​Media Release
December 30, 2016

The following statement is attributable to Benjamin Wash, CEO Taxi Council Queensland:

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 cars and drivers will be on the road. Taxi fares do not increase on New Year’s Eve, and we recommend customers in the City and Valley entertainment precincts utilise one of many secure ranks, where their wait time will be minimised even at peak times. Taxi Council Queensland wishes everyone a happy and safe new year.
ENDS

Media Release
December 22, 2016

The peak body representing Queensland’s taxi industry says there will be extended taxi ranks in operation along with an increase in staff during the Christmas-New Year period.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) Chief Operating Officer Wayne Crookes says all existing city and Fortitude Valley ranks will remain but there will be extensions to the Wickham Street rank in the Valley as well as Eagle Street in Brisbane’s CBD.

“From past experiences, we understand the need to extend the rank lines in these two locations over the holiday season with both the Wickham and Eagle Street ranks to be serviced by extra supervisors and staff.
“It is also the first time we have to deal with the new lockout laws during this traditionally busy period but our ranks will be suitably staffed and organised to cater for the expected numbers.”

TCQ also reminds patrons that the Warner Street Rank in Fortitude Valley will continue to operate the ‘optional zone system’ in which a maxi taxi can be shared with others travelling in the same direction.

Mr Crookes said a secured taxi rank enables patrons to expect an orderly and safe wait, free from unruly and inappropriate behaviour.
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“TCQ urges all night time revellers to use the safety rank precincts to ensure a safe trip from the city and surrounding areas.”
ENDS

Media Release
November 28, 2016

Taxi Council Queensland – Taxi Industry Award winners

The Taxi Council Queensland 2016 Industry Award winners are as follows:

Driver of the Year (conventional vehicle) – Malcom Lamb from Yellow Cabs Rockhampton. Malcolm was the first person to bring a Silver Service vehicle into the fleet, and since then has provided exceptional service to clients.

Driver of the Year (wheelchair accessible vehicle) – William Paull from Mackay Whitsunday Taxis. William has described being a driver as the ‘best job he has ever had’, and finds the experience of assisting wheelchair bound customers and brightening their day incredibly rewarding.

Significant Achievement Award – Bill Parker from Yellow Cabs Brisbane. Bill is an outstanding advocate for the taxi industry, and places a massive emphasis on customer service.

Customer Service Award – John Wilson who has been with Yellow Cabs Brisbane for 38 years. John has had many roles in the company and when working as a driver was known to have the cleanest cab in the industry, nicknamed “Mr Clean!”

Operator of the Year 1-20 – Osman Durmaz from Black and White Cabs Brisbane. Osman works tirelessly to ensure all his cabs go above and beyond the impeccable service passengers expect from luxury cars.

Operator of the Year 21-100 – Stefan Przybysz from Yellow Cabs Brisbane. Stefan has always demonstrated total commitment to ethical, honest business dealings and has provided superb training, dedication, and trust to all within the industry.

Operator of the Year 100+ – Black and White Taxi Management – Black and White Cabs. Black and White Taxi Management boasts excellent facilities such as on-site mechanics, car wash and driver break facilities. All taxis are late model hybrid vehicles with state of the art computer programs.

Taxi Hero Award – Aguek Nyok from Yellow Cabs Brisbane. Aguek is the taxi driver who kicked in the door and assisted the passengers trapped in a bus after the attack on the driver at Moorooka.

Life Membership – Len Martin from Black and White Cabs. Len has public transport in his blood with his father and grandfather also working in the transport industry. He started his career in 1976 when he bought a taxi licence and is now a taxi rank coordinator.
ENDS

Media Release
November 8, 2016

Reports last week in the Adelaide Advertiser that Uber is “openly defying the State Government by allowing dozens of its drivers to work illegally” comes as no surprise, according to Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ).

TCQ Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Wash says the Queensland Government equally cannot expect Uber to abide by any legislation, which he pointed out is still to be drafted.

“Uber has conned the Queensland Government, all other state Governments and the public into thinking that it cares about safety, but it doesn’t.

“I don’t want to say ‘I told you so’ but it’s the truth – we issued endless warnings about safety and no one listened.”

The Advertiser report revealed that Uber is allowing South Australian drivers to work without the proper accreditation.

“Uber refused to accept the Government regulations, announced in April, arguing they were too costly and time-consuming compared to regulations interstate,” the report said.

Mr Wash said this was typical of Uber’s behaviour across the world.

“When responsible governments have allowed for rideshare by putting in place sensible safety-based regulations, Uber has always spat the dummy and refused to play by the rules.

“The inconvenient truth is that Uber doesn’t care about customer safety, nor do they care about taking responsibility for what happens in their vehicles. They are an app and if you have a problem good luck at trying to find them in the Netherlands or wherever they send you.”

He called on the Queensland Government to fast track legislation that offered greater consumer protection, and issued a warning to Queenslanders.

“The Queensland Government has allowed rideshare to operate with almost no regulations and no checks and balances. Travel at your own risk!”

Quoted article – http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/uber-defying-state-goverment-by-allowing-dozens-of-its-drivers-to-work-illegally/news-story/eee14075b6f09d46443b562cead879d2
ENDS

Media Release
October 25, 2016

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has revealed that other countries are insisting that rideshare drivers are proficient in not only verbal but written English while the Queensland Government is lowering the standards.

TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash referred to the decision by the London Transit Authority that “drivers of private hire vehicles must speak, listen to, read, and write English to a set level” as sensible regulation but said Uber in the UK opposed the move.

“The reality is that Uber and other rideshare companies across the world want no regulations because their business model is based on a race to the bottom.

Mr Wash said Reuters reported only last week that Uber was taking legal action against London’s insistence that their drivers know English.

“Instead of doing what other countries have done, and raising the bar to ensure rideshare meets the high standards expected of taxis, the Palaszczuk Government has lowered taxi standards and set the bar at the lowest point, ensuring even ‘Dodgy Brothers Rideshare’ can operate.

“The Government has put the interests of a foreign company that pays no local tax ahead of providing a high standard of service to Queenslanders.”

The Reuters report quoted the London transport operator TfL as saying, “Drivers must be able to communicate with passengers to discuss a route, or fare, as well as reading and understanding important regulatory, safety and travel information.”

This is not only sensible but essential according to Mr Wash, who pointed out that English language is only one of the ways in which the Government has lowered the bar.

“We must remember that at this stage there is basically no regulations for rideshare at all in Queensland; they can do as they like.

“If the Government truly believes that calling a transport service rideshare instead of taxi somehow ensures a long-term, high quality service without regulation, they are well and truly living in fantasy land.”
ENDS