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HIGHLIGHTS THIS ISSUE
TAXI
The official publication of the Licensed Taxi Driver’s Association | www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
P2
BUS LANE CASE LATEST
Addison Lee loses challange
P5
TFL “WOEFULLY INADEQUATE”
Damming Asembley report issued
P6
COPS’S KNOWLEDGE BLUNDER
“He was an idiot”
P7
SPEEDING FINE CHEAT
Minicab driver avoids jail
No.335 | 27 JANUARY 2015
TAXIS BANNED
FROM TOTTENHAM
COURT ROAD!
LTDA mounts
legal challenge
See page 26
More readers than the rest put together. Ask any driver!
LTDA
2
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
NEWS
Minicab bus lane bid binned
News in brief
Court
RIP Reg Beever
Taxis retained exclusive access
to the bus lanes following an official
ruling by the European Court
of Justice.
The minicab operator Addison Lee
lost its legal challenge and its
attempt to gain access to the city’s
bus lanes.
Eventech, a subsidiary of Addison
Lee, claimed that granting access to
Image: JuliusKielaitis / Shutterstock.com
EU ruling welcomed by TfL
the lanes to black cabs constituted
illegal state aid and infringed its
freedom to provide services.
But EU court ruled the usage of
bus lanes did not constitute state aid.
Leon Daniels, TfL's surface
transport director, said: "We welcome
the opinion from the Advocate General
and now the European Court of Justice,
but ultimately await the decision of the
Court of Appeal.
"As this process continues we are
maintaining our well-understood and
effective policy that helps to keep London
moving in the interest of everyone."
The EU bans aid being granted
which could distort competition by
favouring certain companies and
rejected the claim that TfL’s current
policy is effectively a subsidy which
assists taxis.
It said because of cabs legal status
the "policy does not confer a selective
economic advantage" on the vehicles.
The bid for access was started by
Addison Lee’s then owner, John
Griffin, and the dismissal is the latest
in a string of embarrassing defeats
for the firm.
In April 2012 Griffin instructed his
drivers to go into bus lanes, and
offered to pay any fines incurred.
He claimed that TfL discriminated
against minicabs but TfL obtained an
injunction against the firm,
preventing it from breaking the law
and ordering Griffin to retract the
offer to indemnify drivers.
The High Court later dismissed
Addison Lee's application.
Mr Justice Burton noted in his
judgment there “is to my mind a clear
distinction between the need of black
cabs (and their passengers and the
public) for them to be in the bus lanes,
by way of visibility and availability of,
and access to, black cabs for those
hailing a cruising taxi.”
He added: “I consider it makes entire
good sense for black cabs to be travelling
in bus lanes. Minicabs just do not have
the need to use the bus lane, and black
cabs do.”
The company then obtained
permission to take its case to the
Court of Appeal.
The latest judgement by the
European Court of Justice will be
returned to the Court of Appeal and
the minicab company's last
opportunity to appeal is with the
Supreme Court.
Retired cabbie
Reg Beever,
of Worcester
Park, Surrey,
died aged 79
on January
4, 2015.
Reg was
a licensed
hackney
carriage
driver for
over 50
years, only
retiring in 2011
at the age of 76. All enquiries to
Lodge Brothers, Funeral
Directors, Twickenham.
Did you see taxi smash?
A taxi driver is appealing for
witnesses after his black TX4
was hit by a coach close to
Southwark Bridge.
The collision took place at
around midday on December 9
as the white coach attempted to
turn left. Contact Tony Thomas
on 07970535962.
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27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
Top Trade Story
ALL ABOUT
U’S!
STEVE MCNAMARA LTDA General Secretary
We are fighting on several fronts but there is a light at the end of the tunnel
T
only the principle of the actual
point of law, and not the detailed
evidence of the alleged offence.
For this reason and in the
interests of justice the LTDA
decided to proceed with our
criminal prosecutions in the
magistrates’ court. Irrespective of
this, our legal advice is that the
High Court may refuse to hear the
case because criminal matters are
only dealt with by way of a
Declaratory Judgement in
“exceptional circumstances,” and a
minicab driver using a meter is not
exceptional in the eyes of the law.
Unfortunately, the magistrate
hearing the case has decided the
matter should, at least, be
considered by the High Court
before he will hear it. As a result of
this the LTDA agreed to suspend
our case in the magistrates’ court
whilst the High Court decided if
they would accept the matter for
Declaratory Judgement.
We have now been informed by
TfL that the case will have to be
withdrawn totally and not just
suspended before it can go to the
High Court. This really is a
catch 22; the magistrate won’t hear
it until it has been to the High
Court and the High Court won’t
consider it until it is withdrawn
from the magistrates’ court.
The only way forward now is for
TfL, in its capacity as the licensing
authority, to take over the
magistrates’ court case from the
LTDA. The High Court can then
LTDA FIGHTING
FOR CABBIES
The two biggest issues in the trade are the ULEZ and Uber
hear it or send it back; in which
case the LTDA can then reapply for
the summonses in the magistrates’
court. This is what we have
requested TfL to do, and we are
currently awaiting their decision.
ULEZ
ULEZ is much easier to
understand. In an effort to clean up
London’s air quality TfL are
proposing a 10 year age limit for
taxis, starting in 2020, with all
newly licensed taxis having to be
Zero Emission Capable (ZEC)
from 2018.
The LTDA has calculated that the
10 year age limit would cost
owners over £100 million in lost
assets, restrict the take-up of the
new clean taxis and as a result not
produce the projected
improvement in air quality. Our
CASH SAME DAY
response to the proposal can be
seen on our website
www.ltda.co.uk.
We have repeatedly told TfL that
a 10 year age limit is totally
unfeasible and unrealistic. It would
devastate our industry and cause
major financial problems to the
50,000 families in London who
depend on the taxi trade for
their livelihoods.
We have offered realistic and
workable solutions where funding
could be used to incentivise the
purchase of new clean taxis, rather
than unnecessarily scrapping 10
year old cabs and destroying the
residuals of the fleet.
Ultimately, the decision is
Boris’s; leave us with 15 years and
subsidise clean ZEC cabs or
destroy our residuals and leave us
unable to afford cleaner vehicles. n
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he two biggest issues in the
trade at the moment are the
Ultra Low Emission Zone
(ULEZ), and Uber; both are bad
news and both can be placed
firmly at Transport for London’s
(TfL’s) door.
The current situation with the
LTDA’s Uber court case is one of
gridlock. The LTDA instigated
private prosecutions against four
Uber drivers for using a meter in
their minicabs after TfL refused to
act to enforce this blatant breach of
the Private Hire Vehicles (London)
Act. Shortly before we issued the
summonses, but long after we had
announced our intentions to do so,
TfL proposed to the LTDA that
the matter could be decided by
way of a Declaratory Judgement at
the High Court.
The approach that we have taken
through the criminal courts system
would mean the case would almost
certainly end up at the High Court
anyway as it would be appealed,
by the LTDA or Uber, whatever the
outcome, all the way through the
system via the magistrates’, crown
and eventually the High Court.
This is the normal process for
criminal matters and it ensures
that all the detailed evidence given
at the magistrates’ and crown
courts is admissible and the review
by the High Court is based on the
evidence of exactly what happened
and what was said.
The Declaratory Judgement route
involves the High Court hearing
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4
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
NEWS
LTDA Plus is the newest addition to LTDA membership
Membership benefits
Did you know, that as a member of
LTDA, you have access to LTDA
Plus, an exclusive portfolio
containing money-saving
discounts, designed to support
LTDA members both personally
and professionally. There is no sign
up process, nor any extra charge to
access these benefits - you are
automatically eligible to access
these benefits by virtue of your
membership. This month's
highlights include:
Cinemas – Save an
average of 40%
Want to catch the latest
blockbusters on the
big screen, and save
money on tickets?
Let LTDA Plus help.
LTDA members can
save an average of
40% on cinema tickets
at major cinema chains
like Cineworld,
Showcase, Empire as
well as loads of
independent cinemas!
You can purchase up to five pairs
(10 tickets) per calendar month and
they are valid for at least 6 months
from ordering. So whether you’re
after a comedy, romance or action
thriller, LTDA Plus can help to save
money – letting you get on with
enjoying the film*!
MyCashbackCards retail cashback
MyCashbackCards provide
members with a unique way to save
money when shopping at the
supermarket or on the high street.
By using shopping cards for all your
purchases you can earn cashback of
between 5% and 15%
which could save you
over £600 every
year**. There are
over 50 retailers to
choose from
including
Sainsburys, ASDA,
M&S, Currys PC
World, Homebase,
B&Q, Argos, Boots,
House of Fraser and
H Samuel to name
just a few.
It’s easy to start using
MyCashbackCards. Order Shopping
Cards for your favourite retailers and
once they arrive, activate them, load
funds using a debit or credit card and
go shopping! Every time you load
funds you will earn cashback of
between 5% and 15% which can be
loaded back onto your cards to pay
for more shopping or saved up for
special occasions such as Christmas*.
**Data from Office of National
Statistics.
Save an additional 5% on
package holidays
Book your holidays with Travellers
Advantage and you will enjoy a
guaranteed additional 5% saving on
top of any discounts or offers from
major travel companies - including
Thomas Cook, Thomson, First
Choice, Virgin Holidays, Cosmos,
Airtours, Crystal, Neilson and Kuoni
(Crystal, Virgin Holidays and Kuoni
are only available to book by
telephone).
Unlike other travel providers, the
Travellers Advantage 5% discount is
applied to the total cost of the
holiday, including all taxes, charges
and extras. What’s more, Travellers
Advantage are fully ATOL and
ABTA bonded to give you peace
of mind!
You’ll find everything that you are
looking for in a holiday, from
popular Mediterranean holidays
such as Spain, Portugal, Turkey and
Greece, to holidays in exotic
destinations such as the Caribbean,
the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean*.
Browse holidays online or call one
of the Travellers Advantage team on
0800 085 3422.
To view all of the benefits
available through LTDA
Plus, log-on via
www.ltda.co.uk/memberdiscounts/ltda-plus
*Terms and conditions apply to all
benefits. See website for details.
Offers and prices subject to
change without notice. Cinemas Discounts vary between cinema
venues. Please check when
booking. Travellers Advantage Crystal, Virgin Holidays and
Kuoni are only available to book
by telephone. LTDA Plus is
managed on behalf of LTDA by
Parliament Hill Ltd.
LTDA
PROTECTS
Phone 0207 286 1046 for details or visit www.ltda.co.uk
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
5
NEWS
TfL ‘woefully inadequate’
News in brief
Police witness appeal
Trade
The city’s transport officials are
hopeless when it comes to
regulating the taxi and private hire
industry, according to a scathing
London Assembly report.
The committee, which gathered
responses from 200 drivers and
1,000 passengers, makes 19
recommendations for Transport for
London, which it says must “get a
grip of the basics.”
As well as being "woefully
inadequate" TfL was dubbed “not fit
for purpose.”
The report points out that there
aren't enough ranks, touting is
“rampant,” enforcement is
"outstandingly low" and says
relations with the trade have
reached rock bottom.
Caroline Pidgeon, chairwoman of
the transport committee, said:
“TfL's performance as regulator and
enforcer has been woefully inadequate
and the interests of the passengers are
being largely ignored.”
She added: “TfL needs to get to
grips with the basics — such as
improving signage, installing more taxi
ranks and staying ahead of the rapid
technological advances, putting the
passenger first — which is what
Londoners and our visitors expect
and deserve.”
TfL responded by saying “we do
our best.”
The report raises serious questions
Police are keen to speak to a taxi
driver witness who picked up a
female passenger who was later
subjected to serious sexual
assault by a man.
The 20-year-old woman and a
man in his 30s took the cab from
the Hippodrome on August 24 to
Thorndean Close in Putney, where
she was later subject of an attack.
The driver is asked to contact
Detective Sergeant David Adams
on telephone 020 8 721 4128.
Bell Wharf Lane
warning
Caroline Pidgeon “TfL is not fit for purpose.”
about “TfL's fitness as a regulator"
over its failure to deal with the
challenge to the industry from Uber.
The report says “if TfL is seen to be
publicly supporting companies that
challenge its authority as a regulator,
then it weakens its own position in
dealing with future challenges… TfL
may well have opened the floodgates to
further disruption from new challengers
in the industries.”
LTDA General Secretary, Steve
McNamara, spoke at length at a
committee hearing, called to get
reactions to the release of the report,
outlining the trade’s grievances.
He said: "Londoner's are being let
down badly. This report just about gets
Date for the diary
February 25
Sir Peter Hendy, the transport Commissioner,
will be answering questions from the London
Assembly on the GLA report. This is a public
meeting starting at 10am. Let’s fill the public
gallery and show the trade’s support for the
hard work done by the GLA!
that right. We think we need a
parliamentary inquiry."
The assembly says there is an
urgent need for more taxi ranks
and recommends that all stations
to get 24 hour trains should have a
rank by September 2015, and rail
stations should have a rank by
May 2016.
Transport for London is
expected to start fining motorists
for entering Bell Wharf Lane in
the coming weeks.
The road is popular with taxi
drivers trying to avoid the
no-U-turns on Upper Thames
Street, in order to get over
Southwark Bridge.
Signs saying no motor vehicles
and cameras are being installed
but are not yet active. More
information to follow.
6
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
NEWS
The New Slipper of the Yard?
A cab driver was left stunned
during the season of goodwill when
Scotland Yard’s latest crack crimefighting expert threatened to have
his badge for plying for hire
in London.
Scotland Yard is famed around the
globe for its ability to sniff out a
crook and has an illustrious history
which counts Detective Jack
Slipper, who pursued the Great
Train Robbers, as one of its most
famous coppers.
Officer T115 was clearly
determined to keep the proud
tradition of law enforcement in
London alive when he the refused
to accept Laurence Rolfe’s word
for it that he was legally doing
his job.
The LTDA member said officer
Scrooge threw his passengers out of
the taxi at Haymarket on Friday,
December 19, because “he was not on
a rank,” when they got in.
Like a tenacious terrier, officer
T115 demanded his badge and bill
so that he could report him and
Image: pisaphotography / Shutterstock.com
Trade
An idiot’s guide to plying for hire
have him stripped of his licence.
The cabbie said: “He was just being
completely stupid. But what annoyed
me the most was that he said he was
going to make me lose my job.
“I dropped a passenger in Jerymn
Street at the junction with Haymarket
and another bloke came running up and
LTDA Policy Statement
It is more essential than ever for drivers to be fully appraised of
the various trade organisations’ policies. In order to clarify the
LTDA’s position on the important issues facing the industry, the
Association reaffirms:
1.
Its determination (despite opposition from certain trade organisations) to exclude
taxi drivers from any form of restriction on working hours or the compulsory fitting
of tachographs in cabs.
2.
Its total opposition to the proposed computerised Knowledge testing system
(Quickie Knowledge), which is intended to speed up and churn out new licences.
3.
Its support for a regular review of taxi usage in London in order to provide
effective management of the cab fleet which will prevent the streets of London
being flooded with empty cabs.
4.
Its support for the introduction of ‘rest ranks’ to enable drivers to legally leave
their cabs unattended whilst visiting adjacent toilet facilities.
5.
Its support for a complete ban on pedicabs.
6.
Its insistence on meaningful consultation with Transport for London.
7.
Its support for an effective minicab enforcement team, trained
to eradicate illegal touting by minicab drivers.
8.
Its campaign for taxi access to all bus lanes.
9.
Its insistence that taxis continue to be exempt from
congestion charges.
10. Its policy to recruit, support and represent licensed
taxi drivers only.
If you require clarification on these or
other important issues, please:
POLICY
Call the LTDA on 020 7286 1046
got in the cab. But the officer said you
are not going to take him. I said ‘what?’
He said ‘you have to be on a rank’ and I
said ‘no I don’t.’
“At one point about 20 people were
gathered round wanting a cab because it
was the last Friday before Christmas
and everybody wanted to get home.”
It was only after a lengthy period,
that he finally agreed to let Laurence
take his passengers, but only as long
as they stood on a corner away from
the cab and he drove up to them to
collect them again.
But the officer became even more
confused about the law when
Laurence pointed out to him that a
minicab which pulled up behind the
taxi had been illegally hailed.
Laurence said: “He said he would
have to investigate. He was a sergeant
too! He was just being an idiot. I was
thinking if he is a sergeant then what
are the rest of them like? I wanted to
say to him go on take me down the
station and we will all have a laugh.
In the end he made the bloke stand on
the corner and I had to drive up to him
and pick him up. The passengers said
they were going to report him.”
News in brief
Tube strike
Tube staff could walk out next month in protest over the sacking of a
train driver alleged to have failed an alcohol breath test.
A strike ballot was called across all lines and got underway
yesterday (Monday, January 26), with strikes expected from the
middle of February.
Odd shaped balls
A rugby loving taxi driver is appealing
for fellow cabbies to help him start a
trade team.
Bill Cutts aims to start regular training
events and playing matches against other
teams and hopefully to raise cash for a
charities in the future.
The 47-year-old said: “I might be overweight
and unfit, but I’ve played rugby since I was 11
and want to keep going. A cab driver’s day is a
very sedentary but sometimes exercise for
the sake of it can be dull, so what better
way to build a bit of camaraderie and get
fit than a team sport?”
Contact Bill on Twitter
@BillcabbyCutts or by email at
[email protected]
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
7
NEWS
Addison Lee speeding fine cheat
Court
An Addison Lee driver and his wife
were convicted of perverting the
course of justice after she took
penalty points on his behalf.
Minicab driver, Shazad Naz, 38,
was caught driving at 40mph
through a 30mph zone in his
company vehicle, but let his wife
Nabeela Khan take the blame.
The couple, both of Tomswood
Hill, Ilford, were caught out when
police were tipped off that Naz had
been on duty at the time.
Naz was filmed near London’s
Tower Hill as he took a fare from
Covent Garden to Ilford, in the early
hours of September 1, 2012, the
court heard.
The following month the police
received a form back from Naz
stating that his wife was the driver.
The 37-year-old law student’s
licence was endorsed with penalty
points and she paid the fine by
cheque in February 2013.
Prosecutor Dickon Reid said:
“The police later obtained information
from Addison Lee confirming it was
Mr Naz who was at work.
“Khan said in a statement she
had been doing her accounts and it
came to her that it was not her and it
Image: dade72 / Shutterstock.com
Naz was filmed near London’s Tower Hill
was her partner.
“She said she had made an honest
mistake as she used his minicab to drive
around as it was more comfortable
than hers.”
Naz and Khan claimed they made
an honest mistake, but jurors at the
Old Bailey convicted them both of
perverting the course of justice.
The judge, Mr Recorder Caplan
QC, gave the couple suspended
prison sentences after accepting it
was a “spontaneous act.”
He said: “I’m sure you never
expected to find yourselves on trial in
court one at the Old Bailey when you
completed the forms in connection with
the speeding offence.
“Quite why you both decided on taking
that course when Mr Naz had only three
points on his licence remains a mystery.
“Offences of this kind are rightly
regarded as very serious as they
undermine the interests of justice.”
Naz was sentenced to eight
months suspended for 18 months
and Khan to six months suspended
for 18 months.
The judge also ordered Naz to pay
£1,000 towards prosecution costs at
a rate of £50 a month.
New police unit
A new police command unit
has been created to improve the
safety and security of London’s
roads and transport network.
More than 2,300 police and
community support officers
will work closely with
Transport for London (TfL) as
part of a new Metropolitan
Police Service (MPS) Roads and
Transport Policing Command
(RTPC), making it the largest
police command in the UK.
Part of the unit’s remit
includes clamping down on
minicab touting and making the
roads safer for motorists,
pedestrians and cyclists.
MPS Commander, Stephen
Watson, said: “We will maintain
a robust approach to tackling
criminality and anti-social
behaviour across the network as
this is crucial to inspiring
confidence in the travelling public.
Equally important is our
determination to reduce further the
number of people killed or
seriously injured in collisions on
our roads.”
8
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
Brain Matters
FUEL FOR
THOUGHT
CHRIS ACKRILL
Cheap fuel seems like a winner but why are we being told that it’s bad?
e’ve all benefitted from a
reduction in the price of
diesel, but we’re now told
this is a bad thing. I’m personally
delighted to save money as a
valued customer of the oil
companies. In fact, prices at the
pump should have been cut even
more, as the current reduction still
doesn’t represent the estimated
50%+ reduction in oil prices over
the last six months. It might be bad
for the oil companies, but the price
we pay for fuel in this country is
outrageous and it needed to
come down.
We’re told millions have been
wiped off the values of oil
companies as fuel prices continue to
fall to their lowest level since 2009.
We all need to accept that
investments go down as well as up,
W
so don’t moan to me Mr Oilman.
When you take inflation into
consideration, our profits have
probably gone down over the last
few years because of a lack of
demand too.
“”
MAYBE PLUMMETING
OIL PRICES CAUSE SUCH
CONCERN BECAUSE OIL
DOESN’T HAVE MUCH
OF A FUTURE
Due to the kipper season, we’re
already well into our annual
financial depression, and I
anticipate swingeing pay cuts to
Autumn 2014
continue for up to two months.
The difference is, we don’t have
shareholders to answer to.
Airlines and shipping
companies benefit from lower
fuel prices. Depressed, sunstarved folk, wanting to put a bit
of colour into their lives can look
forward to benefiting from
discounted holidays this summer.
In our day to day world, everyone
benefits from cheaper haulage as
nearly everything we consume
comes on a lorry. We might even
enjoy cheaper heating and lighting
bills, should the full cuts be passed
down to us.
Maybe plummeting oil prices
cause such concern because oil
doesn’t have much of a future, and
this is hastening its decline?
Haulage firms, bus companies - and
cab drivers - have kept demand for
fuel going and have brought in a lot
of money in tax (about 70% of the
price of fuel at the pump is tax). Few
people drive around London for
fun. Those of us who drive for a
living are hostage to fuel prices and
the scandalous amount of tax we
pay on top. Make no mistake, we
drive for Britain.
Uncertainty
Waterloo
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Willesden
020 3267 1162
020 8981 9949
020 8451 5688
Hercules Road
Malcolm Place
Colin Road
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£57.60
Michelin
£65.00
£86.40
Mercedes Vito
New Economy
£40.00
£56.40
Vito Continental
£80.00
£104.40
There is huge uncertainty in the cab
trade at the moment, as I’m sure
there is in many driving related
businesses. It is the result of
meddling with rules on emissions.
We’re told we’re going to need zeroemission capability in a few years’
time, and taxi manufacturers are
being scared off because of
uncertainty. Drivers don’t know for
sure how long diesel vehicles will be
allowed to operate, and have no
idea when electric cabs will be
available. The authorities seem to be
in no hurry to set up high speed
electric charging points in London,
which further puts drivers off
making the switch.
There have now been 10,000 new
electric cars registered in Britain.
Concerns over the cost and
longevity of batteries, is a major
issue. It’s not like putting a couple
of Duracells in your TV remote.
These batteries cost several
thousand pounds and run out after
a few years. Then there’s “range
anxiety.” Potential electric drivers
fear being stranded at the side of the
road after 100 or so miles of driving,
because there aren’t enough
charging points. Electric car drivers
can charge up at motorway service
stations for free, but I shouldn’t
imagine charging will be free of
charge for long. You can be sure that
by the time fast charging points are
installed in London and become
popular, the government will look to
recoup lost fuel tax this way.
Currently, there are incentives to
buy electric vehicles; such as
discounts off the purchase price of a
car, and a domestic charging grant
for charging your car at home. These
can be regarded as introductory
offers, and will surely be taken away
should eco-driving become too
popular. I understand electric cars
are exempt from the London
Congestion Charge. I can’t see this
benefit lasting either.
While we enjoy lower oil prices,
the government can’t squeeze as
much tax out of us as they used to.
The government face a dilemma:
when we’ve all gone electric, our air
quality will improve and we won’t
face fines from the EU. On the other
hand, when they lose tax revenue
from drivers they will have to make
the money up elsewhere, and we all
need to worry about this. They
know the days of oil as vehicle fuel
are numbered. The switch to
electricity might be delayed but it
is inevitable.
Discounted motoring
The coming of electric cars is
exciting though. I’m sure once the
current concerns have been
addressed, they will become a great
success. I look forward to one day
driving my cab cheaply, quietly,
and cleanly.
As things stand now what the
future holds and I don’t really think
anyone knows. But for now, I’m just
going to enjoy discounted motoring
while it lasts. n
More readers than the rest put together!
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
9
10
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
NEWS
Uber’s 50,000 job
expansion threat
Uber sex assault claims
emerge in the US
Trade
International
Uber boss Travis Kalanick has called
for European taxi legislators to relax
existing regulations so that the firm
can expand more rapidly.
Travis Kalanick
Kalanick said a looser grip
would allow the minicab app giant
to create 50,000 new “jobs” across
the region in 2015.
He said: “We want to make 2015
the year where we establish a new
partnership with EU cities.”
The statement has been seen as
the firm taking a softer line after
being criticised for frequently
snubbing regulators attempts to
get Uber to play by the rules.
He claims that the firm’s
expansion would take 400,000 cars
off the road in cities that welcome
the company.
But Uber has increasingly been
the target of banning orders and
court injunctions in countries such
as Belgium, France, Germany, the
Netherlands and Spain in Europe,
along with India, China, Thailand
and even the US.
If the expansion takes place it is
unlikely that many of the 50,000
new recruits would be Uber
employees as its minicab drivers
are self-employed.
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An Uber driver sexually assaulted a
21-year-old man who hailed a
ride in Chicago last summer, a court
has heard.
Adnan Nafasat, 46, choked and
groped the victim before trying to
force him to perform a sex act,
Assistant State's Attorney
Jennifer Cooper said during a brief
bond hearing.
The attack is alleged to have taken
place in the early morning hours of
July 31 when the victim requested
an Uber ride in the 700 block of West
Cornelia Avenue.
Nafasat told the man to sit in
the front seat because the car's
backseats were dirty and broken
and the driver then headed to
a neighborhood the victim
didn't recognise.
As he drove, Nafasat repeatedly
groped the man, it was claime.
Each time the car stopped in traffic,
Nafasat allegedly choked the man so
that he couldn't escape.
Cooper pointed out that Nafasat is
5'10" and 240 pounds, while the
victim is 5'8" and 110 pounds.
Nafasat eventually stopped the car
and tried unsuccessfully to force the
victim to perform a sex act before
driving the man home.
Nafasat, who is married and has
three children, was arrested and
charged with kidnapping, criminal
sexual assault and unlawful restraint.
This is the second case of an Uber
driver being charged with sexual
assault in Chicago. On November 16,
a driver allegedly raped a woman
who requested a ride.
Maxime Fohounhedo, 30, was
charged with criminal sexual assault
and criminal sexual abuse in the
incident, according to police.
Latest Uber customer complaints...
Was in a car crash
yesterday with
@Uber_LDN
Got charged three
times the fare.
Extremely dissatisfied
with horrific uber
service @Uber
@Uber_
Support
@Uber_LDN
you’ve
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ruined my
evening.
Look at this
route!
@Uber Missed a flight
from London Luton
yesterday as your
driver drove me to
Gatwick instead.
Support won’t
reimburse me.
#uberfail
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
11
BUYING A TX4 OR VITO?
YOUR FIRST YEAR METER RENTAL IS ON US!
We know it can be tough on the streets, but if you are investing in
a new or used TX4 or Vito we feel your commitment to the trade
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Even if you are not buying a taxi this year, we have other
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First year meter rental is free with two further years each discounted to £69.99 + Vat.
12
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
FEATURE
PERU OR BUST
Taxi driver Rob Woodford together with his partner
Steph recently returned from a gruelling trek in Peru
It is with some relief that I can say my
partner, Steph, and I have returned
from Peru having fulfilled a long
lasting ambition to trek the Inca Trail
and find the lost city in the clouds of
Machu Picchu.
We wanted to take on a challenge a
little bit different from a marathon to
launch an appeal for the Magical Taxi
Tour, which I have supported many
times in my 27 years as a cabbie.
Glowing sight
It took three flights, via Madrid and
Lima, to arrive at the Inca capital, the
City of Cusco – which would be our
base before and after the trek. The
trail was to last four days with three
overnight camping stops in the
Andes Mountains before arriving at
our ultimate goal – the magnificent
lost city of Machu Picchu.
A solid base of 10 weeks long
distance hill walking and sweaty gym
sessions seemed ideal training for the
43km trek, but no amount of
preparation can prepare you for
altitude sickness which affects people
in different ways – and it certainly
affected me.
The Adventure Challenge
Company’s advice before the event
was to drink copious amounts of the
local coca tea on arrival in Cusco
(3,400m above sea level).
It seemed to do the trick, but the
altitude sickness really got to me. At
the halfway stage I felt beaten. I
couldn’t bear contemplating getting
back on the Inca trail that would lead
us along gushing rivers, through
ancient tunnels and over more high
mountain passes to the Sun Gate, and
finally the sight of Machu Picchu
through the morning mist.
I was starting to feel that my trekking
was over.
I felt drained after managing little
sleep before our 5am rise. It was
going to be another tough day if we
were to conquer the two remaining
mountain passes.
Llama:
"Y
shower ou smell like
ed for f
our day you haven’t
s."
But over
breakfast I steeled myself and
decided that having travelled 6,000
miles, I was going to complete the
challenge – however long it took.
On the Phuyupatamarka Pass, the
group negotiated a tunnel which led
out to lush green mountains and
snowy peaks as far as the eye could
see and descended to our final
campsite after 12 hours walking.
Day four involved another early
start in order to reach the Sun Gate for
the optimum view of Machu Picchu.
We would have one last steep push
on those original Inca steps before
arriving at one of the world’s most
breath-taking sights. The challenge
Rob & Steph’s Just Giving page had received nearly £600 in
donations for the Magical Mystery Tour Fund but is still 55%
short of their target. It’s not too late to make that donation –
however small - online at www.justgiving.com/rob
andsteph - or by texting CUSC99 followed by (leave a space)
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was over which
was a huge relief,
but the glowing
sight of Machu
Picchu will stay with me forever!
We explored the fascinating
buildings and ruins that make the
city in the clouds so special, before
boarding the train back to Cusco and
our celebration meal, which was to
follow the next evening.
Peru was certainly an experience –
and the Inca trail was definitely a
punishing challenge. And despite the
fact that I would not wish to
undertake this event again – I would
recommend it to anyone that has a
sense of adventure! n
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in an incident involving another
vehicle which claimed I drove into
him when in fact he reversed into
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27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
13
14
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
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27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
15
GET SPOTTED!
Magic for Michael and cool for Cem
ur diary spotters like
nothing more than getting
out and about amongst
working cabbies with a fistful of
Marks and Spencer vouchers to
hand out.
They make it a point to spread
their wings far and wide, so you
never know where they might
O
pop up next.
Michael Kane was ranked at
Liverpool Street when we spotted
his LTDA diary in his windscreen
and handed him £200 worth
of vouchers.
Michael, of Canvey Island, said:
“Great. I read about it in TAXI but
never thought it would be me.”
Cem Sutco was also delighted
when our spotter appeared on a
cold and windy night in Clapham
and saw he was using his LTDA taxi
disc holder before handing him £100
worth of vouchers.
Cem said: “Brilliant. Thanks very
much. I will enjoy getting stuck
into those.”
Each year we give away
almost £8,000 worth of
vouchers, so the odds of
coming up trumps are
pretty good.
Just make sure you have your
LTDA membership diary and
taxi disc holder on display and
let us do the rest.
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Michael: “Great.”
Cem: “Brilliant.”
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ers
16
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
[FIRST TWO MONTHS FREE FOR NEW MEMBERS]
✁
APPLICATION FORM
CALLING ALL CABBIES
JOIN FOR £16.80 PER MONTH WITH
£12.80 ALLOWABLE AGAINST TAX!
Name
Address
Postcode
Tel
Mobile
Email
Date of Birth
Badge No.
Green (G) or Yellow (Y)
When obtained - Month
Have you been a member of the LTDA before? (Please tick) YES
NO
Year
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 a Share Certificate will be issued to me if my application is confirmed.
Signed
Date
Please complete parts 1 to 5 below to instruct your branch to make direct payments from your account.
Then return the form to the LTDA, FREEPOST, (PAM 2005), London W9 2BR
For Office use only
LTDA Basic Direct
Debit Instructions
Originator’s Identification No.
9 1 4 4 2 8
INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BANK/BUILDING
SOCIETY TO PAY DIRECT DEBITS:
To the manager of
Address
1. Please write the name and full postal address of your
branch in the spaces above.
2. Name of account holder
Originator’s Reference
5. Your instructions to the Bank/ Building
Society, and signature:
• I instruct you to pay direct debits from my account
at the request of the LTDA LTD.
• The amounts are variable and may be debited
on various dates.
• I understand that the LTDA LTD may change
amounts and dates only after giving me prior notice.
• I understand that if any Direct Debit is paid which
breaks the terms of this instruction, the Bank/
Building Society will make a refund.
3. Account number
Signature(s)
4. Bank sort code
Date
Bank/Building Societies may not accept instructions to pay Direct Debit from some types of account
Phone 0207 286 1046 now!
[
LT DA
]
CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO JOIN?
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
17
LETTERS
STAR LETTER
The best value in town
’m writing to thank the LTDA for
the support I was given after
being attacked by a passenger.
The first thing I thought of was
to contact the LTDA to make sure
that I had informed a legal
representative asap. In this day
and age, the reassurance of that
far outweighs any monetary loss.
It was 9.50am on a Monday
when a young, well dressed
woman hailed me near Waterloo
Station and asked me to be taken
to an address in Merton Road,
Wandsworth. I warned her it was
a long journey and would be
fairly expensive and she was fine
with it. At the destination, she
looked at the building and asked
to be taken to South Wimbledon.
It was there that her mood
changed and she started accusing
me of taking her to the wrong
addresses. She said I was not a
real taxi driver and refused to
pay. I tried to reason with her but
I
Your text changed
everything
would like to thank driver Paul,
badge 71351, for returning our
lost backpack – containing family
passports and a mobile on
December 5.
It was unbelievable for us to
know that someone tracked us
down to return an item left in a
taxi in the 21st century. Acts of
kindness such as this are very
uncommon. It really did restore our
faith in the world and are worth
I
Lost and found
left my wallet containing cards in
a London taxi at Liverpool Street
Station on December 14. I boarded
the taxi at Berners Tavern, Berners
Street, at around 7pm and he
dropped me off at 7.20pm at
Liverpool Street Station
(Bishopsgate Street entance).
I
A credit to the trade
hanks to a driver who took a
party of three from Smithfield
to Crouch End at around 15.45pm
on December 22 and handed back
a £20 note to a slightly inebriated
passenger on the grounds that
he'd paid too much; the
passenger would never have
known. You are a credit to black
cab drivers.
T
Rwl Davies London taxi driver
she became violent, so I rang
the police. After kicking and
punching me she ran into the road,
accusing me of being part of some
sort of mafia.
At one point a fire engine came
past and the crew restrained her.
The police arrived with three cars
and a van. They searched her bag
and found lots of cash but said
they couldn’t give it to me because
it would be theft. She had attacked
me, the fire officers and the police
but they did not arrest her. Instead
they took her to Springfield
Hospital in Tooting. It emerged
that she is from the Ukraine and
has a history of mental illness.
Anyway, I would like to thank
the LTDA for all their support and
to anyone reading this who isn’t a
member; do yourself a favour and
join up, it’s the best value in town.
D Cronin
IG10
sharing across the community.
When we saw your message, we
could not express our feelings.
It was unbelievable. We were so
stuck and didn’t know what to do
but seeing your text changed
everything. So you made a
difference to our lives.
We returned home from London
with such great memories. A huge
thank you Paul from Hassan
Mohammadi and family.
H Mohammadi, Reading
I noticed my loss immediately as he
drove away. The same night I heard
from Islington Police Station by
telephone that my wallet was
handed in to them by the taxi driver.
Very many thanks to your driver.
Stuart Steggles
Chelmsford
Take card payments
've been pushing a cab round
the capital for 21 years, and the
last 17 years or so I've been on
Radio Taxis. Being on a radio
circuit has meant I've nearly
always been able to accept card
payments which has always made
life easier and over the last few
years more people than ever use
cards which suits me just fine.
The reason I'm writing this
piece is that at marshalled
ranks like Paddington I'm
often the first cab in a line
of 15 to 20 cabs that will
take a card payment!
Having a legitimate reason
to jump the queue is just fine by
me but think about it, it's only a
matter of time before TfL make it
compulsory to take cards and part
of the appeal of apps like Uber is
the fact you can pay by card.
Be lucky, or be even luckier and
take card payments.
A massive thank you
Veterans had a marvellous day.
In August, we gave our support to
the George Cross Island Association
by way of transport from the All
Hallows Tower Hill to the Union
Jack Club. This service is held to
commemorate the heroic stand
which Malta took in those dark days
of 1940 during WW2.
We also attended a touchline
remembrance for the fallen at
Millwall on November 8.
On Remembrance Day, we were
invited to the Chelsea College of
Arts to remember the fallen. There
was a sincere and moving Service of
Remembrance with veterans,
Committee and Students.
On December 4 we held our
annual Christmas lunch for
our supporters.
We would like to say a massive
thank you to all supporters of the
LTBAWD, the committee, past and
present and the taxi drivers for their
time and effort, without them this
Charity would not function.
I
014 has been a landmark year for
the London Taxidrivers’
Benevolent Association for War
Disabled, with the centenary of
WW1, the 70th anniversary of DDay and an end to the British armed
forces in Afghanistan.
In May the LTBAWD returned to
Holland for a five day trip to pay
our respects to the fallen, taking 160
veterans in 80 London taxis. Once
again this was a great event.
In June, we had our annual outing
to Worthing. Guests of Honour were
Vice Admiral Sir Adrian Johns
KCB,CBE,KS+J, ADC and Lady
Suzie Johns. They have agreed to
become patrons of this charity.
Many thanks to Johnny Rowlands
for his golf day at Sundridge Park
Golf Club. It was a tremendous day
and this year for the first time,
armed forces from Headley Court
took part. It was a fantastic and
greatly supported day.
Also, this summer, we had an
invite to War and Peace.
Approximately 20 taxis with
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18
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
THE BIG 40
ONE!
The membership of the LTDA is
times greater
than some other driver organisations!
HERE’S WHY...
CAUTION
The LTDA legal service is
the only trade scheme which
defends members for ALL
alleged offences (traffic,
hackney or criminal), anytime,
anywhere in the UK. Non
members are advised to
check carefully the exceptions
and exclusions contained
or imposed by other
legal protection schemes
circulating in our trade.
BADGESAFE SCHEME
The LTDA retains experienced
barristers with specialist knowledge
of the London cab trade. Normally
when drivers accumulate 12 points on
their licence they receive an automatic
6 month ban, but in the case of
LTDA members over 90% of those
represented by our barristers receive a
ban of just 1 month or in most cases
no ban whatsoever.
EXPERTISE = SUCCESS
The LTDA’s in-house lawyers are
proud of their unrivalled record of court
triumphs; in fact the rate of acquittals
for members defended
in court by the LTDA is 4 times
higher than the national average. This
unparalleled level of success is due
entirely to the expertise acquired by the
LTDA over many years of specialising
in cab related legal matters.
YOUR FUTURE
The LTDA remains the only trade
body resolutely opposed to the
computerisation of the Knowledge of
London testing system.
(No to the quickie Knowledge
campaign).
INLAND REVENUE
ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE
Many drivers and accountants refer
to the LTDA for specialist advice on
Inland Revenue investigations.
(Free to members).
SICKNESS AND
ACCIDENT PROTECTION
When trouble strikes it’s comforting
to know that you’ve got the strength
of the LTDA around you. (Additional
subscription payable).
LTDA HOLIDAY CLUB
Many members have saved
thousands of pounds by taking
advantage of special offers and prices
(members only).
WIN £5,000 EVERY
MONTH IN THE
LTDA LOTTERY
12 big prizes every year, but you have
to be in it to win it (members only £5
per entry).
ACCESS TO
‘SIMPLY HEALTH’
Great value health care from
the LTDA. The Association pioneered
this scheme in the taxi trade and it
still offers the cheapest rates. (Special
rates for LTDA members only).
HEATHROW OFFICE AND
REPRESENTATION
Call in to the LTDA office at Heathrow,
first door on the right in the canteen
block. The LTDA’s representatives will
give you a warm welcome. (Open to all).
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
LTDA officers make home visits to
members who are in severe distress
or with special needs and authorise
contingency payments where
appropriate.
RANKS AND HIGHWAYS
REPRESENTATION
The LTDA has negotiated taxi access
to most bus lanes and leads the way
negotiating on issues that affect you,
the licensed taxi driver.
GENERAL ADVICE
If you are new to the trade and you
don’t know your `roader’ from your
`legal’, give us a call. We’re always here
to help. (Tel: 020 7286 1046 - non
members are welcome to call).
24 HOUR TOUT LINE
Seen a tout in action? Take the details
and phone them in, we will do the rest.
(Tel: 020 7266 4769).
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
Continually representing members’
interests in disputes with vehicle
manufacturers and suppliers.
AUTHORITIES AND MEDIA
The LTDA is the largest and most
respected driver organisation in
the trade. We lead the way when
negotiating with the Government,
GLA, TfL, Police, Mayor’s Office,
Heathrow, Rail Authorities, Local
Councils and when dealing with all
sections of the media.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Many cab drivers are discovering to
their cost that their licences are at
risk due to the TfL’s interpretation
of the new DVLA Group 2 Medical
Standards. The LTDA has successfully
challenged many decisions by the
TfL to revoke members’ licences on
medical grounds.
FANTASTIC VALUE
LTDA subscriptions have not
increased for 14 years! It costs just 4
quid a week to join the trade’s biggest
organisation and 3 quid of that is tax
deductible!
(Payable monthly).
HEALTH AND SPORTS
PROMOTION
We regularly run promotions with
leading health and sports companies
resulting in big savings to members.
LEISURE DISCOUNTS
Huge savings on weekend breaks at fine
hotels and holiday centres. You will not
believe these prices! (Members only).
To learn more about LTDA benefits and current joining offers
call: 020 7286 1046 or visit www.ltda.co.uk
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
19
Taxi Talk
THE DREADED
KIPPER SEASON
ALF TOWNSEND
It is time to tighten the belts but there is no need to work yourself into an early grave
or all the new guys and gals in
our trade who are suffering
with their very first “kipper
season,” it must have come as a bit of
a shock and maybe time for a reality
check! It’s not always wine and
roses in our trade and it’s not
always a madly-busy tourist season,
or an even madder post-Christmas
burst! Cab folklore tells us that the
term “kipper season” was adopted by
the old Victorian cabbies who
struggled to feed their large families
during January and February and
the cheapest food on the market
was - kippers!
F
“
CAB FOLKLORE TELLS
US THAT THE TERM
“KIPPER SEASON” WAS
MOOTED BY THE OLD
VICTORIAN CABBIES
”
Suddenly, the streets are deserted
and the hotels are empty, even
though their ranks are banged-up
with cabs and as for trying to get on
any of the station ranks, don’t
bother. You know it’s deathly quiet,
when the rank at Waterloo snakes all
the way outside the station and you
need to go halfway up Goodsway to
find the end of it at Kings Cross!
And, as for having to rank up in
Edgware Road for Paddington
Station, then standing the chance of
getting nicked, no way Jose!
I’d like to know what bright spark
decided to change the taxi rank at
Marylebone Station – especially at
this time of the year. With the old
rank at least you could put on when
it was quiet – even though
sometimes you were at the top end
of Harewood Avenue. Now, it’s been
switched to the bottom on the west
side it only takes about 15 cabs and
some drivers stand to get nicked by
waiting on the corner, blocking
incoming buses! Would you believe
it? Some dummies are still on the
old rank!
To quote an old saying in our
trade, “you’ve just got to wipe your
mouth and get on with it,” which
basically means putting in extra
hours in an effort to boost your
takings. But there are only so many
hours in a day – or night - and I’ve
found from experience that if the
work’s not there, it’s just not there.
So don’t kill yourself, if you are
lucky enough to find a job going
your way, call it a day and just hope
tomorrow the sun shines on you!
I recall with some fondness what
some of the guys used to do back in
the 60s to avoid the dreaded “kipper
season.” They were all regulars of the
old cab shelter in Leicester Square
and after working their butts off
during Christmas and the New Year,
they’d pack their bags and head for
one of the banana boats that used to
be moored by London Bridge and
book a ticket to the Canaries.
According to one of the guys, they
could live on as little as five
shillings a day for their two month
stay and, if they were lucky
enough to meet a mature lady
spending her late husband’s
insurance money, then it was tea
and sympathy – and maybe free
lodgings! Oh happy days!
Calling all the old boys
I have spent 16 years of fruition
working my cab, despite the fact
that sadly it encompassed the loss of
our eldest daughter, our eldest
grandson and my lovely wife of 57
years. But thanks to barmy rules my
lovely old Metrocab has had its day,
as a taxi anyway. The proud new
owner is Bob who runs the coffee
stall at the entrance to the factory
estate in Blundell Street, York Way
where MAM’s is based.
My old mate John and I were
forced to look for a garage who
didn’t mind two old boys fannying
about for three days. I phoned a
couple of people I knew but there
was no sympathy, they were looking
for a couple of youngsters willing to
pay top dollar.
But our problem was solved by
Vince the head honcho at GJ’s
Garage at Edmonton, where Gary
Jones is the boss-man. Vince offered
us old part-timers a rental deal with
an immaculate TTT Metrocab that
was very reasonable to say the least
and meant we wouldn’t have to
work our socks off in our dotage!
I’ve been having my work done at
GJs for many years and I can’t fault
the mechanics. And as for Vince, he
has done me many favours in the
past, but it would be vain of me to
suggest this rental deal was special
and only to me!
I believe he’s got a few more TTTs
for rent, so get together with your
old mate and give him a ring.
I honestly don’t think you’ll get a
better deal anywhere in London.
Much appreciated Vince!
Modern man
According to the fashionistas, the
modern man of 2015 should be
wearing – wait for it, sheepskin
jackets, just like Del Boy wore in
Only Fools and Horses.
I had a rummage about in the
back of my wardrobe and dragged
out my old sheepskin jacket: it must
John also a ‘modern man’
be 20 years old. I took it down to the
dry cleaners – which probably cost
me more than the jacket is worth!
But now I am “modern man”
driving a TTT in my sheepskin
jacket – even though the guys say I
look like Motty, who often wears
one when he’s commentating on the
football for the Beeb! n
The Taxi Centre
MERCEDES VITO REPAIR SPECIALISTS
All your running repairs and servicing,
Diagnostics, Rear steer, Sliding door
problems, and Electric steps etc
Brand new TX4 Elegances to rent from £250pw
Vitos to rent from £225pw
LTI/LTC Diagnostic
& Repairs, Servicing
Full back
up 24/7 &
spare cabs
available
Brand new cabs supplied
with all non fault crash repairs
101-102 Cable St, London, E1 1QH
(Entrance on Cable St and Canon St Rd junction)
T: 0207 481 9600 E: [email protected]
20
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
Time to
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(1/100km):
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Urban
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25.7
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CO2 emissions:
emissions: 209-222
209-222 g/km
g/km
A wholly-owned
wholly-owned subsidiary
subsidiary o
off
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
21
OBITUARY
John Williams (1952-2014)
By Malcolm Paice former General Manager of ComCab and
Master of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers
On New Year’s Eve many of us
were shocked to hear of the
sudden passing of John
Williams (Johnny as he was
known to many).
John was with ComCab for
nearly 30 years and there was a
reason why, in the 15 years I
knew him, he was the first choice
for any special and exceptional
jobs that needed doing by a
ComCab driver. That reason was
consummate professionalism.
It helped, of course, that he was
smart, accommodating and had a
great sense of humour, but above all
else, when you needed a cabbie who
had an unending pride in his work,
John was the go-to guy.
John got his cab cleaned pretty
much every working day.
Necessary? Probably not, but he
viewed his cab as his business - his
shop-front. He told me more than
once that he’d regularly get
comments (and tips) from
customers who remarked on how
spotless his cab was.
The same could be said about
John himself. He was known on
ComCab for always being
impeccably turned out. One driver
once described him as “looking like he
just stepped out of a wardrobe.”
I was fortunate enough to work
with John on many unique jobs
including the reception for the Royal
Wedding of William and Kate in
2011. He remained professional
throughout. At the end of it all he
received a personal letter of thanks
from the Prince of Wales for his help
on the day.
Great professional
It was not just the VIP glamorous
jobs in which John excelled. For
seven years running John had given
up his weekend to provide taxi
marshalling services to the Liberty
Festival at Trafalgar Square. This was
London’s big disability rights festival
and a special cab rank was set-up
each year. John was one of the
drivers who would staff this rank,
helping disabled people getting into
taxis and away from the event. It was
often tiring, physical work, many of
the visitors being in wheelchairs
and with a range of sensory and
physical impairments.
It was all in a day’s work for John,
which he always did with his
sense of humour and remarkable
way with the public intact.
I mention John’s sense of
humour because it was one of his
greatest assets, and I remember
him fondly for it. No matter what
the occasion, or what was going
on (or going wrong) John had a
joke and wisecrack to keep us
all lighthearted.
Our customers loved him
because he cared about his job, he
cared about his cab and he cared
about the cab trade. He was not
saintly, he was simply a
hardworking cabbie who loved his
golf - but he happened to be
among the best of them. It is a
testament to John that you’d not
find anyone in the cab trade with a
bad word to say about him.
He will be missed, and the
trade has just lost another
great professional.
22
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
Authorised VOSA Vehicle
Testing Station (MOT)
S&H Cabs Ltd
1STOP MOT CENTRE
We have 5 testers, 2 bay fully automatic MOT test lane and can complete two vehicles at a time.
M OT C E N T R E
NO PASS NO FEE
£19
Package include 3 MOTs
tment
Appoinnly
o
1st & 2nd taxi and 1 any other Class 4 Vehicle MOT
s#HASIS7ASH
s&RONT$ISCS
s"RAKE0ADS
s"OTTOM"ALL*OINTS
s4OP"ALL*OINTS
s,ASER7HEEL!LIGNMENT
s!LL,IGHT"ULBS%XTERIOR
ust
MOT j
NEW PACKAGE: More extras added
s7ISHBONE2UBBERS
s2EAR"RAKE3HOES
s3TANDARD3ERVICE
s(EADLIGHT!LIGNMENT
s$IAGNOSTIC2ESET48))48
s4WO7IPER"LADES
s"RAKE0EDAL2UBBER
STO P
or
R
ALL FO
5
9
4
£
s&ULL#HECK/VEROF6EHICLE
s6ALET0OLISH
+ VAT
s"RAKE2OAD4EST
s%XCHANGE2EAR3PRINGSWITH"USHES
s%XCHANGE2EAR4RAILINGARMWITH"USHES
s.3,0RESENTATION!NY3TATION
Second MOT by appointment “while u wait”
(If exchanged units are damaged or not useable an extra surcharge will be charged) 6 months warranty
2 pulleys & tensioner
Timing Belt
TX4 Standard
Service
£199
£69
Original parts
Original parts
*All prices are subject to VAT
For all TX4
services we use
genuine parts with
Euro 5 Ring Free
Ultra 10W/40 low
SAPS engine oil
0
30
£2
ed
n
io
it
cond
For further information & bookings please call us on
Tel: 020 8803 1437
Re
gine
TX4 En 0,000
or 11
5 years arranty
miles w
5 Fairfield Road, Edmonton, London N18 2QP
TAXI ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Replacement
CALL US IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THE ACCIDENT AND ALWAYS
BEFORE YOUR INSURANCE
s and
t to term
c
je
b
u
S
ns
conditio
You won’t have to do a thing...
we’ll do it all for you.
Vehicle
020 8884 2525
24 HOUR BREAKDOWN: 07979 092 423
All spray work with
6 years guarantee
(subject to terms & conditions)
Universal Claims are regulated by the Ministry of Justice
in respect of regulated claims management activities, CRM: 2152
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
23
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
If anyone can,
cabbies can...
ddison Lee may have
different owners but it
seems nothing has
changed in regard to the poor
standard of driving.
It’s one of a number of
examples involving minicab
blunders that we received in
the inbox, but we always like to
see our old enemy in the frame.
The picture gets the snapper
a handy £30.
Thanks again for the many
great entries we receive for
Caught on Camera each week.
We try to use as many as we
can as soon as we get them, but
some may appear later, so keep
your eyes peeled.
All you need to be in with a
shot of winning the £30 are
lightning reflexes and a camera
or a mobile phone.
Send your entries via the
MMS line to 07908 640017
or email them to
[email protected].
A
THE
G
WINNIN
PIC!
£ 30 PRIZ
Never driven before? You’re hired
Uber drives me round the bend
Wheel-ly bad driving
E!
TX5 tests underway
Kraut and about
And caught with pen...
24
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
25
NEWS
Taxi to Panama
Travel
A retired London taxi has been
stopping traffic in Panama after an
ex-pat had it shipped out to the
Central American country to use as
a run around.
After struggling to find a reliable
vehicle for his family, Barry
Nicholson struck upon the idea to
have a Fairway with one of the
famed Nissan engines shipped over
to him.
The cab has proved so popular
with the locals that he is planning to
snap up a few more cabs to start up
his own tour company.
Barry said: “The Fairway came into
my ownership as a result of a search for
a reliable, robust car to use as my daily
driver and one that would be safe and
comfortable for my wife and new
daughter. We moved to Panama in 2007
and have discovered that it can be
extremely difficult to find a decent
mechanic, especially with modern
vehicles becoming increasingly reliant
on electronics and computers.
“Discussions with a friend led me to
look at London taxis, specifically
Nissan-engined models with an
automatic gearbox.”
Barry discovered that the cab is
easy to maintain, the engine and
gearbox parts are available in
Panama and the mechanics know
the engine.
The 1996 Fairway has now been
completely overhauled, repainted,
and a number of parts replaced.
Although the taxi was tied up by
piles of customs paperwork for
several months and stuck in the port
of Manzanillo, it was finally released
with the payment of substantial
"administration fee."
Barry said: “I have now had her on
the road here for just over a month and
she has proved entirely at home in the
Panama traffic. The only issue, apart
from the under-performing airconditioning system, has been the sheer
amount of attention she gets each and
every time she's out! I now plan to set
up a tour company initially using several
taxis, most likely recently retired TXIs.
“I really wanted to let the previous
owners know that their old cab had
survived and was enjoying the sun
in Panama.”
Free at last!
Elizabeth Mary and her new runaround
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
SIMRO LONDON
TAXI RENTALS
TXll’s & TX4’s
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY
MECHANICAL
& BODYWORK
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REPAIRS
24HR
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07534 125 454
0207 372 2222
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NOW
52 Iverson Road London NW6 2QX
26
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
NEWS
£100,000 challenge
Trade
Camden Council voted to proceed
with its “West End Project” on
Wednesday, January 21. This
decision will inevitably result in
taxis being banned from Tottenham
Court Road and adjoining streets.
The LTDA wishes to place on
record that it will fiercely resist
this proposal and, if necessary, will
launch a judicial review against
the project.
The association has ring fenced a
£100,000 fighting fund to mount
the challenge.
Image: Angelina Dimitrova / Shutterstock.com
Taxis will be banned?
Alan Gale
“Alan was a superstar to us”
Much-loved taxi driver and
former secretary of London taxi
guides, Alan Gale, has died after
a battle with cancer.
Alan Gale joined the cab trade
in the 70s after doing the
Knowledge whilst working as a
bus conductor.
He later won a fellowship from
the Churchill Memorial Trust
which allowed him to go to the
states where he promoted the
London taxi trade. Alan was one
of the youngest taxi drivers to
become a blue badge guide and
later became secretary of The Taxi
Guides of London.
Alan, who was originally from
Stepney, died at home in
Southend with his family on New
Year’s Day aged 66.
His brother Howard Gale said:
“He won a Churchill fellowship and
went to America to promote the
London taxi guides. In our house he
was a superstar and I think he was
well known at the time. He inspired
me to become a taxi driver. It’s been
difficult for his whole family, we will
all miss him.”
Alan is survived by his wife
Lesley and three children.
HALVEY ENGINEERING
ECO-TAXIS
CABS TO RENT
GOOD
RATES
BRAND NEW TXII ENGINES
Why pay £1,700 for rockers and chain
when you can have a brand new
Also
out-of-the-crate genuine Ford
TX4 engine
reconditioned
engine for £2,600 fitted.
Recon TXII engines supplied and fitted £1,700
0208-312-2224
All prices subject to VAT
WOOLWICH AREA
1yr warranty
for
£2,300
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
27
NEWS
Driverless passengers must stay alert
Technology
Passengers in driverless cars will not
be allowed to sleep at the wheel
because they must be able to take
control in a crisis. The government is
thrashing out rules for computercontrolled cars as the first trials are
about to get underway.
Ministers have admitted current
Highway Code rules are inadequate
for the new generation of vehicles
which pilot themselves.
The person sitting in the driver’s
seat will have to remain alert and will
still be required to wear a seatbelt
and take responsibility for any
penalties incurred.
Bristol, Greenwich and Coventry
and Milton Keynes are the three places
in the UK where tests lasting between
18 and 36 months will take place.
Graham Parkhurst, who is leading
one of the pilot projects, said: “It is like
the laws in the infancy of motoring when
a man had to walk in front of a motor
vehicle waving a red flag.”
Driverless pods will ferry
individuals around pedestrianised
areas of Milton Keynes. In Greenwich,
the Gateway project will test
automated electric shuttle buses and
robotic valet parking. While in Bristol,
the insurance implications of
driverless vehicles will be explored.
The programme will also see how the
cars cope with the city's challenging
terrain. General Motors, the AA and
the RAC are all involved in the scheme.
Tests are about to start
RICHMOND ROAD
Krav Maga-nificent
There’s still time sign up for our
free Krav Maga self-defence
classes for members and start
2015 on the right foot.
Hundreds of LTDA members
have enjoyed the courses run by
taxi driver Ricky Manetta and
many have credited them as
life-changing.
Growing numbers of frontline
workers are being threatened or
assaulted by members of the
public but krav maga offers a
way of dealing confidently with
difficult situations.
Ricky says: “We aim to give
people confidence, so that they
can deal with threatening
situations, ultimately without
having to fight.”
Ricky will be putting the latest
recruits through their paces at
the Orwell Centre in Wapping
from Monday, February 2. If you
want to join them, are an LTDA
member and can commit to an
eight week course on Monday
afternoons between 1-2.30pm,
then call TAXI House and ask to
register on 0207 286 1046.
195 Richmond Road, Hackney, London, E8 3NJ
020
7923
7003
CAB CENTRE [email protected]
INCORPORATING
FOREST TAXIS AND CANTWELL TAXIS
TXIIS / TX4S & VITOS AVAILABLE
SHORT AND LONG TERM INCLUDING PART-TIME WITH
FULL AA / RAC COVER. FULL & HALF FLAT AVAILABLE
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN
n Maintenance mechanical and Bodywork
n Annual Overhauls and 6 monthly MOT’s
n Servicing TX1 – TX2 – TX4, Euro 4 / Euro 5
n Full back up service
TX2 / TX4 Diagnostics n
Key Programming n
Air Conditioning Service and Repairs n
Vehicle CCTV Supplied and Fitted n
All Insurance Work undertaken n Fault or Non Fault accident
WE BUY AND SELL TAXIS (warranty available subject to conditions)
28
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27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
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29
ROAD WATCH
Extreme Hotspot 1:
Berkley Street J/W Piccadilly
Yellow Box Camera
Extreme Hotspot 2:
Terminus Place
Bus only left turn. TfL to
issue PCNs
North
London’s
BLACK
Loading bay outside late night chemist
Hammersmith Broadway
Over-ranking
Bagleys Lane/New Kings Road
Yellow box
Harrods
Zig-Zags behind the rank in Brompton Road
and no U-turns
Great Marlborough Street
Zig-Zags
Waterloo Road
Zig-Zags
Selfridges
Over ranking
Eldon Street
Do not set down on Zig-Zags
Clapham High Street
Zig-Zags
Marylebone Road/ High Street
Ahead only, traffic signal change
Red Routes
TfL is actively enforcing yellow box
restrictions
Tower Bridge
20 mph speed limit – average speed cameras
Limehouse Link
30 mph speed limit
Craven Road
Zig-Zags
Smithfield
Do not park in load in boxes, they are
enforced by camera
A13
Average speed cameras in operation
The City
20mph limit
RENTALS
Drivers Wanted
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0208 807 7931
30
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NEWS
Stealth cameras catch hundreds
Motoring
New speed cameras are to be rolled
out to other major roads after
catching 700 motorists in two
months on the M25.
Unlike traditional yellow speed
cameras, these digital devices are
painted grey which makes them
less obvious.
700 drivers fined
The technology, which uses front
and rear-facing cameras to verify a
vehicle’s speed, is being introduced
on a northern section of the M25
and also parts of the M1, M3, M60
and M6.
The digital cameras can scan
four lanes at once, unlike
conventional devices.
They are similar to cameras
used during road works but do not
work on the basis of calculating
an average speed over a
fixed distance.
Motoring groups claim the
devices will see thousands of
drivers facing at least £100 in fines
and points on their licence for
straying marginally over the
70mph limit.
The Association of Chief Police
Officers recommends drivers are
not charged unless they exceed
79mph in a 70mph limit zone.
Hugh Bladon, of the Alliance of
British Drivers, said: “The 70mph
limit is not a speed that a lot of people
bother to observe any more.
“It was originally brought in as an
experiment and was made permanent
without any real testing. It was
brought in at a time when the stopping
power of cars was a bit like stopping
an oil tanker, and the maximum speed
of most cars was 74mph. We've moved
on now, some 50 years later we have
cars that stop much more quickly.
“The amount of traffic that exceeds
the 70mph limit is enormous. Most
people are driving at 80mph on
motorways, and these are our safest
roads in the country.”
He added: “We seem to want to
punish drivers rather than help them.
Our whole philosophy about speed
cameras in this country is wrong.”
In 2013 the number of people
fined for speeding peaked at more
than 115,000 - the highest level
since 2009.
Ministers said the rise was
largely due to the increased
number of speed cameras in
operation for 24 hours a day.
The Highways Agency said signs
warning about speed cameras
should be displayed on every
gantry of the motorway where they
are used.
Studies have shown that nine out
of 10 drivers admit to breaking the
motorway speed limit.
Urgent Notice
DRIVER LICENCE
RENEWAL NOTICE
If your licence expires in
less than four months it
is vital that you contact
TPH on:
0343 222 4444
and request a renewal
pack. Failure to do so
could result in you being
out of work
Once the pack is received
you must submit your
application (especially
the CRB disclosure
application) A.S.A.P.
Please refer to tph notices
18/13 and 19/13 on their
website for ‘official’ advice
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/bu
sinessandpartners/taxisa
ndprivatehire/26836.aspx
32
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C&S
Taxis
(London) LTD
N EW TAXI
RENTAL
BONANZA!
We have just placed the
BIGGEST
ever order in the history of London
for 200 brand new
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For details and to add yourself to the waiting list please get in touch
Office: 020 7613 4442 Mobile: 07951928502
Email: [email protected]
First
come first
served!
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
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33
Two Fingers
IT’S BEAN A
LONG WEEK
AL FRESCO
Exploding baked beans and Al’s driving leaves his mum in need of a little TLC
used to pop in to see my mum
at least a couple of times a week,
and without fail, dinner would
be supplied on a Friday night. No
matter where I was in the cab at
9pm on Friday evening, I’d turn off
the hire sign and make a beeline to
the south east.
Fortuitously, one Friday night,
I’d had a job to Lewisham, which
set me up nicely for visiting my
mum. As it was, I was sorely
tempted by greed - and the
flapping arms of two damsels
trudging down Lower Road.
Could I, they asked with a
European accent I defined as
Germanic, take them to Bayswater?
Of course not, reason told me, “I’m
‘avin supper wiv me mum”...then I
heard myself say... ”Are you in a
hurry?” Bemused by the question,
the girls looked at each other, then
shook their heads. No, they weren’t
in any rush. So - I took them to
supper at my mum’s. She had a
great time chatting to them in her
Yiddish/German while they
noshed on old style home made
biscuits, and I, eventually, got a
nice ride back into town - along
with a huge dose of indigestion.
I
“”
THEN I HEARD MYSELF
SAY ”ARE YOU IN A
HURRY?” THEY WEREN’T
IN ANY RUSH... SO - I
TOOK THEM TO SUPPER
AT MY MUM’S
Explosion
But what became known as the
kitchen incident took place during
another visit to mums. Well, I
pitched up, as usual on THAT
Friday night, to find my mum, in
the lounge, looking anguished and
in a mild state of disarray. She
didn’t actually say what the
problem was, until I walked into
the kitchen and saw the walls and
ceiling dotted with orange blobs.
It transpired that she’d set out to
make herself beans on toast for her
tea and, being old school, instead of
emptying the contents of the can
into a saucepan and heating the
beans, she’d filled a saucepan with
water, dropped the unopened can
into the water, then sat back and
waited for the water to boil: voila!
Hot beans.
Unfortunately, she’d dozed off.
All the water had boiled away and
the can had exploded, pebble
dashing the entire kitchen with
Heinz Baked Beans. She’d managed
to pick the beans out of her ears
and orange sauce-flecked hair,
wipeing them off her face like
ghastly orange pustules of plague
and put her orange-sprayed pinny
into the bath to soak. She’d been
too exhausted to scrape the
hardened baked beans off the wall
and too short to stand on a chair
and pry them off the orangebespeckled ceiling.
The entire kitchen was pebble dashed with baked beans
floor - with just a ‘hint’ of pink
bloomer on show.
She told me later over a pot of tea,
that when I’d stamped on the
brakes, being so tiny, her little legs
were all a ’dangling - that she’d slid
off the seat onto the floor. She was
so upset, I’ve gotta tell you, it took a
whole regiment of chocolate eclairs
to entice her back into my cab. n
Dangerous incident
A few days later, as a special treat, I
decided I’d take mum back to her
old shopping centre, aka Ridley
Road Market, in the cab. I helped
her into my taxi and we set off,
under the river via Rotherhithe
Tunnel; down through Stepney
Green, up through Bethnal Green,
threaded my way through Hackney
back streets to Queensbridge Road,
Dalston Lane and a final left turn
into the busy precincts of Ridley
Road market.
At that moment, an equally
elderly lady, pushing a dog-kennelsized wicker basket on wheels,
tottered out into the road directly in
front of me. I stabbed on the brakes,
managing, just, to avoid running
her over. It was a nasty moment. I
thought of my mother witnessing
this potentially, dangerous incident
from the comfort of the back seat.
I shouted out to her, ”you all right
mum?” I didn’t catch the muffled
reply. I shouted again because she
was a bit “mutton.” ”You all right,
mum?” Again, a muffled response. I
stopped the cab and turned round
to speak to her. She’d vanished! For
a moment, my heart stood still.
“Mum!” I yelled into the seemingly
empty passenger compartment. I
heard the same muffled reply. I
peered back over the edge of the
partition. Mum was sitting on the
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n TX4 09 Black/Silver
£17,500
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© LTI Limited reproduced with permission. Fairway and TX shape is a registered design. FairwayTM, TXTM, the LTI
device, the LTI, London Taxis International and The London Taxi Company logos are all trademarks of LTI Limited.
34
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35
Licensed to Chat
MAN
FLU
MUSHER MEG
A competition to see who is the most ill sees the Megs reach a new bottom
I
way around the kitchen I headed for
the sitting room to find Mr Meg
conked out on the sofa: my sofa, the
one closest to the fire with the best
view of the telly.
I thought he might look up at me
and say “how are you my darling
Meg?” I would even have settled for
“Blooming heck! You’ve got a big red
nose!” But no, instead he croaked,
“I’m ill…”
“No, I am,” I said, and made a sad
Ineedsympathyrightnow face.
“No… I’m bad. Really bad…”
I told him to shove up on the
settee so I could balance my mug of
chicken noodle soup down on the
lap cushion, whilst we decided who
was sickest, and therefore excused
from feeding the cat or putting out
the bins.
Mr Meg gripped his chest and
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am suffering with a stinking,
explosive cold. If you cut me I’ll
bleed Lemsip. My swollen and
sore nostrils are stuffed with Aloe
Vera tissues to stop the flowing river.
But, like most other drivers who
took a few days off over Christmas, I
need to catch up and take some
dosh. Not that I’m likely to succeed
during the new year doldrums,
especially when my sneezes are so
wet that I could do with wipers on
the inside of my windscreen.
Today, after a twelve hour shift in
the West End, I turned up home with
a bin bag full of wet Kleenex, a half
empty takings bag and a nose redder
than Rudolph’s. I was looking
forward to some recuperation on the
sofa with a mug of hot soup and
planned to catch up with the new
Broadchurch. After I’d atchoo-ed my
There wasn’t a tissue in sight
forced a cough, as though he was
in a deathbed scene from some
Victorian melodrama, and
gasped, “Flu…”
He didn’t have a red nose, there
wasn’t a tissue in sight – or Lemsip
– and he was mid-way through Take
Me Out on the telly and a jumbo bag
of spicy tortillas.
What about my bum?
I’m not medically trained but I
know how to triage Mr Meg when
he claims he’s too sick to be useful. I
asked him if he wanted a sausage
sandwich. And, glory be, he was
instantly cured… “great Meg, brown
sauce please.”
Diagnosis complete! He was well
enough to eat. I told him to get off
my sofa and go and make his own
sausage sandwich.
He fell back whimpering, “but, I’m
burning up!”
I quickly moved my hand across
his brow - slap style. The man was
nicely chilled and obviously faking.
Mr Meg then made one last heroic
effort to prove he was sicker than
me. He hauled himself off the sofa
creaking and groaning so
magnificently that even though it is
only January, the man easily won
the 2015 Dramatic Services to Man
Flu Award.
He crossed the room to make
himself a sausage sandwich,
complaining as he went that his
head ached, his throat caned and his
knees were weak.
“What about your bum?” I
enquired. “What about my bum?” he
replied puzzled. “It’s swollen and
sticking out.”
He straightened up and huffed
that he knew what was wrong
with me, “you’ve got a dose of that
mad cow disease.” n
36
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37
38
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
NEWS
Cable car’s new
commuter low
Transport
DVLA reminder
None were revealed in a Freedom
of Information request put to
Transport for London (TfL).
But TfL insists that the cable car is
more popular than it appears and
does in fact have commuter users. It
insists there is one commuter, who
uses a paper ticket.
The cable car has been criticised
by the London Assembly which
have called for it to be included in
the Oyster travel card, not be
charged separately as it is currently.
Image: Bikeworldtravel / Shutterstock.com
The Boris cable car has again come
under fire after the number of
commuter users plummeted to zero.
Since the much heralded project
set off on its maiden public crossing
two years ago, demand has been
tailing off from its initial high – 16 in
its first year, to four in its second.
The £60 million project,which
links the Greenwich Peninsula –
home of the O2 venue – with Royal
Docks was part funded by the
airline company, Emirates, and the
public purse.
The latest statistic, obtained
through a Freedom of Information
request, is based on the number of
Oyster travel cards used on the
cable car during a given week
this autumn.
Regular users, as opposed to
tourists, are counted as people who
take the £3.30 service in either
direction five times or more in a
week, which means they qualify for
a half-price discount.
Stay in the know with the LTDA
Unloved by commuters
The photo card part of the driving
licence lasts for 10 years and must
renewed after that period. The
licence becomes invalid if it is not
renewed with a current picture.
15 year reminder
The London taxi 15 year age limit
refers to the cab’s ‘birthday’ (in the
log book) not its plate date.
For example: A cab passed when
it is 14 years and 11 months old
WILL be granted a further 12
months of life.
Cabs may be booked in for
testing in the normal way when
the plate has 28 days or less
to run.
The cab can then work up to the
test date. If the plates are taken off
with more than 28 days to run,
both the plates and the paper
licence must be surrendered to
one of the six NSL inspection
centres in and around London.
The ‘unplated’ cab must then not
be worked, and at least one week
should be allowed before
attempting to book the next NSL
test, to allow the
computerised
booking system to recognise that
the plates have been registered.
Lost/stolen identifiers
If your Identifier is lost or stolen
you must notify LTPH
immediately (0343 222 4444 /
[email protected])
You may then continue
working. A letter of confirmation
will be sent out to you by
Transport for London, prior to
a replacement identifier
being processed.
Shop a tout
Anyone who sees touting or any
other form of illegal cab-related
activity is urged to contact TfL
with the details.
Take down the registration
number and make a note of the
date, time and location where
incident took place.
Type “cab enforcement” into your
internet search engine and follow
the links to the ‘report illegal
activity’ section of the TfL website.
IF YOU’VE HAD
A NON-FAULT
ACCIDENT CALL
TAXIDENTS!
n We’ll answer your call 24/7
WE WILL UR
R YO
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O
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24/7
VEHICLE
CALL US DAY OR NIGHT ON
07719 454 606
AND SEE US IN ACTION!!!
n We’ll deliver one of our
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For more information, and to get in contact, visit us at www.taxidents.com
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40
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
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PUZZLER
Crossword competition!
o complete our prize
crossword and be in with a
chance to win £50 send your
completed entry to Crossword
T
335, Taxi, Taxi House, 11
Woodfield Road, W9 2BA before
February 10. First name out of the
hat gets the cash.
ACROSS
7 Hanging limply (6)
8 Scared (6)
9 Ogle (4)
10 Annoyance (8)
11 Clothing designer (7)
13 Pinafore, informal (5)
15 Came to (5)
17 Magistrate (7)
20 Concerned with farming (8)
21 Demolish (4)
22 Ski race (6)
23 Biography (6)
DOWN
1 Far east (6)
2 Quartet (4)
3 Athlete (7)
4 Fundamental (5)
5 Keyboard player (8)
6 Fuel container (3, 3)
12 Affable (8)
14 Family name (7)
16 Squirmy (6)
18 Swimsuit, informal (6)
19 Give me, informal (5)
21 Rough play (4)
Overheard by Brad Ashton
David Cameron’s more popular in
India than he is here. It’s not
surprising. Look how many jobs
he’s created there. You just can’t
trust politicians. Listening to a
politician is the equivalent of
shooting an arrow at a target. You
have to allow for the wind. I hear
Nigel Farage is house hunting. He’s
got his eye on the one in Downing
Street. Cameron says if Farage gets
in it’ll be Britain’s worst disaster
since Terry Wogan recorded the
Floral Dance. Mind you, I don’t
fancy Farage’s chances. Three of his
top UKIP members have recently
resigned. He’s not in office yet and
he’s already causing
unemployment. With the
impending general election, Ed
Miliband’s so worried he can’t sleep
at night. That’s easily cured. He just
has to listen to his own speeches.
Nick Clegg’s Lib Dem party is
nowhere in the polls. Just like Dawn
French’s bikini, it’s falling apart at
the seams.
The good news is that Britain is
now exporting more goods. The
bad news is we’re having to import
immigrants to make them. I think
it’s funny that a government like
ours can close hospitals, post
offices and bank branches, but not
our borders. A recent survey asked
people in the street whether they
minded so many foreigners
coming here. Forty per cent said
no, thirty per cent said yes and the
rest didn’t answer because they
don’t speak English. China had the
best answer for keeping out
foreigners. They built a great wall.
To raise more cash the government
wants people who negligently get fat
to pay more to the Treasury. I’ve
heard of people getting behind with
their tax, but this would be a tax on
their behind. Obesity is a major
problem in this country. Doctors have
discovered that most cases of obesity
are caused by the light. The one that
comes on when you open the fridge.
As one poet put it reducing is hard, as
soon as I try it – the only thing I lose,
is my urge to diet. I think we all
know people who are excessively
obese. Like my next door neighbour,
she’s so fat she wears a watch on each
arm. One for each time zone. She uses
the elastic in her underwear for
bungee jumping. Her passport
picture says “continued overleaf.” She
buys her clothes in the tent shop. She
puts her lipstick on with a paint
roller. The only thing that stops her
going to Weightwatchers is the door’s
too narrow. She swears this year
she’ll really make the effort to become
the world’s greatest slimmer. She
wants to win the nobel-ly prize.
Hollywood has come out against gay
marriages. They say marriage is a
sacred union that should only be
shared by a man and his first,
second and third wives. But
Hollywood is certainly the place to
be for jobs. Nose jobs... eye jobs...
boob jobs…
CROSSWORD NO. 335
SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD 333
Across: 1 Ochre, 4 Patronage, 9 Sit-down, 10 Magical, 11 Upper,
13 Comet, 15 Eat, 16 Eft, 17 Tacet, 19 Idyll, 21 Their, 23 Vatic,
24 Was, 25 Aye, 26 Thyme, 28 Recur, 29 Storage, 31 Decline,
33 Nightgown, 34 Thrum.
Down: 1 Obscurest, 2 Hot spot, 3 Edo, 4 Panic, 5 Tam, 6 Ought,
7 Archery, 8 Éclat, 12 Rotor, 14 Motet, 18 Covey, 19 Incur, 20 Laser beam,
22 Erelong, 24 Wackier, 25 Arson, 26 Toast, 27 Emden 30 Ego, 32 Cat.
Congratulations
Issue 333 winner
Michael Stokes, Barking
Just for fun
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.
Follow @TheLTDA on Twitter for news, updates and warnings
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42
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
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VITOS
axi
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GB TTaxi
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TAXI
A selection of our numerous
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n A1 Taxis, Sidworth Street E8
n Abacus Accounts, Southbrook Road,
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n Astral Café, Regency Place SW1
n Bubbles Car Wash, E2
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n Computer Cab, Mitre Way W12
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n CP Beehive Service Station, Beehive
Lane, Gants Hill
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Street E1
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n Hexagon Garage, Lukin Street E1
n Jet Garage, Clipstone Street W1
n Knowledge Centre, Caledonian Road
n KPM, Hemming Street E1
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n LP Motors, Dunbridge Street E2
n Martin Cordell, E3 and Stanmore
n Paddington Station Rank
n Putney Bridge Taxis, The Arches,
Putney Bridge Station SW6
n Richmond Road Taxi Centre, E8
n Safewise Supermarket, Harrow
n South Bank Service Station, Great Suffolk
Street SE1
n TAXI HOUSE W9
n Taxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd SE1
n Temple Place Shelter
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n Waterloo Station
n Wimbledon Station Rank
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Watts Grove E3
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Everywhere
Keep
working
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road 24hrs
Spare cab
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MANAGING EDITOR Steve Still
T: 0207 121 0523,
F: 0207 286 2494
E: [email protected]
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
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DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Sarah Astington
ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE
Jonny Knight
T: 01727 739 193
E: [email protected]
PRINTED BY Century One Publishing Ltd
COVER IMAGE TAXI
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publisher will take every care to ensure accuracy, no liability
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V&H Taxi Recovery is a 24hr Breakdown Service
operating in London and around M25 area.
We have over 10 years experience in the trade.
Our aim is to keep London taxi drivers on the road
Why choose V&H Taxi Recovery Service?
• 24hr garage facilities and emergency breakdown service
• Roadside repairs
• Fleets and Mushers welcome
• All major Taxi parts carried on board
• Courtesy Taxi available for Mushers breakdowns
Fixed price for fleet owners on their Breakdown & Recovery service
• 6 miles - £40 • 12 miles - £60 • 25 miles - £80 •
Roadside repairs 20% discount for fleet owners
Membership available for mushers Breakdown & Recovery service
and always spare cabs available 24 hours
24hr Helpline Service
Call Veli 07956333086
Based in Bethnal Green
291 Clare Street, E2 9HD (Just off Hackney road)
More readers than the rest put together!
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
Comcab radio circuits fitted in all TX4 loan cabs
C&S Taxis London Ltd - have now purchased new Vito Merc's to coincide with six
existing TX4s, specially allocated for their crash repair body shop - A Class Of Their Own
43
44
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
CLASSIFIED
Cabs for Rent
Accountants
Brown’s Taxis
CABS TO RENT
(Mitcham Based)
ʻV Reg to ʻ12 Reg
24-Hour AA Recovery • Spare cab available
Call Danny on
0203 673 4819
or (M) 07956 463040
Cabs for Rent
BUTLER’S
Black Cab Rentals
CABITAL TAXIS
TXI, TXII & TX4’S
FULL BACK UP 24-7
Best Rental Company by Far
0796 098 2507
Rental Prices to Suit All
Great Choice of Quality Cabs
Cab Rental Hotline
Based in Mitcham - CR4 4NQ
07940 021014
Cabs for Rent
Garages in Bethnal Green
and Hoddesdon
INDIGO CABS
Cabs from
170/wk
£
RAC
Breakdown cover
Brixton SE5
Largest FLEET
in South London
We Buy TX2’S and TX4’S Instant Decision
Non Runners Included
First
wk
only £
9
9
MEM’s 24hr Breakdown Service • Spare Cabs Always Available
Talk to Tom or Charlie: 07940 021014
Email: [email protected]
Call Keith on 020 7733 3228
Established 1970
Cabs for Rent
Randell
Cabs
London’s Premier Taxi Fleet
Contact
us today to
join London’s
Premier
Fleet
• Michelin tyres fitted as standard.
• Verifone card readers provided free of charge in every vehicle.
• National RAC cover includes Roadside, Recovery and At Home. • All vehicles are serviced every 6,000 miles.
• No insurance excess to pay.
• Maintained and repaired by the best mechanics and technicians in London.
www.randellcabs.co.uk
[email protected]
020 7473 4559
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
45
CLASSIFIED
Cabs for Rent
Kingston & Wimbledon Taxis
We buy and sell all Taxis at great prices
Taxi mot and overhaul- drop off your taxi and
Pick up when plated - cabs available
PLATINUM
PL ATINUM
TAXI
TA X I RENTALS
RENTA LS
Non fault accident specialists-no excess to pay
Fast fit servicing appointments for TXI, TXII,TX4 & Vitos
Mechanical repairs & servicing & bodywork
4 Mercedes Vito tyres fitted for £200 + vat
24
2
24/7
4 RA
4/7
RAC
AC BREAKDOWN
BREAKDO
OW
WN COVER
C
CO
OV
VER
Lucus & Cygnus meter agents - please book & bring your log book
Garage services open Mon/Fri- 7.30am to 5.30pm & Sat 9-12.30pm
REGULARLY
REGULARL
LY SERVICED
SER
RV
VICED FLEET
FLLEET
Taxis for hire from £180.00 ,all taxis available from our large fleet
Maxxis taxi tyres from £52.50 + vat, Remould tyres £43.00 + vat
TX2 Battery £85.00 + vat
&5,,"!#+50s483483
&
5,,"!#+50s483483
Bodyshop for accident repairs
Non fault accident specialists-no excess to pay
The Dell, Clayton Road, Chessington, KT9 1NN
Just off the A3, at the Hook turn off
0208 391 1600 [email protected]
WWW.TAXIGARAGE.CO.UK
PLACE YOUR
AD HERE
In TAXI
magazine
Call 01727 739 193
or email
jonathan@centuryone
publishing.uk
EAST LONDON GARAGE
GARA
AG
GE
CALL
A JOEY
07775 902 902
2
SW LONDON
TAXI
TXII & TX4
SPARE CAB
CABS FOR RENT
BACK UP & RAC Well maintained fleet
pw
V reg from £170
VICE
AFTER HOURS SER
phone 07940 592 367
Spare cab and after
hours service
07738 162 518
Cabs for Rent
TXII AND TX4
CABS TO RENT
Very competitive rates
Full Backup 24/7
Available now
Please call Steve:
07799 113046
Cabs Wanted
Cab to Rent
TXII 52 plate to rent
£180 pw • Immaculate condition
Backup cab available
(Fulham based)
Ring 078 8937 8639
LTDA Meetings
LTDA Branch Meetings
SW and SE
NW and NE
First Monday of
Jan and third
Tuesday of March,
May, June, Nov
Last Tuesday of
Jan and last
Monday of April,
June, Sept, Nov
VNK MOTORS LTD
New Premises:
2A-3 Stock Orchard Street N7 9RW
Taxis for Rent TXI, TXII & TX4’s from £180 - £235
24 Hour breakdown
All repairs undertaken including; insurance bodywork,
ovenbake process, overhauls and MOTs arranged
We buy TXIIs, TX4s
Tel: 0207 485 0959
Insurance
EARN £££
WITH TAXI PLAN
New - Driver Referral Scheme
for Our Policy Holders
Call 0800 542 2868
and get insured now
Services and Repairs
TAXI
46
TAXI |27 JANUARY 2015
www.ltda.co.uk |
@TheLTDA
CLASSIFIED
Services and Repairs
Arin Garage
Cab hire, Running repairs, Overhauls, Crash repair
TXII, TX4 Engine rebuild specialists
Cabs
Available
Now
TX4 Reconditioned Engine £1,900
(4 Years or 100,000 miles warranty) All genuine LTI parts
TXII Reconditioned Engine £1,800
(2 Years or 50,000 miles warranty)
TXIs, TXIIs, & TX4s £160-£200 pw
Access house, Imperial Street, London, E3 3EA
0208 981 1647 / 07951 321566 / 07951 110152
LINAGE
Accountants
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
specialising in the taxi trade.
Accounts and tax returns £295inc.
Based in North London & City.
Home visits. Call Andy Belej
02083601446/07967444687
Cabs for Rent
ALL MERCEDES VITO’S, Euro 4 &
Euro 5 for rent, prices start from
£200pw, call for more details
07956211478
ALL NORTH/ WEST, TXs/, Full
Flat/ Part time/ Odd Days/ Shifts
from £180, Full backup
07549102030
CHEAP TAXIS – TXIs/ TXIIs / TX4s
from £150pw, Full Back-up, Bethnal
Green, Call Eric 07766542798
DRIVERS WANTED, WELLING
(KENT) TXII’s to Vito’s, Spare cabs
available - Call Martin
07956521420
E16 RENTALS - TX4S AVAILABLE,
Ascotts maintained. Pay by Cash,
In bank, Online, Driver friendly
fleet - 07957 465423 /
www.e16-taxirentals.co.uk
TXI, TXII TAXIS FOR RENT, Camden RETIRING TXI’S & all London taxis
Town garage, full backup, breakdown wanted for cash, Elephant & Castle
area call Andy 07903940786
service, 07771713722
Cabs for Sale
MERCEDES VITO EURO 4, Mercedes
maintained, AA cover, backup cab
TXI SILVER, W-REG, 14 months plate,
available, from £230pw, Essex/SE
375,000 miles, £2750 ONO call Bob
London based call Mark 07852760060 01268452573
or Paul 07956307224
VITO 59 PLATE, Silver, plated until
ROMFORD BASED TXIs, TXIIs &
October, VGC, good tyres, well
TX4’s. Own Workshop & Bodyshop,
maintained, £16,500 07846 946019
AA breakdown cover 01708347288 or
07932740902
VITO 2011, SILVER, low mileage
(60,000) excellent condition, service
TAXIS FOR RENT, Enfield/North
history, plated July 2015, £24,750
London area, small reliable fleet, full 07956247082
backup, call Ian on 07956 582416
VITO 2013, BLACK, 35,000 miles,
TAYLAN TAXIS, cabs for rent based
tax/MOT/plate 6 months, 18 months
in E2, call Ozie 07462885206
warranty, Pete £32,500
07940507437
TXI & TXII’S FROM £160 P/W.
VITO’s £225 p/w. RAC Cover.
Cabs Wanted
No Adverts. Garage Back Up.
Essex area - Call 01708 373786
A ABOUT to come off plate/unplated,
TXI, KINGSTON, SW AREA, RAC,
top quality TXI wanted,
call Brian 07940592367
top price paid 07787513629
TAXI MAGAZINE LINAGE RATES
Up to 15 words £25, up to 25 words £37,
up to 35 words £44 (Plus VAT)
To book your linage contact
PLACE YOUR LINAGE IN TAXI ISSUE 336
BOOK BY WEDS 04 FEB
CALL JONNY ON 01727 739 193
A AUSTIN, Fairway or nice TXI taxi
wanted plus any Fairway spares job
lots - Quick viewing & Decision Graham 07435 562759 /
[email protected]
ALL CABS bought for cash. Cab hire
also available, 07877093866 EastLondonAndEssexTaxi
Rentals.co.uk
ALL TXI’S & Fairways wanted,
instant decision - cash paid.
Tel: 07973335739 or 01253407500
WANTED. We Buy Vito’s & TX’s.
We also sell/rent TXII’s & TX4’s ready
for work call Billy 07985124194
Golf Breaks
FABULOUS 3 BED VILLA in Vale do
Lobo, Algarve – sleeps 6 – ideally
located for 3 golf courses, beaches,
bars and restaurants. 50% off green
fees all year round, 10% rental
discount outside the school holiday
periods. For more information
contact Gill Dunsford [email protected] or mobile
07775 683777.
Lost Property
LOST, BLACK BACK-PACK
contents include; a NIKON D610
camera, 2 lenses and filters and most
importantly memory cards.
Plus 1 pair of sunglasses and a
pair of Nicholas Kirkwood black
shoes, in a white Carvan bag.
Items lost in Black cab, on 11/12/2014
around 11am in Margret St (W1 area),
dropped off in Blandford Street
(W1 area). Reward offered for
return of items 07833661149, please
leave a message.
Miscellanious
OLD KNOWLEDGE BIKES WANTED,
Dead or Alive, Cash on Collection Please Call 07749 488367. Thank You
SEARCHING for David
CABS BOUGHT for cash, top price
Waddingham. His old knowledge
paid, quick decision, also cabs for rent buddy wishes to contact him
07956293748
07855196547
27 JANUARY 2015 | TAXI
More readers than the rest put together!
IS YOUR
BLACK CAB
INSURANCE
TOO EXPENSIVE?
Rates from £849
TAXI
Now
with
FRE
E
BRE
AKD
COV OWN
ER*
inclu
hom ding
e sta
rt
Call us now for a low cost quote
0800 542 2868
View our extensive benefits at
www.taxiplaninsurance.co.uk
in association with
intelligent underwriting
47