Page 17 - drive a2b june 2020 website

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My greatest concern is that the pressures of
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COVID-19 restrictions on the taxi industry will

see the loss of WAVs to the industry.

Victorians who use wheelchairs and the Victorian community as they and fellow members of parliament to
those with limited mobility are, at co-ordinate the delivery of WAVs, but support local businesses.
the best of times, more limited in they are under significant financial
accessing medical, shopping or pressure, with a number facing the I call on our industry, to consider
social needs outside their home. prospect of not continuing to be before you buy who will benefit most
However, the real risk of a reduction viable. - a small business owner or a large
in WAVs in Victoria’s CPV fleet would international corporation.
exasperate their ongoing needs. This is particularly evident in regional
Victoria. The accessibility of WAVs is My message is clear for those making
Victorians who are eligible for the directly linked to the viability of the transport choices, choose operators
Multiple Purpose Taxi Program BSP – without BSPs most vulnerable - be they taxis, hire cars or rideshare
(MPTP) are considered a higher Victorians will not be able to access - that are registered Australian
risk cohort in relation to COVID-19 WAVs. businesses, and their profits and
and therefore may rely on CPVs for taxes remain in Australia.
more of their trips, thus creating I have urged both the Minister for
further financial stress. This group of Public Transport and the regulator
Victorians may not be able to afford to think carefully about unintended
additional CPV use and will be faced consequences when they advocate
with the choice of staying at home or for changes to the MPTP. I fear the
putting their health at risk. regulator has not learnt any lessons
from the 2017 reforms and continues
Further, there is a cohort of other to push expansion of the market to
Victorians who do not qualify for the casual operators.
MPTP but who are considered by the
Chief Health Officer as higher risk. Changes to the MPTP will only
exacerbate the social and economic Visit my Facebook page at www.
This includes people who are over harm that was done in 2017 and facebook.com/RodBartonMP/ or
70, Indigenous Australians and those continue to be felt by the taxi and my website www.rodbarton.com.
over 50 with pre-existing conditions. hire car industry as it has been au. Here you will find information on
devastating for thousands of how to share this #buylocal message
They will be less likely to live Victorian families. among your friends and family and
independently and less likely to risk encourage people to think before
even appropriately distanced public Support local, support they buy.
transport services as restrictions are Australian businesses
lifted if they are not provided with Stay well. Stay safe.
personal transport options. The first siting week back after
COVID-19 restrictions I took the We're all in this together and we
Our Booking Service Providers opportunity to urge the community, must support each other.
(BSP) are an important asset to Government departments, Ministers

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · June 2020 17