Taxis & Ridesharing - articles, discussion ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Anger as Queensland Parliament blocks Uber emails

LOL

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Entrepreneurs buying up Uber fleets

" ... "I have got commercial insurance on every car. [But] at the end of the day you are not insured for Uber. No one is," Danny said ... "


LOLOL

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> The Uber scammers who take users for a (very expensive) ride

LOLOLOL

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Uber review to be brought forward

LOLOLOLOL

[ozbob]

Media Release
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Government brings forward Personalised Transport Review

The Palaszczuk Government has today directed the Opportunities for Personalised Transport Review to bring forward its decision paper to government on the future of the personalised transport industry in Queensland.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the Premier had today directed the taskforce chair, Jim Varghese AM, to provide the report to government no later than July, a month earlier than scheduled when announced last year.

"The Palaszczuk Government's priority is to ensure Queenslanders have access to safe, reliable and affordable personalised transport services," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The Government has a clear intent to set a path for the future of the industry. We want to get on with making the decisions required to set that path, which means having this review finalised.

"The Queensland Government takes its role as regulator of the personalised transport industry seriously, and we understand the pressure the industry is facing.

"We are committed to delivering certainty for the entire personalised transport industry and the community to deliver the best mobility outcomes possible.

"Bringing the Review forward will ensure Queensland is on the front foot developing a personalised transport policy framework that responds to the impacts of the digital economy on the industry."

The Opportunities for Personalised Transport Review will consider the existing regulatory framework and examine community and industry needs and expectations, public safety, disability access, affordability and competition.

The Queensland taxi industry moves more than 80 million passengers a year.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber Queensland: Taxi council calls for crackdown on 'illegal' drivers

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber monopoly could replace taxi monopoly: app company

[pangwen]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber Queensland: Taxi council calls for crackdown on 'illegal' drivers

From the article, "A spokesman for Translink, responsible for enforcement, said "A variety of enforcement strategies will be undertaken to detect non-compliance in accordance with the legislation.""

Didn't know it was a Translink responsibility for Uber enforcement, but I guess that makes some sense as taxis are considered public transport. Anyone know if these are special Translink staff, or do SNOs go around catching Ubers in between checking tickets on the bus/train/ferry/tram?

[SurfRail]

^ TransLink is basically the entire passenger transport division of TMR, so it will be the same people who managed taxis prior to the last reorganisation.  Only the SEQ and Cairns bits are publicly branded.

[verbatim9]

Hope when the Government legislate they cut the Credit card surcharge that the Taxi company charges. 10% Surcharge is over the top for Credit Cards and Eftpos transactions. In NSW its capped at no more than 5%. half to what its here.

Uber comes out on top compared  with Taxi fares for a 10 km trip even with surge pricing 28.62 all up with 1.5 surge. Taxi 29.52 + 10% Credit Card fee.

[#Metro]

Taxi prices to soar
http://www.couriermail.com.au/video/id-Zma2lhMzE6KTz7kK9wMg2mgN1kERVRuN/Taxi-prices-to-soar

"The cost of catching a taxi could soon skyrocket, in a bid to encourage drivers onto the roads during peak demand periods"

Victorian Essential Services Commission proposes $10 booking fee for 'surge period'. Period also proposed to be extended. The reason? To attract more taxi drivers to the road.

So there it is. Prices up reduces demand but also gets more drivers on the road. Similar to Uber.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber fine crackdown: $128,000 in 78 hours

More than 50 Uber drivers were fined in 78 hours during the state's Labour Day weekend crackdown on the ride-sharing service.

If paid, the fines would see another $128,000 pour into the state's coffers from the American giant, which had already paid out more than $2 million in fines, according to the government ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber Queensland: Drivers say they are not deterred by pumped-up fines

FINES worth almost $128,000 have been handed down to Uber drivers since strict new laws were introduced.

Transport inspectors and police issued 60 fines to 51 drivers during the long weekend – 54 of them at the bumped-up amount of $2356 each ...

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Uber price war breaks out in Sydney

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Taxi owners pledge $1.2 million to fight Uber

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: State Government trying to stamp out Uber instead of giving people what they want

[techblitz]

yes....they are taking thier sweet ass time with it.....but EVERYTHING needs to be discussed...from insurance,revenue streams and the big one.... TAX implications...until something feasible comes out.....i will support the ban....

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Drivers unite to take on Uber

Uber drivers are banding together to fight for what they believe are fair working conditions from the company that has become the symbol of the 'gig' economy.

In just over a month, the Ride Share Drivers' Association of Australia has signed up 60 paid members across the country and its organisers say they are adding more by the day.

It's a tactic that workers have used for centuries, and now it's heralding a big shake-up of the sharing economy.

"People have started to see what's really happening and they're not happy about it," Dan Manchester, the organisation's founder says.

"There are a lot of people saying to us we need to have a strike, we need to have industrial action. People are angry."

Despite being considered a 'marketplace' for people to sell their 'digital labour', Uber is facing a backlash over what drivers say is a business model that can be controlling and deliberately exploitative of their status as contractors ...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/drivers-unite-to-take-on-uber-20160511-got2yl.html

Oh fuking dear ...

[SurfRail]

It's a natural consequence of there being just another monopoly.  Once Uber has destroyed all of its competitors, watch the same sh%t service we currently enjoy courtesy of Cabcharge and their hangers on spread again.

Unfortunately for them there are minimum wage jobs in the economy that well and truly leave them for dead, and there are virtually no sunk costs to join or leave their platform.  Drop the going non-surge rate too low and they will find bugger all people interested in driving for them.

[James]

It's a natural consequence of there being just another monopoly.  Once Uber has destroyed all of its competitors, watch the same sh%t service we currently enjoy courtesy of Cabcharge and their hangers on spread again.

Unfortunately for them there are minimum wage jobs in the economy that well and truly leave them for dead, and there are virtually no sunk costs to join or leave their platform.  Drop the going non-surge rate too low and they will find bugger all people interested in driving for them.

The joys of a competitive market. If Uber becomes as terrible as the current duopoly (drivers who don't shower, can't figure out the way from the Airport to Garden City etc.), another competitor, once ride sharing is legalised, can simply swoop in and leave Uber for dead.

Alternatively, people may continue to use Uber, even if it is terrible, because it is cheap, just like low cost airlines.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber: Queensland taxi driver's fare dodger quotes Uber as reason he won't pay

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Uber covers fines for drivers targeted in crackdown as company commits to foothold on Gold Coast

[ozbob]

3AW --> Uber driver successfully appeals court conviction in Victoria

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> Sacked Uber driver case shows driver vulnerability under law

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Country towns may be 'quarantined' from Uber

[verbatim9]

Uber should be statewide and not allowed to pick up at designated cab ranks as the only restriction. The government got it wrong so compensation should be low not affecting the tax payer or people riding in Uber or Taxis.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber Queensland: Drivers could be forced to pay for licences under Government review

Green Paper > http://resources.news.com.au/files/2016/05/20/1227875/462377-ride-sharing-in-qld-green-paper.pdf

[verbatim9]

In WA they have a licence system for Uber but minimal

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber review: Green paper proposes public and personal transport combo

Taxis and rideshare services could connect commuters with buses and trains as part of a revamped transport network powered by a single payment option under a new transport plan.

The proposal would bring "previously unforeseen efficiencies and opportunities for industry" according to the group charged with reviewing the future of taxis and rideshare services such as Uber in Queensland.

... "The use of feeder personalised transport services is one solution to the first and last mile issue.

"By bridging the gap between public transport and the points where journeys start and end, combined with the use of a seamless payment option, it would improve integration across passenger transport modes."

FlexiLink was a similar attempt that was not very successful in the main.  There is no chance of taxis being set up for go card at this time with the Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) a few years down the line.  With NGT open payment will be available.  Taxis already provide a lot of local community transport something that Uber doesn't. Go to the Taxi rank at a suburban shopping centre to see this.
There is an element to this of trying to find outs for when they ' legalise ' Uber - trying to soften the blow for taxis.

... On Friday morning, the veteran public servant told ABC Radio taxis should also be able to access low volume bus routes, in conjunction with local government.

"Now the effect of that would be to increase utilisation of taxis ... so the impact of this is that your income, your sustainable income actually goes up." ..

This could be useful at times but why would people pay higher fares?   In fact they would often be travelling free as the result of a transfer.  These sort of issues could prove difficult if taxis are depending on the fare revenue. 

In low density residential areas this could work.  As does FlexiLink in Roam Zone C & D - the last survivors !

Brisbane City Council has Personalised Public Transport (PPT) in some areas

>> https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/special-taxi-services/personalised-public-transport

This overcomes some of problems with FlexiLink by having regular timetables runs similar to buses.  We tried to convince TransLink to do this for the major Ipswich FlexiLink areas but they just removed it.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st May 2016

Opportunities for Personalised Transport - some initial comments

Good Morning,

Good to see Minister Hinchliffe yesterday released the Green Paper ' Opportunities for Personalised Transport '. We welcome this Green Paper (1).

Taxis already play a significant role in local community transport. Go to any Taxi rank at a suburban shopping centre to see this.  Brisbane City Council has taxi Personalised Public Transport already operating in some areas (2).  TransLink also provides some taxi FlexiLink services in Zones C and D in the Ipswich area (3).

The BCC PPT is a success, as they run regular timetables similar to a bus.  FlexiLink is on demand and this has proved to be problematical in regions other than low density. At present both the PPT and FlexiLink operate with subsidies with passengers paying a nominal cash fare.

We note (4):

Quote

    Taxis and rideshare services could connect commuters with buses and trains as part of a revamped transport network powered by a single payment option under a new transport plan.

    The proposal would bring "previously unforeseen efficiencies and opportunities for industry" according to the group charged with reviewing the future of taxis and rideshare services such as Uber in Queensland.

    ... "The use of feeder personalised transport services is one solution to the first and last mile issue.

    "By bridging the gap between public transport and the points where journeys start and end, combined with the use of a seamless payment option, it would improve integration across passenger transport modes."

A seamless payment option would be the go card or equivalent.  As the go card is the final years of its use cycle it is unlikely that money would or could be invested to equip taxis to be go card capable.  A new ticketing system - Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) will be replacing the go card, hopefully within 2 or 3 years.  The NGT system we expect will have a full suite of open payment options.  So it will be years before a ' seamless payment option ' will be available.

We note(4):

Quote

    ... On Friday morning, the veteran public servant told ABC Radio taxis should also be able to access low volume bus routes, in conjunction with local government.

    "Now the effect of that would be to increase utilisation of taxis ... so the impact of this is that your income, your sustainable income actually goes up." ..

This could be useful at times but why would people pay higher fares?   In fact they would often be travelling free as the result of a transfer on the public transport using the integrated ticketing product.  These sort of issues could prove difficult if taxis are depending on the fare revenue without subsidy.

The Green Paper options will need very careful  review. There are complications that have been glossed over.  Looking for ' outs ' to justify ' legalisation' of Uber needs to based on achievable scenarios, not impossibilities.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. Green Paper -  https://optreviewqld.com.au/engagement-hub
https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-australia/ea659db0f2cd373bb34457973ea0c8105246155b/documents/attachments/000/036/223/original/OPT_Review_Green_Paper.pdf?1463708927

2. Brisbane City Council  Personalised Public Transport (PPT) > https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/special-taxi-services/personalised-public-transport

3. FlexLink & community transport > http://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/taxi-and-community-transport/flexilink-and-community-transport

4. Brisbanetimes ->Uber review: Green paper proposes public and personal transport combo

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Dumped Uber driver pleads for explanation

[verbatim9]

Allan Fels was quoted on TV (Sky News) this week saying that "people have nothing to fear" Comparing the Taxi industry to the successfull deregulation of the Telecommunications sector, while some jobs may go, a whole lot more will be created with ride sharing Apps. A prime example of this in the city of San Francisco where taxi and ride sharing prices have dropped through healthy competition, while creating many new jobs. He also said that many that drive for ride sharing apps have full time jobs or financially secure looking for extra cash.

[verbatim9]

New Uber Bus App launches in Mexico

-----> https://panampost.com/orlando-avendano/2016/05/20/uber-bus-app-to-disrupt-mexican-public-transportation/

[ozbob]

7 News --> Higher Qld taxi fares if Uber isn't legal

Queenslanders will be stuck with higher taxi fares and longer wait times if ride-sharing services like Uber aren't legalised.

That's according to a review of the taxi industry, which is also looking at linking taxis to public transport networks to help drivers maintain revenue in the face of the increased competition from Uber.

A Queensland government taskforce is considering four options for the taxi industry, including fully deregulating the sector and opening it up to ride-sharing services like Uber.

Other options include legalising them but allowing taxis to retain a monopoly on hail-and-ride fares and restricting ride-sharing to the state's southeast corner while maintaining a ban in regional areas.

The final option is to maintain the status quo, under which Uber and similar services are illegal.

"I can honestly tell you at this time, all four options have merit," taskforce chairman Jim Varghese told ABC.

But a consultation paper, released on Friday, acknowledged that sticking with the status quo would leave customers paying more and waiting longer.

Mr Varghese said the review was also looking at linking taxis to public transport networks, which would allow passengers to use their go-card to pay for fares.

The taskforce is due to hand its final report to the government in August.

" Mr Varghese said the review was also looking at linking taxis to public transport networks, which would allow passengers to use their go-card to pay for fares. "

errr  afraid not ...

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Uber hit hard as inspectors hand out $80,000 in fines in four-day blitz on Gold Coast

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'I would be loath to sign it'

[verbatim9]

Share your feed back before 12 Jun here : ---->  https://optreviewqld.com.au

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Uber drivers contest fines

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Taxis v Uber review: 'You haven't got a clue'

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Uber review' plan to fix public transport