Malcolm Taylor, RMT stations & revenue rep on the Staff Travel Committee, reports ...

The purpose of this forum is to look at the scheduling and performance of staff taxis.

Matters discussed:

1. Christmas taxis - In 2007, there were some minor late runnings but no staff complaints received. System used is fairly successful but couldn’t guarantee bookings made after the cut-off date. Still looking at ways to improve but generally system works. Ongoing.
2. Travel handbooks - Was some problem with distribution at Earls Court depot. Blame put onto District line internal mail, looking at future distribution similar to that of the Traffic Circular where it comes straight form printers to location required. Closed.
3. Pick up points - Seven Sisters depot. Confusion as there were two pick up points, Now sorted out: one pick up point located at Pleiades house. Closed.
4. Accidents in staff taxis - No data available on this but as far as management could remember only 3-4 incidents over the last five years. We raised the issue of seat belt wearing when 5 people in a cab and were looking for a maximum of 4. This was apparently discussed at last meeting and a failure to agree had gone in. Ongoing.
5. Extension of network - Question asked about taxis outside of M25. As a result of poor tracking of cabs outside of M25 (they lose contact with radio/computer system) we asked that when the contract is up for tender (March 2009) that it be put into the specifications regarding updating their tracking system to include a wider range to assist our staff when trying to find out where their taxis are. Ongoing.
6. New Schedules - New routes go live on Monday for Stratford depot and once all data is reviewed the East London line will come into affect asap. Ongoing.
7. Special taxis - Not really an issue to affect our members but some abuse of system by managers which has caused them to re-issue guidelines to all employee managers. Closed.
8. Loughton depot - New schedules once trainside have gathered concerns from members. Ongoing.
9. Ex-Silverlink - Concerns over staff waiting outside stations with no place of safety and scheduled taxis possibly getting them to work too early. Once rosters have been proposed we will then put these to scheduling to agree taxi times. Ongoing.
10. Staff assaults - LUL figures show no sign of increase over last few years but no specific data available. No-one on committee could remember any incidents occurring. Will continue to be monitored any complaints to be raised immediately rather than waiting for next meeting (quarterly!). Ongoing.