the words Uber $40 billion. Now Uber have just confirmed 'new' financing from The

Goldman Sachs 'death star' for an additional $1.6 billion.

Now - 'as per' - their alleged value is only $41.2 billion!

Huh?!?!

not $41.6 billion - just $41.2 billion. After a 'real' infusion of $1.6 billion in new capital.

To recap, that good 'ole $40 billion figure doesn't add up. It should have risen to at least the value of the

additional new capital and their overall value should have jumped substantially with the 'feel good' infusion

of new capital from a heavy hitter like Goldman Sachs.

It appears that Uber et al have been outted as tellers of tall tales - porkies as you Dial-a-Cab dri-

vers would say - to say the least.

That news also reflects what we've suspected all along - that Uber et al is an over-glorified hype machine,

and that the wonderful folks at Goldman Sachs have been keeping their gas tank filled.

I mean if Uber HAD $2.4 billion in start-up cash and just got another $1.6 billion in start-up cash…would-

n't that logically raise their company's value by about 65% (proportionate to the new investment capital)?!?!

Hmmmm...

See ya soon…

Michael Higgins, New York City

SAVE OUR TAXIS

Boris Johnson and TfL have imposed a 15 year age limit onto our taxis to reduce emissions in London. This taxi age limit was introduced

without proper testing to prove it would be of benefit. MPs and London Assembly Members asked for the testing to be carried out, but it

was never done.

We as London taxi drivers would love to replace our current vehicles with taxis that are fully electric or zero emissions capable, but these

are not yet available. So the Mayor in his wisdom has decided that we have to scrap our 15 year old vehicles - even though they meet cur-

rent standards - and purchase new diesel taxis costing up to £40,000. But these new taxis still will not meet the standards of the Ultra Low

Emissions Zone that will be introduced in 2020.

Please go to the website below and sign the petition to help get the age limit on London’s black cabs removed. If a taxi is fit

for purpose and passes current emission standards, it should be allowed to stay on the road. Please go to…

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-london-s-iconic-black-cabs?bucket=&source=twitter-share-button

Call Sign March 2015

Page 30

Mailshot

age would suffer at times, but then poor cov-

Either write to Call Sign at

erage by our PH competition has not halted

Dial-a-Cab House

their relentless rise has it?

or email us at

David Fletcher (O15)

See Keith Cain’s article inside this issue

callsignmag@aol.com

…Ed

External advertising

Hi Alan

then the other cab drivers out there. If I

I have just been reading the February issue

Transport for London

was calling Teddington to the TV Centre

of Call Sign and after reading Garry White’s

Alan

and he was at Shepherds Bush, he would

piece on rooftop taxi advertising, I had a

In the February Editorial page of Call Sign

run out there empty and return with the

thought that might be useful. When tender-

there was an article about touting and it quot-

job. The other drivers couldn't understand

ed the number of offences committed by 'cab

ing for new business, how about if we offer

the logic.

for Dial-a-Cab taxis to display digital adver-

drivers' and only by the threat of a Freedom of

May he rest in peace…

tising of the name of the firm where we are

Information request by you did they then tell

Steve Shaller (Ex R75)

the real figures ie the number of private

picking up from? Obviously we would have

Spain

to change the adverts manually for each

hire drivers committing offences compared to

client, but it would give the clients free pub-

the number of licenced taxi drivers. The num-

Mailshot and Satnavs

licity and perhaps be something that could

ber of taxi drivers could be counted on two

Hello Alan

give us an edge over car companies.

hands, whereas the number of minicabs

I thought last month’s Mailshot was a little

Ricki Rands (M81)

caught touting came to around 1100. Why are

disappointing with not many letters.

Garry White responds: Hi Ricki, part-

they both lumped together? Do they get back-

I also wanted to ask how often do you use

nership advertising is something we

handers from private hire operators?

your DaC Satnav? Have you driven the routes

could explore for our clients that like a

I was on my way to a holiday in September

it suggests? No wonder I'm a poor cabbie!

high profile presence on the High

and reading an article that claimed the num-

Street; this would be good where corpo-

ber of sexual assaults by London’s taxi dri-

How do you stand with TfL and complaints if

you use the Satnav’s suggested routes? For

rate events are taking place and a mar-

vers last year exceeded 1000. To say that I

shalled rank is requested, showing DaC

was furious would be an understatement! At

example: St Pancras rank to Kensington

to be the preferred supplier of taxis.

the time, I was at 36,000ft and there was

Square W8. There’s Euston and Marylebone

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get an

nothing I could do anyway. But I assume

Roads, Bishops Bridge, Westbourne Grove,

airline on board where we carried their

these figures are given to the press by TfL -

left at Hereford Rd, into Ossington Street,

logo on our cabs when picking their

lumping us in with them. Why? Is it the

right Bayswater Road and Notting Hill. Then

passengers up to and from the airport.

Brown Envelope Syndrome? Perish the

left at Ken Church Street! Surely Sussex

However, doing this with a roof top sign

thought! TfL are not enforcing the law. For

Gardens and through the Park?

fitted by DaC would be costly but digital

some reason they want to lump us in with

Jon Robinson (E88)

name boards or additional stickers on

PH. I know that many working at TfL are not

Sorry Jon, unlike some other organisa-

the front doors of your cab to promote

the sharpest knives in the box, but they must

tions, my letters are genuine and 99.9%

an event/charity or welcoming new

be able to distinguish between taxi drivers

have a name with them. If that’s all there

clients? Why not!

and private hire drivers - or is it down to that

was then it’s because that was all I had!

Brown Envelope Syndrome. Again, you

As for the Satnav, the Ossington Street

No run-ins

go onto the web and type in London taxi and

route isn’t bad. But your letter reminds

Dear Alan,

you are inundated with adverts for private

me of an incident with Satnavs long

I note with interest how over the last six

hire. I thought the Trade Descriptions Act

before we had them and at a time when

years or so, different people within the

said you must get what you ask for. Why is

I was campaigning against drivers hav-

membership (Board Members included)

this not enforced? Is it again the BES… per-

ing them on show on their windscreens.

have offered up a multitude of reasons for

ish the thought! The government goes on

I considered that it gave an incorrect

the decline/loss of our large corporate

about corruption in public office; but they

impression of our undisputed knowl-

account customers. As is often the way in

need look no further than Blackfriars Road.

edge of London.

life and especially business, I feel sure it is

This is a warning; if I happen to win a few

I had ordered a DaC taxi to take me

not simply one reason alone. There is how-

£million on the lottery or Euromillions, I'll

from the Victoria Palace Theatre after

ever often a red line or deal breaker that

put a few million aside and will take TfL and

watching the magnificent Billy Elliot, to

could stop negotiations in their tracks. The

the people in it to the cleaners. There will be

take me back to Dial-a-Cab where I had

most common reason offered to me by a

a few employees with difficult excuses to

left my car. The ultra-smartly dressed

couple of Board Members and others work-

come up with and many more will be out the

driver held the door open for us -

ing in the office is price, not coverage, the

door clutching their P45s. Please don't take

impressing Linda greatly - and then

age of cabs, drivers wearing shorts, cabs

that as a threat; it's not… it's a promise.

proceeded on his way. He was obvious-

without logos etc. No, the most common

Name and call sign provided

ly using a Satnav. I expected him to

reason I hear is price and yet people con-

It is on very rare occasions that I allow

shoot along the Victoria Embankment

stantly talk as though other issues are the

letters to be published with no name and

and then up through the City. After all,

deal-breakers, especially coverage. So if

call sign, but for obvious reasons I made

10.30, the journey shouldn’t have

price is the problem, why is it as soon as

an exception for this DaC driver. I know

taken too long. But no, he went up

someone suggests we compete on that

his identity …Ed

Grosvenor Place, Hyde Park Corner,

level, the old mantra of ‘it’s just a race to

into Park Lane, turned right at Upper

the bottom’ rears its head and the debate is

Brook Street, took us through Hanover

closed down? Would it really be the end of

Stevie Marks

Square, Cavendish Square and Portland

the world if we tendered for a large corpo-

I knew Stevie Marks (G12) very well and

Place, went right into Euston Road,

rate account with no run-ins or gratuities

was so sorry to hear the news that he had

Kings Cross and then down City Road to

before say 8pm and then went under the

died. He was a good radio man and when I

the office. It took forever, but do you

meter after 8pm and especially after 10pm?

used to give Mickey Foust his dispatching

know what Jon? When I checked the

Of course it would only be for a high

breaks in the early hours, it was Steve who

route at home, it was the correct way to

usage account and minimum fares would

used to run everywhere to help me cover a

go! End of story …Ed

need to rise a touch. Yes, of course cover-

lot of work. He had more business sense

Call Sign March 2015

Page 31

Mailshot

issue of Call Sign contained a half page

AGM

listing every candidate and then a further

Hello Alan

three pages containing CVs that the candi-

I've been on DaC for nearly 18 years and in

dates had sent in. The December issue

that time I had only seen two changes; Allan

then had a list of questions that drivers

Evans and Garry White. Now it’s three with

had sent in - every question received went

Joe Brazil. Although it's always sad to see a

in - whilst the January issue had no less

Board member leave (and I'm sure we all

than five whole pages given over to candi-

them. When I lit one up, it made me feel

thank Tom for his years of service), I do

date’s answers. Sadly, most drivers choose

dizzy and sick and I realised that I had paid

believe it's healthy for a Board to have differ-

not to attend the AGM and that is their

money to feel like that! I threw the ciga-

ent views and ideas and for the Society to

choice, but so far as I am concerned all

rettes into the bin and thought to myself

move forward; otherwise we remain stag-

the information they needed was provid-

that I would be different and I wouldn't

nant…

ed well before February. Even then, there

smoke. The best days work I ever did!

Simon Wallis (M11)

are a number of drivers who choose to

Now the story: The LTDA had organised a

There is an article in this issue regard-

vote on the day with prospective Board

forum about the-then new found dangers of

ing Tom’s departure and Joe’s arrival

members addressing them in the hall.

smoking and had an eminent person give a

…Ed

Indeed, there is a good chance that the

lecture about the dangers of smoking (to

final place may well have been decided in

cab drivers only). So Phil Hewson decided

the hall as there were just 14 votes in it

to go. Phil has had a lifetime of keep fit,

AGM

and far more drivers than that voting on

being a master of Tai Chi and Leviacol (an

Hi Alan

the day. In fact at the last election there

Indian martial art), a black belt in Karate, an

I was very impressed with Brian Rice at the

was just one vote in it. So if that isn’t

ex-professional boxer and an ex-army PTI.

AGM. I thought he was eloquent and firm

democratic enough, well I guess it’s just

The eminent person gave his lecture about

in his rhetoric. As he stated, he won’t make

the way it is!

the dangers associated with smoking and

the same mistakes again. My only concern

As for the merger, nothing will happen

then asked if anybody had any questions. A

is that if Keith Cain is handling the sales

without drivers saying yes or no. And inci-

few hands went up and questions were

process brief, then he has to do it 100% and

dentally, if you consider that having £5.5

asked and answered. Then the moron the

leave Radio Taxis to someone else. Just get

million in readies at the bank and owning

media always finds stood up and spoke. He

our market share! I do not agree with this

£7million building in the city that

said:

“I think this is a load of old crap

proposed merger, however I do agree with

according to the AGM has planning per-

because my dad smoked 40 fags a day and

demutualising and selling the building with

mission to build upwards - as Dial-a-Cab

he lived till he was 65.” The eminent person

planning permission and possibly buying

has - then I just wish I was that skint! …Ed

replied that was perfectly possible, but said

Mountview for £5 - and that amount is

that had he had not smoked those 40 ciga-

over-generous! I am also totally opposed to

rettes a day, his dad may well have lived until

forums; we elect a Board of Management.

AGM raffle

he was 85. The moron replied: “No, he was

Let’s just allow them to manage.

Hi Alan

knocked down by a bus!”

Good luck to our new and old Board

Can I thank all the drivers for their support in

There was an undercurrent of sighs and

members; I wish you every success…

buying raffle tickets at the recent Dial-a-Cab

groans as everybody thought the same

Stephen Field (F99)

AGM. We raised £430 for the Taxi Driver of

thing - how on earth did this person do the

Nice seeing you at the meeting Stephen

the Year Charity Fund, which will now go

Knowledge…!

and your thank-you to Call Sign was

into the pot and be divided among the trade

Brian Marcantonio (R73)

appreciated. I’m just pleased I could

charities at our annual dinner and dance on

I sometimes wonder how I did the

help. I have to say that I’m not totally

November 7 2015.

Knowledge with my memory! …Ed

against forums, but I remember them

Incidentally, one winner must have left

well last time round because I attended

early and doesn’t realise their ticket was a

every single one of them. On one sad

prize winner. If you had ticket numbers 331

On the way out!

occasion I was actually the only member

to 335 then just go to Drivers Services at DaC

Hi Alan

that turned up. There were three Board

House and claim your prize.

As my Y-reg cab is due for the scrapheap in

Members ready to answer questions and

Russell Poluck MBE (T55)

a couple of years, I thought about the gas

it became a discussion on whether Spurs

engine that TfL said would extend the life

would ever win anything again! …Ed

of my cab for 5 years. They are now talking

Holy smoke!

of getting rid of cabs in 10 years. I can't

Hi Alan

seem to get an answer regarding if the gas

AGM

It's a shame Martin Freeborn is retiring

engine is still an alternative to scrapping

Dear Sir

(February Call Sign); he was a credit to DaC

my cab. Have you got an answer?

We sat and listened to both old and hopeful

and the cab trade in general. He always had a

Keith Hancock (R47)

new Board members advising us why we

new cab, it was always clean and he always

The man to speak to about gas engines

should vote for them. What is the point of

wore a collar and tie. Also, if the media want-

is Stanley Roth. Email him at gas-

this as most of the votes were in by 6th

ed a spokesperson for the cab trade and they

taxi@gmail.com. As you can see from

February? So would it not have been benefi-

got him, they were upset because he was

this issue, the Metrocab electric taxi is

cial to hear from the Board before we voted?

smart, well-spoken and articulate, not the

said to be getting close …Ed

With regard to the merger; rather than

usual moron they usually find to speak on

spend good money in talks with Radio

our behalf - which brings me to a true story

Taxis re a possible merger, we should have

that was related to me by Phil Hewson. I

Wharfside car wash

asked the drivers whether they think it

used to be a regular at his gym in Woodfield

Can I give a mention to two car washes called

advisable to go in with Radio Taxis or go it

Road and subsequently in Wapping. In the

Wharfside. One of them is in Canary Wharf,

alone as a new company. In all due respect,

1960s, it was finally discovered that smoking

car park level -2 and the other is at 170

the two companies in the running for a

was bad for you; I remember in 1964, I was

Marylebone Road. Opening hours are from

merger / takeover are both deeply in debt.

13 and most of my mates smoked because it

7am till 6pm Monday to Friday and from 9am

Paul Hammett (V42)

made them look big and older. In fact every-

to 5pm on Saturday. It’s £7.50p for in and

Paul, I’m not sure if this is a wind-up but

body smoked. I tried it because all my friends

out. Both are very good and friendly…

I’ll assume it’s serious. The November

smoked and of course I wanted to be like

Gary Mankelow (A67)