Taxis & Ridesharing - articles, discussion ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th June 2016

Go card for taxis -- nope!

Greetings,

With respect to this article in Brisbanetimes today: 'Uber review' plan to fix public transport

The go card is the last years of its service life.  There is no way it can be set up for ' seamless payment ' for taxis.

The next generation ticketing system might be an option, but that is years away. Being Queensland,  might be a decade away yet hey?

Best wishes
Robert

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

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]

Sent to all outlets:

5th June 2016

Brisbane City Council's 'Uber' Problem

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track welcome's Jim Varghese's Opportunities for Personalised Transport green paper.

Mr. Varghese, to his credit, has identified the long-standing problem in Brisbane - people cannot get their bus to the local train station.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Brisbane City Council should shoulder responsibility for this.

Why does Brisbane City Council continue to block bus reform that would allow more people to get to more places? Centenary, Yeronga, Bulimba and Northwest Brisbane residents live in bus network 'black hole' areas. These 'public transport deserts' (as uber put it) are where uber is profiting the most from the lack of decent public transport.

For example, the Lord Mayor has had years to extend a CityGlider into the Centenary suburbs. What is holding him back?

Low use Brisbane City Council bus services could certainly be replaced with competitively contracted Maxi Taxis or similar. Route 314 Sandgate, for example, would be a good candidate. Under a competitive neutrality protection, these services could also stop at Brisbane City Council bus stops.

It makes no sense to run a 65-seat bus when there are perhaps only one or two passengers on the bus, while in other parts of the city, such as route 66, people are being left behind because they can't fit on the bus.

The competitive contracting out of low patronage Brisbane City Council bus routes would only be a first step.
Removing the bus network from Brisbane City Council would bring us into line with every other Australian state and Territory capital.
Brisbane City Council's buses fail to meet Queensland Government mandated bus on time standards - network is outdated and badly in need of reform.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Attached: [ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10673.msg175040#msg175040 ]

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Transport inspectors work with traffic cops to catch and fine Gold Coast's illegal Uber drivers

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Uber and taxi review: Go Card plan questioned

Using the aging Go Card system to power an innovative plan to link taxis with buses, trains and ferries would be impossible, a prominent public transport advocate warns.

But Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow more broadly welcomed the idea stemming from a review into taxis and ride-sharing, saying it could be possible with an upcoming next-generation payment system.

Public sector veteran Jim Varghese floated the idea of using taxis to service the troublesome "first and last mile" of the public transport network in his paper discussing options for resolving the ongoing Uber-taxi conflict.

He hoped the plan would provide an extra income stream for taxi drivers struggling with the introduction of American company Uber and potentially other ride-sharing services while "transforming" Brisbane's public transport network.

He described a joint payment method for cabs and public transport as "core" to this strategy, using the Go Card, or other "replacement technology", as an example.

Mr Dow said the Go Card, now 13 years old, wouldn't be able to handle the proposal but hoped to see the next-generation payment system adopt an "open payment" model that could fit in nicely.

Late last year the Queensland government called for expressions of interest to design that system, to be ready this year, but soon after had to extend the current contract to 2019.

Mr Dow said public transport integration with taxis, and potentially ride-sharing providers too, could be a boon to commuters.

But he worried the idea would be lost by the time the Go Card replacement came in.

"Once that's in, we expect open payment to be one of the features of the new system," he said.

"So it would be pretty seamless I think for taxis to be part of the public transport integrated fare system at that point.

"What worries me a little is they come up with these sort of ideas but they're not implementable immediately.

"Maybe they're looking for outs for Uber and almost saying, they can use Go Cards, well in fact they can't."

Mr Dow pointed to several examples of taxis already being used to supplement public transport on a very small scale.

Submissions to the Opportunities for Personalised Transport review close on June 12, with a recommendation into how to regulate ride-share and taxis due before the government in July.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber must be controlled not ignored

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber pleads its case in ride sharing review

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber battles claims of subprime car finance

[techblitz]

http://www.msn.com/en-au/motoring/news/uber-is-testing-its-own-self-driving-car-prototype-on-the-streets-of-pittsburgh/ar-AAgOVa6?ocid=spartandhp

[ozbob]

Twitter

3AW Melbourne ‏@3AW693 57s

Uber finally looks set to be legalised in Victoria http://bit.ly/28JJCwf

[Otto]

Courier Mail. June 22, 2016 11:16am

THE Taxi Council Queensland has attacked the review into
ridesharing services such as Uber and questioned the credibility of
the former public service boss leading it.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/taxi-council-queensland-attacks-ridesharing-review/news-story/2b83620d43f00e204bb4f4d0a536b6a4

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Uber to finally get the green light in Victoria

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber launches Queensland maxi-taxis

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber drivers hit with $1.2 million in fines

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ban ride share, Uber is just a taxi: Taxi council

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Uber and taxi review: Go Card plan questioned

Using the aging Go Card system to power an innovative plan to link taxis with buses, trains and ferries would be impossible, a prominent public transport advocate warns.

But Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow more broadly welcomed the idea stemming from a review into taxis and ride-sharing, saying it could be possible with an upcoming next-generation payment system.

Public sector veteran Jim Varghese floated the idea of using taxis to service the troublesome "first and last mile" of the public transport network in his paper discussing options for resolving the ongoing Uber-taxi conflict.

He hoped the plan would provide an extra income stream for taxi drivers struggling with the introduction of American company Uber and potentially other ride-sharing services while "transforming" Brisbane's public transport network.

He described a joint payment method for cabs and public transport as "core" to this strategy, using the Go Card, or other "replacement technology", as an example.

Mr Dow said the Go Card, now 13 years old, wouldn't be able to handle the proposal but hoped to see the next-generation payment system adopt an "open payment" model that could fit in nicely.

Late last year the Queensland government called for expressions of interest to design that system, to be ready this year, but soon after had to extend the current contract to 2019.

Mr Dow said public transport integration with taxis, and potentially ride-sharing providers too, could be a boon to commuters.

But he worried the idea would be lost by the time the Go Card replacement came in.

"Once that's in, we expect open payment to be one of the features of the new system," he said.

"So it would be pretty seamless I think for taxis to be part of the public transport integrated fare system at that point.

"What worries me a little is they come up with these sort of ideas but they're not implementable immediately.

"Maybe they're looking for outs for Uber and almost saying, they can use Go Cards, well in fact they can't."

Mr Dow pointed to several examples of taxis already being used to supplement public transport on a very small scale.

Submissions to the Opportunities for Personalised Transport review close on June 12, with a recommendation into how to regulate ride-share and taxis due before the government in July.

7 News have followed up with an interview on this topic.

Thanks!

[ozbob]

^

7 News --> Tap-and-go technology to transform cab usage

https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/31982599/tap-and-go-technology-used-in-cabs/#page1

A bold proposal to further integrate taxis into public transport networks in the south east would lower fares and lure more commuters back to cabs. Damien Hansen reports.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber forced to spell out reasons for dumping drivers

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber replaces one monopoly with another

[ozbob]

State government to make a decision on @Uber. @ShaneDoherty9 #9News https://t.co/WgPMv60OHg

— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) July 12, 2016

[ozbob]

ZDNet --> NSW government offering AU$20,000 compensation grants to taxi drivers thanks to Uber

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber drivers fined $1.7 million in three months

[verbatim9]

Must be an announcement in the next couple of days Re: legalisation of ride sharing, unless its been delayed?

[SurfRail]

Transport estimates is on tomorrow.

Who wants to bet we will see a TransLink Tracker on Friday on the downside of the media cycle as usual?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Left waiting: Qld govt to consider response before releasing Uber report

[verbatim9]

Still a half a month away

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber insurance concerns make review urgent: RACQ

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Uber review': Taxi council says ban ride share, Uber is just a taxi

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Taxi drivers being 'regulated out of existence'

[#Metro]

When a market is monopolised by a cartel, excess profits are generated because higher prices can be charged.

A taxi "licence" is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with safety or competence. Safety and competence can be enforced without restricting the number of taxis on the roads.

If it did, it could just be tacked on to the existing drivers licences, without the $50K fee attached.

The participants in the market can then divide these excess profits in a split - the owner keeping a bit, and the government usually getting a cut as well.

One of the things about cartels is that they have a limited life. Large profits behind the barrier can lead to disruption if the barrier is breached. The regulations that kept competition out can suddenly become barriers for people within the four walls from escaping.

When something is illegal it is nearly impossible to regulate. Participants (workers/contractors) have something a company does not have - the vote. A government that cracks down too hard risks being voted out of office.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> RACQ wants Palaszczuk Government to make Uber legal in regions

[techblitz]

uber is basically a mirror of cabcharge......trying to defend one or the other is stupidity....

cabcharge rips off customers
uber rips off drivers

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Make Uber legal state-wide: RACQ

[#Metro]

When Uber is legalised - as it has been done in other states - then it will also be able to have legal insurances and so forth.

No doubt of which the RACQ would be happy to provide. 

Welcome Uber.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland to legalise Uber ride share service

The Queensland Government will announce its plan to legalise ride sharing services such as Uber across the state.

Fairfax Media understands that, while ride share will be legal, drivers will face more regulations to match the established taxi industry, which will include background checks ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Palaszczuk gives Uber a green light

[verbatim9]

[ozbob]

Media conference scheduled for 12.30pm today.  Assume this will be the Uber announcement etc.

[Stillwater]

In parts of the SC hinterland, it is not uncommon for people to wait 90 mins for a taxi.  (Drivers don't want to travel far from the populated coast to take Nana to the shops or Pop to the RSL for a $12 fare and then travel back empty to Caloundra or Maroochydore.)  An Uber driver covering a couple of hinterland towns could make a reasonable living.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Uber to be legalised in Queensland, $100m assistance package offered to taxi industry

Ride-booking service Uber will be legalised in Queensland from September 5, with a $100 million assistance package to be offered to the taxi industry.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was time the Government created a level playing field.

However, there will not be a new tax on passengers, as was introduced in New South Wales, Ms Palaszczuk added.

To help the taxi industry, 80 pieces of red tape will be cut, that is on top of the $100 million assistance package, including over $4 million in taxi fees to be waived over the next 12 months.

"This is because the taxi industry is different from many other industries that have faced disruption, because it has been heavily regulated by Government for generations," Ms Palaszczuk said on her Facebook page.

"We want to put a premium on passenger safety, and ensure all operators follow a new, fair set of rules, with the best interests of consumers at heart.

"We are embracing innovative new technologies and business models right across our economy and up and down our state, and the personalised transport sector is no different.

"But at the same time as we embrace the future, we will do it in a way that supports the taxi industry."

Taxi Council representatives will meet with the Government today to discuss their concerns.

The Taxi Council's Lane Gardner said he believed one of the regulations would require Uber drivers to have a blue card.

"We think this is going to happen," he said.

"This (Uber) might be a little bit cheaper, but at the end of the day, is it any safer? There's no cameras in the cars, there's no audio in the cars.

"The person who picks up their daughter or their wife, can turn their phone off and there's no tracking in the car."

The RACQ's Paul Turner supported the legalisation if taxis had exclusive access to "rank and hail" services.

The Government is yet to confirm those details.

"We think that's the best option," Mr Turner said. "We need to get ride-sharing regulated so that we get safe drivers and safe cars, and government plays a role in that while also keeping costs down for consumers."

[ozbob]

Details on industry compensation package for Qld Taxi licence holders #qldpol #uber pic.twitter.com/nuql1rt24G

— Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) August 11, 2016