Media release
14 December 2018

Claims from the US that Uber is illegally denying its drivers their right to arbitration on issues such as low pay and poor working conditions must be heeded by authorities in Australia, warns the Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ).

A lawsuit being brought by more than 12,000 Uber drivers in California claims that the booked-hire platform is refusing to deal fairly with driver complaints in allowing a backlog of disputes to build up which could take 10 years to clear. This is just the latest in a long line of reports from around the globe of breakdowns in relations between Uber and its drivers.

This allegation of disregard for its drivers’ rights and wellbeing comes as Uber further expands its operations in Australia, having recently rolled out services in regional areas of Queensland. These allegations are something for consumers who may be attracted to cheaper prices to consider because most people will draw a line when cheaper prices involve the exploitation of gullible or vulnerable workers.

Uber requires its drivers in Australia to sign an agreement that stipulates disputes will be resolved by mediation and arbitration in Europe, in Amsterdam, so forfeiting their right to legal action in an Australian court. The lawsuit in the US involves drivers who claim their requests for arbitration of their complaints, including failure to pay minimum wage and driver safety, have been repeatedly and unnecessarily delayed by Uber. If Uber drivers in the US are finding that the arbitration process is not working, it doesn’t bode well for Australian drivers given Uber could require them to travel to Amsterdam.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies says the Queensland Government has a crucial role to play in protecting the State economy and local job markets in regional communities. He believes greater scrutiny should be applied to companies like Uber and their overseas activities.

“These reports from California are yet another example of the bully-boy tactics which Uber and its like adopt when dealing with drivers when the regulatory environment is found wanting. How many warning signs does the State Government need before it pays heed to the risks which Uber poses to local jobs and the economy?” said Mr Davies.

“While there may be an option to opt-out of the disadvantageous arbitration provisions in the driver agreement, very few drivers would be knowledgeable enough to ask about such a possibility and even less assertive enough to follow through on exercising the option. Unfortunately, it seems that Uber picks and chooses when and how it adheres to its arbitration obligations and so drivers are likely to always receive the short end of the stick when it comes to pay and conditions.

“We’ve heard time and time again of the unsustainable and unfair conditions in which ride-sourcing drivers, such as Uber’s, work. These drivers are increasingly vocalising that they want to be listened to and for action to take place, but it never seems to be a priority.

“Uber shows little concern for the wellbeing of their customers and drivers and we fear as more overseas platforms enter and expand their operations across our State, that it will be gullible and vulnerable Queenslanders signing up as booked-hire drivers who will be the ones being taken for a ride.”

The report estimates at the rate at which Uber is processing the complaints, it will take 10 years for all to be heard, which Mr Davies believes is the company’s way of avoiding resolution of the disputes and the costs associated with the arbitration process.

“Under the agreement it uses with US drivers, Uber must pay $1,500 per driver to the arbitration service provider it has nominated. With 12,500 disgruntled drivers, the arbitration fees alone equate to over $18.75 million, and that’s before consideration of any compensation and restitution amounts payable to genuinely aggrieved drivers.

“The company has long touted that arbitration is a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to allowing its drivers access to the courts. It has been their way to avoid class action lawsuits and pretend an interest in quick and easy settlement operates behind closed doors. However, Uber’s lack of response and action in the US exposes it’s support of arbitration as a facade. It’s nothing more than a way of avoiding responsibility and hiding their lack of concern from public knowledge.

“The TCQ just wants to see a personalised transport sector where everyone gets a fair deal. Booked-hire drivers deserve to have their concerns heard and labours properly valued, and the Queensland Government should look at what’s happening globally now before it becomes too late,” concluded Mr Davies.

ENDS

Media release
07 December 2018 

As Christmas celebrations get underway, Queenslanders are being reminded to grab a cab to get them to and from office parties, family gatherings, shopping trips, and events safely, easily and reliably this festive season.

Queensland cabbies are standing by to ferry passengers to their festive destination of choice at   a time of year when shops, social diaries and carparks get busier than ever. Grabbing a cab can remove much of the hassle involved in trying to get around at this time of year.

Most people will find themselves going to at least one Christmas party in the coming weeks. Taking a taxi to and from those events, allows revellers to enjoy their night without worrying about being or finding a designated driver.

Being picked up and dropped off at the door and back home at the end of the night removes the need to have to walk too far in high heels or that embarrassing Christmas jumper. Plus, there’s no hassle involved in trying to find that elusive last park which isn’t in a different postcode from where you’re actually going!

For extra convenience plan ahead and book a taxi to ensure you don’t have to wait longer than expected. Also, taxis don’t use surge prices during busy periods like booked hire platforms such as Uber, which effectively penalises passengers for wanting to travel at popular times.

Passengers can bring a bit of extra Christmas spirit to their and their taxi driver’s day by being ready for pick-up and courteous, and can expect the same level of festive cheer in return.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, encouraged Queenslanders to enjoy as easy a festive season as possible by grabbing a cab.

“This is always an exciting and busy time of year for our customers, and the taxi industry is ready to play its part in giving Queenslanders a great Christmas again in 2018. Taking a taxi allows everyone to fully enjoy their night, with the peace of mind that they’re going to get there and back safely, conveniently and reliably.

“Our drivers will be working throughout the festive period, ensuring people have a trusted and fairly priced means of getting around. We’re proud to play our part in helping Queenslanders enjoy Christmas and drivers look forward to welcoming friendly and courteous passengers into their taxis at this time of year.” said Mr Davies.

Passengers are also urged to heed the Queensland Government’s road safety awareness campaign, All They Want For Christmas Is You, while travelling in taxis. The campaign reminds everyone of the importance of buckling up and wearing their seatbelt while travelling in a vehicle, whether as driver or passenger.

“There is simply no reason for anyone in our community to be putting their lives at risk, or the lives of other road users, because they enjoyed one drink too many or they needed to text someone on their phone. Let’s all make safety a priority this Christmas by letting Queensland cabbies do the driving” added Mr Davies.

Ends

Media release
28 November 2018 

The Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) has cautiously welcomed law firm Maurice Blackburn’s decision  to  extend  its  proposed  class  action  against  Uber  to  include  Queensland  taxi  and limousine industry stakeholders, announced today (Wednesday 26 November).

Originally only proposing to file a statement of claim against Uber on behalf of industry members in Victoria, Maurice Blackburn is now proposing to extend its class action to include Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. The legal firm intends to argue that Uber engaged in a conspiracy that caused harm to taxi licence owners and operators by unlawful means, and is seeking to recover damages and loss of earnings which it estimates could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Today’s announcement by Maurice Blackburn means that Sunshine State taxi industry members may now join the mooted class action.

While acknowledging  that  Uber should be held to account for the damage that  it has done to Queensland taxi licence owners, operators and drivers, TCQ has stopped short of advising its members to join the class action at this stage.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, urged members to exercise caution and take their time to fully consider all elements of the class action before deciding whether to join it or not.

“The Maurice Blackburn class action has been promoted as an initiative for our industry.  On that basis, TCQ has been keen to assist the law firm prepare its case and we have provided lots of information about the unlawfulness of Uber’s ride-sourcing services in Queensland between April 2014 and September 2016, and the damage and hardship those operations caused to ordinary mum and dad Queenslanders running taxi businesses.”

“However, while TCQ has been assisting Maurice Blackburn for more than 10 months it remains unclear  to us  as  to who,  if  anybody,  in  the industry  is giving  them  instructions  regarding  the conduct of the class action.  This is important for our members in Queensland because their case appears to be materially stronger than their counterparts in other States, especially Victoria.   It would be a disaster for Queensland taxi and limousine licence owners and operators if they lost their ability to sue Uber as a result of joining a class action that floundered or was distracted by prioritisation of factually different circumstances in another State.”

This class action case being brought by Maurice Blackburn has the support of UK-based litigation funder, Harbour Litigation.  The involvement of a well-resourced and experienced litigation funder means that members of the class action will not need to meet any legal costs out of their own pockets, including any award of costs if the class action is unsuccessful.  However, it also means that  any settlement will see a very sizeable amount  going to Maurice Blackburn and Harbour Litigation.

“TCQ is aware that class actions in Australia have not always delivered outcomes in line with their beneficiaries’  expectations.   We understand that  Maurice Blackburn has  a better history than some of  its  counterparts  in that  regard,  however  we would welcome more assurances  being provided  to  taxi  licence  owners  and  operators  about  what  minimum  share  of  a  successful settlement will ultimately remain to be distributed to them.”

Taxi and limousine licence owners, operators and drivers in Queensland will have six months to register to join the class action. The class action is expected to run for two to three years before it gets to a settlement one way or the other.

“Today’s  announcement  by  Maurice  Blackburn  gives  Queensland  taxi  licence  owners  and operators  an  opportunity  that  wasn’t  available  yesterday.     On  that  score,  it’s  a  positive development.   However,  our  advice to members would be to  take the time to weigh up their options carefully before committing to join this class action.  When something sounds too good to be true, it always pays to do some research to prove whether that may be the case, or not.”

End

Media release
23 November 2018

Queensland’s taxi industry celebrated the achievements of its drivers and operators at the annual Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) Industry Awards. The ceremony, held at the Rydges Hotel in Brisbane’s South Bank, saw winners named in seven hotly contested categories on the night (Tuesday 20 November).

The TCQ Industry Awards recognise those drivers and operators who have taken customer  care, service, and professionalism to even higher levels than the industry standard. It is an opportunity for the taxi industry to acknowledge those members who have consistently gone the extra mile in serving their local community.

Having been nominated by their peers, winners on the night were judged by a panel made up of Adam Hazell, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Natasha Montesalvo, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, and John Mayo, Spinal Life Australia. Each of the shortlisted finalists received a certificate marking their contribution to the industry, with the winners also taking home a beautiful engraved trophy.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, thanked all of the finalists and those who had helped make the night possible.

“Each year we come together to celebrate those from our industry who truly exemplify a commitment to exceptional customer service and professionalism. Not  everybody can win on  the night but all of our finalists can be very proud of themselves. I’d like to thank everybody who took the time to nominate this year and our judging panel who gave up their time to come along and help pick our deserving winners” said Mr Davies.

Winners on the night were:

• Driver of the Year (Wheelchair Accessible Taxi)
  • Jagdeep Suman (Black and White Cabs)

• Driver of the Year (Conventional Taxi)
  • Shane Longland (Black and White Cabs)

• Operator of the Year (1-20 vehicles)
  • Chris Cochrane

• Operator of the Year (21-100 vehicles)
  • Ertan Yasar

• Operator of the Year (100+ vehicles)
  • Greg Neighbours

• Customer Service Award
  • Atambeer ‘Ruby’ Kalra

• Significant Achievement Award
  • Allan Rowe

“It is always pleasing to hear each year at the TCQ Awards, about the incredible lengths some of our drivers and operators have gone to during the last 12 months to serve their customers and promote a great image for the industry.

“In communities large and small across Queensland, there are lots of people who rely on cabbies to get them from A to B as a regular and essential part of their daily lives and that is something which isn’t lost on our industry. We are extremely proud to serve.

“Year on year, the taxi industry faces evolving and new challenges but what stays constant is  the hard work, dedication, and optimism with which our drivers and operators face those challenges. Rain, hail or shine, our cabbies make sure one thing comes first and that is getting their passengers quickly and safely to their destinations across our great State” added Mr Davies.

End

16 November 2018
Media Release

Queensland’s taxi industry will gather next week to celebrate the drivers and operators who have excelled during 2018. The annual Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) awards will take place at Brisbane’s Rydges Hotel at South Bank on the evening of Tuesday 20 November.

Nominations are in and the shortlists for each of the hotly contested seven categories have been drawn up. The winners of the highly-regarded awards will be decided by a judging panel made up of Adam Hazell, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Natasha Montesalvo, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, and John Mayo, Spinal Life Australia. The standard of entries is very high so it promises to be a difficult decision, picking the winners.

Each finalist receives a certificate acknowledging their contribution to the industry, with the winner of each category also taking home a beautiful engraved trophy.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, thanked all those who submitted nominations this year and wished all the finalists the best of luck for the night.

“These awards are an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate truly outstanding members of our industry. Each and every day, in towns and cities across Queensland, taxi drivers and operators are serving communities so it is fantastic to acknowledge that hard work and dedication,” said Mr Davies.

The shortlists are:

• Driver of the Year (Wheelchair Accessible Taxi)
  • Gysbertus Ligteringen (Gold Coast Cabs)
  • Jagdeep Suman (Black and White Cabs)
  • Anant Sharma (13 Cabs)

• Driver of the Year (Conventional Taxi)
  • Shane Longland (Black and White Cabs)
  • Barry Kennerley (13 Cabs)
  • Cherie Abell (Mackay Whitsundays Taxis)

• Operator of the Year (1-20 vehicles)
  • Yvonne Grace (13 Cabs)
  • Michael Agius (Cairns Taxis)
  • Christian Cochrane (Black and White Cabs)

• Operator of the Year (21-100 vehicles)
  • Revealed on the evening

• Operator of the Year (100+ vehicles)
  • Zevra
  • Greg Neighbours (13 Cabs)

• Customer Service Award
  • Nicholas Daniels (Cairns Taxis)
  • Atambeer Kalra (Black and White Cabs)

• Significant Achievement Award
  • Allan Rowe (Blue and White Taxis)

End

26 October 2018
Media Release

A recent report[1] revealing the wide-spread fear around personal safety felt by Uber and other booked-hire drivers should be a ‘wake-up’ call for State Governments to act immediately warns the Australian Taxi Industry Association (ATIA).

The survey, commissioned by Rideshare Driver Co-Operative and the Transport Workers Union, showed booked-hire drivers are working with significant concerns about physical abuse, harassment, and threats, which are going unaddressed by the likes of Uber. One in 10 booked-hire drivers have been physically assaulted while working and 6 per cent reported they have been sexually assaulted.

CEO of the ATIA, Blair Davies, says Uber and other booked-hire companies continue to act with only superficial concern for the safety and wellbeing of employees.

“It should not have come to a third-party published survey for Uber and other booked-hire companies to realise more needs to be done to ensure the safe and fair treatment of their drivers. It’s now clearer than ever that many booked-hire drivers are fearing for their safety and the companies they work for should be doing something urgently to help them,” said Mr Davies.

“To hear there’s been 969 reports of harassment and assault but the majority of these cries for help have been ignored by their companies is unacceptable. Violent passengers aren’t banned from the service and there’s no compensation for any damage to vehicles. It’s clear that their drivers’ safety is not a priority which is why they are in no rush to fix what is a blatant issue, despite incidents occurring all around the world.

“Inaction by these companies also has potential consequences for all of us. By failing to take action against the perpetrators, there is the risk that they continue acting in this way when travelling by other forms of transport such as buses and trains. Companies like Uber have a responsibility to society to take urgent and meaningful action to put a stop to violent activity occurring inside their vehicles.

“These companies are not taking advantage of the technology readily available to them to help protect drivers from abusive and dangerous passengers. Trying to solve the issue through an app with an emergency call button, which is designed purely for the safety of passengers, is just simply not enough. They need to take more proactive measures to ensure their drivers don’t become victims of abuse, harassment or worse.”

The survey also showed Uber and other booked-hire drivers earn less than the national minimal wage, and the ATIA fears drivers will continue to be exploited unless more is done.

“Ride-sourcing drivers have been complaining for years now that they want a fairer and safer working environment, and it’s about time these companies listened and took action, or for State Governments to step in and make them do so. The app platform providers need to stop thinking about lining their own pockets and consider the well-being of their workforce. The taxi industry has long been calling on a fairer deal for both drivers and passengers of the personalised transport sector and we just want to see this become a reality for everybody involved.

“Taxis are equipped with compulsory safety technology including high quality tamperproof security cameras and hardwired GPS tracking. We see this as an investment in cabbies’ and their passengers’ safety, and it’s now overdue for the competitors to also invest in safety technologies rather than skimping the issue,” continued Mr Davies.

End

19 October 2018
Media Release 

Brisbane commuters are having to waste more time planning for traffic jams than ever before, according to a damning report on road congestion by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA).

The ‘Road Congestion in Australia’ report found that unpredictability of travel time on Brisbane’s roads worsened more in the last 12 months (increasing by 1.2%) than any other State Capital. That increase means there is now a variation of almost 22% between journey times for trips in and around Queensland’s capital.

The resulting element of unpredictability is forcing drivers and passengers to allocate more and more time for journeys, which significantly impacts productivity and the economy. Whether driving their own vehicle, travelling by taxi or bus, or attempting to deliver freight, Queenslanders in the South East corner are wasting increasing amounts of time, money, and patience on clogged up roads.

The impact this has on the national economy is eyewatering, with the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics estimating that congestion hit the economy for $16.5bn in 2015. However, that figure pales in comparison to the estimated $27.7bn to $37.3bn it will be costing Australia by 2030 if nothing is done.

A large portion of the blame for worsening congestion in and around Brisbane can be attributed to the unchecked numbers of booked-hire vehicles which have been allowed to flood Queensland’s roads in recent years. From a standing start of no such vehicles, services such as UberX are now responsible for more than 15,000 extra vehicles cruising the State’s roads, hunting for fares.

Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) CEO, Blair Davies, believes there is an obvious first step for the State Government to take in combating the worsening congestion on Brisbane’s roads.

“Placing a cap on the number of booked-hire vehicles which can operate on Queensland roads has to be first cab off the rank in any congestion-busting strategy.  We already have an oversupply of these vehicles. Implementing a cap has no real downside for booked-hire consumers and only upside for the drivers trying to make a living from these services,” said Mr Davies.

“It’s like hitting the emergency stop button on a conveyor belt that’s out of control.  It may not fix the problem but it will stop the mess being created getting any worse.  Deciding not to issue any more booked-hire vehicle licenses would give the Government much needed breathing space to work through some of the tougher options it will need to look at to decongest South East Queensland roads.

“We know that unlike its drivers, Uber desperately doesn’t want to see the Government cap booked-hire vehicles.  It’s already started proposing congestion taxes to overseas cities looking to follow the lead of New York, which introduced a cap in August.  We would simply say to the State Government that taxing Queenslanders to avoid inconveniencing a company like Uber is plainly the wrong priority,” continued Mr Davies.

“Congestion is a huge problem that will continue to get worse unless the Government acts, and acts quickly.  More public transport services, better roads and possibly even targeted taxation will have a part to play in the solution, but each of them will take time to implement.  Capping booked-hire vehicles, like New York has done, is a part of the solution that does not require any lead time, and can begin having a positive impact immediately.”

Ends

Media Release
September 28, 2018

Nominations are now open for The Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ)’s Annual Industry Awards which recognise and celebrate those who make an outstanding contribution to the industry, and communities it serves.

The awards pay tribute to the incredible work and dedication of some of the taxi industry’s finest across the Sunshine State, with winners being announced at the TCQ Industry Awards Dinner in November.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, says the Council has a long tradition of recognising the high-quality performance and professionalism of industry members.

“Year-on-year, we hear and see stories from the nominations of incredible members of our industry who have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional service and help our taxi services rate amongst the best in the world,” he said. “The diversity of people, backgrounds and personalities that make up our industry all play a vital role in its operation and success.

“It’s clear there’s a genuine camaraderie throughout Queensland’s taxi industry. Many of our members have been working in the sector for years but they remain just as committed and passionate about great customer service as the day they started. It’s wonderful to see their peers nominate them for the outstanding contribution they’ve made.

“I encourage everyone to consider nominating someone they believe is worthy of one of the category titles and give them the opportunity for well-deserved recognition,” said Mr Davies.

This year’s award categories include Driver of the Year, Operator of the Year, Significant Achievement Award and Customer Service Award.

Nominations are open in regions across the state including Brisbane (Ipswich and Redcliffe), Gold Coast, Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland, Capricornia, Wider Bay, Sunshine Coast and South West Queensland.

Nominators only need to complete a short form stating their reason for nominating and answering a few related questions.

The winners will be announced at the TCQ Industry Awards Dinner which will be held on 20 November 2018 at the Rydges Hotel in South Bank.

Nominations will be accepted until close of business on Tuesday 30 October 2018.

To nominate please visit: http://www.tcq.org.au/2018-tcq-award-nominations.html

Ends

September 19, 2018
Media Release 

The recently introduced passenger ban by Uber is only the tip of the iceberg as the public and platform’s own drivers continue to be disadvantaged, warns the Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ).

Earlier this week, Uber, introduced a six month ban for any of its passengers with a rating of less than four out of five. Uber, with more than 7,000 drivers on busy Brisbane roads, says it’s introducing the ban following feedback from its drivers.

However, TCQ doesn’t believe the ban is being brought in through concern for its drivers as recent events around the globe show Uber continues to act with only superficial regard for the safety of its passengers and drivers.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, is all for safeguarding drivers from abusive and dangerous passengers but believes Uber’s ban is little more than a publicity stunt which will have little real benefit.

“This ban is really just another example of Uber washing its hands of responsibility for looking after its drivers,” he said. “If they were serious about addressing that issue then they would make safety technology compulsory in their vehicles, just like taxis do with their high quality tamperproof security cameras and hardwired GPS tracking.

“Instead, they are introducing a temporary ban which still leaves their drivers and passengers extremely vulnerable, as this is just more window dressing and distraction rather than a serious effort to address very serious safety problems. Uber and other booked-hire platforms continue to refuse to make that investment, placing everyone at risk for the sake of profits.

“Profits which do not stay in and contribute to Australia but which leach out of the country,” said Mr Davies.

This month saw Uber and other booked-hire platform drivers come together in Chicago, USA, to protest the poor working conditions and low wages they endure. Many of those complaints center around below minimum wage payments, as well as abuses suffered while driving in vehicles with no security cameras fitted.

Yet Uber has only trialed passenger bans in Brazil, and now Australia and New Zealand. That fact, coupled with Uber’s refusal to introduce a new passenger safety report to these shores, as it has in the USA, has led TCQ to question whether the company sees its Australian operation and passengers as anything other than a cash cow.

“This is a foreign company which has come into our towns and cities to congest our roads with extra vehicles driven by poorly paid drivers, undermines our existing infrastructure and business communities, fails to take passenger and road safety seriously, and then rip its profits out of our country.

“If it wants to deliver on its so far empty promises about responsible corporate citizenship and safety being a priority then Uber would make passenger safety reports available everywhere it operates. Why in America, but not Australia?

“Is it simply that Uber doesn’t value its Australian passengers as much as others?

“Prior to the invasion of these booked-hire platforms, taxi driving was a business that allowed Queenslanders to make a reasonable living while providing an essential service in their local communities.

“It’s time for the Queensland Government to stand up not only our industry but all Queenslanders across the State and say ‘enough is enough’ to the likes of Uber. If they want to operate here then they should treat their drivers, passengers, and wider society with the proper respect deserved,” concluded Mr Davies.

Ends

Media release
31 August 2018

A recent report of a passenger murdered by a DiDi driver in China has raised serious concerns from the Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ), demanding the Queensland Government take a more comprehensive look at how booked-hire platforms perform overseas before allowing them to enter the Queensland market.

TCQ is urging the State Government to act before it’s too late and critically review its role as a protector of public safety in the personalised transport sector as the Chinese booked-hire platform considers further expansion in Australia.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, says it is not an anti-competition position the Council holds, but a view that the Government has a crucial role to play in regulating to keep passengers and drivers safe in the personalised transport sector.

“We’ve heard it time and time again, booked-hired drivers being involved in unsavoury, predatory situations endangering passengers and other road users, and yet there has been no serious response from the Department of Transport to critically review the impacts and criteria on allowing these platforms to enter our market,” said Mr Davies.

“The Queensland Government needs to seriously up its game particularly in regard to the international platforms entering and operating in Queensland or they will run the risk of more dangerous, unsafe incidences occurring on our streets.

“How these platforms operate overseas is literally a window to how they will operate in Queensland.  When their safety plans and procedures fail passengers overseas, they are just as likely to fail vulnerable Queenslanders.

“We won’t stand back and watch more passengers suffer from the lack of security in booked-hire vehicles because some politicians and bureaucrats want to tell us the community needs more choice and it doesn’t matter if that comes at the expense of public safety. Nobody needs more choice when that means putting some vulnerable members of the Queensland community at unnecessary risk of becoming the victims of heinous crimes.

“As DiDi eyes further expansion across Australia, it’s never been more vital to look at their track record overseas to consider the impact it could have on Queensland passengers and roads.”

With booked-hire services’ safety standards and measures barely existent in comparison to Queensland taxis, Mr Davies says the Queensland Government can’t continue to jeopardise the safety of Queenslanders for the profit of global platforms.

“This latest incident in China is just yet another example of the gaping discrepancies between the booked-hire services and taxis. These operators are taking short-cuts instead of concrete steps to vet their drivers and put proper safety measures in place,” he continues.

“We urge the State Government to see the incident in China as a wakeup call and make a stronger commitment to protect the safety of our passengers and drivers. They need to place these platforms under stricter scrutiny, otherwise I fear we could be hearing of more tragedies like the ones reported in China, right here in Queensland,” concludes Mr Davies.

Ends