DRIVE NOW August 2021

As I have discussed, there is a clear
quandary in this statement. What
if a passenger is unable to check
in? Does this betoken the driver
will lose their work in this already
struggling economy?
Also, the NSW government states
“If a passenger refuses to check in,
the driver may deny the passenger
entry to the vehicle.”
Tasmania
Tasmania has recently taken the
same outlook as NSW where it
highlights “everyone who gets
into your taxi, ride share, luxury
hire or restricted hire vehicle, with
or without a booking, is required
to scan the business’ QR Code on
entry”.
South Australia
South Australia has also jumped on
the QR Code bandwagon and states
“any person or entity responsible
for the operation of a point-to-point
service must ensure their vehicles are
equipped with their own COVID SAfe
Check In QR Code. And all drivers
must ask or encourage passengers to
check in via QR Code”.
Queensland
In contrast, the Queensland
government doesn’t specifically
reference taxis, ride share vehicles,
hire cars or anything of the sort in
their statements. However, as a
broad overlook it seems to convey
that it is mandatory for all business
types to have and enforce the usage
of QR Codes. There has been a
great call in recent weeks to make
QR Codes mandatory in vehicles
operating in the Personalised
Transport sector.
Western Australia
Comparably, Western Australia
does not mention any part of the
On Demand Transport industry with
reference to QR Codes.
This means it has not made it
mandatory for taxis and ride share
operators to have a QR Code
displayed in their vehicles. Instead
some businesses, i.e. Premier,
Legion, GM Cabs and regional
operators, have registered with
and printed Service NSW (that’s
right – NSW) app’s QR Code, thus
allowing taxi drivers and passengers
to register their details.
Northern Territory
In Northern Territory there is
currently no requirement for taxis or
ride share vehicles to have QR Codes
displayed or used for check-ins.
ACT
Recently, Canberra announced that
use of the CBR app is mandatory in
supermarkets, department stores,
petrol stations, take away services,
public transport and all ride-sharing
services including taxis and Uber.
Conclusion
QR Codes should always be available
to all users of taxis, ride share
and other mediums of transport!
However, their usage – whilst highly
recommended – shouldn’t be made
mandatory as it signifies possible
work loss for drivers.
by Isobel Sparrow
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
August 2021
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