Former PM hit with familiar accusations of undue influence

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COVER STORY: EX-PM LOBBYING SCANDAL Page 3

STEVE KENTON DISCUSSES SAFER STREETS PAGES 16-17

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DOUBLE DOUBLE DODGY DAVE?DODGY DAVE?

Former PM hit with familiar accusations of undue influence


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Inside...06:04:213 | News

5 | Steve McNamara 6 | Paul Brennan 8 | Anthony Street 11 | Lloyd Baldwin 12 | Letters & Lotto Winner 15 | Rob Lordan 16 | Steve Kenton 18 | Al Fresco 20 | Joe the TXE 23 | Emma Lunn 24 | Chris Ackrill

27 | Puzzler

29 | Exclusive: Taxi Charity

30 | Musher Meg Puzzler answers

TFL EMPLOYEE INVOLVED IN PHV LICENCE SCAMA Transport for London worker and her brother who helped mini cab drivers cheat their way to a private hire licence are facing jail. The pair were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, for charging prospective PHV drivers between £300 and £500 for inside information on the private hire vehicle licence (PHVL) test, after they had failed the exam on their own. Evidence was found that they had helped at least 22 minicab drivers to pass the PHVL test between February 2017 and May 2018.

TAXI DRIVER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COVID-19 RESEARCH STUDYScientists working on a ground-breaking COVID-19 research study are urgently calling for more taxi drivers who caught the virus to volunteer to sign up and help. The unique GenOMICC COVID-19 study, led by Genomics England and the University of Edinburgh analyses the genes of people who have had the virus to discover why some experienced mild or no symptoms, yet others became extremely ill and needed hospital treatment. The research study is open to anyone who tested positive for COVID, but only experienced mild or no symptoms and didn’t require hospital treatment. Volunteers can register online and arrange for a blood sample to be taken by a nurse at their home or book an appointment at a local collection centre. Early results from the study are already being used to develop treatments in the fight against COVID-19. You can find out more at https://covid.genomicc.org/

FORMER PM IN LOBBYING SCANDALFormer Prime Minister, David Cameron, has once again been engulfed by accusations of inappropriate lobbying on behalf of a private company. The accusations relate to Mr Cameron’s work for financial services firm, Greensill Capital and his relationship with its founder, Lex Greensill.

Concerns first came to light after the Financial Times and Sunday Times revealed that Mr Cameron had lobbied the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak on Greensill’s behalf at the start of the pandemic, in an effort to secure the troubled company access to a government-backed COVID loans scheme.

After being investigated by the lobbying watchdog which he actually set up himself as PM, Cameron has been cleared of wrongdoing. The Labour Party however, has now asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life to investigate broader allegations around access given to Lex Greensill, who was an adviser to Number 10 during the Lib Dem / Conservative Coalition Government. Labour have also raised questions about Mr Cameron’s work since leaving office as an adviser for Greensill, with a considerable stake in the company’s financial future and whether this crossed ethical boundaries.

This all comes as no surprise to those of us in the taxi trade, who remember Cameron’s close relationship with Uber’s former PR chief Rachel Whetstone and Cameron and Osborne’s lobbying campaign to protect Uber from regulatory changes proposed by TfL and then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, revealed by the Daily Mail in 2017.

UBER APPOINTED TO RUN HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE FERRYTfL has appointed Uber Boat to run the Hammersmith Bridge Ferry service. The ferry will run alongside the closed Hammersmith Bridge, transporting up to 800 cyclists and pedestrians across the river at a time, between 6am and 10pm daily. This follows rumours that Lime (part of Uber) has been selected as one of the providers for the London e-Scooter trial, despite the company’s poor track record on issues including workers’ rights and safety and its difficult relationship with the transport regulator. This leaves us wondering what contract Uber and its affiliates will win next?


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General Secretary | Steve McNamara

The Fight Goes On

After what felt like months of waiting, last week, we received the very frustrating

news that the Court of Appeal had granted TfL and the Mayor permission to appeal the High Court’s judgement that the Streetspace Plan and A10 Bishopsgate Corridor are illegal.

The Judge’s decision is extremely surprising given how overwhelmingly in our favour the High Court ruled, but it is clear from Lord Justice Warby’s Order that he believes the Judgement was so significant and has implications for so many other cases, that he wasn’t prepared to just let it stand.

What’s next for the case?It is important to remember that the Mayor and TfL haven’t won anything here, they are just being allowed to appeal. It will now be down to them to make their case, which they didn’t do very well last time. Plus, we still have a strong case of our own. The Judge has asked that proceedings are expedited in view of the important issues at hand, but they said that last time, and it still took months to actually make it to court.

Since I heard the Judge's order, I have had Winston Churchill’s voice playing in my head. I want to assure you that we will continue to fight TfL and the Mayor’s efforts to overturn this important verdict and any other damaging schemes, with everything we’ve got. We will fight them on the bus-only corridors, we will fight them on the banned turns, and we will fight

“It is important to remember that the Mayor and TfL haven’t won anything here, they are just being allowed to appeal.”

them on the road closures. No doubt this will spur on

some councils’ efforts to restrict our access, particularly those like Camden, who have never been willing to compromise. However, many other Boroughs have already seen sense. These councils have recognised the important role taxis play and factored us into their plans by removing barriers, switching to ANPR, and creating exemptions for taxis. I don’t think this will change, whatever happens with the appeal.

Financial support With the self-employment furlough payments delayed for another

month, many members are getting in touch wondering whether there is any other support available and wanting to know more about the grants some local councils have been offering. As some of you will be aware, late last year and earlier this year, councils were given discretionary funding from government to support businesses hit hardest by the pandemic and associated restrictions. Some councils, but not all, have made this funding available to taxi drivers, through their discretionary grant or Additional Restrictions Grant schemes.

Most of these schemes are now closed as the initial funding had to be spent by the end of March, but we understand that there may be other rounds to come. We will update members as we know more, but in the meantime it’s best to check with your local council and if you are having difficulty understanding their website or completing an application then call the LTDA and we can help.

Unfortunately, not every council is providing these grants for drivers. It very much depends on where you live and whether you meet the local criteria, so the whole process has been difficult to navigate. Some areas are also only providing support for those who haven’t received the SEISS grants, despite the fact that in many cases, these are not enough to cover driver's business costs. We continue to lobby London Councils, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Department for Transport, and individual councils to make discretionary grants available to all our members and we have been working with the TPH team at TfL to help them do

the same. I have also written to the Treasury

again on the SEISS, to explain the serious problems caused by the delays to the fourth grant. I have asked that they do everything they can to speed up the process for the fourth and fith grants to get self-employed drivers the support they need as soon as possible.

There’s an election I have been keeping an eye on the London Mayoral race, but apart from lots of relatively unknown candidates (either running as independents or representing newly established political parties) all rallying for the cab trade’s support, there has been little else happening. I have attended a couple of virtual hustings events, but they have been pretty uninspiring – including an Age UK event, to which half the main candidates didn’t even bother to turn up.

With rumours that even the Conservative Party itself is pulling support from Tory candidate, Shaun Bailey and recent polling from Opinium / Evening Standard giving Sadiq Khan a 25-point lead, it all feels pretty inevitable, like Sadiq will just stroll back into City Hall and most people won’t even realise there has been an election. If the recent polling has it right (and you never know these days) Sadiq would gain 53 per cent of the primary vote and win the election on the first round, which has never been done before. There is always the chance that one of these other candidates from outside mainstream politics could surprise us all, but first it feels like the voters will need to venture out of their working from home bubbles and realise there’s an election going on. n LTDA

Steve’s comment

Police complaintA few weeks ago, I complained to the Police about the behaviour of one of their most senior officers on social media, who not only wrongly labelled a PHV as a taxi, but then mocked drivers and members of the public, who rightly tried to point out his mistake. I have now received a reply from the ironically named, Directorate of Professionalism. From this, it seems that police officers have free rein to say and do as they like on social media, with no repercussions. They did offer me a phone call with the officer in question to resolve the matter directly, but I’ll give that a miss thanks.

“We will fight them on the bus-only corridors, we will fight them on the banned turns, and we will fight them on the road closures.”


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Chairman | Paul Brennan

Bouncing Back

Probably one of the most common questions I am being asked by people both within and outside

the trade right now is, do I believe the cab trade will bounce back? My answer is always and without any hesitation, absolutely. Not only do I believe we will bounce back, but we will be bigger and stronger than before.

My confidence in saying that comes from the hundreds of cab drivers I have spoken with in the past couple of months, who cannot wait to get back behind the wheel, and who will do so with a new appreciation for the job. And yes, that is despite the many obstacles that have previously been placed in our path, and indeed the new ones that some boroughs continue to put in front of us.

Life returning This past year has seen vast swathes of Central London’s once bustling streets more closely resembling the Square Mile at the weekend, or even the apocalyptic scenes from the film 28 Days Later, which saw a lonely character walk the deserted streets of Westminster, Whitehall, and the West End.

We are now witnessing the UK coming out of its third lockdown. Without question this time has a

very different feel to it compared to the others. In previous post-lockdown periods, there was only a small upturn in traffic volumes, a brave few venturing back on to public transport and people were slow to return to the streets. This time it feels like there is much more of an awakening happening in London, and the signs of our city coming back to life are much more widespread. It feels like we have

turned a corner. The fact that we are now in Spring is also very apt. As London starts to “bloom” once more, I am hoping we are truly, finally on the road to recovery.

Getting recovery rightOne concern I do have is that the same politicians – those whose leadership during the pandemic has been marked by delays, mixed messages, and dithering – are the ones who will now be leading our recovery. A case in point is the fact the Mayor of London recently stated that he will be spending £6 million on encouraging tourists back to London. On the face of it, that’s good news for us. Unfortunately, the plan and report on how that £6 million is to be spent is littered with the usual references to ‘it has to be a green’ recovery, and the implications of that dreaded phrase for us, worry me.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Central London’s mix of shops, restaurants, nightlife, museums and galleries is one of the city’s unique selling points, and attracts millions of tourists every year. But COVID has had a devastating impact on central London’s economy, with retail, hospitality, culture and night-time industries bearing the brunt.

“…London’s brand is an amazing global asset for the UK, and the income it generates is vital to the whole country’s economy. That’s why everything possible needs to be done to support the city’s recovery from the pandemic. But ultimately with tourist spending down by over £10 billion last year as a result of the COVID pandemic, our economic recovery as a city and a country will require the biggest tourism campaign that our city and country has ever seen, alongside the restoration of tax-free shopping for international visitors. Ministers can’t take for granted that once restrictions are lifted things will simply return to normal.”

Whilst I agree with the points he makes above, it’s a pity that when he talks about London’s ‘unique selling points’, and ‘brand’ being an amazing global asset for the UK, that he neglected to mention the world’s greatest taxi service. Ask any tourist what image comes to mind when thinking of London, I bet any money you like, the London Black cab will be high up on their list. n LTDA

“This time it feels like there is much more of an awakening happening in London, and the signs of our city coming back to life are much more widespread.”

Top rank

“Not only do I believe we will bounce back, but we will be bigger and stronger than before.”

Location Provider Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Postcode

Hopfield BP 747-759 Old Kent Road London Greater London SE15 1NZ

Herds Garage Esso 404 Staines Road West Ashford Middlesex TW15 1RZ

Victoria Esso 387 Edgware Road Cricklewood Greater London NW2 6LH

Shinfield Shell 211 Shinfield Road Reading Berkshire RG2 8HA

Cowley BP 54-56 Oxford Road Cowley Oxfordshire OX4 2DT

Hexagon BP 340 Woolwich Road Charlton South London S E7 7AL

Hatton Cross BP Great South West Road Hounslow Middlesex TW14 0PR

Linford Wood BP Saxon Street Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK14 6PB

Forest Hill BP 163-165 Stanstead Road Forest Hill London SE23 1HP

Howe Green BP A10 Baldock Road Buntingford Hertfordshire SG9 9EG

Victoria Road BP Victoria Road Ruislip Middlesex HA4 0SA

Southgate BP 99 Chaseside Southgate London N14 5BU

Southall ESSO Uxbridge Road Southall Middlesex UB1 3DD

Finding LPG fuelIn our trade’s efforts to become ever greener, a number of our colleagues who didn’t like the idea, or probably more likely, couldn’t justify the cost of a new TXE, decided to have their cabs converted to LPG. This conversion of some TX4s, saw them go from a Euro IV or V standard to what is technically a Euro VI standard, although the reality is that they are much cleaner than the average Euro VI. Unfortunately, with five plus years of life still left in their cabs, these drivers are now struggling to find a filling station that has the required fuel. I’ve asked LTDA rep Susan Sullivan to source as many locations as she can. Here is her initial list of sites in or close to London. She has teamed up with our colleagues at the UCG to develop the list further, which I will update in the pages of Taxi periodically.


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Executive | Anthony Street

Speaking to drivers recently, many have been asking my views on all the uncertainties and

unknowns that we currently face in the trade. In normal times, I always like to give an exact answer, as I know how frustrating it can be when you don’t get one. Unfortunately, right now I would need a crystal ball to be able to answer some of these questions properly. So, instead I try to give drivers all the facts available, and offer my own opinion on what might happen based on my experience.

Here are some of the questions I am being asked a lot right now and my answers in case you are wondering the same. Of course, all the answers below are my personal views and opinions. I can only use the information I have to hand and give you my best guess. What I can tell you for certain, is that as soon as the LTDA knows anything specific on any of these points, we will update our members.

Questions With No Easy Answers

“In normal times, I always like to give an exact answer, as I know how frustrating it can be when you don’t get one.”

more viable option and suit the way you work, especially with five years still to run on the cab’s plate under the current age limit rule.

Don’t forget there is still a good possibility that TfL will approve the Euro VI conversion and that would give an extra three years to the life of a taxi on the current 12-year age limit rule. In my opinion, the age limit should never have been reduced in the first place and in the current difficult climate due to the pandemic, it should most definitely be revisited. If the conversion is approved, the LTDA will be lobbying TfL, the Mayor and government officials hard for a grant for those drivers who are willing to have the retrofit system installed, similar to those provided through the delicensing scheme and by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, when purchasing a TXE. This would allow drivers to save money in the short term, so that they can ultimately also afford to make the transition to an electric taxi. In my view, this is an obvious and sensible solution.

Q: Will there be a shortage of cabs to rent this year? During the last couple of years, 4143 drivers have decided the best way forward for them was to decommission their taxis, and who could blame them for taking the £10,000 or so on offer, if they were thinking of retiring or leaving the trade. Others may simply be choosing to rent a cab, as with battery technology improving all

Streets ahead

the time, I know some are waiting to see if more EV taxis come to the market with greater range, before investing in one.

As of March 2021, the number of licensed London taxi drivers was 20,833 and the number of licensed vehicles was only 13,309, (3,960 of which are ZEC taxis). So yes, in my opinion, there will be more demand to rent a cab and likely a shortage, when the work hopefully picks up in the coming months. Let’s hope the garages will help drivers by continuing to offer reduced hire charges. Many drivers have been paying a reduced rate since garages realised that they would only be covering their costs during the pandemic. This suited the driver, but also the garage, which could avoid paying extra insurance costs and finding somewhere to store the cabs.

Q: When will we know about the Euro V to VI conversion?With many drivers still hanging on waiting for an answer on whether TfL will approve the Euro V diesel cabs to Euro V1 conversion, we’ve asked contacts in TfL for an update. We know that late last year discussions did take place between TfL and HJS about some modifications to the system and design changes proposed by HJS. During the meeting dates for emissions testing were discussed and it was planned to take place at the Millbrook testing centre in late 2020. However, ultimately

HJS decided that driving the taxi from Germany to London was not feasible during the pandemic. This has delayed things, but the process should get back on track once restrictions ease. Meanwhile, TfL has also requested some further technical information from HJS to enable a full assessment of the proposed design changes to the emissions reduction system. We should hopefully have an answer in the coming months.

Q: Will work levels return to some kind of normality?Many drivers have asked me if it is worth them returning to work. The last two weeks have actually been the worst I have known for work levels, and the Easter holidays won’t have helped either. Strangely enough, at the same time, I have been told tube, bus and rail services have been much busier. To me, this indicates more drivers are coming back to work, so there are less fares to go around.

The road map the PM has set out for the country in April, May, and June will hopefully see an increase in work, especially for night drivers. I personally feel that the day work will be a slow burner, with people returning to work gradually and a small percentage still working from home a few days a week, but I believe this will gradually fade out, and eventually, we will be back where we were. n LTDA

“Unfortunately, right now I would need a crystal ball to be able to answer some of these questions.”

Q: Is it worthwhile buying a second-hand cab or leasing a new LEVC electric cab or should I wait and find out whether TFL will approve the Euro V to VI conversion?I have been asked if I would buy a late 2014 TX4 Euro V. Well, this all depends on how you work. Maybe you work part time, say two to three days a week, then this may be a


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We can all agree it has been a horrible year. Since the pandemic hit, I have

had conversations with members, who quite understandably have struggled mentally, whilst trying to cope with all the ups and downs, worries about surviving financially day-to-day and concerns about their futures.

Where the cab trade is concerned, I always try to be positive. I am confident that the job will return to normal and so I try to allay member’s fears, which are often heightened by things they have heard from others or seen posted by an unhelpful person on social media, spouting that the “job’s finished”. Some tell me that they have stopped looking at social media, as it makes them feel worse.

Get help if you need itSome of the situations that members have described to me and the toll all of this has taken has been very worrying. I am always here for our members and will happily have a chat, but there have been times where I have felt completely out of my depth. On a few occasions, I have suggested they speak with a professional or immediately contact their GP.

What I often hear from these cabbies, who are clearly in need of support, is that they have considered seeking it, but they are worried that the GP would note it on their medical records, and they think this could cause them problems come renewal time.

A while ago, our then Chairman, Richard Massett and Executive, Anthony Street attended a meeting at Transport for London, where they discussed various topics including mental health. TfL realise that cabbies need to be able to get help, without worrying over the consequences. They also recognise that drivers are not coming forward because of these fears. They were very clear that they were not looking to penalise anyone for seeking help. There is a page on the TfL website on mental health, which emphasises that “in the vast majority of cases, if medical help is sought and treatment is undertaken,

It’s Not Been an Easy Year for Anyone

“At the end of the day, your health should be the top priority, and nothing should stop you getting the help you need.”

Executive S.O. | Lloyd Baldwin

it is unlikely that we will need to take licensing action.” It also includes a long list of independent organisations you can call and seek help from – even just have a confidential chat with.

One piece of advice that I can offer is that, if you do speak to your GP, make sure they understand the job you do and that we drive to the group two driving regulations. This means that if they are prescribing any medication, if possible, it must not affect your ability to drive. I am told that there are often alternative medications they can offer.

At the end of the day, your health should be the top priority, and nothing should stop you getting the help you need.

Mayoral ElectionOn the 6th May, London’s residents will vote for our next Mayor. The list of candidates is long and varied. Notable entries include an actor, a drill rapper, a candidate described as a 'vigilante', a former

Big Brother contestant and a bloke with a dustbin on his head, and of course, all the more well-known candidates from the major political parties…

I am taking calls from members asking me what my preference is and who I will be voting for. I explain that back when Boris took on Ken Livingston, I went out of my way to tell everybody that got in the cab (who would listen) to vote for Boris. At the time, I had naively listened to, and unfortunately believed his noise

On pointabout how important the cab trade was and how he saw us as an integral part of London, blah, blah, blah. Well, I could not have been more wrong. We all know how Boris’ attitude changed towards us once in City Hall.

In the current race, there are at least six candidates I have heard promising to do anything and everything for the trade. Conservative Candidate, Shaun Bailey would offer us tax free loans for ZEC cabs. Actor Laurence Fox and his new Reclaim Party, along with Independents Peter Rose and Farah London, UKIP’s Dr Peter Gammons and The Heritage Party’s David Kurten are all prioritising getting London back to work and cabbies back on the road, with policies like ending the Streetspace schemes and ensuring taxis go where buses go. They all emphasise how important we are, how they will oversee the resurgence of the cab trade and so on. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to hear all of this, but with bookies currently putting Sadiq’s odds of winning at 1/33, it seems highly unlikely any of these less well-known, independent candidates could beat him. Of course, you can never say never, but this election my answer is that for me, there isn’t yet a clear choice. Plus, regardless of who wins, we will have to wait until they are in office to see if they remain true to their word. n LTDA

Camden ZEC taxi PCNsI recently received three calls from TXE drivers, who have had PCNs issued to them for entering roads covered by the Camden (Neighbourhoods of the Future) Experimental Traffic Order. These restrictions are in place Monday to Friday between 8 and 9am and between 3 and 4.15pm on:n Nutley Terrace, west of its junction with Fitzjohn’s Avenuen Netherhall Gardens, at its junction with Fitzjohn’s Avenue n Frognal, north of its junction with Hampstead Gaten Frognal, south of its junction with Arkwright Road

The signage at these locations clearly states that electric vehicles are permitted and the order specifically references ZEC taxis. Now, obviously that should include a TXE, so something is going very wrong! Maybe, just maybe, it is a genuine error and Camden will write back saying sorry for troubling you. Either way, I’m afraid these PCNs will now have to be appealed. As usual, I am more than happy to assist any member who needs help with doing so.


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Subject: License renewal delay Hi there,Just a quick message to say thanks again to Paul Brennan for all his help this week.

My husband Paul has just received his license in the post this morning. We are so relieved after our months of chasing, phoning and writing emails to TfL, you have achieved a miracle in just one day!

We can’t thank you enough. At a time when there are lots of terrible things going on in the world, this shouldn’t seem important, but these little things gain momentum when you can’t get an answer from anyone.

Take care of yourselves, hope the Black Taxi Drivers are back out there soon. I mean that in the best possible way. Paul isn’t a stay-at -home type of person and finds it hard to fills his days after 40 years of being a Taxi Driver. I’m sure he’s one of many who are looking forward to London opening up soon.

Thanks again for all your help. Hope you continue to stay safe and well. We wanted to buy Paul a bottle of his favourite tipple as a thank you, but as agreed we will donate to Cancer Research instead once the charity shops open, we make regular donations to this charity. Best wishes,Leah Anderson (Paul Anderson’s wife)

Taxi | Letters

TAXI and LTDA Member Mail

Subject: Help with legal issues Dear Sir,Like dozens of other taxi drivers, I was recently arrested by a particularly keen individual officer for using my phone whilst stationary on the rank at Kings Cross. After listening to some cab shelter advice that I should plead guilty, I fortunately decided to also give the LTDA a call for their opinion. I was introduced to John Luckhurst who was immediately familiar with the office in question and the charge (which was actually not using my phone but the rather vague ‘not being in control of the vehicle’). John offered to contest it on my behalf.

When the video evidence and summary of events were produced, John compiled an impressive 26-point response which the CPS saw and then decided to drop the charge. I can not thank John and the legal team at the LTDA enough for all their hard work and professionalism and would advise any of my fellow cabbies, particularly now in this new city of camera, timed signs and speed restrictions, to join the LTDA and enjoy their excellent advice and protection. Your sincerely,A thankful member (member asked us not to use his name).

Subject: Wonderful Taxi DriverDear Taxi Editor,Last Thursday, laden with shopping, I took a short cab trip from High Street Kensington to Avonmore Road W14.

I had a cheerful friendly Turkish, I believe, cab driver, perhaps called Adzeem. We chatted and laughed on the short journey. The best part of an hour later, I realised I had left my phone in his cab. I called him and although he was the other side of Chiswick, he immediately brought it back to me. Additionally, he had tried to find me via my phone - but I had not saved my name to it.

He was so friendly and helpful - I’m a complete Luddite and he even helped me with some iPhone queries I had. I believe he said he was in IT before becoming a cab driver. He went above and beyond and I even had to absolutely insist to force a tip upon him.

I am so grateful. My life is in my iphone. If I lost it, I couldn’t afford to have bought a new one. I have no laptop - or even address book!

I cannot express my gratitude highly enough for this wonderful driver. I hope he reads this - or a colleague may know who he is.What a star. Best wishes,Marie-Therese

LOTTO WINNER!Congratulations Mr John Richardson! Our latest winner is John Richardson, who has been a cab driver for 12 years. He recently re-joined the LTDA after taking a break, as he decided it was an important time to be part of an organisation and to have the LTDA in his corner, with the added bonus of the in-house legal protection, in case he ever needs it. His paperwork had just been processed and he won the first month he was entered into the lottery!

John didn’t work the cab during the first lockdown from March to late June, as he is asthmatic and didn’t want to risk his health. Plus, with so few fares around, it wasn’t worth it. He has been working since then, but it’s not been easy.

John said upon receiving his cheque for five grand, “I’m absolutely over the moon, it was my birthday a couple days ago, so this is a nice present to receive. As soon as lockdown finishes, I’ll be taking the family out for a nice meal.”

LTDA LOTTERY The first prize in our lottery is £5000 - every month! But you won’t win it if you’re not in it. Tickets cost £5 each per month. And even if you don’t win, you’ll know that proceeds from the lottery contribute towards LTDA trade promotion campaigns.

To be in on it, call 020 7286 1046 and ask about the LTDA Lottery.

You’ve probably heard of the LTDA Lottery. What you probably don’t know is that since it started in 1986, there have been over 360 winners. That’s over £1,800,000 million paid out in prize money.


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www.ltda.co.uk

Columnist | Robert Lordan

“London cabbies are familiar with Manor House, but did you know that an escaped elephant once rampaged through there?”

London’s Animal Runs

According to the report, Jim pretty much then took the route from Manor House to Gibson Square! After making off towards Blackstock Road, he ‘trotted via Highbury Vale, into Newington-turning’ and then into Highbury New Park.

We know that route more than well enough, so instead run it from Manor House to Tobacco Dock. In this former shopping mall turned conference centre stands a statue of Jamrach’s Tiger, which is a reference to another incident in which a wild beast escaped. In this case, as the title suggests, it was a huge Bengal tiger, which

broke out of Jamrach’s Animal Emporium – an exotic

pet store which was once located on

The Highway (then known as Ratclfife Highway) during the 19th Century. In this terrifying

incident, the tiger managed to scoop

a small boy up in its jaws – but fortunately

the child never came to any harm and Jamrach managed to subdue the creature.

Another famous London big cat was Christian the Lion, who was purchased as a cub by two young Aussies named Ace and John from Harrods in 1969 – back then, the store had an exotic pets department and yes, you could indeed buy a lion! Ace and John kept Christian in their

‘SophistiCat’ furniture shop on the King’s Road, until he grew too big and scary for the public to bear. When that happened, they arranged for him to be taken back to Kenya. Christian never forgot Ace and John though – as a very famous clip, in which he recognises and hugs the pair after many years – shows.

What route would you take from the King’s Road to St James’s Park? A wide array of birds live here, the most famous of which are the graceful – and somewhat imposing – pelicans. The St James’s pelicans can trace their lineage back to 1664 when several of the species were gifted by the Russian Ambassador. You may have noticed that the Mint Wing of St Mary’s Hospital on South Wharf Road looks somewhat older compared to its neighbouring buildings? That’s because this was once in fact a huge three-story horse stable complex, built by the Great Western Railway for their horses who worked at Paddington. Horses, who were kept here well into the 20th Century, accessed the upper stables via long, sloping ramps which can still be seen today.

What route would you take from there to the Horse Hospital on the Colonnade? Now an arts space this was once indeed a horse hospital; built in 1797 to specifically treat London cab horses. n TAXI

Whilst on the Knowledge, I became fascinated by the hidden

stories associated with London’s countless streets and points. I’ve been passionate about the city’s history ever since – and have discovered that sharing these tales with the public often results in a nice tip!

We’ll begin at the Tower of London, which is famously home to seven ravens; the current names of which are Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy and Merlina. It’s said that if these ravens were to fly away, the Kingdom would collapse – a myth apparently started by Charles II. The Tower was also home to London’s earliest zoo – the Tower of London Menagerie, which was established in the 13th Century, primarily as a home for exotic animals which had been given as royal gifts.

Run it from the Tower of London to Regent’s Park where, in April 1828, the Menagerie was moved to, thus establishing London Zoo. Over the years, London Zoo has been home to many famous residents, one of who was Guy the Gorilla, who became something of a celebrity until his death in 1978, appearing on television shows and even having a song written about him. Guy was so called because he arrived in London on Guy Fawkes Night, 1947. Back then of course he was just a baby and was seen clutching a hot water bottle. In 1961, a statue of Guy the Gorilla was unveiled in Crystal Palace Park by the sculptor, David Wynne.

Rob’s history tips

How would you get from the park to the Boy with the Dolphin statue near Albert Bridge? This too is by David Wynne; the boy swimming with the dolphin was modelled on his own son, Roland who tragically took his own life at the age of 35. It goes without saying that all London cabbies are familiar with Manor House, but did you know that an escaped elephant once rampaged through there? The incident occurred in September 1893 when the elephant in question – who was named Jim – was taking part in a nearby circus. His keeper decided to take Jim for a walk one morning but, once at Manor House, the elephant broke free and ‘dashed at a rapid pace into Finsbury Park where he knocked down a fence and charged the bandstand.

David Wynne’s statue of Guy in Crystal Palace Park

Christian the lion

Raven at the Tower of London

'Jim'


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Columnist | Steve Kenton

“…this young woman was simply walking home – and this could have been anybody’s daughter, including my own.”

Father, Husband, Cabbie & Human Being

W ell, it has certainly been a sobering time of late, notably due to the tragic

death of Sarah Everard hitting home like a wrecking ball to the side of a building. The nature of Sarah’s death has not just sparked an overwhelming outpouring of emotion, but furious debate about safety on London’s streets, primarily women’s safety. After listening to Sadiq Khan, talking to LBC’s, Shelagh Fogarty, about Sarah’s disappearance and death, I found myself agreeing with the Mayor when he admitted that London’s streets are not safe for women to walk.

Husband & father of two daughtersNow I must be honest and state that I am struggling in relation to doing any form of commentary on this heinous crime without letting emotion get the better of me. I did not want to write this article from a man’s perspective, but from the perspective of a husband and father of two daughters in their mid-20s. This has stunned me, not just because this was a young woman with her whole life in front of her and not simply because of the profession of the individual who has been charged with Sarah’s murder – but because this young woman was simply walking home – and this could have been anybody’s daughter, including my own.

Being safe, not just feeling safeI have listened intently over the last few of weeks, almost every presenter and commentator on every talk radio station is discussing both the case and women’s safety on the streets in general. What is becoming acutely apparent is that despite women coming forward and saying that they do not feel safe, the authorities have not been listening hard enough – for decades. Ultimately women need to not just feel safe to walk the streets of London, they need to be safe.

Discussing the social construct of masculinity and femininity would take more than a couple of hundred pages, so rather than enter that foray, I decided to find out more about some of the issues which women face or fear by taking to social media. I spoke to a multitude of women, of a diverse age range, on a number of community websites and it became apparent that the same responses were re-occurring…

Ghost neighbourhoodsA major issue emanating from the numerous discussions was the creation of (so-called) ghost neighbourhoods due to the installation of low traffic neighbourhood schemes (LTNs). This was a bit of a surprise to me due to the fact that I had never given LTNs much consideration in relation to crime, much less women’s safety, but the general consensus of opinion was that women can feel extremely unsafe or uneasy when they are not around other members of the public, even those merely driving through any given area in a car. One of the seemingly unintended consequences of LTNs is that because of the lack of public access, the fear of crime becomes more acute – even if there is no obviously visible immediate basis for that fear. It was also made apparent that when police do attend crimes within some LTNs, they are often unable to pursue individuals due to the carriageway obstructions.

One woman who lives inside an LTN described how her special educational needs (SEN) son was assaulted two weeks ago, whilst out riding his bike. She stated that it wasn’t the first time he has had trouble since the LTN was installed. Another individual described how an attack in another LTN at Highbury Fields saw a lady punched to the ground and her dog stolen – again there was nobody about to assist her or possibly deter her attacker. Whilst these are just two anecdotal incidents, the women I spoke with however alleged that councils and proponents of LTNs across London, when warned of the potential issues which may arise due to the lack of public access, seemingly shrugged their

shoulders with grim apathy and buried their heads in the sand.

Visibility, opportunity & fearOther issues highlighted included street lighting and road design. This is something that many of us cabbies can relate to. Anybody who has travelled around the Outer Circle by Regent's Park or been down many of the side-streets in London, will acknowledge the fact that some of the visibility for pedestrians is quite frankly woeful, which impacts on both opportunities to commit crime and in turn, rightly or wrongly, fear of being a victim of crime. In terms of road and pedestrian walkway design being another highlighted factor, one look at London Bridge will show you that it is physically impossible to escape or avoid a potential assailant because of the barrier traversing the bridge, there are no breaks to cross and escape.

The criminal justice rhetoric…Of course, you will always have the usual arguments being mentioned, a more visible police presence, more police stations and better access to the emergency services, this, of course is standard fayre, although one of the more curious comments, one which possibly piqued my interest the most, was the suggestion that convicted sex offenders and those who have committed violence against women face GPS tagging for a period of time, possibly even for life. This obviously opens up a ‘human rights’ can of worms as well as the notion that such a tag ‘labels’ offenders as such and makes it arguably more difficult for them to change their behaviours, seeing their identity solely as an offender and being permanently labelled/tagged as such… And would such an approach even work as a deterrent to these individuals?

The big questionsAs stated at the opening of this piece, I am first and foremost the father of two daughters and a husband – and a cab driver and writer second. As such, I firmly believe that male

behaviour towards women needs to change. It needs to be recognised that although it is a very small minority of men who inflict violence upon women, it is almost always men that perform that heinous act. This is where we as men need to take a look at ourselves, we shouldn’t expect women to change their behaviour just in case they may encounter a potentially violent man, it’s up to men to change their behaviour. For me, there really is nothing more cowardly than a man who is abusive, threatening or violent to a woman but sadly, incidences seem to have become almost commonplace – perhaps exacerbated by the difficulties women can face in reporting such incidents. But just making it easier for women to report incidents or calling out men who perform such acts as cowards is not nearly enough. We also must bear in mind that sexism and misogyny are also abhorrent traits which must be squashed. To truly try and eradicate the majority of male on female violence, we have to educate children from a very young age that there are certain behaviours which are not acceptable. From an adult perspective whilst in the short-term we could say we need a zero-tolerance approach, with stiff sentences and re-education packages, the longer-term solution is a shift in our entire cultural approach – which can take a generation or more. Though it has to start somewhere…

What can our trade do?Looking for possible solutions or ways to assist the public, especially women, will always be a minefield for the taxi industry, after all, the last thing that the cab trade wants is to be accused of taking advantage of a tragic situation, so what can we as a male dominated industry do to assist? In the past, the taxi industry has been described as ‘the fourth emergency service’, taxi drivers have been the eyes and ears of London for generations, assisting the authorities where necessary. However, anybody who has tried to dial 999 to report an

A man in black


17

emergency will know that you can be on hold for what seems like an eternity. One of the ways that the industry could assist in dealing with a number of issues, including potential crimes against women might be for the industry to be given a fast-track text number or channel/digital platform to the emergency services, so as to by-pass the usual 999 protocols, meaning emergencies could be reported quickly and efficiently? Training could also include a re-launch of the 2004 Transport for London initiative in tackling domestic violence, which provided advice to London’s taxi drivers on what they should and should not do if hired by a woman who they suspected of fleeing a violent domestic situation. A checklist card was made available at the time providing details of the National Domestic Violence Helpline. With Government statistics showing that 77% of all murders involving a woman occur within the home environment, the TfL campaign could be a useful tool in the fight to reduce violence against women. Lastly, and without wishing to sound like a cabbie trying to capitalise on tragedy and fear or provide a solution that in an ideal world wouldn’t be even contemplated – maybe there’s an opportunity for an app to provide priority taxi services for lone female passengers – even if it was just at night?

I want to be part of the solutionUltimately, the taxi industry can only be a small cog in the enormous wheel of change, which requires a change in attitudes, behaviours and perceptions. This of course will not happen overnight, or even in a generation. So, in the interim, we, not only as an industry, but as fathers, husbands, mothers and wives, have to reflect on what we can do to be part of the solution. It’s sad to say, but the appallingly tragic case of this young woman’s death could end up becoming the United Kingdom's #metoo moment. n TAXI

“…without wishing to sound like a cabbie trying to capitalise on tragedy and fear or provide a solution that in an ideal world wouldn’t be even contemplated – maybe there’s an opportunity for an app to provide priority taxi services for lone female passengers – even if it was just at night?”


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In a chronicle written from a place that many of us may be right now, Al talks ‘loss’ and ‘polarisation’ as he mentally prepares to return to work in a ‘post-COVID-19’ London.

Peeling Back the Lockdown Layers

Over the years, I’ve managed to carve out, a much-appreciated niche in the taxi trade press,

as a writer of (mostly) humorous articles, but after being under siege to the coronavirus for over a year, my humour is wearing a bit thin. Newspaper reports and TV headlines have reduced my fingernails to cuticular stumps: thank goodness my arthritic state allows me to bend over far enough to tie my shoelaces, but not far enough to nibble on my toes. Seriously, though, the loss of my brother-in-law, Michael to covid recently, really took the wind out of my sails. He was, so we all thought, immortal.

Character & charismaA good-looking guy, he’d been a ‘top notch’ ladies-hairdresser – in the style of Warren Beatty in the film ‘Shampoo,’ with a character and charisma to match. He’d acquired a genuinely permanent tan, models on either arm, and a little black book replete with ‘A’ list clients. ‘Hedonism’ was his haven, but he didn’t figure out when to stop. Lockdown, self-isolation, quarantine, may have been anathema to his socialising lifestyle, but it was a proven life saver – if it had been put into practice. It wasn’t! And one ‘outing’ too many, invaded his vulnerability and took him from us. His lifestyle and mine couldn’t have been further apart, but his death well and truly shook me.

LifecyclesExcuse me if I borrow the taxi industry for a couple of paragraphs and liken Michael’s life to the cycle of the cab trade. On good days, the cab trade and its operators are cheerful, convivial, vibrant, friendly and just a wee bit flash. On our day, outlandishly cavalier in our skills, luxuriating in our integral part of London’s history and its gruff ‘je ne sais quoi’ – and rather like my brother-in-law, Michael – smilingly raffish. Two centuries ago, he’d have been labelled a ‘dandy’ and similarly in 2019, we were supremely confident

in the knowledge that the taxi trade had London in the palm of its hand.

Return to work apprehensionsThat old, deliberately jokey proverb, ‘the world is our lobster,’ may have applied to London’s cab trade in the past, but what’s it gonna be like once the pandemic restrictions have been lifted and it’s ‘business as usual’, whatever that means, post coronavirus. I’m an old geezer and I’m looking forward to going back to driving a cab; but what can I expect? For a start, dozens of roads in the centre of London have been closed or made one way. Am I going to have to face the Knowledge all over

again? And ‘whilst our backs were turned’ speed limits and other restrictions have been introduced.

PolarisedI feel I’ll be missing out on a whole range of cabbing ‘usuals’ as ‘new’ cab Apps, or should I say ‘old’ cab Apps, are being re-structured and upgraded to reflect the public’s desire for ‘electric-only’ taxis. Some streets are also now dedicated to electric cabs – albeit only at specific times. So, unless at the age of 78, I invest in an electric sherbet, my ‘business as usual’ is going to be limited to the very periphery of the trade’s ‘raison d’étre’. I’m being penalised for my seniority. Is that classified as ‘ageism’? But that’s just the tip of the taxi trade iceberg.

Superfluous With so many cabs having been taken off the road by The Mayor of London’s cull of twelve-year-old droshkies, for someone like myself, who rents a cab at the lowest end of the hire chain, I’ll be lucky, if at all, to rent a cab at an economically viable price – as hundreds of perfectly good, workable cabs, are left gently rusting in suburban fields and on old warehouse sites. Only

the other morning, two mechanics from the garage I rent my cab from, turned up (they’d previously called to say they were going to do so) outside our front door, and the white cab which I’d been carefully cherishing for the past few months in the hope of getting back into it when the ‘all clear’ was sounded, was driven off to suffer the fate of London’s burgeoning, superfluous fleet. According to a report in the cab trade press, taxi drivers have currently invested approximately one hundred million pounds on the new electric taxi and there are now over 2,000 LEVC vehicles plying for trade on London’s roads.

IntransigenceOne of the things I’m really looking forward to doing when I get back on the road, is driving, unfettered, along Bishopsgate and Gracechurch Street to London Bridge. However, it looks as though the City and TfL are set on a course of intransigence. By ignoring the High Court’s ruling that Bishopsgate has been unlawfully closed, and blatantly failing to quash any restrictions they had imposed against London’s taxis via the A10 Streetspace scheme. I’d like to be a ‘fly on the wall’ when our General Secretary, drops one of his powerfully effective ‘lines’ to the Mayor and TfL, insisting that they accept the letter of the law and let us through, as Senior High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Lang ordered. And wasn’t it TfL themselves who asserted… that taxis ‘fulfil demands that cannot be met by the bus, train or tube.’ So, what are they waiting for?

Down but not outWhilst I’m not sure what the Mayor and TfL are waiting for – I know what I am… Vaccine dose number two should be available for booking any time soon!

I’m hopeful to be able to afford to rent another cab and I’ve put a request in. I’ve got a health furlough from TfL until Feb 2022 which gives me time to get my medical tests sorted (that proved impossible to get done during the pandemic) and ‘by hook or by crook’ I’ll be out there again in a droshky soon. Who knows, maybe with a little more mojo and having some words with an injection of humour. For those older cabbies out there, who can empathise with this article – be kind to yourselves… n TAXI

Columnist | Al Fresco

Cabbie chronicles

“I’m an old geezer and I’m looking forward to going back to driving a cab; but what can I expect?”


19

Tom PoulsonI joined the LTDA when I first got my badge and it turned out to be the best thing I ever did. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances I ended up getting my licence revoked by TfL. I turned to John Luckhurst, one of the LTDA’s legal eagles, for assistance. John went to great lengths to prepare a detailed appeal against TfL’s decision and briefed a brilliant barrister to represent me in court. The appeal was successful and saved my livelihood. LTDA subscriptions are only four quid a week, which is less than a pint, and three pounds can be claimed against tax. I can’t believe that every cabbie in town is not a member.

Paul BaxterI was filled with confidence the very first time I contacted the LTDA’s legal team and as it turned out, I certainly wasn’t disappointed. They did a great job in sorting out my problem with TfL. They’ve got to be the best in the business!

“FOUR times more likely than the NATIONAL average to get an acquittal”

“LTDA subscriptions cost less than four quid a week”

John Luckhurst Senior Partner

Charlotte ColletSolicitor Advocate

Farouk MerdjaneI was involved in an accident whilst driving my cab in Shepherd’s Bush. I wasn’t too worried about it because I was confident that it wasn’t my fault and the insurance would sort it out. A short while later I received a summons for driving without due care and attention. I had no witnesses to help me, but the other driver had produced “independent” witnesses out of thin air! I quickly contacted the LTDA’s legal department and they immediately visited the scene of the incident and arranged for professional photographs to be recorded. I later appeared before magistrates at Lavender Hill Court, where the LTDA barrister tied the witnesses up in knots and demonstrated they could not have seen what they said they had. Thank you, LTDA legal department; you gave me an excellent service.

Driving a taxi for many hours of the day in one of the world’s most congested cities is a challenging task. Cabbies often fall victim to complaints and false accusations from police, passengers and other road users (especially cyclists and PHV drivers). When these events arise it’s

comforting for LTDA members to know that they have the immediate support of the best specialist in-house legal team in the business. The success rate of the LTDA Legal Team is second to none. In fact, according to Criminal Justice Statistics, LTDA members defended by our team are FOUR times more likely than the national average to be acquitted of allegations made against them.

Meet the LTDA legal team

Ken Jackson

The LTDA’s solicitors and support team, could not have been more helpful when I first informed them that an allegation had been made against me. The LTDA was quick to check all the CCTV cameras in the area and arrange for plans of the location to be drawn up. Witness statements were also obtained and Mr Demidecki was successful in getting the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the case against me. Thanks LTDA - an all-round brilliant service!


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Service with a Smile

It’s no secret to any readers of this column that I love my TXE. I have had almost zero problems with it and the few

‘glitches’ I have had were sorted rapidly, so my visits to LEVC dealers have been almost non-existent. This was far from the case with every other cab I have ever owned. In fact with one TX4, I was convinced I was going to the staff Christmas party at Brewery Road, I spent so much time up there, I was practically one of the team.

A few weeks ago, I received a letter telling me the cab needed a safety check on the panoramic roof and I needed to book it in to be inspected. As it transpired, I was due an MOT anyway and not far away from a service, so I thought I would get all three done in one go. I

Column | Joe the TXE

called Ascotts in Rotherhithe, only to be told they were doing all TXE servicing at a new site in Dartford, so I booked to go there.

I had a slight problem finding it, probably more me than anything else, as it’s only a few minutes from the A2, M25 and the Dartford crossing, making it very convenient for cabbies who live South East out into Kent and East into Essex. Pulling up outside it’s very impressive. There is a big car park

that it was in for an MOT, a small service and the roof check. Yep, two and a half hours they confirmed. I was then directed into a nice waiting room to sit (socially distanced) from another half a dozen cabbies, drinking free tea and coffee and watching old episodes of Minder on the TV. Just over two hours later I was called through to a clean, modern and fantastically equipped workshop. I signed a few bits, paid and went back outside to find the cab ready and waiting. There is no comparison between this experience and any other garage or railway arch I have stood in over the past few decades. I actually felt like a valued customer and not an annoyance or interruption to their day! The cab trade has come firmly into the 21st Century, first with the ZEC taxi and now with the servicing. I cannot recommend it enough! n TAXI

with lots of cabs and the new vans for sale. Inside it is big, clean and unlike anything this trade has ever seen. It just looks so professional. Two receptionists greeted me in tandem with “Good morning how can we help?” I almost ran out thinking I had come into a posh car dealership by mistake!

They ran through why I was there, and told me the cab would be ready in two and half hours. I was confused and so repeated

“The cab trade has come firmly into the 21st Century, first with the ZEC taxi and now with the servicing.”

Electric dreams


21


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National Price Hike Day

Columnist | Emma Lunn

If you think the cost of everything seems to go up every April, don’t worry – it’s not your imagination.

Council taxMost households will see their council tax bills rise from April, with two thirds of local authorities set to increase rates by the maximum amount of 5%. Some people will be paying annual council tax bills of more than £2,000 for the first time from April.

How much your bill will rise depends on where you live and which council tax band your home falls into – you can check rates on your local council’s website.

Vehicle excise dutyThe government is upping vehicle excise

duty (VED) rates or ‘road tax’ for cars, vans and motorcycles in line with

inflation from 1st April.VED will remain at £0 for electric

cars and will stay the same for the least polluting vehicles. But for petrol and diesel cars, the tax will

rise to £155 a year.If you have a new ‘premium’ car

costing over £40,000, VED will rise to £335 a year for the first five years of

ownership.

Money matters

NHS prescriptionsUnless you’re exempt because you are claiming certain benefits or suffer from certain conditions, you have to pay for NHS prescriptions.

From April, the NHS prescription charge in England (the rules are different in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) will increase from £9.15 to £9.35 per item.

Pre-payment certificates (PPC) can reduce the price of prescriptions – but the cost of these is rising too. The cost of a three-month PPC will go up from £29.65 to £30.25, while a 12-month PPC will go up from £105.90 to £108.10.

Dubbed ‘National Price Hike Day’, 1st April is the day many companies and organisations hike their prices. Many of these prices rises are linked to inflation – but others are simple profiteering. Here’s what’s changing this year…

Mobile phone and broadband tariffsMost mobile phone networks put their prices up in line with inflation – this price rise might apply even if you are still in contract. O2, Three and Vodafone mobile customers will all see their bills go up from April.

The same applies for broadband providers. BT and Sky are both imposing inflation-linked price hikes – they are writing to customers to explain how the price rises affect their particular contract. Virgin Media has already put up its prices from 1st March.

TV licenceYou need a TV licence if you watch or record TV programmes on live TV, stream programmes on services such as ITV Hub, All 4 or Amazon Prime Video, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies to devices such as laptops and tablets too – not just television sets.

The TV licence fee will rise from £157.50 to £159 from April. Anyone who is blind or severely sight impaired gets a 50% discount, meaning that from 1st April their TV licence will cost £79.50, up from £78.75 a year.

The good newsHowever, it’s not all bad news. Some benefits also go up from April.The state pension will rise by 2.5%, bringing it to a maximum of £179.60 a week for people claiming the ‘new’ state pension.Low wage workers will get a 2.2% increase, with the National Living Wage rising to £8.91 an hour.Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will go up from £95.85 to £96.35 a week.The rate of pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay is also increasing from £151.20 to £151.97 a week from next month.The amount you can earn before having to pay income tax – the ‘personal allowance’ – is rising from £12,500 to £12,570 on 6th April. The starting point for 40% taxpayers will jump from £50,000 to £50,271.


24

“…show me a driver who doesn’t make mistakes, and I’ll show you a pork pie merchant.”

Part of my role as a Knowledge Examiner was to investigate complaints against

taxi drivers made by the public. Examiners would give their expert opinion on ‘devious routes’, then send the paperwork upstairs for consideration. Typical for TfL we never heard the final outcome after we’d added our two penn’orth, but it was clear that in many instances drivers had made honest mistakes. In some cases, drivers had clearly acted badly; commonly reacting to a customer questioning the route taken. Some complaints were vexatious, made by the type of person who likes to complain. I’d say around 50% of complaints were open to interpretation with no charge to answer.

Accents & errors…I never had any official complaints against me, but show me a driver who doesn’t make mistakes, and I’ll show you a pork pie merchant. One evening, I set off for Mornington Crescent, only for my lady to tell me she wanted Warrington Crescent as we entered Camden Town. Even worse was when a man asked for New Kent Road, then fell asleep. At Elephant and Castle, I woke him up and asked exactly where he wanted. To my horror he said he wanted New King’s Road. Arrgh!

Eventually, I learned to listen carefully to my passengers. I also learned to attune myself to different accents. There’s a particular way an Arabic-speaker will pronounce Edgware Road, or how a French person asks for St Giles Hotel. An elderly Chinese lady asked me for “Lipool Row”. Thankfully she added “Islington”, which helped identify Liverpool Road as her destination.

An American couple asked me to take them to “Reubens”. From Haymarket I ran a nice route up through Marylebone and picked the correct road for a right turn into Baker Street (before it was two-way). I was inwardly congratulating myself for delivering my customers swiftly to London’s celebrated kosher restaurant when the man asked where the hotel was. The penny dropped, as did my face: Oh, the Rubens Hotel…

Passenger awarenessMore than once in my long cab-driving career I’ve missed the turning for a Heathrow hotel and have ended up lost in Buckinghamshire. Twice I’ve ended up in the car park at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, and once at Heathrow too (I can’t remember which terminal – I’m sure they keep changing them). I dropped off my last customer of the day at Victoria Coach Station on Elizabeth Street. My man paid me off and I heard the door close. As I pulled away, thinking of home, an old lady’s voice in the back asked me for the Hilton Olympia. It’s a good job she said something, as my next scheduled stop was the northern suburbs of Northampton.

Some mistakes are enshrined in folklore. Like the driver who took a man six miles out to Tooting Common. In an American accent, he’d asked the driver for the

to a different pump. To my horror I realised I’d been pumping petrol into a diesel engine. That cost a lot of time and money to put right.

Saving the best to last, and a story related to me by my examiner colleague, Jonathan Harvey. It’s at least third hand and I’ve no idea how true it is. The story goes like this… An American couple check-out of a Central London hotel and make for the cab rank. The hotel linkman tells the driver to head for Harwich where the couple are booked on a cruise. With pound signs spinning in his eyes, and without confirming the destination with the couple, the driver sets off for the Essex coast. On arrival at Harwich the driver asked the couple what quay they needed. The quay didn’t exist at Harwich. It was at Southampton.

Ackrill’s advice…I have two pieces of advice to offer. One is to always repeat back the destination before driving off. The second is always admit your mistakes, even if you just miss a road and add 100 yards on the journey. Many customers don’t expect such honesty, and they’ll invariably reward you for it. n TAXI

EASY RUNHemmingford Arms –

Queen’s Larder

HARD RUNMudchute Station – Lea

Valley Riding Centre

Columnist | Chris Ackrill

When Things Go Wrong

Tutankhamun exhibition, which was on at the British Museum.

The next one sounds like a comedy set piece, but I’m sure similar things have actually happened. A driver traps a nice fare to Heathrow, but he’s low on fuel. With the passenger’s permission he stops for diesel on the drive out. He quickly fills up, then resumes the journey. On arrival at Heathrow, the cab is full of luggage, but no passenger! The passenger didn’t tell the driver when he went to use the toilet facilities back in Hammersmith. The driver saw the luggage piled up in the back through his rear-view mirror but neglected to check that his passenger was present when he drove off.

Keep calmMost of my mistakes have been caused by getting flustered. Sometimes though, I’ve made mistakes through general ‘wallyness’. When I was living in Northampton, I used to stop every morning at the same fuel station. One day my usual pump was out of service, so I spun the cab around

On the road

Com’mutton’cationUltimately, most complaints come from a lack of communication. This is understandable when you’re straining to hear a person’s voice above the rumble of a noisy diesel engine, with the soundtrack of London going on outside. I don’t know what the modern electric cabs are like, but a late 1980s FX4 was very noisy. There was no intercom, and by law you could only open the sliding partition four and a half inches. Many drivers removed the wooden restraining block to open the partition fully. It was the only way you could hear someone.


25

– What sets those with ‘The Knowledge’ apart from the rest?

What does it mean to be a professional in 2020? When does an occupation or a job become professionalised? What makes those with ‘The Knowledge’ different from other “… suppliers of transportation services…?”

A brief background search produces suggestions as to what the make-up of a ‘professional activity’ might involve. Modern definitions include notions of ‘accountability; integrity; competency; knowledge and qualifications’ - deprive a Knowledge Boy or Girl of a 4G network and these skills would still exist, though some other ‘suppliers of transportation services’ might well struggle!

Some of the key ingredients of ‘professionalism’ involve:

‘The deployment of formal certified learning’Can other ‘suppliers of transportation services’ really claim to be engaged in doing this? Possibly, though that might depend on the depth and quality of learning involved in order to be accredited. In what world can those that pass ‘The Knowledge’ be compared to the learning involved to obtain other road-based transportation service operator licenses?

‘A professional owns the power, skills and freedom to problem solve.’ It’s pretty certain that an individual having the means to purchase and blindly follow a mobile device with a sat-nav app doesn’t meet this threshold. ‘Knowledge Boys & Girls’ have in-built ‘chips and processors’ that deploy real knowledge, in real time. Out on the roads, real professionalism isn’t dependent on the battery life of a mobile device or if that device knows that the football kicked off late or is going to penalties - which will impact on both journey time and route choice.

‘A professional possesses the ability to make decisions in the best interests of others.’We know that this level of responsibility is based on the use of specific, localised, operational expertise - rather than hoping a digital device can

provide an AA graded Knowledge rating of a route selection in line with traffic conditions, whilst ensuring a disabled passenger arrives at the entrance to their hotel which has suitable wheelchair access and porter assistance.

Those who possess ‘The Knowledge’ and have responded to the strength of the calling to the highest standards of the profession don’t just know the optimum route within an ever-changing landscape, they know its history too. If the formation of a professional identity is also about ‘providing a specialised service to society,’ those professionals with the ability to share that learning with their passengers are actually, inter-generational custodians of present-day and historical London knowledge. Black cab drivers are trusted ‘old school influencers’ in relation to the sites, attractions, facilities, services and cultural traditions of the capital – including being ambassadors of a historic trade, which is known as the best taxi service in the world.

All this, whilst transporting passengers in the most direct and safest manner, in accordance with codes, ethics and the standards of a professional community of operators.

Those with ‘The Knowledge’ have often picked up and are moving before a passenger has informed them of their destination – professionals are not sat around backing up traffic, typing postcodes into gadgets, in the hope a device can professionalise their practice and make them what they are not.

When people are lost - a professional finds them and gets them where they need to go. When they are too tired to go on - a professional takes the reins and when they are late for what’s important to them, professional road craft and knowledge get them to their destination safely and quickly.

So how are those with ‘The Knowledge’ valued and whose responsibility should it be to promote the identities and activities of such professionals, in turn separating them from other “suppliers of transportation services…?”

You are professionals. We know it.

Let’s ensure everybody else knows it and values it too.

‘The Professionals’

n The LTDA are here to represent, protect and ensure recognition of the professional practice, identity and standards of our members.


26

5 May 2020 |||| TAXI 27@TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk

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27

Brain twister |

Puzzlerpage

So you know every street and every run between two points in London? Let’s now see how your knowledge stands up to these brain twisters...

All puzzles © Puzzler Media Ltd - www.puzzler.com

All answers to puzzler on p30

Crossword1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

9 10

11 12

13

14 15 16

17

18 19 20 21

22

23 24

25 26

ACROSS 1 Device for gauging energy consumption (3,5) 5 Visit (4) 9 Measures of land equivalent to 4840 square yards

each (5) 10 ___ Twenties, Jazz Age (7) 11 Camper’sshelter(4) 12 Attractive personal allure (8) 14 Regardless (6) 15 Repeat from memory (6) 18 Pause from playing (4,4) 20 Pre‑owned (4) 23 Emotional bond (7) 24 Fish with a large net (5) 25 Army position (4) 26 Pleasing equality of balance (8)

DOWN 1 Huge person (5) 2 Gristly (7) 3 Alleviate (4) 4 Coarse, bawdy (6) 6 Pseudonym (5) 7 Passenger’ssuitcases(7) 8 Rollers cover (7) 13 Wild pig with large tusks (7) 14 Beau (7) 16 Processed to allow quick preparation (7) 17 Risqué (6) 19 Mature (5) 21 Linger, loiter (5) 22 Component of a list (4)

SudokuHave a go at this medium level Sudoku puzzle. Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9 just once.

9 44 9 2 5

8 31 8 5 35 6 1 98 9 6 7

5 83 2 4 17 5

LetterboxComplete the grid so that four words read across and a different four words read downwards using only the letters in the given word.

I PI LS T

A N

PEDESTAL

Complete the grid so that four words read across and adi�erent four words read downwards using only the lettersin the given word.

IK

SNL

EERA

ET

ET

MATERIAL A

Set square Place each of the digits 1 to 9 in the grid to make the sums work. We’ve started you with two numbers.


28


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CABS WANTEDl All de-commissioned good quality TX4s wanted. Instant decision, cash paid. We come

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01727 739 196


29

Exclusive | Taxi CharityExclusive | Taxi Charity

“The most important part of photography is to experiment and have fun. We all find the levels we are happy at and if something doesn’t work out – delete and start again.”

Photography and Me by Dick Goodwin

Equipment

My kit generally comprises of a couple of camera bodies which, as you get to know them, you find handle the light, the bright spots and the shadows differently. Any additional effects can also be added during post-production using the manufacturer’s software once the images are downloaded on to your screen, although there are many cameras now that let you do this on the camera itself.n For indoor portraits I prefer to use prime lenses and have a range in all of the portrait fixed focal lengths, which are traditionally 50mm, 85mm and 105mm. The early versions of these lenses, which are optically excellent, can often be purchased relatively cheaply now from the larger camera stores and online outlets. A prime lens, depending on the model, will often have a wider maximum aperture than a zoom lens, which is also an advantage in low light situations.n A zoom lens, preferably in the 80-200mm range is an absolute must however for photography at events and ceremonies both inside and out. At these events your position in relation to the natural light can also be critical and a telephoto zoom gives you the ability to move around and photograph the event from a number of different positions as it progresses but don’t upset the organisers by darting all over the

Having always been interested in military history and being brought up on black

and white WWII films in the sixties, later when I became interested in photography it seemed only right to start to capture the real men and women I’d seen portrayed in these films. Whilst working in Central London in the nineties there were always military and veteran events taking place and I began to see the wealth of material available for me to photograph.

As my dad was in 7th Field Regiment RA, one of the first artillery units to land on SWORD Beach on D-Day, when the commemorations for the 50th anniversary were announced

in 1994, I wanted to go over to Normandy, be part of the commemorations and photograph the veterans – especially the Royal Artillery men. It was during this trip that I started to make the initial connections with veterans that have lasted for many years. Major Peter Watson MC of the Black Watch and PFC Bill Galbraith of the 101st Airborne who had travelled over from California to attend the ceremonies where amongst the first veterans to allow me to start this new chapter in my life.

These elderly men and women are great personalities with their characters and life stories revealed in their wonderful, expressive faces.

Whilst we all loved film, both black and white and colour transparencies, as technology progresses digital cameras afford you so much flexibility when it comes to taking the images. Sensors and software are superb at managing the changing light and a motor-drive gives you the optional number of frames instantly should you need them.

This method is useful if I’m present when a veteran is being introduced to a member of the Royal Family. There is the initial moment of shyness and respect and then the jokes and banter appear. It is great to be able to take the best image from a dozen or so you have shot without having to worry about running out of film. Guessing what might happen next and trying to keep one step ahead is all part of the game. I do try

to avoid flash indoors if there are other options available.

When you start to talk to these men and women about their lives, where they were born and where they grew up, what job were they doing when they were called up, you find they love to open up and chat away. Did they volunteer or lie about their age at the Recruiting Office and how much did their mum scream when they told her they’d joined up? This information builds a picture of the person you are photographing, helps them relax and hopefully leads to you capturing some great images. The most important part of photography is to experiment and have fun. We all find the levels we are happy at and if something doesn’t work out – delete and start again.

During a trip to Normandy for the 60th anniversary in 2004 a chance meeting with a friend led me to stumble upon the Taxi Charity and I was asked by the then chairman if I would take photographs at their events for them. Two years later, I was invited onto the committee as a Vice President. This has enabled me to have the best possible access to so many remarkable veterans for the last seventeen years and to practice my photography in some wonderful locations and venues. The quality of my models has been superb, and I would like to thank them all for allowing me into their lives and to capture their images.Dick Goodwin LBIPP, LRPS. n TAXI

place during the formalities.n Depending on the camera program selected which are usually a choice of: ‘Manual – Aperture priority – Shutter priority or Program’, I always aim for a shutter speed of 1/500th to get a really sharp image but will let this drop if on Aperture priority and it is a case of chancing it or missing the shot. For inside portraits I will go minimum of one step higher than the focal length of the lens I’m using so if using a 105mm lens I will use a shutter speed of at least 1/125th or higher depending on the light available.n Preferring fast lenses, I will use as wider aperture as possible and down to f.2.8 or even f.2 if I can get away with it. At these apertures the focusing is critical but the effect of blurring the background can create a wonderful image by isolating your subject in sharp focus, useful if the background might not be up to much or too distracting! The old saying is ‘Select your background before choosing your foreground’. Usually though, the further away you are from the subject it is advisable to increase the aperture to f.5.6 or higher in case you end up with an out of focus shot altogether.n Since memory cards have increased in capacity and decreased in price over the years, I always shoot in RAW as this gives huge scope to work with the image, which later can be converted to .jpeg.


30

Columnist | Musher Meg

u A1 Taxis, Melody Lane, Highbury, N5u Abacus Accounts, Southbrook Road,

Lee, SE12u Astral Café, Regency Place, SW1u Bubbles Car Wash, E2u C & S Taxis, Dunbridge Street, E2u Cabsurance, Seven Kingsu Camberfield Taxi Servicesu Computer Cab, Mitre Way, W12u Coney Allen, Dunbridge Street, E1u CP Beehive Service Station,

Beehive Lane, Gants Hillu Cricklewood Carriers, Cricklewoodu Dial A Cab, City Road, N1u Edgware Station Ranku Euston Station Ranku G & L Taxis, Crayford Road, N7u Globe Transmissions,

Cudworth Street, E1u The Ham, Brentfordu Heathrow Airport Canteenu Hexagon Garage, Lukin Street, E1u Jet Garage, Clipstone Street, W1u Knowledge Centre, Caledonian Roadu KPM, Hemming Street, E1u London City Airport Canteenu LP Motors, Dunbridge Street, E2u Martin Cordell, Thomas Road, E14u Paddington Station Ranku Putney Bridge Taxis, The Arches,

Putney Bridge Station, SW6u Richmond Road Taxi Centre, E8u Safewise Supermarket, Harrowu South Bank Service Station,

Great Suffolk Street, SE1u TAXI HOUSE, Great Suffolk Street, SE1u Taxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd, SE1u Temple Place Shelteru Turbo Accessories, Three Colts Lane, E2u Ubiquitous Ltd, E1u Waterloo Stationu Wimbledon Station Ranku WizAnn Knowledge School,

Watts Grove, E3

A selection of our numerous Distribution PointsLTDA

vaccinated in Westminster Abbey. Nice, I thought. But not nice according to her. She planned to stay home and write a long letter to Boris Johnson instead. In her letter she was going to accuse Boris of thinking she must be stupid. She was going to set him straight on that; and inform him she was very clever indeed. This fare told me she had come top of her class in algebra three terms running in her first year at secondary school. And she has a BTEC with a distinction in Cake Icing. She was even going to chuck in there that she has attended the university of life now for five plus decades and BLUSH – that she had ‘lived and loved a lot’. I’m thinking Boris, or more likely one of his secretaries, would either be fascinated by her potted

Mr Meg and I had our jabs three weeks ago. We arrived at Lewisham Hospital

and joined a vaccination queue that was even jollier than the one to get into the Bruce Springsteen Concert in Wembley Stadium a few years back. The lady who jabbed me started to read a list of possible side effects and I told her, “Save yourself three minutes, my dear – just stick it in!” My main side effect was euphoria – seeing family and friends and getting back to work all came a step closer. Yahooo!

A Lady of Letters…Not everyone is feeling the joy of the jab, though. I had a woman in the back of my cab last week who told me she had recently been invited to go along and get

life history and educational CV, or be thinking… when are you getting to the point, love?

Microchips & more dungThe point, according to this genius lady, is that the vaccine exists to microchip her and give the UK government (make that international governments) access to her bank accounts, Nectar Points and Tesco Clubcard information. And that is not all. The gospel according to my fare is that the coronavirus vaccine is going to render her

infertile. Gal to gal I remarked that it was Mother Nature that had made her, and I, not able to have more babies.

She snapped back

30 TAXI |||| www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA30 June 2020

◆ A1 Taxis, Melody Lane, Highbury, N5◆ Abacus Accounts, Southbrook Road,

Lee, SE12◆ Astral Café, Regency Place, SW1◆ Bubbles Car Wash, E2◆ C & S Taxis, Dunbridge Street, E2◆ Cabsurance, Seven Kings◆ Camber� eld Taxi Services◆ Computer Cab, Mitre Way, W12◆ Coney Allen, Dunbridge Street, E1◆ CP Beehive Service Station,

Beehive Lane, Gants Hill◆ Cricklewood Carriers, Cricklewood◆ Dial A Cab, City Road, N1◆ Edgware Station Rank◆ Euston Station Rank◆ G & L Taxis, Crayford Road, N7◆ Globe Transmissions,

Cudworth Street, E1◆ The Ham, Brentford◆ Heathrow Airport Canteen◆ Hexagon Garage, Lukin Street, E1◆ Jet Garage, Clipstone Street, W1◆ Knowledge Centre, Caledonian Road◆ KPM, Hemming Street, E1◆ London City Airport Canteen◆ LP Motors, Dunbridge Street, E2◆ Martin Cordell, E3 and Stanmore◆ Paddington Station Rank◆ Putney Bridge Taxis, The Arches,

Putney Bridge Station, SW6◆ Richmond Road Taxi Centre, E8◆ Safewise Supermarket, Harrow◆ South Bank Service Station,

Great Su� olk Street, SE1◆ TAXI HOUSE, W9◆ Taxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd, SE1◆ Temple Place Shelter◆ Turbo Accessories, Three Colts Lane, E2◆ Ubiquitous Ltd, E1◆ Waterloo Station◆ Wimbledon Station Rank◆ WizAnn Knowledge School,

Watts Grove, E3

A selection of our numerous Distribution PointsLTDA

Published by LTDATaxi House 11 Wood� eld Road,London W9 2BAT: 020 7286 1046 | www.ltda.co.uk

@TheLTDA

Managing EditorNick Hartop E: [email protected]

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ELECTRIC DREAMS

Lockdown blues seem to be getting to everyone and since my last column I have had lots of drivers

asking, via the editor, how I managed to secure the work, and now school runs that I have.

Adversity to RoutinePre Covid, the one thing that I never wanted was a regular job, I know some cabbies have always strived to get regular jobs and pre book airport rides etc, but for my style of irregular hours and days it never appealed. The attraction to me of cabbing was being able to come and go as I pleased, switch my hours about and have the odd lay-in on a workday.

How times have changed - and so have I. When it fi rst happened, I had a simple fl yer drawn up, with a picture of my TXE and a few bullet points, fi xed fares, safe travel, air conditioned, fully partitioned, sanitised after every trip etc. I then started putting them through doors

JOE THE TXE

“I would suggest, printing a � yer and going door to door has to be worth a punt? Sitting in front of daytime TV and worrying won’t solve it.”

NEW NORMAL LOOKING MORE LOCAL FOR JOE

within a few streets. I then had the fl yer done professionally and 5000 printed for less than £200 and I ventured further and further afi eld advertising across my little bit of suburbia. The fi rst two bites were two regular City and return jobs, one of which I still do, and then I started getting doctor, hospital and supermarket runs and eventually a contract with my local medical centre.

Popping Home for LunchI have single handed almost put the local

minicab offi ce out of business, to the point where they asked me to work for them fulfi lling small business contracts. By the time they asked, I didn’t need them - a few weeks earlier and I might have had a dilemma on my hands!

Customers love the cab, everyone appreciates the clean credentials and comments on how I am always jumping out, cleaning the cab and helping with fetching and carrying, with gloves, hand gel and a mask. Moneywise, I am now earning almost what I was in

town, I am doing more hours but its all local and I am popping home for lunch between jobs, charging the cab and spending a lot of time hanging around waiting. It never rains but it pours is the saying and whilst some afternoons I have nothing, other days I have 4 jobs at the same time and I now have two local TXE owning cabbies helping me cover these occasions.

Three Roads to SuccessI put this small success down to three things: my idea and efforts to try and source local work, my TXE and accepting lower fares (but more of them), all paid on my contactless reader.

It does not look like London will return to anything like normal for a long time, I would suggest, depending on where you live, that printing the fl yer and going door to door has to be worth a punt? Sitting in front of daytime TV and worrying won’t solve it. If nothing else, the hours of walking I put in on my leafl et campaign got me a bit fi tter, has to be worth a try? ◆

PUZZLER ANSWERS

Crossword

G A S M E T E R C A L LI T A A H L UA C R E S R O A R I N GN I E T I A GT E N T C H A R I S M A

G W Y N GA N Y W A Y R E C I T ED R S T NM A R K T I M E U S E DI I H U I T AR A P P O R T T R A W LE E G T E N LR A N K S Y M M E T R Y

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“Save yourself three minutes, my dear – just stick it in!”

A woman of wordsthat I have been brainwashed by Bill Gates. Oh, and that the vaccine was made from horse dung and how did I like that? Then she whispered that a woman in Illinois had developed Werewolf characteristics after her first jab…

(But I’m alright noooow)This did make me pause for thought and glance in my mirror. Was my chin hairier than before the jab, I wondered… could she be on to something? Long red nails and one long eyebrow, instead of two, are common werewolf characteristics. My heart started to beat faster… until I remembered I’ve not had my eyebrows threaded for a year because of lockdown and I gave myself a shoddy manicure with red nail varnish last weekend.

I’m not a werewolf and I am vaccinated. n TAXI

Jab Happy!

M A K EA R E AT I E RT A L L

www.ltda.co.uk@TheLTDA

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Former PM hit with familiar accusations of undue influence

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