So endeth another year - one that to me
seemed to have just started! But no doubt, I felt exactly the same this time last year.
However, I can’t help wondering just how I will be feeling this time
next year? The advent of the unthinkable will be almost upon us; the imminent licensing of
London Private Hire. It is probably fair to say that the last time an event as big as this
occurred in our trade was when Oliver Cromwell’s ‘heavy mob’ rounded up the
Thames Lightermen hinting that he preferred horse drawn cabs and that they (the
Lightermen) wouldn’t kick up a storm - would they?!
Twelve months from now, whoever is in this seat will be wondering exactly
what the next twelve months holds in store. The licensing of the operators will be around
the corner followed by the drivers / vehicles - although I suspect that will not follow on
quite as quickly as seemed likely not too long ago.
Should We Worry?
But the paramount question is not so much should we worry, but why should
we worry? I have no doubt whatsoever that Private Hire will always be in second place
behind us provided - and how many times have we heard this - provided we get our fingers
out and realise that the world doesn’t owe us a living.
Dial-a-Cab can match up to any taxi company in the world - although listening
to some doom and gloom merchants at the AGM, you would think that we were on our death bed
rather than basking in the most successful period since Bonnie Martyn first set up the
Owner Drivers Radio Taxi Service in late 1953. However, there is enough on that subject on
other pages so let me just talk about ourselves as a company. In addition to earning vast
sums, DaC has an office block specially geared to the radio taxi industry covering every
facet of the business. No minicab - sorry, Private Hire - company is anywhere near us. No
PH
company can compete with us on the service front either; no
ifs or buts, they cannot hold a candle to us.
Yet they are there with an ever-expanding client base. True, most of their
captures come from each other just as - tragic to say - the licensed radio circuits
sometimes take each others accounts. But, I sense a new realisation within the JRTA
organisations that if we continue to fight each other, there will be several back doors
open for PH to march in. It COULD be the easiest thing in the world to achieve once they
get beyond our defences. But they have to get past us first and any wounds we suffer will
be self-inflicted. So in my view, PH will always be second unless WE ourselves let them
through. How? Well I don’t want to preach to you - after all, I’m a driver too
and I’m not mad at people who think they know more than me and who preach down at me.
But there is no more time; we must now either put up or shut up. Either we become the
consummate taxi organisation with coverage bordering on 100% within a reasonable time,
have reasonably clean cabs - with London’s weather sparkles are rather difficult -
and drivers that look like they have made some sort of effort that day regards wash and
dress, or we will be overtaken within two years of PH licensing.
Chauffeurs or Licensed Taxi drivers?
I don’t believe that we can emulate the suited and booted section of
the current upmarket minicab companies, neither do I think that we should try. We are not
chauffeurs, we are licensed taxi drivers who attained the
position through an apprenticeship; ie the Knowledge. I wear a shirt and tie most days
whilst occupying the Editor’s chair. I also wear jeans with it! I try to be polite to
passengers, answering all their questions as best I can. I NEVER shout or swear at a
passenger, I treat them as I believe they would want to be treated. If I can get out
quickly enough, I open the door for them. I always try to open the door for radio clients
when they get in.
I - like many others - also cover work that is uneconomical for me to do -
not because the job itself is uneconomical, but because I am running a substantial
distance to cover it. I know that there is someone nearer who could save me that trip
allowing me to cover the credit trip of a closer client, but they don’t necessarily
respond to the challenge of providing a 100% service to all our account customers. Well,
those days are about to leave us. Put up or shut up!
It’s now or never. As I said earlier, we need have nothing to
worry about, we have a set-up that is the envy of every minicab company in the capital.
What we also need is the desire to be the best. I, and many others, want that very badly;
do you?
If you agree with me, please write and say so. One of our biggest problems
has always been that of the silent majority - those who are content to carry on but never
say anything. Let’s not leave it until it is too late. We need to fight in order to
not have to worry!
SEE YOU IN MARCH
As Call Sign is published eleven times a year and the February issue is the
one that usually doesn’t appear, it looks as though we will next be dropping on your
doorstep in early March. Letters, classified ads or articles can still be sent in at
anytime between now and then. See you soon…
