New fund to support wheelchair accessibility

Published on: May 31, 2019Category: News

27/05/2019

The Palaszczuk Government has launched a $21 million, four-year Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) fund to encourage taxi operators to make their vehicles accessible and modernise the state’s fleet.

More than 600 wheelchair accessible taxis currently operate across Queensland, however 35 per cent are now older than eight years.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the multi-million dollar investment will help taxi owners replace older vehicles, bringing the average age of the fleet down to just over three years.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring all Queenslanders have access to safe and reliable transport,” Ms Trad said.

“This funding will support taxi operators who provide accessible transport in making sure they’re able to continue offering a great service for people who use wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Under the funding, wheelchair accessible taxis aged eight years or older will be eligible for 50 per cent funding for gradual vehicle replacement from 2019-20 through to 2022-23.

“It’s an initiative that will help people get to work, appointments and stay connected with family and friends, while also driving jobs in the transport industry and for local businesses who provide accessible vehicle modifications.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey made the announcement on the Gold Coast at the Australian Taxi Industry Association’s annual international conference and said the funding program would also be available for other taxi operators to convert their vehicles and make them wheelchair accessible.

“We want to get more taxi operators driving accessible vehicles. The Palaszczuk Government’s funding will help put an additional 65 accessible taxis on the road, boosting the number of vehicles available by 10 per cent,” Mr Bailey said.

“We’re investing in jobs, supporting Queensland businesses and delivering the services for our growing state.”

Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) CEO Blair Davies said it was great to see the Government and the taxi industry working together to keep Queensland as a world leader when it comes to wheelchair accessible taxi services.

“The Queensland Government’s decision to help our taxi operators replace their older accessible taxis is a fantastic initiative.  It’s a very timely helping hand and one that is much needed,” Mr Davies said.

“TCQ reached out to Minister Bailey about a financing problem that was stopping our members replacing the ageing WAT fleet and pleasingly he has come back with a very welcome solution.”

It follows the announcement earlier this month committing $6 million to continue the Taxi Subsidy Scheme for a year and a further $6.8 million to continue incentive payments for wheelchair accessible taxi drivers to give priority to the scheme’s members.

The Taxi Subsidy Scheme provides a co-contribution of up to $25 per trip for people with severe disabilities who are unable to use other forms of subsidised public passenger transport, while the incentive payment of $20 is offered to drivers for each eligible trip involving a TSS member.

Minister Bailey said the funding will ensure nobody is disadvantaged through the transition to the Federal Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

ENDS

Travel subsidy closure plea

Published on: May 13, 2019Category: News

08/05/2019

The State Government has been accused of showing “callous disregard” for the disabled community over its refusal to extend a travel subsidy.

More than a dozen disabled groups, the LNP and the Taxi Council Queensland are pleading for the Taxi Subsidy Scheme to be extended for two more years for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.  The State Government subsidy, which covers 50 per cent of a taxi fare to a maximum of $25, is due to be dropped after June 30 for people on the federally funded NDIS.

Up to 10,000 NDIS participants would have access to travel payments under the federal scheme, however, disabled groups have raised concerns that users would be worse off.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said a petition supporting the subsidy, signed by 5649 people and tabled recently in Parliament, highlighted community outrage at the Government’s decision.

“We need to ensure that people with disabilities have the confidence that taxis will turn up and take their fares,” she said.

Disabled passengers not on the NDIS would not be affected.

TCQ boss Blair Davies said Labor was playing politics with the decision, but boxing itself into a corner as they would be seen as showing “callous disregard” for the disabled.

“All in all, they are creating a great deal of angst and uncertainty for people with disabilities who use the TSS because they don’t know what’s going to happen to it,” he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government reinstated the TSS in July 2017 after concerns that participants were not receiving sufficient transport under the NDIS. “The Palaszczuk Government is focused on ensuring appropriate transport supports are in place for NDIS eligible Taxi Subsidy Scheme members beyond June 30, 2019 and is currently working with the Federal Government to ensure they meet their responsibility so Queenslanders with disability receive the transport support they need,” he said.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/end-of-taxi-scheme-shows-callous-disregard-for-disabled/news-story/32bb78cdb1e481d66bc36bef8483a8d4 

Uber and taxi cop will not have any ‘real power’: Taxi Council

Published on: March 15, 2019Category: News

13/03/2019

An independent umpire created to deal with complaints about ride-sharing and taxis will not have any real powers, the Taxi Council of Queensland says.

Last month, Transport Minister Mark Bailey introduced a bill to create a personalised transport ombudsman, which is the latest reform in the sector, following changes including an annual licence for ride-sharing drivers, the requirement to display signs and compensation for taxi licence owners.

The ombudsman will be designed to hear complaints from passengers, drivers and operators, including about dirty vehicles or a driver’s working conditions.

But Taxi Council of Queensland chief executive Blair Davies warned the ombudsman may become a “toothless tiger” and its powers should be expanded.

Mr Davies said the ombudsman would not be able to handle complaints associated with breaches of legislation or regulation and so would be unable to help with accusations about the illegal activities of drivers or overcharging, which would remain with Transport and Main Roads.

“The PT ombudsman will not have any real power to compel parties to a dispute to do anything, other than to supply information and attend meetings which presents as potentially challenging, if not unduly limiting,” he said, in a submission to a parliamentary committee considering the bill.

Mr Davies said members had reported “unchecked numbers of booked-hire drivers brazenly touting for work, performing cash jobs … and illegally parking in taxi zones and no-stopping zones”, and those issues would not be able to be referred to the ombudsman.

Transport Workers Union Queensland secretary Peter Biagini said the union did not support the ombudsman, arguing it did not have powers to arbitrate disputes.

“Large multinational companies such as UberX and other local taxi entities are unlikely to make bone fide offers to settle matters if the PTO can be safely ignored once conciliation is over,” he said.

Mr Biagini also criticised the fact any union official, peak council representative or advocacy member involved in personalised transport in the past five years would be ineligible to be appointed as the ombudsman.

“[It] is clearly directed at preventing the appointment of ‘outsiders’ from the public service,” he said.

The Ride Share Drivers’ Association of Australia said the ombudsman should have the powers to fine people and cancel licences.

“The ombudsman will have no real powers to compel parties to be bound by any results,” the body’s submission read.

The Limousine Action Group Queensland suggested a job ad for the position could read: “Amazing opportunity to join the Qld public service. High paid job with all the perks, you must have NO recent industry experience (it’s legislation), you have full autonomy and great power, you’ll primarily be investigating price surging or dirty cabs.”

However, Mr Bailey said the industry reforms would ensure Queenslanders had access to safe, affordable, accountable transport.

“An ombudsman will be an independent and impartial umpire, not just for operators and drivers, but for their customers too,” he said.

“Regulatory and legislative issues are dealt with by TMR and workers conditions by the Office of Industrial Relations so these laws do not support the ombudsman performing duties that are already performed by existing agencies or bodies.

“The industry is going through major disruption but it is not the role of the ombudsman to consider or adjudicate on larger discussions around government policy, financial support or legal matters.”

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/uber-and-taxi-cop-will-not-have-any-real-power-taxi-council-20190312-p513i2.html 

Safety fears as taxi marshals call it a night on New Year’s Eve as State Government axes scheme

Published on: January 4, 2019Category: News

31/12/2018

Late night cab drivers in Adelaide will feel more vulnerable and the public will lose important services with the end of supervised taxi ranks, the Taxi Council of South Australia has warned.

Council president Steve Savas says the supervised ranks in the city helped weed out potential troublemakers.

But he said drivers will still front up and do their jobs, especially on busy nights like New Year’s Eve.

“They will feel more vulnerable, but they will still head to those ranks because that’s where people will line up and wait,” Mr Savas told ABC radio on Monday.

The council has lost state government funding that helped provide a late night concierge and security service at key city taxi ranks, including Hindley St and the Adelaide Casino, on Friday and Saturday nights.

The 11-year-old scheme will come to an end tonight, as other safety measures including CCTV remain in place. Axing the marshals is expected to save the State Budget $190,000 per year.

A Government spokeswoman said taxi ranks would continue to have signage, lighting and CCTV surveillance and those in high-profile areas are regularly patrolled by police.

She said the new Government had also expanded police station hours in entertainment precincts.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said the cut would cost 21 jobs and reduce general safety, while also raising concerns it could worsen violence against women.

“Parents concerned for the safety of their children in the city late at night will now have an added worry,” he said.

“Managed taxi ranks help keep passengers and drivers safe.

“This cut just doesn’t make any sense.”

The Government says it has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to combat violence against women since being elected, including millions of dollars for support services.

The end to the service also comes after an attack on a driver at Felixstow on Sunday who escaped serious injury after being punched several times to the head and body by three passengers who then stole his wallet and overnight takings.

A 23-year-old man was later arrested over the incident and charged with aggravated robbery.

Mr Savas said late night and early morning pick-ups can be “scary” for drivers.

He said the council was continually trying to educate cabbies to better assess situations before picking up passengers in potentially dangerous circumstances such as a dark street or in a park.

“That’s another reason why they prefer to go to those (supervised) ranks. They know that they’re safe there,” he said.

“They know that whoever is going to get in their cab has been scrutinised by the concierge and the security people.”

Mr Savas said the managed ranks also provided a valuable service for the public, often serving as a safe pick-up venue for parents collecting their children or to provide assistance in emergencies.

Southern Domestic Violence Action Group chair Di Newton said the loss of the supervised ranks would put women at particular risk, “especially when they may have been out drinking and are vulnerable”.

“Women will be planning their nights out from January 1 onwards expecting this service to be there, only to discover that it’s not in the early hours of the morning, and they will be placed at even higher risk,” she said.

Mr Savas said the council was looking to replace the government funding through private sponsorship.

Transport gets personal with new rules for ‘rideables’

Published on: December 18, 2018Category: News

14/12/2018

New rules come into effect today to support the expanding range of ‘rideable’ devices being used by Queenslanders.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said changes to road rules were responding to the growing popularity and use of electric-scooters, electric bikes and other forms of personal transport.

“The new laws for rideables recognise our community’s changing travel habits and the uptake in first and last mile transport options,” Mr Bailey said.

“We are seeing different kinds of rideables on footpaths and public spaces and there are companies offering personal transport services looking to invest here, so we need to make sure our laws support these changes.

“These new travel options can help ease traffic congestion, reduce the need for parking spaces and are also eco-friendly.

“We are always striving to provide Queenslanders with more travel options and we are leading the way with this reform.

“We began our review of Queensland’s regulations for rideables earlier this year in anticipation of these changing transport options.

“Since that review began, a number of personalised transport operators have expressed interest in coming into the Queensland market.

“We said the revised regulations would be in place before Christmas and today’s announcement gives certainty to people who want to ride these devices, as well as those companies that want to offer them as a service.

“We’re not quite there with hoverboards but these rule changes will provide some guidance on how our public spaces should accommodate the range of other transport devices that are out there now.”

Mr Bailey said safety was a priority when introducing any new technology and the rule changes would protect people using paths and roads.

“Rideables have size and weight requirements and must only be ridden to a maximum speed of no more than 25km/h,” he said.

“They must also have effective brakes and nothing sharp that could injure a pedestrian.

“Helmets must be worn while riding and users cannot carry passengers.

“Children under 12 are not allowed to ride and those under 16 must be supervised by an adult.

“Users must ride in a safe and respectful manner, giving way to pedestrians, and travel at a safe speed to ensure they can stop to avoid collisions.

“Rideables can travel on paths, including the bicycle side of a shared path.

“They cannot travel on Brisbane roads, and riders should avoid interacting with traffic.

“Existing fines for the incorrect use of personal mobility devices have increased to $130 to ensure new rideables are used safely.

“Speeding on a rideable will still incur the existing $174 fine.”

Mr Bailey said people should also ride responsibly during the festive season.

“It’s important to remember, especially during Christmas and New Year celebrations, that drinking and riding do not mix,” he said.

“We want everyone to get home safely and enjoy the holidays with their friends and families.

“If you’re drinking, make sure you have a lift legend and don’t drive or ride.

“Dangerous riding behaviour can and will be enforced by the Queensland Police Service.”

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/12/14/transport-gets-personal-with-new-rules-for-rideables

Pedestrian safety review accepted by Brisbane City Council

Published on: December 18, 2018Category: News

04/12/2018

Brisbane City Council has accepted a final report into pedestrian safety across the city that recommends a host of changes for the city’s foot traffic.

The report, commissioned as part of an ongoing review into the city’s safety for pedestrians and cyclists after numerous fatal crashes in the past year, was debated at the council meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Recommendations include the removal or restructuring of slip lanes such as the lane at the intersection of Ann and Creek streets in the central business district, the phasing of traffic signals to favour pedestrians, and lowering speed limits on key roads around the city and its suburbs to 40km/h.

Lord mayor Graham Quirk said the final report was one of several produced in the Move Safe project for the city.

Cr Quirk said a public appeal for information on danger zones and risk areas for pedestrians across the city, combined with Queensland Police data, provided the council with more than 6000 pieces of information on the issues on Brisbane streets.

“This report provides a pathway in terms of future actions in the Move Safe program,” Cr Quirk said.

“This will be funded not only in this year’s budget but in future budgets also.”

Opposition transport spokesman Jared Cassidy said Labor supported the recommendations made in the report but didn’t believe they went far enough.

“We’ve seen what has persisted in the Brisbane CBD since the horse and buggy days, a priority given to road users,” Cr Cassidy said during debate.

“What we’re seeing around the world are 67 cities … reducing their speed limit to 30km/h.

“We’re seeing cities in Australia, in Melbourne and Sydney, reducing the speed limit to 30km/h.

“We don’t want to be left behind. We want to see our CBD be a paradise for pedestrians.”

Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner said the final report was based on “facts, not ideology” and accused Labor and Greens councillors of basing their opposition to elements of the report on ideology.

“This review is about council taking on community feedback, looking at the facts, looking at the data and then initiating sensible targeted initiatives that will make a massive improvement to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists around the city,” Cr Schrinner said.

However, councillor for Tennyson Nicole Johnston and Gabba councillor Jonathan Sri both strongly criticised the report, Cr Johnston expressing frustration at a lack of action on Ipswich Road, which was named in the report as one of the most dangerous in the city.

Cr Sri said the report was “tokenistic” and needed to go further.

Councillor for Morningside Kara Cook sent her “sincere condolences” to the families of the pedestrians killed in crashes across the city.

“My residents want to see pedestrian safety … prioritised, not network performance,” she said.

Councillor for Bracken Ridge Amanda Cooper said the report was “not just words, it is actions in direct proportions to the commitments we have made”.

Cr Cooper said the council had taken “direct action” in response to pedestrian safety and the actions spanned not just the CBD but the whole of the city.

The lord mayor said the report represented a balanced approach to transport around the city.

“We should not be force-feeding people in some sort of engineering way to dominate over them what they should do,” Cr Quirk said.

“There is … within this report some guide posts in terms of a way forward, some action we can take to provide some safer outcomes but also retain a balanced, functional approach.”

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/pedestrian-safety-review-accepted-by-brisbane-city-council-20181204-p50k89.html

UBER DRIVER TAKES TO BRISBANE FOOTPATH, CLAIMS TAXIS FORCED HIM OFF THE ROAD

Published on: May 15, 2018Category: 2018, News

14/05/2018 ABC NEWS | By Josh Robertson

An Uber driver says he has lodged a deprivation of liberty complaint with police, claiming he was forced to drive on a footpath after taxis blocked him from entering an inner Brisbane street.

The latest stoush between the taxi industry and ride-share operators emerged when vision of Max Foley’s unorthodox exit from Warner Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley party precinct hit social media on Sunday.

Mr Foley, 24, told the ABC he was blocked for up to 12 minutes by up to five taxi drivers after entering a private driveway to pick up a customer early on Sunday morning.

“I asked all of them to move, both out my window and asked the [taxi marshall] in the orange for them to move — they just scoffed at me and refused,” he said.

“They were making a lot of noise and recording it and I think my passenger was feeling a bit threatened.”

‘He’s got the shoe on the wrong foot’

But Queensland Taxi Council chief executive Blair Davies disputed Mr Foley’s account of the incident, saying it was a “convenient excuse” when the video clearly showed the driver was breaking road rules.

“This whole area is a taxi rank. The Uber driver, I don’t know what he was doing picking up a passenger in that space, but whatever it is he shouldn’t be driving down the footpath,” he said.

Mr Davies said a taxi marshall had been “clipped” by the Uber vehicle and had also lodged a complaint with police.

“If anyone’s the victim here, it’s the taxi industry and taxi people, and for the Uber driver to say that he’s the victim, well he’s got the shoe on the wrong foot,” Mr Davies said.

Mr Foley said the claim he made contact with anyone was “ridiculous” and he had driven down the footpath “at a crawl” after his customer agreed it was the best course.

Video obtained by the ABC shows Mr Foley asking his customer to “just hold up the phone and record them [the taxi drivers]”.

In the video, Mr Foley then said: “I think I’ll hook up here, to be honest, and just drive on the footpath.”

He said CCTV footage would back his version of events, which began when “very quickly three or four cabs purposely parked me in”.

“I was probably there for eight or 10 or 12 minutes, trying to get the taxis to move.”

Mr Foley said he had previously been subjected to hostile treatment from taxi drivers in the three and a half years he had been an Uber driver.

The taxi industry has voiced ongoing frustration at the encroachment of Uber on their livelihoods and the taxi council objected to the State Government’s move to make Uber a legal competitor to taxis in 2016.

“I have had taxi drivers key my car, purposely reverse into it, urinate on my tyre. It’s the behaviour that I get working for Uber in Fortitude Valley quite often,” Mr Foley said.

A spokesman for Queensland police said they were still investigating the incident.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-14/uber-driver-filmed-driving-on-footpath-in-fortitude-valley/9759922

HOW UBER HAS DISRUPTED TOOWOOMBA’S TAXI INDUSTRY

Published on: February 21, 2018Category: News

The Chronicle, by TOBI LOFTUS
21st Feb 2018

THE impact of Uber on Toowoomba’s taxi industry has been revealed in new data released by the Queensland Government.

The cost of transferring a taxi licence in the city dropped almost $300,000 in the two years since Uber launched in Toowoomba.

The Limousine and taxi service licence values data, released by the State Government this month, show from 2009 to 2015 the cost of transferring a licence was between $300,000 and $360,000.

After Uber’s launch in the Garden City in 2016, at the same time as ride sharing was legalised in Queensland, the cost of transferring a licence dropped to between $63,000 and $75,000.

Taxi Council Queensland CEO Blair Davies said this drop had devastated taxi licence owners in Toowoomba.
“It’s like somebody who owns a house and the value of that plummets,” he said.

“Some acquire the licence for superannuation (and) expect to sell the licence for a decent price to fund retirement.”

Taxi service licence values in Toowoomba, 2009-2017
Mr Davies said there was also inequality in the amount of CTP insurance taxi drivers had to pay compared to Uber drivers; $4462 compared to $582.

A spokesperson for Uber said the company had enjoyed an “enthusiastic embrace” of ridesharing in Toowoomba.

“Whether it be riders seeking a reliable, affordable and safe way across town, or drivers accessing a flexible economic opportunity, we are proud to be serving the city and its people,” the spokesperson said.

Uber could not state how many riders or drivers it had in the city because of due to confidentiality reasons.
Toowoomba taxi company Garden City Cabs was contacted for comment.

​READ MORE: https://m.thechronicle.com.au/news/how-uber-has-disrupted-toowoomba-taxi-industry/3340304/

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