December 13th catch-up

It’s been a busy week – but with less than two weeks to go until Christmas, perhaps to be expected. Some of you might have already seen some of the works – the Anglia Bus Forum 2010 Calendar and Dundee Area Bus Forum 2010 Calendar (both available for free download!), our Christmas Card writings (changed the format for the first time in ages), and of course, my new hair colour. While it seemed like an ideal time (quieter week) we had other things to do – breathing course on Monday, out to Toby at Stevenage on Wednesday I think it was, and then on Friday to PFH (citi2 bus was a lot more reliable this time – lets see how next week goes!)

Saturday was the post-training-induction at LLGS, and our group went to The Green afterwards. I had to cut this socialising short, to meet Caroline at Kings Cross, before we proceeded to a Christmas Party held in the Knights Templar off Chancery Lane. We got there early, especially as the pub was closing to the public before the opening for the event. We had a while there before continuing back to Kings Cross, for a train back to Royston, arriving 12 and a bit hours after leaving the station that morning.

Once again, it's do as we say, not do as we do...

Last night in London, I used the Cabwise service for the first time. To briefly explain, if you are in London, texting 60835 – see what they did, 60TFL? – gets you two minicab and one black cab phone numbers. One took my payment card details before telling me they couldn’t pick up from a pub, the next one was account only, and the third had changed hands – but still managed to get us a cab in ten minutes. Then, when I get home, I caught up with things, including the electronic Evening Standard for Friday. Well, this is an interesting one –


Fury after Green chief Darren Johnson tweets from illegal cab

A senior London politician was forced to apologise today after taking an illegal minicab home from the City Hall Christmas party.

London Assembly chairman Darren Johnson has faced a furious backlash from black cab drivers, who have called for his resignation after he posted incriminating messages on his Twitter site.

The revelations are sure to anger the Mayor, as they come amid a huge publicity drive for the initiative Cabwise, warning people of the dangers of unlicensed minicabs.

Green party member Mr Johnson issued a request on Twitter late last night to be picked up after being unable to get a taxi quickly enough. He offered a “ten pound tip for first cabbie to find me”, but when none was forthcoming, he posted: “Illegal minicab will do if you get me home”.

Mr Johnson added later: “Well im (sic) in some dodgy minicab paying an exhorbitant (sic) rip-off rate but at least getting home”.

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