Swipe me! - Taxi Talk Magazine

VOICE 

OF ThE TAxI INDUSTRy 

TAXI 

MAGAzINE 

Official journal of the Victorian Taxi Association 

Print Post Approved number PP328444/0004 Issue Number 513 september 2010 

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Editor and publisher 

magazine editor Toni F. Peters 

vta editor Neil Sach 

founder Stanley F. White 

publisher Trade Promotions Pty Ltd 

Advertising enquiries 

Toni Peters or Stanley White 

T: 03 9807 0237 

F: 03 9807 3401 

E: taxitalk@bigpond.net.au 

W: www.taxitalk.com.au 

42 Grenfell Rd, Mt Waverley VIC 3149 

PO Box 2345, Mt Waverley VIC 3149 

Submissions: 

Taxi Talk magazine welcomes submissions relating to the taxi and 

hire car industry. Editorial contributions are welcomed. The author’s 

name, address and contact phone number must be provided to 

ensure authenticity and may be withheld from publishing if requested. 

The Editors reserve the right to refuse articles or advertisements 

from any source. Information on products and services 

contained in the editorial and advertising pages of this magazine 

is published as a service. It does not imply theendorsement of any 

product or service by the Publishers or Victorian Taxi Association 

Inc. Deadline for contributions and advertisement bookings for Taxi 

Talk is the 15th of the month preceding publication. 

Disclaimer: 

Taxi Talk, official journal of the Victorian Taxi Association Inc. (VTA) 

the trade association representing owners, operators and drivers 

of Victorian taxicabs, is published monthly by Trade Promotions 

Pty Ltd. © Trade Promotions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. Taxi Talk 

magazine is wholly owned by Trade Promotions Pty Ltd. The “Taxi 

Talk - Voice of the taxi industry” heading and logos are trademarks 

of Stanley F. White. Subject to any liability imposed by the Trade 

Practices Act, any State or Territory Fair Trading Act or any other 

Federal, State or Territory statute, and which liability cannot be excluded 

or modified, the publisher, editors or VTA do not warrant the 

accuracy of any entry, advertisement, statement for claim made 

herein and the publisher hereby excludes the liability for any error, 

omission or misrepresentation howsoever arising out of the publication 

of any advertisement, statement or claim. All rights reserved. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any 

form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, 

recording or by information storage and retrieval systems 

without permission in writing from Trade Promotions Pty Ltd. The 

Trade Practices Act 1974 provides that advertised prices for goods 

and services which attract GST should be GST inclusive. Prices 

should not be quoted as being “excluding GST” or “plus GST”, 

or by the use of words or phrases conveying similar meaning. 

Readers are entitled to expect that the advertised prices are the 

actual prices at which they can purchase the particular goods and 

services. Taxi Talk will not knowingly accept for publication any 

advertisement which may be in breach of the Trade Practices Act 

1974 or any other relevant law. 

Online: 

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taxi talk is the official journal of the victorian 

taxi association inc. 

T: 03 9676 2635 

F: 03 9676 2643 

president Kevin Gange 

vice president Stephen Armstrong 

chief executive Neil Sach 

The content of any advertisement included in Taxi Talk magazine 

may be included by us on a website owned or operated by the publisher 

of this magazine. You release and indemnify the publisher of 

this magazine and the publisher of the relevant website in relation 

to any claims relating to the publication of your advertisements 

on that website. 

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ontents 

Victorian Taxi Association editorial 

It just doesn’t stack. 

London Taxis Rank World’s Best 

New Yorkers / Parisians are the rudest. 

VTA State Taxi Conference 

13 and 14 September 2010. 

Glaucoma 

Victorian supercomputer to help fight glaucoma. 

A Fair Go for Taxi Drivers and Operators 

Victorian taxi drivers bear the brunt of costs. 

From the Victorian Taxi Directorate 

Keeping a close check on the taxi industry. 

The Rise of Generation C: 

Implications for the world of 2020. 

Victorian Taxi Statistics 

Licence assignments, transfers and issues for the month. 

Hey Dad - Fatherhood - the first 12 months 

Men getting it wrong - postnatal depression. 

Victorian Designed car Wheel 

This is a world-first. 

Royal Melbourne Show 2010 

There’s nothing like it - 18-28 September. 

Talking Vehicles 

May save lives at rail crossings. 

MV James Grant Sets Sail 

MA new $1.5 million catamaran was launched in August 

Yellow Cabs Golf 

An update of last month’s happenings. 

Classifieds 

Cabs, drivers, equipment, licences, etc. wanted and for sale. 

ABC NewsRadio quiz 

Test your general knowledge by taking our quiz. 

SEPTEMBER 2010 Taxi Talk - voice of the taxi industry 

3

It just doesn’t stack 

Now that the hubbub 

of the Federal election 

is out of the way 

the race for Government 

in Victoria has 

well and truly started as we head 

for the State election on Saturday 

27 November. 

In regard to taxis, all parties are 

looking for the same thing – good 

customer service delivered on 

time by knowledgeable and well 

presented drivers in clean and 

safe taxis. 

Fair enough, but all parties 

have to realize that the taxi industry 

is not subsidized by Government 

so taxi users have to pay 

the real costs of achieving the 

service they desire. The reality is 

that the Victorian taxi industry is 

being choked to death by high 

assignment prices, the cost of 

compliance, and, importantly, by 

low fares. 

It is quite unjust and reprehensible 

that Victoria’s taxi drivers 

are so poorly rewarded for their 

time and effort, not to mention the 

abuse and discrimination they 

have to put up with from sectors 

of the community. 

Drivers have to pay for their 

training, buy their own uniform, 

be compliant with a wide range of 

rules and regulations, be subjected 

to non-supportive attention by 

numerous enforcement agencies, 

and be the butt of ridicule from 

sectors of the media (and indeed 

by some within the bureaucracy) 

– all for the sake of some $7 to 

$11 per hour gross – well below 

the minimum wage. 

Operators have been placed 

in an invidious situation of being 

required to pay assignment fees 

that are not reflected in the fare 

setting model, which then has a 

Neil Sach 

Victorian Taxi Association CEO 

flow on impact on driver income. 

Therefore, both drivers and operators 

are being thwarted by an 

inappropriate regulatory regime 

and an inappropriate fare setting 

model. 

Last month the VTA made two 

submissions to the Minister for 

Public Transport. The first was to 

do with the licence assignment 

regulatory regime and the second 

calling for a significant catch up 

fare increase. 

How can it be that Victorian 

fares did not increase in 2009 and 

might not increase in 2010 when: 

1. CPI increased by 1.5% year 

ending June 2009 and 3.1% 

year ending June 2010; and 

2. NSW taxi (metro) fares increased 

by 4.2% in 2009 and 

3% in 2010? 

Whilst it may come as a jolt to 

some, the VTA believe that Victoria’s 

taxi fares are 25-29% behind 

where they should be. Amongst 

other things, this is because there 

was no increase between 2000 

and 2005, and the 2005, 2006 

and 2007 adjustments used a 

productivity factor of -1.0% which 

in 2008 was reduced to -0.1% - a 

big difference that was not corrected 

retrospectively. 

Importantly, the 2008 review 

failed to use real operating costs, 

in particular the real cost of licence 

assignment. 

And of course, there is the impending 

arrival of 530 additional 

taxis into the greater Melbourne 

market which will spread the 

available work thinner. 

It is appropriate for Government 

to say that it has a regulatory obligation 

to look after the interests 

of taxi users. But what it doesn’t 

say (or do) is that because it regulates 

the taxi industry it has a responsibility 

to the industry itself to 

ensure that the industry is viable 

and that those who work within 

it are suitably rewarded and encouraged 

for their time, effort, risk 

and investment. 

So, one has to wonder why Victoria 

has ended up so badly off 

compared to NSW, ACT, Queensland 

and South Australia. 

What is abundantly clear is that 

Victoria’s taxi drivers and operators 

are being throttled to death 

at a time when they are being expected 

to perform better and better 

for less and less reward. 

It just doesn’t stack, and it’s 

about time Government got fair 

dinkum about putting in place a 

regulatory regime and fare structure 

that helps and rewards the 

taxi industry and provides encouragement 

to move forward towards 

the level of service desired 

by the community. D 

4 

Taxi Talk - voice of the taxi industry SEPTEMBER 2010

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and are popular amongst tourists for their novelty value. They are occasionally faster than taxis in heavy traffic as weaving 

in and out is easier, but generally about the same or slower. Without any luggage, 3 people can fit into one fairly comfortably - it’s 

possible to fit more in but it gets a bit cramped. D 

6 


London taxis rank world’s best 

New Yorkers / Parisians the rudest 

London taxis, with their friendly 

drivers who actually know where 

they are going, are ranked best in 

the world, according to an annual 

taxi poll. 

The survey by travel website 

hotels.com found London taxis, 

despite being the most expensive, 

beat rivals across the globe to 

head the list for the third consecutive 

years, scoring a total of 59 percent 

in votes on several categories 

by travellers. 

London taxi drivers were voted 

both friendliest and most knowledgeable. 

Drivers in the English 

capital must pass a rigorous examination 

called The Knowledge 

to earn their taxi license. 

New York’s yellow taxis came 

second in the list, scoring 27 percent 

which was up 10 percentage 

points from last year even though 

Manhattan’s cab drivers tied with 

Parisian taxi drivers as the rudest. 

Travellers said New York had the 

most available taxis. 

Cabbies in Rome were voted the 

worst drivers in the world with almost 

one in 10 travellers thinking 

the Italian capital had the world’s 

worst taxi drivers when it came to 

the quality of driving. 

“Travelling by taxi is one of the 

first experiences that many travellers 

have upon arrival in a new city. 

In fact, the research found that 

cabs are by far the most popular 

method of travelling from the airport 

to their hotel,” a spokesman 

for hotels.com said in a statement. 

The global poll scored city 

based taxis for their levels of 

cleanliness, value, quality of driving, 

knowledge of the area, friendliness, 

safety and availability. 

Rounding out the top five were 

Tokyo with a total score of 26 percent, 

Berlin with 17 percent, and 

Bangkok, famed for its tuk-tuks, 

scoring 14 percent. 

Madrid’s taxis were ranked sixth 

in the poll, followed by Copenhagen 

and Dublin with 11 percent 

and Frankfurt and Paris with 10 

percent. 

Taxis in Sydney fell short of the 

top 10, scoring badly in the areas 

of value for money, availability and 

knowledge of the area. 

The survey for hotels.com, part 

of the Expedia group, was conducted 

among over 1,900 travelers 

between May 11-28 this year. 

Belinda Goldsmith D 


7

VTA State Taxi Conference 

Brian Tee MLC 

The VTA State Taxi Conference 2010 will be held over Monday 13 and Tuesday 

14 September. The venue is Peppers at the Sands, Torquay. Registration application 

forms (with accommodation information) are available from the VTA 

office and VTA member depots (NSP). 

PROGRAM OUTLINE.... 

• Conference opening at 11am by 

HONOUR Brian Tee MLC, Parliamentary ROLL 

Secretary for Public Transport. 

• Keynote OF WOMEN 

speaker, Chris Lowe, 

Victorians Chief Executive are invited Officer to nominate of the 

the Bus women Association who inspire Victoria. them for Chris the 

2011 will Victorian discuss honour marketing Roll of people Women. 

transport. 

• 

The 

ARUP 

Victorian 

transport 

honour 

consultants 

Roll of Women 

will 

discuss 

recognises 

the work 

and 

being 

celebrates 

done 

the 

for 

achievements 

the VTA in 

of 

identifying 

women who 

and 

have 

tapping 

made a 

into 

significant 

new taxi 

contribution 

markets. 

in a 

• 

particular 

Launch 

field 

of the 

or made 

work 

a 

done 

lasting 

by 

contribution 

the 

VTA into 

that 

contracted 

benefits the 

taxi 

lives 

services. 

of other 

women 

• Paul Hogan, 

and the 

head 

wider 

of 

community. 

Veterans’ 

Affairs transport, will discuss the 

Women can be nominated for 

proposed new DVA car with driver 

system. 

their contributions in a wide range of 

fields from education, social justice, 

• Operational matters, including 

science, medicine, human rights, 

LPG, Melbourne Airport, Police 

media, literature and arts, sport and 

relations and VTD MPTP/WAT 

recreation, as well as involvement in 

initiatives. 

ethnic and indigenous communities. 

• The final speaker will be a surprise, 

but it’s about marketing in 

Nominations for the 2011 Victorian 

honour Roll of Women close on 13 

an exciting way. 

October, 2010. For nomination forms 

The conference will include a range 

and more information visit www. 

of exhibits and presentations from taxi 

women.vic.gov.au. D 

industry suppliers. D 

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8 


Albert Street cycle lane “dangerous” 

RACV has slammed Melbourne 

City Council’s recently implemented 

Albert Street bike lane as dangerous 

to cyclists and motorists. 

RACV General Manager Public 

Policy, Brian Negus, said while 

RACV supported measures to improve 

cyclist safety, the new bike 

lane on the edge of the Melbourne 

CBD was ill-conceived and confusing. 

Mr Negus said the implementation 

and design of the bike lane 

was “politically-correct transport 

policy gone mad”. 

“The new lane is confusing to 

motorists and cyclists and it is obvious 

the council has not thought 

through the implications of such a 

scheme,” Mr Negus said. “We are 

all in favour of cycling in the city, as 

highlighted by our implementation 

with the Victorian Government of 

Melbourne’s Bike Share scheme.” 

Mr Negus said the council 

should put in a new kerb or relocate 

the bike lane to ensure there 

is a defined area where cyclists 

can safely ride their bikes and also 

a defined area to ensure motorists 

know where they can park safely. 

Melbourne City Council approved 

the “Copenhagen-styled” 

cycle lanes for Albert Street in 2008 

and the lanes went operational in 

July this year. 

“Albert Street is a significant traffic 

route serving traffic into and out 

of the CBD and carries more than 

25,000 vehicles a day,” said Mr Negus. 

During the morning and afternoon 

rush hours Albert Street still 

has two lanes of traffic on each 

side. However, one car left in the 

clearway time causes traffic mayhem 

with vehicles forced to back 

up behind the parked car creating 

a safety issue for motorists. 

Outside rush hours, the inside 

traffic lane reverts to parking 

space – creating a line of parked 

cars standing out from the curb 

that acts as a buffer for the cycling 

lane. 

“The $340,000 cycle lane has 

been a massive waste of money, 

given the outcome has caused so 

many problems for motorists and 

cyclists. It has also drawn criticism 

from businesses located along Albert 

Street,” said Mr Negus. 

Courtesy RACV D 

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Victorian supercomputer to 

help fight glaucoma 

Hundreds of thousands of Australians suffering from glaucoma will 

have access to more accurate information about their deteriorating sight 

thanks to the arrival of a new super computer at the University of Melbourne. 

This is the most powerful supercomputer project dedicated to life sciences 

research in the southern hemisphere and is set to help the medical 

community fight diseases and improve the quality of life for thousands of people. The IBM Blue Gene supercomputer 

will be used by researchers at the University of Melbourne-led Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative 

(VLSCI). One of the main tools in the development of faster, more accurate eye tests is computer simulation 

of tests that assess the whole field of vision. Currently these take days on a standard computer, but with Blue 

Gene they can be done in minutes, allowing even more complex approaches to be evaluated. 

Current clinical tests of the visual field are highly variable, and it can take several years to reliably determine 

if vision is deteriorating due to glaucoma. The novel combination of data from both images of the optic nerve, 

and the new visual field testing strategies, will hopefully markedly reduce this time. 

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older Australians. Improving the accuracy 

of detection and monitoring of vision loss greatly enhances a clinician’s ability to treat this disease. D 

12 


A fair go for taxi drivers 

and operators 

David Samuel 

VTA Policy and Strategy 

The Victorian taxi fare 

rate sits around 25%-29% 

below that of NSW. The 

only justification for this 

could be that NSW costs 

are higher – they are not. 

In fact, VTA analysis demonstrates 

that the biggest 

cost to a taxi operator, 

the value of licence assignments, 

is significantly 

lower in NSW. 

Victoria’s taxi drivers bear the 

brunt of the costs associated with 

our State’s ailing licence assignment 

process. Operators pay the 

direct cost, but then like any business, 

pass that cost on. Drivers 

are unable to do the same given 

that the fare structure set by the 

State Government doesn’t reflect 

the true cost of the licence assignment, 

meaning they absorb the 

cost. In practical terms this scenario 

results in Victorian taxi drivers 

earning between $7 and $11 an 

hour. Australia’s current minimum 

wage is $14.31 per hour. 

So what can we do about this 

appalling situation? 

Well, the answer lies with the 

State Government. The VTA has 

made a series of submissions to 

the Minister for Public Transport, 

and has called on the Minister to: 

• Create the power for the Minister 

to introduce a cap on licence 

assignments in the Transport Act. 

• Create a single broker system 

to administer the licence process – 

the Department of Transport. 

• Fix anomalies in the mandated 

length of licence assignments. 

• Introduce a genuine mandatory 

written bailment agreement (the 

VTA do not support the mandate 

of the commercial elements of the 

agreement) created in consultation 

with the industry. 

• Introduce new legislative means 

to deal with sub-assignments. 

On top of this submission the 

VTA has made a specific submission 

regarding the issues associated 

with the current fare structure. 

This submission focuses on the 

concept of fair reward for effort, 

and ensuing that Victoria’s drivers 

are remunerated to at least the 

same level as their interstate counterparts. 

The submission also raised the 

issue of ensuring that the fare setting 

model maps the appropriate 

costs – once again like NSW, costs 

should be directly related to the 

taxi industry not broad economic 

indicators like the Consumer Price 

Index. 

The VTA has argued for the removal 

of the minus X factor in the 

current model (CIPI-X) which effectively 

penalizes drivers and operators 

for operating their business 

in a more productive and efficient 

manner. Surely this must be the 

most absurd feature of the current 

model. 

In the short term, the VTA is 

seeking a 25% - 29% fare increase 

to catch up to current licence assignment 

prices. 

The Essential Services Commission 

(ESC) covered this issue 

at length in its 2008 Review of 

Taxi Fares. In that review, the ESC 

urged the Government to introduce 

a cap on the price of licence 

assignments to stop what we are 

now seeing – the exponential increase 

in the value of licence assignments. 

The ESC pointed out 

that fares cannot be simply lifted 

to offset these price increases because 

this would merely lead to a 

problem of circular economic rent. 

While the VTA acknowledge the 

economic rationale behind the 

ESC’s work, it is not satisfied that 

the industry should absorb the 

costs generated by inappropriate 

regulatory settings. Given the taxi 

industry is funded by way of its fare 

revenue (as opposed to Government 

subsidised transport services) 

the VTA believe the price of 

the service must reflect the costs 

of providing that service. 

I look forward to bringing you 

more on these important issues. D 

14 


Australia takes on 

the world 

Guests staying at the Regent Singapore will no longer need to 

fork out cash for their taxi rides. Instead, all they do is flash a card 

to the taxi driver and wait to receive the bill at the end of their hotel 

stay. 

Called the Hotel Cabcharge card, the new offering by Comfort- 

Delgro is a world’s first. Hotel guests are given the option of applying 

for the card when they check in. Guests then present it at the 

end of any Comfort or CityCab taxi trip and the fare details will be 

sent electronically to the hotel billing system. Guests then pay the 

taxi fares as part of the final hotel bill when they check out. 

Guests pay a 10% administration fee on top of the metered fare. 

This will be shared between ComfortDelgro and the hotel to defray 

operating costs. 

ComfortDelgro said it took about three months to integrate its 

Cabcharge card system to the Regent’s reservation and billing 

system.D 

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15

calendar 

Taxi Operator Training Courses 

all courses are held at the Victorian Taxi Association offices 

Course 

No. Day Date 

Course 

No. Day Date 

174 1 Mon 6 September 180 1 Wed 3 November 

2 Tues 7 September 2 Thurs 4 November 

3 Wed 8 September 3 Fri 5 November 

175 1 Mon 20 September 181 1 Wed 10 November 

2 Tues 21 September 2 Thurs 11 November 

3 Wed 22 September 3 Fri 12 November 

176 1 Mon 4 October 182 1 Mon 15 November 

2 Tues 5 October 2 Tues 16 November 

3 Wed 6 October 3 Wed 17 November 



3 Wed 13 October 3 Wed 24 November 



3 Wed 20 October 3 Wed 1 December 

179 1 Mon 25 October 185 1 Wed 8 December 

2 Tues 26 October 2 Thurs 9 December 

3 Wed 27 October 3 Fri 10 December 

Taxi Industry Training Victoria P/L 

Suite 2, 85 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne 

Note - Dates are subject to change. 

For further information contact: 

TITV (03) 9676 2635 

via email: training@victaxi.com.au website: www.victaxi.com.au 

16 


mcc_0210 

Stormy Weather 

Contemporary Landscape Photography 

24 September 2010 – 20 March 2011 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia 

Drawn entirely from the NGV Collection, 

Stormy Weather will feature 

24 photographs by 11 renowned 

Australian photographers including 

Rosemary Laing, Harry Nankin, 

David Stephenson and Richard 

Woldendorp 

Frances Lindsay, Deputy Director, 

NGV said: “The works show how 

contemporary artists engage with 

landscape art, particularly focusing 

on their dynamic relationship to the 

environment. These inspired photographs 

are almost as diverse as the 

land itself. D 

RIGHT: Harry Nankin 

born Australia 1953 - Of Great Western tears / Duet 

2 2006 - from The rain series 2006–07 - gelatin silver 

photographs - (a-b) 107.1 x 214.3 cm (overall) - 

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne - Purchased 

NGV Foundation, 2007 © Harry Nankin 

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It will be developed between the 

towns of Macarthur, Hawkesdale 

and Penshurst within the Shire of 

Moyne and is due for completion 

in 2013. The wind farm will have 

140 turbines with a total capacity 

of 420MW. D 


17

Belt Up 40 years of seatbelts saving lives in Victoria 

The Transport Accident Commission will mark 40 

years since Victoria became the first jurisdiction in the 

world to make it mandatory to wear a seatbelt, by renewing 

calls for people to wear a seatbelt every time 

they get in the car. 

Victoria has led the world on road safety measures 

and the introduction of mandatory seatbelt wearing 

has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives on Victorian 

roads over the past 40 years. 

Wearing a seatbelt became mandatory in 1970 after 

a community and media campaign amid concerns over 

the high road toll of the time. The legislation was followed 

by an immediate reduction in the road toll, from 

1,061 in 1970 to 923 in 1971- a drop of 13 per cent. 

Victoria’s decision was followed by the other Australian 

states within two years and has since been 

emulated around the world. 

International research shows that seatbelts reduce 

the risk of serious injury by up to 50 per cent. 

A quarter of car drivers and passengers killed each 

year in Victoria are not wearing seatbelts, so remember 

to wear a seatbelt every time they get in the car. D 

GETTING AROUND WITH MELWAY 

The Melway street directory 2011 edition is now available. Featuring 

1300 new street listings, 500 revised and updated maps, as well 

as 140 new and expanded estates, Melway is a must for getting 

around Melbourne and surrounds. Edition number 38 features 

superior mapping coverage for confident navigation The large 

print edition of the Melway 2011 street directory is also available. 

Proudly Australian made and owned. Make sure it's a Melway D 

18 


Green Copenhagen 

inspires taxi industry 

The greenest city in Europe, that 

is the accolade the Danish capital, 

Copenhagen, received from the 

Economist Intelligence Unit in this 

year’s European European Green 

City Index. 

A 2009 IRU survey in selected 

countries showed that the taxi industry 

is increasingly investing in 

greener fleets and operations. In 

countries such as Sweden, Switzerland 

and Norway, hybrid cars 

already represent at least 3% of 

the market share, and an important 

number of taxis is running on alternative 

fuels in Brazil (86% ethanol), 

Bulgaria (70% LPG and CNG), 

Germany (22% CNG) or Sweden 

(18% CNG, biogas). 

by Wim Faber D 

REPLACEMENT TAXIS 

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FG XT SEDAN 

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GLV 0910 


19

Directorate update 

Keeping a close check on the taxi industry 

from Peter Corcoran 

General Manager, VTD 

As the regulator of the taxi industry, 

we keep a close check on what 

passengers think of the services 

that are provided to them. Two of 

the main sources of this passenger 

feedback is through complaints we 

receive and our regular Customer 

Satisfaction Monitor survey. 

We encourage feedback from 

passengers about taxi services 

as it gives us a good indication of 

the level of service provided by the 

industry and helps us to identify 

patterns and proactively address 

issues. 

For the 12 months to the end of 

June 2010, we received a total of 

3,552 complaints. We take all complaints 

seriously and investigate 

thoroughly. 

Some of the most common complaints 

about taxi services included 

fare disagreements/overcharging, 

fare refusal, driver behaviour/language 

and breaches of road rules. 

All these issues are unacceptable 

and we will continue to educate 

drivers by bringing this feedback to 

their attention and, when required, 

taking disciplinary action. 

The survey, meanwhile, tells us 

that the conduct of the driver plays 

an important role in impacting the 

overall journey. 

Passengers expect their drivers 

to know how to get around, to be 

safe on the road, wear clear and 

presentable uniforms, be courteous 

and helpful, and have good 

personal hygiene. These are the 

fundamentals of good customer 

service and a minimum benchmark 

that all drivers should aim for. 

On the compliance front, we are 

well resourced, inspecting more 

cabs than ever before and our 

Transport Safety Officers have a 

strong and visible profile. 

20 

Greater Melbourne Taxi 

Licence Release 

I wish to advise industry participants 

that applications are now being 

accepted for fixed term wheelchair 

accessible taxi licences as part of 

the Greater Melbourne Taxi Licence 

Release. 

You can pick up an application pack 

from the VTD Customer Service Centre 

at 23/80 Collins Street, Melbourne. 

Alternatively, you can call the VTD on 

1800 638 802 or visit www.taxi.vic.gov. 

au/licencerelease. Applications close 

at 4.30pm 13 September. 

Change to WAT 

lifting fees 

I also wish to notify wheelchair 

accessible taxi (WAT) drivers that 

new lifting fees apply now due to 

changes in the Consumer Price Index 

(Melbourne, All groups). 

The lifting fee for WATs in metropolitan 

Melbourne has increased 

from $14.20 to $14.65, while the 

lifting for conventional taxis in outer-suburban, 

urban and country 

areas is now $7.35, up from $7.10. 

Contact us 

If you would like further information about these or any other 

issues, contact the VTD on 1800 638 802 (toll free), at www. 

taxi.vic.gov.au or by mail to GPO Box 2797, Melbourne 3001. 

Our customer service centre is based at Level 23, 80 Collins 

Street, Melbourne. D 


Chocolate health pills and 

freezer-less ice cream 

An ice cream you do not have to freeze, and chocolate 

pills that extend life expectancy are among the 

world’s newest consumer goods, and might be hitting 

the shelves soon. 

Chocolate ‘pills’ have been launched in Spain by 

Pancracio which are claimed to not only provide protection 

from free radicals but also to extend life expectancy 

and enhance energy levels. The Uno Al Dia 

name, which means ‘one a day’, gives it a quasi-pharmaceutical 

feel and Pancracio claims that the pills improve 

circulation and reduce the speed of cell aging. 

Don’t know what to drink after exercising? Have a JT 

Tea for Sports. This lemon flavor black tea drink fortified 

with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and vitamin 

C is described as hypotonic. The manufacturer, 

Japan Tobacco, claims that the refreshing aftertaste 

of black tea would be suitable as a thirst-quenching 

sports drink. 

An ice cream you don’t have to freeze sounds 

ideal for an Australian summer. The Chamyto 1+1 Ice 

Strawberry Yogurt launched in Brazil by Nestle is said 

to replicate the taste sensation of ice cream. This is 

achieved by adding a compartment of minted cereals 

to the strawberry yogurt. D 

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21 

ET0910

Taxi Industry leads green charge 

The 

Australian Taxi 

Industry is leading 

the charge into green vehicles, 

with more than 10% of the 

new Toyota Camry 

Hybrid being sold for cabs and rental cars. 

Official figures show that within the first six months 

of the Hybrid Camry rolling off its Melbourne assembly 

lines, nearly 3,000 vehicles were sold of which 333 

were to taxi owners. 

About 550 are being used by Toyota, another 500 have 

been bought by business fleets and private buyers have 

purchased around 650 of the vehicles. 

Despite the Taxi Industry’s purchases many 

say the Federal Government’s billion 

dollar green car scheme has 

stalled on the starting grid. 

The Toyota Hybrid Camry 

was the first subsidised 

project to boost local 

manufacturing and 

was forecast to sell 

10,000 vehicles in 

the first year. But the 

sales have been well 

below expectations 

in a booming market, 

despite aggressive 

marketing and advertising. 

Other Green Car Projects include 

Holden’s plan to return small-car 

manufacturing to Australia with the ‘Cruze’, which 

attracted $149 million in funding and Ford’s four-cylinder 

Falcon and diesel Territory, which got $421 million. 

All are due on sale next year. 

Meantime, the Toyota Prius which launched a new 

model a year ago is also underperforming. Sales are 

down 15% with little more than 1,000 vehicles sold this 

year. 

Photo courtesy Melbourne City Toyota D 

Rear one piece custom made 

mats, carpet and vinyl 

22 

coverup_0810.indd 1 

19/07/2010 12:54:03 PM 


Memories of Timor Leste 

at the Immigration Museum 

A new exhibition that celebrates an East Timorese ritual devoted 

to remembering those who have departed will go on 

view at the Immigration Museum from 19 September 2010 

to 10 April 2011. 

Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering Timor Leste explores 

Se Matebian, a ritual that takes place each year on 

2 November or All Souls Day. This significant ritual honours 

East Timorese ancestors and brings to mind all those who 

died during the battle for independence from Indonesian rule 

from 1975 to 1999. Honouring our Ancestors looks at how the 

East Timorese community in Australia continues to practise 

this ritual today. 

Se Matebian means ‘to whom this soul belongs’. The ritual 

involves offerings of food for departed family and friends and 

prayers for their protection and guidance followed by feasting. 

In Timor Leste, All Souls Day celebrations also include 

processions to Mount Matebian which has been regarded as 

a resting place for souls for countless generations. 

“Se Matebian is a happy celebration”, said Filomena Freitas. 

“We are filled with joy and burdens are lifted. We sit and 

eat knowing that our ancestors’ souls are near us”. D 

Victoria 

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GreaT raTes for owner/DriVers 

Best Prices and advice 

It’s the Service that makes all the difference 

Taxis are covered by Zurich Insurance for 

3rd Party Property Damage 

To find out more call or visit our office to discuss 

the member benefits with Paul 

ViCToria Taxi Club 9326 3808 

VTC_0910 

128 Errol Street 

North Melbourne 


23

The Rise of Generation C: 

Implications for the world of 2020 

In the course of the next 10 years, a new generation—Generation 

C—will emerge. Born after 1990, 

these “digital natives,” just now beginning to attend 

university and enter the work- force, will transform the 

world as we know it. Their interests will help drive massive 

change in how people around the world socialise, 

work, and live their passions—and in the information 

and communication technologies they use to do so. 

As they grow up, this highly connected generation 

will live “online” most of their waking hours, comfortably 

participate in social networks with several hundred 

or more contacts, generate and consume vast 

amounts of formerly private information, and carry 

with them a sophisticated “personal cloud” that identifies 

them in the converged online and offline worlds. 

As a consequence, this generation will expect 

fast, reliable connectivity through which they will create 

direct commercial links with a multitude of online 

business partners—today we call them application 

players. And the Internet will evolve into a largely “centerless” 

cloud with no obvious control points. 

In the face of declining revenues from traditional 

services, the challenge for the communication and 

technology industries will be to abandon successful 

but outlived business models and refocus on what it 

takes to thrive in the Generation C environment. This 

shouldn’t be taken as bad news, however; the rise 

of ubiquitous 

b r o a d b a n d , 

and of newly 

c o n n e c t e d 

populations 

from emerging 

economies, 

will enable 

operators 

to capitalize 

on a vast 

new array of 

services. The 

“smart pipe,” 

an intelligent 

communication 

infrastructure, 

will be at 

the heart of many new value pools in industries as diverse 

as healthcare, energy, transportation, and media. 

Communication and technology players are well 

positioned to jump on the bandwagon today to help 

shape the future of these industries—and to capture 

significant new revenues as the industries change 

and grow. 

For a copy of the full report go to http://www.booz. 

com/media.D 

26 


Dolphins and whales 3D 

at IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens 

IMAX Melbourne Museum is delving 

deep into the ocean this September 

school holidays with the breathtaking 

new IMAX film, Dolphins and Whales 

3D. 

Narrated by environmentalist and 

actress, Daryl Hannah, Dolphins and 

Whales 3D immerses viewers in the 

daily lives of cetaceans small and 

large and follows these fascinating 

creatures as they interact socially, 

play, communicate through highly 

complex sound systems, feed, breed, 

migrate and fight for survival. 

Dolphins and Whales 3D also delivers 

a powerful message in favour of 

the protection of these tribes while 

they face the greatest challenge of 

all - to survive the destruction of their 

habitat and depletion of food resources. 

D 

TARAGO FOR THE TAXI TRADE 

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or email Peter at pgarbellini@ashcab.com.au 

FC0410 

FC_0410.indd 1 

18/03/2010 2:21:17 PM 


27

Armed Robbery 

Northcote and Thornbury 

Crime Stoppers is appealing for public assistance following an attempted armed robbery 

and an armed robbery on Saturday 13 March 2010. 

The first occurred at about 3.50am at a service station in Heidelberg Road Northcote. 

Two men approached the glass doors of the locked service station and one pointed a 

pistol at the attendant and indicated he wanted the door opened. The attendant refused 

and the men ran towards Jeffrey Street. 

At about 4.10am the same men entered a convenience store in High Street Thornbury. 

One of the men wearing a blue hooded jumper pulled over 

his head, pointed a pistol at the attendant and demanded 

cash and cigarettes. 

The second man was wearing a dark t-shirt over his head 

and was armed with a knife. Both are described as Caucasian 

and in their early 20’s with the first man having a heavily 

bandaged right wrist. 

Police have released images of two men whom they believe 

may be able to assist them in their enquiries. 

Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www. 

crimestoppers.com.au . (Please quote ref no CA 3906) D 

28 


BGTT/09/10 

The All New Martin Bodyguard II Driver 

Protection Screen is now VTD APPROVED for... 

FORDBA/BF AND NOW 

FG Falcon 

Driver Protection Screens are now Mandatory for FORD FG Taxis! 

The unique Multi-fit design of the all new Martin Bodyguard Screen allows it to 

be adjusted to suit a variety of current and potentially future vehicles (SUBJECT TO APPROVALS) 

FG FALCON 

BODYGUARD SCREEN 

$980 

Fitted 

Quality manufactured 

using exceptionally tough, 

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made Laserlite Makrolon ® 

Provides more driver space 

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Screen adjusts to suit preferred 

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maximum safety & comfort 

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Rate change Still $66 

Dome Lights 

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LED $125 

Combo 

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LED $185 

Roof-Racks 

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From $650 

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Cameras 

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ASSIGNMENTS 

metro taxis 86 

licence transfers 

metro taxis 9 

urban 1 

country taxis 0 

hire car licences 13 

special licences 8 

licenceS issued 

taxi licences 3 

hire car licences 0 

special vehicles 8 

rest. hire vehicles 11 

licences assigned 

(JUly 2009 - JULY 2010) 

total = 1,403 

Number of Taxi 

Licences JULY 2010 

METROPOLITAN 3,872 

(including 237 WAT vehicles) 

OUTER SUBURBAN 666 

TAXI 

$510,671 

transfers 

(including Country) 


REGIONAL 234 

(Ballarat - Bendigo - Geelong) 


TOTAL 4,772 


Number of drivers 

Active drivers 17,000 APPROX 

Certified drivers 26,000 APPROX 

hire cars 

transfer value 

$52,779 

Compliance 

outcomes (1-31 July 2010) 

Taxi Inspections 3,890 

Rectification Notices 609 

Infringement Notices 394 

Notices of Unroadworthy 162 

Official Warnings 54 

Industry 

Accreditation 

New and renewals approved 6,703

waddling into 

Melbourne Aquarium 

Disney’s Club Penguin is calling Melbourne Aquarium its home for the whole 

month of September! 

Dive into the fun and adventure with daily treasure hunts, an exciting games 

room, free activity books, heaps of fun prizes to giveaway and see Melbourne 

Aquarium’s own amazing King and Gentoo penguins in their stunning Antarctica 

exhibit. 

The Club Penguin treasure hunt will take you through three more amazing 

worlds to discover at Melbourne Aquarium, including Weird and Wonderful, 

River to Reef, featuring the world’s only speartooth sharks in captivity, as well 

as amazing sawfish, the floor-to-ceiling Coral Atoll and new Giant Pacific Octopus. 

The awe-inspiring Australian ocean completes the unforgettable experience 

as you dive into Sharks Alive where you see intimidating sharks, massive stingrays, 

turtles and hundreds of other fish! 

With daily animal feeds and diver presentations adding to the adventure, the 

must-see Melbourne Aquarium is an aquatic wonderland with exciting worlds 

to discover and enjoy this school holidays. For more information visit www. 

melbourneaquarium.com.au. D 

32 


Service 

magazine 

Guide 

D 

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Further discounts apply when quantities of keys are cut. 

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Complete automotive lock & key service. 

We cut keys for vehicles fitted with transponder systems. 

We provide a 24/7 roadside emergency service. 

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Customer satisfaction comes first 

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206 Bay Street, Port Melbourne 9645 1222 

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Road Safety Inspections has dedicated taxi 

inspectors who provide you with the ultimate 

taxi inspection service completed in under 

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Included in our service is: 

On-site vehicle registration 

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33

‘recent research 

indicates men 

need more 

information about 

mental illness 

during pregnancy’ 

Men getting it wrongpostnatal 

depression 

34 


Research from beyondblue: the 

national depression initiative has 

found that a lot of men know very 

little about Postnatal Depression 

(PND). 

• 50 per cent of men believe 

women get postnatal depression 

because they have unrealistic 

expectations of motherhood. 

• 25 per cent of men believe 

that having PND is a normal 

part of having a baby. 

• 28 per cent of men think that 

PND will go away as the baby 

gets older (compared to 17 

per cent of women). 

• 24 per cent of men believe that 

looking after a baby comes 

naturally to women (only 14 

per cent of women think this). 

Deputy CEO of beyondblue Dr 

Nicole Highet says the recent research 

indicates men need more 

information about mental illness 

during pregnancy and after the 

birth of the baby – especially anteand 

postnatal depression and 

anxiety. 

Depression and anxiety are not 

a ‘normal’ part of parenthood, they 

are illnesses – but with the right 

treatment, most people recover. 

Today in Perth, Dr Nicole Highet 

and members of the Western 

Australian early parenting service 

provider Ngala, will launch a new 

booklet – HeyDad – Fatherhood – 

first 12 months, aimed at increasing 

awareness around issues new 

parents are likely to face. 

“This booklet will get critical information 

to new dads during this 

important stage of their lives – the 

advice and practical tips are invaluable. 

New parents often get 

used to the symptoms and signs 

of depression and anxiety - such 

as lack of sleep, irritability and the 

inability to cope – and too often it’s 

put down to the ‘baby blues’ and 

treated as if it’s a normal part of 

parenthood,” Dr Highet said. 

Ngala CEO Rae Walter said: 

“The whole family is affected when 

one member of the family has depression 

or anxiety. Ngala encourages 

parents to seek support and 

work as a team to minimise the impact 

on their children. 

“Early brain development, 

changes in relationships, the importance 

of attachment, play, 

sleep and breastfeeding are all 

issues that fathers may not have 

explored before the birth and this 

booklet provides a ‘toolkit’ to help 

new families manage change,” Ms 

Walter said. 

Dr Highet continued: “Men are 

an important part of the parenting 

equation and need to look at their 

own mental health as well as that 

of their partners and their families. 

This free resource will be available 

to all families, health professionals 

and organisations working with 

families and new parents.” D 

Geelong Ring Road heads west 

The western extension of the Geelong Ring Road 

through Waurn Ponds to Mt Duneed will commence 

in the coming months with the $71 million contract 

for the new freeway connection awarded to the Cut 

and Fill construction company. 

The new five kilometre freeway link is part of a 

four-lane divided route planned to continue through 

to Winchelsea. The Ring Road extension together 

with duplication of the Princes Highway will allow 

drivers to travel for more than 100 kilometres between 

Melbourne and Winchelsea on a freeway 

standard road without facing a single traffic light. 

The Ring Road western link will deviate from 

Anglesea Road near Hams Road through land 

reclaimed within the Blue Circle Quarry at Waurn 

Ponds, and will reconnect with the Princes Highway 

near Draytons Road. 

Construction of the 2.5 kilometre Geelong Ring 

Road-Anglesea Road connection remains on track 

for completion later this year. D 


35

2010 Ultima Aero by Shelby SuperCars includes the one-piece carbon fibre wheels for free - on the $740,000 car. 

Martin Meters has introduced a New Taxi Light that will interest every Taxi Owner. Based on 

Light Emitting Diode Technology or LED (the same technology as new LED TVs). 

The taxi light has no removable or replaceable parts. Both the Tariff and Vacant Lights 

feature very long life LEDs and are basically maintenance free. Several other advantages 

become apparent with the new technology such as very low power consumption at approximately 

1/10th the power of incandescent globes and the 84 Ultra Bright LEDs in the 

36 


Victorian designed car wheel 

a world-first 

A world-first advanced car wheel that will improve driver 

safety and boost vehicle performance is being designed 

in Geelong. 

The Deakin University Proof of Concept facility is where 

research firm CFusion is developing the world’s first single 

piece carbon fibre automotive wheel. 

The CFusion wheel is made from a single piece of carbon 

fibre - a material of the future - and will improve car 

safety by decreasing braking distance, and enhance 

performance by allowing faster acceleration and better 

grip. 

The wheel has already been flagged for use in the Shelby 

2010 Ultimate Aero, one of the world’s fastest cars. D 

Vacant Light give a cleaner looking, whiter and more even light output. 

The current boom in LED technology has also resulted in the technology being more affordable than ever 

with Martin Meters being able to sell the new light at just $20 more than the incandescent versions. For years 

of trouble free operation this would seem a small price to pay, particularly with penalties for non functioning 

indicators higher than ever. As with the incandescent versions both a standard and combo (includes 55 watt 

QH side spotlights) are available. 

For more information contact Martin Meters on (03) 9335 1551.D 


37

There’s nothing like 

the 2010 Royal Melbourne Show! 

With new attractions, great family 

entertainment, thousands of animals 

and even more free fun activities 

on offer, there’s nothing like 

the 2010 Royal Melbourne Show, 

which will be held at the Melbourne 

Showgrounds from Saturday 18 to 

Tuesday 28 September. 

Conducted by the Royal Agricultural 

Society of Victoria (RASV), the 

Royal Melbourne Show is Victoria’s 

most popular annual community 

event that brings the very best of 

the country to the city to provide a 

range of unique and memorable 

experiences to enjoy with family 

and friends. 

“Traditionally beginning the Thursday 

prior to school holidays, the 

2010 Royal Melbourne Show will 

this year be held from Saturday 18 

to Tuesday 28 September to encompass 

the second week of the school 

holidays, making it more accessible 

for a greater number of families with 

young children to attend,” said Mr 

O’Sullivan RASV CEO. 

This year’s Show is packed with 

a wide variety of free and fun activities 

from interactive and educational 

family entertainment to animals 

and agriculture, art and craft, food 

and wine, carnival rides, showbags 

and spectacular fireworks. 

The new Flowers, Gardening 

and Pets Pavilion will be a highlight 

this year, featuring the “Growers 

Avenue and Fresh Flower Market”, 

a showcase of the best of Victoria’s 

flower growers by Flowers Victoria. 

Also on offer in this pavilion will be 

a range of companion animals on 

display and an all-new reptile and 

snake exhibition from the Victorian 

Herpetological Society. 

Also new this year - and a first for 

Australian audiences - will be the 

amazing Oliver’s Swiss High-Div- 

38 


ing Extravaganza. The high diving 

water show includes a jaw dropping 

25 metre high dive into a 2.8 

metre deep pool. Other feature entertainment 

this year includes the 

popular Showtime FMX Freestyle 

Motorbikes, Sampson the Monster 

Truck, live music and spectacular 

nightly fireworks. 

This year, the NAB Animal Nursery 

is in a new location, providing 

for an improved experience with a 

patting pen that is double the size 

of last year’s. 

Children will also have plenty of 

other opportunities to enjoy unique 

country experiences such as:- 

• milking a cow in the Milking 

Barn; 

• digging for spuds in the Spudhunters 

display; 

• potting a plant at Little Green 

Thumbs; 

• learning about Australian animals 

at “Animals of Oz”; 

• wandering the Melbourne 

Showgrounds on the Farm 

Discovery Trail; 

• watching the “Click Go The 

Shears” Shearing Show; and 

• even feeding a calf. 

Most importantly, the Show is the 

State’s premier event for agricultural 

competitions. 

From the prestigious Garryowen 

Equestrienne Turnout to the Borthwick 

Trophy for the finest beef cattle 

exhibit, alpacas to poultry as 

well as sheep, goats, horses and 

fleece, there’s nothing like watching 

exhibitors compete for blue ribbon 

glory at the Show. 

For foodies and budding masterchefs, 

a wide range of gourmet 

delights will be on offer in the 

Grand Pavilion. 

For culinary and crafty creations, 

the Art, Craft and Cookery Pavilion 

is always a must-see with exhibits 

of Victoria’s finest scones, jams 

and lamingtons on display alongside 

the best in craft from millinery, 

to recycled fashion, scrapbooking 

and short films. 

For those who enjoy the thrills 

and excitement of carnival rides, 

there are more than 50 types of 

carnival rides to choose from. 

Attracting an average of 500,000 

people each year to the Melbourne 

Showgrounds, the Royal 

Melbourne Show is a must-attend 

event featuring a variety of fun interactive 

educational activities and 

great family entertainment. 

For further information visit: 

www.royalshow.com.au. D 


39

Talking vehicles 

may save lives at rail crossings 

New technology by La Trobe 

University to have cars and trains 

‘talking’ to each other could save 

an average of 37 lives every year 

and an estimated 100 million dollars, 

by eliminating rail crossing 

collisions, especially in rural and 

regional Australia. 

The La Trobe system - which 

will extend driver ‘vision’ up to one 

kilometre in all directions - will be 

trialled in 100 vehicles, the largest 

known rail crossing safety study of 

its kind in the world. 

A $4 million project by the University’s 

Centre for Technology 

Infusion, in partnership with the 

Australian Automotive Co-operative 

Research Centre, the Victorian 

Department of Transport and 

Queensland University of Technology, 

intends to have the technology 

up and running in three years. 

The project is headed by Professor 

Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Director 

of the Centre for Technology Infusion. 

He says the venture is at 

the fore-front of a global move to 

‘intelligent’ transport systems and 

‘smart cars’ of the future. 

It involves dedicated mobilephone-style 

wireless networks, integrated 

with GPS. These will run 

on an international standard of 5.9 

gigaherz. 

Professor Singh expects new 

vehicles will be able to adopt the 

technology once this spectrum is 

allocated in Australia. It can also 

be retrofitted to cars already on the 

road. 

There are about nine and a half 

thousand level crossings on Australian 

public roads. About 2,000 

are in Victoria. 

Professor Singh says drivers 

make a staggering number of decisions, 

often in split seconds, so 

project design also includes University 

psychologists for human 

factors research. 

Department of Transport Senior 

Manager Railway Crossing Safety, 

Mr Terry Spicer, says the partnership 

with La Trobe is helping meet 

recommendations made by the 

Parliamentary Road safety Committee 

inquiry into improving level 

crossings. 

‘This technology has the potential 

to significantly reduce and ultimately 

eliminate collisions, injuries 

and fatalities at level crossings,’ Mr 

Spicer said. 

Professor Singh says traditional 

sensors, like radar, have limitations 

for advanced transport management 

systems. They have a directional 

field of view and cannot see 

very far into cross roads; and they 

are very expensive. 

‘By using the latest in wireless 

technology we can create 360 

degree driver awareness over a 

longer range at far cheaper costs - 

and at vehicle speeds of up to 200 

kilometres per hour.’ D 

40 


MV James Grant sets sail 

A new Western Port Bay catarmaran 

Martin Pakula 

Public Transport Minister 

A new $1.5 million catamaran, the MV James Grant, linking French Island, Phillip Island and Stony Point was 

launched in August and is set to encourage tourism growth around Western Port Bay. 

The MV James Grant will be able to carry 110 passengers per trip, and is better able to cope with the choppy 

seas that some of the smaller ferries struggle with. 

For more than 15 years, the Government and Inter Island Ferries have worked together to maintain the Stony 

Point to French Island commuter route. 

In 2008 the Government funded 18 new services of the Inter Island Ferries, which travel from Stony Point 

to Cowes on Philip Island and to 

Tankerton on French Island. 

The MV James Grant was 

named after the British Royal Navy 

officer and navigator who first 

mapped Western Port in the early 

19th century. 

This follows a tradition of naming 

the French Island ferries after 

explorers who mapped and navigated 

this area of Victoria. 

The previous vessels were 

called MV George Bass and the 

MV Matthew Flinders. 

Detailed route and timetable 

information for the new ferry services 

is available at www.interislandferries.com.au 

or 03 9585 

5730. Train information is available 

at on 131 638 or by visiting www. 

metlinkmelbourne.com.au. D 

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41

Yellow Cabs golfing update 

I’m sitting in front of the computer 

the last Sunday before the 

country votes; it’s cold, windy and 

drizzling. The grass and weeds out 

the front need to be cut but I would 

bog the lawn mower. 

How unusual for it to be raining. 

Last year we all looked to the skies 

telling Huey to send it down. Now 

we are thinking it should ease a little 

or just shift right above our big 

two-thirds full dams only. There 

are some golf courses that have 

closed completely, Cranbourne 

shut down the front nine late last 

week for a couple of days. 

Club Yellows player numbers 

are down which makes it hard to 

run certain, club trophy events. 

There is Robbie looking out the 

clubhouse windows to see who is 

turning up willing to take on the wet 

conditions and working out if he 

has the numbers to have a comp. 

There is not much that I can 

say about golf except it is wet out 

there but there is something that is 

more important, there is only four 

more sleeps before we jet off to 

Cairns, lovely warm 28 degrees 

Cairns for our Oz championships. 

Twelve lovely warm days of golf, 

sun, water, mud crabs and reef 

fish. Hopefully we come back one 

day before spring starts and the 

weather Gods are kind to us. 

So when I sit down this time next 

month the Federal election will be 

over and the State election is only 

two months away. I will have the results 

from Cairns and hopefully a 

couple of photos from boring times 

in Cairns. 

So until next month, 

Hacker D 

Welcome to tomorrow 

“WHY CAN’T YOU JUST TAKE A PENALTY 

LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?” 

On 5 August, 20 Mitsubishi 

i-MiEV were unloaded at Webb 

Dock East. The plug-in Mitsubishi 

i-MiEV will play a part in the 

Victorian Government’s $5 million 

electric vehicle trial, due to commence 

later this year. 

The Victorian Government is 

currently working with the RACV 

to find around 180 households interested 

in taking part in an electric 

vehicle trial. The successful 

applicants will get an electric car 

for three months. 

This world-leading trial will create 

real conditions by testing how 

drivers, vehicles, plug-in charging 

infrastructure and the electricity 

network will interact in real-life 

situations. 

The five-year electric vehicle trial will help to find new ways of making electric cars more efficient and practical 

for Victorian families and roads, and will include passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and electric twowheelers. 

It is aimed to have around 180 charging points and 60 vehicles and expect these vehicles will rotate 

between different households and fleets. 

So far 76 submissions from suppliers wanting to participate in the trial as providers - include car manufacturers, 

recharge infrastructure providers and electricity suppliers, distributors and retailers. D 

42 


A Midsummer’s Night Dream 

A fun retelling of one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies 

Classified 

Classified 

Classified 

TAXI DRIVERS wANTED 

Silver Top. Experienced only. 

Over 25 years old - change-over 

Rowville. Ring Tony 9763 9881. 

EXPRESSION Of INTEREST 

Country Taxi Service for Sale 

1 hr from Melbourne. 

3 Licences,(WAT & 2 Wagons). Lots 

of existing contracts, mostly daytime 

trips. Run from home. Suit husband 

wife team, plus 1 full time & 2 part time 

existing staff. Confidentially assured, 

Email remlaw52@bigpond.net.au 

“….vibrant, energetic, enchanting and above all fun” 

- The Daily Telegraph 

Korean mythology and mischief combine to create a world of infectious 

fun, music and mime in Yohangza’s A Midsummer’s Night 

Dream, at the Arts Centre, Playhouse from 8 – 11 September 2010. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream draws on music, movement-based 

theatre and mime to create infectious fun and boundless energy on 

stage and was a hit of the Sydney and Perth Festivals (2007). 

The performance is a vibrant new take on the traditional A Midsummer 

Night’s Dream with Fairy King Oberon and Queen Titania 

reversing gender roles, Bottom portrayed as a country woman and 

the character of Puck split into twins. 

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an enchanting retelling of a classic 

Shakespeare comedy. Using movement-based theatre, dance, 

myth, mime and superb comedic timing, the production represents 

a new wave of theatre that not only crosses cultures but also captivates 

both adults and children alike,” revealed Rosie Hinde, the Arts 

Centre. Performed in Korean with English surtitles. D 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

fOR SALE 

Martin Bodyguard driver protection 

screen to suit BA-BF Ford. 

Brand new - never used. $290. 

Phone 0418 536 815. 

TAXI DRIVER 

with 13 years experience looking 

for day shift - full time - Black 

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GEELONG TAXI LICENCE 

fOR SALE 

WHY PAY $510,000 + like they are 

asking in Melbourne, when you 

can buy in Geelong for $380,000. 

Call 0404 177 366. 

Send your classified advertisement (max 30 words) by the 15th of the month prior to publication 

PLUS your cheque or money order for $25 to Taxi Talk magazine, PO Box 2345, Mt Waverley, VIC 3149 

OR... Direct credit Taxi Talk bank account BSB=033065 A/C number = 312786 Ref = your name 

OR... Pay via PAYPAL via info@taxitalk.com.au and email your words to info@taxitalk.com.au 

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wANTED 

Ex-Taxi, not more than 4 years 

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Phone 0408 595 082. 

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Call Nick 9337 9017. 


43

Syncopation 

A music theatre production at Chapel Off Chapel - 8-26 September 

“Exquisite! Utterly enchanting! Syncopation will stay with you long after 

the dance has ended!” The Boston Globe 

Why walk through life when you 

can dance? 

Chapel Off Chapel presents 

the Australian premiere of Alan 

Knee’s Syncopation, a touching 

and moving tale about the unlikely 

romance between an impassioned 

meatpacker and a soul-searching 

seamstress. 

Strictly Ballroom meets Shall We 

Dance? and Red Hot Ballroom in a 

production that will make you want 

to laugh, cry and do a little dancing 

yourself, maybe all at the same 

time. 

It’s 1912, and New York City is 

ablaze with new ideas. Women 

march to vote, and radicals fight 

for better pay. But ballroom dancing, 

with all its touching and swirling 

and dizzying intimacy, is still 

something good girls don’t do. 

Meet Henry Ribolow (Steve 

Mouzakis) a 38-year-old, never 

been married, Jewish meatpacker 

who dreams of one day dancing 

for royalty. Desperate for a dance 

partner he takes out this ad in the 

paper: “WANTED: a dance partner 

searching for a woman with a 

desire to be a ballroom dancer to 

meet one night a week for practice 

and eventual success. If these are 

your dreams and longings too, 

please join me.” 

Enter Anna Bianchi (Emma 

Palmer), the 23-year-old daughter 

of Italian immigrants, who labours 

through the day sewing beads on 

expensive clothes. Secretly, she 

longs for more than the traditional 

marriage that is her father’s dream. 

She responds to Henry’s ad. Anna 

has no talent for dancing when she 

begins. And Henry has never taken 

a dance lesson in his life. 

Syncopation is a beautifully 

melded combination of acting and 

dance, and a tale of liberation and 

possibility, fulfillment and frustration, 

illusion and disillusionment, 

playing out against a background 

of a changing nation. 

Bookings: 8290 7000 or www. 

chapeloffchapel.com.au. For 

more information visit http://www. 

syncopation.com.au D 

44 


Paul Theobald 

VTA Stakeholder Engagement & Projects 

We are 

N o 1 

A 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

Lower annual contribution 

Lower additional contribution 

Among the many important 

tasks taxi operators need to carry 

out is registering their vehicle/s. 

The process while not a lengthy 

procedure can be problematical 

when it comes to making an 

appointment with VicRoads.The 

VTA has received numerous calls 

regarding the timeliness of these 

appointments. At times it can be 

days before an appointment is 

available or the next available appointment 

is located a long way 

from the depot. 

More recently the VTA received 

a call from a large fleet operator 

who unfortunately on his way to 

one such appointment was held 

up in traffic. On arriving five minutes 

late he was told the vehicle 

couldn’t be registered at that time 

(because he was five minutes late) 

and he would need to make another 

appointment. Being a Friday 

this meant the next available appointment 

was days later. 

The issue in this case is twofold 

– firstly, surely being only five 

minutes late effectively means the 

Fast repair in a modern panel shop 

Genuine parts and fast recovery 

FREE car detailing service 

inhibits taxi service 

process of registration can still be 

carried out; and secondly, if that 

was not possible a reasonable 

solution would been to issue an 

appointment later that same day. 

It is important that taxi operators 

are able to put their vehicles into 

work with as little delay as possible, 

after all Government is there 

to service the public needs which 

in this case are the operators of 

taxis. 

The VTA would welcome the 

process of registering taxis to 

be reviewed. Perhaps a percentage 

of appointments could be 

reserved specifically to serve the 

taxi industry allowing registering 

of vehicles to be more immediate. 

On one hand we have the 

public saying they cannot “get a 

cab” when needed and Government 

being sucked into granting 

more licences, yet when it comes 

to putting the vehicles on the 

road there can be serious delays 

caused by the inability to obtain a 

timely appointment for registering 

a vehicle. D 

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45 

ATC0910

1. Born in 1860, this German composer was highly regarded as a conductor during his life. 

Although the Nazis banned performances of his work we went on to be one of the most 

performed and recorded composers of the 21st century. Who was he? 

2. Also known as Cooz Ken Carson, which Mattel product was developed in 1961? 

3. American actor Forest Whitaker played which character in the film “The Last King of Scotland”? 

4. In Australia the cantaloupe, or muskmelon, is more commonly referred to as what? 

5. Having this century fought a war with America, and now with over 86 million residents, 

which Asian country is the 13th most populous in the world? 

6. The rules of which sport have remained essentially unchanged since the 1890s? 

7. Which Australian politician was known as “the big fella”? 

8. Of the many iconic Australian deserts, which one was created by Auguste Escoffier? 

9. Following the 1903 Cuban – American Treaty, the US assumed territorial control over 

which part of south eastern Cuba? 

10. How many prime numbers are there between 0 & 10? D 

How good 

is your 

general 

knowledge? 

Donate blood 

ANSWERS 

1. Gustav Mahler 2. The Ken Doll 

3. Idi Amin 4. Rock melon 

5. Vietnam 6. Tennis 7. Jack Lang 

8. Peach Melba 9. Guantanamo Bay 

10. Four (2, 3, 5, 7) D 

It only takes an hour of your time and 

you’ll feel great to donate! 

call 13 14 95 or visit 

www.donateblood.com.au 

Voice 

of the Taxi Industry 

ALK 

magazine 

TAXiTAL 

ertisers’ 

tory 

13CABS 47 

Alex Taxis Mobile EFTPOS 13 

Alpha Taxi Club 45 

AMB Australia 48 

Blue Star Taxi’s 5 

Car Central 11 

City Ford 31 

Cover Up Car Accessories 22 

Eastmoor Taxis 21 

Emerald Taxi Service 8 

Flashcab Australia 27 

GLV Motors 19 

Live TaxiEpay 2 

Martin Meters 29 

Melbourne City Cabs 17 

Melbourne City Toyota 32 

Metro Club Inc. 13 

Road Safety Inspections 33 

Roberna Pro Repair 10 

Safeguard Security Spec’s 33 

Schmidt Electronic Labs 9 

Silver Top Taxis 24-25 

Taxicare Australia 1 

Taxi Diffs 2 U 28 

Taxi Workshop - Melton 33 

Taxicare Australia 1 

Taxilink 17 

Victoria Taxi Club 23 

Yarra Finance 11 

Zak’s Body Works 41 

46

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