Taxis & Ridesharing - articles, discussion ...

[techblitz]

agreed its definitely 'part' of the problem.....the multi-national tax should hopefully reign in a higher percentage of tax revenue..

The other half of the problem is the venture capital funds.....even after spending a crapload on research/ market testing etc........a lot of these bigwigs can still run at a loss for years while they establish their market share.
The average small/medium size business cannot do that.......they simply cant compete.

Not only that......if they happen to come across something that they didn't invent they can always just flash money in front of the inventor and before you can say 'Bought!!' ....its now theirs.

[red dragin]

agreed its definitely 'part' of the problem.....the multi-national tax should hopefully reign in a higher percentage of tax revenue..

And this is the swifty that the Federal Government has pulled on everyone (my post has nothing to do with which party is in power).

They put the GST on overseas companies, who in turn increased their prices.

So who is paying that tax increase? The end user, not the company's. So they got the public to pay for a tax increase, without ever having to call it that, in fact they where applauded for 'getting the bad guys to pay more tax' 

[verbatim9]

agreed its definitely 'part' of the problem.....the multi-national tax should hopefully reign in a higher percentage of tax revenue..

And this is the swifty that the Federal Government has pulled on everyone (my post has nothing to do with which party is in power).

They put the GST on overseas companies, who in turn increased their prices.

So who is paying that tax increase? The end user, not the company's. So they got the public to pay for a tax increase, without ever having to call it that, in fact they where applauded for 'getting the bad guys to pay more tax' 

Agree the consumer ends up paying as companies always pass on the costs. Uber will pass on the court case costs to the consumer as well in one form or another and the Taxi owners.

[techblitz]

uber passing on costs is unavoidable anyway.....a future congestion tax which will happen at some point......would also see them passing on the costs.....we cant give into the big-wigs under the threat of them raising prices or taking their business elsewhere......we have already squandered tens of billions of dollars from the mining boom after 'giving in' to the mining companies.
Governments need a bigger slice of the multinational pie.....to fund more infrastructure or fund the massive welfare bill...

[James]

^ it's pretty easy to pass on GST, just add an extra 10% to your price - done.

It is much harder to pass on corporate tax, as it is a tax on the profits of the firm. What Uber et al are doing is charging hundreds of millions in "licensing fees" to wipe out that income for its Australian arm, transferring it to another country. The difficulty is substantiating these entries as tax evasion - companies spend millions setting up these structures and would spend many millions more fighting any challenge to them in court.

It would be easier to tax gross profit (Income - Direct Expenses), but you'd risk taxing smaller & struggling companies into a loss by doing so. It's not an easy balancing act.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TimnaJacks/status/1124478869761716224

[SurfRail]

^ it's pretty easy to pass on GST, just add an extra 10% to your price - done.

It is much harder to pass on corporate tax, as it is a tax on the profits of the firm. What Uber et al are doing is charging hundreds of millions in "licensing fees" to wipe out that income for its Australian arm, transferring it to another country. The difficulty is substantiating these entries as tax evasion - companies spend millions setting up these structures and would spend many millions more fighting any challenge to them in court.

It would be easier to tax gross profit (Income - Direct Expenses), but you'd risk taxing smaller & struggling companies into a loss by doing so. It's not an easy balancing act.

The easiest way to fix it is to have a transaction tax on sufficiently large overseas transfers of funds out of the jurisdiction.  They won't do that of course.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> End of taxi scheme shows 'callous disregard for disabled'

THE State Government has been accused of showing "callous disregard" for the disabled community over its refusal to extend a travel subsidy.

More than a dozen disabled groups, the LNP and the Taxi Council Queensland are pleading for the Taxi Subsidy Scheme to be extended for two more years for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The State Government subsidy, which covers 50 per cent of a taxi fare to a maximum of $25, is due to be dropped after June 30 for people on the federally funded NDIS.

Up to 10,000 NDIS participants would have access to travel payments under the federal scheme, however disabled groups have raised concerns that users would be worse off.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said a petition supporting the subsidy, signed by 5649 people and tabled recently in parliament, highlighted community outrage at the Government's decision.

"We need to ensure that people with disabilities have the confidence that taxis will turn up and take their fares," she said.

Disabled passengers not on the NDIS would not be affected.

Taxi Council Queensland boss Blair Davies said Labor was playing politics with the decision but boxing itself into a corner as they would be seen as showing "callous disregard" for the disabled.

"All in all they are creating a great deal of angst and uncertainty for people with disabilities who use the TSS because they don't know what's going to happen to it," he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Government reinstated the TSS in July 2017 following concerns participants were not receiving sufficient transport support under the NDIS. "The Palaszczuk Government is focused on ensuring appropriate transport supports are in place for NDIS eligible Taxi Subsidy Scheme members beyond June 30, 2019 and is currently working with the Federal Government to ensure they meet their responsibility so Queenslanders with disability receive the transport support they need as part of their NDIS plans."

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/5/14/taxi-subsidies-to-continue

Media Statements

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Taxi subsidies to continue

The Palaszczuk Government has stepped in to ensure the Taxi Subsidy Scheme for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants continues over the coming year.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Jackie Trad, said today a further $6 million would be committed in 2019-20 to continue the subsidy payment.

"Taxi subsidies were expected to transition to the NDIS funding arrangement by now but under the Morrison Government this hasn't happened," Ms Trad said.

"We will not allow thousands of Queenslanders to be left stranded – so we will step in to ensure that doesn't happen.

"We want to ensure that people with special needs continue to receive this support so they can undertake everyday activities and stay connected with family and friends.

"We understand how important it is for all Queenslanders have access to transport."

"Queensland has already invested significant amounts under the NDIS funding arrangement and Canberra must fix the gaps.

"We will continue to work over the coming year to ensure the NDIS agreement delivers proper affordable transport options for Queenslanders in the longer term."

The Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) provides a co-contribution of up to $25 per trip for people with severe disabilities who are unable to use other forms of subsidised public passenger transport.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the budget commitment continues the same level of investment in the TSS as 2018-19.

This is in addition to $15.7 million to continue TSS for non-NDIS eligible members.

"Scott Morrison and the LNP need to meet their responsibilities under the NDIS, including providing proper support for participants," Mr Bailey said.

"The Palaszczuk Government will also allocate $6.8 million in 2019-20 to continue incentive payments for drivers of wheelchair accessible taxis to give priority to TSS members."

A lift payment of $20 is provided to taxi drivers for each eligible wheelchair accessible taxi trip involving transportation of a TSS member who is required to travel in a wheelchair.

Minister for Disability Services and Seniors Coralee O'Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government had been working closely with people with disability, and their representatives, as well as the taxi industry and transport stakeholders.

"We have listened to the concerns of Queensland NDIS participants, their families and carers, disability advocacy organisations and transport providers," Mrs O'Rourke said.

"We have also strongly advocated on behalf of Queensland participants to resolve these issues with the NDIA and the Federal Government. However disappointingly, these issues have not yet been resolved by the Morrison Government.

"I will continue to push the Federal Government to fund plans fairly by providing adequate transport."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1132797673633751040

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/5/27/new-fund-to-support-wheelchair-accessibility

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Monday, May 27, 2019

New fund to support wheelchair accessibility

The Palaszczuk Government has launched a $21 million, four-year Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) fund to encourage taxi operators to make their vehicles accessible and modernise the state's fleet.

More than 600 wheelchair accessible taxis currently operate across Queensland, however 35 per cent are now older than eight years.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the multi-million dollar investment will help taxi owners replace older vehicles, bringing the average age of the fleet down to just over three years.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring all Queenslanders have access to safe and reliable transport," Ms Trad said.

"This funding will support taxi operators who provide accessible transport in making sure they're able to continue offering a great service for people who use wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Under the funding, wheelchair accessible taxis aged eight years or older will be eligible for 50 per cent funding for gradual vehicle replacement from 2019-20 through to 2022-23.

"It's an initiative that will help people get to work, appointments and stay connected with family and friends, while also driving jobs in the transport industry and for local businesses who provide accessible vehicle modifications."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey made the announcement on the Gold Coast at the Australian Taxi Industry Association's annual international conference and said the funding program would also be available for other taxi operators to convert their vehicles and make them wheelchair accessible.

"We want to get more taxi operators driving accessible vehicles. The Palaszczuk Government's funding will help put an additional 65 accessible taxis on the road, boosting the number of vehicles available by 10 per cent," Mr Bailey said.

"We're investing in jobs, supporting Queensland businesses and delivering the services for our growing state."

Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) CEO Blair Davies said it was great to see the Government and the taxi industry working together to keep Queensland as a world leader when it comes to wheelchair accessible taxi services.

"The Queensland Government's decision to help our taxi operators replace their older accessible taxis is a fantastic initiative.  It's a very timely helping hand and one that is much needed," Mr Davies said.

"TCQ reached out to Minister Bailey about a financing problem that was stopping our members replacing the ageing WAT fleet and pleasingly he has come back with a very welcome solution."

It follows the announcement earlier this month committing $6 million to continue the Taxi Subsidy Scheme for a year and a further $6.8 million to continue incentive payments for wheelchair accessible taxi drivers to give priority to the scheme's members.

The Taxi Subsidy Scheme provides a co-contribution of up to $25 per trip for people with severe disabilities who are unable to use other forms of subsidised public passenger transport, while the incentive payment of $20 is offered to drivers for each eligible trip involving a TSS member.

Minister Bailey said the funding will ensure nobody is disadvantaged through the transition to the Federal Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

ENDS

[ozbob]

Brisbane --> Why your Uber driver may be cancelling your ride this week

The newest player to enter Brisbane's ride-share market is temporarily letting drivers keep 100 per cent of their fares, potentially explaining reports of an increase in last-minute Uber cancellations as drivers chase better paying trips.

The Chinese-owned DiDi Chuxing launched in Brisbane on July 22 promising rides "up to 10 per cent more affordable" and commission-free fares for drivers during its first six weeks on the road.

After that period, the Chinese ride-share giant will take a 5.5 per cent service fee, much lower than Uber's 27 per cent commission.

One Uber driver told Brisbane Times most drivers were now running applications for Uber, DiDi and Indian-owned Ola at the same time, choosing the trips that would get them the most bang for their buck.

"Drivers will take an Uber booking, but then if a Didi booking comes through, they will cancel the Uber because they are going to get more money from a Didi customer," she said.

"You can also see where the passenger wants to go before you accept the booking, so you can decide if you want to take it or not. On Uber you only know once the passenger gets into your car.

"But I have noticed a lot of people complaining about their Uber drivers cancelling bookings at the last minute since Didi started. I don't do that but you can understand why someone would."

Uber did not respond to Brisbane Times' questions about whether the perceived increase in cancellations was supported by data.

Didi, which in 2016 acquired Uber's China business and also operates in Melbourne, Geelong and Newcastle, represents a challenge to the dominance of the American-owned Uber. DiDi has a stake in other ride-share companies Grab, Lyft, Ola, 99 and Taxify.

DiDi Australia manager Lyn Ma said Brisbane was the "ideal location for our continued expansion across Australia".

"We hope our launch into Brisbane allows local residents to do more and pay less with our ride-share service," she said.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

PERSONALISED TRANSPORT OMBUDSMAN BILL

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2019/2019_09_03_DAILY.pdf  page 2570 ( page 30 of the daily Hansard)

[techblitz]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/police-fears-over-uber-id-glitch-after-rapist-impersonated-another-driver/ar-AAH8apG?ocid=spartanntp

Police fears over Uber ID glitch after rapist impersonated another driver

Police warn Uber passengers that they are at risk from unscreened drivers bypassing the rideshare operator's photo ID technology to work under other people's accounts.

The vulnerabilities of Uber's security was exposed when unauthorised Uber driver Manpreet Singh pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to raping an intoxicated woman he drove back to his house.

A customer checking their Uber booking.© Emily Berl A customer checking their Uber booking. Uber drivers are prompted to pose for a verification "selfie" every time they get into the car to work.

But police sources have told The Age that scammers are getting around the system's log-on technology by simply holding up a photograph of the registered account holder.

They say that some authorised ride-share drivers are using the flaw in the technology to run illegal rackets, connecting one account to as many as 10 vehicles and paying a string of employees, many foreign nationals, in cash.

Some rogue drivers are even turning to online forums to explain how to beat the selfie rule.

"It's rife," one person said.

Victoria Police has received a string of complaints from concerned young women about suspect Uber drivers, ranging from minor indiscretions to sexual assault.

On Wednesday, Singh was jailed for at least three years and four months.

The court heard the 28-year-old Indian national had been out picking up passengers in a silver 2010 Holden Commodore, which was registered with Uber under another man's account, when he saw his victim walking in the rain through Richmond after a 2018 Christmas party before she slumped to the ground.

Singh then drove her more than 20 kilometres away to his Mulgrave share house where he raped her in his bedroom.

Singh was using an A4 photograph of the registered driver's face to bypass the test and may have been doing so since 2016.

His victim managed to escape the home at 5am, after regaining consciousness, and ran to find help.

Across Australia, there are 3.8 million regular Uber riders and more than 60,000 active driver-partners.

a close up of a light: A woman uses a rideshare app.© Adam Berry A woman uses a rideshare app. When contacted about the issue of passenger safety, a spokeswoman from Uber said they were unable to say how many registered drivers  - if any - had been removed from the platform for breaching guidelines or for fraudulent behaviour.

But they said an in-app emergency button had been rolled out to passengers across Australia alongside the option to share your trip details with another person.

"We also provide driver photos in the app so riders can confirm it's the right person picking them up. If the driver doesn't match the photo, report it to Uber right away so we can take action," the Uber spokeswoman said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said if passengers start to fear their driver, they should get out of the car as soon as possible or call triple zero for immediate help from police.

They also said it was never too late to report sexual assault.

"While passengers can report any concerns about fraudulent activity or driver behaviour directly to the ride-share company, it's important that any suspected criminal offending is also reported to police so the incident is recorded and an investigation can be conducted," she said.

In sentencing Singh on Wednesday, Judge Peter Lauritsen said it was likely the "unregistered Uber driver", who was on a bridging visa at the time of the rape, would be deported back to India after he serves out his jail term.

He sentenced Singh to five years and six months jail with a non-parole period of three years and four months.

"My sentence is a public denunciation of your offending," he said.

Singh has already spent 275 days in custody.

[verbatim9]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/police-fears-over-uber-id-glitch-after-rapist-impersonated-another-driver/ar-AAH8apG?ocid=spartanntp

Police fears over Uber ID glitch after rapist impersonated another driver

Police warn Uber passengers that they are at risk from unscreened drivers bypassing the rideshare operator's photo ID technology to work under other people's accounts.

The vulnerabilities of Uber's security was exposed when unauthorised Uber driver Manpreet Singh pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to raping an intoxicated woman he drove back to his house.

A customer checking their Uber booking. Emily Berl A customer checking their Uber booking. Uber drivers are prompted to pose for a verification "selfie" every time they get into the car to work.

But police sources have told The Age that scammers are getting around the system's log-on technology by simply holding up a photograph of the registered account holder.

They say that some authorised ride-share drivers are using the flaw in the technology to run illegal rackets, connecting one account to as many as 10 vehicles and paying a string of employees, many foreign nationals, in cash.

Some rogue drivers are even turning to online forums to explain how to beat the selfie rule.

"It's rife," one person said.

Victoria Police has received a string of complaints from concerned young women about suspect Uber drivers, ranging from minor indiscretions to sexual assault.

On Wednesday, Singh was jailed for at least three years and four months.

The court heard the 28-year-old Indian national had been out picking up passengers in a silver 2010 Holden Commodore, which was registered with Uber under another man's account, when he saw his victim walking in the rain through Richmond after a 2018 Christmas party before she slumped to the ground.

Singh then drove her more than 20 kilometres away to his Mulgrave share house where he raped her in his bedroom.

Singh was using an A4 photograph of the registered driver's face to bypass the test and may have been doing so since 2016.

His victim managed to escape the home at 5am, after regaining consciousness, and ran to find help.

Across Australia, there are 3.8 million regular Uber riders and more than 60,000 active driver-partners.

a close up of a light: A woman uses a rideshare app. Adam Berry A woman uses a rideshare app. When contacted about the issue of passenger safety, a spokeswoman from Uber said they were unable to say how many registered drivers  - if any - had been removed from the platform for breaching guidelines or for fraudulent behaviour.

But they said an in-app emergency button had been rolled out to passengers across Australia alongside the option to share your trip details with another person.

"We also provide driver photos in the app so riders can confirm it's the right person picking them up. If the driver doesn't match the photo, report it to Uber right away so we can take action," the Uber spokeswoman said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said if passengers start to fear their driver, they should get out of the car as soon as possible or call triple zero for immediate help from police.

They also said it was never too late to report sexual assault.

"While passengers can report any concerns about fraudulent activity or driver behaviour directly to the ride-share company, it's important that any suspected criminal offending is also reported to police so the incident is recorded and an investigation can be conducted," she said.

In sentencing Singh on Wednesday, Judge Peter Lauritsen said it was likely the "unregistered Uber driver", who was on a bridging visa at the time of the rape, would be deported back to India after he serves out his jail term.

He sentenced Singh to five years and six months jail with a non-parole period of three years and four months.

"My sentence is a public denunciation of your offending," he said.

Singh has already spent 275 days in custody.

A one off, so I doubt there would be a spate of future incidents. Nothing different to what happened within the Taxi industry in the past. Just a fill in storey. I am sure the tech team will get onto it and rectify the situation @ Uber.

[techblitz]

Ive posted that article for the sheer callousness/cheekiness of the scam......but to also highlight the 'noobishness' of a multi-billion dollar titan...
Anyways....i fail to correlate the similarity between 'one off' and

Victoria Police has received a string of complaints from concerned young women about suspect Uber drivers

or

connecting one account to as many as 10 vehicles and paying a string of employees, many foreign nationals, in cash.

For the comparison with taxis......i have never seen an article yet where a taxi owner has been convicted of hiring 10 drivers and have them use the 1 single drivers licence with the same photo......a couple per licence perhaps but never as many as 10......
Uber now claims that record due to their noobish in-ability to implement proper image recognition algorithms/systems so they can verify their drivers better...

That's the embarrassing thing with all these tech darlings......they are not worth defending because they never think ahead more than 5 steps......they always wait until a problem happens instead of having the foresight to counter it before it happens......they have been forced time and time again to implement new features because of said problems arising. Noobs is the only word...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/PaulTully/status/1178559489135366144

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1178585968216965125

[#Metro]

Well, what does it say when people voluntarily and willingly pay 30x what the PT option would cost?

Everything you would need to know is in the last line: Last train left before midnight.

Adding trains or subsitute buses would have the effect of dampening the surge spikes on the rideshare apps.

[James]

Mark Bailey made a valid point (unusually) - many of these people could have caught a train (or bus) away from the area with the worst surge pricing - either home, or to an intermediate point.

That people willingly paid $180 for an Uber when there are other options available really goes to show how our PT network doesn't even enter the mind of your average punter...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> State says taxi drivers cannot claim losses over influx of rideshare

The State has tried to throw out compensation and damages claims over taxi drivers' losses resulting from the introduction of rideshare operations in Queensland.

THE State Government has asked a judge to strike out a compensation claim made on behalf of more than 900 taxi licence holders affected by rideshare operations.

Queensland Licensed Taxi Operators are seeking compensation for the alleged loss of value of their licences since rideshare business Uber has been allowed to operate in Queensland.

The 956 taxi licence holders represented in the claim also are seeking damages for unconscionable conduct and damages for breach of contract, under Australian Consumer Law.

In accepting payment for licence fees, it is alleged the State represented to each licensee that it would ensure that licence privileges would only be exercised by licence-holders.

Counsel for the taxi operators, Damien Atkinson QC, said there was an inference that people exercising licence rights, without a taxi licence, would be prosecuted.

It is alleged the State breached its duty to taxi licence holders by allowing rideshare operations by Uber in Queensland since April, 2014, and legally since 2017.

Mr Atkinson said licence holders were told many times since 1994, by government representatives, there would be no deregulation of the taxi industry.

He said taxi drivers had to make very big investments and looked to assurances that the situation would not be changed, and that subsequent governments would honour those assurances.

There was an implied term in the contract between the State and licence holders that the right to exercise licence privileges was confined to licence-holders.

Mr Atkinson said there was also an implied term of the contract that the State would protect the value of the licences that had been purchased.

But counsel for the State Government, Madeline Brennan, QC, said there could be no cause of action against the State for valid exercise of its executive discretion and legislative power, in the public interest.

She said the licence holders knew that the regulations of the taxi industry were matters that were under constant review and they were notified of legislative changes and compensation offers.

Ms Brennan said it was hypothetical to suggest a licence issued by the State would be guaranteed for time immemorial and that there would be no competition.

She also disputed the taxi operators' claim that the State was carrying on a business by effecting the sale of taxi licences.

The taxi operators claim they are entitled to damages under Australian Consumer Law.

Ms Brennan said the taxi operators had no real prospect of success in their claim and there was no need for a trial.

Justice Bradley reserved his decision.

[#Metro]

Looks like a state business to me.

The licence is there to exclude not qualify. That's why licenses were tradeable.

And they limited the number of licenses.

How is this different to say a pizza franchise that says 'only X stores can be licensed to use our brand in this area".

[SurfRail]

The difference is that these guys are Pizza Hut complaining about Pizza Capers, not people knocking off Pizza Hut's trade dress.

[#Metro]

It will be interesting to see the judgement.

I don't think it should be thrown out, that would deny exploration of the issue.

The comment that there could be no expectation of new competition isn't entirety right.

There were two main cab companies. So there was competition, they just didn't expect the door to open to unlicensed competition.

Why have a licencing scheme if you weren't going to enforce it?

Further, the state went after Uber, sending TMR staff to chase ride sharing vehicles.

I think that demonstrates intent to protect the license scheme and the value in the licenses for the taxi license owners. The State was trying to keep good on its implied promise.

Clearly, the intent was to prevent competition. It is implied in both the licensing being restricted and the later actions taken by the state to prevent ride sharing taking hold.

[SurfRail]

The problem they'll have is that statutory rights are inherently capable of variation, which is ultimately what happened here.

[techblitz]

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/europe/uber-banned-in-london-over-fake-drivers-scandal-20191126-p53e1h.html

London: Uber has been banned in London over a fake driver scandal after the regulator said it found 14,000 trips in which unauthorised drivers had used verified accounts to pick up passengers.

Transport for London issued its second ban on the ride-hailing company in as many years declaring that it had identified "several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk."

The main breach involved Uber allowing unauthorised drivers to upload their own photographs to replace those of verified drivers. In those cases, passengers were picked by up an unverified driver instead of the ones they had booked.

TfL said all of the 14,000 trips carried out in these circumstances were uninsured. Some of them  were carried out by unlicenced drivers. In one instance a ride was carried out by a driver whose licence had been previously revoked.

TfL said other breaches related to insurance, which led to the regulator prosecuting Uber earlier this year for causing and permitting the use of vehicles without the correct insurance policies in place.

TfL does not have confidence that similar issues will not reoccur in the future, which has led it to conclude that the company is not fit and proper at this time," Helen Chapman from TfL said in a statement.


The company said banning the entire service was wrong and that it would appeal. Uber can continue to operate as normal while the appeal takes place.

Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London said he supported TfL's decision.

"I know this decision may be unpopular with Uber users but their safety is the paramount concern," Khan said.



"There is undoubtedly a place for innovative companies in London - in fact we are home to some of the best in the world. But it is essential that companies play by the rules to keep their customers safe."

But Shaun Bailey, the Conservative's Mayoral candidate said London's reputation as a city open for business had taken a hammer blow.


"Sadiq Khan has had two years to come up with a clear policy on ride hailing that both respects London's iconic Black cab trade and meets Londoners' needs and he hasn't delivered.

"Today's ban is an admission of failure on regulation and will lead to job losses for tens of thousands of Londoners from mostly Black and Minority and Ethnic (BAME) communities," Bailey said.



Uber, which has faced a fierce campaign from London's Black Cabbies, and TfL have been locked in a protracted legal battle since the authorities first attempted to ban the company in 2017.

The Chief Magistrate granted Uber a conditional private hire operator's licence which expired in September. TfL granted it a two-month licence while it investigated safety breaches

Birmingham will be reviewing ubers licence as well.
This noobish(uber being the noobs), yet cunning fraud would no doubt be happening in many major cities around the world.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Rideshare carpooling could challenge Brisbane's public transport network

THE rollout of carpooling features on rideshare apps has raised fears Brisbane alread choked roads could soon be flooded with even more cars as users are enticed away from public transport.

Rideshare giant DiDi yesterday launched its "Share" service in Brisbane, slashing the cost of a ride drastically by picking up multiple customers travelling in the same direction.

It's the first service of its type in Brisbane, and the first Australian market where Share has been launched. Uber has launched its own 'Pool' service in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Fare estimates provided to The Courier-Mail shows that trips on the new service are marginally more expensive than catching the bus, rail and ferry fares within Brisbane's inner and middle ring of suburbs, but would be faster and more cost-efficient.

A trip from West End to the City with DiDi Share would cost $5, compared to $3.31 for a bus, while it would only be $3 more to go from Cooparoo to the CBD with a carpool than with the bus.

QUT consumer behaviour expert professor Gary Mortimer said Uber Pool had become a major commuting habit in the southern capitals.

"If you're going to split the cost with an unknown person ... it's certainly a faster and more cost-efficient way to get around the city and urban areas," Mr Mortimer said.

"If the cost of a ride were to fall 50 per cent, I think you would find commuters would more carefully look at the offer and adopt the offer."

He said comfort, cleanliness and the convenience of door-to-door trips would make rideshare carpooling more appealing than the train, bus and ferry network.

Rideshare apps are already an important part of commuting, with DiDi spokesman Dan Jordan saying the major transport hubs of Loganlea, Central, Roma Street, Altandi, Fortitude Valley and Eagle Junction stations were top destinations for the service.

"DiDi is commonly coupled with public transport by riders to reach their destination as a 'first-mile' or 'last-mile' solution," Mr Jordan said.

He said the new carpool service, which would use some of the service's 15,000 drivers, would be an "educational experience" for both the company and Brisbane riders, but that it would hopefully be embraced.

"It's about 40 per cent cheaper (for riders)," Mr Jordan said.

"Because the trips will be longer, it will increase the earning potential for the drivers, which for us is really exciting."

Asked whether the Pool feature could soon be headed to southeast Queensland, an Uber spokesman said: "We have been delighted with the response from riders in markets where Uber Pool has been introduced. We are constantly evaluating whether there is demand for Uber to bring new products."

Advocacy group Rideshare Drivers in Co-operation Queensland member Shane Millsom said commuters already used Uber daily to get to work, particularly in industrial areas poorly serviced by public transport.

"You see a surge in Uber usage in the outer suburbs from about 10pm when the bus services finish," Mr Millsom said.

"It certainly seems to be a replacement for the shortfall in public transport, rather than a replacement for public transport."

Mr Millsom said he had concerns about driver pay and customer safety if Uber Pool were to be rolled out in southeast Queensland.

"Often the driver will find they're making much less (with Pool)," he said.

He also said Queensland laws around ridesharing services made Uber Pool potentially unviable.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1233039765328420864

[techblitz]

https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/uber-lyft-ride-share-safety-horror-story/42a4b7b8-139d-47e1-ae86-a1060d2e73f0

Ride sharing services may be the quickest and easiest way to get from A to B on a night out or in an unfamiliar city, but only 30 per cent of Aussies feel safe all the time in Ubers, Olas and Lyfts.

The results of an exclusive Nine.com.au poll showed that one in six Aussies never feel safe using ride sharing services, with a further 12 per cent seldom feeling safe and 25 per cent only sometimes feeling safe.

The numbers are concerning, but not surprising, as stories of young women being assaulted, abducted and even killed while using these services are becoming more common.

"I rarely feel safe with male drivers because I am a woman, and research indicates that women in Australia are vulnerable due to widespread Australian male attitudes about women's right to live safe and independent lives," one woman wrote.

Last August, a Melbourne Uber driver admitted to raping a woman he followed and snatched off the street while she was walking home from an office party in 2018.

The man, Manpreet Singh, 28, was fraudulently using a friend's Uber account when he took the woman and drove her 20kms to his home, where he took her into his bedroom and blocked the door with a wardrobe before assaulting her.

Adrienne Horrigan was left feeling scared after her Uber driver suggested they become "friends with benefits". (A Current Affair)

Another woman, Adirenne Horrigan, who took an Uber on the Gold Coast was horrified when the driver propositioned her while driving.

"We can be like, friends with benefits, you know. I can, like, drop you off and pick you up anytime whenever you want," the driver, Sandeep Singh, told the woman in a conversation she recorded.

He continued to pressure her as she told him she "doesn't do that" before finally letting up on the terrified Horrigan.

"I was really scared, I wasn't certain what he was capable of," she told A Current Affair.

Uber refunded Ms Horrigan the trip. (A Current Affair)

On top of fears of sexual assault, many Aussies can feel unsafe in ride sharing cars when their drivers don't follow road rules.

Who hasn't seen an Uber or Ola driver using their phone while driving, or hitting 60km in a 50km zone late at night on the way home?

Though 30 per cent of the people surveyed said they always feel safe in ride shares, the number is far lower than what most people would consider acceptable.

Some respondents suggested ride share drivers should have to display photo licenses like taxis in a bid to make them safer, but others were adamant the services should be banned over the dangers involved.

"I don't trust ride share services," one wrote, while others took issue with the fact ride share services are "unregulated and operate without control."

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/3/10/21m-to-upgrade-wheelchair-accessible-taxis

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

$21m to upgrade wheelchair accessible taxis

More than 50 taxi operators will receive funding to make their taxis accessible for people with disability under a $21 million grants program.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government's four-year grant scheme will support taxi operators to modernise Queensland's wheelchair accessible taxi fleet.

"This funding will help operators across Queensland to upgrade their older vehicles, so those vehicles can stay in service, rather than dropping out of the accessible taxi fleet when they become too expensive to maintain, or reach the end of their serviceable life," Mr Bailey said.

"The grants not only aid with replacing written-off vehicles and aging taxis but also provide funding for existing conventional taxi licence operators to replace their vehicles with wheelchair accessible taxis in some areas.

"Following a recent assessment process, grants have now been approved for 51 new wheelchair accessible taxis."

Disability Services Minister Coralee O'Rourke said successful applicants would receive 50 per cent funding for the cost to purchase and modify a new wheelchair accessible taxi, up to a maximum grant of $45,000.

"Accessible taxi services are often the only means of transport some people with disability and their families or carers can rely on to ensure they can get to appointments, go shopping and make the every day trips most of us take for granted," Ms O'Rourke said.

"Even losing a few accessible taxis from the fleet places greater demand for these services, reducing flexible transport options for people with disability.

"By reducing the average age of the fleet, these grants are designed to support a sustainable and modern accessible taxi fleet into the future."

Spinal Life Australia Chief Advisor John Mayo welcomed the grants and said the funding was critical to meet the transport needs of people with a disability across Queensland.

"We strongly support this program as it will help to improve the safety, availability and reliability of wheelchair accessible taxis and reduce barriers for people with a disability wishing to access their community,"  Mr Mayo said.

The grant program is being run across several rounds to help ensure swift distribution of funds and that priority is given to applicants who meet more critical upgrade criteria. 

Taxi operators who didn't apply in the first round are encouraged to apply for second round of funding, which is open now until April 9.

There will also be more opportunities to apply for funding over the remainder of the program.

The scheme is administered by the Queensland Rural Industry Development Authority on behalf of the Department Transport and Main Roads.

Further information on the Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Grants visit qrida.qld.gov.au

ENDS

[ozbob]

Media Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/90658

Personalised Transport Ombudsman update

Published Today at 03:35 PM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government will review the proposed powers of Queensland's first Personalised Transport Ombudsman (PTO), as it continues to work with the taxi and rideshare industry to respond to COVID-19

The appointment of Queensland's first PTO was expected in March this year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the impacts of COVID-19 prompted the delay of the process until 2021, to allow the industry to focus on recovery.

"By May 2020, over 1000 taxis and limousine licence holders had de-registered their vehicles to reduce costs during the COVID-19 emergency," Mr Bailey said.

"There has been some re-registration of vehicles, but around 700 taxi and limousine licence holders remain without an operational vehicle at the end of last month.

"While many in the industry have been hit hard by COVID-19, a lot of operators have continued operating.

"That's despite the obvious challenges, particularly in major markets like Brisbane, where the industry has advised decreases of up to 90% in rank and hail business and about 70% of booked trips in Brisbane.

"Now is not the time to focus on more regulation and that's why, since April, we've announced two industry support packages.

"That includes $23 million specifically for the taxi and limousine that provided one-off payments of $3,500 per vehicle to taxi and limousine operators and one-off payments of $1,000 per licence to taxi and limousine licence holders.

"We're seeing the green shoots of recovery in industries across Queensland but there's no doubt taxi, rideshare and limousine operators will continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19 for some time."

Mr Bailey said delaying the establishment of a PTO would allow the government more time to work with industry to ensure the new Ombudsman role meets the requirements of both the industry and government following COVID-19

"We know the PTO needs to be independent and empowered to investigate and mediate individual complaints and we will look at what additional powers it might need in the post-COVID world.

"While the role of the Ombudsman is intended to complement the work of other agencies at both a State and Federal level, we'll undertake a policy review of the powers of the PTO.

"That review will include consulting widely with industry."

Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) CEO Blair Davies said postponing the establishment of the Personalised Transport Ombudsman's office was a very sensible policy adjustment in the current circumstances and one that just had to be made. 

"We completely agree with Minister Bailey on this issue," he said.

"Like a lot of plans for 2020, COVID-19 has forced massive changes in our industry's priorities and establishing the Ombudsman's office was simply competing for resources that are much better directed elsewhere.

"TCQ expects the Personalised Transport Sector to rebound slowly but strongly as COVID-19 restrictions ease and the Queensland economy reboots. 

"It is very likely that the sector will look and feel substantially different to the one that entered the pandemic and so the role of its new Ombudsman will probably change as well. 

"We look forward to working with the Government next year on that, tweaking and adapting the Ombudsman's mission accordingly."


Background:

The appointment of Queensland's first dedicated industry Ombudsman was supported by the Personalised Transport Ombudsman Bill that passed through Queensland Parliament in September 2019.

The PTO will be appointed by the Governor-in-Council under the PTO Act, for a term of not more than three years.

In June, the State Government announced a $23 million financial assistance package for the taxi and limousine industry.

It followed approval of a $54.5 million package in April to help Queensland transport operators continue running services despite the patronage downturn resulting from COVID-19.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> COVID, Uber push value of Queensland taxi licences 'over a cliff'

Taxi licences are selling for as little as $3000 as the value of the once-coveted asset falls off a cliff following intense pressure from ride-sharing companies and the coronavirus pandemic.

Standard Brisbane taxi licences were selling for an average of more than $500,000 in 2014, but in 2020, they were worth just $41,107 on average. ...

[#Metro]

What is old is new again.

NSW Chook licencing. (Yes, you read that correctly).

Representing a government-regulated property right - the right to legally produce eggs - the hen quotas immediately assumed value and could be sold to existing or new producers.

https://www.afr.com/politics/nsw-cracks-egg-boards-protective-shell-19910201-k4a19

[verbatim9]

What is old is new again.

NSW Chook licencing. (Yes, you read that correctly).

Representing a government-regulated property right - the right to legally produce eggs - the hen quotas immediately assumed value and could be sold to existing or new producers.

https://www.afr.com/politics/nsw-cracks-egg-boards-protective-shell-19910201-k4a19

Eggs are expensive in Qld. Same with Bananas. Apparently they have cure for that banana disease on the horizon which may lead to the possibility of importation slashing banana prices. We could see banana prices as low as 80c a kilo again.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1415440000955555841

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Government lashed over huge waste of taxpayer's money $

The Queensland Government spent more than $400,000 decking out a swish new office for an Ombudsman that does not exist.

The Palaszczuk Government announced that it would appoint a Personalised Transport Ombudsman to resolve customer and industry complaints relating to the taxi, ride share industries before later scrapping the idea.

The new ombudsman was first announced in 2019 with appointment due sometime this year after having been delayed due to Covid.

However, in June Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced the idea would be binned – but not before close to half a million dollars had been spent fitting out the new office space on Albert St in the city. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1518701004279414785

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> One in five Brisbane taxi, rideshare drivers found to be dodgy

One in five Brisbane taxi drivers have been found to be doing the wrong thing, including price gouging or negotiating fares.

As part of a crackdown on dodgy operators in the taxi and rideshare industry, the state government in November slapped nearly 200 fines on drivers found to be ripping off customers, not turning on their meter, or creating an unsafe environment for travellers. ...

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1621148837128847360