Radio Problems - Power wiring

Another problem we frequently see is poorly fitted power cables. (The red and black wires that run from your battery). Poor power connections can lead to a whole host of problems, including loss of reception, inability to bid on jobs, inability to be heard on voice, and many more.
  The long and short of it is poor power connections lead to loss of work and income.

Top tips to prevent poor performance

Poor condition battery connection points

1. Ensure your battery is connection points are in good condition. The picture to the left shows you exactly what they shouldn't look like.
2. Make sure you connect your wires to the connection points using proper fittings, there are many different ways to do this depending on your vehicle but whatever you do don't just wrap the wire around. 
3. Be sure to use the correct wiring - there are many different sizes suitable for many different things. The size you will need is 2.5mm. Other sizes will work they just don't work properly long term.
4. Use a single piece of wire from your battery to your connector block as shown in the final diagram.
5. Make sure to fit an in line fuse.
6. Use a connector block to connect

   

   Connector Block

   
   

   . We recommend the use of a connector block rather than any other setup as different bases use different radios the use of a connector block makes it easier to change the radio connection if and when you move bases.
7. Keep your wiring tidy. Put your wiring in a position where it will not get caught on things in your car, you, the hinge of your door, your passengers, other equipment in the car. These can all pull on your wiring and reduce the effectiveness off your setup.

A final point of note: If you are unsure of any of the steps, get a professional involved. It usually costs a little as £30 for the fitting of your wiring and will ensure a good connection.

Through experience we have found Malborough Radio Services a good bet offering a first class service.

Stay up to date with the latest technology

  As you'll only be too aware as a Taxi/Private Hire driver various requirements mean you are constantly forking out money just to stay on the road. Base rent, insurance renewals, plate renewal, badge renewal, MOT, road tax, the list goes on.
  Many of these things require you to present paperwork for the others. Not to mention making sure you remember to renew them in time. To help you why not take advantage of the useful free technology there is out there.

Tip 1 - 

 Your phone, most people these days have a phone that can take photo's. Take a photo of each of your licenses, cover notes, etc and store them in a separate folder/collection on your phone. Each time you renew send a picture message to your operator so they can keep their records up to date and you don't have to make an unnecessary trip to the office.

Tip 2 - 

  Email - it's easy to get free email, sign up for a free hotmail or google mail account. You'll get free storage space so upload your documents to it. Handy when it comes to renewing your insurance. You can just email them all straight to your insurance company instead of 2/3 trips to the brokers to present documentation. Give your email to Leeds Vehicle Licensing, your Insurance company, your Operator, etc, doing this will help them keep you informed on latest developments.

Tip 3 -

 Calender function on your phone - unless you bought your phone pre-1990 your phone will have a calender, take advantage of it and store your expiry dates in it, set alarms for 1 month before so you don't forget to renew and don't have a last minute panic trying to get funds together in time.


At this point in the blog we'd like to offer a link to an app that would be able to do all this in one go, tragically we don't know of such an app and don't have the time to make one. But if you do please let us and we can pass this information to others.

Lazy Sundays

Another bank holiday Sunday, for many a chance to chill out and relax, so here's a selection of taxi based games to assist you relax. Taxi Games

Runners (Make of without payment)

 Another constant issue facing drivers (and operators) is the problem of "runners" (make off without payments). The usual senario results in the driver just clearing himself then complaining to the operator come rent day.
 Obviously this helps no-one, with such a time delay the operator can do little but barr the address. But this is not the only solution. Under the "Theft Act" the non-payment of goods or services is classed as theft and as such a police and legal matter. This includes the non-payment of a taxi fare (a service has be provided after all). The police are legally required to investigate the matter and if needed prosecute.
  So how do you go about getting it sorted?
(1) By phone - call the non-emergency west yorkshire switch board on 101 have a pen and paper handy as you will be guven a crime number, you'll need this number to follow up if needed.
(2) In person - go to your nearest police station and report the crime, remember to have all relevant information with you. (A point of note - we have found that some stations/officers will try to discard the matter by telling a driver "It's a civil matter and they can't do anything". As mentioned above it is a crime under the theft act. Politly remind the officer of this, this usually changes their response. If not don't get upset simply ask the officer for their name and badge number. Again this quickly changes their attitude. Again make sure you have have a pen and paper with you to record anything you might need to.
(3) Online - visit the west yorkshire police website and fill out the online crime report form

After reporting it to the police report it to your base so that your collegues don't have the same problem.

Summary

• Report to police, be polite and have as much information as possible
• Be patient, and responsible when reporting
• Report as near to the time of the event (don't wait a week to report it)
• Inform your operator, ask them to ban the address, pass crime number and relevant information to them when you can

• Patiently wait for a response, don't expect an instant response. As a rule of thumb it will take 3/4 days for the police to follow up on it. We have seen cases where it has been sorted within an hour, but also cases where it was never resolved. Rest assured however the police will do everything they can.

Always report runners, don't let them get away with yours and your collegues money.

Over Zealous Traffic Wardens and Yellow Lines

  Another all too frequent issue we see is the problem of picking up/dropping off on double yellow lines.

  Countless numbers of drivers have received PCN's when picking up or dropping off customers on double yellow lines.You've probablly seen this your self or at least heard of it. The result - drivers refuse to pick up jobs from certain (often busy/popular) locations.

  So let's clarify the matter:

Note it says NO WAITING. If you are dropping off or picking up a passenger then this is not classed as waiting this is classed as LOADING/UNLOADING. You may stop to load or unload (unless there are also loading restrictions) or while passengers board or alight.
 What this does not mean is you can wait for your passenger to arrive when you have a pickup at a location with double yellow lines. So if your passenger is not there circle around until they are or pull away and have your office re-book the job for a short time after. (5mins or so)
  If you are dropping something off for a customer, ie a package delivery what it does mean is you can do it there at the road side and stop on the yellow lines to do it. It does not mean you can stop your car on the yellow lines and go deliver the item(s). If you leave your car, you are parked/waiting and the fine will still apply.
  ***Remember these exemptions only apply for the duration of pickinh up/dropping off your customer and should be done in a resonable time - don't rush it but don't take advantage either***

What to do if you get a PCN whilst dropping off/picking up on yellow lines

1. Do not get into an argument with the Traffic Warden - make the assumption he/she is an idiot and accept the PCN. Get on with your job and wait for your PCN to be delivered.
2. Once you have your ticket/PCN write to the address stated on it giving your full details and the details of the fare you were collecting/dropping off.
3. In your letter make certain you use the phrase "I was on the yellow line(s) for the duration it took whilst my passenger boarded/alighted, and moved away immediatly after"
4. Send your letter recorded delivery.

For further clarrification visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/travelandtransport/highwaycode/signsandmarkings/index.htm and Download 'Road markings' (PDF, 715K)

Approved List of Saloon Vehicles for use for Private Hire in Leeds

CHEVROLET

CHEVROLET EPICA
1. 2.0 VCDi LS
2. 2.0 VCDi LT
3. 2.0 VCDi LT Auto

MERCEDES

MERCEDES E class
E200 CDI
E220 CDI
(Not sport model)

MERCEDES ‘C’ CLASS 29.

 FORD

FORD MONDEO

 HONDA

HONDA ACCORD

MAZDA

MAZDA 6 (not Sports Model)

NISSAN

NISSAN PRIMERA 

PEUGEOT

PEUGEOT 406 

ROVER

ROVER 45

SKODA

SKODA SUPERB

SKODA OCTAVIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

  TOYOTA

 TOYOTA AVENSIS

 

 VAUXHALL

 VAUXHALL VECTRA (except 2.5 24 valve)

VOLKSWAGEN

VOLKSWAGEN PASSATVOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2005
1.9 TDI S & SE model
2.0 TDI S & SE model

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
1.6 TDI S & SE model
2.0 TDI S & SE model

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claim Culture

  One of the biggest things effecting drivers and so in turn operators (in rents they receive/number of drivers) then customers (higher prices/poorer service) is the current claim culture of the UK.
  As taxi & private hire drivers are on the road more than your average driver they have a far greater chance of been involved in an accident.  A number of accident management companies (ambulance chasers) have sprung up out of this and make huge profits out of doing pretty much nothing. Their involvment means the payouts by insurance companies are higher and unfortunatly these are passed on to the policy holders in the way of higher premiums. Remember these increased premiums are not just for the bad/accident prone drivers but apply to everyone.
  Now we're not saying people aren't entitled to claim for injury, damages, etc when they're unfortunate to be in an accident, and likewise we don't want drivers out there with vehicles that are unsafe to drive because they got a cash in hand settlement and got some dodgy back street garage repair.
  We do however want to encourage people to take the sensible option.

Drivers:

1. Don't admit fault at the roadside
2. Take pictures at the scene - be sure to get a good picture of vehicle registrations and damage, do this even if it's only scratches cover yourself and still do it. We have heard of countless cases where a minor collision has occurred at minimum speeds then two weeks later a claim goes in because the other party now has a massive dint in their car door.
3. Report it to your insurers. If it's only minor still report it and make sure to mention that it is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY". This doesn't effect your claim history (correct us if we're wrong) and remember your insurers don't want to pay out if they can avoid it. Early reporting gives your insurers the best opportuntiy to defend a claim.
4. If it is worthy of a claim use your insurers, the goverment have already started to take steps to make this the only way to do it, cut out the middle men, it will save us all money in the long run

Passengers:

1. Get all the proper details at the time, like the drivers take photo's at the scene of the crime
2. If your not injured don't go trying to make a claim, it will only end up costing everyone more money in the long run
3. Use a reputable claim company or better still contact the insurers of one of the parties involved this cuts out admin costs and saves everyone money while at the same time gets appropriate payout for genine incidents.