SYKES – LOCAL TAXIS OPERATORS IN CRISIS

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, will tell the State Government, next week in Parliament, it can no longer afford to ignore the plight of country taxis.

Dr Sykes will again alert the Government to the enormous challenges that country taxi operators face and urge the Minister to act before more country communities loose their taxi services, as has been the case, recently in Nagambie.

Dr Sykes said, “Taxis provide an essential service…nowhere is this better understood than in country areas. The elderly and the disabled, in many cases, are entirely dependent on taxis to access vital services, from the weekly shopping to medical appointments. Country Victorians simply cannot do without them.

“The Essential Services Commission (ESC), in its Taxi Fare Review 2005, acknowledges that in regional areas “taxis are a proxy form of public transport.”

“I have spoken with local taxi operators and some are ready to ‘walk away’. Margaret Wilson from Bright Taxis says they cannot secure drivers because the pay levels are so poor, which in so many cases has left the proprietors to run the taxis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without help. This is no longer physically possible for Ms Wilson and she says they are cutting out the night service during the week.

“Euroa Taxis are in similar circumstances. Gayle Armstrong says she is seriously considering just walking away from the business. This would be devastating for the most vulnerable people in the Euroa community but Ms Armstrong says she’s running out of options.

“The ESC Review has recommended an 8% increase in fares but local operators fear this may only exacerbate the situation. An increase in fares is a far too narrow approach. I support the Commission’s recommendations to conduct a review into the performance of the Multi-purpose Taxi Program. Since Government cut backs in the program local operators have seen a significant downturn, this must be addressed.

“I will discuss this matter with The Nationals Transport spokesperson and we will consider all the options. In particular, the merit of subsidising wheel chair friendly taxis as they are extremely expensive and operators suggest they are not profitable.

“We need to look closely at the impact community buses and transport have on the bread and butter turnover of taxi operators and find a balance because right now the balance doesn’t appear to be there.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The North East Regional Victorian Taxi Association will meet on 1 August, in Benalla. I will be there to discuss this further with local operators to ensure we reach a common sense solution, driven by the people who are directly affected.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989