Ministerial Statement: Move to boost taxi response times

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
21/05/2008

Move to boost taxi response times

The Minister for Transport, John Mickel, said an initiative to boost taxi response times coming into effect on 30 May had been in development for at least 12 months, following an approach to Queensland Transport by taxi booking companies.

Mr Mickel said the initiative had been formulated with assistance from the Taxi Council of Queensland and disability groups, including the Spinal Injuries Association of Queensland and the Queensland Blind Association.

"With the continual increase in Queensland's population, taxi response times are constantly under pressure and the community, especially disabled members, have been voicing their frustration," Mr Mickel said.

"Taxi booking companies asked Queensland Transport to bring in the changes to help them improve services to the community."

The planned legislation, which has been endorsed by these peak bodies, will make drivers more accountable and will improve response times across the board.

"But most significantly, it is focused on improving taxi response times for the disabled members of our community," the Minister said.

The changes mean:
? Drivers will not be able to refuse a hiring that is requested by the taxi booking company they are affiliated with
? Taxi operators and drivers are required to ensure in-car booking dispatch systems are in working condition at all times
? Drivers must be connected to a central booking system at all times
? Drivers must reset their taxi meters on completion of a service and appear available for hire immediately.

Mr Mickel said the majority of taxi owners and drivers provided a dedicated and professional service and these changes would not affect them.

"In essence, the changes will only affect those few drivers who do not comply with the requirements to provide a responsive service to all bookings.

"These changes, as agreed by the Taxi Council of Queensland , will assist taxi booking companies improve services to all the members of our community."

21 May, 2008

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