The Official Newsletter of Aerial Capital Group Ltd Issue Thirty May 2015
CTIA NEWS THE ACT TAXI REVIEW PG. 4 FLEET NEWS FLEET PRESENTATION PG. 2 PLEASE LEAVE ME IN THE CAR FOR OTHERS TO READ.
TAXI RANK UPDATE: • CITY EAST RANK (WALTONS) | BUNDA STREET : IS ACTIVE AGAIN IN ITS ORIGINAL POSITION OUTSIDE THE CANBERRA CENTRE. • GUNGAHLAN RANK | HIBBERSON STREET: RANK IS SOON TO BE MOVED BACK A COUPLE OF SPACES FROM ITS PRESENT LOCATION WITH U-TURNS POSSIBLE IN FRONT OF THE RANK. ACCESS TO THE RANK WILL ONLY BE POSSIBLE FROM GUNGAHLIN PLACE. THIS IS A TEMPORARY DISRUPTION EXPECTED TO LAST APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS WHILE ROAD UPGRADES TAKE PLACE. • KINGSTON FORESHORE RANK: HAS STILL NOT BEEN BUILT AND REMINDERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ACT ROADS.
KING CABBIE’S TIPS Our Common Taxi Voice
• LICENSED AND REGULATED TAXI OWNERS AND THEIR DRIVERS ARE AT THE HEART OF THE PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN CANBERRA;
• LICENSED TAXIS OFFER PASSENGER SAFETY – DRIVER POLICE CHECKS, LICENSING, IN-CAR CAMERAS, PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE AND REGULATED DRIVER TRAINING;
• TAXIS OFFER A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO ALL PASSENGER GROUPS INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THE AGED AND SPECIAL NEEDS TRAVELLERS AT REGULATED PRICES.
FROM THE MD’S DESK
ISSUE #30 MAY 2015
TABLE OF WRITTEN BY MARK BRAMSTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR Melbourne, in April this year, hosted the Australian Taxi Industry conference. Mike Foggerty, the President of the American TLPA (TaxiCab Limousine and Para-transport Association) spoke about the challenges being met head-on in the US. US taxi companies’ best competition from TNC (Technology Network Companies) and in many cases with the support of City Regulators. Here TNC refers to the technology providers like Uber, Lyft, TaxiMagic, goCurb, iHail etc, etc.
CONTENTS
FLEET NEWS
02
TRAINING ROOM
03
CTIA NEWS
04
DRIVER POINTS
06
AMBASSADOR DRIVERS
07
CabBerra this month details a customer rating option that is being added to Aerial’s Book and Track App and Web booking page. Why are we doing this? Not, and I repeat, not to do what the TNC’s do. TNC’s typically use negative customer feedback to terminate driver access to bookings, usually without consultation or access to natural justice. Aerial will use this customer feedback within our existing fleet management system and this information will be made available to Operators firstly. Once the Operator has been consulted then Aerial’s Fleet Management process will be used, where there is a need. Our first goal is to offer safety with great service. We are not focusing on the TNC’s revolving door that pushes drivers through their money machine.
MAY EVENTS
08
EVENTS OF MONTH
09
OUT AND ABOUT
10
Another great Conference message was to keep the emphasis on the value of the small business taxi owner. Small business owners must have a passion for their businesses to be successful. Passion and innovation go hand in hand and we all know that the taxi industry overflows with passion. Politicians hear the weight of numbers and all we need do is join our passion to a common voice. Let the common voice focus on the vision and the ideas that make the many small businesses that own taxis.
QUIZ 12
Mike highlighted many very important issues in challenging TNCs. Two examples given were memorable. TNC’s often do not carry adequate insurance cover and this has left drivers and passengers worse off. Customer safety is frequently overlooked or compromised and the outcome falls a long way below the hype and marketing messages. Taxi companies, typically hold adequate commercial insurance, which costs, and in Canberra Aerial holds all the necessary commercial insurance cover needed to support our taxi operators and their drivers. Customer Safety is the competitive point of difference where the future challenge between licensed Taxi Companies and TNC’s will be decided.
And finally three important rules to remember when presenting our taxi industry ideas with a common voice: 1 – “We don’t need to be defensive” (We offer a great service and put priority on community safety). 2 – “Our message must never be self-serving” (We are here to serve the community not a few wealthy individuals that offer big tips or can afford the surge pricing taken by greedy opportunists). 3 – “Keep evolving at the forefront of technology” (This is in play and a lot of new things are on the way. Aerial will be part of the Taxi Industry’s forward pack).
For any enquiries regarding the CabBerra magazine, please give us a call on 02 6126 1696 or email us at marketing@aerialcapitalgroup.com.au
FLEET NEWS
FLEET PRESENTATION WASHED AWAY WITH THE RAIN
H
ello to all the operators and drivers in the industry. I hope you have all had a safe and profitable month. In this month’s edition of the Fleet News I plan to talk about dirty taxis, the implementation of a new driver rating system and winter uniforms.
Over the past month the Canberra region has received a lot of wet weather and with this type of weather we often see the standard of presentation in the Fleet decrease. I have personally visited the Airport Rank on numerous occasions in previous weeks to find some taxis in great condition despite the poor weather. To those operator/drivers well done and keep up the good work. However the condition of certain taxis in the fleet was quite frankly well below our network standard. Operators and Drivers are reminded that dirt, mud and thick black dust on top of Canberra Elite livery is a dreadful representation of the fleet to customers and members of the public. At a time when customer service has never been so important the presentation of taxis needs to be immaculate at all times. Aerial is aware that cleaning takes time and money but remember we are trying to exceed the customers’ expectations. If the customer is expecting a dirty taxi then let’s give them the cleanest taxis they have ever seen. In coming weeks Aerial staff will be on the lookout for the cleanest taxis in the fleet and will be rewarding these taxis through the ambassador driver program. Whilst we are on the subject of customer service I would like to take the chance to announce the implementation of a three star driver rating program that Aerial will be introducing over the coming weeks. This system will allow customers who have booked their taxi through an Aerial based website or through the mobile booker to rate their driver after travelling in the taxi. Customers will have the opportunity to rate their trip out of three
02 - CABBERRA THIRTY
WRITTEN BY JASON SHIELDS, FLEET MANAGER stars with one star meaning the customer was disappointed and three stars meaning the customer had a good trip. The customer will also be able to provide the reason for the rating given. For the time being this will only be available for customers booking online but over time there are plans to introduce this option to all Canberra Elite, Silver Service Canberra and QE customers. The information gathered from this system will be used to improve driver training to meet the customer’s requirements. It will also be available for drivers to self analyse their own performances. This is an important step forward as we aim to provide the best level of customer service of any taxi network or transport provider in Australia. Finally I want to address uniform standards within the fleet. It seems every year as soon as the weather starts to cool down we see a lot of drivers wearing clothing which is not the approved network uniform. One of the most common problems that we are coming across is black jeans or black business trousers. Please be aware that black trousers are not part of the Aerial uniform and drivers will be penalized if caught wearing them. The other common breach is the wearing of non-uniform jackets. When driving on the Aerial network you are required to wear the correct uniform for the fleet you are driving in. For the Canberra Elite fleet this is a navy blue jacket with the CTIA logo. Should you have any questions regarding the correct uniform for the Fleet you are driving in please don’t hesitate to contact the Fleet Department who will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding uniforms. Remember the Aerial shop is your one-stop shop for all your CTIA jumpers, vests, pants and jackets in 2015. That’s it for this edition of the Fleet News. Stay safe and we will see you on a rank sometime soon.
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
FLEET NEWS
FROM THE TRAINING ROOM WRITTEN BY JAMES BETTS
T
he Driver Training School has been back up and running for a couple of months now with the new curriculum, R.T.O and practical assessment requirements. We are pleased to say we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from course attendees thus far. So far 28 attendees have completed the course in full and received statement of attainments outlining their completion of nationally recognised training.
In addition to the new content there have been some adjustments to the booking procedures and evidence requirements for completing the theory components of the course. For anyone who is unsure as to how students are to book in and what is required to complete the course I have included a quick checklist; • Pick up an info pack from reception • This includes the Jockeying Workbooks A and B • Medical and police check forms • Info as to the ACT government requirements • Complete the Jockeying Workbook Part A and have the applicant submit this by Friday lunchtime prior to booking their course • Attend the 2.5 day course (usually Mon-Wed dependent on public holidays) • Complete the Jockeying Workbook Part B and Geography Workbooks • Attend the Testing session on Thursday afternoons from 1:30pm to complete the theory assessments • Upon successful completion of the theory assessments and having submitted Jockeying Part B and the Geography Workbook, the applicant can book a practical assessment • If found competent the applicant will receive a nationally recognized certificate Please be aware that any applicants who have not held their licence in the ACT for the previous 12 months will be required to submit a licence history statement when booking their practical assessment. If you have any queries at all please feel free to email me at James.Betts@AerialCapitalGroup.com.au
LOAN APPROACH HOME & CAR LOAN SPECIALIST Call Ashok Chhabra for an expert advice Email all enquiries to enquiry@loanapproach.com.au or call 0433 398 097 29 Morrow St Dunlop ACT 2615 CRN:439457
ABN:51668 783 218
CANBERRA TAXI INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
CTIA NEWS
ACT TAXI INDUSTRY INNOVATION REVIEW WRITTEN BY JOHN MCKEOUGH, CHAIRMAN OF CTIA he CTIA contribution to the business well being of taxi drivers and operators was demonstrated last month when the resolution of the local taxi driver training problem was reported. The campaign to address the apparent seduction of some politicians and economists by the likes of Uber and goCatch has hardly begun. The Harper Report into competition policy in Australia claims to present a forward-looking package of reforms to Australia’s competition policies, competition laws and competition institutions; and well it might. Naturally the many inquiries involving productivity, competition policy, and state taxi operations are put into the hands of economists of whom nearly all believe economies run best when they are deregulated. And so the Harper Review into competition policy, released in March 2015, has recommended, among other things, the deregulation of shopping hours, pharmacies and taxis. Although the Harper Review suggested that deregulation of the taxi industry was well overdue and something that needed to be done now, it did say that it could see little benefit to the public in such a move. The Harper Review, unlike the National Competition Policy Review of the 1990’s, did not wield the big stick and leave state governments in a position whereby they would lose productivity bonuses on offer from the federal government if they did not deregulate as recommended. It did, however, suggest that the illegal UberX service should be able to compete with the taxi industry. From the taxi industry point of view, the draft of its findings was at first seen as standard comments from a group of economists (but not to be taken lightly), that would have little sway over common sense, and the recommendation that an illegal operation with obvious unfair advantages over the taxi industry was expected to be dismissed The ATIA made a lengthy submission in response to the draft, but was unable to have it changed. Unfortunately, the decision by the ACT government to hold the ACT Taxi Industry Innovation Review appears to have been driven by the seductive approach of Uber (see Canberra Times 5/5/15- “Uber works with government on new taxi reform”) to both the ACT government and the Harper panel. It is disappointing to the CTIA that a foreign company that has been facilitating illegal taxi services and facing questions on its attitude to its Australian tax obligations has been able to “work with government” when in 2007, the CTIA, after suggesting to Minister Hargreaves that by working together, he and the CTIA could make a better taxi industry, was told that he did “… not want to be seen as a captive of an industry”. Along with the ACT taxi inquiry and the Harper Report the CTIA needs to respond to a paper produced by local federal member Andrew Leigh on the Sharing Economy. 04 - CABBERRA THIRTY
Mr Leigh’s paper has been produced on behalf of the Australian Labor Party and although he believes there is great potential in the peer-to-peer market, he is well aware of the need to address concerns around public safety, workers rights, tax and accessibility. They are the concerns of the taxi industry too and one might think that logic and a sense of fairness will ensure that UberX type fake taxi services will be prevented from starting in Canberra. But this cannot be taken for granted. The CTIA and Aerial will be working hard over the next few months to protect the interests of taxi drivers, operators and owners, but representations by individuals to MPs and Legislative Assembly members will help the cause. Everyone can play a role.
AUSTRALIAN TAXI CONFERENCE, MELBOURNE At the time of writing this item, it is two weeks before the Australian Taxi Conference in Melbourne and a report on the conference will be presented in the June issue of CabBerra. The topics will include, the state if the taxi industry in Australia and overseas, communications, future fuel, driver training and the importance of regulation. Mr Jeff Kennett, former Premier of Victoria, and a supporter of the taxi industry will give the keynote address.
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
We are here to help you work smarter. 3
1
7
6
5
1
4
5
4 9
9 7
8
2
6
6 2
7 8
4
Now you have time to spare. Visit www.fujixerox.com.au Xerox, Xerox and Design, as well as Fuji Xerox and Design [add any other trademarks that are used here] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xerox Corporation in Japan and/or other countries and are used under license.
AERIAL POINT SYSTEM
DRIVER POINTS SYSTEM
SANDEEP SHARMA
CHRIS STENT
RAVNEET SINGH
HONEY SAHORE
MARCUS BRADLEY TIESLER
ABHIJEET MAHESHWARI
GAGAN GULSHANKUMAR BATRA
GUL AHMAD KHALIDI
RASHID MEHMOOD
SEDHA SAO
YAU KWONG LUM
ATIF SHAHZAD
DAVID BENNETT
KRISHAN PAL
GAGANDEEP SINGH
06 - CABBERRA THIRTY
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
AMBASSADOR DRIVERS
WELL
DONE! AMBASSADOR DRIVERS MING CHI FU A message we received from one of your customers:
BABAR KHAN Babar, we received a call from someone who works at Ainslie shops. She witnessed you assisting a disabled passenger with getting their medication and getting in and out of the car. She wanted to tell us at the base that you are a credit to this organisation. We were even more impressed when we called you to pass on the message a few hours later and you said that you were just carrying your duties. Job well done!
I want to bring to the attention of the Canberra Elite management the good work done by one of your taxi drivers. On Tuesday, 28 April 2015, I had an appointment in Chapman. Unfortunately I had a flat tyre (my health condition does not permit me to replace tyre myself) and I had to leave the car at Namatjira Drive in Warramanga. I had to order a cab to get to and from my appointment. On the way back from Chapman I was in the cab TX174. The taxi driver dropped me at my destination (where my car had broken down). I showed him my car with a flat tyre across the road. He offered to help. It was around 5pm and peak time for taxis. It took him at least 15 minutes to replace the tyre and check that everything was done properly. I offered him money for his time and work but he dismissed it. As expected his hands got dirty too. It was a busy time and I am sure he would have had to decline a few jobs to help me.
RAM TIRATH BANGER A message from your customer: I took a taxi one afternoon from Garran to the airport. The driver was an absolute delight, he was so courteous and such a gentleman. Please let him know that he has done a great job. I hope many other drivers are like him.
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
He helped me without any fuss, without making me feel bad, and without expecting anything in return. On top of that he did all the work like he would do for his own vehicle. I am very grateful for his help. It would be great if Canberra Elite could recognise the work of this good samaritan. We need more compassionate and helpful people like him in our community. CABBERRA THIRTY - 07
MAY EVENTS 2015
HAPPENING IN CANBERRA Port Moresby | Second Contact
1/05/2015 to 24/05/2015
PhotoAccess
Canberra International Music Festival
1/05/2015 to 10/05/2015
Various Venues
100 years of Kingston Power House
2/05/2015 to 06/06/2015
Canberra Glassworks
The Umbilical Brothers – KiDSHoW (Not Suitable For Children)
04/05/2015 TO 05/05/2015
Canberra Theatre Centre
Warp Drive
05/05/2015
The Shine Dome
Little Faces - May
05/05/2015 to 06/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
CSO Llewellyn Series 15.2 Tchaikovsky
06/05/2015 to 07/05/2015
Llewellyn Hall, Australian National University
LE NOIR - The Dark Side of Cirque
06/05/2015 to 10/05/2015
Canberra Theatre
The Importance of Being Miriam
06/05/2015 to 09/05/2015
The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
Encoded
08/05/2015 to 09/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Segue 2015
08/05/2015 to 10/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Massacre
09/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Portrait Encounter
09/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans
09/05/2015
GIO Stadium Canberra
Hughes Parties at the Shops
09/05/2015
Hughes Shops
Delve Deeper
09/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Mother's Day - Carlos Perez Martinez: Live music in the Barrel Room
10/05/2015
Lerida Estate Winery
Aves Nocturnas
10/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Baby et Lulu
10/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Mother's Day on the shareway
10/05/2015
Bunda Street Shareway
Wednesday gallery talks: Absent bodies
13/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
FASHFEST
13/05/2015 to 16/05/2015
National Convention Centre
Jasmine Rae
15/05/2015
Casino Canberra
SciNight: X-rated science for adults
15/05/2015
Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre
Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be - The story of Bon Scott
15/05/2015 to 16/05/2015
The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
Salut! Baroque May Concert: The Quartet
15/05/2015
Albert Hall
Ian Moss
16/05/2015
The Street Theatre
I Love Photography Workshop
16/05/2015 to 17/05/2015
Griffith Hall
Mostly Mendelssohn
16/05/2015
Llewellyn Hall, Australian National University
What My Mother told Me: Thorough Bass
17/05/2015
High Court of Australia, Public Hall Level 2
Twenty Years of FourPlay
17/05/2015
The Street Theatre
Old Bus Depot Markets - A Celebration of Wool
17/05/2015
Old Bus Depot Markets
International Museum Day
17/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
A literary portrait
21/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
Revealing the Rothschild Prayer Book c.1505–1510 from the Kerry Stokes Collection
22/05/2015 to 09/08/2015
National Library of Australia
Mt Stromlo Observatory May Public Night
22/05/2015
Mt. Stromlo Observatory
Ainslie Parties at the Shops
23/05/2015
Ainslie Shops
Once, our comrades
24/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
Three Sixty Fashion Market - Autumn
24/05/2015
Fitters Workshop
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
24/05/2015
GIO Stadium Canberra
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
29/05/2015 to 30/05/2015
Canberra Theatre Centre
Brumbies v Bulls
29/05/2015
GIO Stadium Canberra
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos
30/05/2015
GIO Stadium Canberra
No Turning Back
31/05/2015
Dendy Cinemas Canberra Centre
MS Walk + Fun Run 2015
31/05/2015
Rond Terraces
Reconciliation Week: In the trenches - out of memory
31/05/2015
National Portrait Gallery
08 - CABBERRA THIRTY
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
EVENTS OF THE MONTH
The Australian Ballet Giselle
Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra Thursday 21 May 2015 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Love conquers death in this ultimate Romantic ballet. A village girl falls in love with a man who is not all he seems. The Australian Ballet first performed on the Canberra Theatre stage for its opening performance in June 1965 and returns in 2015 to celebrate the theatres 50th birthday. When: Thu 21 May 2015, 7:30pm–9:30pm Fri 22 May 2015, 7:30pm–9:30pm Sat 23 May 2015, 1:30pm–3:30pm Sat 23 May 2015, 7:30pm–9:30pm Mon 25 May 2015, 6:30pm–8:30pm Tue 26 May 2015, 7:30pm–9:30pm Where: Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Canberra Theatre Centre 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra Thursday 28 May 2015 7:00pm – 11:00pm The Canberra Theatre Centre celebrates 50 years of Performing Arts in the Nation’s Capital with an exclusive Gala Dinner, theatrically set on the stage of the Canberra Theatre. FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
CABBERRA THIRTY - 09
OUT AND ABOUT
10 - CABBERRA THIRTY
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
OUT AND ABOUT
MANINDER TX74
JASON & SHIV TX175
ABDULLAH TX67 & JASON
SHIV TX175
SYED UMER TX47
SATISH TX152
TIEN TX92
LUIS TX84 RAJINDER TX78 FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
CABBERRA THIRTY - 11
QUIZ
1
2 3
4 5 7
6
8
9 10 11
SPRING 12
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Taxi Dispatch System (6)
2. A Taxi (6,5)
4. A Taxi Queue (4)
3. An Inner North Suburb
6. Taxi Passenger (3)
5. Large Taxi (4)
8. Fleet Manager (5,7)
7. Premium Taxi (6,7)
9. A Taxi Manager (8)
11. A Container Village (8)
10. What a Taxi Passenger Pays (4) 12. An Inner South (8)
2 = 6, 3 = 12, 4 = 20, 5 = 30, 6 = 42 9= 12 - CABBERRA THIRTY
FACEBOOK.COM/AERIALCG
Aerial workshop May Special
$140
FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SERVICE & REGAS BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL, CALL 02 6126 1500
CAPITAL GROUP LIMITED
“It’s not real without the seal”
Protect the future of our industry and fight back against illegal ride-sharing! Join the ‘Grab a Cab!’ campaign and display the seal of approval on your cab to inform your passengers that their journey will be safe and in accordance with all government regulations.
An Australian Taxi Industry Association initiative.
www.grabacab.net.au