Page 14 - drive a2b dec 2019 web

NEW
SOUTH
VICTORIA
WALES
NEWS
NEWS

news

CPVV "W" President, Transport Alliance Australia
André Baruch
Endorsement

Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) is not based on a minimum standard.
A
recently released an issues paper on the “W” Details of what the CPVV require can be
endorsement and invited Transport Alliance found on their website in their “Wheelchair
Australia - Victoria (TAA-Vic) to take part in a Accessible Vehicle Driver handbook”.
workshop on 15 November to discuss these • There are very different training schemes
issues.
SSOCIA
being offered by different operators and
I attended on behalf of TAA-Vic and I was they each have their own set standard. For
pleased to see that this workshop was not example, some may insist that operators
only for the providers of Wheelchair Accessible re-train every 1 to 2 years, whereas others
Vehicle (WAV) services, but also advocates and don’t have this requirement.
users of the services from the disability sector.
The workshop looked at the state of the
Participants included 13cabs, Shebah, TAA, industry from both the point of view of the
TION NEW
S
Black and White Cabs, Carers Victoria, Scope, Booking Service Providers (BSPs) and the WAV
National Disability Services, the Disability passengers. Remarkably there was a great
Resource Centre, Uber and Geelong Taxis. consensus of everyone in the room of the need
to provide a safe, efficient and reliable service at
This mix of users and providers lead to a very
productive and interesting discussion. all times. A reminder that over 95% of the taxi
industry strive to give the best possible service
Some facts from the meeting.... at all times.
• 20% of Victorians have a disability. That is 1 I was encouraged by this workshop, and I look
in 5 people. We have to remember that not forward to further interaction with this group to
all disabilities are visible. assist the CPVV in their process to ensure the

• There are currently 100,000 active Multi safety of this sector of our customers.
Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) users.
The group concluded and the CPVV agreed,
• Currently there is no minimum standard for that as a minimum level of competencies, WAV
WAV operators. CPVV has an assessment drivers should be able to:
task list to get their accreditation, but this
14 DRIVE A2B magazine · December 2019 / January 2020