Over six thousand Digitax customers successfully had their taximeters upgraded to the new 2009 tariff over the weekend of April 4&5 at the Millwall Football Club. Digitax started the upgrade process at 00:01hrs Saturday morning and worked throughout until 08:00hrs Saturday with a steady stream of night driver’s cabs being processed by the meter technicians who made sure everything went like clockwork. Day drivers had the opportunity of getting their meters upgraded on the Sunday, when the site was open from 08:00hrs until 15:00hrs. The weather was perfect over the weekend, unlike last year when snow came down and it was bitterly cold. Drivers had the opportunity to grab a hot drink and a bite to eat from the snack wagon, which was onsite for the duration. Mann & Overton took the opportunity to give drivers a chance to look over a TX4 taxi and take advantage of the latest price and finance offers available, with several sales being made.

A consultation is underway to get views on allowing Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) into the parks. The Royal Parks Regulations currently prohibit any vehicle that is “constructed, adapted or in use as a trade vehicle” from entering the Royal Parks unless they have express permission to do so, or legitimate business in the Parks. The only exception is for Hackney carriages (“black cabs”) licensed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), and this is on the grounds that they provide a service for visitors. However, as Private Hire Vehicles in London are now also licensed by the PCO a consultation is under way to amend the regulations and allow them into the Parks on the same terms as are already allowed for black cabs. This change if it goes ahead is intended to benefit potential visitors – including the disabled who receive subsidised travel in PHVs – without making a significant difference to the volume of traffic in the Parks. Prior to the introduction of the licensing regime, PHVs had been largely indistinguishable from private vehicles, which made it difficult for to enforce. Enforcement is now much easier as PHV’s are more distinguishable. If you have a view on Private hire entering the Royal Parks you can send your comments to: Consultation@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Or write to: Consultation – Regulations Review, The Royal Parks,

The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Closing date for comments is 1 May 2009.

Owner-driver Jas Shergill in Coventry has taken delivery of his new Vito Taxi from local Coventry dealer Gerard Mann Commercials, which is now supporting the new vehicles. Jas, who has been a taxi driver for seven years, says: “I was impressed by the superb manoeuvrability and fuel economy of the Vito, along with its modern styling and the enormous amount of space and comfort it offers to passengers and drivers alike. The fact that Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for quality and reliability that is second-to-none, which is an added bonus.”

The Mercedes-Benz Vito taxi has created more than 50 jobs in Coventry as well as safeguarding many others. Two Coventry companies are also playing a key role in its success story. They are one80, which has designed and developed the Vito Taxi, and Penso, which has been contracted to assemble vehicles at its state-of-the-art production plant. Penso employs 72 people, 50 of whom have been taken on within the last year and are assigned specifically to turning out the new Mercedes. Its factory is now working flat out, while the Vito Taxi’s launch has also safeguarded many other jobs at parts suppliers across the West Midlands.

The research and development work undertaken by one80 is key to the vehicle’s popularity. The company’s technicians designed and engineered an innovative steering rear axle that makes the Vito every bit as manoeuvrable as the LTI black cab with the famous 25ft turning circle. “We’re delighted with the success of the Mercedes Vito and it’s particularly pleasing now to have sold our first vehicle in Coventry,” declares Roy McMaster, Head of Sales & Marketing at one80. “Not only is this city a key market for taxis, it also remains the home of the UK’s motor manufacturing industry.”

Acknowledging the fact that the LTI taxi is also manufactured in Coventry, Mr McMaster continues: “One of the criticisms I’ve heard is that this German taxi is coming along and doing a British company out of jobs. Well, we’re a British company ourselves and we’ve brought new jobs to Coventry, as well as putting new business the way of numerous suppliers across the region.”

The Vito Taxi is currently being ‘rolled out’ across the UK, via a network of specially trained suppliers, based on the existing Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer network – Gerard Mann Commercials is among the first of these.

Image Caption: Jas Shergill took delivery of his new Mercedes Vito Taxi from Gerard Mann Van Sales Manager Eddie Humphries, left, and Roy McMaster of One80

Dear Editor

After a number of years as Secretary of the LCDC and latterly as its legal representative, many will know me for the help and advice I have given with all manner of problems and difficulties including parking tickets, public complaints, police summonses and appeals against possible revocation or suspension of licence at the PCO.
I have felt that the time was ripe to move to new pastures. The trade needs a new voice and I believe that with the formation of the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union) London taxi branch that progress can be made in the many areas of concern that face us. A new broom sweeps clean and this is a wonderful opportunity to ditch vested interests and the cult of personality and put driver first.
The current trade organisations have tried to face up to the various issues but have not projected a united front until recently with the Trafalgar Square demo. Ranks for private hire vehicles are only one of the issues and the trade needs to consider where it goes with the tariff and other working conditions and practises. The RMT has shown itself to be a strong voice in the representation of its members even if this has led to disruptive action. Our demo was itself a disruptive action and so far to date it appears that no further progress has been made.
For my own part I have joined the new organisation and I urge unaffiliated drivers and those seeking change to participate as well to create a Union where the taxi trade membership can create its own agenda with the resources of a Union with nearly 80’000 members throughout the UK to ensure the long term future of the cab trade in London.
Rest assured that the RMT will bring strong representation, legal cover and many other benefits to the working cab driver. The current recession is hitting the whole of the labour market. Therefore it is important that the whole issue of touting by private hire, penalty charge notices issued with malice by local councils are all addressed to protect our income and our livelihoods. The time has come for the trade to put its footdown. I believe that the RMT with sufficient support from drivers can be the new voice of the trade. For a membership application look out for the RMT man on the station ranks or call the membership help line on 0800 376 3706 and ask them to send you an application form. Tell them you’re a London Cabbie.

Stan Marut (Former Secretary and Legal Representative of the LCDC)

Martin Low, Westminster City Council Transport supremo is either very stupid or, as I suspect, a very intelligent and devious man who thinks we in taxi trade are very stupid. First he tells us that the Whitcomb Street minicab rank is not a rank but a pick-up and drop off point and gets the PCO to agree with him, mind you its not to difficult to get them to go against the cab trade. Now he plans to give pedicabs bays and some sort of legitimacy by signing them up to a code of conduct, again with the blessing of the PCO and tells us that it is for our benefit as it will keep the streets of Westminster clear for us. Well thank you Mr Low, we are very obliged to you, but with respect may I point out how very wrong you are and that we are not as stupid as you and the PCO believe we are.

PARK AND HIDE

After Martin Low was mauled on the radio over the Whitcomb Street minicab rank and had to admit that West1 cars were actually ranking up and hanging it up in the surrounding streets. So he came up with a cunning plan, ‘Park and Hide’. Low has hidden the cars in the Whitcomb Street multi-storey car park in the good old tradition of ‘Out of Sight Out Of Mind’. But, what Low forgets is even though the cars are ranked in a Westminster City car park it is open to the public, the minicabs are still illegal. The Law plainly states that if vehicles are available for hire on public or private property that is accessible to the public then that is illegal. The Leicester Square car park in Whitcomb Street is owned by Westminster City Council and open to the public and Mr Low is allowing West1 to rank their cars there free of charge at the Westminster ratepayer’s expense. So not only are the cars available for hire via the Ticket Booth but also very handy for those who park their cars and want a £20 minicab ride to Mama Mia.

As reported in this papers last issue, West One Cars who are a part of the City Sprint group set up a new company and website called West1, now why would they go to all that expense in this financial climate for a one off operation in Leicester Square? Could this be just the start of a string of minicab ranks planed throughout Westminster? I have a suspicion Martin Low and the PCO know all about it, if I am wrong and, and I hope I am, then, perhaps Mr Low and his co-conspirators at the PCO will prove it to the trade.  

LOW-DOWN PEDICABS

Martin Low now plans to reward the pedicab pests with nice bays to rest up in between touting excursions in return for them signing up to a voluntary code of conduct, once again in conjunction with the PCO. As yet we are not told where these pedicab bays will be sited but I can give them a great place; the fast lane of the M4. Does Martin Low really believe that the pedicab riders will sit quietly on their ranks waiting for work and give up openly touting on the streets of Westminster? This is just legalising pedicabs on the cheap and through the back door and once the operators and riders of these death traps think they have bogus legality they will become even more arrogant and prolific. None of us want confrontation but Martin Low seems intent on pushing the cab trade into a fight to save our lawful work. Low states that pedicabs have no vehicle registration numbers to use if or when the council want to take enforcement action by issuing Penalty Charge Notices when pedicab riders contravene parking and moving traffic controls. Well Mr Low neither did the Hot Dog and Burger peddlers who infested Westminster have vehicle registration numbers on their Burger stalls but you eradicated them by crushing the stalls and destroying the food, easy wasn’t it! 

WHERE THERE’S A WILL

When Livingstone was Mayor Almighty he gave himself more powers than God and behaved like one, but that’s another story, so I can’t believe that there’s not some sort of instrument in the Mayors executive powers to ban pedicabs, but there seems to be no will to do so. We have to ask why pedicab riders are openly aloud to tout in every sense of the word that is illegal. Pedicabs openly ply for trade on the street without a trading licence, surely that’s illegal. Pedicab riders form unlawful assembles outside theatres, surely that’s illegal, they must break every Health and Safety law so why is there no will to act? The LTDA proved that pedicabs are unsafe to be used by the public as the Road Transport Research Laboratory refused to allow their vehicle testers to get in the death traps let alone test them.

Why do the PCO think the only way tackle the pedicab problem is have them classified as Hackney Carriages, that is an insult to the taxi trade to have them classed the same as licensed London taxis. The PCO never classified minicabs as Hackney Carriages when they licensed them. If the Public Carriage Office/Transport for London/The Mayor really wants to license pedicabs then they should do it now without delay.

The pedicabs should be tested for public safety and plated with a license for a maximum of 2 passengers who should be compelled to ware head protectors. Pedicabs should be charged a similar test fee to Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles, which will give SGS a few bob to make up for the defunct midyear test. The pedicab riders should have an enhanced CRB check and an assurance should be given that they are legally entitled to work in the UK as they often transport minors and lone women in their death traps. Their license fee should be similar to a PHV driver. The riders should be compelled to wear crash helmets and high visibility jackets with their license number displayed on an armband. It really is this simple. So, why is there no will to act? There must be a reason. A hidden agenda perhaps?

GOGO BOJO

Boris Johnson is a mayor who is true to his word; he pledged to get tough on touts, he gave us One Tout and Your Out. (Although the PCO got it wrong where to direct the Mayors policy and have been forced to make an apology to taxi drivers, you should have received your letter by now) He pledged to get rid of the unnecessary Mid-Year Inspection, which is now history. He pledged to beef up TOCU to fight on street touting, he has delivered on that. Boris cut out the excessive spending and time wasters of the Livingstone regime at City Hall, he also cleared out and gave back some respectability to The London Development Agency. Now he needs to turn his attention to the Public Carriage Office that seems to be operating in the same old Livingstone way of empire building. I have never known such a small agency with so many people with so many titles; every other person is a manager of something pointless. The Mayor urgently needs to investigate the way the PCO are dishing out Private Hire driver licenses without obtaining an enhanced CRB check. It is outrageous that a person can enter this country and be issued with a PH license without a full check on his character because he has not resided here for 3 years. TfL urge women to only use minicabs from a PCO licensed operator but these lone women are given false security and placed in danger as the licensed driver of that licensed minicab could be a convicted rapist in his homeland.  A perfect example of the danger posed by the PCO’s lack of security was highlighted by Ken Burns of the LCDC who reported in the Badge newspaper about a minicab tout who was arrested at Heathrow. The tout was a PCO licensed Private Hire driver who was also an illegal alien from Afghanistan who had no right to be in the UK let alone licensed to driver a minicab that had been given clearance to work airside and park next to aircraft. What if this guy had been a Taliban fanatic just waiting for a chance to wreak havoc, would the PCO have been held responsible?  Boris should insist that any person wishing to obtain a Private Hire license must be domicile in the UK for at least 5 years so a full CRB record can be produced, the public have a right be protected and the PCO have duty of care to the public.

A REMINDER

Mary Dowdye is Head of Standards & Regulations at the PCO; you may not know her as she keeps a low profile and doesn’t mix with the taxi trade that often. Mary recently issued a PCO notice warning us of a number of recent thefts from licensed taxis near to Marylebone Station at Harewood Avenue, Hayes Place, and Baker Street. Mary gives us some good advice such as:  Be vigilant and remove property and cash bags from the vehicle, items hidden under seats and badges in glove boxes have been taken, as well as property such as mobile phones left openly on display, and a reminder to remove the sat-nav: think to remove the cradle too. It shows a thief there may be a sat-nav inside the car

Notice the word car! Well that proves we are all the same to Mary Dowdye and most of the other managers at the PCO.  She should know better as she has a close relative who is a licensed taxi driver. Mind you she did look stunning in her ball gown at the Private Hire Dinner and Dance I hope she wears it at the Taxi Driver of the Year Dinner and Dance, nah that would mean mixing with taxi drivers wouldn’t it.

Be Lucky John-Paul Pace

If you pick up a fare who asks to be dropped of at the local Irish pub, at least your LTI taxi is British. But for many people they drive their German/Spanish/French cars and enjoy an Irish pub where they will drink a Belgian beer or Australian wine, then travelling home, grab an Indian curry, a Chinese takeaway or a Turkish kebab on, then sit on Swedish furniture and watch an American show on a Japanese TV.

But what is the most “British” thing of all?  Suspicion of all things foreign!

Only in Britain can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.

Only in Britain do supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the back of the shop to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front

Only in Britain do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries and a DIET cola

Only in Britain do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters

Only in Britain do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on the drive and lock our junk and cheap lawn mower in the garage

Only in Britain do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won’t miss a call from someone we didn’t want to talk to in the first place

Only in Britain are there disabled parking places in front of a skating rink

Every year Brits die doing some unusual things – 3 Brits die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their tongue! 142 Brits were injured in 1999 by not removing all pins from new shirts. 58 Brits are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers. 31 Brits have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in. 19 Brits have died in the last 3 years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate. British Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after Xmas cracker-pulling accidents. 18 Brits had serious burns in 2000 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth. A massive 543 Brits were admitted to A&E in the last two years after trying to open bottles of beer with their teeth. 5 Brits were injured last year in accidents involving out-of-control Scalextric cars.

And finally…in 2000 eight Brits were admitted to hospital with fractured skulls incurred whilst throwing up into the toilet.

Makes you proud to be British.

Across Europe, new tyre standards are to be introduced to make them quieter, safer and more fuel efficient. The European Parliament voted for the new regulations, which will come into force in 2012. Environmentalists say regulations could have huge benefits but argue they should be brought in sooner. Michelin says the time is needed to carry out research, as tyre design is a “highly complex” process. Motorists are also set to be given greater choice by the introduction of a new labelling system giving them more information on each tyre’s road-grip, fuel-efficiency and noise level.

Tyre labels with performance and eco-information could mark a change in the way people buy their car tyres. It will give motorists a much greater level of information than they’ve enjoyed before and allow them to make more informed decisions. Labelling will arm customers with more knowledge and lead to greater competition between tyre brands, which can only be good news for the consumer. Accordingly retailers will be forced to change their approach and widen the range of tyres they make available for sale.

Well, time to wake up ladies and gentlemen because this trade is in trouble. For far too long we have sat back and allowed those who govern or manage this industry a free reign in the hope and maybe past knowledge that everything would be ok because those kind civil servants loved a cheeky, slightly over opinionated cabby. Those days are well and truly over and it is time for this industry to pull its socks up and get real. Let us take stock where we are as a trade, we have three main driver organisations, sorry, four, the RMT have just set up a branch, three radio circuits (all booking car services), a vehicle manufacturer who may need to seek a bailout like the rest of the automotive industry, a new vehicle that looks ok but is still well overpriced, plus a licensing authority interpreting the 1998 private hire act in such a fashion that we now have lines of illegally ranked mini-cabs parked outside nearly every venue in London. Now just to put the gloom into doom or the icing on the cake we have a recession and if you thought I forgot the cherry well you were mistaken there is a bill before parliament which is seeking to create a voluntary registration scheme for pedicabs/rickshaws which will include parking (ranking) bays.

Now the recession was always going to reduce our incomes and this was always going to have a adverse effect on the balance sheet of LTI’s parent company Manganese Bronze, however more worrying is the actions of the licensing authority for they have greatly reduced the amount of night work available to taxi-cab drivers and this again will compound the sad state of affairs at LTI by reducing further driver income and therefore the opportunity to purchase or rent a new taxi-cab. Now to make matters worse at the beginning of one of the worse recessions most of us will ever see we have legislation passing through parliament which wishes to create a registration scheme for pedicabs/rickshaws to do the work of London taxi-cabs. If clause 34, sections 2-9 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London (no.2) Bill makes it through parliament you and I will be sitting behind a pedicab/rickshaw very soon.

Now I am still just about on the side of this present Mayor Boris Johnson, for this latest bill before parliament was placed and designed under Livingstone’s watch but I would like this present Mayor to maybe consider the impact that the policies of transport for London and this bill will have on our standard of living, for I will not sit back and watch my industry torn apart by people with other political motives. The time is fast approaching for Ltcpr to get into the mix and ensure we the working taxi-cab driver gets his or her slice of the cake, we maybe be small in numbers right now but we are growing by the day and our voice is far and wide and certainly louder with a clearer concise message than most, we shall never give up the struggle and will always seek to improve the working conditions of the London taxi-cab driver, others sit at tables and stay silent when then should be speaking out on your behalf ask yourself and maybe your association why.

Now we have just had one of the most successful trade demonstrations since the seventies yet it took nearly two weeks to attend talks afterwards because of the actions of one group (and before you even say it, it wasn’t the LCDC delaying talks), but did we actually need talks or a demonstration surely if we are right and justice is to prevail we should seek judicial review of the actions of Transport for London, for mini-cabs are ranking up all over capital and the enforcement/compliance team does not exist in large enough numbers to control the illegal practices of mini-cabs within the capital. This problem will not go away and we at Ltcpr will continue to bring pressure on those in authority until the law of this land is enacted in a sensible but firm fashion.

Hopefully over the next couple of months most of you will meet me on a rank or maybe even at a meeting, you may even have heard me on the Big George show on BBC London 94.9 fm or you can log onto www.ltcpr.blogspot.com and come join the internet revolution…Ltcpr “a different approach”.

John Kennedy is the founder of London taxi-cab public relations.

Editor: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily that of the editor or publisher.

By JOHN KENNEDY

The united trade demo on February 5th proved the depth and strength of unity running through our world famous iconic taxi service at this moment in time. As thousands of drivers joined the protest, the traffic quickly queued and Central London soon became grid-locked. However, the protest was peaceful and proved that it is possible to make our voice heard without any pushing, shoving or need for police intervention.

Perhaps some of the main-stream media missed the exact point of our demo; perhaps they just don’t understand our industry. Or was it that our PR was not that good?  Reports said the black cab trade were annoyed because the minicabs are stealing their work; The Times said: “Hundreds of black cabs caused grid-lock in Central London as they protested against what they see as the encroachment of minicabs. The taxi drivers, who are also worried about a 30 per cent drop in customers because of the recession, blockaded Trafalgar Square, The Mall, Downing Street and the Strand to show their anger at a new scheme that promotes their minicab rivals.” But this is not the whole picture. We are tired of TfL’s constant attempts to put minicabs on the same level as the cab trade. The two industries are different; yes both are providing a service to passengers, but the long journey through The Knowledge to become a licensed taxi driver is the proof that our trade is different. Why try to blur the edges? And it is not just the cab trade who feel this way. John Griffin, Chairman of Addison Lee was heard on LBC radio, when he said: “Plying for hire is the sole preserve of the Taxi trade and must remain so, initiatives that seek to undermine this premise should be resisted.” Whilst readers may feel that Mr Griffin has a vested interest in saying this, he is a well known “face” within the ph industry and surely the PCO should listen to his viewpoint as well as the cab trade’s view.

The marshalled scheme in Whitcomb Street is being heralded as popular with passengers.  The minicabs still gather at the bus bay in Whitcomb Street from Thursdays through to Saturdays between 21.00 and 04.00. The travelling public are not interested in trade politics, be it cab trade or minicab trade, they just want to get home at night. Few will understand why this is such a big issue. That is until someone runs into problems with an insurance claim when they use a vehicle that may be licensed but that is carrying someone who has been touted by a minicab driver. Whilst the respectable part of the licensed minicab trade continue to campaign against those within their own trade who do tout, the public need more awareness of the dangers they put themselves in.

ONE TOUT AND YOU’RE OUT
The letter sent out by the PCO to both cab drivers and minicab drivers with the “ONE TOUT AND YOU’RE OUT” message is viewed by the majority within the cab trade as an insult. Yet another example of the PCO trying to merge the two trades without considering the impact the letter would have. Now those in office at the PCO, right through TfL, up to the Mayor’s office at City Hall must be aware of the strength of feeling in the cab trade. Let’s hope some action follows, but in the opinion of our editorial team here at TaxiCab News, don’t hold your breath while you wait.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
After the demo, Steve McNamara from the LTDA, told TaxiCab News: “Thursday’s ‘Enough is Enough’ protest by an estimated 8,000 taxis was the largest demonstration ever held by the London taxi trade and possibly by taxi drivers anywhere in the world. If anyone at the Public Carriage Office still fails to realise the resentment caused by their letter threatening taxi drivers with ‘ONE STRIKE AND YOU’RE OUT’ when the Mayor clearly intended his policy to be aimed at minicab drivers, they are living in a cave. This blatant corruption of the Mayor’s intentions, along with the PCO’s casual attitude to the licensing and enforcement of the Private Hire legislation, has united our industry like never before and forced us into taking militant action to defend our livelihoods. I hope that our grievances and concerns will now be constructively addressed before we are compelled into taking further and more militant actions.” 

Martin Low, Director of Transportation at Westminster Council, has told taxi drivers : “We would welcome ideas from black cab drivers on how to increase their availability in the West End, particularly in the early hours of the morning when the clubs close.” (You might want to contact him at Westminster City Council, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6P). Ed Thomspon, Director of Taxi & Private Hire at the PCO, said: “Thursday’s taxi protest caused serious disruption in central London, inconveniencing thousands of Londoners just trying to go about their business.  The protest is based on mis-information being given out by certain trade bodies, who have refused to meet with the Public Carriage Office (PCO).  Whitcomb Street is not a private hire rank – we have not and we will not introduce private hire ranks in London.  Private hire vehicles must always be booked through a licensed operator.

“It would have been so much more helpful to have spent Thursday afternoon discussing the issues facing the taxi trade and trying to come up with positive ways to help taxi drivers deal with the economic downturn.  Our door remains open and we are, as ever, ready to talk any issues through.”

Let TaxiCab News know your thoughts and feelings on the demo and the issues surrounding it. Should our trade hold more demos? Or should discussions take place with Martin Low and the PCO?

The message was clear on Thursday February 5th, 8000 drivers spoke clearly to the PCO and Westminster City Council. More demos are planned if they do not listen.

On 7th December 2008 the cab trade lost one of its nicest drivers and a true gent. John Haselton, known by all as Sabu, who was aged 79 sadly passed away.  Sabu had held a clean Cab Licence for 45 years and was one of the old Pont Street faces; you could almost say a ‘fixture’!  In his years of driving a cab there wasn’t a shelter in London he didn’t use.  He loved telling and listening to the stories of shelter life, the wind- up and atmosphere.  When someone was off sick he was always first to start a ‘list’ for them and you would hear his famous war cry “Don’t forget, we got a chick fell out of the nest”. Which meant you had to put your hand in your pocket before leaving !! Sabu and Betty were often seen on the War Disabled and Children’s outings and he particularly loved the Christmas party held for the children at the Grosvenor House by the London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children.  Sabu was a good friend of the late great Jack Taylor and they are both probably exchanging stories at this very moment! His family requested that instead of flowers, a collection should be made and given to the London Taxidrivers’ Fund for Underprivileged children and a sum of £380.60 was subsequently raised and given to the LTFUC by Sabu’s son David Haselton, who is also a licensed taxi driver.   We thank him most sincerely and we are sure that Sabu would have greatly approved of this kind gesture. The Hon. President, Hon. Chairman and committee of the LTFUC, along with all in the cab trade, send sincere condolences to David and all the family. 

Raymond Levy  (Press Officer – LTFUC)