Media Release | Taxi Council Queensland

TAXI INDUSTRY MOBILISES THE MASSES AGAINST ILLEGAL TAXI SERVICES

Media Release
July 13, 2015

Queensland’s taxi industry is mobilising resources to stamp out illegal taxi services that continue to operate despite being ordered by the Government to stop.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has announced a new member-driven campaign encouraging owners, operators and drivers to engage their local MP’s and reinforce the importance of upholding the rule of law.

“Our members, some 15,000 small business owners, are resilient and strong and are determined to spread the message about right versus wrong,” said chief executive officer Benjamin Wash.

“It’s these law-abiding mums and dads and retirees who have invested their life savings, who could be sent to the wall if the law is not upheld and anyone is allowed to flout regulations.”

TCQ has also congratulated the Palaszczuk Government for staying strong in the battle against illegal taxis.

“The State Government, particularly the Deputy Premier, has been prepared to make strong comments in the public domain

TAXI COUNCIL QLD SAYS BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER MAY INCITE LAWLESSNESS

10/7/2015

Taxi Council QLD says breakdown of law and order may incite lawlessness

Queensland’s Taxi Council has outlined their fear that rogue individuals may take the law into their own hands if illegal taxi services are allowed to continue operating.

Taxi Council Queensland CEO Benjamin Wash said he doesn’t condone any sort of physical assault.

“Taxi drivers have been victims of physical assault so we are the first to stand against violence, and we want to see any perpetrator arrested and charged,” he said.

However he pointed out that there is no evidence at this stage that anyone in the taxi industry has assaulted anyone, and called uber’s comments that tried to link the assaults to the taxi industry, “disgraceful”.

“The Queensland taxi industry has never engaged in any unlawful activity, unlike uber who is operating completely unlawfully.”

However Mr Wash said that he also condemned “the breakdown of law

TAXI COUNCIL SAYS TOO MUCH UBERX SPIN AND NOT ENOUGH HONESTY IN MEDIA REPORTING

Media Release
4/15/2015

Queensland’s Taxi Council has accused sections of the media of “blindly following the spin” disseminated by illegal ride-hailing company uberX, and ignoring the legitimate safety concerns of experts.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) chief executive officer Benjamin Wash was referring to an article that appeared in Fairfax media this week warning Australian businesses that allowing staff to use uberX instead of taxis risked heavy penalties under work safety laws.

The article stated that “workplace lawyers are voicing major concerns about employers that permit staff use of the controversial service because it could breach their duty of care.”

Law firm Holding Redlich said uberX “should be banned by employers because the service was unlicensed and unregulated and there were no in-car surveillance cameras, used in taxis, to deter assaults.”

Mr Wash said that TCQ had been voicing these concerns for a long while and that much was “common sense”, however some parts

TAXI COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW TRANSPORT MINISTER JACKIE TRAD

Media Statement
2/20/2015

The following is attributed to Benjamin Wash, CEO Taxi Council Queensland

Taxi Council Queensland congratulates new Transport Minister Jackie Trad on her appointment and we look forward to a strong relationship with the new Palaszczuk Government.

I found Jackie to be responsive to the needs of our industry as opposition transport spokesperson and I am confident that the new Labor Government recognises the important role played by the taxi industry in Queensland.

The state’s taxi industry is unique in that we move over one hundred million people each year, yet are fully privatised with no government subsidies.

This highlights the importance of supporting the tens of thousands of small business people who own, operate and drive taxis, particularly by ensuring that anyone who seeks to start a taxi service competes on a level playing field and meets regulations that protect customers.

We welcome Labor’s strong pre-election commitment to uphold the

ILLEGAL RIDESHARE APPS TARGETED IN NEW PUBLIC AWARENESS SAFETY CAMPAIGN – TAXI COUNCIL SAYS QUEENSLANDERS SUPPORT THEM

Taxi Council of Queensland Inc.
Benjamin Wash, CEO

19 November 2014

Media Release

Illegal rideshare apps targeted in new public awareness safety campaign – Taxi Council says Queenslanders support them

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has commenced a public safety campaign, including billboard and radio advertising, to warn Queenslanders they are “risking their lives” when using illegal rideshare apps.

The campaign aims to ensure the State Government continues to force these apps to meet existing safety and service regulations. TCQ is calling on the public to support an e-petition and is also seeking the backing of disability, seniors’ and women’s groups.
TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said the industry welcomed innovation and that the campaign had nothing to do with resisting competition, “a claim used by rideshare companies to disguise their unethical and unsafe business practices.”

“Cashed up companies like Uber use warm and fuzzy words but in reality they are about one thing – making money by

TAXI COUNCIL RENEWS WARNING AFTER STORY ON A CURRENT AFFAIR

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has repeated its warning to avoid unregulated taxi apps following revelations that a Melbourne woman was sent abusive text messages by a taxi driver.
TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said the story, which appeared on A Current Affair last night, highlighted what he has been saying for the past two years, and he predicted that more people who use the apps will be placed in danger.

“I don’t condone the actions of the driver in any way, but these unregulated apps provide a way for people who are so inclined, to act in the wrong way.”

He said a driver should not be given the mobile phone number of a customer and that the app company concerned had no screening process in place to ensure the person involved was even a real taxi driver.

“We have proven, despite the claims of these companies, anyone can register as a taxi

RAPE BY FAKE TAXI DRIVER LEADS TO NEW WARNING OF UNSAFE SMARTPHONE TAXI APPS

Queensland’s Taxi Council (TCQ) says an increase in sexual assaults by fake taxi drivers across the UK should “sound the alarm” to Queenslanders who use unregulated smartphone apps to book cabs.
TCQ has renewed its warning to use only smartphone taxi booking apps from regulated taxi booking companies.

The warning comes after a woman in the UK was raped by a man posing as a taxi driver this week, and follows the revelation from state transport minister Scott Emerson that there were people in Queensland trying to operate unauthorised taxi services.

TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said the combination of illegal taxi operators and unaccountable smartphone apps created a potentially dangerous situation.

“Unregulated taxi apps assist illegal operators because some allow anyone to register as a driver. We know this for a fact because we’ve tested them.

“Anyone can enter a fake name and be offered jobs from an unsuspecting member of the public.

Taxi Council warns of major transport problems if clubs forced to close at same time

Enforcing a common closing time for licensed venues in South East Queensland entertainment precincts will cause transport chaos and may lead to more violence, warns the state’s peak taxi body.
Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) says the debate so far has ignored the practical issue of moving so many people at one time.

TCQ chief operating officer Wayne Crookes says there are enough taxis on the road to handle normal demand during busy weekends.

“Currently we successfully move tens of thousands of people every weekend from the entertainment precincts with minimal waiting times, mostly through our secure ranks,” he explained.

However a common closing time will create major delays and he is concerned about the ramifications of thousands of intoxicated young people roaming the streets unable to get home.

“The result of a lack of transport may be that young people will attempt to drive while intoxicated or walk home alone late at night, placing their

TAXI COUNCIL ISSUES SAFE TAXI CHRISTMAS TIPS – “GRAB A CAB, NOT A POLICE CAR”

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) wants people to stay safe this Christmas and has urged people to “grab a cab” if they are having a drink.

Chief executive officer Benjamin Wash says the choice is simple, “If you drink, you can choose between a ride in a taxi or a ride in a police car!”

TCQ has also issued 4 SAFE tips to help customers enjoy the festive season and reduce taxi waiting times over the busy holiday period, while asking people to be patient and respectful to each other – and to cabbies.

“It’s a busy time for taxi drivers but also a time that requires us all to work together, due to the peak demand,” Mr Wash said.

TCQ advises customers to follow their SAFE tips.

S – Secure Ranks: Remember that on Friday and Saturday nights, secure ranks operate in many busy night precincts across Queensland. In Fortitude Valley the Warner St rank

TAXI COUNCIL QUEENSLAND CALLS ON WOMEN TO REPORT INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS FROM TAXI DRIVERS

As part of the aim to be known as the world’s best taxi service, Queensland’s Taxi Council has issued a warning to drivers that it will not tolerate any inappropriate behaviour towards female customers.

4BC Interview with Benjamin Wash
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Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said that while Queensland taxis lead the world in many areas and enjoy a high customer satisfaction rating, he is setting the standards high.

“Ninety nine per cent of our drivers are excellent and do the right thing always, but when you want to be the best, you must demand the best,” he explained.

Mr Wash said he was aware that some female customers did not feel safe travelling in taxis, despite taxi travel being the safest form of door to door transport.

“We don’t want to ignore this perception. We want to bring this into the open and deal with it.

“Any behaviour that makes a