Western Australia Minister for Transport & Disability Services Simon O’Brien

Improved taxi services for Perth’s wheelchair taxi customers

Victor P Taffa

From today, eligible people living with disabilities will be able to enjoy greater access and more reliable taxi services following the introduction of three new Multi Purpose Taxi (MPT) initiatives.

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’Brien said that as Minister for Transport and Disability Services he had long been concerned about the need to enhance taxi services for people with a disability. 

“The State Government is committed to improving access to taxi services for people living with a disability, particularly those in wheelchairs who are dependent on taxis as their main mode of transport.” Mr O’Brien said.

“I am therefore pleased to announce a new suite of measures aimed at assisting eligible people with a disability, particularly those in wheelchairs, who frequently use MPTs.”

The new initiatives deliver:

• A 12-month extension for the ‘standby taxi’ system to ensure that all wheelchair taxi requests can be met in a timely and reliable manner. The new system will be operated by Black & White Taxis and Swan Taxis between 8am and 6pm;

• A 12-month trial of an increased night time lifting incentive of $20 for MPT operators to provide a wheelchair service between 6pm and 8am when the job is booked through a taxi dispatch system;

• An increase in the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) cap on the level of subsidy from $25 to $35 for trips undertaken by 75 % eligible TUSS members travelling in wheelchairs, or with a scooter, in a MPT or wheelchair accessible country taxi.

“I strongly support these initiatives as they will allow for wheelchair jobs to be covered more efficiently and effectively.” the Minister said.

“The implementation of the standby vehicle will create a greater equality of taxi services for people with disabilities in terms of timeliness and reliability.”

Mr O’Brien also said by doubling the night time lifting incentive from $10 to $20, MPT operators would be encouraged to give priority to wheelchair jobs allocated by taxi dispatch services.

“The night time lifting incentive should provide improved service for eligible wheelchair-bound passengers, who travel out of office hours.” Mr. O’Brien said.

The Minister said the new TUSS cap increase should ensure longer journeys are more economical for wheelchair taxi users.

“This is the first time the TUSS cap has been increased since the scheme’s inception in 1988.” the Minister said.

“This Government has recognised the need for a better subsidy rate due to the growing number of trips exceeding the present cap.”

The implementation of the standby vehicle service and the $20 night time lifting incentive totalling $225,000 will be funded by the State Government through the Taxi Industry Development Account (TIDA), while the Department of Transport will provide funding for the increased TUSS cap.

The announced changes will be introduced from April 28.

For more information on the MPT and TUSS initiatives and subsidies visit

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/taxis or call 9218 3606

Editor Victor P Taffa has previously driven a Taxi-Cab in Sydney and from experience many Sydney Taxi drivers have sadly mistaken guide dogs and have refused to take vision impaired passengers. This announcement by Mr. O’ Brien is welcomed as the increase in financial incentives will go some way to assist disabled passengers. Perhaps the New South Wales Minister for Transport & Infrastructure could also take onboard Mr. O’ Brien’s measures.

Western Australia Minister for Tourism Elizabeth Constable

WA’s favourite cabbie to drive State’s extraordinary tourism experiences

Victor P Taffa

Bunbury’s Doug Slater has been named Western Australia’s favourite cabbie after thousands of online voters from around the world chose him to drive the Extraordinary Taxi Ride – the first campaign to be launched under the State’s new tourism brand: Experience Extraordinary.

At Perth’s extraordinary Cottesloe Beach today, Tourism Minister Liz Constable announced that Mr Slater had out-polled the four other finalists – receiving nearly 45 % of the votes – to be named WA’s most extraordinary taxi driver.

“Doug Slater will be the star of the Extraordinary Taxi Ride as he takes his passengers on a 6,500km journey throughout the State to see WA’s extraordinary places, people and events.” Dr. Constable said

“Even though the campaign was only launched last month, it has already received global media coverage and significant interest from people around the world.

“The website – http://www.theextraordinarytaxiride.com.au - has received nearly 60,000 visitors who have spent more than 4,000 hours on the site.”

“This campaign, the first to be launched under the State’s new tourism brand, Experience Extraordinary, has also been strongly supported by the tourism industry and local WA businesses.”

The competition to select the driver for the Extraordinary Taxi Ride received 460 entries from cabbies across WA and the field was narrowed down to just five finalists:

• Peter Bughiu,

• Harry Huggins,

• Judy Jones,

• Doug Slater,

• Stevan Vukmirovic.

“After weeks of promotions and hard work by all the shortlisted cabbies, thousands of web-users cast their votes and Mr Slater came out at number one to lead the nine-week, 11-leg journey.” the Minister said.

“An international competition is now under way to find 22 passengers to join Mr Slater on the journey of a lifetime starting in April.”

Those who wish to enter the competition to become a passenger or help plan the journey can become involved by visiting:

http://www.theextraordinarytaxiride.com.au

Western Australia Minister for Transport Simon O’ Brien

Unallocated taxi plates rolled out as WA enters new era of economic growth

Victor P Taffa

Western Australians will benefit from the release of 56 unallocated taxi lease plates over the next 12 months and the continuation of peak period operating hours for taxis.

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said these measures came as the State headed towards a new period of sustained economic growth.

“With a number of major infrastructure projects scheduled to start soon and with economic growth forecast, it is expected there will be an increased demand for taxi services.” Mr O’Brien said.

“With a significant lead time for taxi plates to be advertised, applications assessed and then new taxis to actually get on the road, it is important we get moving now.”

“We need to be ahead of the curve on this, not in a position where we are playing catch up.”

“The last period of economic growth saw, at its peak, five % of all taxi call-outs not being covered due to shortages.” Mr. O’ Brien said.

“We are working towards ensuring that this situation is not repeated.”

Fifty-six taxi plates will be made available from the Department of Transport on a lease basis through an expression of interest process.

The 56 taxi lease plates comprise 32 that were surrendered by previous lessees and 24 which were approved by the previous Labor Government but never released.

“We currently face the untenable situation whereby the size of Perth’s taxi fleet is actually declining while the city’s population is increasing rapidly.” the Minister said.

“The State Government is mindful of the viability of the taxi industry. As such, these plates will be released on a staggered basis resulting in small monthly release of taxi plates into the market.”

Mr O’Brien said the Taxi Industry Board was currently considering in what form taxi plates should be released into the future.

Meanwhile the peak period taxi trial which was initiated in 2008 to meet the early morning weekday demand for taxis would remain in place throughout 2010.

The Minister had taken advice from the Taxi Industry Board and resolved that peak period taxis would continue to play an important role in meeting the demand generated from the hotel industry and fly-in/fly-out workers travelling to Perth Airport. This initiative, and demand in the industry, would be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Taxi Industry Board.