JULY 2017

NEWSLETTER No. 30

AC TAXIS STILL THE ONLY HACKNEY

Welcome to our July newsletter

Summer is truly upon us now with a blistering June and hopefully the start of a lovely season.

Our App upgrade is well underway and we would hope to have it launched early August.

Remember the benefits of this upgrade is that we will be able to take credit card bookings through the APP ( something none of the other circuits have the technology to do)

I am aware that many drivers have voiced their concern regarding more credit card/account jobs but unfortunately the reality is that within 5/10 years Physical cash will be a distant memory ban-

ished to the museums with the two way radios.

Our customers are craving this technology and we cannot stand in the way of progress.

With the launch of our upgraded APP we are planning a massive advertising campaign with both leaflets and electronic mail shots coupled with a sustained social media campaign.

WE are advised from other Cordic customers who are successfully promoting their APP that the voucher system which is a feature of the APP if targeted correctly ( with social media competi-

tions ect) will see job counts rocket and effectively these are the jobs that UBER are stealing with their APP.

We intend to market our APP on a daily bases on Facebook, twitter and Instagram.

It will be relentless so please I ask you all to rally to the cause and share all the tweets ect with

as many people as possible.

Voice recognition for messages sent from the call centre to your PDA, you will also be available from early August.

Enjoy the sun and don’t forget

GIVE EVERY CUSTOMER AN APP CARD

Regards John

AC TAXIS STILL THE BIGGEST

SOUTHEND AIRPORT It’s still up, up and away with the airport now recording 260 aircraft movements a week on a regular basis. With the airport already making plans to increase this figure in the very near

future, this is good positive news for AC’s and Southend.

For those of you that take advantage of the airport work, you may have noticed some changes to the level of security and changes to our normal sweeper car pick up point. These changes are

because of the different levels of security that the airport management have to adopt from time to time. This is to protect you and any member of the public from you know who. Also some of the changes regarding dropping off and picking up may become permanent, but in the meantime

please do as requested by the police, airport security or the rank marshal.

We are in constant touch with airport security and we will do our best to keep you all informed of any changes.

AIRPORT SHORT STAY CAR PARK

We are still getting reports that some drivers are not being let in to or out off, the short stay car park. If you experience any problems that continues for a few days (in other words not just a one

off) phone, text, email Tommy and he will sort it for you!

The system to enter the carpark is, pull up to the barrier and take a ticket, this ticket will not show your reg number so no need to go to the ticket machine when you are ready to leave , simply

drive up to the barrier, the camera will scan your number plate and the barrier will open (No need to put your ticket into the exit machine). Any problems you know what to do. Call for Tommy.

GO GREEN A few of our diesel-powered Taxis will soon be chosen to test a Hydrogen Fuel Cell, this new technology will bring any diesel-powered engine within the new emission law that will affect our trade for years to come. Southend with the support of Anything Taxis, has been chosen to carry

out back to back testing of the Hydrogen fuel cell. This new system boasts that it can reduce exhaust emissions, to 0% in the majority of engines. By lowering the emissions this will promote

much better fuel consumption, which can be increased by up to 25%. This system is guaranteed not to damage any engine what so ever, sounds too good to be true! We will soon

find out all results in next month’s newsletter, so you may not have to throw your diesel taxi away after all.

I will let you all know

AC TAXIS STILL THE BEST

DRESS CODE With the summer well and truly upon us just a

reminder of the Council dress code. Copies of the official dress code is available

from the Council and your call centre.

SOUTHEND V UBER

Well this is getting good, with Reading Council having one the illegal plying for hire court case against two UBER drivers, this has now possibly set the stage for any future cases that may

follow due to this verdict. This is positive news but we must not get complacent and sit back, the fight against illegally

plying for hire goes on.

Needless to say, we must stay diligent and keep passing on any information as you have been doing

With the information that has been collect and forwarded on to the appropriate team so far is

vast. All the information you have passed on has been recorded and catalogued this is for future reference when needed.

There is a massive team working to save your livelihoods. So if your not doing your bit please do, all that is required of you is to report and photograph any wrong doing and forward your

information to Justin (Oscar 1).

We have won many battles and your piece of information could win us the WAR.

EVERYTHING TAXIS Everything Taxis has seen a change of ownership,

Andre Birch and Mark Atkins have left the company. Chris Marsh is now the sole owner, Chris said it’s

business as usual still the place for taxi meters and all your bits and bobs and Harry the onsite Mechan-ic is ready for all your servicing needs, but sorry we no longer rent out cars. So for all your Taxi needs give Chris a call or pop into stock road to see him.

RENTAL CARS

So where do you go if you need a H/C or P/H rental car, just give Eddie Smith a call at

EJS.

Eddie has a workshop in Aviation Way and runs the largest Taxi Rental service in

Southend.

SOS BUS

Sadly you will no longer see the voluntary SOS BUS in Southend High St any more. Southend Council decided not to renew their contract after 4 years of helping venerable people after a night out in Southend. Keeping them safe until they can carry on their way home. Instead this voluntary

work will be carried out by a national charity, so is this for the good, myself I don’t think so and Southend Council by allowing this has lost more than just a bus. The Taxi trade of Southend wish

John Bastin and he’s Southend team all the best and thank you.

I dare say Southend’s loss will be another town’s gain no change there then.!

FORUM NEWS

This months Forum meeting was dominated by the changes to the way we dispatch work and new goodies for your PDA

Steve told the team that the results of the changes to accepting then rejecting has worked and

the levels are acceptable. Also that he has had a call from drivers to return the nine back to rank control and is something that may happen.

The alarming news that Steve gave us was that our performance figures for Southend Hospital-work using WAV taxis, is causing concern. So much so the Hospital Management have called a

meeting to see what can be done.

On a happier note, welcome back Stuart Davison to the Forum. Stuart attended the meeting this month and hopefully he will become a permanent member of the panel. Likewise Matt Turner has

been guesting at three meetings now and has decided to be a full time fixture , welcome to you both.

Need an issue raised or would like to attend in person just contact a panel member. The Panel consists of :- Kevin Lansley, Dave Clements, Rick Jenkins,

Paul Lenard, Andy Byford, Will Simson, Matt Turner, Stuart Davison

THE BATMAN & ROBIN CLUB The founder member of this unique club has this time saved Southend from this dangerous

snake that he saw walking (well wiggling) along St Helens Rd. Batman (Victor 3)captured the snake and made a citizen’s arrest and waited for the Police to take this slippery character of to

prison. Batman said , it’s a normal day in the office for members of Batman and Robin club.

To join the club, tell us how you Saved Southend

The Batman & Robin Club is only for Hero’s

AC TAXIS STILL THE ONLY HACKNEY CARRIAGE CIRCUIT IN SOUTHEND

UPDATE ON CAN YOU OR CAN’T YOU

In last months Newsletter we said that we would have an answer from Southend Police Policy

Bureau about the new phone law and our PDA. We have waited and waited and guess what no answer as yet, not bad for a police force that have trouble in answering their phones at times. So

it looks like the wait goes on, or maybe they just don’t know ! Interesting.

WITH SYMPATHY

CHRIS HILLIER

Chris better known as Chrome (night controller) passed away nearly 10 months ago.

Permission has just been granted for he’s funeral and we have finally been informed that he will be laid to rest on, Friday 7th July 2017 at 13 40. at Southend Crematorium.

Everyone is welcome who would like to attend.

AC TAXIS STILL THE BIGGEST

FLY-BE FLY BE have just announced that they are increasing their operation from Southend Airport, with

three new routes to Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin.

Flights to the Irish capital will operate three times daily, with Manchester following suit three times daily. The Scottish flights will be running twice daily Sunday to Friday. This will total over 360

departures and arrivals a week this summer and with Southend flying to 25 different destinations this winter. Whichever way you look at it Southend airport is rapidly becoming a summer and

winter airport to fly from. Add to this the winter ski resort flights, it looks like the Airport is on target for passenger growth to top 2.5 million next year.

AC TAXIS STILL THE ONLY HACKNEY CARRIAGE CIRCUIT IN SOUTHEND

FOR THE RECORD

RESPONSE TIMES FOR JUNE

Pre –booked jobs Early at pick up 68%

Pre –booked jobs Early or within 5 minutes at pick up 86%

Instant bookings Within 5 minutes at pick up 74%

Instant bookings Within 10 minutes at pick up 82%

JOB COUNT

June 2016 = 86838 June 2017 = 86931 UP BY = 93

SELF AND AUTO BOOKING

AUTO BOOK JOBS THIS MONTH (IVR) = 26854 APP JOBS THIS MONTH = 2657

This type of booking is now an important part of AC s infrastructure, established and growing. Whenever you can please promote our Auto Book (IVR) and our APP.

Remember we are the only circuit that can offer this service but the good thing is our customers

like it by the thousands

AIRPORT SWEEPER CAR

Airport sweeper cars job count for June are :- 785