A Victory for Common-sense?...

LTPH Director John Mason recently issued this PCO Notice 01/12 Taxi Driver License Checker. (see previous post)


In December 2011, Transport for London arbitrarily decided without any consultation whatsoever with the Taxi trade to make available on their website a section where a driver’s badge number could be entered and the full name of that driver would be disclosed for the world to see.


Coupled with the new, soon to be compulsory Badge Colour Vehicle Identifiers issued to every London Taxi driver which clearly identifies a driver’s badge number and whether they are an All London or Suburban driver.


Naturally a large number of the Taxi trade were concerned that their safety and security was being seriously compromised by this decision because anyone with a modicum of computer knowledge and ability would then have no trouble accessing a driver’s address and personal information about them and their family. The consequences of this information in the hands of somebody with malicious intent doesn’t bear thinking about, and understandably drivers were outraged.


To show how easy it was to obtain this information, UCG Committee Officer Jimmy Thomas using readily available computer software gained personal information of some of the Committee Members of the London Cab Drivers Club, the protagonists behind the identifier scheme, along with photographs of their houses.


After announcing on Twitter that he was in possession of this information he was then contacted by LTPH Deputy Director Helen Chapman, and he explained to her how easy it was to obtain, and what the implications could be if it fell into the wrong hands.


Common-sense Prevails!


Thankfully Helen, who stands head and shoulders above her counterpart John Mason in terms of intelligence, efficiency, and respect for London’s Taxi drivers instantly understood the problem and immediately instructed staff to remove the license checker section on TfL’s website.


The trade sought assurances from LTPH that this section would not re-appear on their website at a later date, but due to none being forthcoming, and rumours abound that John Mason was indeed intending to reinstate it, the RMT’s London Taxi branch instructed their General Secretary Bob Crow to write directly to Mayor Boris Johnson informing him that they were planning to take legal action against Transport for London.


They told the Mayor that they believed this was an infringement of driver’s human rights and also contravened the data protection act.
John Mason and LTPH have often had a blatant disregard for the law of the land and the UCG and the RMT believed that this was just another example of it.


A meeting was then called by Boris Johnson, with John Mason, the LTDA, the LCDC and Unite in attendance, and Mr Mason again arbitrarily announced that he was indeed planning to re-introduce it.
Outrage!


At this point LCDC Chairman Grant Davis launched a strong objection to this and the Mayor, said to be livid with Mr Mason then told him in no uncertain terms that this License Checker section will most definitely NOT be going back up.


Mr Mason, who had to eat humble pie then scurried off back to Palestra with his tail between his legs and a few days later was forced to issue the above PCO Notice 01/12 stating that the whole idea has now been binned.


To everybody's surprise, he did however add the section on the end of the notice claiming that this was all down to the LTDA, who in reality were in favour of this License Checker section and were oblivious to the work that had been done by the UCG’s Jimmy Thomas in getting this taken off of TfL’s website in the first place. Silent Bob strikes again!


You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours!
Questions must now be asked about the cosy relationship Mr Mason has with the LTDA (Licensed Taxi Drivers Association), a Taxi trade organisation that is often accredited by him with the achievements attained by others, and why he feels the need to do this.


On a recent United Cabbies Group recruitment drive at ‘passing out’ day outside Palestra, we were dismayed to see Mr Mason actually handing out the LTDA’s glossy orange bags containing their propaganda.


The photographs below clearly show Mr Mason holding a bag, inspecting it’s contents, then handing it over to a female.


A source close to the hierarchy of the LTDA has also told us that they view Mr Mason as…
“The best recruiting sergeant they have ever had”!

What the hell does John Mason think he’s doing handing out LTDA recruiting paraphernalia. 


Surely the Director of Taxis & Private Hire should be impartial and show no bias to any one Taxi trade organisation over another?


The United Cabbies Group believes that Mr Mason is acting unprofessionally and we have drafted a letter of complaint which will be sent directly to Mayor Boris Johnson.


We will keep you informed as to any response and outcome.


Taken from The UCG website http://ucg-london.co.uk/

from Call sign January 2012

EDITORIAL COMMENT
I was shocked to see the editorial staff and board of DIAL A CAB thought the TfL driver check website (which could lead to drivers safety and that of their family being compromised) was just fine and dandy. They even decided to advertise the web page in the January edition of Call Sign magazine. 


Wonder how Chairman Brian Rice would feel if we published his home address complete with photos of his hanging baskets and home phone number. 


Or how about Alan Fisher, a man I hold in high esteem, and the whole board members details splashed on line for any tom dick and nutter to see. You can also find the details of all persons who reside at an address.


Easily obtained with the right software, even if you have had your name removed from www.192.com and are ex-directory, there are more than one of these sites around, if you know where to look.


Perhaps you should have taken better advice on this issue chaps!


TtT.