March 2007

THE GOVERNMENT’S TAXI AGENDA IS CLEAR

In the February edition of Taxi Talk, Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD) director Stuart Shearer concluded his article with these words – “By working together, we can ensure that the taxi industry is viewed with the respect and appreciation we know it deserves.”

I have absolutely no doubt that Stuart’s words were meant in the most positive and constructive way.

It is sad, therefore, that some commentators, whose only interest is ratings or social profile, use the same words in a negative way by suggesting the taxi industry performs badly and therefore it’s okay to treat drivers badly. How absolutely pathetic and negative such people are, and to my mind, their behaviour borders on incitement.

In the same edition, both the Minister for Public Transport (Lynne Kosky MP) and Stuart Shearer wrote about the Government’s taxi agenda. Clearly, driver safety, industry accreditation and WAT services are at the top of the list for 2007, along with a fresh attack on MPTP fraud.

This understanding was reinforced by Garry Ellis and Jeff Dalman from the VTD when they addressed the February meeting of the VTA Council, and yet again when I met with parliamentary secretary, Rob Hudson MP, some days later.

Clearly, the plan is to target poor performing and unaccredited drivers, and taxi operators who operate poor quality and un-roadworthy vehicles.

It’s a bit hard to argue with these objectives, but as I’ve said before, whatever actions are put in place, should not put all drivers and operators through the wringer – they should just identify and deal with the poor performers.

After all, most taxi drivers and taxi operators are fair dinkum, hard working folk, who want their industry to improve and to be proud of it.

Neil Sach
VTA CEO