Taxi #453

LTDA The newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA #453 1 October 2019

CHARITY: p5

PRINCE CHARLES PRAISES CAB TRADE

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UBER’S LICENCE HANGS BY A THREAD App firm gets just eight weeks to improve passenger safety

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

“Pull the Plug on Failed Uber” TRANSPORT Uber’s failure to fully address concerns over passenger safety has led to it being given a licence extension of just eight weeks.

The under-fire ride-sharing company has been told to address the issues and apply for another licence at the end of November or be barred from operating in London.

It needs to satisfy new conditions to “ensure passenger safety” before it could be given a long-term licence.

The decision follows a series of failings which have appeared to show the company has not cleaned up its act as the company promised when it won a 15-month licence last year at Westminster magistrates’ court.

In July this year Uber was fined £28,800 for two counts of its drivers operating without insurance and for failing to keep proper records.

It has also emerged that more than 800 complaints have been against Uber driver in the past 14 months, 242 of which concerned “inappropriate behaviour.”

A further 89 Uber drivers were reported for “dangerous driving” and 48 for “threatening/intimidating behaviour” in London, although the actual figures are believed to be much higher as many

passengers so not make an official complaint.

Following the announcement of the decision, LTDA General Secretary, Steve McNamara, said Uber had clearly “failed its probation” and urged the mayor to “pull the plug” on the company.

A spokesman for Sadiq Khan said it did not matter “how powerful and how big you are, you must play by the rules.”

He added: “Regulations are in place to keep Londoners safe, and fully complying with these strict standards is essential if private hire operators want a licence to operate in London.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “Uber London Ltd has been granted a twomonth private hire operator licence to allow for scrutiny of additional information that we are requesting ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing application.”

Uber’s license to operate in London was withdrawn in September 2017 after it failed to report serious criminal offences, check drivers’ criminal records and ensure that its drivers were medically fit.

The 15-month licence the company was granted on appeal in June last year was due to run out on September 23,

the day TfL’s decision was announced.

The terms of the licence granted by magistrates last year will continue to apply, obliging the firm to produce an independently verified assurance report every six months and elect three nonexecutive directors to its board.

It must also provide TfL four weeks’ notice of any changes to its operating model, provide regular independent audits and inform the police of criminal allegations against drivers and reports by passengers of alleged crimes.

Uber must also report all data breaches involving passengers or drivers, after company attempted to cover-up a huge global data theft by hackers.

The GMB union, which represents minicab drivers, said Uber had had “more chances than a game of Monopoly.”

Steve Garelick, regional officer, criticised the extension decision: “A two-month licence extension is no good for anyone – it leaves uncertainty for drivers and passengers, meanwhile Uber still operates an unsafe model on the streets of London.”

Jamie Heywood, regional manager for Uber, said: “Over the past two years we’ve launched a range of new safety features in the app, introduced better protections for drivers, and our clean-air plan is helping to tackle air pollution.”

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1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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The two month Uber licence extension shows TfL has deep huge concerns about its operating practices

STEVE MCNAMARAE

UBER STILL A THREAT TO LONDONERS

TOP TRADE STORY

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t was hard to miss the news last week that the Mayor and TfL decided to grant Uber a short eight week extension to its probationary licence with additional conditions on public safety. This is a total repeat of events from two years ago when they were given a fourmonth extension before being refused a licence.

That time TfL were making enquiries into Ubers software and app, this time all we know is it’s to do with safety, let’s hope there is another repeat when it comes to refusing their licence again!

Press wise, the lack of effort put in by Uber to meet the conditions of its 15-month probationary licence was well publicised and the national news coverage on Uber’s track record in shirking its responsibilities and compromising the safety of Londoners was, for once, accurate.

They spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on PR and lobbyists who will all be sitting in rooms trying to come up with a distraction story, last time it was flying cars so expect something equally as imaginative and untrue.

#RealCostOfUber

The support that our #RealCostOfUber campaign received from LTDA members in the run up to the decision was good, and I’d like to say a big thanks to those of you that took the time to sign and share our petition.

Although with over 10,000 members and 23,000 cabbies and their families the trade should be all over this type of thing. Our enemies play this game so well, and in an age of digital lobbying we will always be on the back foot with consultations and surveys until everyone gets on board.

You may have seen on Twitter that Conservative London Assembly Member and long-time taxi trade supporter Keith Prince was on hand to help me deliver every single one of our #RealCostOfUber petition letters to City Hall. His support is key to backing our cause, and I was also pleased to see

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the London Assembly Transport “We will Committee Chair, Florence continue Eshalomi, recognise Uber’s two month licence extension as to keep the “non-decision” it is. I will be up the making sure that Prince, Eshalomi and our other key supporters in pressure the GLA are kept in the loop on on City Uber’s persistent failures and keep Lady Hale up the pressure on the mayor and Hall over TfL come November. the next In Westminster two It can’t have escaped anyone’s notice the MPs months...” returned to work in the House of Commons after the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament was

illegal. It means that the Queen’s speech in a fortnight’s time has been cancelled. Unfortunately, it will result in yet another delay to seeing legislation brought forward for new taxi and PHV licensing laws.

This legislation is vital to ensure public safety and to keep firms like Uber in check, and events surrounding Brexit cannot be allowed to continue to derail it. I will continue to work with parliamentarians of all parties to apply the right pressure and get this moving, as we cannot afford to wait any longer to act on this. u

Steve McNamara is the LTDA’s General Secretary

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@TheLTDA

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1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

Police appeal for dashcam footage of fatal stabbing CRIME Detectives investigating a fatal stabbing near Camden Town Tube station are appealing for cabbies to send in dashcam footage to help the inquiry.

Police were called at about 23.10pm on Thursday, September 12, to reports of an assault on Camden High Street.

Offices found 25-year-old Assad Abdullah Yarow [pictured, right] suffering from a stab injury. He died at the scene.

A second man, aged in his mid-20s, was found nearby suffering from a stab injury.

He was taken to a central London hospital and has since been discharged.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on September 18 on suspicion of murder.

He was taken to a north London police station and has been released on bail to a date in mid-October pending further enquiries.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on September 17 on suspicion of murder and has been released on police bail to return on a date in mid-October pending further enquiries.

There have been 113 murders in London so far this year.

DCI John Hughes from Specialist Crime, who is leading the investigation, said: “We now understand that this attack took place next to the Camden Town tube station. This is one of the busiest and most popular parts of London.

Lots of people were coming in and out of the station and many taxi and black cabs were passing through the area at the time. I would like to make a direct appeal to them to send in dashcam footage to our investigators. It could prove vital to apprehending those involved. Equally if

NEWS IN BRIEF

Prince Charles Praises Cab Trade CHARITY Prince Charles praised the charitable work of the cab drivers when he met a muchloved taxi charity’s volunteers at the Ambassador of Netherland’s reception.

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans had the privilege of being invited to Simon Smit’s reception at Hartenstein Museum on September 21.

During the event its Chairman Ian Parsons and Vice President Dick Goodwin had the honour of chatting with the heir to the throne.

They explained to Prince Charles the reason why they were in the Netherlands, which was to drive veterans to events to commemorate Operation Market Garden in black cabs.

Prince Charles said he had a high regard for the charitable work of the cab trade and specifically the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

you were there on Thursday night, we need to hear from you.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 8865/12Sep. Anyone with moving footage relating to this incident, or the events leading up to or following the murder, can submit their footage at either of the following dedicated investigation portals where all information will be treated in the strictest confidence: Ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk and Ukpoliceimageappeal.com

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NEWS IN BRIEF Poppy Cabs marks 10th anniversary Poppy Cabs is appealing for kindhearted cabbies to drive veterans to special Remembrance Day services on Sunday, November 10.

Now in its 10th year, drivers are needed between 8am and 10am at various hub locations, including London Bridge, Victoria Coach Station and Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Poppy Cabs also needs drivers willing to collect people in wheelchairs, with ambulatory problems and some larger groups from individual locations.

Cabbie and coordinator of Poppy Cabs, Mike Hughes, said: “The Poppy Cabs service is an integral part of Remembrance Sunday, involving hundreds of proud London taxi drivers coming together to support our country’s veterans. In recent years, more than 5000 veterans have used the free service and this initiative perfectly demonstrates the amazing spirit and generosity of kind-hearted London cabbies.”

To register as a driver or marshal, send your name, phone number and location to mike@mikehughes.org.uk

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

Changes to the ranks serving the London Eye have caused confusion all around…

RICHARD MASSETT

LONDON EYE RANKING EXPLAINED

THE MASSETT FILE

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e have had several calls regarding what’s happened at the London Eye rank, so I thought it would be worthwhile discussing the issue here.

The story starts around two years ago when the Shell Centre was being redeveloped under the ownership of Canary Wharf. As part of the redevelopment, the owners were undertook to improve the streetscape in Belvedere Road. The street frontage, where the rank was situated is apparently owned by the company that owns the London Eye site, which includes County Hall. At that time the local authority, Lambeth Council presented plans for the street improvements. Meetings took place involving all the interested parties, including the members of the London Cab Ranks Committee. At these initial meetings a plan was presented which was very much in line with what we see on street today, with the paving line brought out and the taxi rank moved across the road. Both the LTDA and TfL objected to this on the grounds that the then existing rank was in a perfect position. Moving it, we said, would make it less accessible, by requiring passengers to cross the road and by not having sufficient kerb height, which would make it difficult to load passengers in wheelchairs.

Since then the Ranks Committee have not been involved

in any further discussions and I understand that TfL had maintained the stance that is was not prepared to move the rank.

So, the months went by and little else was heard of the scheme until construction got underway. At that point, we were presented with a fait accompli. The kerb lines were built out and the rank became unusable, even though it had not been revoked by TfL. While all this had been going on we had been temporarily making use of an old bus stop site in Chicheley Street and the opportunity arose to take this over on a permanent basis with an agreement that the bay can be enlarged to accommodate another taxi and with the existing bus stop shelter being moved to a new position in front of the rank where it will be refurbished with a London taxi livery. A new rank is also being provided a short way along Belvedere Road where it will be in position outside the main entrance to the new Shell centre.

Further along the road another bus stop bay is to be taken over for a new rank, which will be opposite the Festival Hall. Again, it is proposed that an existing bus shelter will be taken over and given a new taxi livery.

The reason given by Lambeth for removing the rank was that it was due to improving the safety of the Chicheley Street/Belvedere Road junction which has an irregular alignment and is frequently used by coaches accessing South Bank and by lorries, which service the

County Hall site. It was also intended to offer a clear view of the eye when looking down from York Road to the site. It has been made clear to Lambeth by TfL that it would not be acceptable to have other vehicles occupying the space. The council has agreed to carry out necessary enforcement and we understand that some pedicabs have been confiscated. This will be kept under review.

So, which rank should we use? At present neither rank has been designated as the London Eye rank and drivers and passengers are free to use either as they see fit. It has been decided to leave things as they are until the rank improvements are in place in Chicheley Street. There is also a possibility that the road could become one way eastbound to consider.

Hospital Moves

We have been advised that the Royal National Ear Nose and Throat Hospital and the Eastman Dental Hospital are to move from their present sites in Gray’s Inn Road to a new site in Huntley Street. The move will be carried out in stages, but the new sites are due to open at the start of October. I will keep you up to date with any rank up news as and when it emerges. u

Richard Massett, LTDA Chairman, and Chairman of the London Cab Ranks Committee

MASSETT'S CAMERA HOTSPOTS EXMOUTH MARKET Red zone BERKLEY STREET J/W PICCADILLY Yellow box cameras JOHN ISLIP STREET No right turn into Ponsonby Terrace FULHAM BROADWAY/BARCLAY ROAD Yellow box CAMDEN 20mph limit SELFRIDGES Over ranking LUDGATE HILL Zig-Zags ISLINGTON 20mph limit RED ROUTES TfL is actively enforcing yellow box restrictions TOWER BRIDGE 20 mph speed limit – average speed cameras LIMEHOUSE LINK 30mph speed limit SMITHFIELD Do not park in loading boxes, they are enforced by camera A13 Average speed cameras in operation THE CITY 20mph limit KILLICK STREET Pedestrian zone WESTMINSTER PARK PLAZA No right turn into Addington Street VERNON PLACE No left turn into Southampton Row

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—24hr pedestrian zone

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

LTDA

AGM The LTDA AGM will be held at 10am on Friday, October 4, at Woburn House in Tavistock Square, WC1 ORDER OF BUSINESS: u Auditor’s report u General Secretary’s report

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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Cabbies pedal from London to Brighton for wheely good cause TRADE

A team of cabbies raised a whopping £8,000 for charity after cycling 55 miles from London to Brighton.

A total of 14 members of the London Taxi Drivers Charity for Children (LTCFC) took part in the 2019 Skyline London to Brighton Cycle Ride on Sunday 15 September, pedalling from Clapham Common to Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront.

The team comprised LTCFC committee members Colin Greaves, Steve Bell and Paul Barber, taxi driver Keith Oates and supporting team members Joe Bainborough, Steve Church, Adie Church, Daryl Bradford, Ben Bradford, Mark Tamuta, Martin Bell, Jack Oates, Calum Oates and Nicholas Day. Colin Greaves said: “After months of training in preparation for the event, there was a sense of nervous excitement and trepidation as the group set off together across the start line at 8am on a glorious Sunday morning. By 1pm we had all passed the finish line and were happily stretched out on the grassy embankment by Brighton Marina with a well-earned glass of our drink of choice.”

The team raised more than £8,000 towards the cost of the next LTCFC

Mad Hatters Tea Party, which will be held in January 2020, and will give 600 disadvantaged and special needs children a magnificent party.

Colin added: “The committee members would like to pass on our sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the members of the LTCFC London to Brighton cycle team.

This has been a major commitment for all those involved and we thank them for investing the time and effort in their

FARE ENOUGH

training programmes and fundraising activities. We’d also like to pass on our sincere thanks to all donors and sponsors who have contributed to the financial success of this fundraising event.”

Anyone still wishing to donate to this fundraising event can access the LTCFC London to Brighton cycle ride JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/ LTCFCLondontoBrighton2019

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

A backlog of DBS cases is building up, so complete your paperwork early and get it right

ANTHONY STREET

STREETS AHEAD

GET YOUR DBS RIGHT FIRST TIME

Some of the issues are down to a failure of the processing system but also because drivers were e have helped hundreds slow to complete the relevant of drivers with licensing paperwork. issues, especially with TfL’s stance was then, and their dreaded DBS applications. remains, that if the DBS was Whenever there is a delay applied for at least three months threatening a driver’s ability to before your licence expires, it will work, we have managed to usher issue you with a temporary licence. the application along but to avoid There also appears to be some causing yourself unnecessary confusion about which website to The registration page stress, get it right and get it done use. So make sure you go on to the will look like this on gbg. early.

DBS website supplied by TfL onlinedisclosures.co.uk As you all know, we need www.gbg.onlinedisclosures.co.uk to get an enhanced DBS disclosure check – and then lick the register button on gbg. previously known as criminal record checks. Since onlinedisclosures.co.uk it was introduced it has been a massive pain in DO NOT click on www.crbdirect.org.uk this is not the backside. As you may well remember, at one the correct website. It is not approved by TfL. stage things were so bad that we were forced to If you do your DBS on this website it will not demonstrate outside the office of the then Home be accepted by TfL and you will have wasted Secretary, Theresa May. Things aren’t that bad now your money and time and will have to restart but there are still serious delays in the system, not the process using the correct website gbg. least because there are not enough staff to cope with onlinedisclosures.co.uk the demand.

As ever, LTDA members who have problems We still get calls from drivers whose application with the forms, or experience delays can call has stalled at the police check stage.

Taxi House for assistance.

W

Martin Cordell & Co at Heathrow

Taxi insurance specialists Martin Cordell & Co have been holding surgeries at Heathrow for several months. The feedback from drivers has been fantastic, which means they will continue offering the drop-in service. Company representative Ian Jacobs will be there once a month, but this could increase should the demand be there. Ian’s next two visits will be Thursday, October 17, and November 21, 2019. He is based in the Unite Office (not the Portacabin) by the canteen.

The company’s existing customers and taxi drivers that are not with them are welcome to pop in to see Ian, either for a general chat, or for some specific accountancy or tax advice. If you wish to have your accounts prepared, make an appointment to see him. If you are not a client why not take advantage of this free visit to find out more. u

Anthony Street is an LTDA Executive Support Officer

@TheLTDA

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

“Car Free Day Discriminates,” Taxi User says ROADS More control of London’s roads should be handed to the mayor, said Sadiq Khan, during the “Car Free Day” which saw 17 miles of the capital’s roads closed.

Mr Khan also took a swipe at councils for declining to take part in the event, which took place on Sunday, September 22, accusing them of being “anti-walking and anti-cycling.”

Roads were closed to traffic across 15 of the city’s 32 boroughs including Hackney, Islington and Haringey.

The closure attracted criticism from the taxi trade and other business operators saying the event left them unable to work.

Actress, disability campaigner and taxi user, Samantha Renke, said the closures posed huge problems for wheelchair users.

She said: “My initial reaction to the event was one of trepidation and almost anger. I’m not in denial about climate change – and of course I want London to be the best it can be for all its residents. But as a full-time wheelchair user and someone who has a rare condition that causes my bones to break at the slightest knock, I rely solely on black taxis (which by law are all adapted for those with impairments) to maintain my independence and go

about my daily activities, as usual.”

The closure meant taxis and private hire vehicles were not allowed in the affected area preventing Ms Renke, and others, from being able to get a cab in this area, or travel through it in a cab.

“I fail to see how this did not directly discriminate against me or others in my situation,” she added.

During the day, people flocked to the usually busy Tower Bridge for an 8am mass yoga session to kick off the day.

Circus skills workshops, halfpipe bike

displays and brass bands on skates also took part in the clean air event dubbed “Reimagine” by the organisers.

However, the mayor, who cycled across Tower Bridge, admitted he was frustrated that City Hall was only in control of around five per cent of London’s roads, with the rest controlled by local authorities, some of which, he said, were not doing enough to reduce air pollution.

Mr Khan, who also plans to reduce the speed limit to 20mph on those roads managed by Transport for London, added:

“I’m frustrated by some councils being anti-walking, anti-cycling.”

“There are thousands of Londoners who die prematurely.

“We need Londoners to understand the importance of reducing the pollution on our streets.”

He also reiterated his intention to pedestrianise Parliament Square and increase the number of journeys taken using sustainable transport in order to cut pollution.

Currently, 63% of people travelling across the city either walk, cycle or use public transport, a figure the mayor wants to see increased to 80% by 2041.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 people took part in the day’s festivities.

Taxi Volunteers Deliver Another Magical Trip

NEWS IN BRIEF

CHARITY

Dozy Driver Sleeps at the Wheel

More than 200 children with special needs enjoyed a trip to Disneyland thanks to kindhearted volunteers from the taxi trade.

The youngsters set of from Canary Wharf in a convoy of around 100 cabs as part of the 26th Magical Taxi Tour on September 13.

London taxi drivers travelled far and wide to collect children from hospitals such as the Royal Marsden in Sutton.

Stephen Nutley, 58, has been a cabbie for more than 30 years and was one of the volunteers.

The 58-year-old, who has taken part in the trip 13 times, said: “It’s an honour and privilege to take part and each year never fails to amaze me.

“The volunteers, not just here in England but also in France that do so much for us all.

“But of course, the bravery of the children is beyond anything I have ever known.”

“I personally would like to thank everyone who donated. The Disney trip has been going for 26 years now and long may it do so! Well done lads and lasses; the licensed London taxi drivers are the best in the world.”

The Royal Marsden in Sutton is the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and treats thousands of people every year.

The three-day break in Disneyland Paris is organised by the Worshipful of Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers to give sick children a rest from the therapy and treatment. Visit: www.hackneycarriagedriverscompany.com/

A stunned motorist filmed a driver having a doze while travelling along a busy motorway at the wheel of a Tesla.

People in a passing car moving at around 35mph in San Diego captured the shocking clip, which appears to show a man nodding off in the “selfdriving” Tesla.

The car’s autopilot function can keep a car straight and can change lanes but users are advised to monitor the system and keep their hands on the wheel at all times.

The footage shows a man with his head facing downwards while a cap sits slanted on his head. His eyes are closed as he sits slumped into the driving seat.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

Cycling around London looks terrible; riders don’t even treat each other very well

LLOYD BALDWIN

SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE CYCLISTS

ON POINT

I

don’t hate cyclists. I really I don’t, but you have to admit that they are funny breed. They don’t even appear to like each other much, let alone anyone else.

Commuting by bike looks to be a miserable experience. Not only do riders have to avoid phone zombies, satnav addicted minicab drivers and everyone else, they must contend with each other.

They huddle like wildebeest at lights, that is if they can be bothered to stop at them, never meeting each other’s eyes, staring blankly ahead, waiting to steal a march on the next Lycra clad warrior, so that they can beat their previous best.

They seem perpetually furious that other people exist, perhaps because TfL and others have placed them on a pedestal so high that they feel like can look down on all of us unhealthy polluters.

There are various uniforms. The most prominent of which appears to be the Mamils – middle aged men in Lycra – often seen sporting shorts with little circular pads in the backside.

These emasculated men usually ride bikes worth thousands of pounds and use them to bully their way around London, trying to assert the

masculinity that was crushed out of them years ago.

There are also the hipster types, whose bikes range from those that look like they have been rescued from a skip and patched up with Sellotape to unwieldy Pashleys, which weigh a tonne and have seats which might as well be carved out of stone. Many of these riders seem perpetually on the verge of losing control of their bikes and are frequently bullied and harried by their ruder counterparts.

The other day while driving through Parliament pondering my navel, I witnessed the coming together of these two worlds, which made me wonder, Jerry Springer like, “why can’t we all just get along and love one another?”

I pulled up at the lights – as one does – and looked to my left to see a young girl on a Pashley stopping at the red light next to me. Suddenly, a Lycra cowboy, with earphones stuffed in his ears, powered into the back of her, sending her hurtling to the tarmac.

Now, instead of getting off his bike and trying to help the poor wretch, he began to shout at her.

“Why did you stop?” he bellowed. “My bike cost £2,000,” he told her for no reason I could fathom.

“They huddle like wildebeest at lights, that is if they can be bothered to stop...”

I got out of my cab, white knight like, and tried to help the woman get her bike up from the floor.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked him, “that’s a red light; you’re obliged to stop.”

“She didn’t need to stop,” he repeated loudly before cycling off cursing.

The woman seemed to baffled as much by my efforts to help as to what had happened to her.

Perhaps this has become the norm in cycle circles; treat each like dirt, shout in each other’s faces, venting the stresses of everyday life, and go about your day.

Either way, she simply got on her bike and cycled off without a word.

Like I say, I don’t hate these people – some of my best friends are cyclists, but they are odd.

They shout abuse at us and even themselves, safe in the knowledge that they don’t have to suffer any consequences, riding on because, in their own high minds, they are modern day gods of the road; part man, part machine, saving the environment and us, the people, unable to be caught and too righteous to punish. u

Lloyd Baldwin is an LTDA Executive Support Officer

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

13

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

15

Heathrow Plans to Raise £1.2bn TRANSPORT Heathrow airport could make £1.2 billion a year from a congestion charge levied on taxi drivers and other visitors arriving at the airport by car, a study has found.

The proposed levy system, which will be introduced to coincide with the opening of Heathrow’s third runway in 2026, will grow to yield as much as £3.25 million a day.

A charge of between £10-£15 will eventually be levied on all cars visiting the airport from 2022, including the cleanest.

It is designed to get people to use public transport to reach the hub and to offset the pollution caused by the increase in air traffic.

However, the airport has been told that capacity on buses and trains will be woefully insufficient to meet the demands of the enlarged airport, which will cater for 142 million passengers — 75% more than it does now.

The decision has caused outrage across the taxi trade, with all the organisations meeting to decided upon joint response to the consultation.

Heathrow Southern Railway, which wants to build a new rail line to the

pick-up points and Heathrow car parks.

It calculated that 65,000 vehicles would pay the charge each day, adding: “With a 2040 price of £50 this would yield for Heathrow £3.25 million a day or almost £1.2 billion a year.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was vehemently opposed to a third runway before getting the top job, but has kept quiet on the subject since. The project is by no means guaranteed to go ahead.

HSR fears the scale of payments 2015 to 55% by 2040. They will be risks becoming a “major reason for accommodated by the new east-west objection” to a third runway and Crossrail line, an upgrade of the Tube’s reinforces the need for a new rail line.

Piccadilly Line and improved coach “For many locations in Surrey, and bus access.

Hampshire [and] southwest London Plans have also been drawn up there is no viable public transport for a new rail line from the south, alternative to road,” it said. “This will creating a direct link from London cause resentment as there will be no Waterloo, and another from the practicable way for people in this area west, allowing passengers to travel of the country to avoid the charge.” direct from Reading.

Heathrow said it does not “recognise A decision has yet to be made this £1.2 billion figure and we are on whether either of the two lines taking steps to encourage passengers will proceed. to travel to the airport using more Heathrow Southern Railway said sustainable means. The revenue that without the line large numbers of generated . . . will help to improve passengers would have little choice but sustainable transport and keep to pay the congestion charge, which passenger charges affordable as the will be imposed at all drop-off and airport expands.”

airport, said the charge will be “seen as just another tax” on passengers.

The levy on motorists could rocket to £29 a day by 2040, but could be as much as £50 after inflation.

Passengers using Heathrow already pay a £20 landing fee, the highest charge of any airport in the world.

Heathrow’s consultation into plans for a two-mile runway northwest of the airport site closed just over a week ago. It will allow an extra 756,000 flights a year.

Heathrow has committed to expanding without any extra cars on the road. Its plan told how the proportion of passengers who travel to the airport via public transport is expected to rise from about 40% in

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Insurance certificate (not a copy) – properly affixed in the luggage compartment

VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL

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Valid MoT certificate (issued 13 days or less before inspection)

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Taximeter installation and calibration certificate, issued within 30 days of inspection

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

m 0* t ai 45 efi Cl £ en to y B tion up kl ec ee ot W Pr

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“You don’t expect to be off work for a long time, but when it happens you’re glad you joined the LTDA”

“I visited my GP for the routine medical. I then discovered that I was suffering from Thyroid cancer. Thankfully I had the LTDA payments to back me up during my treatment”

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To join, call Paula today on 020 7286 1046 or email paula@ltda.co.uk Alternatively, call in at Taxi House and pick up an application form or download it from: www.ltda.co.uk POLICY CONDITIONS: Claims for Back/Depression related illnesses have a reduced benefit of £90 per week. 14 day deferment period before claim payments start. Maximum period for which weekly benefit is payable to 26 weeks. The age limit for joining Platinum is 49 years and for the Gold is 54 years. You are covered up to your 65th Birthday. (subject to terms & conditions).

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|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

LETTERS HUGE THANKS TO KIND DRIVER

I

am writing to express my gratitude to London black cab driver, Abdurrahman Shafiq.

I was out for dinner in Victoria Street when my neighbours called me to say that my burglar alarm had gone off. I took Abdurrahman’s black cab from Wimbledon station back to my house. He came into my house along with my neighbour and we found

LOST PROPERTY OFFICE TIP

T

hanks for the recent article about trying to hand in property that’s left in cabs. Recently, someone left a Canon camera in the back of my cab. I used to take lost property to Belgravia Police Station but have been told by other drivers that the front desk is now closed. Since I live in east London, I tried Dagenham Police Station which is open 24/7. There are roads at either side of the police station, both with residents parking, but restrictions only apply from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. As the camera was left on a Saturday, I had no problem with a Sunday morning drop-off on the way to work. For a day man living in east London and finishing a shift with property to hand in, I should imagine that parking up near the police station from 5.30pm onwards would suit a lot of drivers.

Victor Davis

THANKS TO “OUTSTANDING” DRIVER

I

am writing to you in the hope that you will be able to pass on my sincere thanks to the taxi driver who picked up my wife and I at about 23.40pm on Thursday, September 5, from Surbiton and drove us home to King’s Road, Kingston.

When I got out of the cab, I had not realised that I had left my credit card holder with all my cards, my Oyster card, membership cards and some cash in his cab. Indeed, the loss was not noticed until my wife looked in the letterbox this morning and saw the cardholder with a note from the driver saying it had been left in his cab.

My wife and I have always had the highest regard for London taxi drivers and the exemplary action of your driver last night was simply outstanding and we would love to be able to thank him in person. The only clue as to his identity, other than the details above, is that he was driving one of the new hybrid cabs.

The driver displayed the highest professional standards by returning the cards.

As we use the taxis at Surbiton station regularly, we may yet meet him again.

Stephen Russell

“The place was insecure.

Abdurrahman and my neighbour stayed with me from 11:30pm through to 7am. It was an extremely kind gesture...”

STAR LETTER that the house had been broken into through the patio door. The place was insecure. Abdurrahman and my neighbour stayed with me from 11.30pm through to 7am. It was an extremely kind gesture.

17

I wish to express my deep gratitude to Abdurrahman. This might be an extreme example, but I have had some very positive experiences with Ajit black cab drivers. u

BILKER WARNING

I

wanted to warn others that I recently picked up a bilker [pictured, right]. I collected him from a bar opposite The Anthologist on Gresham Street to Marylebone Station.

He asked for spare receipts and a suggested I give him a whole book of them. When I refused, he told me he would not pay his fare as it would be a civil matter if it went to court!

Glen

EASY RUN

HARD RUN

u Euston Station to Signor Sassi

u Wandsworth Common Station to Reform Club

“Since I live in east London, I tried Dagenham Police Station which is open 24/7. There are roads at either side of the police station, both with residents parking, but restrictions only apply from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday...”

DISCOVER HIDDEN GEMS

I

am a licensed London taxi driver and I recently started a YouTube channel entitled “Secret London with Mark Monroe”. The channel focuses on London’s hidden quirky gems, many of which I’ve discovered as a taxi driver, such as the false façade at 23 Leinster Gardens.

I have released an episode recently about Fredrick Hitch, one of the VC heroes of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift who was a London cabbie.

Mark Clayton

DAVE ALLEN “SORELY MISSED”

O Do you have a gripe or praise? Contact us at 0207 121 0523 or email editor@ltda.co.uk

n behalf of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, I would like to thank all people connected with the Licensed taxi trade who attended his funeral and donated in Dave’s memory to our charity.

For those who don’t know, Dave passed away recently at the age of 65. He was the editor of The Cab Driver trade newspaper and ran a small fleet of cabs from his north London home. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Dave was a great and generous supporter of our charity and will be greatly missed.

Paul Davis Hon Secretary Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

18

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

Chris bemoans the terrible taxi arrangements at train stations around London

CHRIS ACKRILL

ON THE ROAD

STATION TO STATION...

R

eading about the Uber driver who crashed his car into the concourse at Barking Station got me thinking about how taxi arrangements at train stations have changed over the years.

I can just about remember the time when taxis used to rank up inside Paddington Station, right by the platforms. It was easier for us and more convenient for our customers in those days. Later we’d queue up alongside Eastbourne Terrace. We’ve put up with the horrible ramp off Bishop’s Bridge Road for several years. Maybe when Crossrail is finished, we’ll go back to Eastbourne Terrace? I can’t imagine being allowed back inside the station; not with the security risk or the war on diesel. And I’m sure the barrier in Praed Street will remain while there’s the fear of minicabs shooting down the ramp scattering everyone like pigeons.

I’ve long thought that we’re not really wanted at stations (or airports). Those controlling things are making it more

difficult all the time. King’s Cross and St. Pancras are a nightmare for setting down.

Pancras Road resembles Mumbai on a bad day with all those minicabs, buses and coaches jostling for access. Pedestrians dodge the moving traffic like sacred cows.

Thankfully, the traffic is slower than they can walk, so no harm is done.

Leaving these two stations is even worse. You usually have to queue to leave King’s Cross heading south, and there are now only two exit lanes from St Pancras, left or right. As a crazy bit of traffic management, you can’t even go straight ahead into Judd Street.

100% committed

The new re-modelling at St Pancras sees a one-lane rank next to a cycle lane. The kerbing makes joining and leaving the rank difficult. You don’t want to break down there, or decide you’ve queued for too long and want out. You can no longer go around cabs whose drivers are loading up large amounts of passengers and freight. The cycle lane is rarely used, but you have to be alert to bikes, scooters

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and cycle rickshaws. I’ve seen electric bikes zooming down past the cab rank.

I was there recently and saw a taxi that had broken down at the head of the rank.

There was no space for other cabs to pull around the rank so we had to use the cycle lane. I made it all right in my TX4, but the Vito behind me had difficulty and the driver scuffed his hubcaps on the kerb. I was picking up a wheelchair passenger so had to pull around to access the kerbing for the ramp. I could put the ramp down, and open the offside door to load the cases; but I couldn’t open both doors fully at the same time thanks to badly-placed metal bollards. Thankfully, my burly Australian passengers managed to squeeze the wheelchair in at an angle.

Don’t get me started on Euston. Access is difficult from any direction apart from Euston Road eastbound. I feel sorry for the folk living and working around Endsleigh Gardens, where their peace and quiet is blighted by all the traffic jostling for position on one-and-a-half lanes at Gordon Street. I feel sorry for myself too whenever I’m in the area, and you can never predict how bad it’s going to be.

Liverpool Street Station has been difficult to access for as long as I can remember. Eldon Street and Old Broad Street take you close, but if you try to drive right up to the station entrance you’ll get a ticket – or at least told off for stopping on the zig zags on Eldon Street as happened to me once. Liverpool Street

itself is all right if you find a space, but we’re still not being allowed to provide a door-to-door service. If people have suitcases I usually try going down the ramp off Primrose Street and drop off right by the platforms. This is a longer route from most directions, and I’m always anxious making for this entrance as they sometimes close the entrance off without warning. It’s a real embarrassment as it means quite a long ride to an alternative entrance. I recently heard of a driver unable to set down a wheelchair passenger there.

Meanwhile, elsewhere

Spare a thought for our provincial cousins.

They have it worse in many respects.

Many taxi drivers outside London have to pay thousands of pounds for the privilege of using station ranks. Airports are even worse. We’ve seen Luton Airport sell taxi provision to private hire. If a Luton taxi driver wants to pick up at his local airport, he has to join Addison Lee. Have you noticed how we all have to pay to drop off at certain airports? I believe Heathrow is planning something big, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we had to pay to drop-off at City Airport in the future. The folk running these transport hubs need to be reminded that we are serving their customers. u

Chris Ackrill is a taxi driver and former Knowledge examiner

“Many taxi drivers outside London have to pay thousands of pounds for the privilege of using station ranks. Airports are even worse...”

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

@TheLTDA

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

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1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

21

Two French exiles make history by fighting the last fatal duel on English soil

ROBERT LORDAN

ENGLAND’S LAST DUEL — PART DEUX

CRUEL LONDON

E

mmanuel Barthélemy and Frédéric Cournet – both French revolutionaries in exile – prepared to fight a duel at a secluded spot on Priest’s Hill near Windsor, on October 19, 1852.

Although the press hailed Cournet a “remarkably fine man”, he was also a spiteful bully who’d been spreading malicious rumours about Barthélemy’s girlfriend. It was for this reason that the hot-headed Barthélemy had challenged his fellow countryman to settle the matter like gentlemen.

Cournet fired first. He missed.

Barthélemy’s trigger clicked, but the pistol misfired twice.

Enraged at the farcical situation, Cournet lobbed his pistol at Barthélemy’s head and barked: “Use mine!” Barthélemy did so and shot his opponent straight in the chest.

Cournet crumpled and as he lay bleeding on the grass, Barthélemy and the small group who’d assisted him made haste to Windsor station where they boarded a train bound for London.

Thanks to an urgent telegraph message, the group were arrested at Waterloo.

This incident marked the last-ever duel fought on English soil.

A haunting memory

Back in Windsor, Cournet was taken to the Barley Mow pub where he died. The pub remains open today and naturally, it’s said to be haunted by his ghost.

Cournet’s funeral was a grand affair; six Frenchmen shouldered his coffin for the 1.5-mile procession to St John’s Church, Egham.

Barthélemy was tried alongside his associates at Kingston in March 1853.

A jury consisting of six Frenchmen and six Englishmen found the group guilty of manslaughter and they were handed light sentences; just seven months each.

Following his release from prison, Barthélemy seemed keen to pursue a quieter life. He was a skilled mechanic – his revolutionary politics had even inspired him to formulate an early design for a machine gun – and in 1854, he managed to secure an engineering job at a soda water manufacturer owned by a fellow named George Moore.

On the evening of December 8, 1854, Barthélemy went to a pub named The Gun Tavern which once stood on Lupus Street. This establishment had a shooting range where he intended to get some practice in but, upon finding it closed,

he chose instead to pay a visit to his employer who lived at 73 Warren Street.

For this impromptu appointment, Barthélemy was accompanied by woman.

At first, George Moore was happy to receive them. However, a quarrel soon broke out – Barthélemy claimed that this was over money that Moore owed his female friend, but others have speculated that the pair were dabbling in blackmail.

During the row, Moore was assaulted with a stick and then shot in the head.

He died instantly. Panicked, Barthélemy fled and was tackled by Charles Collard – a former policeman who owned a grocer’s shop next door. He too was gunned down. Amid the chaos, the mysterious woman – who was disguised by a veil – vanished into the night. She was never identified.

The verdict

The commotion quickly led to the formation of a mob who chased Barthélemy through the foggy streets of Marylebone. He was finally apprehended on Brook Street.

The following day, Barthélemy was taken to Charles Collard’s bedside at University College Hospital, where the victim made a positive identification.

Barthelemy’s death mask

“Enraged at the farcical situation, Cournet lobbed his pistol at Barthélemy’s head and barked: “Use mine!” Barthélemy did so and shot his opponent straight in the chest.”

Sadly, Charles, who’d been shot in the stomach, succumbed to an agonising death shortly after.

Barthélemy was tried at the Old Bailey, where he was found guilty of the double murder and sentenced to death. There was a considerable campaign for his reprieve, but clemency was never granted.

Despite being a staunch atheist who refused to find comfort in God, Barthélemy spent his final days in the condemned cell engrossed in a copy of John Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Emmanuel Barthélemy went to the scaffold at Newgate Gaol on January 22, 1855 before a crowd of 10,000 and it was reported that he met “his doom with the coolness which was so eminently characteristic of his life”. His last words were said to be, “Now I shall know the secret”. In his hand, he clutched a letter from a Frenchwoman named Sophie – whether or not this was the obscure woman who’d accompanied him to Warren Street, we will never know.

Shortly after his death, a wax figure of Barthélemy was unveiled in Madame Tussauds’ Chamber of Horrors, thus sealing his notoriety. u

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

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1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

23

Hospice thanks “hero” taxi drivers for trip CHARITY Children and families from Haven House Children’s Hospice enjoyed a day trip to London thanks to a group of taxi drivers from Essex.

The kids, who have a range of lifelimiting health conditions, were taken to the capital to enjoy a morning of fun activities at the BGC charity day on Wednesday 11 September – a fundraising day in commemoration of 9/11 and dedicated to raising money for good causes.

For three-year-old Annabelle Thomas [pictured top, left], it was the first time she had ever travelled in a black taxi.

Her dad Chris Thomas said: “We had an awesome day. It was Annabelle’s first trip to London outside of a hospital visit and she absolutely loved it. Annabelle was very excited and really enjoyed the taxi ride.

We were able to bring her Wizzy Bug on board, which is essential to Annabelle being able to move around independently.

We had the most fantastic day at the BGC Charity Day. She loved the treasure hunt and magic show. Thank you to our lovely black cab drivers for enabling us to enjoy this day as a family.”

The hospice, based in Woodford Green, put an appeal out on social media for taxi drivers to help drive children to the event.

The response from the local community

was phenomenal and the hospice wishes to thank cabbies Martin Franks, Luke Scott, David Birch and Stephen Clark for their support.

Paola Noto of the hospice added: “Haven House Children’s Hospice is a charity that relies on the support of our

Black Taxi

rentals

local community. For many of our families travelling is not an easy task – with many children having to transport wheelchairs and medical equipment. With no budget to spend on travel for events like this, the taxi community’s support was crucial in enabling us to take the children to have a

fun and memorable day out in London.

“We are extremely grateful to the kind-hearted taxi drivers who responded to a call for help and who gave their time and use of their vehicles for free. These are the local heroes who help us make a real difference to our families.”

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

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1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

25

August bucks its reputation of being the “quietest” month with new TXe sales reaching 121

THE CAB YOU DRIVE

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nce again LEVC has recorded sales of the TXe, with 121 new cabs joining the ranks in August.

Since the new vehicle registration date was moved to September, August has traditionally been one of the quietest months of the year in terms of new cab sales; not anymore! The dealers are also reporting record September sales and the factory is now building to order, with no stock anywhere. So much for the doom and gloom boys who predicted it would never sell. The interesting bit is, with just over 2,200 TXes on the road the numbers are still way behind that of the TX4 (10,050) and the Vito (3,445) but there are still 3,700 TXIIs licensed, many of which will start to come off the road soon, as the age limit reduction takes effect. The pretty much guarantees these record sales of new cabs will continue. Now that the decommissioning scheme is nearing its end second-hand prices have stabilised a bit, although the last Euro VI TX4s are still doing well, with the oldest TXIIs and TX4s fetching between £2k and £3k for each plate that’s left on them. Anyone looking at this end of the market needs to ensure that they are 100% certain about whether and when the cab will get its last plate, and if it does not have a current plate, to check it has not been decommissioned.

100 50 0

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“Thousands of older TXIIs and early TX4s disappeared from the ranks...”

ChargePoint teams up with LEVC ChargePoint has partnered with LEVC to offer taxi drivers the low cost, subscription-free rapid electric charging in central London. TXe drivers can now sign up to the LEVC Group via the ChargePoint app to receive a discounted rate of 21p per kWh at any of the five rapid chargers around the city.

The rapid chargers offer the ability to charge at 50kW, and are capable of adding 200 miles of range

per hour. They can fill up a TX from empty in around 30 minutes, giving drivers just enough time to grab a coffee and a snack before being notified by the app that charging is complete. Fully charging a TX from empty will cost around £5. LEVC says that since the introduction of the TXe in 2018, 6,800 tons of CO2 has been prevented from entering the atmosphere and 850,000 litres of fossil fuel has been left unburnt by the 2,500 cabs produced so far.

It is hoped that by making charging even easier and more cost effective in the capital, more cabbies will see the huge benefits of driving electric. “The charging ports will remain open to members of the public at the usual rate of 35p per kWh, but TX drivers are able to make use of the discounted rate now. How? 1. Download the ChargePoint App (Get it on iOS or Android).

2. Sign up within the app.

3. Then click this link on your mobile device (the link only works once you have downloaded and signed up in the app).

The chargers are easily accessible within Q-Park garages in Knightsbridge, Chinatown and Tower Bridge, which cab drivers are already able to access free for an hour.

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

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|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

27

The benefits of being an LTDA member are many – isn’t it time you investigated joining us?

PAUL BRENNAN

TOP RANK

T

JOIN THE TRADE’S BEST ORGANISATION

here is no doubt in my mind that the service offered to LTDA members is second to none. “Well, you would say that” I hear you cry, but where else can you have access to five dedicated support officers who are either available by phone or face to face, with no prior booking and who are knowledgeable in all aspects of the trade and of the problems that you, as drivers, face on any given day. This is aside from the fact that members have the option to walk into Woodfield Road and ask to speak to two first class, full time, dedicated lawyers ready, willing and able to assist you with any legal difficulty.

I’m not for one second saying that the other four or five driver organisations don’t have their merits. They certainly have some really good and hard-working individuals within them, but none of them come close to offering what we do.

One of the benefits of being a LTDA member is that we have a dedicated office at Heathrow airport, which is not only London’s largest rank but the UK’s. The office has always been run by volunteer reps on an ad hoc basis i.e. when they

LTDA

are queuing in the feeder park for their ride, they give up their own time to assist members. This has meant that giving dedicated opening hours to drivers has not really been possible, because, just as no driver knows what job they are going to get from the terminal and so what time they will return to the airport, neither does any rep.

Being a rep is also sometimes a thankless task.

Except for when attending official meetings, working as an airport rep is unpaid, so far as any monetary remuneration is concerned.

Sometimes, it’s not even compensated in the form of a simple thank you, despite having won a significant victory for a driver. I know this because I’ve spent many, many years doing the job and have seen other reps come go. Sadly, in the last couple of years more reps have gone with no one willing to replace them.

“Sadly, in the last couple of years more reps have gone with no one willing to replace them...”

However, this has now improved recently.

We’ve managed to build our rep numbers up to seven and although they will still mainly work on an ad hoc basis our newest recruits have committed to a three month trial of opening the office every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am – 3pm to assist members with any queries they have, as well as helping with complaints, licence renewals, PCNs and obviously the issues unique to working at the airport.

Of course, outside of those hours if you can’t find a rep at the airport, you can always call Taxi House at Woodfield Road, or drop in for a chat, and find out why we are the trade org that consistently has around 10 times the combined membership of all the others.

Having said that being a rep is often thankless, I still do it because it is a rewarding and educational experience, and if you think you have a few hours to spare and fancy advising others, call the office and ask to find out more.

For information about joining the LTDA or being a rep call 0207 286 1046. u

Paul Brennan, LTDA Executive

28

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

29

DIARY PRIZE

T

ALL 4 ONE BONUS FOR LTDA MEMBERS

here’s no better way to start the day than by being surprised by one of our diary spotters and handed a £150 gift to spend as you like.

Our spotters love nothing more than hopping around London looking for unsuspecting LTDA members to hand goodies to.

This week they caught up with John Williams, who was delighted when our spotters sprang from the shadows and gave him a £150 All 4 One gift card just for having his LTDA diary on show in the windscreen of his cab.

All 4 One cards can be spent on a huge array of items in dozens of stores and restaurants, including Debenhams, Argos, River Island and Marks and Spencer.

John: “Fantastic.”

LTDA LOTTERY

John said: “Fantastic. I’ve seen it in the paper but I never thought it would be me. That’s made my day.”

A short while later our spotters managed to catch up with Sid Khaies, who was pleased as punch when he was handed a £150 gift card simply for having his diary on display.

Sid said: “That’s great, thanks a lot. I’ll look forward to working out what to spend this on.”

Each year we give away almost £8,000 to LTDA members, so the odds of coming up trumps are pretty good. Just make sure you have your LTDA membership diary on display and let us do the rest.

Sid: “Great.”

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100-102 DUNBRIDGE STREET LONDON E2 6JG Kevin collects his cheque at Taxi House

What a Lotto Dough!

MEMBERSHIP LTDA member Kevin O’Shea was over the moon when he was told he had scooped £5,000 in our monthly lottery.

A cash windfall can go a long way, especially if you fancy jetting off on holiday or doing up your home.

All you have to do to join this month’s lucky winner is pick up the phone and ask to sign-up – it costs just £5 each month.

Kevin, who collected his cheque from Richard Massett at Taxi House, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call, I thought someone was pulling my leg.”

One lucky LTDA member’s name is pulled out of the hat every month and scoops the jackpot. To join, telephone 0207 286 1046 and ask for Jenny.

30

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

Tube sexual assaults soar

31

NEWS IN BRIEF

CRIME Sexual attacks reported on the London Underground have leapt by 42% in the past four years, according to the latest figures.

Incidents increased from 844 in 201516 to 1,206 in 2018-19, according to analysis by the Press Association.

The British Transport Police (BTP) said a rise was expected following its recent drive to encourage victims to report unwanted sexual behaviour.

Campaigners say incidents are still underreported and more needs to be done to stop incidents taking place.

Andrea Simon, the End Violence Against Women Coalition’s head of public affairs, said: “It’s not enough to just encourage the reporting of sexual harassment and assaults. Alongside this we need to be proactively identifying offenders and stopping them.

“We know that those committing sexual offences will enter the transport system purposefully in order to commit those offences.

“CCTV shows that they will move around the transport network looking for women to target, most often during the commuter rush hours when the tube network is busiest.”

The figures show 138 sexual assaults

Compliance officer levels drop 20%

have taken place on the night tube since it was phased in on some lines from August 2016, with 62 in 2018-19 – about 5% of the year’s total.

The Central line, which does not have CCTV cameras on its trains, had the most recorded assaults, at 1,054 over the four-year period. It was followed by the Victoria line with 645, 601 on the Northern line and 547 on the Jubilee line. Cameras are not due to be fully installed on Central line trains until 2023.

In the 12 months to March 2019,

there were 305 recorded sexual assaults on the Central line, making up about a quarter of the total for the year.

More undercover patrols take place on the Central line than any other line, TfL has said.

There are 3,000 police and police community support officers dedicated to catching sex offenders.

A campaign launched by police and TfL called Report It to Stop It aims to encourage anyone who experiences unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport to come forward.

Compliance officer numbers have dropped by 20%, according to the latest Transport for London figures.

There are now 194 officers dedicated to policing the taxi and minicab trades, Mayor Sadiq Khan [right] said in response to a question from the London Assembly.

At its peak, compliance had a team total of 250, following a commitment to the industry made by the mayor in 2017 to crackdown on rogue drivers.

In 2016, there were just 82 compliance officers to oversee tens of thousands of minicabs and 24,000 London taxis.

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@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019

|||| TAXI

33

Al Fresco investigates Euston’s six months old outdoor taxi rank

AL FRESCO

HOW DO YOU RANK EUSTON?

TWO FINGERS

W

hat do you think of Euston Station’s newish alfresco taxi rank? Six months on from its installation, how is it for you? I think that it’s a vast improvement on the subterranean concrete bunker that we were forced to endure for all those years (we’ve been confined underground ever since the station was redeveloped in the 1960s).

However, it must be a tad confusing for passengers exiting the station concourse in search of the newly-sited taxi rank, and then finding themselves trudging towards Euston Road before being directed towards what looks like a surgery car park.

In that moment, as they stutter to a stop, you can tell by the aura of bewilderment that envelopes them, as they’re suddenly confronted by a gaggle of assorted London taxis huddled around a tree, that they are new to the upgraded terrestrial parking system. While they are ‘digesting’ the two lines of stop-start taxis, a constant shuttle of cabs is coming and going from the nearby kerbside.

Kerb appeal

As I learned while genning-up Blue Book Runs on the Knowledge - the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. With similar Blue Book logic, our potential cab riders, struggling with cases and shepherding offspring, make a beeline for the nearest cab they can see - which is setting down at the kerb; only to be politely redirected to a yellow-bib-wearing rank marshal.

Subtly, they are pointed back towards the main road, around ‘The Tree of Knowledge’ and over a zebra crossing, to continue shepherding beneath what looks like a superannuated supermarket car park canopy.

Queue knew?

This is when the bewilderment turns to confusion and then frustration as passengers inevitably pile up, milling around seeking the elusive ‘first cab’, which, in reality, is not the first cab at all.

When the cabbie is confronted by the next passenger, he resorts to cab trade protocol: explaining that although he may be in the first cab position, he is not the actually the ‘first cab’, refusing to pick up the perplexed punter and referring vaguely to a different ‘first cab’. This different ‘first cab’ looks remarkably like all the other cabs, except that it now happens to be on the opposite side of the cab rank island.

Sometimes, the driver of the ‘first cab’ can be noted standing by his open

passenger door, theatrically beckoning his perplexed punters inside, with the patient demeanour of a Marrakesh kasbah proprietor or a nightclub tout.

Once ensconced in the back of the mandatory ‘first cab,’ passengers either relax, contemplating the journey ahead, or immediately begin moaning (to the back of the driver’s head) about incompetence, belligerence, ignorance, ethics and logistics of international taxi rank management.

The cabbie, meanwhile, has exhausted his conversational skills getting the punter into his cab, then having to negotiate the complex manoeuvre of exiting the rank precincts into the manic environs of Euston Road. Passenger’s rants are met with polite indifference.

Cab rank hack

If you’re a rank regular, you may have noticed that there is a distinct advantage of being in the inside ranking queue.

Apart from re-directing stray passengers, the job of rank stewards is to give aid and assistance to physically-challenged rail passengers. Elderly and infirm travellers can order a buggy to take them directly to the taxi rank, where the yellow-bibbed stewards will call over the ‘first cab’ in the nearside lane and carefully usher them inside. Bingo! Another successful hijack back into circulation.

Having ranked up at Euston a number of times and experienced the system, I think it all works well. Drivers are handling the ‘first cab syndrome’ with tact and patience, and the rail stewards handle their charges with good humoured and efficient respect. I can’t wait for the swift onset of Christmas - when station staff break out the fairy lights and turn the pseudo-supermarket car park into a twinkling, user-friendly travel wonderland. u

“ If you’re a rank regular, you may have noticed that there is a distinct advantage of being in the inside ranking queue.”

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019

|||| TAXI

35

Amid all the madness of unresolved Brexit issues one woman stands head and shoulders above the rest

MYSTIC NUTMEG’S BARKING MAD VISION

MUSHER MEG

LICENSED TO CHAT

F

rom Shoreditch to Streatham, from Harlesden to Haringey, my fares have all been asking the same question this week, “what’s going to happen with Brexit?”

Who do they think I am? Alexa?

Forget million squid nationwide polls, I have my finger on the pulse of Londoners.

Will Boris get a deal? Does Boris want a deal?

Will the deal be Mrs May’s (remember her?) but with lipstick on? Is Boris a genius? Or an idiot?

Can Boris be as randy as the papers say?

“Jeremy Corbyn is a falafel eating wally!” was the considered opinion of one of my fares this week. Another reckoned Jezza is a vegan sausage roll short of a picnic. And one very melodramatic woman (going from Notting Hill to Chelsea) fought back tears and threatened self-harm if Diane Abbot and Emily Thornberry become actual Government ministers.

Jo Swinson got mashed, too. One chap, an incisive political analyst, panted that he would love Jo to give him a good spanking with her hockey stick. A more measured cab commentator wondered if she suffered with

ADHD. And everyone (who knew who she was) called her an Illiberal Undemocrat.

Then I picked up a woman in Bermondsey who didn’t want to chat Brexit. She was staring me out in the back of the cab. “You alright, love?” I asked her, “you’re the first person I’ve had today who hasn’t been asking questions about Brexit”.

“I have answers, not questions” she told me, “Not about Brexit, but about you. There are things, important things, I need to tell you.”

My nutmeg alert pinged. Nutmeg is a more politically correct term than nutjob but means the same. We were sat in traffic on Jamaica Road, and I don’t have an ejector seat, so I had no choice but to listen to what she had to say.

The woman told me that her spirit name was Hayley May Rose and that she was a psychic and had picked up some “vibrations” from me. I was overdue a wee and a tea stop and looking forward to the mini packet of chocolate Hobnobs in my handbag. Could that be it?

She stared at the cab ceiling for a while and then spoke, “I have a message from your dog”.

“God?” I queried.

“Dog!” she shouted. This woman was intense.

“She stared at the cab ceiling for a while and then spoke, “I have a message from your dog”.

‘I don’t have a dog’ I told her...”

“I don’t have a dog” I told her. And instantly regretted it.

Her eyes narrowed, “Are you deliberately blocking me?”

I had no idea what she was talking about but said no because it seemed like the smart thing to do at the time.

“You had a dog. In your previous life.”

“I did?” It was a question, but she took it as a statement.

“Good. Now we are on the same page”.

Traffic was still crawling, and my assessment was that we were on different planets.

“He says... lamb chops”.

I had no answer to that. It’s rare that I am stunned into silence. Ask Mr Meg. “Do you have a message for him?” she wanted to know.

My mouth engaged before my brain and I heard myself answering, “mint sauce!”

She nodded and said, “he understands”.

Keen to change the subject I asked her what she thought would happen on October 31.

“Ah yes! The veil between the living dead and the living alive will lift and there will be universal joy”.

So, it’ll be AOK! Hayley May Rose says so. u

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36

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

There are many pitfalls to look out for when you sign-up to a credit card

EMMA LUNN

BEWARE THE HIDDEN COSTS OF CREDIT

MONEY MATTERS Watch out for credit card cash advance fees when buying lottery tickets and foreign currency.

Most people know that using a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM can be expensive as the majority of cards charge a fee for cash withdrawals.

The fee is usually charged as a percentage of the amount spent on the card, or as a flat fee. For example, 3% or £3 per cash transaction — whichever is higher.

Using an ATM abroad can bring an extra charge, on top of the cash withdrawal fee. Foreign usage fees (charged by most cards) can be anything from 2% to 3% of the amount you withdraw.

As well as charging a cash advance fee, most credit cards start charging interest on the borrowed cash on day one, with cash withdrawals usually excluded from any 0% interest offers. This is in contrast to credit card purchases which normally benefit from 56 to 59 days interest-free, with some cards offering up to 26 or 27 months interest-free on purchases or balance transfers.

The interest rate on cash advances will be higher too, sometimes close to 30%.

As an example, Santander’s All In One credit card charges 0% interest on purchases for 26 months, then a standard purchase rate of 21.7%. But cash advances

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are charged at an APR of 29.9% and subject to a 3% fee (minimum £3).

Many credit card users are caught out by high fees because they don’t understand what counts as a “cash advance” – perhaps surprisingly, it’s not just straightforward cash.

Most gambling transactions count as cash advances.

These include payments to online casinos, entry fees for fantasy football teams, and lottery tickets.

For small purchases, the cash advance fee could be more than the item itself. For example, a lottery ticket costing £2 could incur a £3 cash advance fee, meaning the fee is 150% more than the ticket itself.

Other transactions that credit card firms classify as “cash” include buying foreign currency and purchasing gift cards.

A study by Totally Money polled 2,000 adults and found that many were unaware of what counted as a cash advance. Almost nine in 10 (87%) didn’t know there was a cash advance fee when paying an entry fee for a fantasy football team, while six in seven (86%) didn’t realise a cash advance fee applied when purchasing a lottery ticket. More than six in ten (64%) didn’t know that exchanging foreign currency triggers a cash advance fee.

When exchanging money for a holiday, people may be keen to convert a lot of cash but this could result in

a very high fee based on the percentage of the amount changed. For example, if you exchanged £1,000 and the cash advance fee was 3%, you’d pay £30.

A cheaper option is to use a travel credit card with 0% fees on overseas transactions, or to find the best exchange rate and change money using your debit card.

If it’s an emergency and you need to use your credit card for a cash transaction, there are a couple of things you can do to lessen the impact. Firstly, try to take out the cash in a bulk withdrawal rather than in dribs and drabs. If a card charged 3% of the amount or £3, you’d need to take out at least £100 to pay 3%; if you withdraw less you’d effectively pay a higher percentage fee to get the money.

Secondly, once you’ve withdrawn the cash, try to pay off your credit card bill as quickly as possible.

As previously mentioned, cash advances get charged a higher rate of interest, so pay it off as soon as you can to minimise the amount of interest you’ll pay.

Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney, said: “If customers aren’t aware of a cash advance fee, they may use their credit card in the same way as a debit card. In some instances, people might not realise a fee or interest is added until they check their statement. Being aware of the fee allows customers to make cost-effective decisions when making purchases. If you apply for a credit card, look at how much the cash advance fee is.” u

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019

|||| TAXI

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www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

Airport police target cabbie at Heathrow for eating in the staff canteen

ALF TOWNSEND

TAXI TALK

THE OMELETTE AND CHIPS GANG

D

uring my political tenure at Heathrow airport in the 1990s, I couldn’t help but notice that the relationship between cabbies and Heathrow police officers was at an all-time low. We resented their authoritarian manner, while they considered us “just bolshie cabbies” and not worth bothering about. Our poor relations with the Old Bill were further exacerbated when one of their officers posted a notice on the door of our canteen. It read something like this: “All taxi drivers are hereby warned that buying stolen goods from strangers is a criminal offence and will be dealt with as such”. There were some shady characters creeping around the feeder park flogging cheap razors, copies of A-Zs and batteries. But come on, what licensed driver in his right mind would risk losing his Bill by buying stolen gear? Most of us were disgusted at this affront because we

farce and had them rolling in the aisles in the feeder park.

At the airport, pilfering is still rife; drug smuggling in on the increase, and pickpockets and unlicensed touts roam the terminals almost at will. But airport officers decided to swoop on the “Omelette and Chips Gang”, guaranteeing the force at least four lines on the back pages of the local paper, along with a policy of sullen non-cooperation from cabbies for many years to come.

thought it branded us all as potential criminals.

Then one of the guys wrote in bold lettering at the bottom of the notice: “There are more coppers in jail than cab drivers.” The notice was swiftly removed and never reappeared.

Even now, the relationship between cabbies and police at Heathrow remains strained. Word has recently got around about a particularly unpleasant incident that has inflamed cabbies.

They have extended their personal vendetta against all cabmen to the realms of unbelievable

These are the true facts of this ridiculous case.

Ever since the airport canteen was closed for refurbishment, it has been common practice among the early-morning cabbies to borrow a staff meal card from one of the airport employees, then go and get some grub at a reasonable price. How many of us have bent the rules at one time or another, by borrowing a trade card for The Houndsditch Warehouse, or some other trade-card store? I know it’s technically unlawful, but if there’s no canteen for

“Those custodians of the law at London’s Heathrow Airport, who devote much of their duty hours playing at being parking attendants, have once again stuck their size 14 beetle-crushers into what seemingly appeared to be a pot of gold, and come out with a sock full of horse manure..!”

cabmen and they are at the airport all day supplying a service, then why shouldn’t they use the staff canteen to get a decent meal at subsidised rates? The offence might warrant a diplomatic: “Hop it cabbie, or I’ll nick you”, from the Old Bill, or even a warning notice stuck up in the feeder park. But does it really necess-itate such serious charges as “obtaining goods by deception, or obtaining pecuniary advantage” and “handling stolen property” – that’s if you won’t reveal who you borrowed the card from?

Around 14 months ago, one of my old golf mates, who has worked the airport for many years without getting his collar felt, was quietly reading his paper and enjoying his omelette and chips in the staff canteen, when his nightmare began. He was confronted by two burly police officers who arrested him after reading out the charges. He was then dumped into a police van and taken to the police station.

After 14 months of worry – with his wife on the point of a nervous breakdown, incompetent legal aid that was costing him bundles, (sadly, he didn’t have the LTDA legal team to support him), and the police changing the charges more frequently than they changed their socks, his nightmare came to a merciful end at Reading Crown Court. The judge interpreted the guilty verdict as an excuse to dispense a bit of 18thcentury law against this “wretched fellow”. His Honour felt fit to crucify this family man for daring to save a few bob on his meal by fining him a staggering £425. Yet in the same court in the same week, a rapist received a smaller fine.

The trouble with cases like this is that it doesn’t end there for the licensed cabbie. When my mate’s papers reach The PCO, some of the bosses there will simply look at the verdict – and not the pettiness that these charges appertain to.

So please don’t consider revoking his licence for such a petty offence blown out of all proportion.

The guy has been punished enough.

WHEELY ANNOYING

Ever since my article was published where I complained about those damn hire bikes being dumped all over Hampstead, I feel like these colourful bicycles are staring at me from every street. I was looking out from the window of my front room to see the conkers gathering on the grass and there was another bike staring at me from just across the lane.

This latest interloper was only 25 yards from my front door, so I ain’t writing nasty things about those bikes ever again. u

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019

|||| TAXI

39

PUZZLER

C

PRIZE CROSSWORD omplete our crossword puzzle and be in with a chance to win £50! Send your entry to: Crossword 453, Taxi, Taxi House, 11 Woodfield Road, W9 2BA before November 5. The first name out of the proverbial hat wins the cash! u

ACROSS:

DOWN:

1 Wail (6)

1 Glib (7)

8 Tenant (6)

2 Depend 94)

9 Bulbous flower (4)

3 Engraving (7)

10 Hard-shelled edible seed (8)

4 Iced up (5)

11 Flammable gas (7)

5 Unmasks (8)

13 Beam (5)

6 Glance over (6)

15 Increased (5)

12 Cannon (8)

17 Rower (7)

14 Tympanum (7)

20 In a row (3, 2, 3)

16 Acclaim (6)

21 Snub (4)

18 Talisman (6)

22 Candies (6)

19 Tight (5)

23 Brand new (6)

21 Bitter (4)

PUZZLER SUDOKU Just for fun...

Puzzles © 2018 Puzzler Media Ltd.www.puzzler.com

Have a go at this medium level Sudoku puzzle.

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9 just once

CROSSWORD #453

WINNER: ISSUE 451 — Mr A Fletcher, Watford ACROSS: 1 Slay, 3 Bun-fight, 9 Brigade, 10 Viola, 11 Relic, 12 Enrich, 14 Celery, 16 Egoism, 19 Hostel, 21 Ultra, 24 Khaki, 25 Inbuilt, 26 Pedagogy, 27 Else

OVERHEARD

DOWN: 1 Subtract, 2 Axial, 4 Usenet, 5 Fever, 6 Gnocchi, 7 Than, 8 Saucer, 13 Embattle, 15 Leopard, 17 Grubby, 18 Bluing, 20 Thing, 22 Trial, 23 Skip

the pillage people. My son’s useless on the computer too. He says it leaves him cold. It’s not surprising with all those windows he keeps opening. I’d say, together we’re a house of ill ome people swear on computers. I swear compute. I had contemplated upgrading to a at them. When things go wrong, it’s more modern machine. But I can’t afford it. me that’s the curser. About the only After all, Apples don’t grow on trees. Bosses thing I can do well online is hanging out the like computers, especially when firing staff. washing. My computer’s been in more crashes Instead of giving a pink slip, all they have to than a stock car race. It goes down more often do is pull out the plug. Before I was married, than the ratings on the X Factor Show. When I did try computer dating. I liked playing with I bought my computer, they told me a kid of matches. With the first girl I dated, we had a five could work it. Unfortunately, they didn’t love/hate relationship. I loved her, she hated give me his name me. Shed had more and address. All I curves than the seem to get on my M25. I chose her computer is spams because they said she and scams. Every day the was over sex. I thought same ones. I’m convinced, they said oversexed. After the two hardest things our first date, she said in life are trying “I’ll never forget to squeeze you. I don’t want toothpaste back to make the same in the tube and getting off a con man’s mistake twice.” I wanted her to mailing list. My wife doesn’t understand move in, but she wanted to move on. The next computers either. It asked her to choose a girl had the identical measurements to Marylin password with eight characters. She put Snow Monroe. Unfortunately, not in the same order.

White and the seven dwarfs. And if she has to She made it known she could be had for a song. delete anything, she does it with Tippex. But at As long as it was the Wedding March. We least I type faster than she does. After a good courted for six months, then she sued me for deal of practice I’m now up to 48 mistakes breach of promise. After much haggling, we a minute. Everything’s done on computer finally settled out of church. I’ve got her listed these days. Now when I phone my bank, I down as one of my near Mrs. But I’ve been don’t waste time talking to people, I ask to married now for 26 years and my wife and I are be put straight through to their computer. still madly in love. Her with the milkman and My daughter and all her friends illegally use me with the check-out girl in Sainsbury. u computers to download copyrighted music.

—Brad Ashton Everyone’s doing it. It’s turning us into a

S

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

APPLICATION FORM Name Address Postcode Telephone

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If Yes how many points do you have?

Please tick if you DO NOT wish to receive information from the LTDA and other related organisations in the future?  I understand that my application for membership of the Association must be approved by the Council of Management and that until this is confirmed I am not eligible to vote in relation to any form of Association matters. I agree that all benefits prior to approval of membership shall be at the discretion of the Council of Management.

Please note: We do not provide assistance for any matters that have occurred prior to you joining LTDA. Signed

Date

LTDA Basic Direct Debit Instructions Instructions to your Bank/Building Society to pay Direct Debits: Please complete parts 1 to 5 to instruct your branch to make direct payments from your account. Then return the form to the LTDA, FREEPOST, (PAM 2005), London W9 2BR

Originator’s Identification No. 9 1 4 4 2 8

For Office use only 1 Please write the name and full postal address of your branch in the box (left) 2 Name of account holder

To the Manager of

3 Account number 4 Bank Sort Code

Address

Banks/Building Societies may not accept instructions to pay Direct Debit from some types of account.

5 Signature(s) Date This guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer

The Direct Debit Guarantee • This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.

• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit LTDA will notify you (10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request LTDA to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.

• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by LTDA, or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.

- If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when LTDA asks you to.

• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019

|||| TAXI

41

42

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TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

LTDA

A selection of our numerous

Distribution Points

u A1 Taxis, Melody Lane, Highbury, N5 u Abacus Accounts, Southbrook Road, Lee, SE12 u Astral CafĂŠ, Regency Place, SW1 u Bubbles Car Wash, E2 u C & S Taxis, Dunbridge Street, E2 u Cabsurance, Seven Kings u Camberfield Taxi Services u Computer Cab, Mitre Way, W12 u Coney Allen, Dunbridge Street, E1 u CP Beehive Service Station, Beehive Lane, Gants Hill u Cricklewood Carriers, Cricklewood u Dial A Cab, City Road, N1 u Edgware Station Rank u Euston Station Rank u G & L Taxis, Crayford Road, N7 u Globe Transmissions, Cudworth Street, E1 u The Ham, Brentford u Heathrow Airport Canteen u Hexagon Garage, Lukin Street, E1 u Jet Garage, Clipstone Street, W1 u Knowledge Centre, Caledonian Road u KPM, Hemming Street, E1 u London City Airport Canteen u LP Motors, Dunbridge Street, E2 u Martin Cordell, E3 and Stanmore u Paddington Station Rank u Putney Bridge Taxis, The Arches, Putney Bridge Station, SW6 u Richmond Road Taxi Centre, E8 u Safewise Supermarket, Harrow u South Bank Service Station, Great Suffolk Street, SE1 u TAXI HOUSE, W9 u Taxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd, SE1 u Temple Place Shelter u Tent Street Taxi Centre, E2 u Turbo Accessories, Three Colts Lane, E2 u Waterloo Station u Wimbledon Station Rank u WizAnn Knowledge School, Watts Grove, E3

Published by LTDA Taxi House 11 Woodfield Road, London W9 2BA T: 020 7286 1046 | www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA Managing Editor Steve Still T: 0207 121 0523 E: editor@ltda.co.uk The Massett File Richard Massett International News Wim Faber Two Fingers Al Fresco Taxi Talk Alf Townsend Overheard Brad Ashton Licensed to Chat Musher Meg Produced by Century One Publishing Ltd Alban Row,27-31 Verulam Road St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4DG. T: 01727 893 894, F: 01727 893 895 E: enquiries@centuryonepublishing.uk www.centuryonepublishing.uk Advertising Sales Executive Jack Green T: 01727 739 196 E: jack@centuryonepublishing.uk Art Editor Alan Booth Advert Coordinator Caitlyn Hobbs Printed by Manson Group, St Albans

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical or by photocopying without prior permission of the publishers.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the publishers.

Please note that the last day for inclusion of Classified lineage advertisements is five working days prior to publication. No liability is accepted by the publisher should advertisements not appear in the requested issue(s). While the publisher will take every care to ensure accuracy, no liability can be accepted for loss or damage resulting from errors.

@TheLTDA

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

43

A& S SERVICES (Hoddesdon) Ltd

TAXI CAB & CAR REPAIRS BLOCK D

Approved Service Dealer

GEDDINGS ROAD HODDESDON HERTS EN11 0NT TEL: 01992 445733 FAX: 01992 466258 Monday to Friday 8:30 - 5:30, Saturday 8:00 - 12:00 Email: aands@carandtaxirepairs.co.uk www.carandtaxirepairs.co.uk

SERVICING AND WARRANTY WORK FOR YOUR NEW EURO 6 TAXI ALL TAXI AND CAR MOT’S

ONLY £30!

HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MENU PRICES FOR ALL CABS NOW AVAILABLE

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST DEALS AND OFFERS

WWW.CARANDTAXIREPAIRS.CO.UK MOST CARS SERVICE & MOT FROM £120 MERCEDES VITO REPAIRS AND SERVICING Cabs available for rent • All accident repairs carried out

44

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

CLASSIFIED

CABS FOR RENT

07957 465423

e16-taxirentals.co.uk

WE WANT YOUR USED CAB Inflated prices on certain TX4 models* Get your valuation at www.levc.com/valuemytaxi or call LEVC Brewery Road today on 0203 912 6214

*Terms and conditions apply, please see levc.com for full details

TX4s TO RENT Ascott's maintained.

Pay by cash/bank/online.

Mercs also available NEW G&H_Eighth_366.qxp_Layout 1 11/04/2016 15:02 Page 1

G&H TAXIS FLEET RENTAL Established 1993 Est

25

years

518 KING STREET, OFF BRUCE GROVE, TOTTENHAM N17 8AW

BEAT THE RECESSION! TX4's for HIRE Fuel-Saving LPG Taxis from £185 per week

OVERHAULS SERVICING BODYWORK PAY IN AT ANY BARCLAYS BANK 24 HOUR RAC BACKUP

CALL US NOW 07946 110815 / 020 8885 1844 WEB: www.gandhtaxis.comEMAIL: gandhtaxisfleet@aol.com

CABS FOR RENT

TAXI

BERMONDSEY TAXI RENTALS

TX4 & NEW TX4 EURO 6’S FOR RENT

TXII’s & TX4’S FOR RENT

AD FREE

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY? cabs also wanted to buy with or without finance

CALL: 07738 162 518

SERVICE, REPAIRS & BODYWORK PHONE PAUL ON 020 7358 1272

To plan your ad campaign in Taxi magazine contact:

CABS FOR SALE

Thinking of selling your TX4?

Want the best price? - Cash Waiting

Any Condition (no de-registered vehicles)

Ring 078 8937 8639

Jack Green

t: 01727 739 196 e: jack@centuryonepublishing.uk w: www.centuryonepublishing.uk

@TheLTDA

ARTWORK FOR YOUR APPROVAL

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019 |||| TAXI

45

CLASSIFIED

INSURANCE

GAP INSURANCE

PURCHASED A NEW TAXI? AVOID ANY POTENTIAL SHORTFALL IN YOUR FINANCE FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM

0208 597 2622 CABSURANCE AUTHORISED & REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY

HEALTH

ACCOUNTANTS

Please note that the image below is not necessarily actual size. The final press ready version will be emailed to you for your records and future use on approval of artwork.

Tax Returns PAIN / DISCOMFORT? BACK ACHE? E14 Osteopath 10% off initial visit: Quote ‘TAXI’ Glenn Sontag MSc 07816 108812

• Qualified Accountants specialising in the taxi trade • Yearly accounts and tax returns • Online submission to Inland Revenue • Based in Kingston Upon Thames

From

£216 From +VAT

£199

Tel: 0208 5499 541 8A Endeavour House 2 Cambridge Road Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 3JU

DRIVER APPS

SERVICES & REPAIRS

Should you require any amendments to the artwork above please indicate them clearly on this page instance) within 2 working days. Failure to return this form will signal acceptance.

You will receive a single round of amends and a further proof to sign off for print. If further change production charge of £20 for each additional proof sent.

MAGAZINE: LTDA Taxi

NAME:

ISSUE: 231

SIGNATURE

SIZE: Sixteenth page ARTWORK CHARGE: n/a SECTION: Classified DESIGNER: Sarah Astington

DATE:

EMAIL: copy@centuryonepublishing.ltd.uk

APPROVED

PHONE: 01727 739 189

AMENDS TO

46

www.ltda.co.uk ||||

TAXI |||| 1 October 2019

@TheLTDA

LINAGE ACCOUNTANTS ● CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS specialising in the taxi trade.

Accounts and tax returns £312inc VAT. Call 0208 360 1446

AIR CONDITIONING ● MOBILE AUTO AIR conditioning service and repair for taxis, Telephone Nick on 07785 900006 7 days

CABS FOR RENT ● VNK MOTORS -TXIIs & TX4s for rent, from £185pw - £245pw.

Full back up, Caledonia Road, North London area, breakdown service, overhauls, running repairs & body work. 0207 700 1045 or 07951 661430 – Nick.

Looking for a taxi mechanic.

● A TX4 FOR RENT. FIRST week free. RAC Back up Starting from 190pw. 07908 639567 ● ALL VITOS TO RENT. Starting from £220pw. 07956 211478 ● TX4s/TXEs EAST LONDON/ Essex Based From £200pw. 24hr Back-up. Own garage/bodyshop.

07715 512263 & 01708 347288 ● TXIIs & TX4s FOR RENT, FULL back up, Family garage, Old Kent Road based 0207 358 1272 ● TX4s & TXEs AVAILABLE to rent.

Location: Loughton/Brentwood/ Ongar areas. Andrew 07930 473170

CABS WANTED ● CABS URGENTLY WANTED, Any condition, cash same day, sell and rent back. Call Roy 07305 160361

● ALL DE-COMMISSIONED good quality TX4s wanted. Instant decision, cash paid. We come to you. 07973 335739 or 01253 407500 ● GOOD, CLEAN TXIs & TXIIs wanted, top prices paid, quick viewing, North London based, Graham- 07435 562759 oldlondontaxis@yahoo.co.uk ● ALL CABS WANTED, WE come to you, top prices paid, cash/ bank transfer, instant decision, finance settled, non-runners or sell & rent back, Taxi’s available to rent. call 07956 317300

● DE-COMMISSIONED EURO 5 and TX4s wanted. Top prices paid.

Cash or transfer. We collect. John 07702 554934 & Tony 07919 401622

CABS FOR SALE ● 2015/15 TX4 ELEGANCE, Finished in black. 126,000 miles with full service history. 1 owner from new, 12 months plate, Excellent condition. £24,995.

07811 777888

● ASSORTED TXIIS FROM £2,500 ● ALL CABS WANTED. WE COME and assorted TX4s from £10,000. to you. Any condition quick vatable Call 07950 811150 for more decision. Instant cash paid. info.

07763 699767. ● ALL LONDON TX4s wanted, Euro 4, 5, & 6. Immediate payment.

Finance, Lease, and HP settled.

We collect. No fuss. 07428 545400

● TX4 EURO 5 65 PLATE. FSH. 121,000miles.Black. 1 owner. Mint condition. £24,000ono.

07478 677171

PLACE YOUR LINAGE BY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9TH FOR TAXI 454 UP TO 15 WORDS: £35

UP TO 25 WORDS: £45 UP TO 35 WORDS: £55

CALL JACK ON 01727 739 196

@TheLTDA

|||| www.ltda.co.uk

1 October 2019

|||| TAXI

CRICKLEWOOD CARRIERS CAB COMPANY LTD.

TAXI

TAXI

SH8LDN

CR IIC KW

First Come First Served

Call Today 0 2 0 8 4 5 2 5 4 6 1

47

Ce Taxi Hire LTD

N EW TAXI

RENTAL

BONANZA!

We have just placed the

BIGGEST ever order in the history of LEVC

for 250 brand new

TX Electric Taxis

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For details and to add yourself to the waiting list please get in touch Office: 020 7613 4442 Mobile: 07714821482 Email: cs.taxis@yahoo.co.uk

First come first served!