1 October 2003
The Public Carriage Office (PCO), a department of Transport for London, has contracted the Databac Group, specialist provider of identification solutions, to produce and supply photo identity cards and security stationary in line with the regulation of Private Hire Trade (minicabs) in Greater London. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone officially launched the scheme at the Transport for London headquarters yesterday.
The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 requires drivers to hold and carry a PHV (private hire vehicle) identity card and a paper licence. The scheme is designed to improve the standard of public safety and reduce incidences of crimes by 'rogue' drivers.
All ID cards and paper licences contain both visible and covert security features. Databac produces the base stock of materials and provides a bureau facility to personalise the ID cards. These are supplied sealed inside a clear vinyl badge holder, which incorporates a Braille message, together with an explanatory letter and selection of a breakaway lanyard and clip attachment.
Roy Ellis, head of the Public Carriage Office, said: "The issue of these licences is an important step towards affording passengers the protection which regulation brings. The new badges and security stationary supplied by Databac are equipped with advanced security features which are designed to prevent fraud or forgery."
Security features include fine-line background printing and a custom-designed, 3D 'Multimatrix' metallic hologram created by Optaglio Limited using electron beam technology, which provides for a highly secure product, combining striking visual recognition and covert micro-level features.
Issuance of the 40,000 PHV licences started from April this year.
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About the Public Carriage Office
The PCO is part of Surface Transport within Transport for London (TfL). The Managing Director of Surface Transport is responsible for the following range of transport services in Greater London: London's bus services - East Thames Buses; Public Carriage Office; Croydon Tramlink; Dial-a-Ride services; River services serving TfL piers on the Thames; and Victoria Coach Station. For more information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/pco.
About Databac Group
Databac Group is a specialist provider of complete solutions for identification. Established in 1970, it manufactures computer-compatible ID cards and develops and supplies systems for photo ID, badge printing, events registration, visitor management and room booking. Databac's cards can incorporate one or more reading technologies, including high- and low-coercivity magnetic stripe, Watermark Magnetics®, Wiegand Wire, barcode, proximity / radio frequency (RF) and integrated chip. In addition, Databac manufactures and supplies lamination pouches, badge display holders, necklaces, clips, pins and vehicle ID passes. Databac supplies plastic card printers, thermal print ribbons, digital, CCD and instant cameras, instant film, video print media, magnetic stripe encoders, Wiegand, proximity, smart chip, barcode and magnetic stripe badge readers, die cutters and ancillary ID supplies.
Visit www.databac.com for more information.
About Optaglio Limited
Optaglio is an integrated security products supplier specialising in the mastering and manufacture of optically variable microstructures and security label products. Visit www.optaglio.com for more information.
For further information
Visit www.databac.com or contact:
Mariam Khan
Summit Media Services
Independencia 253-255, 3o 2a
08026 Barcelona
Spain
Tel (direct): +34 93 265 0084 / Tel (switchboard): +44 (0)20 8546 9826
Fax: +34 93 265 4463
Email: summit_media@compuserve.com
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