mediawatch

BBC NEWSROOM SOUTHEAST
A piece covered by the BBC’s Newsroom South East featured DAC’s Martin Freeborn (C67) - not to mention his prominent DAC door logo - concerning the design flaw in the TX1 doors. In the report, Martin, who is the proud owner of the first TX1 off the production line, explained how windy conditions caused the heavy, large door to swing open too quickly and grate against the kerb. Pedestrians, road-side objects and the door itself were put at risk from this uncontrolled opening. On one occasion, Martin’s door opened so far, it buckled and actually became jammed shut when it closed again.
   Peter Da Costa of KPM UK Taxis and Daniel Kleeman of LTI, explained how this fault has been rectified by fitting a strap which prevents the door swinging too far, but still opens enough to allow easy wheel-chair access. All 2000 TX1s on the road are offered this modification free of charge and are strongly recommended to have a strap fitted. New TX1s are fitted with the strap as standard.

CHANNEL ONE
The television cable station Channel One broadcast a piece on DAC’s James Cochrane (C4) who was lucky enough to win the LTI Gold TX1 at the Taxi Driver of the Year Show (see Aug Call Sign). They also showed snippets of an interview conducted at the show by Call Sign’s Editor, Alan Fisher.

LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Yet another excellent Evening Standard Blower cartoon featured Dial-a-Cab. This one took a gentle Mickey-take at the time-keeping of South West Trains. It showed an elderly couple dressed in Victorian clothing coming out of a railway station and walking towards the taxi rank asking: "Our train was late. Which year is it?" No guesses as to which taxi company was featured with which phone number! Right again - Dial-a-Cab - 253 5000…