Page 38 - drive a2b dec 2019 web

WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
NEWS

poorly implemented reforms residents, it meant the local date, after two+ years of
that have seen an increase operators had no choice requests, the Minister for
in business costs, reduced but to pass on the 10% Transport has refused to
income and removal of tax. Meaning these people meet with regional operators
Country Taxi Plate assets, effectively fund the buyback to discuss solutions.
leaving operators with large of taxi plates, for which they
legacy debts. gain no benefit. In regards to the WA
State Government's
Initially regional operators The lack of consultation Mental Health Strategy it
were advised the and understanding of how appears that despite the
government would fund the regional taxi operators and three key directions being
buyback through a 10% tax businesses manage large "person centred supports
on their businesses. But fluctuations in seasonal and services, connected
these funds were actually and local demand has lead approaches and balanced
going to be passed onto to the dismantling of long investment" this doesn't
metropolitan plate owners standing co-operatives apply to people with a
and regional operators were and the closure of some disability, especially when
excluded from the buyback. small regional taxi services they live in regional WA.
in WA. This impacts local
Regional operators lobbied communities who lose Nobody cares about the
that this was unethical and transport options as well mental health of hardworking
unfair and so the 10% tax as local jobs and the regional operators who
was removed from regional subsequent economic have had to deal with
areas. Yet Mandurah/Murray impacts. the stress of losing their
area still have the 10% incomes, investments and
tax imposed, but they are Regional operators have businesses. And who are
excluded from the buyback. persevered in lobbying the now facing the heartbreaking
State Government to ensure prospect of letting their local
For residents in the that local taxi services can community down, especially
Mandurah/Murray area, continue, especially with the vulnerable disabled and
including many low income regards to disability access elderly.
elderly and disabled transport which is vital. To

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38 DRIVE A2B magazine · December 2019 / January 2020