After the restructure of Black & White Cabs in 1996 from a co-operative base, it was deemed necessary to establish a user type group that would enable effective communication between Management and the fleet.  Under the Chairmanship of Leo Hegerty “The Panel” was inaugurated and over the past 10 years this group’s contribution has played an important role in the ongoing growth of Black & White Cabs. The Panel has been involved in a number of areas including advertising and marketing, fleet standards, rank supervision and dispatch methodology.

Black & White Cabs has effectively developed great relationships with smaller groups within the organisation such as the Business Class Fleet, the Maxi Fleet including operators and drivers, the Multi Fleet Operators (MFO’s) and The Panel.  Close involvement by Senior Management and Staff with each of these groups has lead to a better and more effective communication of ideas and actions, which has benefited both the Operators and the Company.

The Panel in particular has prospered under the Chairmanship of Leo Hegerty, however Leo has advised that he now wished to step down from this position – something that no one could deny him the chance to do so.  With this came the opportunity to review the operation and structure of The Panel with a view to expanding its capacity to engage the broader taxi fleet of Black & White Cabs.

Black & White Cabs General Manager, John Tighe, has announced the formation of The Black & White Operators Group which would be headed by The Black & White Operators “Committee”.

The role of the Group would be to act as an advisory body to Black & White Cabs in matters such as Marketing, Advertising, Fleet Standards and Rank Supervision activities.  Membership of the new body would be exclusive to those persons or organisations that are paying Service Fees to Black & White Cabs.  The new body would not replace any current representative groups such as Business Class, Maxi Operators or Multi Fleet.

The Charter for the Group is.

“The Black & White Operators Group exists to provide an effective conduit between all affiliated taxi operators and the company, in the pursuit of standards of excellence and reward for all Black & White Cabs Stakeholders.”

The current members of The Panel, Per Dinesen, Brian Buckley, John Merritt, Michael Christ & Ross Whiting will become the Committee of the new body.  Per Dinesen has been appointed as interim Chairman, with the Group to meet three times a year and the Committee to meet six times a year.  In subsequent years, a nomination and ballot process will be put in place with positions open to all members of The Group.

The first Group meeting will be held at 10.30 am on May 30th at East’s Leagues Club, Coorparoo.  The committee has secured a very high profile Guest Speaker for the first meeting and Chairman Per is most keen for as many operators as possible to turn up.  Invitations will be sent to all Black & White Operators with their next statement.