Taxi-car Control Act to be replaced

12/11/93

Western Australia's Taxi-car Control Act is to be repealed and replaced with a new, briefer statute giving the industry greater flexibility.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said State Cabinet had approved a range of measures following the review of the Act which was begun under the previous Labor government.

Mr Charlton said regulation would be maintained in the interests of the industry and public.

Central among the changes would be the dismantling of the Taxi Control Board, to be replaced by a broadly-based Taxi Industry Board.

The new board would not have public servants on it.

The TIB would be chaired by an independent person and comprise taxi industry members, including radio companies, taxi owners, drivers and management companies.

The Government would retain control over the issuing of new licences and setting fares.  The Taxi Industry Board would be responsible for setting and maintaining service and vehicle standards, encouraging innovation, driver accreditation, driver discipline and debt collection.

"Past criticism of the TCB, both within and outside the industry, has been that it has not been adequately representative of either the industry or community," Mr Charlton said.

"The new TIB will change that situation by having total concentration on industry planning.

"I envisage the TIB developing a business plan which will see a growth in the number of taxi users.

"The changes follow lengthy consultation with the industry following the review of the Taxi Control Act, and while I have determined it is not appropriate to deregulate Perth's taxi industry, I believe it is necessary to separate industry planning and regulation.

"The decision to have regulatory arrangements administered by the Department of Transport is in line with procedures set for other parts of the transport industy.

"The department will administer taxi-related subsidies, co-ordinate taxi regulation with public transport, act as a consumer advocate, foster competition within the industry, set minimum service provision standards for specific customer groups and reduce barriers to change.

"The main criticism of the industry was that the current regulatory structure prevented it from focusing on meeting the demands of a changing market.

"I think that given the freedom to be innovative, the new board will end the present decline in taxi usage."

Under the changes, regulation of entry into the industry would be achieved through:

·       taxi drivers being required to hold a current taxi driver's licence;

·       radio companies being registered by Government with an opportunity for new radio companies to be formed and registered at any time;

·       taxi car management companies being registered; and -

·       all taxis being required to be affiliated to a radio company.

Mr Charlton said legislation to establish the new Act and TIB would be introduced into State Parliament in the Autumn Session.

The Taxi Control Board would continue to operate until the legislation was enacted.

"The changes will ensure taxi owners are treated with equity and the industry is assisted in responding appropriately to market demand," Mr Charlton said.

"Perth's taxi industry has a positive future, provided it can be innovative and is not burdened by too many regulations and the necessity to administer those regulations."

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333 AH Pager:  480 9999 (94065)