Media Release | Taxi Council Queensland

Statement from Taxi Council Queensland

Media Statement
17 March 2016

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) welcomes the report from Queensland parliament’s Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee calling on urgent enforcement action against illegal taxi services.

There is one law for all in this state, and for too long, illegal taxi operators have been allowed to ignore the law with no ramifications. This breakdown of the rule of law has widespread consequences and has negatively impacted thousands of law abiding small business operators across Queensland. For this lack of action, legislators should be ashamed.

However, the State Government now has another opportunity to be decisive and uphold the law and we urge them to do so immediately.

TCQ is an active participant in the current government review process and is working with all sides of parliament to achieve the right outcome. However, in the meantime the law is the law, and at the moment we have an uneven playing field, with

TAXIS CALL FOR MORE SECURE LATE NIGHT RANKS

Media Release
February 17, 2016

The peak body representing Queensland’s taxi industry has called for more secure and better resourced taxi ranks while vowing to do all it can to ensure the expected new lockout laws are workable and sustainable.

Taxi Council Queensland Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Wash says earlier lockout times will generate greater demand for taxi services and this is one of the many issues that require a consultative approach moving forward.

“Earlier lockout and last drinks times mean more patrons will need taxi services at the same time, so more cabs need to be on the road to effectively service peak demand.

“The challenge now for the taxi industry, governments and police is to make these precincts as safe as possible.”

Mr Wash said more secure ranks will be needed in entertainment precincts state wide to handle the increased volume.

“The incidence of violence is likely to fall

TAXI COUNCIL CALLS FOR MANDATORY SENTENCING FOLLOWING AMBO ATTACKS

Media Release
27 January 2016

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has called for mandatory sentencing for anyone found guilty of assaulting a person who is providing an emergency or transportation service to the public.

The call comes after a spate of attacks against paramedics in south east Queensland.

TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash says his industry stands with ambulance officers and others who are dealing with the public 24/7, as taxi drivers have also been victims of violence.

“All of the talk in the world won’t change things unless courts start sending a strong message, and at this moment sentencing is far removed from community expectation,” he said.

“Whether it is a taxi driver, police officer, bus driver, paramedic, firefighter, railway employee or anyone who is carrying out their job of transporting or attending to the public, they deserve a level of protection from the law that is currently not there.”

SHORT AIRPORT TAXI FARES A THING OF THE PAST

Media Release
December 14, 2015

The days of a taxi driver waiting in the queue at Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal only to get a fare to the International Terminal – and being disadvantaged because of the ‘luck of the draw’ – is over, thanks to an innovative new scheme successfully being implemented by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC).

In fact it has worked so well, the working group responsible for the initiative was recently recognised at the annual Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) Industry Awards.

Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Adam Hazell received the prestigious industry Innovation Award at the recent ceremony in Brisbane and paid tribute to the hard work achieved by the Airport Working Group (AWG) looking in to the short fare system.

“The research between the AWG and taxi drivers who work from the airport was consultative and thorough and we know we have come up with a fairer system for cabbies who take

TAXI COUNCIL QLD WELCOMES VICTORIAN RULING ON ILLEGAL UBER

Media Statement

04 December 2015

Statement from Benjamin Wash, Chief Executive Officer TCQ

Today’s court decision in Victoria that ruled uber is an illegal taxi service proves what almost every Government in Australia has been saying and exposes uber’s continued lies, deception and illegality.

The ruling also makes a mockery of this week’s submission to the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee in which uber proudly claimed it had never been found guilty of operating illegally in any Australian jurisdiction – that is now wrong.

Taxi Council Queensland reaffirms its stance of welcoming competition in the industry as long as there is a level playing field. No company, even a foreign giant like uber – should be allowed to break the law because they have the money to do so.

We call on the Queensland Government to deal with uber through the legal process and begin prosecutions to send a message that all are equal under

REPORTS THAT NSW MAY LEGALISE UBER WON’T AFFECT QLD

Media Release

23 November 2015

Reports that NSW may legalise uber won’t affect QLD – Taxi Council

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) says reports of illegal taxi service uber being legalised in New South Wales should not affect any future decision by the Queensland Government, as this state’s industry is very different.

TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash also said the reason given by unnamed NSW “Government sources” for the proposed move was bizarre and worrying.

The Daily Telegraph reported today that “Government sources described state regulation of uber as “inevitable”, saying the service would have continued to operate under the radar had it not been legalised”.

“This is an unbelievable precedent. Is the NSW Government seriously saying that any company wealthy enough to keep breaking the law and thumbing its nose at regulation will ‘inevitably’ become legal because the Government is too weak to uphold the law?
“The NSW Government has willingly

QLD TAXI DRIVER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

11/13/2015

Thirty years of driving a taxi without a single complaint has resulted in Brisbane taxi driver John Topma being named this year’s Queensland ‘Taxi Driver of the Year’.

Yellow Cabs driver John Topma is a 30 year industry veteran and overcame a standout field to take home the top award at Taxi Council Queensland’s (TCQ) Taxi Industry Awards in Brisbane last night.

Drivers were nominated by the industry and members of the public and John led the way with three different nominations, all praising the 50 year-old’s courteous, reliable and consistent customer service.

Having driven cabs in New South Wales and Queensland, John is never without a friendly smile and a happy hello as he begins his shift, traits that have seen him receive a record number of compliments and frequent nominations as the state’s number one taxi driver.

Among his many acts of kindness and service was

NEW LIQUOR LICENSING LAWS WON’T SOLVE PROBLEM – CRIMINOLOGIST TAXI BOSS

11/12/2015

The State Government’s proposed revised liquor licensing laws will not solve the problem of alcohol fuelled violence and could create more issues according to a taxi industry representative who is also a criminologist and former consultant in the area of alcohol related policy and issues.

Gordana Blazevic is Chief Executive Officer of Gold Coast Cabs and Vice President of Taxi Council Queensland, and has worked with previous state and local governments developing and evaluating strategies around alcohol related issues.

She says a 2am or earlier closure or lockout won’t stop violence but will only make it harder to contain, because people will take their parties to the suburbs instead of staying in a more controlled precinct environment.

“Right now taxis pick up customers in entertainment precincts at secure ranks where people have police supervision and every effort is made to keep people safe.”

“If people feel they can only

TAXI COUNCIL QLD INDUSTRY AWARDS – TONIGHT

11/12/2015

Taxi Council QLD Industry Awards – TONIGHT

The annual Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) Industry Awards will be held tonight, Wednesday November 11 at Easts Leagues Club, Coorparoo from 7:30pm.

The evening will feature a range of industry awards presented to the winners of several categories including Driver of the Year and Customer Service.

Media are welcome to attend to gain vision of the major winners with the main award for Driver of the Year expected to be announced around 9:30pm.

The Driver of the Year will be available for interview at noon tomorrow, November 12. Details TBC.

Details
WHO: TCQ Industry Awards 2015
WHEN: TODAY, November 11, 7:30pm. (Major presentation around 9:30pm)
WHERE: Easts Leagues Club, 40 Main Avenue, Coorparoo
ENDS

BOOK A CAB FOR MELBOURNE CUP – BEST BET OF THE DAY

11/4/2015

Book a cab for Melbourne Cup – best bet of the day

Queensland’s taxis will be on the road from early tomorrow morning taking patrons to Melbourne Cup day events as the industry embraces one of its busiest days of the year.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has urged revellers to book ahead for a cab, and if using a smartphone app, to make sure it is attached to one of the recognised booking companies.

TCQ chief operating officer Wayne Crooks also warned that illegal taxis will be attempting to flout laws and generate business.

“Illegal taxis take advantage of alcohol-effected people by not only providing an unregulated and unsafe service, but charging up to ten times the normal fare in what they call surge pricing,” he explained.

“Taxis are the safest form of door to door transport, so make sure there is a clear taxi brand on the car.”