DRIVE NOW July 2022
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JULY 2022 - EDITION 55
National
Magazine
Taxis, Hire Cars,
Wedding Cars,
Limousines
Owners, Drivers,
Partners, Operators
Suppliers, Networks,
Booking Service
Providers
drivenowmag drivenowmag
drivenowmagazine drivenowmagazine
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Mrs Toni Peters
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Amy Peters, Antonella Kearns and
Isobel Sparrow.
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2 July 2022
28
14
ESC’s draft
decision for
the maximum
fares
12
18
WHAT’S INSIDE
FEATURES
4 Unveiling Uber’s Ugliness.
ACT
8 ACT is racing ahead on clean transport.
VICTORIA
10 The Uber reckoning.
12 Victoria’s Regulator has a new name.
14
Victorian Metro Taxi Rank & Hail fare
review.
OVERSEAS
NSW 32 Uber’s secret lobbying in UK.
16 Taxi registration is now online.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
18
20 Increase in Rank & Hail fares.
21 Changes to the annual vehicle inspection.
22
33
Passenger Transport Act 1994 is under
review.
WEST AUSTRALIA
WAV modification grant expressions of
interest now open.
23 New cameras will catch you!
Taxi and PHV drivers should do advanced
driving test.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
3
UNVEILING
UBER’S
UGLINESS
by Isobel Sparrow
Mark MacGann has taken ownership of being the one to have leaked more than 124,000
company files to the news agencies that are now painting Uber in a negative light. His
initiative was to shed light on some of the fundamental wrongs his former employer
committed in order to achieve the stance they now have in the transport industry.
But who is Mark MacGann, and how was he involved in Uber? He is the ex-chief lobbyist
for the company’s Europe offices, where his job description entailed winning over
governments across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. But after quitting and reflecting
on his past work, he said enough was enough!
4 July 2022
He left the company after
claiming that Uber’s culture
left him feeling “powerless to
question or change its ways” and
that if he contested, it would
“put his family’s safety at risk”
(The Guardian). Ultimately,
leading to his decision to release
the company’s secret files.
The information he has given
showcased, in intricate detail,
how Uber defied laws, deceived
police, exploited violence against
drivers, and furtively lobbied
countries to intrusively build
itself. Uber has even admitted
that it did these illegal acts,
masking their intensity by calling
them ‘mistakes’, but still asks for
our forgiveness.
One of the company’s
ambassadors, Jill Hazelbaker,
called the public to judge what
Uber has achieved in the last five
years and what it can achieve in
the future - instead of focussing
on how the company broke the
law.
Here in Australia, the underhanded
way that Uber
represented itself and the lies
it told about the Australian taxi
industry, was not lesser than
what it did overseas. Actually it
was probably worse.
Further, more documents have
been released which show that
Uber sought to lobby Australian
governments, specifically the
industry regulator, in all States
and Territories, to legalise its
illegal operation in Victoria.
Guardian Australia reports that
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
the documents reveal claims
made within the company that
it had struck a secret deal with
Victoria’s taxi authority.
Emails show in early September
2014 that, Uber’s policy head for
the Asia Pacific, Jordan Condo,
met with the chair of Victoria’s
Taxi Services Commission,
Graeme Samuel – a former chair
of the Australian competition
regulator described by Uber staff
as “a staunch pro-competition
advocate”.
“An agreement was reached
[with the TSC] that will create a
process to accredit uberX drivers
in the coming months with a plan
to license ridesharing in early
2015,” Uber staff said in a weekly
email roundup of lobbying
activity around the globe.
However, Samuels told Guardian
Australia: “There was no secret
deal done with Uber or anyone
else associated with rideshare
services.”
Guardian Australia also reports
that Uber hired lobbyist John
Richardson, a former senior
Labor staffer, to petition the
New South Wales government on
its In addition, claims emerged
it was working with the NSW
Labor opposition to write a bill
to legalise Uber in that State.
According to a 10 July 2014
email that Richardson sent to
a colleague, the former adviser
to the Hawke, Keating and Carr
governments was to “provide
public affairs support to Uber for
the state of New South Wales
July 2022
and advice regarding the rest of
Australia”.
Uber knew and fully
understood that it was
launched illegally in
Australia, so it leaned on
governments to change
the law.
Yes, that’s right! Uber, for lack of
other words, wanted a free pass
when it came to the law!
And yes, Uber had and still has
the money, power and means
to wiggle its way into many
countries. But where were our
laws or preventative measures to
stop this?
Where were those in our
governments worldwide, in our
countries, who could have and
should have, done their jobs?
Hiding under their desks, burying
their heads in the sand, because
a big loud entity was making a
noise, disrupting the taxi and
hire car industry, and they didn’t
know what to do to curb them.
Lawyer Michael Donnelly, who
is leading the Maurice Blackburn
class action against Uber, told
Guardian Australia: “We allege
that the commencement of Uber
in Australia, operating illegally,
had a devastating effect on
the holders of taxi licences in
Victoria, Queensland, New South
Wales and Western Australia.”
“Taxi licence holders were often
from working-class backgrounds
and had invested enormous sums
of money to acquire taxi licences
in a full and regulated market.
5
The practices of Uber that we
allege were illegal and caused
the value of those licences to be
severely impacted.”
In a preliminary ruling in the
case, Associate Justice Patricia
Matthews found there were
reasonable grounds to suggest
that Uber was operating illegally
in Melbourne from 23 January
2014 and illegally in NSW,
Queensland and WA from 14 April
2014.
She said that “the attempts
made by the defendants [Uber]
to avoid enforcement were
an aspect of building scale,
garnering public support, and
growing the business (including
by attracting and retaining UberX
partners) until they had managed
to flip a city”.
“I accept the plaintiffs’
submission that ridesharing
offences were being committed
systemically and on a large
scale,” she said. “Even if at trial
it is found otherwise, there are
reasonable grounds for making
this finding as part of this
application.”
The ruling has allowed taxi
licence operators to use
documents that Uber claimed
didn’t have to be disclosed
because they contained legal
advice. But the judge found that
some of the documents could
be used in court because they
contained advice on how to
circumvent the law.
Guardian Australia reports that
“Uber’s ultimate success in
Australia had a devastating effect
on holders of taxi licences, and
“presents a serious case study
of regulatory failure”, according
to Michael Donnelly, a principal
lawyer at Maurice Blackburn.
“In the future, state government
regulators have to be far
more resistant to large private
companies entering the market
and seeking to bully them in the
way that Uber did.”
But how can we do this when
Uber has our leaders in their
pockets. World-renowned
leaders from places like France,
USA, Britain, and Australia have
all fallen to the money and power
Uber can, and has provided.
When will it stop?
In conclusion, the ubiquity of
Uber today was achieved on a
premise of unfairness and, let
us not forget, illegal actions.
But unfortunately, government
officials, industry regulators, and
other authoritative bodies let us
down when they masked Uber’s
behaviour. Still, maybe with
some urgency and fairy dust, we
can work together to help those
treated adversely.
This is not to say that all hope is
lost. It is not. We can still fight
back - and we must!
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6 July 2022
I know what it is like to have
your struggles, experiences
and opinions ignored. That
is why I came to Parliament
to fight for our community,
accountability, and fairness.
ROD BARTON MP
COMMUNITY DRIVEN, FAIRNESS FOCUSED
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
Phone: (03) 9850 8600
Email: rod.barton@parliament.vic.gov.au
www.rodbarton.com.au
July 2022
RodBartonMP
7
ACT News
Racing ahead
on clean
transport
FOSSIL FUEL PHASE-OUT
The ACT government’s new zeroemission
vehicles (ZEVs) strategy
is a green light to carmakers and
charging station companies to
invest and will deliver Canberrans
cleaner, cheaper roads, according
to the Electric Vehicle Council.
Behyad Jafari, chief executive of
the EVC, said the ACT was leading
the nation in a smooth, affordable
transition to zero emissions.
“The ACT Government is making
the tough reform decisions now
to ease an inevitable transition
that’s only a decade away,” said
Mr Jafari.
“The Territory has shone a green
light to car makers and charging
manufacturers to come and invest
now.”
The new plan to phase out light
internal combustion engines by
2035 is informed by an ambitious
target of 80-90% of new light
vehicle sales being ZEVs by 2030.
Andrew Stock, energy expert and
Climate Councillor, said, “Australia
has long been stuck in the slow
lane when it comes to electric
transport uptake, but the ACT’s
game-changing policy to phase out
new fossil fuel-powered cars is a
welcome step forward.”
“The ACT has set the bar for the
rest of the country in reducing
emissions from light passenger
vehicle fleets while also delivering
lower pollution levels and a
reduced reliance on expensive
petrol,” said Mr Stock.
“By setting long-term targets
in line with climate science,
Canberrans will benefit from
cheaper electric vehicles that cost
8 July 2022
a fraction to run,” Mr Jafari said.
“Nearly a majority (42%) of the
world’s car market have incoming
bans on light combustion engines,
while 16 car makers are phasing
out petrol and diesel cars. Five
years ago, both those numbers
were zero. Can you imagine what
the world will look like five years
from now?”
The strategy also includes financial
incentives to remove the major
barrier to people taking up electric
vehicles.
“We need the federal government
to adopt fuel efficiency standards
in line with those in Europe, the
USA, and NZ. As a country coming
from behind, we now need them
urgently,” Mr Jafari said.
“Taking action to price registration
by emissions sets a clear
expectation that lower and zero
emissions vehicles should be
better off compared to more
heavily polluting vehicles under
any future reform.
While fuel efficiency standards—
which limit the average amount
of CO2 that a manufacturer’s fleet
can emit—have been adopted
across about 80 per cent of the
global light car market, they are
absent in Australia.
“Australia’s poor track record
on fuel emissions and electric
transport have made us a dumping
ground for some of the world’s
highest emitting vehicles,” said Mr
Stock.
“All other Australian states and
territories should step up and
set similar targets to shift to
an electric transport system
that reduces emissions, and
can be powered by affordable,
homegrown renewable energy
rather than imported oil,” added
Mr Stock.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
9
VIC News
The Uber
RECKONING
In recent days we have had a number
of reports released by the Guardian
newspaper about a trove of 124,000
confidential documents leaked from Uber.
These consisted of emails, iMessages and
WhatsApp exchanges between the Silicon
Valley giant’s most senior executives, as
well as memos, presentations, notebooks,
briefing papers and invoices. The data reveals
how Uber knowingly flouted the law, duped
police, exploited violence against drivers
and secretly lobbied governments across the
world.
I could not say it better than in the words
of Dalia Gebrial, an English political
commentator and journalist, who writes -
“What the Uber files confirm is that Uber’s
rise is not some ‘free market’ success story.
It was a co-ordinated theft of our urban
economies, based on exploitation and
aggressive lobbying. Much of which was – in
the words of Uber execs – ‘f***ing illegal’.”
Rod Barton MLC
Leader, Transport Matters Party
The Uber files merely confirm what the
taxi and hire car industry suspected for a
very long time. In Australia, these claims
form the basis of an ongoing class action
lawsuit against the company represented by
Maurice Blackburn on behalf of licenced taxi
operators.
10 July 2022
VICTORIA news
That Uber was able to operate without
the required permits, and did so without
consequence while regulators were
asleep at the wheel caused the value of
those licences to be severely impacted.
It is clear Uber bulldozed its way
into cities around the world with
little regard for taxi regulations
while simultaneously lobbying
aggressively for those same laws
or regulations to be altered to
accommodate it.
For example, despite
Australian state laws
requiring taxis and hire
cars to obtain a licence
prior to operating, Uber
set up shop in Australia in
2012 without the required
permits.
Taxi licence holders were often
from working-class backgrounds
and had invested enormous sums
of money to acquire taxi licences in
a full and regulated market.
That Uber was able to operate
without the required permits and
did so without consequence while
regulators were asleep at the
wheel caused the value of those
licences to be severely impacted.
This led to devastating financial
consequences for the incumbent
industry, the legacy of which
continues today.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
If Uber and their business
approach is the poster boy
for the gig economy then
we are in serious trouble.
This situation presents a serious
case study of regulatory failure but
is not without remedy.
The whistleblower behind the leak,
Mark MacGann, Uber’s former
chief lobbyist in Europe, the
Middle East and Africa, says he has
decided to speak out.
Mr MacGann believes Uber’s senior
executives knowingly “sold people
a lie” about the economic benefits
to drivers of the company’s gig
economy model.
‘It is my duty to [now] speak
up and help governments and
parliamentarians right some
fundamental wrongs. Morally, I
had no choice in the matter.’
Hindsight is 20/20 vision.
The revelation in the Uber files
is a timely call for a serious and
considered evaluation of how the
local taxi and hire car industry was
allowed to unravel, the part Uber
July 2022
played in steering these outcomes
for their own benefit, and the way
regulators enabled this.
State governments and politicians
across the spectrum should
have been far more resistant to
bullying by a large private company
entering the market.
In many cases, the enthusiasm
of government to embrace the
vision they were sold has resulted
in the baby being thrown out with
the bath water at the expense of
law-abiding small business owners.
Decision makers were sold a lemon.
We cannot reverse the
past. But we can repair it.
As in the case of Mr MacGann, time
and reflection have brought this
matter to the fore.
Morally, there is no choice but
for Australian state governments
across the country to clear
their conscience and own their
contribution to the financial
destruction and decimation of
a once viable and prosperous
industry.
11
VICTORIA news
VICTORIA’S REGULATOR HAS A
New name with
Same faces
The Victorian Government has
merged two of its safety entities,
Commercial Passenger Vehicles
Victoria (CPVV) and Transport
Safety Victoria (TSV).
Effective 1 July 2022, this new entity
will be known as Safe Transport
Victoria (STV).
This is the fourth name for the
regulator in 10 years -
1. Victorian Taxi Directorate
(VTD) ->
2. Taxi Services Commission
(TSC) ->
3. Commercial Passenger
Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) ->
4. Safety Transport Victoria (STV).
Safe Transport Victoria has been
created to oversee the bus and
maritime industries, along with the
Multi Purpose Taxi Program.
It apparently will continue to
oversee commercial passenger
vehicle regulation, including driver
accreditation, vehicle registration,
medical assessments, and vehicle
inspections.
Tammy O’Connor has been named
CEO of Safe Transport Victoria
and will lead STV into a new era of
delivering support and direction to
operators, managers and users of
these critical services via one point
of contact.
Even though CPVV hasn’t been
able to fulfil this role competently
over the past years, the Victorian
Government still decided to bring
the CPVV’s current senior leadership
over to the new regulator and
additionally give them responsibility
for the bus and waterway systems.
Many of us hoped that this merger
would mean appointing a new team
of leaders passionate about fixing
the industry. But, alas, this is not
the case.
“The regulator was unable to
perform their duties correctly when
they only looked after commercial
passenger vehicles - how are they
going to be able to look after
additional areas added to their
portfolio?” said Rod Barton MP,
Leader of Transport Matters Party.
What will change? How will this
new entity make any difference
to how regulations are enforced
within the taxi, hire car and rideshare
industry?
“Notably absent from the
announcement was a vision for the
12 July 2022
VICTORIA news
future, strategic plan, or industry
priorities. I believe that the merger
appears to be nothing more than a
change of name, falling short of the
serious reform that is needed,” said
Mr Barton.
“The regulator has long had a
fractured relationship with the
industry. This is after years of
policy that simultaneously fails to
regulate commercial operators
and drivers, while also crippling
them with unjustified and
unnecessary bureaucracy.”
“We will not be taken for idiots.
There needs to be some serious
reform before the regulator can
mend its relationship with the
industry,” added Mr Barton.
Over the years, there have been,
and still continue to be, numerous
issues that the CPVV could not
handle.
Firstly there is the lack of data
management. CPVV cannot
accurately determine who is active
in the industry - not the number of
drivers, operators or even vehicles.
Then there is the poor
management of the Multi Purpose
Taxi Program (MPTP), which
means there is a high probability
that regional areas will not have
any WATs for their disabled
population.
The recent report from the
Inquiry into the MPTP, even found
that the CPVV, ‘demonstrate a
disdain for accountability which,
it would seem, takes priority over
its obligations to the safety of
vulnerable Victorians.’
Right now, the CPVV are in
VCAT fighting against a Privacy
Commissioner ruling to release
documents as part of an FOI
request, and CPVV continues to
stonewall this. Really! What are
they hiding?
The lack of regulatory
enforcement of rideshare safety
requirements has led to multiple
cases of sexual assaults. This, in
turn, fuels public opinion that
rideshare vehicles/drivers are not
as safe as they purport to be.
The Regulator’s lack of control and
enforcement on illegal commercial
passenger vehicles, primarily
wedding car operators and
limousine operators, is a complete
farce.
So, where does our industry stand?
Are we eventually going to
have a level playing field
and less bureaucracy in
the Victorian taxi, hire car,
and ride-share industry?
Will there be better control and
fairness to all by the regulator?
Will there be better safety
measures implemented for all
facets of the industry?
There is an economic crisis in the
industry. There are 120,000 drivers
on Victorian roads fighting for a
smaller piece of the pie every day.
It is critical for the regulators to
understand that their decisions
affect not only drivers but also their
families.
by Susan White
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www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
13
VICTORIA news
VICTORIAN METRO TAXI
RANK & HAIL
Fare Review
The Essential Services
Commission (ESC) are reviewing
maximum fares for unbooked
taxi services that begin in
the metropolitan and urban
zones, which cover most of
metropolitan Melbourne,
Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo,
Frankston, Dandenong, and the
Mornington Peninsula.
The ESC released their draft
decision on maximum fares for
unbooked taxis on 1 July 2022.
Their draft decision is to
increase the maximum
fares for unbooked taxi
trips that begin in the
Melbourne metropolitan
or urban and large
regional zones by 10.4 per
cent.
The proposed increase will apply
equally to the tariff components
(flagfall, distance rate and time
rate) for each tariff period.
This is the first fare increase
proposed since 2014 and reflects
recent increases in the costs
of providing unbooked taxi
services.
The new taxi cost index suggests
that the costs of operating
unbooked taxi services have
increased by 10.4 per cent since
the last fare review in 2020. The
main contributors to the 10.4 per
cent increase are:
• fuel costs at 6 per cent -
accounts for the change in
fuel costs
• driver labour at 4.3 per cent:
accounts for the use of the
Fair Work Commission's
annual wage review as a
cost inflator for driver labour
instead of the wage price
index (transport, postal and
warehousing).
The draft decision takes
into account the Victorian
government's recent
amendments to the Commercial
Passenger Vehicle Industry
Act 2017, which gave the
ESC discretion to consider
the Fair Work Commission's
annual wage review and the
commercial viability of operating
a taxi service when setting the
maximum fares.
The ESC proposes to include a
fare adjustment mechanism in
their price determination which,
if needed, would allow maximum
fares to automatically increase or
decrease between fare reviews
without requiring a price review.
The fare adjustment mechanism
will only account for any changes
in fuel prices and next year's
wage review by the Fair Work
Commission.
Taxi driver earnings depend on a
combination of:
• the demand for and supply
of commercial passenger
vehicle services
• the demand for and supply
of taxi drivers
• fares charged
• how revenue is shared
between taxi drivers and
operators, which is currently
at a minimum 55:45 ratio.
14 July 2022
HAVE YOUR
Comment on the ESC’s draft
decision for the maximum fares
for unbooked taxi services.
Submissions should be made via
Engage Victoria by 5pm, Monday
1 August 2022.
Visit https://bit.ly/3PDduPJ for
more details.
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July 2022
15
NEW SOUTH WALES news
NSW News
Taxi
Registration
NOW ON LINE
For the first time, almost 5,000
taxi operators across NSW will
be able to renew their vehicle
registration online via the Service
NSW website, saving them
from having to visit a Service
NSW Centre to complete the
transaction.
Minister for Customer Service
and Digital Government Victor
Dominello said the digitisation
of the taxi registration process
was the result of strong advocacy
of the NSW Taxi Council and
collaboration with Transport for
NSW and Service NSW.
“This is a small but significant win
for taxi operators, and I want to
thank the NSW Taxi Council for
their advocacy for this change
over several years,” Mr Dominello
said.
“Previously, to renew a taxi
registration, operators were
required to visit a Service NSW
Centre during business hours
or call the Contact Centre to
complete the transaction,” Mr
Dominello said.
“We have listened to industry
feedback, and as a result of this
change, taxi owners and operators
will now be able to renew their
registration in a way that is most
convenient to them.”
“The online form has been
extensively user tested and only
takes a few minutes to complete.”
Taxi operators are required to
complete their Compulsory Third
Party Insurance and eSafety
inspection report before renewing
their taxi registration online.
Customers can still attend a
Service Centre or call 13 77 88 to
renew their taxi registration if they
prefer.
16 July 2022
Help yourself stay well this Winter. To protect yourself,
you need a flu shot every year.
You may have heard that you’ll get sick from the flu shot. Or you may think the flu is
just a worse version of the common cold. But in reality, the flu can be quite serious. By
getting vaccinated, you’re making a choice to protect yourself and others from a bad case
of the flu. And the vaccine’s safety has been tested for more than 50 years.
THE FLU SHOT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
Flu can be deadly.
It’s true that the flu vaccine does not always
protect you from every strain of flu during
flu season, but it does protect you from the
most common. And because of that, getting
vaccinated every year significantly reduces your
risk of getting the flu.
FLU VACCINE HELPS TO:
• Reduce your chance of having to go to the
doctor or the emergency room with flurelated
illness
• Lessen the severity of your symptoms if
you do get the flu
• Keep you from spreading the flu to those
around you, like your family and friends
YOU CANNOT CATCH THE FLU
FROM THE FLU VACCINE
The flu shot is made from one flu virus protein
or an inactivated virus, and this vaccine cannot
cause you to get the flu.
When you get a flu vaccine, your body builds
up antibodies to fight against infection with the
virus.
Some people may experience side effects from
the flu vaccine. This includes soreness, redness
or swelling at the injection site, headache,
fever, nausea or tiredness. This is true of many
medications. Side effects from the flu vaccine
generally go away on their own within a day or
two.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
THE FLU IS NOT JUST
A ‘BAD COLD’
Because the common cold and flu share similar
symptoms, many people think flu, is a more
severe form of cold. Cold and flu are both
respiratory illnesses, but they’re caused by
different viruses.
You’re more likely to experience a runny nose
and cough when you get a cold. Cold rarely
leads to complications, and symptoms usually
resolve within 1–2 weeks.
With flu, your symptoms can be more severe
and may include fever, chills, sore throat, cough,
body aches, headache, and fatigue. If not
treated, flu can lead to serious complications,
such as pneumonia, or even death.
July 2022
17
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SA News
REVIEW
PASSENGER
TRANSPORT ACT 1994
The South Australian Government
is reviewing the point to point
transport industry regulation under
the Passenger Transport Act 1994.
Point to point transport is any
service in a vehicle with 12 seats
or less (including the driver) that
can take customers on the route
they choose, at the time that suits
them, for a fare. This includes
taxis, chauffeurs and ridesourcing
(rideshare).
The review will focus on improving
the regulatory standards of all
taxi and ridesource (rideshare)
operators to help ensure South
Australians can expect a safe,
clean and reliable ride, regardless
of what transport provider they
choose.
To help inform the review, the
Department for Infrastructure
and Transport is seeking feedback
about how point to point
passenger transport should be
regulated.
Your feedback will help shape the future of point to
point transport in South Australia.
They are wanting feedback from all facets of P2P
transport, including:
• Customer experiences travelling around
the community using taxi, chauffeur and/or
ridesourcing (rideshare) services.
• Driver, licence owner and operator experiences in
providing point to point transport services.
Fill out the Passenger Transport Act Review Survey to
help the government better understand your views
about point to point transport - https://yoursay.sa.gov.
au/passenger-transport-act-review.
The closing date for submissions is 1 August, 2022.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to
complete.
18 July 2022
Get a better deal
behind the wheel.
Drive with 13cabs and get
paid what you’re worth.
Get the support of a great network
Build your own business
Get to work your own hours
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
13cabs.com.au
July 2022
1800 546 687
19
WA News
INCREASE IN
Rank & Hail Fares
Maximum metered rank and
hail (taxi) fares will increase by
approximately 2% from Monday, 1
August 2022.
The increase aims to assist
On-Demand Booking Services
(OBDS) and drivers who provide
rank or hail services, to manage
increasing operating cost
pressures.
ODBSs are reminded that:
• they cannot increase their
metered rank or hail fares
before Monday, 1 August
2022; and
• the regulated fares are
maximums – ODBSs can
choose to apply all, some, or
none of the increase to their
fares.
This fare increase is an interim
measure while Department of
Transport (DoT) is progressing
its review of the regulation of
maximum taxi fares.
The initial consultation stage
conducted by KPMG has now
concluded and DoT is currently
considering the findings.
20 July 2022
WESTERN AUSTRALIA news
CHANGES TO THE
Annual vehicle
inspection
To assist operators in complying
with the annual vehicle inspection
requirement, the Department
of Transport (DoT) has made
improvements to the vehicle licence
renewal process.
A maximum licence expiry period
of 12 months applies to any vehicle
which is subject to an annual
inspection requirement, which
includes Passenger Transport
Vehicles.
This means that, regardless of which
renewal period/s you choose (3, 6
or 12 months), you will be unable to
renew your licence for a combined
licence period that is greater than
12 months without first passing an
annual inspection.
Holders of vehicle licences for
vehicles which are subject to annual
inspection requirements should
note the following:
• You will be unable to renew
your licence for any period that
would result in your annual
inspection being overdue.
• You will receive an annual
inspection reminder letter 42
days before your maximum
licence expiry date.
• Once you have completed a
successful annual inspection,
you will be sent a renewal
notice automatically.
• If your vehicle does not pass a
required inspection before the
expiry of the maximum licence
period (12 months) your vehicle
licence will expire, the vehicle
cannot be driven, can be
impounded, and your insurance
may be invalid.
PLEASE WEAR YOUR
MASK
Help stop the spread of viruses -
like the FLU, common COLD and
COVID-19.
Thank you!
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
21
WESTERN AUSTRALIA news
WAV MODIFICATION GRANT
Expressions of Interest
Expressions of interest are
now open for the Wheelchair
Accessible Vehicle Modification
Grant
To help increase accessible
transport options for people
with disability, each year,
Department of Transport (DoT)
provides grants of up to $20,000
to assist eligible operators with
the cost of purchasing and
installing a wheelchair hoist and
restraint systems in a wheelchair
accessible on-demand rank or
hail (taxi) vehicle.
Expressions of interest (EOIs)
are now being accepted from
authorised on-demand rank or
hail (taxi) passenger transport
drivers seeking a Rank or Hail
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
Modification Grant.
Expressions of interest close
5.00pm, Friday 2 September
2022.
There are a limited number of
grants – submitting an EOI does
not mean you will be successful
in receiving a grant.
Please note: If you’re operating
primarily in the Perth and Peel
areas, you will need a current
association arrangement with
DoT’s dedicated Multi-purpose
Taxi Dispatch Service (currently
Black & White Cabs, trading as
BWC MPT).
22 July 2022
WESTERN AUSTRALIA news
IF YOU SPEED, USE THE PHONE
OR DON’T WEAR A SEATBELT
New cameras will
catch you
Perth drivers who use their mobile phones and travel
without wearing seatbelts will be caught on camera in
a trial of new Australian-first technology.
For the next three months, six mobile point-to-point
road safety cameras will be placed in pairs around
Perth's metropolitan area and up to 200km out on
regional roads, detecting average and top speeds of
road users.
Road Safety Minister Paul Papalia said no fines would
be issued under the trial, but those caught acting
egregiously will have their details forwarded to police
for investigation.
“Say someone speeding well in excess of the speed
limit and doing something really dangerous. That
information obviously can be used by police to
investigate,” he said.
Last year, 14 of more than 160 fatalities on the roads
had not been wearing a seatbelt.
Papalia said the trial would help inform where large
numbers of certain types of offences were occurring
and where to deploy more law enforcement.
Western Australians are fined $500 for touching or
using a phone plus three demerit points, but using it
as a streaming service while driving gets a $1,000 fine
and four demerit points.
Not wearing a seatbelt starts at $550.
There is no limit on the number of cars the cameras
can photograph at a time, with each car detected.
Images that do not detect offending behaviour will be
discarded.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
23
QLD News
MAXIMUM
FARE
5.5% INCREASE
An increase to maximum taxi
fares of 5.5% took effect on 1 July
2022, following a review by the
Department of Transport and
Main Roads of maximum taxi
fares.
Maximum fares apply to all rank
and hail taxi services. In addition,
booked hire services are subject
to maximum fares only if the
service is for a member of
the Taxi Subsidy Scheme or
is provided in a Wheelchair
Accessible Taxi to a person using
a wheelchair.
Maximum fares do not apply for
all other personalised transport
services that are booked. Booked
hire services include booked taxi
services, limousine and ridebooking
services.
A fare estimate (in Australian
dollars) must be provided before
the journey commences, or the
fare is agreed to upfront.
All taximeters must comply with
the maximum fares notice and
must be configured in such a way
as to only reflect the approved
fare components.
New taxi fare stickers are being
distributed to taxi operators
throughout the state via TMR’s
Passenger Transport Offices and
must be displayed in all taxis by
29 July 2022.
24 July 2022
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www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
25
Live Payments
partner with
Visa to
launch
Tap to
Phone
product for SMEs
Live Payments, one of Australia’s leading payment providers with over 11,000
merchants, have announced a new partnership with Visa to help Australian small
and micro businesses, and taxi operators, accept digital payments securely and
conveniently using Visa technology.
Brian McGrory from Visa and Reuven Barukh from Live Payments
26 July 2022
In a game-changer for small
businesses and a first for taxi
operators in Australia, Live
Payments will employ Visa’s Tap to
Phone technology to transform a
merchant’s smartphone[1] into a
point-of-sale device. Participating
merchants will be able to
accept fast, secure payments
from any contactless-enabled
Visa card, device or wearable,
which a customer simply taps
to pay against the merchant’s
smartphone or tablet.
With no additional hardware or
device required, Tap to Phone is an
especially exciting option for small
and micro businesses that may not
have the resources for full point of
sale infrastructure.
Brian McGrory, Visa’s head of
merchant sales and acquiring
for Australia, New Zealand and
South Pacific said, “This is opening
another door to the digital
economy for small businesses. By
making it easier to accept digital
payments anywhere, anytime, Tap
to Phone is creating new ways
for small and micro businesses
to reach customers, prevent lost
sales, and support cash flow.”
Research shows consumer
appetite for the technology too.
Despite Tap to Phone being new
to the Australian market, a YouGov
study of over 1,000 consumers[2]
shows nearly half (45 per cent)
would already be likely to use the
payment option if available, citing
ease of use (50 per cent), time
savings (44 per cent), security (43
per cent) and eliminating the need
to carry cash (42 per cent) as the
most popular reasons.
In a further sign there is appetite
for Tap to Phone, two in three (66
per cent) Australians reported
being inconvenienced having
to find an ATM to withdraw
cash to pay businesses such as
tradespeople or cleaners who
can’t accept card payments on the
spot.
McGrory added, “Given the rapid
adoption of digital payments and
the major role smartphones play
in our day-to-day lives, we expect
Tap to Phone will become an
increasingly popular way to pay
among Australian consumers.”
Reuven Barukh, CEO at Live
Payments added: “This is an
exciting partnership for Live
Payments. Our integration of
Visa’s Tap to Phone solution is a
first for taxi operators and will
revolutionise the way customers
and small businesses make and
receive payments.
Merchants across the board have
had to rapidly change how they
do business, and this new solution
will facilitate the type of seamless,
flexible and “no fuss” payment
processing that people are now
looking for.”
Live Payments has also integrated
their Tap to Phone solution
with Cybersource, Visa’s global
payment and fraud management
platform that provides businesses
with a one-stop solution for
managing payments.
Martin Meters - Oz Cab Store
Phone: 03 9335 1551 sales@martinmeters.com.au www.ozcabstore.com.au
• 1TB Memory
• 1080P External Color Camera
• 720P Internal Color Camera
(1080P Option)
• Led Camera Status
• Active GPS
• Audio, 4G & WiFi option
(Where permitted by state)
THSVIC1 HD TAXI CAMERA SYSTEM
VIC & NSW APPROVED OTHERS PENDING
Priced from:
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Standard Vic Spec.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
27
There’s yet
ANOTHER
Ride-Share App!
PASSENGERS
PITCH the FARE and
SELECT the DRIVER
There’s a new ride-sharing app
in Melbourne, because we need
more Uber-adjacent services. But
this one is a little different, as it
lets you [the passenger] pick your
driver and suggest a fare.
It’s called inDriver.
inDriver announced its Aussie
launch earlier this year with the
tagline of being a “revolutionary
ride-hailing service”.
“Revolutionary” because it
“promotes justice in the market”.
inDriver said it enables passengers
and drivers to set their own prices
by negotiating directly.
How this works is the passenger
makes a request for a ride (by
selecting pick-up and drop-off
locations), and then they suggest a
price they want to pay for the trip.
They can also add additional info,
such as a request for a child’s car
seat or another stop.
Drivers nearby can either accept
the offered fare or make a
counteroffer.
The passenger is then presented
with offers from multiple drivers
and they choose the one they
28 July 2022
want. In addition to the pitched
fare, picking your driver can be
based on their rating (you can see
this ahead of time), the type of car
they drive (it’s gonna be a Toyota
Camry, it always is) and how quick
they say they can arrive.
Like with other ride-share services
[and taxi services], passengers can
contact the driver before arrival
and see the car’s approximate
arrival time and real-time
geolocation point on the map.
However, something we can get
behind is that inDriver does not
increase prices based on high
demand or weather. Many of us
know this as ‘surge pricing’. And
to get drivers to sign up, inDriver is
waiving commission requirements
for the first six months. inDriver
isn’t saying how much their cut
is but said it “assures drivers” its
“commission will be the lowest on
the market”.
inDriver currently operates in
Brisbane and Melbourne.
by Asha Barbaschow | Gizmodo
ONLINE
Safe Driver Training
RACV has launched its new online
Safe Driver Training program,
ensuring participants have access
to RACV’s high-quality driver
training program created by
RACV’s own fleet and road safety
experts.
Whether new on the road or
experienced, the ‘Safety Mindset’
approach helps drivers prepare,
plan ahead, and most importantly,
have good awareness to help
avoid incidents.
RACV Executive General Manager
Motoring and Mobility, Phil
Turnbull said RACV’s new program
was an evolution of RACV’s
existing classroom-based driver
safety sessions and in-vehicle
driver assessments and can help
make our roads and workplaces
safer.
“The online training covers every
aspect of driver training and
provides practical advice about
the vehicle, the road and driver
behaviours to keep drivers and
everyone else on the road safe,”
Mr Turnbull said.
“It assists participants evaluating
their unique situation and make
decisions about how to apply
their learnings to their work
environment and become a leader
for others in their workplace.”
RACV’s training aligns with the
Victorian Government’s Road
Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030, which
focuses on increasing safety for
those using the road to get to
work or from work.
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
29
Driver JOBS
QUEENSLAND
COOLANGATTA/TWEED HEADS
Is it time to enjoy the great outdoors, beautiful weather
and laid-back lifestyle? Then the magnificent border
area of Tweed Heads / Coolangatta is the place for you.
Earn a few dollars while you are here by driving one
of our modern taxis. Plenty of shifts available. Phone
0439 769 259 now!
TOWNSVILLE 13CABS
Single car Owner /Operator looking for a motivated
driver who is flexible on shifts available and wants to
get on with the business of making money. New to
town or looking to become a Taxi Driver, no problem, as
in-depth training can be provided to help reach your full
earning potential. Contact Darren 0407 597 908 to learn
more about what’s on offer.
BRISBANE CROWN CABS
All shifts available – 7 days per week. Please phone Tuna
Guclu on 0419 484 666.
BLACK & WHITE
All shifts available. Home changeover available all over
Brisbane. Set Pay or 50/50 Commission. Limited Set pay
cars available. Albion Cab Centre. Call Ronnie today on
0411 864 392.
\
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PERTH BLACK & WHITE CABS
Day shifts (5-7 days). Call Georgina on (08) 9230 0400.
CROWN CABS
Drivers wanted full-time or part-time in Morley and Perth.
Contact Tuna Guclu on 0419 484 666.
TAKE THE DRIVER’S SEAT IN BROOME’S
BEST TAXI FLEET
Airfares included to Broome and accommodation
provided. Drive for an established Taxi business and enjoy
the fantastic lifestyle of Broome. APPLY NOW to drive with
us in Broome. Email: Res@broometaxis.com.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
BYRON BAY
Taxi Driver Positions Available. Day and night shifts
available every day of the week. Send us your email
address and we will forward an information pack. Email
- operations@byronbaytaxis.com
SOUTH TAMWORTH
Existing positions available for Taxi drivers. Day and
night shift available. Phone 0456 441 538.
SALAMANDER BAY
Nelson Bay Taxis are looking for additional driver to
assist in the transport of passengers on the Tomaree
Peninsula and beyond.
New drivers will need to have held a full NSW Driver
Licence for a minimum of two years, have a clear
Criminal History and hold or are willing to obtain an
ABN that is registered for GST. A WWCC would also be
beneficial.
Please contact Nelson Bay Taxis on (02) 4984 7766
during office hours to register your interest.
WILEY PARK
Taxi Driver Wanted for 13cabs Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Taxi has Full Comprehensive Insurance, leather seats,
rubber mats and weather shield. Very well maintained
taxis.
Change over in Punchbowl, Lakemba or Belmore. Day/
Night/Weekend or Weekly. Full Time, Part Time or Casual.
Immediate Start.
On-going opportunity. Reasonable pay in. (You must have
13cabs Authority card. If you don’t have one, call 13CABS to
get one, please). Phone or SMS 0418 612 692.
NELSON BAY
Nelson Bay Taxis are looking to hire additional drivers
in preparation for COVID restrictions easing. Drivers are
required to assist in the transport of passengers around
the Tomaree Peninsula to medical appointments, shopping
trips and social engagements.
You must have held a full NSW driver’s licence for at least
12 months and willing to get an ABN and be registered for
GST. Forward your resume to combinedlimos@gmail.com
or phone (02) 4984 6699.
30 July 2022
VICTORIA
SHEPPARTON
Lots of opportunities than Melbourne to operate
an INDEPENDENT taxi in Shepparton. No expensive
local network fees. Ralph 0473 189 190.
& DRIVERS
OWNERS, OPERATORS
ADVERTISE
HERE FREE
Send details (word limit=50) of your
DRIVER or JOB advertisement to
contact@drivenow-magazine.com.au
or sms 0400 137 866 and we will print
your advert here for 3 months.
SHEPPARTON
Shepparton Taxis Pty Ltd now has opportunities to
join our fleet as a taxi operator. A limited amount
of leases are available. If you are interested in
operating your own taxi, please contact (03) 5331
4367 or email stephen@shepptaxis.com.au.
ELSTERNWICK
Day shift or night shift MAXI taxi driver with
13cabs. Reliable and well maintained maxi taxi
with single private operator. Permanent bookings
available. Changeover in flexible locations. New
drivers welcome. Please call 0411 223 454
EAST DONCASTER
Driver wanted full time for Silver Top car. Please call
Harvey 0404 847 699.
EAST DONCASTER
Must be 25+ years old. At least 3 years experience.
East Doncaster changeover. Call or SMS Tony on
0413 393 594 or email tonysursock@gmail.com.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
TRANMERE
Friday or Saturday Night Driver wanted. Immediate start. Call
0416 821 840.
DRIVER CAREERS
If you’re thinking of a career as a taxi driver, come and join
Adelaide’s largest taxi company. Great income potential
with all shifts available in all metro areas. Call ADELAIDE
INDEPENDENT TAXIS on (08) 8202 1200 to book your free
information session.
CANBERRA
OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS - TAXI OPERATOR
Are you a taxi driver looking to become your own boss? If you are,
talk to us about leasing a taxi plate and working with Canberra’s
biggest taxi fleet. We will help you through the process of
becoming an accredited taxi operator and starting your own
business. Contact fleet@aerialcg.com or call (02) 6126 1500.
FOR SALE
MACLEAY ISLAND TAXI SERVICE
Proven sound and enduring business operating for more than 30 years.
Independent of major taxi companies,
setting its own operation hours and
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Bookings by mobile phone and fare
payments made by cash or EFTPOS.
Home-based business including:-
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FOR MORE DETAILS
Ring 0468 428 873 or
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www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
MACLEAY ISLAND
31
overseas news
Uber’s ‘secret’ lobbying
meetings with ministers
after branding Boris Johnson ‘a problem’ to its
London expansion
should spark public inquiry
by Josiah Mortimer | MyLondon
Uber’s executives should be hauled
before a public inquiry, the head
of London’s black cabbies has
told MyLondon, following fresh
revelations into the scale of the
firm’s efforts to fight tougher
regulations. It comes after the leak
of 124,000 files on the US giant,
including 83,000 internal emails
between 2013 and 2017 - which
show a concerted campaign to
urge Boris Johnson not to toughen
up regulations on the private hire
company while he was London
mayor.
On July 11, 2022 the Guardian
revealed a “remorseless” lobbying
campaign to stop Johnson bringing
in tougher regulation of Uber,
targeting then-chancellor George
Osborne as well as ex-PM David
Cameron who were close to the
London mayor.
The firm’s leaked strategy
in 2014 stated: “The need is
for a more positive image
of Uber to be conveyed
to Boris, by people that
he trusts and respects,”
with targets including Tory
assembly members, No 10
aides and the regulator,
Transport for London (TfL) -
chaired by Johnson.
The firm hired high-profile lobbyists
as TfL launched a review of rules
regulating private hire companies
like Uber.
Mr Johnson was viewed as being
on the side of the black cabs, but
after a campaign by the company’s
“friends in government”, the
paper reported, Mr Johnson
was “deluged” by complaints
from Conservative allies about
his proposals. The Conservative
mayor’s efforts to regulate Uber
32 July 2022
largely failed. While it is not clear if this was a direct
result of Uber lobbying, the firm celebrated victory
in 2016 when several proposals to regulate the firm
were dropped in TfL’s review.
But Steve McNamara, General Secretary at the
Licensed Taxi Drivers Association - which represents
London black cabbies - said to MyLondon he believed
the watered-down review was a result of Uber’s
lobbying. He claimed: “Within minutes of launching
a review [into Uber and other private hire firms]
at TfL, Johnson’s deputy mayor for transport was
getting phone calls from Cameron’s secretary,
basically saying ‘what the hell is going on?’”
“Thousands of rides were taking place in London
in vehicles that weren’t insured. Why has there
never been an inquiry into what went on? This is
the biggest scandal of the 21st century. Forget
partygate. This company was walking in and out of
No 10. That work paid off with Johnson,” the taxi
drivers’ leader said.
The leaked Uber files reveal that Uber
representatives met with at least six Conservative
ministers, including then-chancellor George
Osborne, which were not declared by the ministers,
between 2014 and 2016. Uber denies allegations the
meetings were secret. The firm has also claimed that
some of the lobbying tactics revealed in the leaked
messages no longer reflect the company.
However, Mr McNamara said: “They’ve got a
massive lobbying campaign - they’re still doing it. Go
to any party conference, and events are sponsored
by them. But ‘this time they’re [lobbying] better or
nicer’ they say…”
“Leopards don’t change their spots - these
lot are very rich leopards who came in and
out of No 10 at will.”
Last year Uber lost a major Supreme Court case that
meant their drivers now have to be classed as formal
‘workers’. It entitles them to pay and minimum
hourly rates from the moment they log on - but
unions and cab firms have accused Uber of ignoring
the ruling.
Taxi and PHV drivers
should undergo
Advanced
Driving Test
by Perry Richardson | taxi-point.co.uk
UK - ALL taxi and private hire drivers (PHV) drivers
should have to undergo an Advanced Driving Test
(ADT) before being licensed says taxi representative
after new best practice guidance responses are
submitted.
The Government recently closed a 12-week consultation
to update vital Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV)
guidance supplied to local authorities to better cope
with new digital ways of working following the boom in
ride-hailing services.
The London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) responded,
making several points around private hire vehicle (PHV)
recognition, tinted windows and passenger safety. One
of the recommendations included bringing back the
ADT to improve the standard of driving in London and
help the Mayor of London’s ‘Vision Zero’ ambitions.
Vision Zero aims to eradicate deaths and serious
injuries from London’s roads and make London a safer,
healthier and greener place.
Grant Davis, LCDC, said: “If TfL and the Mayor are really
serious about their “Net Zero” project in London then
TfL MUST bring in all these additional changes to their
licensing process.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, confirmed that the
ADT will be looked at only once the updated guidance
is published. Khan said: “The Department for Transport
is carrying out a consultation on updates to its taxi and
private hire best practice guidance. Once the updated
guidance has been published, Transport for London
(TfL) will give consideration to all the points within it,
including any guidance on advanced driving tests.”
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
33
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FOR SALE: Taxi Business - QLD
Macleay Island Taxi Service. Proven business operating 30+
years. Independent of major taxi companies, setting its own
hours and fares. Bookings by mobile phone and fare payments
are cash or EFTPOS. Home-based business incl:- 3 Hi Ace WAV
Taxis including 1 x NEW auto Hi Ace with only 40,000kms and
all related equipment and spare parts. For more information call
0468428873 or email daza9900@gmail.com.
Discount Taxi Equipment
Specialists
Everything you need for an Independent Taxi
• Rent or Buy - installments available for Approved
Customers
• Low Cost Taxi Cameras
• G5 Taximeters - protect your privacy and keep control of
your business
• Automated CPVV Booked Trip Reports
• Duress Alarm and Tracking
• EFTPOS and MPTP installations
• Roof Lights and Spot Lights
• Roof Racks
• 2 year warranty on all installations
• Decals and Tactile door numbers
• Professional Back-up Service
• More than 40 years experience fitting Taxis
Schmidt Electronic Laboratories Pty Ltd
907 Princes Highway, Springvale, Vic.
Ph: (03) 9546 6990 — Email: info@schmidt.com.au
Website: www.schmidt.com.au
Transport Security Cameras
Approved industry cameras
* Latest Technology MDVR, internal & external
* 1 Tb heavy duty Hard Drive
* Audio & video capable
* Warranty 100% on all parts & equipment
* Lowest installation fees
* Over 28 years experience in the Transport Industry
We will BEAT any Price
Book your next appointment on our website at
www.transportsecuritycameras.com.au or
phone/SMS: 0419484666.
FOR SALE: Taxi Business - VIC
Want a change of scenery? Want to work in a country town with
a wonderful community? Cohuna and Koondrook Taxi Service is
up For Sale. We have 2 taxi vehicles - 1 x FG XR6 (100,000 kms)
and 1 x FG XR6 (200,000 kms). We do everything including DVA
work and blood transfers from Cohuna Hospital to Swan Hill,
Echuca and Rochester. Interested? Call Chris or Sue on 0427
562 974 to find out more details.
FOR SALE: Taxi Business - VIC
Surfcoast Taxis. Working along our beautiful coast lines, Great
Ocean Road through to Colac, Bannockburn and Geelong. Great
growth areas with room to expand. We have 5 x10 seater Maxi
vans all with 2 wheelchairs access and 10 late model Hybrid
Camrys. Permanent work for all cars. Call Stan - 0429 672 888.
FOR SALE: Taxi Business - WA
Situated on the south coast of WA servicing two towns. Very
profitable business consists of 2 x 7-seat people movers and 3
sedans. Also associated are two further vehicles, an eight seat
people mover and a small SUV. In the process of converting to
computer dispatch and reporting. Contact Ian 0423 279 809.
CPV Centre www.cpvcentre.com.au
ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR CPV REQUIREMENTS
• Latest Taxi Camera Technology - 1080 1TB HD
• RIDESHARE Mini Internal Cameras
• Taxi Domes - Stickers - Tactile / Braille Numbering
• Independent Taxi SET-UP • Car Window Tinting
• Cabcharge supply - installation - repairs
• 30 years Master Mechanic Equipment Installation
COMPETITIVE PRICES Call us on: 0434 423 423
LEASES WANTED - Brisbane
We are expanding in Brisbane. We will pay $100 to lease
assignments. Call into our office in Salisbury & ask for Tuna
Guclu or call 0419 484 666 to discuss price & terms.
Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed
R U OK?Day is 8 September 2022. It’s our national day of action
when we remind Australians to start a meaningful conversation
whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be
struggling.
Our research has found four in ten Australians feel that asking
someone, 'are you OK?' is a conversation better had with an expert.
However, R U OK? want you to know you don’t need to be an expert
to have an R U OK? conversation. The work of health professionals
is vital, and their value cannot be underestimated however we can all
play a role in supporting the people in our world.
Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed, because a conversation
could change a life.
R U OK?Day
resources
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launched
posters, social
media tiles,
activity sheets,
videos and
more - free
for you to
download and
share.
Advertisers’
Directory
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Embassy Cafe................................ 25
Macleay Island Taxi Service........ 31
Martin Meters Oz Cabs Store...... 27
Melbourne Airport Car Wash....... 25
Melway...............................................9
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R U OK?............................................ 35
Rod Barton MP..................................7
Southern Cross Hire Cars............ 15
Transport Matters Party............... 36
www.drivenow-magazine.com.au
July 2022
35