2011 - Dial-a-Cab

Dial-a-Cab Annual Report 2011During the forthcoming year we will commence the fitting of your new terminals and unlikethe competition, these terminals have not been purchased from stock but designed andbuilt in the UK to Dial-a-Cab specifications. The alternative, like most things these dayswas to have the terminals built in China, however, we were very keen to maintain serviceand build in the UK and this did not come at a cost as our UK supplier compared extremelyfavourably with the Chinese equivalent. Your vehicles will also be fitted with a Pin EntryDevice (PED), which not only has the ‘chip and pin’ but also ‘contactless’.In the back office and unseen by members, we will commence using our new accountingsystem in April 2012. Once again this system has been designed in-house by our ITdepartment, it will offer together with our new ‘front end’ despatching system, again built‘in-house’ the ability to hard and soft copy clients their invoices without going through a thirdparty, thereby making a considerable cost saving for your Society.In the past year we have seen the emergence of several telephone applications (Apps)designed for the taxi industry. They all state they will win work back from the mini-cabindustry, which can only be applauded. However, it appears they wish to win the workback on cost, which will be borne by the taxi driver, it is a scenario they will not achieve.It is unreasonable to expect a driver to pass work on the street to offer a service to the clientwithout a run-in, then wait five minutes free of charge and then take 10% of the fare fromthe taxi driver. It is clear people from outside our industry, that may have funds available,have constructed this strategy but it is clear they do not understand the workings of aLondon Taxi Driver.In addition, the largest Private Hire Company in London has purchased probably thesecond largest in London, thereby allowing them to have at their disposal as many vehiclesas two of our taxi radio circuits combined. I also believe their Chairman’s ambition will notrest there as he will in my opinion, seek to go Nationwide.Consequently, the forthcoming year will be extremely challenging as outside organisationsseek to obtain our business, members, staff and the BoM will have to remain vigilant andfocussed in an attempt to maintain our business. Although challenging, the forthcomingyear will also be extremely busy and exciting with all the new features and innovations wehave planned.Finally, I would like to thank all members, staff and the BoM for their support during adifficult year. That support will be tested even further during the forthcoming financial year.Brian Rice7