DRIVE A2B March 2019

Many taxi drivers are earning less than
the minimum wage and are forced to
register for Centrelink payments.
making the roads safer for everyone."
In a post to a Darwin taxi community
page, Mr Nouwens urged drivers to
get help if they needed it.
"There is no shame in taking steps to
ensure the welfare of you and your
family," he said.
"If you are suffering significant
stress please don't hesitate to reach
out to us for a chat over a coffee
and direction to the relevant health
services."
Blair Davies CEO Australian Taxi
Industry Association blames the
Northern Territory government for
much of the economic damage done
to the taxi industry and said it should
be stepping up to make taxis more
competitive.
"Our competitors can discount their
prices when it's convenient for them,
and they can ratchet them up to
astronomical levels. Taxis can't do
that," he said.
Mr Nouwens said taxis faced a $700
fine for turning off their meters, even
if they wanted to offer a discount to
passengers.
He also asked the Government to
consider dropping a levy on taxi
fares that was introduced when Uber
launched in Darwin.
"That has been noticed by our
customers because it has increased
our flag fall to $5.40 during the day
and $6.50 at night," he said.
But Attorney-General Natasha
Fyles would not say whether
the Government would consider
the changes, or other forms of
compensation for drivers.
"We need to make sure that we
support the industry through
regulations, but at the same time
acknowledge the changes, that
Territorians are using those types of
services."
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DRIVE A2B magazine · March 2019 37