On August 15, 2002 the Federal Government introduced the above as part of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.  The Act seeks to eliminate discrimination, "as far as possible" against people with disabilities.  Public Transport is a service covered by the Act.  The purpose of the Standards is to enable public transport operators and providers to remove discrimination from public transport services.

In broad terms the Standards outline requirements for buildings and facilities in design for access and mobility, provision of tactile ground surface indicators, lifts and escalators, emergency warning and intercommunication systems, public information symbols, and hoists and ramps that are vehicle mounted.

Whilst there are many implications for the broader public transport industry that includes bus and rail, the taxi industry has to be aware of ONE important requirement.  This is:-

(17.7)  Taxi Registration Numbers
"Raised taxi registration numbers must be placed on the exterior of passenger doors forward of the handle."

This will be the responsibility of the Service Provider (each Taxi Operator) to ensure their cab(s) carries the appropriate tactile signage - signs that indicate the Cab Number with lettering that is raised as prescribed in the Standard, so as the Cab Number can be identified by a passenger who is visually impaired. 

Black & White Cabs has tested the market and come up with a product that meets all of the required standards and has been approved by the relevant authorities.  We have ordered sufficient signs to cover all of the cabs in our fleet.  The bulk order and replacement program has been made so as we can have consistency with the signage (very important for passengers who are vision impaired) and to lower costs for our Taxi Operators.  The product we have chosen also makes future ordering of signs - be it for one, two or three signs much easier as we can make them in-house.  These signs will form part of the livery required to operate a Black & White Cab and will be available from Fleet Services Department.

Each sign will cost $25.00 + GST so for the initial order we will supply three signs (one forward of each passenger door handle) at a cost of $75.00 + GST, which will be charged to your Operator Account at the time of delivery of the signs.  It is anticipated this will take place in late November / December 2007.  We will contact our Taxi Operators once we have started to receive the signs.