COUNTRY CABBIES SHORT-CHANGED

Country taxi drivers are being short-changed when they provide a service for people with disabilities, according to The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

While repeating his demand for immediate action by the Bracks’ Government to address the crisis of the country taxi industry, Dr Sykes said country taxi operators were missing out on a subsidy that was being paid to city-based taxi operators.

“During several meetings that I have been involved in with concerned country taxi operators, I have been told that the big city companies receive a subsidy of $1,300 per year for each wheelchair-friendly taxi they operate,” Dr Sykes said.

“On top of that, the city operators receive an additional subsidy of $3.30 booking fee and $1 per kilometre to attend jobs in the wheelchair-friendly taxis.

“Neither subsidy is available to country operators and I want to find out why.”

Dr Sykes has raised the issue of country taxi services in State Parliament and has repeatedly called on the Bracks’ Government to review the industry as a matter of urgency.

“Melbourne Labor just doesn’t seem to understand the seriousness of the situation,” Dr Sykes said.

“We have country towns about to lose a vital service because of issues like the Bracks’ Government cuts to the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program and the high cost of operating wheelchair-friendly taxis.

“At the very least, the Government must remove the unfair cap on the Multi-Purpose Taxi program and ensure that all taxi operators receive the operating subsidies given to the large city taxi operators. The Government should also consider subsidising the purchase and operation of the wheelchair-friendly services in the country and greater use of taxis for community transport. Trials in country Victoria have shown taxis can be cheaper and more effective than Government funded cars, many of which only operate 9am-5pm.

“Country taxi operators are more than a business – in many small towns where public transport is non-existent, they prevent people from becoming isolated and allow them to remain living independently in the country.”

“I have spoken with Mr Carlo Carli, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport, and conveyed to him loud and clear the concerns of country taxi operators,” Dr Sykes said.

“I hope that the voice of country taxi operators has now been heard and that the Government makes significant changes to the country taxi industry immediately.

Dr Sykes concluded, “We cannot afford to lose taxis from country communities. Taxis are an essential service in country Victoria.”

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