Govt hints at taxi rank queue jumping for cash
Should you be allowed to jump the queue in a taxi rank if you are willing to pay more money?
The State Government has dropped several hints about the measures it is considering in its review of the taxi and hire car industries. Today it released an online Government survey – now open for responses – which asks:
- Whether people should be allowed to jump the queue in taxi ranks if they are willing to pay more money.
- Whether the Government should be able automatically suspend a taxi driver if he or she is charged a serious criminal offence, such as rape or assault.
- Whether people would pay more money for taxi or hire-car services during peak demand periods.
- Whether people are interested in using a “smaller, no-frills vehicle” – smaller than a taxi.
- Whether cab drivers should be allowed to refuse short trips.
It also asks about the safety features South Australians consider the most important when hiring a vehicle, and how satisfied people are with hire car and taxi prices – including the credit card surcharge for cab rides – and how satisfied people are with taxi drivers’ hygiene, appearance and familiarity with streets.
According to the State Government, responses to the survey will be among the submissions to the panel conducting the Government’s Taxi and Chauffeur Vehicle Review.
The review will consider the regulations governing the industries, and look to changes to improve standards and quality, and to encourage innovation and increase competition.
Since June, the review panel has been engaging with members of the industry and other key stakeholders, to obtain their views.
After the six-month review, the panel will report back to the Government with recommendations for changing the Passenger Transport Act which governs the industry.
The review will likely shape the Government’s views about whether to allow the controversial Uber X ride-sharing service in South Australia. Currently, only Uber Black is allowed, which uses accredited hire cars and drivers.
Stay informed, daily
Several of the survey questions appear geared towards gauging public views on Uber-type services, particularly the peak-demand pricing (known in Uber-speak as “surge” pricing), and the use of “no-frills” vehicles. Uber X drivers use their own cars to provide the service.
A spokesperson for the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure told InDaily that the Passenger Transport Standards Committee must consider an offence in order to remove or suspend a taxi driver’s accreditation under the Passenger Transport Act.
Once notified of an alleged serious offence by South Australia Police, the Committee can rule on the matter.
The survey will be online until November 6.
Want to see more stories from InDailySA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDailySA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDailySA". That's it.
