‘Cockney Rebel’
Smoke and Mirrors. Lewis Day the ones with those environmentally people would not even know of their activities.
Some months ago John Griffin, boss of Addison friendly Hybrid Toyota Prius cars which before They are relying on motorists’ honesty and
Lee gave an interview to Chris Blackhurst the
they have taken delivery and managed a single
possible stupidity in paying the tickets and
City Editor of the Evening Standard. At the time
mile on the clock have actually damaged the
they are getting away with it wholesale. If
I couldn’t be bothered to comment in taxi talk
environment with their nickel batteries that
Westminster Council’s arrogance carries on why
but I’ve had a rethink and wondered what your
have travelled thousands of miles across many
has some sharp barrister not put a stop to their
thoughts were on that article. John Griffin gave
continents, are the main contenders for the work
nefarious actions?
an insight to his company but as always the
at Deutsch Bank from Dial A Cab. Drive through
interviewer wasn’t really knowledgeable about
London Wall any night and taxis are nowhere to
Asking questions could get you into trouble.
the subject matter of the transportation business
be seen but are cars really cheaper than taxis?
In last month’s issue of taxi talk Dennis
and I believe he let Mr Griffin off the hook.
Going to Heathrow is not cheaper in a car and I
know along with Addison Lee they have a much
Pinching wrote in regarding his charitable
According to Mr Griffin - and he said many
higher minimum job rate. The drivers on Dial A
raising connections. The ‘Company’ chairman
things in the interview - “his cars are 30%
Cab have voted for the board of management
apparently felt Dennis was not entitled to ask
cheaper than taxis and he has 2,500 vehicles in
so must be happy with the situation with jobs questions regarding why football matches were
his fleet.” He forgot to mention that he doesn’t
going into cars. It’s a bit like turkeys voting for being removed from the fund raising agenda.
have drivers for all his cars judging by the ones
Christmas really, if you get my drift. I’m sure Dennis was informed that if he resigned they
plotted up in various areas. Also 30% cheaper
when I drove past Dial A Cab’s offices the other
would then forward the accounts of the charity
is way off the mark. In a recent enquiry Addison
night I saw a flag pole with a white flag blowing
matches that he’d organised, provided he did
Lee were asked for a five-seater car to take
in the night breeze. Have all our boards given
not discuss them with anyone else. I am not and
5 people with luggage from Chiswell Street in
up? Are they up to the job? Have all our radio
never have been a member of the ‘washers and
the City to Heathrow terminal three and paying
circuits really got a sales team? I do wonder
polishers’ as they are known, but I have been
cash. The answer was, wait for it. £91.17, but
at times. As most of you will know Dial A Cab’s
to a couple of their functions. At one function I
the operator thought they would need two cars
offices are almost next door to Lewis Day’s
attended a fight began, nothing to do with me
and gave a quote of £168.70 for the two. That
and I did wonder if that was a coincidence?
Guv’nor, and I was most surprised, at another I
is a massive £31.17 more than in a London
However, I did notice a big wire going from one
was accused of being drunk. When I enquired
licensed taxi for one car and still £48.70 more
building to the other. Was it used for abseiling
who had complained I got nowhere. No one they
for two cars. Yet our beloved radio circuits would
from Dial A Cab to Lewis Day thus saving on
said had complained but I was told that I was
have us believe we can’t compete. Lewis Day
time and shoe leather? Who will survive the
recession? Will one buy out the other? It’s only apparently drunk. This I find totally ludicrous for
quoted for the same job but with two people
a thought so don’t panic, well not yet anyway. the simple reason, I don’t drink alcohol. Whoever
travelling and they wanted a credit card charge
of £70.07 but with V.A.T, it raised another
did complain is a liar and it is they that should
£10.51 to £80.58. One corporate account
Westminster FPN thieves. have resigned from the ‘washers and polishers’
taken over by Addison Lee recently had a job
A couple of months ago I managed to get a
club. I had nothing to resign about as I was not
to Croydon. The driver startled the lady in the
parking ticket on a single yellow line whilst
a member of this closed shop outfit and so I felt
parked in Bryanston Street. The ticket was from
back when he stopped to pay the toll at Dartford
I couldn’t support them then or in the future.
a camera situated in Great Cumberland Place.
Crossing. When she asked where they were he
Apparently, others have resigned for various
I appealed the ticket to a PO Box number in
replied he knew Croydon was on the M25 so
reasons and that is only to the detriment of the
Warrington. Why Westminster Council feel the
headed for the Dartford Crossing because his
children who benefit the ‘washers and polishers’
need to use the facilities of this company in
Satnav sent him that way. So, he drove through
Warrington is a mystery. Maybe they feel they
activities. I believe the Chairman of the ‘The
Essex from the City over the toll through Kent
are cutting costs by not having an office in the
Company’ should resign his position and like
towards Surrey! Another client from the same
area where the tickets are issued. Anyway, in
most of the taxi trade, when these characters are
company was going to a cocktail party at the
due course I had a reply saying I was in the
gradually pushed into obscurity then maybe the
Mansion House. The driver couldn’t fathom
wrong and had to pay the fine. I then sent the
organisations throughout the trade could compete
where Mansion House was so asked the lady
letter back and wanted to go to adjudication. I in the real world and not in la la land. We have
to leave the car three streets away and walk in
stated my case telling them they were acting too many people hiding the facts throughout the
the rain to her destination. In both cases - and
illegally by issuing tickets within the F3 zone taxi trade especially in London and it will never
it was the same account - neither complained.
on single yellow lines. I do try and manage to
go forward as long as they have a hole in their
Imagine if that had happened in a licensed
read as many trade papers as I can be bothered
backsides. Charities must be approachable, as
taxi. No one expects minicab drivers to know
with a couple of exceptions, but this little tit bit
should all our unions and once we start hiding the
anything let alone where you might like to go
regarding the reasons for not paying a FPN was
so they can’t be bothered to complain because
truth and telling lies then we are on a downward
actually in Dial A Cab’s in house magazine Call
they know nothing will happen. But if it were a
slope. We have far too many ‘faces’ trying to
Sign, and in my opinion the most useful news
taxi driver they are assured of something being
for cab drivers ever printed. It managed to get
make a name for themselves at the expense of
done by the Carriage Office or your radio circuit.
me off the FPN because the PO Box number in
hard working taxi drivers whether it be charitable
As I am writing this I had a phone call from my
Warrington decided I was correct in appealing
or otherwise and the quicker they bugger off the
brother who works for the corporate company the ticket and I did not have to appear at the
better for us all. We need new blood not old stale
I have mentioned and as he was looking out of adjudicator’s office. The fact that it’s illegal for
bias ideas… Remember they are the problem
his office window one of Addison Lee’s finest Westminster Council to issue tickets in the F3
not the solution.
has put the driver’s seat right back and is zone simply because they have not put any
snoring his head off… hardly overworked! signage in the street beggars belief when most Copyright Bernie May 2009
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