Media Release

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

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

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 

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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