Mailshot is your chance to tell the subscribers of
Dial-a-Cab exactly what you think. Complaints, compliments or just to write about Call
Sign.
This is YOUR paper within your magazine....
You can also email your letters to: callsignmag@aol.comFIXED PENALTY NOTICE
I was recently penalised for stopping over the line at a set of traffic
lights (Farringdon / Stonecutter St.) when the cameras flashed and felt strongly about it
as I had not crossed the junction line. The Fixed Penalty Office told me that even if you
do not cross the junction but just stop over the line, you will be done (£40 fixed
penalty).
The following is the letter I wrote to the FPO accompanying my payment….
J.Cochrane (C04)
Dear Sir
I am paying this fine under protest. I did NOT jump the traffic lights but stopped
safely even if it meant going over the line of the junction (but stopping this side). I
have a responsibility to the passengers in the back of my taxi which is paramount.
This action taken by you has changed my driving procedures which, had they
not been belted up, would have resulted in two passengers being thrown onto the floor and
a following vehicle hitting me from behind, such is now the severity of my braking
approaching a junction.
This action taken by you is very unjust and has changed my view of police and
policing in the City.
If this is your intention, then you have succeeded.
J.Cochrane, Badge no. 21100
Sorry to hear that the FPO are obviously giving no leeway to anyone - even for just
stopping over the line. For readers info, I was ‘flashed’ on the A23 Purley Way
where the road is duel carriageway standard. I was doing 44mph at 11.30pm on a clear road
and was given a £40 fine plus three points on my licence. So be warned, they are now
putting film in the cameras…Ed
WESTMINSTER ACCOUNT
Could you please pass on my thanks and gratitude to all your drivers and
staff |
for the wonderful service they
give me. Without you, my life would be made much more difficult.
Mr R.Byrne
Bessborough Street, SW1
At a time when nothing seemed to be going right culminating with my dear husband being
admitted to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital with a serious illness, I thought that
things could only start to get better. Then I somehow lost the lifeline to my husband - my
Westminster Taxicard and my transport to go to see him.
So my heartfelt thanks to your wonderful co-ordinator Peggy (Smith) who took
a huge weight off of my shoulders with her kindness, understanding and help in quickly and
with no fuss, solving my problem.
My deepest and sincerest thanks to Peggy for that helping hand at a time when
I needed it most.
Carol Plaskett
London SW1
A GENTLEMAN’S CIRCUIT?
This is the first time I have written to Call Sign and I would like to
congratulate you on the most excellent work that you and your team are producing.
I have only been a taxi driver for three or four year now and I always hoped
that I would never fall into the trap as many drivers do in my experience, of becoming a
self-opinionated, grumpy old *******!
I couldn’t believe my luck a few weeks ago. I was working along Fleet
Street when a taxi flew past me, cut in front and picked up a waiting fare. I pulled up
alongside him to enquire of the driver if he had missed a payment on his taxi, when he
replied to my dismay that it was ‘Dog eat dog!’ and further to my dismay upon
looking at his taxi that he was a Dial a Cab subscriber. He then drove off.
Later that evening I was doing an account ride from 125 London Wall. Upon
arriving and switching off the engine, I waited some time with the heater and radio on.
Then the taxi wouldn’t start and I had to explain to the passengers that I
couldn’t take them. I then asked a fellow DAC member for a jump start. "No can
do" he said. He was waiting for a fare. Then I asked another DAC driver - he had a
weak battery. Yet another was waiting for a fare while a fourth was also
"…waiting for a fare."
So I thought that I would go to voice and ask them to put a message out for
me. The reply came that they were too |
busy and that I should ask a
passing taxi! I then waited another 15 minutes and called voice but received a similar
message yet again. Then I saw a knight in shining armour. A Mountview driver in a liveried
cab! He promptly stopped while I clamped on my leads and we started first time.
Approximately thirty seconds of his time wasted, he also refused to accept
the £5 I offered him for saving my life. However, I left still feeling confused about all
of the ‘gentlemen’ that I work with on this circuit.
In conclusion, I bought myself a new battery but I now firmly believe in a
look-out-for- number-one mentality and that every ‘dog’ will have it’s day!
So I hope that none of you get a flat battery because I will be waiting on a job or have a
weak battery etc etc.
Yours grumpy but forever smiling…
Chris Bishop (W82)
PS. I’m not having a go, I just feel slightly aggravated.
WOTS COOCKING
I had a real good laugh when I read page 15 (Christmas Cooking Hint) of
your Call Sign December 1997 issue. Was it printed without any proof-reading ? There were
so many spelling mistakes that it sounded so funny when I read it.
J.James (jjames@ctpl.com.sg)
Singapore
I kan ownli doo mi best. Im ownli a hooman bean…Ed
HOLIDAY PAY FOR DRIVERS?
For many years I have asked Board members to relieve the driver from paying
subs when one is on holiday for over 14 days (or sick - one has to be off sick for a whole
month at least so as not to pay the monthly subs). I don't think that it is fair that one
should pay the subs when not using the facility.
This can be done easily and I don't care whether its software or hardware or
anywhere. You don't need a certificate as it can be checked if a driver has signed on or
off. This is our circuit and as now we have a healthy balance, surely we can afford it. It
would be nice to return from holiday and get some money back (the following month?). I
think that this should be implemented from the 1st of June or July 1998.
I would like to mention that if the Board gives a negative reply, then I will
put a proposition at the next AGM and I'm sure that it will pass with flying |
