Media Release
July 7, 2016

A new Queensland taxi survey showing a high level of customer satisfaction has debunked many myths according to Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ).

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has released the findings of its latest mystery shopper survey showing an aggregate Key Performance Indicator score of 81 per cent, up from its previous score of 77 per cent in 2013.

TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said while the industry must always continue to improve customer service, the survey shows the true picture and corrects mistruths that are peddled primarily by those with vested interests.

“I am not surprised by what the Roy Morgan survey found, particularly in the key area of customer safety which remains consistently high at 90 per cent. Queensland taxis are world class when it comes to safety, service to the disabled community and the environment.”

The survey also found 98 per cent of respondents considered taxi drivers to be well presented and groomed, while a six year high of 96 per cent of respondents found the taxi interior to be clean and well looked after.

Mr Wash says the travelling public will be heartened by the results, which also highlighted reduced waiting times.

“The majority of taxis booked in advance arrived on time or early, but just as encouragingly the average wait time for taxis has fallen, showing a two minute improvement compared with the time recorded five years ago.”

Mr Wash said the survey’s findings prove that the state’s taxi industry is not just the nation’s premier service but ranks with the world’s best.

“I have travelled all over the globe and it’s arguable that no-one comes close to the level of all-round service that Queensland delivers. It is safe, reliable and puts the customer first.

“That said, we will not rest on our laurels and always welcome customer feedback on their taxi experience.”
ENDS

Media Release
22 June 2016

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Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has questioned the credibility of the current review into personalised transport following public comments by taskforce chair Jim Varghese.

TCQ Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Wash said with submissions only closing a week ago, comments by Mr Varghese that there are already preferred options make the entire review process look farcical.

“The taskforce has stated that they would consider all recommendations and provide a report to the Government at the set time, which at this stage is the end of July.

“The taskforce would have received hundreds of submissions and thousands of pages, which takes time to carefully analyse and consider, so how can they even suggest preferred options at this stage, unless they have another agenda?” he asked.

Mr Wash pointed out that the review was of great importance to the state’s economy and future transportation needs, and that comments by the taskforce chair “belittled the process and implies that there may be a predetermined outcome.”

He said Mr Varghese’s comments that people could still comment online are also worrying.

“What is going on here? TCQ and other stakeholders have spent considerable money and time to maturely discuss the best outcome for Queenslanders, and we have kept within the terms of reference, but the taskforce seems to be focusing on public popularity and moving the goalposts.”

“This is an opportunity for the Queensland Government to get this right, and the taskforce needs to stop media comments, read the submissions, carefully consider what is in Queensland’s best interests and stop being influenced by social media commentary.”
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The Taxi Council calls on the Queensland Premier to ask Mr Varghese to confirm that his recommendations haven’t been pre-determined and are based on properly considering all of the submissions to his Review.
ENDS

Media Release
22 June 2016

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) will again be operating a secure rank on Castlemaine Street outside the YMCA after the State of Origin Game 2 tonight from 9:30pm – 12:30am, subject to the completion of the match.

Taxis will also be available on Petrie Terrace as per usual in the rank outside Hotel LA.

TCQ suggests customers order taxis, and due to limited access resulting from traffic congestion, arrange to be picked up away from Suncorp Stadium.

Customers should take note when ordering taxis that access to Milton Road, Castlemaine Street and Caxton Street will be limited.

Patrons with a disability can be dropped off and picked up from the disabled zone in the secure rank on Castlemaine Street, or in the disabled zone in the Suncorp Stadium Northern Plaza off Castlemaine Street.

TCQ reminds customers that no abled passengers will be picked up from disabled zones.

Smartphone users can also access the Yellow and Black & White apps to book a service.
ENDS

Media Statement
May 20, 2016
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Taxi Council Queensland is awaiting the release of the green paper and once we have reviewed will be responding accordingly. We will make a public comment once we have provided a formal response to the review.

Media Statement
May 08, 2016

Wayne Crookes, Chief Operating Officer, Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ)

With the Opportunities for Personalised Transport Review (OPT) underway, Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) is doing all it can to achieve the best outcome for its many thousands of stakeholders.

To this end, TCQ is leaving no stone unturned and is tapping in to Queensland’s taxi industry for support and assistance.

We believe this review is the most important the taxi industry has faced in a generation. As such, it is crucial we ensure our submission looks to the past, present and future.

TCQ is doling its due diligence engaging a number of professionals each in their own sphere of expertise to assist TCQ in its OPT submission.

This extensive and comprehensive review comes at a cost and the many thousands of small business which make up TCQ’s membership, are contributing.
ENDS

Media Statement
May 8, 2016
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Wayne Crookes, Chief Operating Officer, Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ)

With the Opportunities for Personalised Transport Review (OPT) underway, Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) is doing all it can to achieve the best outcome for its many thousands of stakeholders.

To this end, TCQ is leaving no stone unturned and is tapping in to Queensland’s taxi industry for support and assistance.

​We believe this review is the most important the taxi industry has faced in a generation. As such, it is crucial we ensure our submission looks to the past, present and future.

TCQ is doling its due diligence engaging a number of professionals each in their own sphere of expertise to assist TCQ in its OPT submission.

This extensive and comprehensive review comes at a cost and the many thousands of small business which make up TCQ’s membership, are contributing.
ENDS

Media Statement
May 07, 2016

Statement from Taxi Council Queensland

Statement from Wayne Crookes, Chief Operating Officer, Taxi Council Queensland. (TCQ)

Fare evasion is a criminal activity attracting hefty fines facing or even jail terms if found guilty before the courts.

The traveling public must also be aware that he personal and economic cost of evasion not only affects the driver but also the owners and operators of the vehicle along with a raft of other industry stakeholders.

We should also note that fare evasion can lead to assaults on drivers and TCQ calls for appropriate sentencing for those found guilty of these offences in line with other community-based services.
ENDS

Media Release
4/30/2016

There must be new action against illegal taxis this weekend – Taxi Council

Legislation that increased enforcement and penalties against illegal taxis came into force yesterday, and Queensland’s peak taxi body has called for a massive enforcement campaign by the Department of Transport this weekend.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) says the industry has had enough of illegal operators flouting the law and disadvantaging law abiding small business owners who drive, operate, and own taxis. TCQ Chief Operating Officer Wayne Crooks said the parliament has given the order and it is now up to the department to act.

“More words are not good enough. It’s time for action and we expect to see enforcement on this first weekend following the legislation becoming law.” Mr Crookes said TCQ would be monitoring both illegal taxi activity across the entertainment precincts and the actions of transport inspectors and will be encouraging taxi drivers to do the same.

“Drivers must not approach any person or vehicle they suspect of operating an illegal taxi, but should report it to their booking company or to Taxi Council Queensland.” He said a failure to enforce the new laws will result in widespread anger across the taxi industry.

“We will be talking to the Government next week, either to congratulate them for taking this issue seriously, or to register our disappointment about the inaction of the department. I hope it is the former.”
ENDS

Media Statement
21/04/2016

Statement from Taxi Council Queensland

Taxi Council Queensland welcomes the legislation passed in the Queensland Parliament that will provide greater enforcement of existing taxi regulations. This legislation has nothing to do with stifling competition or innovation – it has to do with upholding the law and stopping the illegal operation of taxi services. For too long so called “ridesharing” services have been allowed to use their money and size to strong-arm governments into accepting that existing regulations could be ignored and that law-abiding small business owners like taxi owners, operators and drivers didn’t matter.

Why should over 16,000 small business owners that represent Queensland’s taxi industry be punished for simply upholding the law, while those that ignore the law are rewarded? If taxi regulations don’t matter, why should any company in any field uphold any regulations? This is grossly unfair and unconscionable.

​The taxi industry also welcomes the new legislation in respect to CTP insurance. Taxi drivers pay over $6000 per year in CTP and no one should be allowed to gain an unfair market advantage by transporting passengers and avoiding this cost.

The taxi industry now calls on the Department of Transport and Main Roads and their inspectors on the ground to act on this legislation and prove they are taking this matter seriously. This includes the enforcement of the correct class of CTP insurance for anyone offering passenger transportation. Effective enforcement is now required – no more talk, but action.

Taxi Council Queensland continues to work with the current ‘Opportunities for Personalised Transport Review’ (OPT), and looks forward to a longer-term solution when this report is handed down. The taxi industry supports – and leads – innovation and we welcome competition. But it must be on a level playing field. This is what the OPT is about and that is the forum to argue your case. Until this review is competed, regulations should be upheld. You cannot change laws through operating outside the law or by social media campaigns – any changes must take into consideration the long-term effects and benefits for the Queensland economy and all Queenslanders.
ENDS

Taxi Council of Queensland Inc.

Media Statement
April 20, 2016

Statement from Taxi Council Queensland – Re: Katter Australia Party bill

Queensland is currently undertaking the ‘Opportunities for Personalised Transport Review’ (OPT), chaired by Jim Varghese AM, and Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) is contributing to the review.

Separate to this, the Katter Australia Party (KAP) introduced a bill to parliament which was referred to the parliament’s Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee (IPNRC). The KAP bill is focused on increasing enforcement and compliance against illegal taxi services, and the IPNRC provided a list of recommendations which included the Minister for Transport taking “immediate action to ensure that compliance with the regulatory system is enforced”. Furthermore, the committee requested that the minister provide information on these increased compliance measures to the House (the subject of tonight’s debate).

TCQ looks forward to the outcome of the OPT review (expected in August), but has also consistently called for enforcement of the existing laws in the meantime. No one should be able to flout the law by operating an illegal taxi service, and no one is above the law. TCQ believes that if one set of regulations is allowed to be ignored simply because the culprit has the money to ignore the law, it jeopardises the rule of law generally. The issue of complying with regulations is far larger than the taxi industry.
ENDS