Com Cab Sold Off Lock Stock and Barrel to Minicab Firm City Fleet Networks.

ComfortDelGro’s  51 per cent-owned subsidiary, CityFleet Networks, 
has acquired 600,000 fully paid ordinary shares of the UK-based Computer Cab (ComCab) for £3.055 million. Pursuant to the acquisition, CFN’s stake in ComCab has risen from 80 per cent to 100 per cent. 
At this purchase price, ComCab, London’s largest radio taxi network with a total fleet of about 6,200 taxis and private hires, is valued at £15.3 million. 
We estimate the profit contribution from ComCab to be around $2-3 million per year. With the raising of stake by 20 per cent, we think the incremental contribution is negligible at $0.5-0.8 million per year. 
– DMG & Partners Research


So we make that £340 should be payed by the LTDA to each of its alleged 9000 members, if shared out fairly.

Don't forget it was money from thew LTDA members that started up London Wide Taxis, later to become Com Cab.


Will the drivers who each stumped up £1300 when the circuit changed from voice to Mobistar get their money back?


Or will the LTDA use this £3.055M windfall to help the trade as a whole seeing as how so many of us have been in the LTDA and on Com Cab in the past?


Will we see the LTDA pay for the "Traffic Management Orders" currently lacking in Westminster, so we can get our ranks back from the Minicabs and rickshaws that infest them every night? 

Or perhaps will the LTDA start up a Licensed Taxi only radio circuit seeing as we currently don't have such a thing in London? 


Still we are looking forward to the announcement from W9 openly telling members exactly what they intend to do with the shareholders new windfall.

Harmonisation on the South Coast and the Return of the Slasher ....by Thomas the Taxi.

It seems London is not on its own dealing with forced harmonisation. Over the Easter weekend I visited Bournemouth, on the south coast, where Taxi drivers work side by side with private hire.

Speaking to the drivers on one of the towns busiest ranks, it seems they are quite happy to work along side the competition.
I was told their system is virtually the same as London's, where PH drivers can only pick up pre arranged jobs and under no circumstances for hire.


One of the main reasons this system works is, ENFORCEMENT.
Through the vigilance of local enforcement officers, there is virtually no touting from the PH drivers. I tried a couple of times to get myself touted, just to test their system but on all occasions, I was directed towards the local Taxi ranks. 


At first glance I thought PH vehicles were working on the ranks alongside Hackney drivers, as the radio circuit stickers on some of their doors pronounced "private hire". But it transpires a few of the towns Taxi drivers work for PH radio circuits which is allowed. 


The Licensed Taxi drivers are allowed to join PH circuits (a slightly cheaper service but with more work) as long as they apply for a private hire license. 
Apparently dual licensing is common in areas outside London.


In Bournemouth, Taxi drivers are allowed to drive an assortment of different vehicles which usually have a distinctive yellow livery, except it would seem, a few TX4's! 
It appeared drivers who have invested in late model TX4's, have kept the black livery with the Town's coat of arms on the front doors. Coloured TX models were not seen. 


The system probably works well here, due to the fact their knowledge qualification takes months and not years. 
So it isn't such a life changing decision, deciding to become a "Licensed Taxi driver" in Bournemouth.


I spoke to one driver who told me, by having a dual license it keeps most of the work within the reach of licensed Hackney drivers. 
He said there wasn't much call for PH drivers as touting is strictly enforced and kept to a minimum. So locals and tourist generally stick to proper Taxis.


The return of the slasher!

The biggest problem in Bournemouth at present, is the return of a phantom tyre-slasher, who on Saturday night,  managed to slash 14 Taxi's tyre's.
In 2004, a disgruntled cyclist slashed 1,728 vehicle tyre's after being soaked by a motorist (Click Here for full story). He was eventually caught through the brilliant work by the local police plus the use of CCTV footage and  jailed for 16 months.


Incidents of a copy-cat slasher re-appeared in 2006, 2008, 2009 and again Easter weekend
This time the unknown perpetrator appears to be targeting Licensed Taxi's.


Their other major problem, is the fact the local airport authority has recently introduced a charge of £2.50 just to drop passengers at Bournemouth airport. 
A charge to pick up passengers was introduced around the same time as London's Heathrow and is legally added to the fare in the form of extras. However, drivers dropping at the airport are not allowed to put the drop off charge on the extras and so cannot legally reclaim from their passengers. 


When this new charge was first introduced, drivers took to dropping passengers away from the terminal, but after complains from passengers, police officers were stations around the airport and now issued tickets to anyone caught dropping in un-authorised zones.
It doesn't matter whereabouts you live in Britain, everyone seems to want a slice of our takings.


Dual licensing an answer in the outer sectors? 

Perhaps this system of dual licensing could be adapted to solve our problems in the suburbs. Licensed YB drivers could perhaps, start their own PH radio circuits. Private Hire (you may well ask), Yes PH, because then they could apply for satellite office licenses and hang up outside Hotels, clubs and bars. This would soak up some of the current excess of drivers and would negate the need for lines of touts outside the venues in suburbia. Perhaps eventually these yellow badged drivers could replace the scabs.

The instances of serious sexual assault should then drop as predators would be discouraged from illegally ranking outside venues. 

But success is hampered again, by the lack of enforcement, which is the real problem that keeps the touts infesting the streets all over London.

With thanks to Collin who contacted about an error contained in the original article.

John Mason to Consider Licensed Application Limit....By Thomas the Taxi.

Announced on the front page of the LTDA's Taxi paper, John Mason is to consider putting a temporary hold on applications for Yellow badges. 

In the light of the recent unsubstantiated assault on yellow badges by the LCDC and the prospect of every licensed Taxi driver YB/GB soon to be forced to display ID stickers, should this statement be taken as a threat or a promise?
If a promise, should it then be taken in the same vein as the "One strike and your out" promise?


The Anderson Shelters own Wongo writes:


We need to go back a bit here.

1. The Yellow Badge exists because Green Badge Drivers did not service the work in the suburbs.
2. There used to be active small radio circuits that ComCab (LTDA) bought out and deliberately lost all the cash work so the Taxicard could be serviced  (and in the process sold the suburban radio premisses to unlicensed mini cab company).
3. The shortage of work in the suburbs will NOT be solved by this move, what the YB Trade need to do is WIN back the work lost to PHV. It could destroy even more if not carefully managed.
4. Once someone uses a minicab and gets a reasonable service, THEY (PH) will come in to central and take them back to wherever. So that's another loss to the GB and YB trade. That's why we need to keep all the work!
5. I would say that any TfL action would not stand a challenge as it's a legal right to apply.
6. Usual desperate tosh from Woodfield Road, defeat dressed as victory! Have they not endorsed the minicab rank at Kingston, with the minicab's being marshaled by an ex LTDA exec. member just like O2.

All that said, it's a difficult issue to resolve, my own view is:

The YB should be 'wound down' and only the GB offered. Existing YB's can go onto 28's if they want to do the GB, if they put in a poor appearance then back to 56. If they do not want to do the GB then they should get no mercy if caught 'offside;' out of sector.

The licensing authority should promote taxi use as part of integrated public transport!


Editorial Comment:
It is our belief that the problems in London, central and suburban, have been caused by the over-issuing of Private Hire licenses, in a bid to raise revenue by TfL. £140m for bikes, £56m for cable car.
The answer (IMHO) would be;

1. Stop issuing PH licenses
2. Enforce the one strike and your out program, as promised. 
3. Scrap satellite operating centres. 
4. Stop PH vehicles ranking (illegally) outside venues.
5. Scrap marshaled PH ranks in the suburbs.
6. Stop PH parking on Licensed Taxi ranks
7. Stop putting lives at risk by giving the accounts for venerable passenger to unchecked minicab firms.Give the Taxicard account back to Wheelchair accessible Licensed Taxis
8. Enforce the law properly, not just when it suits TfL.

#TfLshame
Private hire in London is awash with sexual predators and terrorist activists. The CRB checks system if flawed and licensing administration is in a complete mess.

TfL are not fit to be a Licensing authority, they are staffed mainly by officers who have come from a bus company background. They have no idea of how our trade works and have proved time and time again incapable of understanding our problems. 

Minicab cigarette 'adbins' in Westminster unlawful....

Westminster Council wants a London minicab firm to remove its sponsored cigarette bins, after a court ruling.

Damaging listed buildings, no planning permission. 

Addison Lee provides 19,000 free 'adbins' bearing its logo outside businesses across the capital.

But a judge decided that 21 of the bins in Westminster were in violation of planning laws, fining Addison Lee and making it pay £20,000 in costs.

Grounds for enforcement

Westminster Council's Robert Davis said after Thursday's ruling at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court that the council will now try to have the rest of the bins removed.

"Our guidelines are in place to prevent Westminster being overrun with excessive adverts," the Conservative councillor said.

"To have buildings in Westminster covered with advertising would ruin the borough's appearance, character and harm amenity.

"Given the court's decision we will now look at grounds for enforcement action on the remainder of their bins."

'Staggering hypocrisy'

Addison Lee chairman John Griffin said that the company had bins in every borough, but that Westminster was the only council to complain.

"Currently Westminster Council provides public litter bins sponsored by Coca-Cola, there are over 250 of these bins in London," he said.

It's believed that pressure must have been put on Westminster City Council to take action against Griffin. He is used to getting his own way when it comes licensing authorities and local councils who seem unwilling to take him on.


#TfLshame
John Griffin's Addison Lee was the first mini cab operator to set up satellite offices (The Hippodrome and Stringfellows to name but two) before it was legally possible to acquire a license to do so.


 His drivers were the first to use the Royal Parks and continued to do so even after a High Court judgement banned them from doing this.

His vehicles were the first to carry identifying livery which he had to remove after complaints were voiced by the Licensed Taxi trade.

When the regulation was changed, his vans carried livery that did not conform with the regulations. His vehicles also had their factory fitted rear wash/wipe arm removed.

The licensed Taxi trade complained on mass and was told by a PCO licensing compliance officer that in fact the conditions of fitness appertaining to Private Hire Vehicles was not a set of laws but a list of guild lines.

Addison Lee was told to replace the wash/wipe arm but arrogantly took the best part of a whole year to comply with this request. 

All the time this was going on, Taxi drivers were having stops put on their taxis for not having the ashtray fitted in the back door of the vehicle that neither driver nor passengers could legally smoke in!

Next John Griffin sends his drivers a letter ordering them to commit the criminal offence of driving in the M4 bus lane (putting both driver and passengers in danger and invalidating the terms of their insurance). Griffin was also filmed by the BBC in one of his vehicles ordering the driver to enter the bus lane.

The PCO have taken no action against this man over this serious breach of conduct.

Griffins drivers now believe they are above the law and routinely park on licensed taxi ranks. Thousands of photos of his vans illegally parked on Taxi ranks have been sent to the LTPH complaints department, so far no action has being taken by LTPH to stop this.

Some time ago Griffin applied to LTPH for a license to run a "Taxi Bike" service. While his request was being considered, his fleet of two motor bikes were issued with a temporary PHV license to operate under private hire regulations.

Not satisfied with this Griffin plastered a bastardised version of the word Taxi on his two wheeled mini-cabs, calling them TAXY BIKES

Allegedly, Addison Lee pay Google, the Internet search engine, to have their adverts at the top of the search list when potential passengers enter the words; London Taxi, Airport Taxi or just Taxi.

By paying for this service it is deemed that they are advertising their services as Taxis.

Griffin was heard to describe his mini cab firm as a "Taxi Empire with 2,500 Taxis" on the TV program secret millionaire.

How much more is the LTPH going to let this man get away with?

What next, advertising on a fleet of TX4's or Vito's, Addison Lee plastered all over the bodywork?

For Hire lights on his vans?

Their own Addison lee ranks at mainline stations?

TfL are not fit for service

The LTPH have shown time and time again that they are not fit for purpose as licensing authority for private hire. They constantly fail to enforce the law and bend over backwards to accommodate dodgy back street mini cab offices. They have done little to clear up the hoards of illegally operating Clipboard Johnnies and it is time that the Department of Transport stepped in. The enforcement arm of the LTPH, the so called STC squad, have done even less and probably should be sent back to walking the beat.
Worse is the new figures (2010) released by the Met for sexual assaults, including rapes, in mini cabs. Shamefully still running at 11-12 a month

The London Licensed Taxi trade and the travelling public deserves better protection than this.

Has Bojo Lets The Cat Out Of The Bag? ...

Why was it announced, on LBC that Addison Lee had won a contract to supply vehicles and use the special lanes at the 2012 Olympics

Not a rumor, a statement from Nick Ferrari on his LBC radio show.
Nick Ferrari said:
"Now this is for the delegates, and I think for some of the competitors as well isn't it?  But well lets name it, it’s Addison Lee.  I think it’s the biggest company probably in the country and they have got the contract to take judges and competitors." 


Boris did not deny this. For a Transcript of the Call, Click here.

The Caller then asked if he picked up a competitor from Paddington Station, would he be able to use the fast track lanes, to which Boris answered 

Boris:

"Ray I think that’s fairly unlikely to happen.  The competitors basically are going to be moved from the Olympic village where they will be staying, to their events or their places of training, with the team and with their coaches. We want to be able to have the Olympic Route Network, which will be much much smaller, let me repeat this, will be much much smaller than the Olympic Route Network was in Beijing."

But Boris failed to come back to the Addison Lee issue. 


One interesting point in this call was that Boris announced 33,000 Licensed Taxis in London. How can we take any of his statistics seriously when he can suddenly add 30% more taxis than there are.

 Why then, did Addison Lee, through their Twitter account, announce straight after the Bojo interview that they hadn’t tendered for or received such a contract?

Can’t think what these two important statements mean....Read on.

Shelter Talk: 

They could never supply the vehicles or the drivers!

It is rumored, Addison Lee are to take deliver of 1200 new Galaxy’s early next year, bringing their total to 3700.

Addi Lee has bought out smaller PH firms in the past. So they have a wealth of man power at their disposal.

Shelter Talk: 

But I thought BMW had the contract to supply the cars.

If BMW are supplying the cars someone has to supply the drivers.

He can and will!

In 2012, when the games are on London will be in Gridlock for best part of the day and most of the evenings as day drivers try to recoup lost income by working longer in to the night. This doesn't just affect Taxis.

There will be many of the 80,000 Ph drivers only too pleased to drive new BMW's in the special lanes.

Allegedly, Boris was put on the spot yesterday and didn't realise the tender hadn't gone in yet.

Their is nothing we can do about this, as it seems by Bojo's statement, it has already been sanctioned by TfL (don't we know some one on that Board?)

What we have to worry about is how this affects us after the Olympics.

The UTG's joint ranks committee and the Surface Transport committee have been in discussion with the affected parties, ie PH and the Licensed Taxi trade, with an eye on implementing what they are calling "Executive Private Hire Ranks". Namely, marshalled private hire Ranks to be used by more upmarket firms such as Addison Lee, West one and Lewis Day. These ranks where cars will be ready for immediate hire, will probably be situated at top end hotels, mainline stations and at week ends beside booths in the West End. It is believed that permits will have to be purchased by the driver to work from these marshaled ranks.

What then, the airport?

Shelter Talk:

They could never take us out of the airport, it will never happen!

Just like private hire licensing, private hire marshaled ranks and private hire liveries, it can happen quite easily and has happened in many provincial airports, Click here for the latest:

I have been mentioning these so called PH golden ranks for sometime now, but no one seems to be taking any notice.

Its just like when I protested over the shared taxi rank space at kings cross bridge. I said it would lead to PH ranking outside venues all over London. I was told by Oddy and others, I was being alarmist!

Whitcomb Street Private Hire Rank: 

The story first broke exclusively on the Anderson Shelter Wednesday, 26^th, November, 2008:  Click Here, was a foot in the water by TfL and Westminster Council to try and judge the response from the Licensed Taxi Trade. The trade united which bought about the mass demo in February 2009.

TfL shook to its foundations and was petrified that the trade could actually come together in this way.

And so, a specialist was bought in to segregate the different faction of the trade and keep them segregated. Thats the story so far!

The only ace we have left up our sleeve, is the Olympic games and TfL are waiting with baited breath to see if we will plan anything.

But do you want to go that far to save your job, your trade, your living.   

TfL Target the Elderly and Infirmed in Budget Cuts Package....By Jason Byrne.

Transport for All was present at the Disability Capital event in London in 2007 when the last Mayor of London, Ken Livingston announced that London Dial-a-Ride was to be made free to members.

Whilst the announcement was welcome, it was hardly on the hotlist of demands for the service. The reality was that the few pounds collected by drivers never paid for the real price of the trip, far from it. The administration cost of the collection was greater than the fares collected.

With Dial-a-Ride free, membership increased slightly, however there was never a huge influx of new members. Membership currently stands at approximately 48,000.

All members – old and new – are still grappling with the same old issues that DAR had been afflicted with for a number years. Problems like waiting time, not getting through to the call centre and not being able to go where you want when you want.

With the new Mayor of London capping DAR’s budget, the increase of funding and resources needed to improve and expand this vital service seem a distant dream. Especially when the new bus for London, cable car and cycle hire scheme are clearly the political priority.

Rather than focus on how the service can be improved for all disabled and older Londoners, Transport for London are rushing through plans to restrict the availability of Dial-a-Ride, by introducing a more stringent assessment process.

Sound Familiar 

Click here to read full article and to see Transport for all's responce to the consultation. 

Albert Hall, A Right Royal Carry On?.... By Thomas the Taxi.

Royal Albert hall (RAH)

Just looked at the Royal Albert Hall website to see whats on!

On the page that tells you how to get there, (Click Here) it says you can catch a taxi outside. But it goes on to say that GoGreenCar is an eco friendly TAXI service, a green alternative to black cabs which they say, offer a great service at competitive prices with their phone no and a link to their website. 

It seems GoGreenCar have friends working at the RAH. 

In my experience there has always a ready supply of "Licensed Taxis" passing this establishment on any given day or event. 
If they feel they must offer an alternative form of transport to big up their green policy, then they should do it within the confines of the law. 


The words TAXI and CAB are protected by law as applicable only to the Licensed Hackney Cab Trade (Black Cabs). To advertise GoGreenCars as a Taxi service is misleading the public and should be reported to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).

It is also illegal for this private hire car firm to have vehicles waiting outside the RAH to become hired. Even with a Satellite Office License cars can only arrive to pick up pre booked jobs. Drivers must have full details before arriving at the pre booked pick up point. 
This is a more serious contravention as it is a criminal offence to tout, which is basically what the drivers of Go Green Cars are doing by waiting outside to be hired. Drivers can be arrested, taken to the police station and DNA samples can be taken.

If like me you feel you would like to complain contact the RAH directly through there website: Albert hall. 


Also lodge your complaint with the ASA: Click Here


Last contact LT&PH. You can fill in the comment box: TfL Complaints


EDITORIAL COMMENT:
After approx two hours of posting this article on the Anderson Shelter, The Royal Albert Hall changed their website content.


We would like to thank the RAH their swift action. London's Licensed Taxi Trade has always had a great relationship with this venue and we hope that this can now continue.


A big thank you to all the drivers who made this campaign successful.

Again we have shown how a small group within the trade, with a specific target can achieve results, without upsetting the general public and receiving bad press in the media.


Keep a look out for more of these "Micro Campaigns" in the near future.
TtT 

Monday Newsround.....by Jason Byrne.

London 2012 Olympic commuters told to change travel habits or face Gridlock 

Londoners have been told to significantly change their travel habits to keep the city moving or face gridlock: click here for full story.

Comment from concerned Taxi Driver: 

And on the radio tfl are saying that public transport will not be able to cope with the numbers of people in London.

Is this the first shot across our bows that something is a foot with private hire and we will not like it one bit, I wish the french had got the Olympics.

John Mason makes announcement about Age restriction exemptions.

We have been advised that we need to consult on the exemptions and expect to start this in early May, making a final decision around July.

Are PCNs at Battersea Rise and Northcote Road. Another TfL rip off?

Motorists have been hit with more than £1million in penalty fines at just one road junction – even though traffic bosses privately admit the road markings on it are somewhat deceptive.

More than 9,000 drivers were fined £120 each after being photographed entering the box junction, but not being able to drive out of it before the traffic lights changed.

Under the Highway Code, motorists must not enter the box until the exit road or lane in front is clear. Read more: 

Fabric; by Givati

Early Sunday morning (4am ish) I pulled up by fabric with my light on and got a good job to Kentish town then onto Holloway and then Stoke Newington

The 3 young women were quoted £90 in a scab cart

I decided to go back and whilst waiting there, a police car pulled up along side me and told me to move!

I asked him why he was not doing the same to the scabs? 
He told me that they were waiting for job. i said that i was also waiting for a job and refused to move. the cop car drove off

There is good work at this club, we should work it.


Clapham Hight Street


As we ALL know the extension limit stops at the Junction of Clapham High Street and Clapham Park Road, so Clapham High Street is 'out of sector' to Yellow Badges with the extension added to their license.

And as we all know of an evening CHS is a scab feast that 1/2 mile is their area they clean up whilst a Que of black cabs remain on the rank away from the High street hidden from view except to the members of the public who have knowledge of the rank.

How has this allowed to have happened?

Lack of service from Black cabs is the main problem, a FEW cabs will work it and maybe a FEW will put their light on when going through, but in the main CHS is under serviced by the vast Majority of Black cabs! 

The answer is to place a night time rank in the MIDDLE of the High street, not tucked away in some side street like the last one off Northcote Road (rank committee hang your head in shame!)

Make sure the rank is serviced and if need be by YBs with the extension!

There is a large fleet of Black Cabs yards away from CHS waiting to clear the place up but are prevented by only one thing, GB objections,

If this CHS situation was in central London there would be an outcry on this and other outlets, demos, drive ins, tag squads the lot but for some reason no one cares! I suspect its because not enough GB drivers are effected by it so its not a 'problem'

If there was ever a recent 'success' story of removing scabs from an area and one that would show anyone evidence of rank placement working, would be the Putney high street rank.

Putney rank was given to YB's at Richmond because of the lack of service at night, CBJ everywhere and scabs 'touting' unhindered.
Now there is a well serviced rank by YBs and the scabs have moved on!
Why wasn't there such an objection to Richmond having Putney as there is to Sutton and Merton having Clapham?
(The YBs didn't even have to study or take any extra appearance to be able to work that rank, unlike the Sutton and Merton drivers!) 

Identification Stickers Delayed by LTPH... By Thomas the Taxi

LTPH have decided to delay the implementation of the controversial Yellow/Green ID badge sticker scheme due to have started towards the end of this month. It is feared that the ID stickers could lead to confrontation of suburban drivers who bring jobs into the center sector, or even come in to pick up pre-booked jobs.
There is also no clear policy about shared taxis ie; GB drivers who share vehicles with YB drivers.


This has come as a disappointment to committee members of the LCDC who would have liked this scheme implemented before their AGM.

Rumours that have been spread in the badge Taxi paper of a flood of suburban drivers working in the city and West End have proved unfounded.

In the November issue of the badge, a story on page 3 announced;

"Forty suburban drivers stopped by C.O.L police over weekend blitz". 


The story, unsigned, was placed next to Helen Chapman's article about badge identifiers and went on to say;


" INFORMATION gleaned by the London Cab Driver’s Club has highlighted the need for identifiers to be brought in to the cab trade. Recently over the course of a weekend, there was a badge and bill check at various points within the square mile. The results were that over forty suburban drivers were found to be plying for hire. 


But after careful checks, these stories have proved to be unfounded.


The Anderson Shelter contacted the COL police and asked for details of any convictions, arrests, pending cases or warnings made in connection with these alleged incidents. As of yet, the COL police have been unable to supply us with any case history relating to this article. 
A further check on-line of court records have failed to find any cases relating to Yellow badges plying/working in the COL over this period.


Below is a request by Tracy Jermy, PA/Caseworker to Tony Arbour JP, Assemblyman for Hounslow, Kingston & Richmond.


Further to my e-mail of 18 February, please find below the answer to your last question. I am so sorry it has taken so long to get the answer to you.

We have checked our records between 14 November 2010 and 08 January 2011, as the data your constituent asks for would not have been collated or stored for most of this period beforehand. Between these dates there were no taxi drivers warned for taxi offences, including plying for hire outside of the licence area.

If the police charge a taxi driver with an offence then this could be dealt with at a number of different courts and the court where the case is heard may be the one in the area where the offence was committed, or it could be one that has the capacity to hear the case. We are not aware of any outstanding court cases at present. Drivers are usually found plying for hire outside of their licence area by the police or by TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire Compliance Officers and often in these situations the incident will be reported to the London Taxi and Private Hire Directorate who will then decide upon the appropriate course of action, which could include issuing a warning or potentially suspending or revoking the driver’s licence.

Although no warnings were issued between 14 November 2010 and 08 January 2011 this is a serious issue and drivers must not ply for hire outside of the area they are licensed for and if they do this any hiring they accept will be illegal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further assistance.


It would seem that certain Club members have had enough of fish-suppers and are turning to pork pies now!

Vito Taxi Recall?

We recently recieved an email from a concerned Com Cab driver, who has had a worrying incident while driving a Mercedes Vito Taxi.
He said;

Dear Anderson shelter, I rent a 58 reg Vito. 

On fri 8/4/11 rws was playing up, went to garage 

rather than KPM, they called KPM, cleaned 

connections on rear axle and reset rws. 

On Sunday 10th pob to airport, going round 

Hogarth round about and rws started to turn, 

I was doing nearly 30 mph. Punter thought we 

hit pot hole as back end kicked out. 

Back to garage on mon, then KPM with owner, 

Andy at KPM took cab to check, 

hour & half later told fuse taken out, 

wheels aligned. 

Due for upgrade 16th may.  

Also problem with ramp, original one fell apart, 

new one stronger. 
I'm a com cab driver 

I have just found out that Mercedes are refitting Vito's with upgraded rear wheel steering.

Details are sketchy at the moment and Mercedes have yet to publicly announce a mass recall.

They are so I'm told, fitting the new improved sealed RWS unit to vitos with the old system, which is prone to engage itself at high speed.

The conversion should take approximately 1 day.

Where and when this will happen, and whether drivers will be given a free loan Vito is still unsure, but this is very good news for drivers who have had problems.
A friend of mine who has 3 Vito,s phoned to complain about one that was playing up and they booked the 3 vehicles in for modification there and then.

Obviously Mercedes care about their customers and their reputation.