Media release
12 December, 2019
As 2019 draws to a close, the festivities are just heating up and between Christmas barbeques, work events and New Year celebrations, the Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) is reminding everyone to grab a cab for safe, accessible and surcharge-free holiday travel.
Merrymakers can enjoy a safe journey to and from events without worrying about excessive surcharges of booked hire services, with taxis remaining a convenient and affordable travel option during the holiday season.
TCQ CEO, Blair Davies says taxis are a safe and reliable option for getting to and from parties and events these holidays.
“With holiday celebrations underway, taxis are a great option for those who want to enjoy a drink or two and get to their celebrations quickly and safely, or even avoid congested carparks when doing last minute Christmas shopping,” Mr Davies said.
“Instead of spending your day stuck waiting to exit a shopping centre or circling around the streets trying to find a park to your event, grab a cab to get you where you want to be.”
At this time of year, booked-hire platforms with price surcharging can have rides costing passengers hundreds of dollars more than the normal fare.
“With surcharging by booked-hire platforms likely to be kicking in pretty often over the coming weeks, and especially on the public holidays, taxis remain the only constant, serving their communities through affordable transport,” Mr Davies said.
“Taxis are a smarter option with their calibrated taximeters and easily identifiable livery and hail lights. They are also safer because they’re fitted with sophisticated security cameras, monitored duress alarm systems and hard-wired GPS devices.”
TCQ is expecting the busiest periods to be Friday 20 December in the evening as most businesses wind down for the year on this day, as well as Saturday and Sunday, Christmas Eve and of course New Year’s Eve.
“Taxis continue to provide Queenslanders with the most reliable and safest form of door-to-door transport. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year, however, all available cabs and drivers will be on the road,” Mr Davies said.
“Taxi fares do not increase on New Year’s Eve, and we recommend customers in the City and Valley entertainment precincts utilise one of the many secure taxi ranks, where their wait time will be minimised even at peak times.
“Our cabbies are committed to getting Queenslanders everywhere they may want to go this holiday period, so why not take the worry out of it and grab a cab as the smart travel option.”
ENDS