Page 26 - DRIVE A2B April 2020

Doing

it

tough

Support package vital to keep taxis working

A support package to keep taxi Mr Barton's suggestions include:- private vehicles to transport our
drivers working is essential to • diverting the $1 trip levy to most vulnerable citizens. We need
maintain transport options for drivers to ensure proper training, proper
Victoria's elderly, disabled and • emergency leave benefits safety measures and consistent
vulnerable, according to Eastern hygiene standards."
Metro MP and Transport Matters • opening access to small
Party leader Rod Barton. business support He also raised the risk of newly
• tolling exemptions unemployed or underemployed
Mr Barton has provided the Andrews • VicRoads registration fee workers flocking to the rideshare
Government with a list of solutions exemption sector to supplement their income
that would support drivers and keep and he has asked that new driver
essential transport services, such as • and a further delay on invoicing accreditations be deferred for 6
wheelchair access taxis, on the road. for CPV accreditation fees. months.

"Taxis are an essential service that "The regulator has failed to invoice "New drivers to the sector would
so many people rely on for the most drivers for accreditation fees for the further dilute what is a very over
basic trips to supermarkets and past three years. These payments supplied market, not to mention
medical appointments and we must were due to resume this year, but the increased health and safety
keep them on the roads," said Mr we would ask that the Government risks of using private vehicles in
Barton. wait now and review it again in 6 a commercial capacity," says Mr
months. At $55 it’s little more than Barton.
Mr Barton wrote to the Treasurer half a tank of fuel."
and Minister for Public Transport in Other states and territories have
March and has been in talks over "We’ve also asked the Government started to release assistance
measures to assist drivers. to intervene and offer financial packages for the taxi and
support for taxi driver depot fees, commercial passenger vehicle
"Many of the drivers and operators and to allow taxis to pick up and industry this week, and Mr Barton
in the taxi industry work under deliver medical scripts for those says it is vital that Victoria release its
a bailment arrangement and eligible for the multi-purpose taxi own package soon.
are neither small businesses nor program."
employees. However, their pricing, "Drivers have had it tough for the
hours and standards are set by the Mr Barton has also asked for last few years and for many this will
Government through the Essential suspension of rideshare trials of the be the last straw."
Services Commission - effectively they multi-purpose taxi program.
are employed by the state," he says.
"This is not the time to allow
26 DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · April 2020