DRIVE A2B July 2017

DRIVE
Voice of the Victorian Point-to-Point Transport Industry
JULY 2017
NO 03
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HELLO
to
... and WELCOME
the 3 rd edition of
DRiVE
Voice of the Victorian Point-to-Point Transport Industry
In April 2017 the Directors of Trade Promotions
Pty Ltd (publishers of Taxi Talk) made a decision
to rebrand the voice of the Victorian Taxi and Hire
Car industry.
Taxi Talk was published for 51 years (1966 - 2017)
and we didn’t sell Taxi Talk, we have simply
rebranded it DRIVE A2B - Voice of the Victorian
Point-to-Point Transport Industry. This move has
allowed us to keep current and relevant to this
industry – the commercial passenger vehicle
industry.
We pride ourselves on reporting news of the Pointto-Point
Transport industry, both in Australia and
overseas, when it happens as it happens.
DRIVE A2B invites everyone to submit articles,
viewpoints or comments for consideration for
publication. You all have a voice and we give you
the opportunity to be heard.
Delivering news on all the different facets of the Point-to-Point Transport Industry.
DRiVE
Voice of the Victorian Point-to-Point Transport Industry
incorporating
TAXI
VOICE
OF THE TAXI INDUSTRY
MAGAZINE
on the ranks since 1966
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CONTENTS
REGULARS
FEATURES
14 Taxi news
The Victorian Government should treat the taxi
industry justly.
16 Legal news
The High Court made a decision years ago that
taxi licences are property.
20 VHCA update
The VHCA comments on the Victorian
Government’s rejection of the Economy and
Infrastructure Committee’s recommendations
of fairness and compromise.
30 Interstate news
Updates on what’s happening around Australia
in our industry.
32 Your say
Letters and emails received by DRIVE A2B
regarding the point-to-point transport industry.
40 Industry statistics
Figures for last month’s Victorian taxi and hire
car industry statistics.
44 Overseas news
Snippets regarding the point-to-point industry
around the world.
FRONT COVER
Melbourne - the world’s most
liveable city - photo by Flickr
10 CPVI Bill 2017
The Economy and Infrastructure Committee
presented their report to Government and
we have an update on this.
12 Industry is a mess
Hon Jeff Kennett AC believes that ride
sharing could have been introduced in
Victoria without the wholesale massacre of
the industry.
Editor
Mrs Toni Peters
Publisher
Trade Promotions Pty Ltd
PO Box 2345, Mount Waverley Vic. 3149
Advertising enquiries
Mrs Toni Peters
P 0400 137 866
E tonipeters@DRIVEA2B.com.au ·
W www.DRIVEA2B.com.au
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DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 5

Welcome
to the July 2017 edition of
Editorial
DRiVE
Voice of the Victorian Point-to-Point Transport Industry
At the recent sitting of
the Legislative
Council we heard
from every political
party their thoughts, pros
and cons for introducing the
Commercial Passenger Vehicle
Industry Bill 2017.
Many queried the government on
how figures had been calculated
and why certain measures to
protect the licence owners
haven’t been put into place.
But of particular note was the
fact that so many members
spoke about the illegal activity
of ride-sharing businesses in
Victoria, and that the current
government hasn’t done anything
to stop or deter them.
Wendy Lovell, (Legislative Council
member for Northern Victorian)
said, “The Minister [for Transport]
has allowed the ride-sharing
industry to operate illegally in this
state”.
Fiona Patten (Legislative
Council member for Northern
Metropolitan) commented that
the delay of legislation indicates
we are not advancing with
innovation at a speed we should
be.
Ms Patten spoke openly of how
she uses ride-sharing primarily
because she loves the app
on her phone. It is a pity that
other taxi companies overseas
don’t have apps, but Victorian
taxi companies have had
phone booking apps for many
years, they just forgot to widely
publicise this.
By not doing anything, the
government has allowed ridesharing
businesses to keep
stealing work from the taxi and
hire car industry. Effectively
condoning criminal operations.
During the proceedings all
non-government members
referred to meetings they have
had with licence holders, VTHF
and VHCA. Yet no mention of
meetings with the Victorian Taxi
Association (VTA). Perhaps
the VTA has not been widely
consulted on this issue at all.
The VTA has advised its
members that the CPVI Bill will
pass the lower house without
issue. It has stated that “it is
our current view that there are
no meaningful legal options to
stop, delay or force alteration to
the reforms as they stand”. So,
have they just given up, without
a fight?
Ms Patten commented that
“until legislation gets through
that ends the licensing system,
compensation for licences
cannot be paid”.
“I would have liked the Bill to get
through on Thursday [22 June] so
that the lower house could sign
off on it and compensation could
immediately flow. As you know
6 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

MAGAZINE
incorporating
VOICE
OF THE TAXI INDUSTRY
TAXI
on the ranks since 1966
this didn’t happen but the Bill will
be signed off in the lower house
when they get back in August,”
she continued.
The VTHF and VHCA have not
forsaken their members. They
are having a joint meeting on 16
July at Reggio Calabria Club, 476
Brunswick Road, Parkville. This
meeting is for all their members
to hear the status of their legal
claims and also to share their
thoughts.
The Hon Jeff Kennett AC said,
”The current government under
Minister Jacinta Allan, decided to
complete the destruction of the
Taxi industry as we have known
it for years, by revoking Taxi
Licences”.
”I do not oppose change, but
clear thinkers could have
overseen the introduction of ride
sharing without the wholesale
massacre of the industry that
has, with a few exceptions,
served the Victorian community
well,” stated Mr Kennett.
In Queensland the Transport and
Other Legislation (Personalised
Transport Reform) Amendment
Act 2017 was passed by
Parliament on 24 May 2017.
The first part of these reforms
were implemented on 9 June.
They include new security
camera specifications, and
forward and/or rear facing
cameras are now allowed in taxis
and booked hire car vehicles.
From 1 October 2017, all
Queensland vehicles providing
booked hire services must have
new, clearly visible signage.
The Melbourne Airport website
states that, for security purposes,
all commercial licensed drivers
and their vehicles operating
within Melbourne Airport,
including VHA, must be
authorised.
They must have a current
Landside Drivers Authority (LDA)
and vehicle permit.
This is in addition to the
current Driver’s Accreditation or
Commercial Passenger Vehicle
Licence issued by the Taxi
Services Commission.
This being the case, then
when ride-sharing is eventually
legalised, all ride-sharing drivers
MUST also have an LDA. Wonder
how Melbourne Airport security is
going to enforce this one?
Toni Peters
EDITOR
Views expressed in any article in DRIVE A2B magazine are those of the individual contributor and not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept any
responsibility for any opinions, information, errors or omissions in this publication. To the extent permitted by law, the publisher will not be liable for any damages including
special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of
any kind arising from the contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damage. Advertisements must comply with the relevant provisions
of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Responsibility for compliance with the Act rests with the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement.
DRIVE A2B TM is wholly owned by Trade Promotions Pty Ltd. © Trade Promotions Pty Ltd 2017. All rights reserved. Copyright of articles and photographs in DRIVE A2B TM
remains with the individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
7

PARLIAMENTARY OUTCOMES
Inquiry report
The Economy and Infrastructure Committee (EIC) held public hearings
on the CPVI Bill 2017 at Parliament House on 23 and 24 May. Below is a
summary of the EIC’s report.
KEY FINDING
Estimates of the revenue from the $2 levy are based on data from existing taxi trips
and will likely underestimate the total revenue.
Someone forgot to add in the trips done by Hire Cars and Ride Sharing vehicles -
thereby making the estimates very wrong and very understated.
RECOMMENDATION 1
That the Victorian Government amend the Commercial
Passenger Vehicle Bill 2017 to:
• recognise that the primary purpose of the levy is to
provide support to existing taxi‐cab licence holders
through the Fairness Fund and transitional financial
assistance payments
• qualify the status of payments to ensure recipients
are not financially disadvantaged
• provide for a reduced rate of levy in rural and regional
areas
• specify a sunset clause for the levy’s operation.
• RECOMMENDATION 2
That the Victorian Government remove the $50 million cap
on the Fairness Fund to ensure that all legitimate claims for
compensation can be honoured through revenue raised by
the commercial passenger vehicle levy.
RECOMMENDATION 3
That the Victorian Government consider increasing
compensation to primary and subsequent licence holders
in an independent and clearly articulated, transparent,
equitable and non‐arbitrary model for the valuation of
perpetual licences and that this model be based on market
value valuation methodology.
RECOMMENDATION 4
That the Victorian Government provide compensation as
lump sum payments at the outset of revokation of taxi
licences.
RECOMMENDATION 5
That the Victorian Government ensure that:
• existing Multi Purpose Taxi Program concessions
for passengers are extended to all commercial
passenger vehicle trips
• these trips are exempt from the levy.
RECOMMENDATION 6
That the Victorian Government provide a response to the
Committee in time for the Parliament of Victoria to finalise
debate and pass the Bill, with amendments as suggested
through this report’s recommendations, by 22 June 2017.
RECOMMENDATION 7
That the Victorian Government consider reducing the
levy applied to commercial passenger vehicle service
transactions.
8 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

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PARLIAMENTARY OUTCOMES
CPVI bill
The recommendations were presented, government’s
response was tabled, Legislative Council deliberated,
amendments to the Bill were made and now, once
again, we are at a standstill.
The Economy and Infrastructure
Committee (EIC) held public
hearings on the CPVI Bill at
Parliament House on 23 and 24
May and handed over its report on
8 June to the government.
It appears that the EIC did carefully
listen to all the witnesses who
presented to the committee and
the report reflects this.
The EIC, which comprised
representatives from five political
parties, found that the proposed
Commercial Passenger Vehicle
Industry Bill 2017 requires a
number of amendments to reflect
the reality of the plight of taxi
licence holders in Victoria and the
compensation that is owed them.
Mr Bernie Finn MLC, Chairman
Economy and Infrastructure
Committee said, “Effectively
licences that were purchased at
a high price from government as
a capital asset the government
proposes to reduce in value to
zero. This is devastating for many
working men and women who
have dedicated their lives to the
commercial passenger vehicle
industry.”
“Innovation is important and the
economy and industry change all
the time”, he continued.
“Certainly ride sharing as an
industry is here to stay. However
it is important that any new
industry players understand that
they need to work within the legal
and regulatory parameters that
are established in Victoria. Some
businesses new to this state have
not done so and continue to fail to
behave ethically”, said Mr Finn.
Minister for Transport Jacinta
Allan then reviewed the
recommendations and (together
with her advisers) made the
decision that the majority of the
recommendations would NOT be
adopted.
It appears that the Government
just doesn’t comprehend the
content of the EIC report. They
are, apparently, unable to recognise
the fact that ALL licence holders
should be compensated by the
Government for revoking their
licences, that the figures used to
calculate the compensation and
the assistance payments are well
understated, nor that the regional
areas should pay a lesser levy than
the metropolitan zones.
The government state in their
response that they wish to pass
this legislation to provide safe
regulatory environment for ridesharing.
Who is the government
working for? The public, or Uber
and 13CABS (which already have
private vehicles on the road posing
as taxis).
The Government thinks and tells
the public that there will be cheaper
fares for passengers. Not one
witness at the EIC inquiry indicated
that the fares would go down,
rather the opposite. With the
advent of the $2 trip levy the fares
would increase by $2.
The government does not agree
to introducing a sunset clause
and is asking us to trust it to stop
collecting the trip levy once the
funds paid have been recouped.
10 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

What’s to stop the government from
keeping the levy from still being
collected for, say, MPTP assistance?
Their response paper even states
“once the levy has recouped the
funding allocated to financial
assistance that a reduced levy to
subsidise services for people with a
mobility impairment, who can’t use
other forms of transport and rely on
taxis the most, may be appropriate”.
So, it seems that the government
has no, or little, intention of stopping
the trip levy - instead they will keep
it going to pay for other things. This
seems much more like a tax than
a levy.
One minute the Government states
that “the primary purpose of the levy
is to provide financial support to
existing CPV licence holders”, and in
the next breath it says that they will
only compensate 98% of the licence
holders.
98% is not 100% - therefore it is
not ALL of the existing CPV licence
holders.
The Government has been
listening to Prof Allan Fels and
Denis Nelthorpe far too much and
this is clearly evident when the
Government states things like:-
“Providing financial assistance
based on a market value approach
would redirect the assistance
available away from those who
need it most. Some licence holders
purchased their licence for under
$25,000 forty years ago and have
been earning income from it ever
since. Others paid over half a million
only six years ago and have had far
less time to get a return from their
investment”.
Is the Government living under a
rock and not seeing the big picture
here?
If you purchased a house 40 years
ago for $25,000 and your brother
purchased the one next door six
years ago for $500,000 - would you
expect to get less for your house
when you sell it tomorrow? No,
certainly not!
The Government says that they
didn’t have a hand in the excessive
value of the licences - that they were
privately traded at high prices. It
was the government who instigated
the trading of licence plates on the
Bendigo Stock Exchange (BSX) so it
could monitor and, to some degree,
control the value of the tradings.
On 22 and 23 June 2017 this bill
was debated in the Legislative
Council. In summary many non
government people argued that:-
• the taxi licence is property
and all licence holders should
be fairly and reasonably
compensated
• that the $2 levy is excessive
and the levy should have a
sunset clause
• country, regional and MPTP
cardholders should be exempt
from the levy;
• Uber is not active in the
majority of country and
regional areas and it is unfair to
ask people who are not part of
the Uber life to pay for the levy;
• this is bad legislation - there
are no winners of this bill;
• this is not a levy - it is a
tax - and Premier Andrews
promised NO NEW TAXES.
Government said many times
• this bill creates a level playing
field - how is this so when all
ride-hailing businesses get to
enter this market for a pittance
of what it costs the current taxi
and hire car licence holders?
• compensation is significant
and the most offered in
Australia - nowhere else in
Australia has a model such as
this, been tried to be introduced,
therefore a comparison cannot
be made.
• abolishment of high annual
licence lease fees of $23,000
would decrease the fare to the
passenger - but it is only the
government leased licences
that attract the $23,000 to the
government. Perpetual licence
owners do not annually pay
anything to the government.
The bill doesn’t actually have a
clause in it that states what the
value of the compensation will be
to taxi licence and hire car owners.
Perhaps now is the time to pressure
government to pay a reasonable,
fair and equitable compensation
to taxi and hire car licence owners
upon revokation of these licences
to all licence owners - not just 98%
of licence owners
Fiona Patten argued that a $1 trip
levy would be sufficient and she
presented suggested amendments
which were passed in the Upper
House. Because there is an
amendment on the table the bill has
now gone back to the Legislative
Assembly.
Once again it is the waiting game
- until parliament sits again in the
week of 8 August 2017.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
11

VIEWPOINT
INDUSTRY
A TOTAL
MESS
BY HON JEFF KENNETT AC, former Premier of Victoria
In the 90s government and
the taxi industry proved
that working together we
could produce meaningful
outcomes in reforming the
taxi industry.
Better for the taxi riding public,
better for the industry, and no cost
to the people of Victoria through
their elected government.
Move the clock forward 20 years
and you have a total mess.
An industry that is in the process
of being destroyed, individual and
family financial security destroyed,
hearts broken and no sign of
better services.
The latest attack by the Andrews
government was unnecessary and
showed how little they understood
and appreciated the importance
of the taxi industry, and the
endeavour of those who worked
within it.
More recently the reason for
government interference and
destruction of the industry has
been the arrival of ride sharing.
Firstly, by Uber and more recently
by others.
However, the attack on the
industry started under Premier Ted
Baillieu, who had absolutely no
understanding of the taxi industry
and the importance of the service
it provided. Baillieu’s appointment
of Allan Fels, an economic
rationalist was a signal to all major
change.
By the time the Andrews
government was elected the
Victorian taxi industry was already
shuddering from a range of
changes.
HON JEFF KENNETT AC
The current government under
Minister Jacinta Allan decided to
complete the destruction of the
Taxi industry as we have known
it for years by revoking Taxi
Licences.
Yes, Ms Allan was correct in
trying to regulate the Ride Sharing
industry to protect the public. But
that did not require the overnight
destruction of the Taxi industry
that provides an invaluable and
flexible transport system for
Victorians.
12 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

The latest attack by the
Andrews Government
was unnecessary and showed how little they understood and
appreciate the importance of the taxi industry.
Ms Allen could have left the Taxi
Industry to operate as it always
has, issue no more licences, and
allow it to compete with ride
sharing competitors. If the Taxi
Industry could not provide a viable
service the public would not use
it. Not only would the value of
licence plates decline, but in some
cases the Taxi industry might have
disappeared altogether. That is
true competition.
I doubt that would have occurred
as many taxi operators are
innovative and have already
made significant changes to their
operation to compete with ride
sharing competitors.
Importantly the changes the
Minister has effected would have
come at no cost to the public
purse.
But having abolished Licences
overnight, destroyed the value
of an individual’s asset, not
to mention income, like the
removal of any other licence,
compensation, and fair
compensation must be paid.
Finally, we are already seeing
Uber being confronted with many
operational challenges. Some
describe Uber as a huge Ponzi
scheme. Whether that proves to
be correct or not only time will tell.
Other ride sharing companies
are not experiencing the same
problems and I suggest will grow,
as is their right if they get their
operations right and the financial
correct.
My great sadness is that these
new changes in technology, which
do provide better flexibility than
the old systems, could have been
introduced without all the pain,
both mental and financial that has
Need
LEGAL
assistance?
AMS
LAW
Serving the Taxi Industry
for over 30 years
been imposed on so many who
have been working hard, paying
their taxes and serving our needs
for so long.
I do not oppose change, but clear
thinkers could have overseen
the introduction of ride sharing
without the wholesale massacre
of the industry that has, with a few
exceptions, served the Victorian
community well.
• Business
• Commercial
• Conveyancing
• Estate Planning
• Family
• Litigation
• Probate
• Taxation
• Superannuation
Adams Maguire Sier
176 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe
Email: amsr@amslaw.com.au | Phone: 9497 2622
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 13

TAXI NEWS
The Victorian
Government should treat
the taxi industry justly.
JUSTICE
FOR THE
INDUSTRY
BY HANS ALTHOFF, Taxi Owner/Operator
I
doubt that the Victorian
Government will treat
the Taxi Industry with
the respect, fairness and
dignity that it deserves.
I also doubt that the Government,
in its pursuit of competition at
all cost, has considered the cost
imposed to Victorian Consumers
by its actions in respect to the Taxi
Industry.
However, the Economy and
Infrastructure Committee report
provides a glimmer of hope for the
Perpetual Taxi Licence Holders. It
seems that more and more people
have come to the conclusion
that the Government has to
compensate Perpetual Taxi Licence
Holders in the same way as when a
Government compulsorily acquires
any other asset.
By using words like revokation of
licences, our politicians still play
with words rather than admitting
that they will compulsorily acquire
Perpetual Licences and as such
are bound by rules and laws that
still protect ordinary people of this
State.
I see the Economy and
Infrastructure Committee report
as positive for Licence Holders
and hope that the Government
acts in an appropriate manner.
But how does the travelling public
and the Victorian taxpayer fare in
all this?
The Government wants to
recoup the cost of compensating
Perpetual Licence Holders by
introducing a, value yet to be
decided, levy on each Taxi trip.
The administration and
enforcement of this would cost
a fortune and fraud would be
rampant. This would probably be
in the interest of certain groups,
but never in the interest of the
public.
The Government already has a
mechanism by which they collect
a yearly Licence fee and this could
easily, and at no further cost of
administration or enforcement,
be used to collect the required
amount of money.
So simple! Let the people who
want to be in the business of
passenger transport pay for it
and let the Essential Services
Commission, in order to protect
the public from exploitation,
determine a maximum fare for all
point to point passenger transport.
I am convinced that all legitimate
Taxi Operators, who worked
for years in the Industry, would
welcome this solution. It is the
people who want to get their
hands on what others created
through hard work, who will not be
happy with such a simple solution.
Resolving the compensation
issues for Perpetual Licence
Holders is only the first part of the
problems that have to be resolved.
The fact that our Government let
Uber operate illegally in Victoria
will be a blight on the Government
for a long time.
Upholding our laws in Victoria is of
great concern to most Victorians
and it is not a good image for our
Government to change our laws
so that big business can profit.
Our government let Uber
operate illegally in Victoria and this will be a blight on
the government for a long time.
14 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

Are we back in the Al Capone days?
Uber has a good relationship with the TSC and the Police.
By allowing Uber to operate illegally in Victoria
the Government caused many legitimate Taxi
businesses to have thousands of dollars loss and
has forced some businesses to close its doors.
It is not a good look for our Government to align
itself with a company like Uber, especially when
its Victorian representative openly and brazenly
states that Uber has a “good relationship” with
the TSC and the Police.
Are we back in the Al Capone days?
To see how toxic the culture of Uber is, one only
has to read what is now known as the “Miami
Letter”. If we need further proof we only have
to look at the high profile resignations of Jeff
Jones, the president of Uber and several others.
High-level employees are quitting the world’s
highest valued private technology company
amidst allegations of sexual harassment, a
series of scandals and allegations of intellectual
theft. Also its founder and CEO, Travis Kalanick,
has been pushed out by Uber’s board.
I find it totally incomprehensible that our
politicians are so blind to the facts and still act
in the interest of a big American company rather
than in the interest of its own citizens.
The revokation of Perpetual Taxi Licences can
now be taken as fact.
STOP PRESS!
In the last few days the glimmer of hope that the
Government would treat the Perpetual Taxi Licence
Holders fairly has all but disappeared.
The Government response to the Economy and
Infrastructure Committee report has made it very clear
that they do not want to compensate the Perpetual
Taxi Licence Holders for revoking their Licences. They
ask the Economy and Infrastructure Committee for a
recommendation and when they do not get the answer
they want, they do what they wanted to do in the first
place.
One really has to ask the question “Why does the
Government go against the interests of its own citizens
and act in the interest of Big Business?”
We know that Uber does not want to pay any licence fee
and is also against any levy, which would be introduced
to compensate the Perpetual Licence Holders.
So what has Uber done to convince the Government
to act in their interest and why do they have a good
relationship with the people that are supposed to uphold
our laws? Could it be that the new regime is profitable to
both the Government and Big Business at the expense
of ordinary Australians?
More on this in the next issue of DRIVE A2B.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
15

LEGAL NEWS
The question of taxi licences
as property has already
been decided in Australia...
by the High Court!
LICENCES
ARE
PROPERTY
BY NADAV PRAWER, Partner, Mann Lawyers
The Commercial Passenger Industry
Bill, currently before Parliament, has
proved controversial and disastrous
for the taxi and hire car industries on
many levels.
The Bill, which principally amends
the Transport (Compliance and
Miscellaneous) Act 1983, has
many elements which have excited
anger and opposition. Under
instructions from the Victorian Hire
Car Association, Mann Lawyers
conducted extensive consideration
of the legislation with a view to
potential challenges to its legality.
Of particular note, however, is the
question of property rights and
interests.
In Victoria, the right not to be
deprived of property (except by
law) is enshrined in the Charter
of Human Rights. Whilst the
Parliament may choose to pass
legislation that does override the
Charter, ordinarily this requires an
adoption of a specific override. This
is politically unpalatable, as it means
the government must admit to riding
rough-shod over human rights.
No government wants to be seen
doing this, especially in the case of
property rights that investors have
bought directly from government.
For this reason, it was unsurprising
that the government, and specifically
Jacinta Allan (the Minister for
Transport), have denied that taxi
licences are property.
In a letter to the Scrutiny of Acts
Committee (which examines
whether law complies with the
Charter), the Minister wrote that
there was no Charter concern
because 'there is some doubt' as
to whether a taxi licence under the
current legislation was property. In
support of that idea, the Minister
referred to a British planning law
case in which the loss of value
in a home was found not to be a
property right.
What the Minister did not mention
was that the question of taxi
licences as property has already
been decided in Australia... by the
High Court!
In Federal Commissioner of Taxation
v Murry (1998) 193 CLR 605, the
majority of the High Court wrote
that "the licence is property... A taxi
licence is a valuable item of property
because it has economic potential.
It allows its holder to conduct a
profitable business and it may be
sold or leased for reward to a third
party."
There seems to be no real doubt
whatsoever that taxi licences,
which are being revoked under the
legislation, are property.
The new licences which are
being issued, as specifically
non-assignable, non-transferable
licences, are legislatively defined as
not being property.
Taxi licence owners are therefore,
unquestionably, facing confiscation
of their property without any
legislated compensation.
On behalf of the Victorian Hire Car
Association (VHCA), our office
has written to the Scrutiny of
Acts Committee to alert it to the
inconsistency between the Minister's
representations and the plain
position at law in Australia.
In editions to come, we will
introduce readers to the Fairness
Fund, appeal rules and the concept
of maladministration 1 in public
office.
1 inefficient or dishonest administration
Scrutiny of Acts Committee
to advise if this violates the Charter of Human Rights.
16 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE VICTORIAN HIRE CAR INDUSTRY
ofcial sponsor of
For all HIRE CAR and TAXI related legal enquiries
contact Nadav Prawer, Partner, Mann Lawyers
T: 1300 557 564
F: 1300 557 554
E: nadav@mannlawyers.com.au

VTHF
REPUTATION
TO
UPHOLD
Any major city in a
developed country,
should have a
transport system
which reflects the strength
and viability that its reputation
makes part of.
In Melbourne we have a
struggling transport system that
is cracking under the pressure
of extra patronage and no real
relief in sight.
The transport system in
Melbourne has become
overcrowded, delayed and in
some instances unsafe where
the travelling public have been
witness to criminal behaviour.
The taxi industry which also
makes up part of the transport
system has had a very dark
cloud placed over it, without
any positive inroads from
government.
Last month the state Labor
party passed the transport
bill to the upper house, which
ended up going through to a
parliamentary committee.
The recommendations made by
the committee were to provide
a more balanced approach to
the reforms that had shocked
everybody in the taxi industry.
The taxi industry was never
afraid of competition, it was
never in favour of anyone not
playing by the rules.
The mess that the government
has created by giving a so
called free kick to unscrupulous
ridesharing, has decimated
people and families and
destroyed an industry that gives
so much back to the city.
Any industry deserves a fair go,
however for the taxi industry
and its participants it has been
anything but fair.
Any government can make
the point to point industry,
responsible, viable, competitive
and fair, however it seems to
want to take taxis out of the
equation.
For all people in any city the
safest and most recognised
service that can get you to your
final destination has always
been a taxi.
The taxi has been an
ambassador to showcase the
reputation that any city should
uphold.
The taxi industry was never
afraid of competition, it was never in favour of anyone not
playing by the rules.
18 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

VTHF and VHCA are jointly holding a
MEETING
1pm Sunday 16 July 2017
at Reggio Calabria Club Inc.
476 Brunswick Road, Parkville
This is a members only meeting
Everyone is welcome to attend and you can become
a member of either VTHF or VHCA on the day.
DRIVERS, OPERATORS, LICENCE HOLDERS
of Victorian Taxis or Hire Cars
UNITE
WITH US
TODAY
FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL
vthfamilies@gmail.com
Visit and have a chat with us at:
1st Floor, 129 Roden Street, West Melbourne
(above Embassy Cafe)
The Victorian Taxi & Hire Car Families
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
19

VHCA
Victoria’s Premier
rejects EIC’s
recommendations
of fairness and
compromise.
PREMIER
REJECTS
PROPOSALS
During the last sitting week of
Parliament in June 2017 the
Andrews Labor Government
ignored a bipartisan report
from, and has rejected the
recommendations of, the Economic
and Infrastructure Committee
(EIC). EIC took submissions from
interested stakeholders such as
industry representative bodies
VHCA, VTHF, VTA, taxi companies,
taxi drivers, RideShare operators
such as Uber and Sheba and
former Victorian Premier Jeff
Kennett.
Submissions were also made
by Government bodies; the
Taxi Services Commission
and Department of Economic
Development, Jobs, Transport and
Resources.
After much work and deliberations,
the Committee came up with a set
of reasonable recommendations
that would have been acceptable to
industry. Most reasonable people
would have also thought it would
be also acceptable to Government.
Minister Allan claims that they
are providing the most generous
compensation package in Australia.
Minister Allan says this without
providing any context - no other
State or Territory is cancelling
$1BILLION of taxi-cab and hire-car
licences; in fact, we are unaware
of any other place on the planet
where this bizarre decision has
been made to accommodate ridesharing
operations.
Clearly the Andrews Labor
Government does not understand
the severity of the social,
community, financial and emotional
impact this legislation will bring to
thousands of Victorian families.
This Government is simply so
arrogant that they have bullied
and did whatever it took to get this
20 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

Reports indicating Uber and Shebah have been made
LEGAL ARE INCORRECT.
legislation through regardless
of who they trample on along
the way
As it is currently worded, the
proposed legislation does not
provide for compensation at
all in writing. Premier Andrews
and Minister Allan are asking us
to trust them, well we do not!
They have form!
Recent media reports indicating
rideshare services like Uber and
Shebah have been made legal
are incorrect. These services
are still not legal in Victoria and
the safety of the public should
be prioritised over cheap fares.
The amendments which passed
the Legislative Council have
been classified as 'suggested
amendments'. They will be sent
to the Legislative Assembly in
August to approve.
Once approved in the Assembly
in August the bill will come back
to Council for the final sign off.
The failure of the government
to arrive at this stage prior to
the Assembly rising for the
winter break means this bill has
been delayed further.
The Taxi and Hire Car industries
are frustrated by these delays.
We simply want to have our
licences bought back fairly so
we can get on with our lives.
The Andrews Labor
Government has still
failed to address the EIC
recommendations to address
fairness.
The amendments by Fiona
Patton (Sex Party) and
Samantha Dunn (Greens)
seem to be so they could get
their 15 minutes of fame and
pass this bill with Labor’s
shameless Transport Minister
Jacinta Allan. There have been
some suggestions that the
amendments proposed by Ms
Patten may have been written
by the Labor Party.
I have no doubt that come 24
November 2018 this immoral
decision to bankrupt innocent
families will come home to
roost!
HIRE
CAR &
TAXI
OWNERS
JOIN
VHCA
TODAY
ONLY
$120 pa
You can sit there and complain
about how unfair this
all is .... but what we
know is, at this stage,
you are going to get
100% of NOTHING.
JOIN US and maybe,
just maybe, we will
get a little bit of
something!
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
21

RIDE SHARING
OMBUDSMAN
REVIEWING
OZ UBER
On June 23, 2017 the
Fair Work Ombudsman
launched an official
investigation into Uber’s
suspected wage fraud and drivers
misclassification.
Rideshare Drivers United (RSDU)
feel it is absolutely essential that
drivers in the ride share industry (on
all platforms) should be classified
as casual workers by default and
compensated according to law, unless
proven otherwise by employer.
To be classified as real subcontractors,
drivers must have more
control and ability to grow their
business, directly negotiate service
prices with customers, ask for the
destination before having to drive
to the pick up location, be permitted
to hail street rides, issue invoices
and most importantly be able to
scrutinize the Uber booking system
and its various performance and
earning metrics.
Uber currently does it all “on behalf
of drivers” while drivers have
absolutely no say over any of these
important business decisions/
functions, in what appears to be a
classic “sham contracting” arrangement.
Drivers have been complaining
to Uber for more than a year now
about unsustainable base rates.
Uber’s latest round of “drivers enhancements”
did almost nothing to
address their concerns.
It costs a driver about 70 cents/km
to run a private vehicle in Victoria,
this is according to independent
research done by a number of motoring
groups like RACV, RACQ, RAA
etc. freely available online.
Uber’s current gross base rates
(since April 2016) are about $1.38/
km on average. Drivers then need to
pay 10% GST and 25% in commission
to Uber.
Therefore it is the RSDU’s view
that Uber’s latest round of “driver
enhancements” was just media and
public PR stunt.
The RSDU feel that Uber’s insistence
on building a business based
on exploiting drivers is bad for
Uber, bad for drivers, bad for the
ridesharing industry in general and
ultimately bad for this country as it
will slowly create more and more
poverty.
The first rule to determining a
sub-contractor from an employee
is to examine contractor’s ability to
negotiate and have a say over fare
pricing.
RSDU have talked to drivers attending
some of Uber’s so called “roundtable
partner meetings” and heard
of drivers being firmly steered away
from discussing base fare pricing
and asked to discuss the app functionality
only, proving once more
that Uber’s so claimed “partner
round table meetings” are nothing
but a charade and media lip service.
The RSDU intends to present such
evidence in due course.
Drivers who wish to take part
in this investigation please go to http://ridesharedriversunited.
com/fwo-investigation-into-uber-submission-form/.
22 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

® CityLink is a registered trade mark of Transurban Limited, ABN 96 098 143 410. ® EastLink is a registered trade mark of ConnectEast Pty Ltd.
VHCA
WHERE
TO NOW?
The VHCA have been, in consultation with Mann Lawyers,
exploring options for financial redress for affected licenceholders
beyond the government’s offered compensation.
Whilst we are not yet in a position to make a formal public
announcement, we are pleased that extensive progress has
been made towards a major initiative.
It is our expectation that, whilst members and non-members
alike will benefit, VHCA members will see a greater potential
return from the efforts underway.
We hope that the next edition of this magazine contains a major
announcement. Watch this space...
We look at:-
The VHCA Facebook
page is constantly
updated with industry
relevant information.
• how Uber and others are faring
overseas
• what is happening that is relevant
to our members, and
• how we can improve everyday
life.
We welcome contributions to our page
– these can be submitted either via
facebook or directly emailed to us at
info@vhca.com.au.
New taxi tolls
From 1 July 2017 there will be new taxi tolls
for travel on CityLink and EastLink.
New taxi toll stickers are available from your depot.
Topping up your account
Easiest option: visit citylink.
com.au to set up an automatic
payment.
• Online: citylink.com.au
• Over the phone: 1300 360
962 (8am – 6pm, Monday to
Friday).
• Touch machines at
Melbourne Airport.
• At any participating 7-Eleven,
United Petroleum or Australian
Newsagent Federation outlet.
Please note: Payments made
to accounts within the last 24
hours may not be reflected in the
number of beeps when travelling
on CityLink or EastLink.
For more information
Web: citylink.com.au
Email: comcare@citylink.com.au
Phone: 1300 360 962
From 8am to 6pm,
Monday to Friday
Please attach 2 taxi toll stickers –
one to the dashboard or windscreen
(top left corner) and the other to
the inside rear passenger window.
Taxi toll stickers should be placed
adjacent to passenger fare stickers.
Taxi tolls as at 1 July 2017
Western Link $6.10
Southern Link $6.10
Both links $8.00
Batman Avenue only
(Exhibition Street Extension)
No toll
Melba Tunnel or Mullum Mullum Tunnel $2.82
Any part of EastLink south of Maroondah Hwy $2.65
One tunnel plus any part of EastLink south
of Maroondah Hwy $5.47
Ringwood Bypass
No toll
The toll is to be paid to the driver in addition to the fare shown on the taxi meter. Tolls can only be charged to passengers
when the e-TAG is displayed in the vehicle. Prices are GST inclusive and are valid from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.
Prices are GST inclusive and taxi tolls are
valid from 1 July 2017 until 30 June 2018.
® CityLink is a registered trade mark of Transurban Limited, ABN 96 098 143 410. ® EastLink is a registered trade mark of ConnectEast Pty Ltd.
® e-TAG is a registered trade mark of CityLink Melbourne Limited, ABN 65 070 810 678.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
23

Bursting with all
your favourite hits
including Run to
You, I Have Nothing,
Greatest Love Of All,
I Wanna Dance With
Somebody and one of
the greatest songs of
all time – I Will Always
Love You.
Leading THE BODYGUARD cast is the
fabulous Paulini as Rachel Marron,
with Kip Gamblin as bodyguard
Prinnie Stevens as Nicki Marron
Emily Williams as the Alternate Rachel Marron
Andrew Hazzard as Sy Spector
Patrick Williams as Bill Devaney
Brendan Irving as the Stalker
Damien Bermingham as Tony, and
Glaston Toft as Ray Court.
Based on the Warner Bros hit movie which
starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner,
THE BODYGUARD has been hailed as “London’s
Best Musical” by UKs Magic FM, and “The
Hottest Ticket in Town” by The Sunday Mirror.
This is the story you know – with the songs you
love!
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard
Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar
singer Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.
Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t
expect is to fall in love.
24 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

COMPETITIONS COMPETITIONS COMPETITIONS COMPETITIONS
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Simply be one of the first 5 correct
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that THE BODYGUARD, THE MUSICAL will be
playing at in Melbourne and you will win a double
pass to THE BODYGUARD.
Send your answer to info@drivea2b.com.au or sms
0400137866, include your name
and phone number too.
THE BODYGUARD will play at the Regent Theatre from 24
August. Performance times - Tues 7pm, Wed/Thurs 7.30pm,
Fri/Sat 8pm. Matinees - Tues/Wed 1pm, Sat/Sun 2pm, Sun
6pm (performance times vary weekly). Tickets from $69.90.
Bookings via ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100.
5 NEW 2018
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give away!
The first 5 correct entries to tell us the
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when they will further debate the CPVI 2017
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DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 25

VICTORIAN OPERATIONS
The red car certainly
says it’s a TAXI on its
dome light - but is it?
ARE THESE
VEHICLES
TAXIS?
We recently queried
the legality
of these two
vehicles with the
Taxi Services
Commission (TSC) and their
response was in brief:-
• “The information you have
provided will be used for
building intelligence and
providing feedback to the taxi
and hire car industries.”
• “The TSC may utilise the
information for future
compliance action, operations
or activities.,”
• “Because the information
provided has been recorded as
intelligence, the TSC is unable
to share the outcome of any
action we take.”
This response is totally
unsatisfactory. All ride sharing/
sourcing/hailing operators, drivers
and vehicles in Victoria are ILLEGAL
– and the photographs of vehicles
clearly indicates that 13CABS is
operating, or condoning operation
of, vehicles for hire for monetary
reward WITHOUT being registered
as a taxi.
The operator(s) of vehicle TOY619,
XNF259 and 1KD6WY have not
purchased a taxi licence, because
if it had then the number plate
displayed on the vehicle would not
be a private vehicle number plate.
The response letter stated that the
TSC may utilise the information for
future compliance action – REALLY!
Why should the action be held off
for the future?
Why is the compliance action not
undertaken immediately?
Why is this operator not
investigated immediately and
be told to cease and desist from
putting private vehicles for hire
on the road without appropriate
licensing and accreditation?
There is so much secrecy
surrounding the outcome of the
complaints made to the TSC
regarding unauthorised vehicles
operating on Victorian roads
without either a taxi licence or a
hire car licence.
The public have a right to know that
there are many ILLEGAL entities on
Taxi jobs are being shared
with private vehicles using the 13CABS app.
26 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

IS THIS A TAXI?
our roads not just Uber. The public
know the name Uber because it has
been widely reported – but there
are other ILLEGAL entities that
seem to get swept under the rug,
not prosecuted and never revealed
to the public.
How can the TSC state that it is
creating safety in the commercial
passenger vehicle industry, when it
refuses to prosecute and publicise
those who are not conforming
with current regulations, rules and
legislation.
The TSC wishes to close this
complaint and says that it will not
share the outcome of any action
taken. This matter/complaint
should remain open until such time
as the investigation is completed
and a report is publicised. There
are people operating vehicles for
hire for monetary gain who have
not paid for the right to do so!
What is the use of having laws,
regulations and legislation if the
government does not adhere to
them?
And at least Uber is not so brazen
as to place Taxi domes and advertise
taxi apps on their vehicles - why
are these vehicles allowed to be on
the road?
The public need to be made aware
of the illegal operators and thereby
the possible
lack of safety
for drivers and
passengers when
using them.
Perhaps then
those who purport
to be operating/
driving licensed
and/or accredited
vehicles for hire
for monetary gain,
will think twice
before doing so
illegally.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 27

RUMOUR MILL
What
we hear
Are these rumours, fiction or the
truth hidden in plain sight?
Hardly anyone pays
$23,000 pa for a taxi licence.
The majority of licences are perpetual
licences - not leased from the
government.
Currently perpetual taxi
licence holders are receiving
around $1000 per month in revenue
from their leases. This equates to $12,000
pa - NOT $23,000.
Hire car licence holders pay around
$175 pa and hire car licences are
not permitted to be leased.
FACT.... Victorian Taxi Licence
Plate Lease Information
Year Qty Average
monthly
lease
fee
Average
annual
lease
fee
2012/13 922 $2,469 $29,628
2013/14 1,224 $2,241 $26,892
2014/15 1,419 $1,940 $23,280
2015/16 1,442 $1,716 $20,592
Mar-17 136 $1,360 $16,320
Apr-17 118 $1,380 $16,560
May-17 165 $1,400 $16,800
This data is taken from the Taxi Services
Commission Annual Reports 2013/14,
2014/15, 2015/16 and licence statistical
information per their website March 2017, April
2017 and May 2017.
The
number of
government leased
licences has decreased
from 1,442 in June 2016 to
just 118 in April 2017.
And there’s the
jump by 47 during May
2017. We’ve been advised
that people and businesses, such
as 13CABS, are leasing more and
more licences so that if and when
legislation is passed they will
have an AUTOMATIC right to
a taxi licence.
Some businesses
are still operating WAT
licences that were GIVEN to
them by government many years
ago. They could only lease them
out for $1. These licences have no
compensation value.
Do hope that the businesses which
operate these licences wouldn’t
dare try and claim full value
as compensation for these
licences upon revokation.
Government says counselling
is available via the hotline!
You ring the hotline - they give you
other numbers to ring - you cannot
have doctor of choice - you must use
counsellors you are probably
unfamiliar with.
Devaluing the licence plate is
violating the human rights act and
Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations
Committee (SARC) will prove it.
Many Labor MPs have shut their
doors to local constituents who
happen to own taxi licences.
BE PART OF THE STORY
Join the Conversation
DRIVE A2B loves hearing what you think
about the magazine, your taxi owner or driver,
your network service provider, or just taxis in
general.
Email DRIVE A2B at info@drivea2b.com.au or
sms DRIVE A2B at 0400 137 866.
Remember to include your name, address
and phone number for authentication.
28 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

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Around Australia
Interstate
News
In a radical change to how the state’s
taxi industry is regulated, NSW taxi
drivers will be allowed to turn off their
meters and offer a lower fare.
Point-to-point Transport Commissioner
Barbara Wise said, “If you’re hailing it
(a taxi) in the street or taking it from
a rank, it will be a maximum fare.
They’ll need to have the price (per km)
on the window. But if it’s through an
app or on the phone, or any other way
that it might be booked, it would be a
negotiated fare”.
“Taxis carrying booked customers
would not have to use a meter. “I
expect that some of them will for quite
a while ... but they won’t have to.”
“The old regu lations told them (taxi
companies) exactly what to do and
how to do it, and what technology to
use. They didn’t have a lot of freedom.”
“The coming changes will give Uber
and its competitors more room to
innovate,” Ms Wise said, and taxi
drivers will need to “make major
changes to their businesses in order to
thrive in the future”.
Cabcharge is one step closer to acquiring Yellow Cabs in
Queensland after the nation’s consumer watchdog announced
it would not oppose the move on Thursday.
Cabcharge entered into an agreement in February to buy
Yellow Cabs in Queensland for $20 million, subject to
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approval.
Yellow Cabs is one of two large taxi networks in Brisbane with
a market share of about 50 per cent, according to the ACCC.
Last month, the ACCC announced it would not oppose the
acquisition and said it believed the move would not lessen
competition.
“The ACCC found that it was unlikely the acquisition would
result in Cabcharge foreclosing competition from alternative
non-cash payment system providers, as there are a number
of alternative systems available and it is drivers who choose
which system to use,” ACCC Commissioner Roger Featherston
said.
“Further, the taxi business is being constrained by the
popularity of ride-sharing services such as Uber.”
“While Cabcharge may gain access to competitor pricing and
other information, we don’t believe this will provide them with a
significant competitive advantage,” Mr Featherston said.
“However, if it can be shown that Cabcharge has used such
information in an anti-competitive manner, the ACCC may be
able to take action under the other competition provisions.”
NSW
Taxi businesses will need to make major
changes to stay competitive.
QUEENSLAND
Cabcharge is about to takeover Yellow Cabs
Queensland and it is not a threat to competition.
30 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

Transport for NSW has announced that from 1 July taxi
customers in regional NSW may be asked to pay their
taxi fares at the start of their journey.
The ‘pre-paid fares’ arrangement will apply to all of
regional NSW in line with Sydney and the Central Coast
and involves a customer paying an estimated fare, and
either paying the balance or receiving a refund when
they reach their destination.
Taxi Drivers were targeted at the
Darwin Airport taxi rank last month
as they waited to pick up lines of
tourists arriving on inbound flights.
Traffic police were joined by
government motor vehicle
inspectors under Operation Lomani
targeting defective cars.
More than 50 taxis were inspected
and 34 defect notices issued for
things like bumpers being held by
zip ties, faulty doors, windows and
headlights and frayed seat belts.
Traffic Sergeant Serge Bouma
said the results of the blitz were
disappointing.
“Many of these defaults could have
resulted in serious injury to the
driver and passengers should they
have been involved in a crash.
“Other defects were likely to have
caused a crash, such as poor
visibility, defective headlights or
worn tyres.”
A Transport for NSW Spokesperson said that the
introduction of pre-paid taxi fares is in line with Sydney
and provides greater assurance and protection to both
customers and drivers.
“Up until now, pre-paid fares have been limited to
specific secure taxi ranks in Sydney City and on the
Central Coast,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson
said.
“Customers in country NSW can now pre-pay an
estimated fare either when hailing a taxi from the street
or catching one from a taxi rank,” the spokesperson
continued.
“Feedback tells us the arrangement has been working
extremely well on the Central Coast since being
implemented in 2011.
“Whether a customer is asked to pre-pay their fare is
entirely up to the driver. However, it’s important that
customers in regional NSW are aware that if the driver
does ask them to pre-pay their fare, they will be obliged
to do so.”
The extension of pre-paid fares is a great example of
Transport for NSW working with the Taxi industry to
achieve an equitable system across the state.
NORTHERN
TERRITORY
Taxis booked for being defective.
NSW REGIONAL
Pre-paid fares allowable everywhere in NSW
effective 1 July 2017.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 31

Have Your Say
It’s not okay not to pay
by Adam T.
Recently a driver picked up
a radio booking in the west
of Melbourne to travel to
a country town. The driver
advised the client that the fare
would be approximately $300
plus and was then given $100
deposit.
The client said they had to go
to their siblings place to get
the rest of the money but, of
course, no one was home.
The driver took the client to a
police officer but was advised
no crime had been committed
because the passenger stated
they would pay. The driver
suggested to the officer:
a) the client had a contract
with him when she booked
the taxi;
b) the driver had completed
the contract and payment
was due immediately. There
had been no other terms and
conditions attached to this
contract;
c) the driver further advised
the officer that it was either
a crime of theft or obtaining
financial advantage by
deception; The officer said
this was not true as the
passenger was willing to pay -
only not then.
d) the police officer was just
not interested. He took a
piece of wrapping paper that
looked like it had just had a
meat pie in it and wrote down
the client’s name. He did not
formalise anything and did
not include it on his running
sheet from the car he was in.
Victoria Police is failing in its
duty of care to treat crime
seriously. We know from
what we read that Uber says
it has good relationships with
Victoria Police. Obviously they
get more favours than we taxi
drivers who are told that theft
from a taxi driver or using
deceit to get a taxi fare home
is not a crime.
All I can say is that VICPOL’s
crime statistics are lies and
their actions fail more than
the pub test.
The Chief Commissioner
should hand back his badge if
he thinks this behaviour by his
officers is acceptable.
Theft by
government
authority
by J Johnson
I have been appalled at the
fact that businesses within the
Victorian taxi and hire car industry
have been mistreated by the
Victorian Government in terms of
having regulations and licences
imposed on them, and now being
forced to compete with anybody
who has a car and a mobile
phone, who don’t pay licence fees,
have no regulation and minimum
scrutiny.
It is only a matter of time before
one of these people robs or
takes advantage of a vulnerable
passenger. It is also only a
matter of time before a car such
as these is involved in a serious
accident and their insurance
gets challenged to provide
compensation.
To have charged businesses huge
sums of money for licences and
then declaring these licences
worthless is simply theft by a
government authority.
The compensation offered is
pitiful and the whole approach is
immoral. I call on the Victorian
Government to buy back the taxi
licences for what they were paid
for, and to fund this via a charge
on Uber drivers.
32 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

HAVE
YOUR
SAY
Send your thoughts to us!
Send your email (info@DRIVEA2B.com.au) or
sms (0400 137 866) to us and we shall print
it here - where you can HAVE YOUR SAY!
Evidence is an integral part of debates
by J Glazebrook
Neither the Minister for Public
Transport, Jacinta Allan, the
Coalition, or the Economic and
Infrastructure Committee (EIC)
have challenged the ethics behind
Uber’s business model.
A business model based on taking
advantage of the public with surge
pricing and exploiting drivers by
sham contracting its services.
Why is anyone surprised with this?
What we are seeing is the future
of the public transport system
being compromised so that an
international company can enter
the commercial passenger taxi
market.
The Member for Holt, Anthony
Byrne, described Uber at a protest
rally in Narre Warren last year as “a
50 billion dollar corporation that is
corrupting Australia”.
Further, public policy in Victoria
is clearly not being driven by
evidence. Neither the Minister or
the EIC members have provided
taxi stakeholders with any
evidence whatsoever that the
“deregulation” of the taxi economy
provides tangible benefits for
consumers and drivers.
No Evidence has been offered by
the EIC in relation to the outcomes
of taxi deregulation or the impact
of the proposed $2 levy on the taxi
economy.
Evidence is an integral part of
science and policy debate.
But one thing should be now clear
to anyone: the deregulation of
taxis has been dominated by a
political ideology, not evidence or
science.
To all the licence holders out there
by P Ramsay
Have driven cabs for 24 years,
big deal! Was offered the chance
to buy a licence in 2004 for
$425,000 and guess what? I
declined because it is government
regulated.
I leased a licence instead. Bought
a house and that has appreciated
so much. Another joke for young
people that can’t afford real estate.
The government don’t know how to
run a chook raffle and don’t care.
All this stuff is coming back to bite
you guys. Why did you trust the
government in the first place re
the taxi industry or politicians in
general, this is ridiculous.
The “Taxi News” section of
May DRIVE A2B is all about the
hyperbole of owners who have
been greedy and lost their fortune
by trusting a government, get
real.... It happens to everyone who
trusts a government.
I will do the $50 a year deregulated
thing that will be open to everyone
in 12 months, but a was a lessor
for 3 years around 2004. Made
some money back then. The
owner gouged me for $480 a week,
just ridiculous again. Greed guys!
Any government regulated
industry is a joke. Greed and
avarice does not make for a happy
life and you took a gamble and lost
this time. Who wants to be the
richest guy in the cemetery?
Long term owners have made
good money so stop whingeing
and being greedy. Taxi licences
were free around World War II and
many old-time owners got their
licence for free!
Those free taxi licences have been
handed down and still exist.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
33

International
BRIEF
TIMELINE OF
UBER’S DEMISE
Last month Uber CEO and Founder Travis Kalanick, was
pushed by Uber’s board of directors to resign as CEO. At this
stage we do not know who will be taking up the helm of Uber,
but what we do know is that this person is going to have to
work long and hard to fix the things that have gone wrong and
ultimately brought this $69 billion startup to a state of crisis.
2009 Travis Kalanick co-founded and launched Uber in USA
2014
January
June
July
August
October
December
2015
May
2017
January 19
January 29
February 19
It is uncovered and confirmed that New York City Uber employees often booked thousands of rides
from Uber’s competitors, such as Gett and Lyft, and then cancel them. Apparently they did this just so
they could hinder their competitors’ businesses.
Large scale taxi driver and operator strikes begin. The biggest and first were in London, Berlin, Paris and
Madrid. And this was just the beginning of many strikes, blockades and protests around the world.
Uber comes under criticism for their surge pricing during times of crisis as happened during Hurricane
Sandy in July 2014. After much damning publicity and public humiliation, Uber promises New York’s
attorney general surge pricing would not take affect during a crisis.
The Verge reveals a secret internal project at Uber called Operation SLOG, dedicated to luring drivers
away from Lyft, and gathering intelligence on Lyft’s operations.
Forbes reports that Uber has a “God View” and a “Creepy Stalker View”—a GPS trick that was used to track
users’ locations anywhere, any time.
India’s Delhi region bans UberX after allegations that an Uber driver raped a female passenger. Uber’s
thoroughness of driver background checks are questioned.
Uber poaches dozens of scientists from Carnegie Mellon University to work on their autonomous car
creations.
US Federal Trade Commission charges Uber $20 million fine for recruiting drivers while exaggerating
earnings potential.
The #DeleteUber hashtag campaign goes viral after Uber users—including many celebrities—balk at
what they consider is the company’s attempt to profit during a taxi strike protesting Donald Trump’s
immigration ban at New York City’s JFK Airport.
Former Uber engineer Susan Fowler publishes a blog post which has become infamous, detailing sexism
within the company.
34 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

February 20
February 23
February 27
February 28
March 3
March 8
March 16
March 19
March 20
May 15
May 30
June 1
June 6
June 7
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 20
June 21
Uber brings in former US attorney general Eric Holder to conduct an independent internal assessment
of Uber’s culture - now known as the “Holder Investigation”
Google autonomous driving spinoff Waymo files a lawsuit against Uber claiming that a former Waymo
employee, Anthony Levandowski, stole secrets relation to autonomous vehicle technology.
Uber Senior Vice President Amit Singhal leaves after he fails to disclose a sexual harassment allegation
previously filed against him when he worked at Google.
Travis Kalanick apologizes after he’s caught on film arguing with an Uber driver, Fawzi Kamel, about Uber’s new
plans to lower fares. “Some people don’t like to take responsibility for their own s---. They blame everything in
their life on somebody else. Good luck,” Kalanick told his driver.
The New York Times reports on an internal tool called Greyball, which uses data collected from the
Uber app to display to people that it suspected to be government officials a fake version of the app,
that in turn would deny them a ride. This was used by Uber to operate in areas where its service was
deemed illegal.
Charlie Miller, Uber Vice President of Product and Growth and self-driving engineer, leaves Uber.
Artificial intelligence labs director, Gary Marcus leaves the company.
Self-driving director Raffi Krikorian leaves.
Uber President Jeff Jones, leaves Uber.
Uber’s Vice President of Maps and Business Platforms, Brian McClendon leaves.
Judge blocks Levandowski from working on any technology related to LIDAR, the key to Uber’s
autonomous vehicle development.
Uber fires Levandowski, stating that he didn’t fully co-operate with the court with helping Uber to prove
its case.
Miami Letter (dated 2013) is circulated and contains Kalanick referring to a company trip to Miami and
lays out ground rules for consensual employee relations. “Have a great f---ing time,” he says.
The law firm Perkins Coie completes an investigation of 215 staff complaints going back to 2012 and
Uber fires 20 employees.
Uber fires an executive who reportedly illegally obtained the private medical records of the alleged victim
of a rape in India in 2014, and showed those records to Kalanick and his second-in-command, Emil
Michael. (The victim has since sued Uber for violating her privacy.)
Emil Michael agrees to leave Uber.
The Holder report is released. It makes 47 recommendations including recommendations to limit
Kalanick’s responsibilities at the company, appoint an independent chairman, and create an oversight
committee on the company board.
A member of Uber’s board of directors, David Bonderman, resigns after making sexist remarks about
women during the board’s review of the Holder Report.
New York judge rules that Uber drivers should receive employee benefits, negating Uber’s claims that
its drivers are merely contractors.
Uber launches “180 days of change,” a PR campaign aiming to rehabilitate the company’s embattled
public image—starting with a promise to let passengers tip drivers on the platform.
Uber founder Travis Kalanick resigns as CEO after pressure from five big Uber
investors, including venture capital firms Benchmark, First Round Capital, Menlo
Ventures, and Lowercase Capital, and the mutual fund Fidelity Investments. “I love
Uber more than anything in the world and at this difficult moment in my personal
life I have accepted the investors request to step aside so that Uber can go back to
building rather than be distracted with another fight,” Kalanick said in a statement
obtained by The New York Times.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 35

Road Upgrade
NEW
BELL STREET
BRIDGE
OPENS
The new Bell Street Bridge is
open to traffic, providing a safer
and less congested connection
to Strathmore and the CityLink
Tullamarine Freeway.
The bridge gives drivers a
smoother and safer run to
Pascoe Vale Road, by providing a
dedicated local connection. The
bridge also removes a dangerous
blind-side merge, which has
resulted in around 30 crashes
since 2000.
The existing bridge will be turned
into an outbound entry ramp to
the CityLink Tullamarine Freeway,
with an extra lane being added
over the coming months to reduce
congestion on Bell Street.
The Bell Street interchange
upgrades are on track to be
finished by late 2017.
Once complete, drivers will
experience the full benefits of new
lanes and smart technologies.
Over the next few months, crews
will work hard to complete broader
works in the area, including:
• Adding an extra lane to the
existing bridge to provide
more space for drivers
getting onto the freeway,
reducing queues on busy Bell
Street
• Adding ramp signals to better
control traffic flow and help
drivers merge more safely
onto the freeway
• To complete the works,
CityLink will continue to
schedule freeway, ramp and
lane closures at night only to
ensure they don’t impact your
trips during the day time.
36 DRIVE A2B magazine · June 2017

Trade Directory
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HOT DRINK
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DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 37

Road Safety
MOBILE
PHONES,
TECHNOLOGY
& DRIVING
Using a mobile phone or other
device, like a Smartwatch, while
driving or riding can be distracting,
increasing your chance of being
involved in a crash or near crash.
Looking at or touching a device at
the same time as being in control of
a vehicle is particularly dangerous.
For all fully licensed car drivers,
using a mobile phone while driving
is prohibited, except to make or
receive a phone call or to use its
audio/music functions provided the
phone:
• is secured in a commercially
designed holder fixed to the
vehicle, or
• can be operated by the driver
without touching any part of
the phone, and the phone is
not resting on any part of the
driver’s body.
Using a phone as a navigational
device/GPS while driving is
PROHIBITED unless it is secured
in a commercially designed holder
fixed to the vehicle.
All other functions (including video
calls, texting and emailing) are
PROHIBITED.
When a Smartwatch is worn by a
driver it should not be used at all,
while driving.
Fully licensed drivers may use a
Smartwatch provided it is NOT
WORN and used as either a:
• driver’s aid (for example, as a
navigation device)
• music player
• mobile phone to make or
receive phone calls via
bluetooth or similar hands free
device.
38 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

Distraction kills
It’s a proven fact that using a mobile phone while driving can be distracting.
Taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles your crash risk.
Text or video messaging, email,
social media use or similar
communications must NOT be
undertaken regardless of whether
the Smartwatch is or isn’t worn by
the driver.
All drivers face tough penalties
for illegal use of a mobile phone
or interacting with other units
that have visual displays while
driving (eg DVD players or tablet
computers) that are not driver’s
aids. The penalties are 4 demerit
points and a $466 fine.
SAFETY TIPS
• Consider putting your phone on silent or divert all
calls to voicemail when driving.
• Plan breaks in your trip for phone calls.
• If you are using your phone hands free, warn callers
you are driving and may have to end the call.
• Don’t make calls in heavy traffic, poor road
conditions or bad weather.
• Never look up phone numbers when driving.
• Never read or send text messages when driving.
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 39

Victoria
These statistical figures
are as at 31 May 2017
Industry
Statistics
These figures are
updated and published
on the Taxi Services
Commission website
Taxi Licences
Zone
Licence
type
# of
licences
30/6/16
# of
licences
31/05/17
Changes
since
30/6/16
Metro Conventional 4,217 4,165 -52
WAT 443 447 4
Total 4,660 4,612 -48
Urban Conventional 420 418 -2
WAT 85 80 -5
Total 505 498 -7
Regional Conventional 264 275 11
WAT 72 75 3
Assignments
Active in April 2017 165
Fee per month (metro) $1,400
Number of drivers
Active drivers 16,673
(drivers who have recorded at
least one shift last year)
Accredited drivers 56,986
(taxi, hire car & bus)
Compliance
outcomes
Vehicle inspections 1,146
Rectification notices 194
Infringement notices 22
Regulation 20 notice 70
Official written warning notices 15
Total 336 350 14
Country Conventional 127 129 2
WAT 35 35 0
Total 162 164 2
Totals Conventional 5,028 4,987 -41
Area
WAT 635 637 2
Total 5,663 5,624 -39
Hire Car Licences
# of
licences
30/6/16
# of
licences
31/5/17
Changes
since
30/6/16
Metropolitan 1,136 1,140 4
Country 63 64 1
Special Purpose Vehicles 966 980 14
Restricted 610 633 123
Totals 2,775 2,817 142
40 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

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DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017 41
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Major
Events
Showcase of Melbourne’s
upcoming major events.
River Rink in
Fed Square
1 - 23 July
Bring your family and friends along for a skate
while enjoying a picturesque backdrop of the
Yarra River and the Melbourne city skyline.
For first timers or those unsteady on their
skates, you can hire a 70cm high skating aid
from the Box Office to help you stay upright.
(Skating aids are available on a first come first
served basis.) If you need to recharge your
energy levels, there’ll be a great line-up of
winter warming food and beverages on offer,
including hot chocolate and mulled wine,
throughout the season.
Get your skates on and take a spin around
River Rink in Fed Square this winter.
Open House Melbourne
Weekend
29 - 30 July
The Open House Melbourne Weekend
invites the general public to explore
outstanding private houses, significant
commercial and civic buildings,
infrastructure and landscapes that
illustrate our rich history, reflect how we
live and work, and offer insights into our
future city.
People get to see inside buildings and
spaces that are not normally open to the
public, and not only do they get to see
inside, they are also treated to rich storytelling
that brings the buildings to life. It
truly is a celebration of the city and the
people who shape it.
More information at the Open House
website www.openhousemelbourne.org.
42 DRIVE A2B magazine · May 2017

Winter Night Market -
Fire and Lights
Until 30 August
at Queen Victoria Market
Docklands
Winter Glow Festival
Until 19 July
Illuminate, fascinate and salivate as
the Winter Night Market ignites your
Wednesdays like never before. Featuring an
exciting new lighting concept by John Fish,
a quirky line-up of entertainers, 30 stellar
street food stalls, 50 specialty and design
stalls, warm drinks, cold beers and raging
open fires. .
In winter, Docklands doesn’t hibernate - it glows.
It glows with amazing artwork that lights up
the street, progressive dinners at favourite local
restaurants, inspiring discussions from iconic
Melburnians and wondrous workshops. Join us for
the inaugural Docklands Winter Glow festival and
spark your imagination.​ ​
Driver Adverts
want a driver?
want work?
SILVER TOP DRIVER NEEDED
A flexible position exists for competent Silver
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if living far from Richmond. Contact Vic on
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DRIVER WANTED
PART TIME & SATURDAY
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Send details of your DRIVER or JOB
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SILVER TOP DRIVER REQUIRED
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at least 3 years experience. Taxi changeover at
Rowville. Please ring Tony on 0413393594
DRIVE A2B magazine · May 2017
43

Overseas News
WASHINGTON DC
’s more than 8,000
DC taxi drivers have
until August 31 to dump
their traditional meters and
replace them with a tablet
or smartphone that will be
equipped with a digital meter
app, similar to those used by
Uber and Lyft.
The tablet will be mounted
in the car so a passenger
can see the progress of the
trip and the fare — just like a
meter — but the app also will
show a map of the route and
estimated time of arrival.
The city has recruited the
mobile payment startup
Square to support
the transition to digital
meters. Many small food
establishments use Square
to accept credit card
payments on mobile devices.
Square will charge 2.65%
commission to process
payments, much less than
the current credit card fee of
4.5%.
The Department of For-Hire
Vehicles has been testing
a digital meter system it
developed in-house. But the
department is also reviewing
proposals from other app
developers. Multiple meter
apps are expected to be
available for use by the
drivers, officials say.
The city’s taxi rates will not
change nor will the way
trips are measured. But the
digital system will allow taxi
companies to offer rewards
for frequent riders or adjust
their street hail fares in
response to market demand,
such as offering discounts
during times of low demand.
The digital meters are
expected to transmit trip
data such as geotagged
addresses, driver information
and fare amounts to the city,
and will have the capability
to calculate rates for shared
rides.
So far this fiscal year, ridehailing
revenue to the city is
close to $3 million and for
taxis, just under $2 million.
Going digital could give the
taxi industry the extra boost it
needs in a market where Uber
and Lyft are able to charge
rates significantly lower than
taxicabs, officials say. The
option to adjust rates also
will benefit passengers who
are looking to share rides and
lower fares.
44 DRIVE A2B magazine · May 2017

UNITED KINGDOM
Mobility as a Service, MaaS, is heralded as a concept
that will propel transport into a new era – and later
this year a group of 500 transport users in the West
Midlands will become guinea pigs, making multi-modal
journeys by bus, train, tram, taxi, bicycle and hire car.
MaaS promises to revolutionise how we consume transport
services in the same way that platforms like Netflix and
Spotify have completely transformed how many of us
consume television and music.
In the future we will purchase a mobility package and use
our smartphones to make seamless, multi-modal, door-todoor
journeys.
The MaaS concept means looking after people’s daily
mobility needs with a single service, which can be used
either on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis.
In West Midlands MaaS can transform how over 5.5 million
people get from A to B – including commuters in Britain’s
second most populous city, Birmingham.
The world’s first capital region MaaS trial is already in
operation in Helsinki, Finland, where MaaS Global has
launched the Whim mobile app.
Whim integrates public transport, rental cars, taxis, trains,
bikes and more to take people door to door as easily as
possible and it has proven immensely popular in Finland.
SPAIN
BY LULU CHANG
Uber was only recently readmitted
to Spain, and with
limited functionality, but now
that the company is trying to gain
more ground, taxi drivers aren’t happy.
Last month drivers in Madrid,
Barcelona, and Valencia participated
in demonstrations which were
motivated by Uber’s attempt to
change Spanish legislation that would
remove the limits on the number of
licences available for private hire
vehicles.
As it stands, Spain only allows one
such licence for every 30 taxis, but
Uber wants to up this number to
allow for more drivers. Needless to
say, cab drivers with the necessary
documentation are none too pleased
about this development.
TAXIGIRL
Women can make driving a taxi part of their career,
support their family and lifestyle.
Women are safer and more patient on the road.
Women understand women.
This is not a ride-sharing app. It is a taxi service abiding and complying with all the
Taxi Services Commission’s regulations.
TAXI SERVICE
fleet owned by women
operated by women
driven by women
for women
TAXIGIRL’s drivers are fully supported and provided with a uniform.
We aim to bring back friendly and exemplary customer service to the Victorian taxi industry.
ARE YOU FEMALE?
INTERESTED in
TAXI DRIVING?
Contact Helen
0419400410
email helen@taxigirl.com.au
DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017
45

Classifieds
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Embassy
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WE’re open
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547 Spencer Street
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VISIT US FOR THE BEST BURGERS IN TOWN
Advertisers’
Directory
Adams Maguire Sier Lawyers....13
Airport Taxi Car Wash..................37
Alpha Hearing................................41
CityLink & EastLink.......................23
Embassy Cafe...............................46
Mann Lawyers...............................17
Melway Publishing.......................39
Metropolitan Taxi Club......... 29, 37
Sensible Transport seminar.......48
TaxiGirl............................................45
TaxiLink.............................................9
Ticktoc........................................4, 37
The Owners Association.............47
Victorian Hire Car Assoc.............21
Vic. Taxi & Hire Car Families.......19
Victoria Taxi Club............................2
Yarra Finance................................25
46 DRIVE A2B magazine · July 2017

TAXI COVER
#1
SINCE 1978
Serving the taxi industry for 38 years
• Trustworthy
• Reliability
• Service
• Peace of Mind
CALL TO DISCUSS YOUR TAXI COVER NEEDS
THE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
1084 Centre Road, Oakleigh South
OFFICE
9563 7812
MEMBER LINE
9092 6082

What does the future of
transport look like?
SYDNEY
Peter Harris AO Chairman, Professor Bert van Wee
Productivity Commission Professor of Transport Policy
What does Delft University the of Technology,
The Netherlands
Professor John Quiggin
Australian Laureate
Fellow in Economics
Dr Tim Williams
University of Queensland CEO, Committee for Sydney
future of transport
look like?
Dr Jennifer Kent
Research Fellow University
of Sydney
Nicole Spencer
Commonwealth
Department of
Infrastructure and
Regional Development
Professor Michiel Bliemer
Professor of Transport Planning
and Modelling University of
Sydney Business School
A one day seminar on disruptive transport
technology, driverless cars and the future
of transport in Australian cities and towns.
Dr Elliot Fishman
Director, Institute for
Sensible Transport
Mechanisms for enhancing the
productivity of our cities through
transport innovation and policy
reform
Disruptive transport technology,
driverless cars and the implications
for government
Local government’s role and
the opportunity presented by
disruptive transport technology
and road user pricing
Congestion charging: practice and
impacts
The Hon John Brumby AO
Professorial Fellow,
University of Melbourne
and Monash University
Professor Ian Harper
Reserve Bank Board Member
and Senior Advisor to
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Professor Bert van Wee
Professor of Transport Policy
Delft University of Technology,
The Netherlands
Alyssa Serafim
Principal Infrastructure
Advisor
Infrastructure Victoria
SEMINAR TOPICS
MELBOURNE
Professor Michiel Bliemer
Professor of Transport
Planning and Modelling
University of Sydney
Marion Terrill
Transport Program Director
Grattan Institute
Professor Graham Currie
Professor of Public Transport,
Monash University
Dr Elizabeth Taylor
Research Fellow,
RMIT University
Dr Elliot Fishman
Director, Institute for
Sensible Transport
Electric vehicles: the consequences
on fuel excise revenue
Road user pricing in the digital age:
Using technology to provide the right
pricing signals to manage road use
The human response: How road
user pricing is likely to impact on
transport behaviour
The politics of road user pricing
Emerging transport challenges in a
growing Melbourne and Sydney
SYDNEY
Tuesday 8th August 2017
MELBOURNE
Thursday 10th August 2017
Register at www.sensibletransport.org.au Registrations close 1st August 2017