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Voice<br />
of the taxi industry<br />
TAXI<br />
magazine<br />
Official journal of the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association<br />
Print Post Approved number PP328444/0004 Issue Number 537<br />
november 2012<br />
Embrace the Opportunity<br />
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QLD<br />
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DRAWN:<br />
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NSW<br />
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* Simply renew your existing membership by 31st December or apply as a new customer<br />
before 30th November 2012 and you will automatically go into the draw to WIN!!<br />
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DRAWN:<br />
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For all<br />
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inside ...<br />
6<br />
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31<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong>, official journal of the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association Inc. (VTA) the trade association representing owners, operators and drivers of Victorian taxicabs, is<br />
published monthly by Trade Promotions Pty Ltd. © Trade Promotions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> magazine is wholly owned by Trade Promotions Pty<br />
Ltd. The “<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the taxi industry” heading and logos are trademarks of Stanley F. White.<br />
Views expressed in any article in <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> are those of the individual contributor and not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept any<br />
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<br />
including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity)<br />
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.<br />
Advertisements must comply with the relevant provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Responsibility for compliance with the Act rests with the person,<br />
company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement.<br />
4 | November 2012<br />
Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association editorial<br />
Transition should be seamless<br />
VTA Membership<br />
A new membership category is available<br />
Back to the Future<br />
Allan Fels says reforms will take 3-5 years<br />
New Zealand Conference<br />
David Samuel reports on the conference<br />
From the <strong>Taxi</strong> Directorate<br />
MPTP fraud is a very serious crime<br />
Victorian taxi statistics<br />
Licence assignments, transfers and issues for<br />
the month<br />
Classified advertisements<br />
Cabs, drivers, equipment, licences, etc. wanted<br />
and for sale<br />
Voice<br />
of the taxi industry<br />
TAXI<br />
magazine<br />
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE VICTORIAN TAXI ASSOCIATION<br />
magazine editor ....................... Toni F. Peters<br />
vta editor ..........................................Neil Sach<br />
founder ...................................Stanley F. White<br />
publisher ..................Trade Promotions Pty Ltd<br />
advertising enquiries<br />
Trade Promotions Pty. Ltd.<br />
42 Grenfell Rd, Mt Waverley VIC 3149<br />
PO Box 2345, Mt Waverley VIC 3149<br />
phone: ............................................ 03 9807 0237<br />
fax: ................................................. 03 9807 3401<br />
email: .................................. info@taxitalk.com.au<br />
Website: ............................... www.taxitalk.com.au<br />
advertising deadline<br />
All copy must be in by the 15th of the month prior<br />
to publication date.<br />
subscription details<br />
1 year = $33<br />
Pay via PAYPAL to info@taxitalk.com.aud<br />
fo<br />
Phone: 03 9676 2635 ............... Fax: 03 9676 2643<br />
president ...................................Kevin Gange<br />
vice president ................Stephen Armstrong<br />
chief executive .............................Neil Sach<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
BLUE STAR TAXI’S<br />
Don’t get a<br />
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$50<br />
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Neil Sach<br />
VTA CEO<br />
6 | November 2012<br />
Transition<br />
should be seamless<br />
as anticipated, the taxi industry inquiry’s final report<br />
was presented to the minister for public transport<br />
on friday 28 september.<br />
the next step is for the minister to table the report<br />
in parliament. the latest this can happen is 12<br />
december. the minister will present a government<br />
response to the report. the response could be detailed<br />
or not.<br />
the vta has finalized (or near to it) its economic<br />
analysis of the various models proposed in the inquiry’s<br />
draft report and that proposed by the vta.<br />
this work has been undertaken by price Waterhouse<br />
coopers (pwc) and professor des nicholls<br />
(anu). this analysis/modelling will be an important<br />
piece of work going forward.<br />
as i said last month, it is important that the taxi<br />
services commission (tsc) is put in place as soon<br />
as possible so that intended policy and operational<br />
transitions are undertaken as seamlessly as possible.<br />
it is critical that the taxi industry be consulted<br />
through this transition phase.<br />
last month, david samuel again visited new zealand<br />
to catch up with taxi operators and networks to<br />
fill in some of the gaps around licensing and industry<br />
performance.<br />
meanwhile, the vta continues to support the<br />
government’s plan to extend the eastern freeway<br />
to the tullamarine freeway and beyond. this link is<br />
vital to improve productivity and provide an alternative<br />
major route when the m1 is restricted or closed.<br />
in regard to the new style taxi specification unveiled<br />
in the october edition of <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong>, the vta<br />
has been pleasantly surprised by the interest of<br />
vehicle manufacturers and importers. designers<br />
around the world are now busily examining whether<br />
they can present a vehicle type that meets the<br />
specifications.<br />
as we head for the end of 2012, taxi drivers are reminded<br />
of the increase in work that will come during<br />
the spring racing carnival, the 2012/13 cruise ship<br />
season, end of year celebrations, and in January<br />
the australian tennis open. as the weather warms<br />
up, so does the demand for taxis. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
TAXI SCHOOL<br />
CALendAr<br />
from<br />
$ 23,990<br />
BUNDOORA<br />
Monitor and Manage<br />
Small Business Operations<br />
all courses are held at the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association offices<br />
Suite 2, 85 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne<br />
Course 214<br />
Day 1 Wednesday 7 Nov<br />
Day 2 Thursday 8 Nov<br />
Day 3 Friiday 9 Nov<br />
Don’t buy a used<br />
FALCON<br />
until you phone<br />
0418 362 521<br />
TAXI<br />
lmct 8168 GLVM_1112<br />
More information...<br />
P: 9676 2641<br />
E: clients@victaxi.com.au<br />
W: www.victaxi.com.au<br />
Course fee is $1100 - Dates are subject to change.<br />
8/2010<br />
FALCON FG<br />
sedAN<br />
$23,990<br />
• FACTORY FITTED<br />
DEDICATED LPG<br />
• VIC TAXI YELLOW<br />
• TAXI RWC SUPPLIED<br />
ARRIVING<br />
SOON<br />
2012<br />
FALCON FG XT<br />
MK2 SEDAN<br />
SN459<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 7<br />
GLV 1010<br />
SN458
vta new<br />
membership class<br />
The Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association (VTA) is pleased to offer<br />
membership opportunities for accredited taxi operators<br />
who are operating a taxi or taxis and for accredited current<br />
taxi licence holders who have operated a taxi on the<br />
licence(s).<br />
Those joining the VTA under this class of membership<br />
will be referred to as <strong>Taxi</strong>-cab Operator Members. Such<br />
members will form what is to be called the <strong>Taxi</strong>-cab Operators<br />
Collective within the VTA Constitution.<br />
Accredited taxi operators who are operating a taxi and<br />
accredited current taxi licence<br />
holders who have operated<br />
a taxi will receive the<br />
same benefits as existing<br />
depot members<br />
through the work of the<br />
VTA. This work includes,<br />
but is not limited to:<br />
• Working with Government<br />
to achieve<br />
agreed goals and<br />
outcomes for the taxi<br />
industry.<br />
• Working with the taxi industry<br />
to ensure that participants<br />
clearly understand their responsibilities<br />
under the law, and more specifically under<br />
the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry Accreditation regime.<br />
• Working with Local Government and Local Councils<br />
to develop and locate taxi rank infrastructure.<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> operator noT affiliaTed with a<br />
VTa depot member:<br />
Metro $261.20 (+GST) per taxi pa<br />
O/S $258.60 (+GST) per taxi pa<br />
Geelong $233.50 (+GST) per taxi pa<br />
Other Urban $232.20 (+GST) per taxi pa<br />
Country $225.2 (+GST) per taxi pa<br />
8 | November 2012<br />
• Working with Local Government and Local Councils<br />
to develop and plan for major events.<br />
• Developing and communicating new business opportunities<br />
for taxi industry participants right across<br />
the State.<br />
• Developing resources to assist taxi-cab drivers,<br />
operators and Network Service Providers with their<br />
day to day activities.<br />
• Working at a national level to ensure the Victorian<br />
taxi industry is well versed in Commonwealth legislation,<br />
trends and resource<br />
pricing.<br />
Members of the <strong>Taxi</strong>cab<br />
Collective will be<br />
able to form a committee<br />
comprising of<br />
a chairman, secretary<br />
and others, and will be<br />
required to operate under<br />
approved rules.<br />
The <strong>Taxi</strong>-cab Collective<br />
will be able to nominate a<br />
person or persons for appointment<br />
to the VTA Council.<br />
Once appointed to the VTA Council,<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong>-cab Collective councillors will have<br />
the opportunity to stand for election and appointment to<br />
the VTA Executive Council.<br />
NEIL SACH<br />
VTA Secretary D<br />
Membership subscription fees<br />
(2012/13) for this new membership class<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> operators affiliaTed with a VTa depot member: $60 (+GST) per taxi pa<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> licence holder who previously<br />
operated a taxi on the licence(s):<br />
Metro $261.20 (+GST) per licence pa<br />
O/S $258.60 (+GST) per licence pa<br />
Geelong $233.50 (+GST) per licence pa<br />
Other Urban $232.20 (+GST) per licence pa<br />
Country $225.2 (+GST) per licence pa<br />
• Membership subscriptions are billed on a quarterly basis.<br />
• Membership subscriptions are decided by the Executive Council at the start of each financial year.<br />
• All VTA members are subject to the provisions of the VTA Constitution, and all regulations and by-laws made under<br />
the Constitution, and codes of ethics or practices prescribed by the Executive Council.<br />
Application forms are available from 1 November at the VTA office, Suite 2, 85 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne.<br />
Completed application forms to be returned to: The Secretary<br />
Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association Inc.<br />
PO Box 5111, GARDEN CITY VIC 3207<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
Making the announcement, Minister for Roads Terry Mulder rides a<br />
Pedalec bicycle along the Birrarung Marr in Melbourne. The Victorian<br />
laws have been changed to enable European style, power-assisted<br />
‘Pedalecs’ to be classified as bicycles, rather than motor-bikes. The<br />
change in law means that a Pedalec can be used without the need for<br />
registration or licensing.<br />
The European Pedalec operates with a maximum of 250 watts, with<br />
a safeguard allowing the power assistance to kick in only when the bicycle<br />
is travelling at less than 25km/h and the rider is pedalling. This<br />
means the Pedalecs are safe to be used in a cycling environment, while<br />
at the same time allowing riders to travel further and ride with less effort.<br />
We’re hoping this will encourage more Victorians to take up bike riding<br />
as a healthy and sustainable alternative to the car, Minister for Roads<br />
Terry Mulder said. They will also provide some options for older bike<br />
riders, or those who may not be as fit as they once were but still want to<br />
use pedal power.”<br />
For more information about Pedalecs please see www.vicroads.<br />
vic.gov.au/Pedalecs and for more information on bike rider road rules<br />
please see www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/bicycles. D<br />
Victorians are the first bike<br />
riders in Australia to get access<br />
to a new type of pedal power.<br />
In Memorial<br />
On this three month anniversary we are<br />
still deeply saddened by the death of<br />
our friend and colleague Mr. Stephen<br />
(Steve) Seymour.<br />
Our thoughts go out to Stephen’s family<br />
and friends, so devastated by the passing<br />
of this wonderful person and taxi<br />
driver.<br />
The taxi industry and our small company<br />
miss him greatly.<br />
His tragic death still weighs heavily on us but we live in hope for his ever lasting peace.<br />
We think of him and the family’s loss with the deepest sympathy.<br />
May he rest in peace.<br />
Eugene Hyatt, Jack Glagovski, Kent Thomas, Chris Lovelock, Yury Rogachevsky, Ravi Ganta,<br />
Leigh Plews, George Raffoul, Yakov Vaynrib, Ian Britton, Vinod Patiyal, Efim Listmangof,<br />
Hrudaya, Kalluri, George Kossowski, Igor Grigorian<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 9
skyfall aT imax<br />
After half a century of 007, the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, will be the first to<br />
be converted to IMAX 15/70 film format.<br />
VTA annual luncheon<br />
This year the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Association’s Annual<br />
Luncheon will be held at the Crown Casino.<br />
Venue: Crown Casino, River Room, Level 1<br />
Crown Towers, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank<br />
date: Tuesday 4 December 2012<br />
time: Noon for 12:30pm<br />
dress: Smart<br />
10| November 2012<br />
The IMAX release of Skyfall will be<br />
digitally re-mastered into the image and<br />
sound quality of The IMAX Experience®<br />
with proprietary IMAX DMR® technology.<br />
IMAX’s customised theatre geometry and<br />
powerful digital audio create a unique environment<br />
that will make audiences feel as<br />
if they are in the movie.<br />
Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s<br />
James Bond 007 in Skyfall the 23rd adventure<br />
in the longest-running film franchise<br />
of all time.<br />
In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested<br />
as her past comes back to haunt her. As<br />
MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track<br />
down and destroy the threat, no matter<br />
how personal the cost.<br />
Skyfall opens at IMAX Melbourne Museum,<br />
Carlton Gardens on 22 November,<br />
2012. D<br />
Sponsorship packages will only be made available<br />
to identified market leaders within the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry.<br />
If you would like any further information please<br />
contact Niamh Kellegher at the VTA office 9676<br />
2635.<br />
2012 has been a challenging year in the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry<br />
and the VTA plans to end this year with a bang, so<br />
join us for this event. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
12 | November 2012<br />
OPEN 24/7*<br />
*At most Pie Face Stores.<br />
www.pieface.com.au<br />
• Garry Ellis<br />
SPECIAL CAB RATE<br />
OFF<br />
All Cabbies get 15% off at Pie Face!<br />
Thats 15% off coffees, baked-daily<br />
pastries, sweets, delicious pies,<br />
sausage rolls and sandwiches.<br />
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Must show taxi driver identification to redeem discount.<br />
After many years of working in the transport<br />
portfolio covering the taxi, hire car<br />
and driving instructor industries and,<br />
many more years ago, the bus and<br />
road freight sectors, Garry Ellis decided to contribute<br />
to the current downsizing of the Victorian<br />
public service and retired from the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong><br />
Directorate on 19 October 2012.<br />
Garry said that over the years he has had<br />
the pleasure of meeting and dealing with many<br />
good people in and around the various regulated<br />
industries and through all levels of government.<br />
Having been through a number of industry<br />
reforms and departmental restructures he will<br />
watch with great interest to see how the new<br />
regulatory model evolves in Victoria over the<br />
next couple of years.<br />
The VTA and <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> thank Garry for his many<br />
years of association and wish him and his family<br />
the very best for the future.D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
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No joining fee.<br />
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third party and<br />
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360 BRUNSWICK ROAD, BRUNSWICK<br />
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Email: vi@metropolitantaxiclub.com.au<br />
daniel@metropolitantaxiclub.com.au *conditions apply
Need<br />
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n Terms to suit most circumstance<br />
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n New or Used cars<br />
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n M80 and VHA/SV licence loans<br />
n Metro/ country licence loans<br />
n 30 years industry experience<br />
Specialists in Business Finance<br />
14 | November 2012<br />
finance?<br />
Rob Chard - Director<br />
t (03) 8873 5100 (general)<br />
t (03) 8873 5151(direct)<br />
m 0408 368 457<br />
Suite 9, 476 Canterbury Rd,<br />
Forest Hill Vic 3131<br />
e rob@scbf.com.au<br />
www.scbf.com.au<br />
Allan Fels says reforms<br />
into the taxi industry<br />
recommended in his report<br />
were expected to take three<br />
to five years to implement.<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> inquiry head Prof Allan Fels<br />
has given the Ballieu Government<br />
his final report into the industry.<br />
Prof Fels handed over the tome on<br />
September 28.<br />
He said the final report addressed<br />
serious and systemic problems<br />
in the industry and the sweeping<br />
reforms recommended were expected<br />
to take three to five years to<br />
implement.<br />
“The inquiry received significant,<br />
additional information since the<br />
draft report was released earlier this<br />
year and this is reflected in the final<br />
report,” Prof Fels said.<br />
“I thank the government for giving<br />
me this opportunity and look forward<br />
to the government response in<br />
due course”.<br />
Roads Minister Terry Mulder must<br />
table the report in parliament within<br />
14 sitting days.<br />
Not surprisingly, owners of taxis<br />
are about to step up lobbying in a<br />
last-ditch effort to get the report buried.<br />
Larissa Garvin, a spokeswoman<br />
for Mr Mulder, said the government<br />
had received the report and would<br />
consider it.<br />
Prof Fels unveiled his 550-page<br />
draft report, titled Customers First:<br />
Service, Safety, Choice, on May 31.<br />
He will continue as chair of the<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> Services Commission until the<br />
government appoints a new Commissioner<br />
to oversee the next phase<br />
of the industry’s reform.<br />
Since 1981 there have been seven<br />
inquiries into the taxi industry, but<br />
all have come to nought.<br />
by: Amelia Harris, Herald Sun D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
Saké Restaurant & Bar<br />
opens at the Arts Centre Melbourne<br />
After attracting a loyal fan base and picking up<br />
coveted Chef’s Hats at its popular Sydney and Brisbane<br />
venues, Saké Restaurant & Bar is now serving<br />
up its unique version of contemporary Japanese cuisine<br />
at Arts Centre Melbourne’s fabulous Hamer Hall.<br />
Set along the stunning Yarra River, with spectacular<br />
water and CBD views from every table in the house,<br />
Saké Melbourne showcases an outstanding à la carte<br />
menu.<br />
Along with sensational food and outdoor seating,<br />
a standout feature of the venue is Saké Bar, which<br />
conveniently adjoins the Hamer Hall foyer and is the<br />
perfect spot for pre and post-theatre drinks and bites.<br />
Designed as a destination in itself, Saké Bar is open<br />
seven days till late and presents a mouth-watering<br />
range of sake-based cocktails and a tasty bar menu.<br />
Saké Melbourne is set over two levels and features<br />
a sushi bar, open-plan kitchen and a variety of seating<br />
options. It also boasts three private dining rooms and<br />
an alfresco dining area that runs the length of the restaurant,<br />
looks directly across the river at the beautiful<br />
CBD and seats 50.<br />
Saké Restaurant & Bar Melbourne is open seven<br />
days a week for lunch and dinner.<br />
Bookings can be made by calling 03 8687 0775 or<br />
emailing reservations@sakerestaurant.com.au<br />
The street address is River Promenade, Arts Centre<br />
Melbourne, 100 St.Kilda Road Melbourne. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 15
NZ<br />
TAXI<br />
coNfereNce<br />
16 | November 2012<br />
I was fortunate enough to attend this<br />
year’s NZTF conference held in Nelson<br />
on the west coast of the NZ South Island.<br />
I would like to thank Tim Reddish, and<br />
others like John Hart, for extending such<br />
a warm welcome, and also congratulate<br />
them on a great conference.<br />
The theme of the their conference this<br />
year focused on the health of taxi drivers<br />
and also corporate responsibility. It was<br />
great to hear from a variety of interesting<br />
speakers, including New Zealand’s Associate<br />
Minister for Transport.<br />
An interesting theme that appears to be<br />
developing rapidly in NZ is the notion of a<br />
“user pays regulatory system”. Under this<br />
system the industry pays for their regulator<br />
(it was somewhat unclear how). The idea<br />
is premised on the concept that the industry<br />
benefits from having a regulator and as<br />
a result it should fund it.<br />
While it is hard to argue that an effective<br />
regulator does indeed benefit the industry,<br />
it also benefits the consumers and the<br />
community as a whole. It therefore seems<br />
to be a somewhat lopsided and perhaps<br />
impractical stance to take. Further, if Government<br />
see the need to introduce a law<br />
or regulation they also need to enforce<br />
it. Having taxi companies responsible for<br />
service standards is one thing, enforcing<br />
the law is something completely different.<br />
Tim Reddish from the NZTF made the<br />
industry’s concern well known to the Minister.<br />
Tim is probably well worth listening to<br />
given that he was at the forefront of trying<br />
to clean up the industry in NZ over the last<br />
20 odd years.<br />
This has been achieved to a large extent<br />
by the introduction of an effective regulator<br />
and culture of responsibility for service<br />
within NZ taxi companies.<br />
It is interesting to note that the Victorian<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> Industry Inquiry has made recommendations<br />
which essentially mirror the<br />
NZ Government’s approach of a regulator<br />
funded on the notion of user pays.<br />
The VTA strongly supports responsibility<br />
for maintaining certain service standards<br />
being returned to the industry via Network<br />
Service Providers (NSP), but this does not<br />
extend to enforcing the law. As explained<br />
above, the VTA also see the benefits of an<br />
effective regulator as extending well beyond<br />
the industry - to the community as<br />
a whole.<br />
Another hot topic in NZ is security<br />
cameras. The room acknowledged the<br />
important contribution of the cameras in<br />
improving driver safety. However, a number<br />
of concerns were raised with the performance<br />
of a number of the products on<br />
the market.<br />
NZ seem to have a very different problem<br />
to Victoria in that there are a large<br />
number of approved camera suppliers.<br />
There were many other topics discussed<br />
and I was pleased to be able to provide an<br />
update on the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry to the<br />
conference.<br />
I also spoke on some emerging issues<br />
in Australia, such as the importance of addressing<br />
emerging technology, like taxi<br />
Apps, to ensure customer safety is not<br />
jeopardised.<br />
For more information on the NZTF go to:<br />
http://www.asp.taxifed.co.nz/<br />
david samuel<br />
VTA - Executive Officer Policy and Communications D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
more rewards...no extra work!<br />
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*Offer valid until 31 December 2012. Offer open to new Live <strong>Taxi</strong>Epay terminal applications, offer does not apply to existing Live <strong>Taxi</strong>Epay members.<br />
Existing members cannot relinquish their Live <strong>Taxi</strong>Epay terminal(s) & sign up for this promotion. One payment per customer only. New customer to<br />
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martin meters<br />
THE TAXI INDUSTRY SAFETY SPECIALIST<br />
t Martin Meters are moving on<br />
November 1st to 9 Springbank Street<br />
Tullamarine (off Melrose Drive) only<br />
800 metres from the airport taxi<br />
holding area.<br />
t Martin Meters are moving to larger<br />
premises after 10 years at 1/1 Trade<br />
Park Drive Tullamarine (2002 to 2012)<br />
and 55 years at our Brunswick Street<br />
and Moor Street, Fitzroy address<br />
(1947 to 2002).<br />
t We will utilise our larger premises<br />
to manufacture exciting new taxi<br />
industry products that will assist<br />
current and future taxi operations.<br />
18 | November 2012<br />
WE ARE<br />
MOVING<br />
We thank all of our customers for their patronage over the past 65 years<br />
and advise them to expect even better service in future. D<br />
• Top quality super tough 4.5mm 2UV Clea<br />
• Separate B Pillar panel denies access to<br />
• Side Airbag and Curtain Airbag Compatib<br />
• Driver comfort, vision, ergonomics, freed<br />
• Effective protection from front and rear s<br />
• Non-Intrusive design Maximizes Rear Pa<br />
• Invisible, uncluttered look compliments in<br />
for superior vision, strength and durability<br />
prevents driver entrapment by the drivers seat belt<br />
a neW<br />
location<br />
onlY 800m<br />
to holding<br />
area<br />
tested for compatibility with Australian Design Rules<br />
is assisted by our exclusive patented design features<br />
with superior protection from rear seated passengers<br />
just millimeters of passenger space is required<br />
provides safety, without signifi cantly affecting the interior sp<br />
Melway Map ref 5 F10<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
DRIVER<br />
PROTECTION<br />
SCREEN<br />
Australian Patents:<br />
676005, 2009100400<br />
Martin Bodyguard screens have been<br />
protecting drivers for over sixteen years.<br />
During this time our design has seen many<br />
improvements but the integral toughness<br />
and uncompromising use of the best<br />
available materials has remained.<br />
Our Multi Patented Design is still Australian<br />
made from Quality Australian Laserlite Polycarbonate<br />
and is simply the best value for<br />
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• Attaches to seat with Telescopic height adjustment #<br />
facilitates usual drivers seat forward/ back, up/down and rake adjustment<br />
• Top quality super tough 4.5mm 2UV Clear Makrolon Polycarbonate<br />
for superior vision, strength and durability<br />
• Separate B Pillar panel denies access to Drivers Seat Belt #<br />
prevents driver entrapment by the drivers seat belt<br />
• Side Airbag and Curtain Airbag Compatible<br />
tested for compatibility with Australian Design Rules<br />
• Driver comfort, vision, ergonomics, freedom and safety<br />
is assisted by our exclusive patented design features<br />
• Effective protection from front and rear seated passengers<br />
with superior protection from rear seated passengers<br />
• Non-Intrusive design Maximizes Rear Passenger Legroom<br />
just millimeters of passenger space is required<br />
• Invisible, uncluttered look compliments interior space<br />
provides safety, without signifi cantly affecting the interior space of your vehicle<br />
Australian Designed<br />
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BGTT/08/12<br />
9 Springbank Street,<br />
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Victoria, 3043 Australia.<br />
Email: sales@martinmeters.com.au<br />
Tel: 61 3 9335 1551<br />
61 3 9335 1552<br />
Fax: 61 3 9335 1553<br />
A
VTD GM - Marnie Williams<br />
20 |November 2012<br />
MPTP<br />
FRAUD<br />
SERIOUS<br />
CRIME VTd<br />
The issue of Multi Purpose <strong>Taxi</strong> Program (MPTP) fraud once<br />
again raised its ugly head last month with the Herald Sun reporting<br />
a long-running fraud case against Scope clients in Melbourne’s<br />
south east.<br />
The Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Directorate (VTD) takes MPTP fraud very seriously<br />
as it is a crime against our community’s most vulnerable.<br />
The MPTP provides access to taxi services to more than 150,000<br />
Victorians with severe and permanent disabilities. Many MPTP<br />
members cannot access other forms of public transport and would<br />
be stranded without the Program.<br />
Victoria’s taxi subsidy scheme is the most generous in the country,<br />
with members getting half their trip paid for up to $60 per trip<br />
and $2,180 per year.<br />
The VTD is very proud to administer this nation-leading program.<br />
But we recognise that every dollar defrauded from the MPTP reduces<br />
our ability to share its benefits with others who need it.<br />
That’s why the VTD has a division in its Industry Compliance and<br />
Intelligence Unit dedicated to investigating, identifying and prosecuting<br />
MPTP fraud.<br />
This year alone the VTD has recouped more than $30,000 in<br />
fraudulent fares and with a number of ongoing investigations underway,<br />
we are confident we will recoup even more.<br />
So the message to the industry is clear – it’s not worth the risk.<br />
If you are aware of fraud occurring or are involved in it yourself,<br />
you are risking significant fines and even jail-time, not to mention<br />
your livelihood as a taxi industry participant<br />
The only way to avoid being caught committing MPTP fraud, is to<br />
not commit it in the first place. D<br />
There’s no excuse for<br />
PIN & SMARTCARD ABUSE<br />
In recent months the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Directorate<br />
(VTD) has seen an increase in inappropriate smartcard<br />
and personal identification number (PIN) usage<br />
among drivers.<br />
Drivers are reminded that you may only log into<br />
an in-cab electronic transaction terminal using a<br />
VTD-issued smartcard that bears your name, driver<br />
licence number and the card number incorporating<br />
your accreditation number. It is an offense to log on<br />
with someone else’s card or share your card with<br />
another driver.<br />
Except in the event of a failure or malfunction of<br />
the electronic transaction terminal, drivers must log<br />
on at the start, and log off at the end, of every shift.<br />
Drivers in Metropolitan, Outer Suburban and Urban<br />
taxi zones are also reminded that they must log<br />
on to the dispatch system of the affiliated network<br />
service provider at the beginning of every shift using<br />
your PIN. Sharing your PIN or logging on with<br />
someone else’s is an offense.<br />
Fines in excess of $350 apply to inappropriate<br />
use of smartcards and PINs. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
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Fatigue Management<br />
GUIDELINES FOR THE VICTORIAN TAXI INDUSTRY<br />
Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Directorate<br />
Department of Transport<br />
On 16 May 2012 the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Directorate (VTD) introduced<br />
a new system for the payment of annual licence<br />
fees. As a result the payment option for annual licence<br />
fees was amended to include, phone payment, online<br />
payment and payment at any Australia Post office.<br />
Annual licence fees can no longer be paid:<br />
• in person at the VTD or at a VicRoads office;<br />
• by credit card using an American Express or Diners<br />
Club Card; or<br />
• part payments using multiple credit cards or<br />
cheques.<br />
An invoice is issued for each licence. It is important that<br />
you pay each invoice separately and that you pay the<br />
correct invoice.<br />
22 | November 2012<br />
new driver fatigue<br />
guidelines<br />
Managing driver fatigue and making sure that taxi services<br />
are safe in Victoria is very important and the responsibility<br />
of all taxi industry participants. Driver fatigue is not only<br />
a risk to driver health and safety, but also to the safety of<br />
passenger and the public safety.<br />
To help the taxi industry understand the impact of fatigue<br />
and what can be done to manage it, the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong><br />
Directorate (VTD), in consultation with industry, WorkSafe<br />
Victoria, VicRoads, and leading experts in the field, have<br />
developed Fatigue Management: Guidelines for the Victorian<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> Industry.<br />
The guidelines provide information on what fatigue is,<br />
how to identify it and its effects. They also provide suggestions<br />
or recommended fatigue management practices<br />
to help combat driver fatigue, including maximum shift<br />
lengths, the importance of regular breaks and the impact<br />
medical conditions and other health-related factors can<br />
have on driver well-being.<br />
Copies of Fatigue Management: Guidelines for the Victorian<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> Industry are available online at www.taxi.vic.gov.<br />
au, through the VTD Customer Service Centre (Level 23,<br />
80 Collins Street, Melbourne) or by contacting the VTD on<br />
1800 639 802 D<br />
new arrangements for<br />
annual licence fee payments<br />
Please note that if you have paid your annual licence fee<br />
by cheque or money order it may take up to 10 business<br />
days to process this transaction.<br />
If you receive a reminder notice during this time the VTD<br />
may not be able to confirm payment until the transaction<br />
has been finalised.<br />
We appreciate your patience in these circumstances.<br />
Details of current payment options can be found at the<br />
bottom of the invoice issued to you.<br />
If you have any queries regarding annual licence fees or<br />
are concerned that your payment has not been received<br />
please contact the VTD on telephone 1800 638 802. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
<strong>Taxi</strong><br />
Rank<br />
Safety<br />
Safety around one of Melbourne’s most popular entertainment<br />
areas has received a massive boost with the<br />
installation of 18 new late night taxi ranks throughout the<br />
Chapel Street precinct.<br />
“This is about making one of our city’s most popular<br />
night spots safer,” Mr Mulder said.<br />
“The new ranks will be well lit and include flashing LED<br />
lane markings, to make them easy for passengers and<br />
drivers to identify. This initiative is a Victorian first and a<br />
national first, and we hope that similar projects will be<br />
adopted in other jurisdictions,” said Mr Mulder .<br />
The $500,000 initiative is the result of years of planning<br />
and contributions from the Stonnington City Council and<br />
the State Government through funds from the <strong>Taxi</strong> Rank<br />
Safety Program (TRSP), administered by the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong><br />
Directorate.<br />
Since its establishment in 2009, the TRSP has provided<br />
more than $2.4 million to 29 councils across Victoria to<br />
improve local taxi rank facilities. The TRSP provides grantbased<br />
funding to local governments across Victoria to establish<br />
or upgrade taxi rank facilities in their municipality.<br />
Applications for the next round of the TRSP are now<br />
open. Only Local Councils can apply for funding through<br />
the TRSP. Anyone with ideas or proposals for improving<br />
taxi rank facilities in their local area is encouraged to contact<br />
their council.<br />
Councils interested in applying for funding to boost taxi<br />
rank facilities in their local area are encouraged to visit<br />
www.taxi.vic.gov.au to download a copy of the program<br />
guidelines. Applications close on 16 November 2012. D<br />
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<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 23<br />
from<br />
gwt_0912
number of taxi<br />
licences<br />
METROPOLITAN 4,331<br />
(including 505 WAT vehicles)<br />
cOuNTRy 518<br />
(including 114 WAT vehicles)<br />
OuTER SuBuRBAN 161<br />
(including 34 WAT vehicles)<br />
uRBAN 237<br />
(Ballarat - Bendigo - Geelong)<br />
(including 35 WAT vehicles)<br />
TOTAL 5,247<br />
(including 688 WAT vehicles)<br />
number of driVers<br />
Active drivers 15,000 APPROX<br />
Accredited drivers 24,000 APPROX<br />
compliance<br />
outcomes<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> Inspections 1605<br />
Rectification Notices 388<br />
Infringement Notices 103<br />
Notices of Unroadworthiness 20<br />
Official Warnings 15<br />
24 | November 2012<br />
taxi<br />
$309,166<br />
transfers<br />
average metro licence transfer<br />
value for the month of<br />
September 2012<br />
all data on this page<br />
is provided by the<br />
Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong><br />
directorate<br />
and is for the<br />
month of<br />
September<br />
2012<br />
aSSiGnMenTS<br />
metro taxis 71<br />
licence TranSferS<br />
metro taxis 8<br />
urban 1<br />
country taxis 1<br />
hire car licences 5<br />
special licences 3<br />
licenceS iSSued<br />
taxi licences 0<br />
hire car licences 0<br />
special vehicles 3<br />
RH vehicles 5<br />
licenceS Traded BY<br />
aSSiGnMenT = 982<br />
(September 2011 - September 2012)<br />
number of<br />
victorian hire vehicle<br />
licences<br />
Metropolitan Hire Cars 921<br />
Country Hire Cars 76<br />
Special Purpose Vehicles 860<br />
Restricted Hire Cars 635<br />
ToTal 2,492<br />
$47,530<br />
average metro licence transfer value for the<br />
month of September 2012<br />
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AAMI Victoria Derby Day<br />
Saturday, 3 November 2012<br />
Gates Open 8.30am<br />
Peak pickup times – 4.30pm – 7:00pm<br />
Emirates Melbourne Cup Day<br />
Tuesday, 6 November 2012<br />
Gates Open 8.30am<br />
Peak pickup times – 4.30pm – 7:00pm<br />
Crown Oaks Day<br />
Thursday, 8 November 2012<br />
Gates Open 10.15am<br />
Peak pickup times – 5.00pm – 7.30pm<br />
Emirates Stakes Day<br />
Saturday, 10 November 2012<br />
Gates Open 9.30am<br />
Peak pickup times – 4.15pm – 7.00pm<br />
26 | November 2012<br />
Melbourne Cup Carnival<br />
is one of the peak demand periods<br />
for Melbourne’s taxi services.<br />
Three main TAXI RANKS operate throughout the four days of the<br />
Melbourne Cup Carnival:<br />
• main taxi rank (Main Members / Public Turnstiles & Rose<br />
Arbour): Entry to the main taxi rank is at Stables Drive via<br />
Smithfield Road to the designated rank via the internal taxi<br />
road.<br />
• leonard crescent taxi rank (The Hill Turnstiles): Enter<br />
Leonard Crescent (one-way access) via Langs Road exiting<br />
via Fisher Parade.<br />
• elms taxi rank (River Precinct): Entry to the Elms Precinct is<br />
at Lynches Bridge Gatehouse from Smithfield Road (one way<br />
access) to the designated taxi rank, exiting via Fisher Parade.<br />
At the end of each race day, controlled taxi ranks will operate at<br />
all of the above locations.<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong>s are not permitted entry to the Racecourse at Members<br />
Drive or Flemington Drive.<br />
Patrons can be dropped off at the Winning Post drop-off area,<br />
however, this is not a dedicated taxi rank. Passengers are encouraged<br />
to make their way to the Riverbank <strong>Taxi</strong> Rank for the journey<br />
home. D<br />
Men’s Hockey<br />
Champions’ Trophy<br />
The Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012 will<br />
be held from 1 - 9 December 2012 at the State Netball Hockey<br />
Centre in Royal Park, Parkville. With eight nations competing<br />
in this international event, there promises to be many spectators<br />
and a strong demand for taxis. For more information and<br />
fixtures visit www.hockeyaustralia.com.au. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
3 Entry via Leonard Crescent to<br />
drop off at Hill Gate Turnstile<br />
(one way)<br />
2 Entry via Lynchs Bridge to<br />
drop off at Elms Turnstiles<br />
(one way)<br />
1 Entry via Stables Drive to<br />
drop off at Main Turnstile<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong>s/Limousines<br />
Ascot Vale Rd.<br />
Epsom Rd.<br />
Limousine<br />
Holding Bay<br />
Unreserved<br />
Railway Platform<br />
One Way<br />
Leonard Cres.<br />
Fisher Pde.<br />
3<br />
H<br />
The Hill Gate<br />
Racecourse Rd.<br />
Stables Dve.<br />
Riverbank<br />
Entrance<br />
Stables Drive<br />
Entrance<br />
Coaches & Limousines<br />
Holding Bay<br />
Smithfield Rd<br />
Maribyrnong<br />
River<br />
Kensington Rd.<br />
Hobsons<br />
Rd.<br />
NOVE<strong>MB</strong>Er 2010 TAxi TAlk - VOiCE Of ThE TAxi iNduSTry<br />
41<br />
One Way<br />
1<br />
Lynchs Bridge<br />
Entrance<br />
carnival 2011<br />
2<br />
LEGEND<br />
Limousines are not permitted<br />
past the Limousine Holding<br />
Bay after 3pm. Call down<br />
arrangements will operate.
E<strong>MB</strong>rACE ThE<br />
Over the past 2 years the wider taxi industry and<br />
the payment systems that support it have come into<br />
the spotlight for Government inquiry and reform. We<br />
have seen:<br />
1. The Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Inquiry, whose report is to be<br />
tabled in Parliament by 12 Dec 2012;<br />
2. The IPART Inquiry into licensing practices in NSW;<br />
3. The ACCC conviction of Cabcharge in 2010 with<br />
fines of $15m for Sect 46 Breaches;<br />
4. The RBA’s review of Card Surcharging;<br />
5. The QLD Government’s review of ways of integrating<br />
payments, dispatch and meters; and its<br />
review of its TSS program (the equivalent of the<br />
M40).<br />
The breadth of these regulatory and government initiatives,<br />
in particular the comprehensive nature of the<br />
Victorian Inquiry, has caused uncertainty and concern<br />
among many in the industry. This is because we all<br />
grow comfortable with the way things are.<br />
It is instructive to look outside the taxi industry to<br />
compare significant Government reforms. In the past<br />
30 years we have seen the:<br />
1. Deregulation of banking - Once we had 6 national<br />
banks offering 4 products to retail consumers<br />
and only a handful more to business. Now we<br />
have 26 banks with the “majors” offering over 200<br />
products to retail consumers alone. It is argued<br />
by some that these reforms didn’t go far enough.<br />
2. Reform and competition in telecommunications<br />
to release the single supplier dominance<br />
of Telstra lowered phone and internet costs and<br />
opened new ways for all of us to do business.<br />
3. Competition in electricity that removed inefficient<br />
state owned monopolies.<br />
I worked on two of these major reforms. I was involved<br />
in the establishment of Optus as part of telecommunications<br />
reform and secondly in the reform<br />
of the electricity industry in Victoria. What I learned is<br />
that these reforms have created new business indus-<br />
28 |November 2012<br />
try structures, new business practices and new products<br />
and services. Productivity grew, the economy<br />
became stronger and consumers were better served.<br />
The current reforms proposed for taxis have the potential<br />
to deliver similar wide-ranging benefits to drivers,<br />
operators and most importantly to passengers.<br />
It’s obvious to all that Governments have the opinion<br />
that the taxi industry, of which I am a participant,<br />
has a pattern of trying to resist change and to protect<br />
the status quo. Public perception of the industry is that<br />
it is tired of sub-standard service quality, and service<br />
delivery and significant change is overdue.<br />
The <strong>Taxi</strong> Inquiry has reviewed many of the issues<br />
that drivers, operators and the VTA have flagged over<br />
the years. These include bailment, insurance and assignment<br />
processes, all of which are key drivers in industry<br />
behaviour.<br />
In addition, it has opened a comprehensive review<br />
of the industry’s approach to technology, dispatch,<br />
payments, all part of the industry’s fulfillment capability.<br />
It is clear that despite the industry’s view, the industry<br />
has failed in many of these areas. The industry has<br />
for too long been limited by the constraints of legacy<br />
systems, legacy technology and legacy infrastructure<br />
in these key areas. This has locked in business models<br />
that are failing, where the only change possible is<br />
tinkering at the margins whilst locking in Operators<br />
and Drivers to antiquated technologies and inefficient<br />
cost structures.<br />
Overall the <strong>Taxi</strong> Inquiry’s reforms are designed to<br />
cause the fundamental value network of the industry<br />
to be reshaped over the next 4 to 5 years.<br />
The challenge for the industry and its participants<br />
is to embrace the opportunity presented by reform.<br />
Find ways to lead reform within the Government’s reform<br />
framework. Survival should not be the mantra of<br />
the industry. It should be, to embrace reform, create<br />
world’s best practice and be the example of quality<br />
taxi service delivery that others aspire to emulate.<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
The cabfare approach<br />
When we started CabFare we did so with a clean<br />
slate. We came from outside the industry. We listened<br />
to people in the industry, talked to passengers, operators<br />
and drivers. What emerged was a desire for a<br />
different approach. What we found was an industry<br />
plagued with:<br />
1. High card merchant service fees due to high level<br />
of fraud thriving on card not present transactions<br />
(paper dockets) which also led to significantly<br />
high levels of chargebacks;<br />
2. Payment systems that didn’t integrate with other<br />
service systems;<br />
3. Store and forward electronic payment systems<br />
that allowed stolen credit card transactions;<br />
4. Operators and drivers lacked visibility of key business<br />
metrics through the lack of business information<br />
systems;<br />
5. A belief that the dominant industry payment platform<br />
was leading edge when clearly it lagged<br />
when compared with other industries.<br />
Passengers wanted a fast, simple and secure transaction<br />
experience that delivered an itemised Tax Invoice<br />
with a copy available to view in real time online,<br />
and NO paper dockets.<br />
So we have built and delivered the safest, simplest<br />
and most secure system for all.<br />
It ensures that when a fare is paid with a valid credit,<br />
debit or charge card a driver gets paid, the passenger<br />
can view the transaction receipt online within seconds<br />
of the transaction completed, and the operator can<br />
view their fleet performance in real time. This is done<br />
within a security envelope that meets the requirements<br />
of the Australian banking system, so no card data is<br />
stored inside CabFare, and all without paper dockets.<br />
Innovation and change is in our DNA. We think outside<br />
the box so we believe it’s time for change. Going<br />
forward, we will embrace the opportunity the various<br />
inquiries deliver and be the change agents we believe<br />
the industry needs and customers demand.<br />
Over the coming months we will release new products<br />
and innovations. These will enhance the driver,<br />
operator and most importantly the passenger experience.<br />
For example with Tyro, our payment partner, we<br />
will challenge the existing payment paradigm with its<br />
reliance on paper and plastic. We believe that new<br />
technology can be harnessed to deliver a safer more<br />
reliable Passenger experience.<br />
For CabFare, as we embrace the opportunity, our<br />
aim remains to continue to make payments and taxi<br />
travel safer, simpler and more secure for all.<br />
david hamilton<br />
CabFare D<br />
Operators<br />
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<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 29
do you ignore your fines ?<br />
That won’t make them go away!<br />
Sheriff’s Officers in Victoria are<br />
responsible for enforcing civil and<br />
criminal warrants and enforcing court<br />
orders, particularly for unpaid fines.<br />
Common offences for which fines are<br />
issued include toll offences, parking<br />
offences and traffic offences.<br />
There are approximately 200 Sheriff’s<br />
Officers in Victoria who routinely<br />
contact people, including taxi drivers,<br />
at their homes and businesses, to encourage<br />
them to take action on their<br />
unpaid fines.<br />
Sheriff’s Officers in Victoria also<br />
carry out random roadblocks and<br />
blitzes in conjunction with Victoria<br />
Police, the Victorian <strong>Taxi</strong> Directorate<br />
(VTD) and other enforcement agencies<br />
to catch offenders on the road.<br />
The Sheriff has a number of ways<br />
to identify people who have outstanding<br />
fines, including Automatic Number<br />
Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.<br />
Cars fitted with ANPR can<br />
identify large numbers of vehicles<br />
with related outstanding warrants.<br />
This technology can be used anywhere,<br />
including in car parks and at<br />
roadblock operations.<br />
This technology has dramatically<br />
improved the ability of the Sheriff to<br />
detect vehicles of interest.<br />
If a taxi driver fails to pay their fines<br />
and a warrant is issued, the Sheriff<br />
has the power to do a number of<br />
30 | November 2012<br />
things to enforce the warrant. These<br />
include:<br />
• taking and selling their assets<br />
• suspending their driver licence<br />
or vehicle registration<br />
• preventing them from renewing<br />
or transferring their vehicle registration<br />
• clamping their vehicle<br />
• arresting them.<br />
This means that taxi drivers run<br />
the risk of losing their licence, having<br />
their registration cancelled and<br />
having their vehicle seized and sold<br />
if they continue to disregard their unpaid<br />
fines.<br />
Below are three recent examples<br />
of Sheriff’s Officers taking action to<br />
enforce unpaid fines against taxi drivers.<br />
Case 1<br />
A taxi driver was intercepted by Sheriff’s<br />
Officers at a roadblock. The driver<br />
had outstanding fines valued at over<br />
$10,000, as well as an imprisonment<br />
warrant. The Sheriff arrested the driver<br />
and the owner of the taxi had to<br />
collect the vehicle.<br />
Case 2<br />
Sheriff’s Officers intercepted a taxi<br />
driver at a roadblock who had passengers<br />
on board. His vehicle was<br />
wheel-clamped due to a large<br />
amount of unpaid fines. He was unable<br />
to make arrangements to pay<br />
the outstanding amount, so the Sheriff’s<br />
Officers took the car to be sold to<br />
satisfy the outstanding fines. Another<br />
taxi was called to collect the passengers.<br />
Case 3<br />
Sheriff’s Officers went to the home of<br />
a taxi driver who had a large number<br />
of outstanding fines and a warrant for<br />
his imprisonment. The driver failed to<br />
produce identification when asked by<br />
the Officers. The Officers contacted<br />
the VTD, who were able to use the<br />
driver’s vehicle GPS to connect the<br />
driver and the taxi to the address<br />
they were attending. As his identity<br />
had been confirmed through this process,<br />
the Sheriff’s Officers were able<br />
to arrest the driver.<br />
Drivers need to remember that ignoring<br />
their fines won’t make them go<br />
away. The Sheriffs can be anywhere<br />
at any time.<br />
Paying fines on time is always the<br />
best way to avoid further penalties.<br />
The earlier drivers pay their fines, the<br />
less they pay. Drivers can contact<br />
1300 SHERIFF to speak to an officer<br />
and find out what options are available.<br />
Further information is available<br />
at www.fines.vic.gov.au. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
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How to advertise in <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> classifieds:<br />
• SEND your classified advertisement ($25 for 1-30 words - $50 for 31-60 words)<br />
• BY the 15th of the month prior to publication<br />
• PLUS your payment to <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> magazine, PO Box 2345, Mt Waverley, VIC 3149<br />
• OR... Direct credit <strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> bank account BSB=033065 A/C number = 312786 Ref = your name<br />
• OR... Pay via PAYPAL via info@taxitalk.com.au and email your words to info@taxitalk.com.au<br />
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<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 31
THe<br />
HaPPY<br />
eMPloYee Keeping employees<br />
happy and reducing<br />
staff turnover<br />
Genuine engagement, building positive relationships and getting to<br />
know your employees, is essential in helping to reduce staff turnover.<br />
Getting this right is a long term investment in the future of your business<br />
which will mean an increase in productivity and profit.<br />
It’s been said that 70 per cent of employees leave their boss - not their<br />
job. It’s staggering to consider the power of the employee-employer relationship<br />
in either keeping or losing staff.<br />
how do you know your employees are engaged?<br />
An engaged employee is one who feels valued and knows that when<br />
they raise an issue, it will be heard. This means that issues are raised<br />
and dealt with before they become too big or unmanageable. A focus on<br />
engagement also provides the manager with insight into the workplace<br />
culture, giving them a first-hand advantage to manage and fully understand<br />
issues as they arise.<br />
32 | November 2012<br />
6 tips to keep your staff<br />
Engagement doesn’t need to be<br />
at a huge cost - strategies for engagement<br />
can be as simple as:<br />
1. undertaking small gestures<br />
in the workplace to commemorate<br />
achievement -<br />
2.<br />
even a genuine thank you will<br />
be noticed and appreciated<br />
recognition of the ‘person’ -<br />
this may be through keeping<br />
track of birthdays or other<br />
special occasions and acknowledging<br />
these<br />
3. encouraging friendly competition<br />
in the workplace where<br />
appropriate - for example,<br />
measuring and communicating<br />
sales figures or production<br />
targets met<br />
4. ensuring that any issues<br />
raised are taken seriously<br />
and dealt with fairly, promptly<br />
and transparently<br />
5. ensuring there are opportunities<br />
to ‘touch base’ directly<br />
with managers as needed or<br />
at set points throughout the<br />
year<br />
6. measuring performance so<br />
underachievers can be supported<br />
to reach the requirements<br />
and/or performance<br />
managed; and your high<br />
performers rewarded. D<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
Book your<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> inspection now.<br />
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Included in our service is:<br />
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<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry November 2012 | 33<br />
taxi service guide<br />
T
airPorT NeWs<br />
changes at<br />
Melbourne airport<br />
Melbourne Airport taxi system upgrade complete<br />
There are some minor changes to procedures<br />
for taxis at Melbourne Airport following an<br />
upgrade to the taxi gates. The upgrade means<br />
that printed tickets are no longer required.<br />
Signs and stickers which inform passengers<br />
to ask drivers for tickets, as proof of purchase<br />
will be updated in due course. In the interim,<br />
the VTD has produced an open letter to the taxi<br />
industry regarding the airport parking fee and<br />
ticketing change.<br />
A copy of this letter (which is available via the VTD<br />
website www.taxi.vic.gov.au), should be retained in<br />
each applicable taxi and can be presented to passengers<br />
if required.<br />
With regard to access into Depot Drive yard, drivers<br />
should now simply remain in the same lane as the gate<br />
they enter in. By remaining in the same lane this will<br />
ensure a smooth flow and access to the airport’s taxi<br />
ranks, all taxis are to simply merge, one vehicle at a<br />
time from the right and left lanes when entering into<br />
and exiting from Service Road.<br />
Melbourne Airport appreciates your patience as<br />
these new procedures are introduced to improve efficiency<br />
and service.<br />
CABBiES frEE ENTry<br />
to Melbourne’s Zoos<br />
Zoos Victoria invites all Victorian taxi drivers<br />
for a free day out at the zoo during the month of<br />
November. Discover the three unique zoos: Mel-<br />
Voice<br />
of the taxi industry<br />
TAXI<br />
magazine<br />
Alex <strong>Taxi</strong> & Broker 21<br />
Blue Star <strong>Taxi</strong>’s 5<br />
CabFare 1, 29<br />
Car Central 25<br />
DuPont Perform. Coatings 33<br />
Flashcab 36<br />
Gaffney Wheels & Tyres 23<br />
GLV Motors 7<br />
Goodstone Pty Ltd 9<br />
Live <strong>Taxi</strong> Epay 17<br />
Martin Meters 19<br />
Metro Club Inc 21<br />
Metropolitan <strong>Taxi</strong> Club 13<br />
Pie Face 12<br />
Road Safety Inspections 33<br />
Schmidt Electronic Labs 11<br />
Information about all Melbourne Airport projects will<br />
be updated regularly on www.melbourneairport.com.<br />
au. Stay up to date with activities by signing up to Melbourne<br />
Airport’s twitter account @melair. D<br />
Melrose <strong>Taxi</strong> Yard Data Collection<br />
As of 15 October, the slip lane behind the cafe<br />
at Melrose <strong>Taxi</strong> Yard will have a boom gate. The<br />
new boom gate is to improve information captured<br />
to ultimately improve facilities and service<br />
at Melbourne Airport and no additional fees will<br />
be incurred as a result of this new boom gate. D<br />
bourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary or Werribee<br />
Open Range Zoo.<br />
Just show your valid taxi driver photo card for<br />
free entry. Remember kids are free every weekend!<br />
Offer valid from 1-30 November 2012. Open<br />
daily 9am-5pm. D<br />
ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY<br />
Southern Cross Business<br />
Finance 14<br />
sqbee 32<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong>care Australia 2-3<br />
Tulla Tyres 31<br />
United 35<br />
Yarra Finance 25<br />
<strong>Taxi</strong> <strong>Talk</strong> - Voice of the <strong>Taxi</strong> Industry
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