DRIVE A2B March 2019

Perhaps Queensland’s newest
Ombudsman will need to have two
offices, one in Brisbane and another
in Amsterdam?
Ombudsman to receive complaints,
attend meetings to mediate
said complaints and advise on
alternative dispute resolution.
Without any actual compelling
power to enforce decisions the new
office may not offer much benefit
to the industry.”
Mr Davies says when it comes
to the taxi industry, disputes
between drivers and operators
are usually referred to the Taxi
Council or the respective booking
company and are always quickly
resolved. Situations requiring an
Ombudsman’s input are likely to be
very few and far between.
“The taxi industry really doesn’t
need another independent third
party to help mediate resolution
of disputes. Of course, the case
of booked-hire drivers may be
completely different because, in the
case of Uber drivers for example,
they sign up to their disputes being
arbitrated in The Netherlands.
Perhaps Queensland’s newest
Ombudsman will need to have
two offices, one in Brisbane and
another in Amsterdam?” questions
Mr Davies.
The Bill also recognises the
Department of Transport and Main
Roads (TMR) needs more help in
enforcing the road rules and TCQ
supports amendments targeting
non-compliance by personalised
transport drivers.
“TCQ wants to see TMR do a better
job in reining in rogue behaviour
by booked-hire drivers. These
drivers know they are not permitted
to tout, accept street hails or
use taxi ranks. Strengthening
TMR’s powers to impose driver
sanctions in those circumstances
is a welcome development
notwithstanding it being odd that
the new Ombudsman is not being
given any role to assist in that
area.”
The Taxi Council believes
establishing and maintaining
the PT Ombudsman presents as
having a significant financial cost
and those funds could potentially
be better spent elsewhere.
“It’s worth looking at the more
pressing issues faced by the taxi
industry and consider where else
the funds could be better spent,
such as compensating taxi licence
holders badly affected by the
devaluation of their assets, helping
industry members struggling to pay
Government fees, or funding safety
equipment replacement such as
the in-vehicle security camera
systems,” said Mr Davies.
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DRIVE A2B magazine · March 2019
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