It is so strange how as taxi drivers we can come face to face with so many people that are connected with news stories that happen in our city. I had such a person in my cab recently. His name was Mr Denny Inns and his partner was one of the victims of the dreadful nail bomb explosion in Soho. He was on his way to meet his friend at the Soho pub when he was mugged. His partner meanwhile, is one of the men in hospital who has lost a leg and has forty percent burns to his body. My passenger felt so helpless about the situation with the victims and feels the only way he can do something to help is to organise a charity show for them. Mr Inns, who is blind, is asking London's taxi drivers to help him in whatever way they can in his organising of a big charity show at the London Palladium in June of this year. His telephone is 07957782406. If you can assist, please call him.
Jery Craig (C3)

I know that a lot of readers will see the above heading and jump straight to the next letter, but I feel very strongly about the situation that liveried drivers find ourselves in. I am the owner of a TX1 Royale - you know the one, more extras than Ben Hur! Customers remark on the cab almost daily with it’s air conditioning and leather interior because it all adds up to a more enjoyable journey for our account clients - especially when stuck in the smog-filled London traffic.
   But now, after years on this circuit, I am deemed not acceptable to carry on as the cab carries a livery. I work at night mainly and like anyone else that does, cannot help but notice how many City and Island jobs are in the bid zones. So given the choice of a liveried cab in ten minutes or a non-liveried one in a substantially longer time, the passenger would probably phone a car firm - whose numbers are growing at an alarming rate on the Island.
   I have spoken to Brian Rice on this matter and although sympathetic to my cause, he was adamant that the decision to exclude liveried cabs from Dial-a-Cab at the end of the year would remain. His argument is that he is selling Dial-a-Cab on a brand image, whatever that is. But I thought that by having a badge around my neck and a licence plate on the boot, that the travelling public already knows what I am!
   Cabs come in several colours already, plus an array of metal finishes ie white, grey and red etc, so I don’t see how a liveried cab is so far removed from what the public have become used to already. I feel that the livery exclusion is the thin end of the wedge and once implemented, would open the door for, say, no cabs over five years old or the implementation of a dress code. Either way, at a time when the licensed cab trade is facing major battles ahead with the on-coming private hire brigade, I feel that we are being alienated by our own side - and we call this a Friendly Society!
   I hope that this letter, if nothing else, stimulates constructive discussion on this matter. Be lucky…
Grant Davis (L39)

Dear Grant, of course I am sympathetic to your problem, but the fact remains that the majority of members do not want livery cabs on the circuit and I happen to agree with them. One of the reasons that our work has grown in recent times is because our name is seen around everywhere and it shows existing and potential clients the size of our fleet -something I consider to be very important. In your particular case, you drive a top of the range taxi because you drive the Chairman of Chelsea football club, Mr Ken Bates in your vehicle. Consequently, you carry 

Would it be possible to have a list of the code letters that come up on our mobile screens together with a list of the special taxi rank zones. I had them and lost them.
Jerry Fund. (A9) via email

I have enclosed a leaflet given to me by a niece who felt that it may be of interest. I’m passing it on to you as you may feel it worthy of inclusion in Call Sign. As the leaflet says, it could produce a very rich vein of material.
Nat Lewis (S78J)

In 1999, the Jewish Museum is planning to show an exhibition entitled Taxi! This exhibition was prepared by the Museum of London and shown at that Museum in 1996. Taxi! outlined the history of the London cab trade. At the Jewish Museum, we want to extend and expand this exhibition by including material about Jewish cabbies. This should be the source of a very rich vein of stories, anecdotes and other fascinating material.
   We are looking therefore for photographs, objects, memories and memorabilia relating to the taxi trade. Information about the charitable work of Jewish cabbies would also be of interest.
   We will also be looking for funding to produce this extended exhibition and any donations would be gratefully received. We are planning to show the exhibition from November 1999 - Spring 2000.
   In an exciting joint venture, the Jewish Museum is working with the students of King Solomon High School, Redbridge, on this exhibition. If you think that you can help in any way or would like further information, please contact:
Carol Seigel at the Jewish Museum on 0181 349 1143

Or write to: The Jewish Museum, 80 East End Road, N3 2SY
Internet web site - http://www.ort.org/jewmusm/

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