Minister meets with taxi industry and police

28/6/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today met with representatives of the taxi industry and police to discuss action aimed at reducing the possibility of unauthorised taxis operating.

At the meeting were representatives of the Department of Transport, Taxi Industry Board, Swan Taxis, Black & White Taxis, the Taxi Council of Western Australia, the WA Taxi Operators' Association, the Taxi Federation and police.

Agreement was reached on a series of measures to tighten up the identification of taxis.

Mr Charlton said that in future, when taxis were decommissioned, all identification would have to be removed before the car could be relicensed as a private vehicle.

No new taxi would be licensed until it was fitted out with all relevant identification including taxi plates, meters, computer terminals, roof lights and company identification.

Taxi dispatch companies agreed at the meeting to put in place stricter controls on the distribution of company signs.

They also agreed to implement a program of customer service training for taxi drivers.

Mr Charlton said that from July 1 this year, all taxi drivers should be wearing uniforms which were agreed to earlier this year. There were penalties for drivers who did not wear the specified uniforms.

"The introduction of uniforms and customer service training will lift the image of the taxi industry," he said.

"We want a high-class, well-trained group of professional people out there."

Changes to small vehicle charter identification were also discussed such as an enlarged sticker, driver identification and a special series of plates.

An education campaign will be implemented to advise the public on how to use taxis and small vehicle charter services.

The Department of Transport will continue to work closely with the police to refine any further aspects of driver identification.

Media contact: Sally Squires 321 7333