Nathanael Cooper, Brisbane Times
AUGUST 1 2016 – 4:10PM
The Taxi Council of Queensland and the RACQ have become involved in a public stoush over the automobile club’s support of ride-sharing.
RACQ spokesman Paul Turner made comments on Sunday demanding the state government urgently legalise ride-sharing to remove confusion and allow companies such as theirs to address the insurance needs of operators.
But the taxi council took umbrage to the comments, releasing a statement accusing RACQ of having plans to launch its own ride-sharing service.
“The RACQ’s support for illegal activity is surprising, and should raise the question of why it is being so vocal and what its agenda really is,” a statement from Taxi Council Queensland chief Benjamin Wash said.
“The RACQ and its interstate affiliates have stated in the past that they would consider starting a ride-share company.
“It is clear that these organisations want to use their huge combined membership base to start a company that will rival Uber and dominate the market, generating massive revenue across their income bases of insurance and road servicing, while establishing an entirely new revenue model.
“The RACQ has a clear vested interest and it is wrong to imply it is independent in this debate. We call on the RACQ to finally declare its motives and stop hiding behind the guise of being an observer.”