105 TCQ Report

IBW - Summer 2008

TAXI COUNCIL REPORT

What does Taxi Council of Queensland do for you?

Below are some of the issues that Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) is currently addressing in representation of the owners, operators and drivers of the taxi industry;

Passenger Assist Lift Fee
TCQ strongly supports the introduction of a 'passenger assistance fee' to be paid to drivers as an incentive to favour wheelchair work. These fees already exist in other parts of Australia and are generally around $10 per booking. The fee is paid to the driver in recognition of the extra time and effort that it takes to travel to and/or load a wheelchair passenger as opposed to customers of conventional taxis. Taxi Council of Queensland is working with Queensland Transport and industry representatives to investigate incentive schemes that may deliver improvements in response times and customer service for wheelchair passengers.

2008 End of Year Taxi Fare Review
In 2007 Queensland Transport engaged the services of Pricewaterhouse Coopers to develop a new model for reviewing taxi fares in Queensland.
TCQ has formally requested that Qld Transport undertake an end-of-year taxi fare review for 2008. To assist with the review, TCQ has populated the Taxi Cost Fare Index with updated data pertaining to the 6 months ending 30th September 2008.

BAC Taxi Driver Facilities
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has announced a major upgrade of landside transport facilities, with construction currently underway to build a new central taxi and ground transport holding area to service both the domestic and international terminals.

BAC will also be building a new taxi rank and feeder at the domestic terminal and have implemented TCQ supervision of both the domestic and international terminal taxi ranks to improve customer service and feeder management efficiency.

The Metropolitan Committee meets regularly with representatives of Brisbane Airport Corporation in an endeavour to ensure the drivers have the best possible facilities and to ensure that the taxi facilities allow quicker taxi customer loading and faster exit from the terminal.

Other issues currently being addressed by Taxi Council on behalf of the Taxi owners, operators and drivers in Queensland include;

- 2nd Generation Service Contracts
- The impact of greenhouse gas emissions policies on the taxi industry
- Secure taxi ranks
- Introduction of transponders
- Representation on a stakeholder reference group to advise the Government on strategies and actions required to assist the taxi industry achieve compliance with the federal Disability Discrimination Act and its associated Transport Standards.
- Taxi CTP premiums
- Consultation with QT on the planned publishing of a Taxi Customer Service Charter

The Metropolitan Committee of Taxi Council continues to address issues specifically affecting the Brisbane Taxi Service Area such as services at the Brisbane Airport, location and supervision of taxi ranks etc. If you have any feedback or comments regarding these issues, please contact Black & White Cabs on 3860-1800.

If you would like to know more about what is happening in the Taxi Industry, we suggest you visit the following websites;