Media Release
September 26, 2016
A recent incident which saw two elderly women mistakenly get in the wrong rideshare vehicle highlights the inherent dangers customers now face under changes to passenger transport legislation.
The incident forced the Melbourne women to complain to ridesharing service uber, claiming a driver tried to force them out of the vehicle in a deserted street late at night.
Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Wash says customers are putting their safety at risk by thinking any vehicle could be their booking, because the cars are not clearly identified.
“Sadly we will see more and more instances of customers getting fooled and mistakenly getting into the wrong ridesharing vehicle – or a car pretending to offer rideshare – and being put in harm’s way. It is happening overseas and is becoming common in some jurisdictions.”
Mr Wash said taxis are clearly marked, driver identification is on display, and all cabs are equipped with cameras, unlike rideshare vehicles which, “can be operated by just about anyone”.
“The State Government has released the genie from the bottle and more serious safety incidents will occur as these watered down regulations allow rideshare vehicles to operate under flimsy protection guidelines.”
Original article can be found here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-08/uber-trip-for-two-older-melbourne-women-ends-in-complaint/7827610
ENDS