The Official Newsletter of Aerial Capital Group Ltd Issue Thirty-Two August/September 2015
PLEASE LEAVE ME IN THE CAR FOR OTHERS TO READ.
Spring Has Sprung And It’s Time To Check Your Taxi Air-Conditioning Make sure it is in tip top condition to ensure the comfort and health of both drivers and passengers during the hot summer months.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ISSUE #32 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 FLEET NEWS
2
MEET TODD
3
CTIA NEWS
4
5
6
SEPTEMBER MAIN EVENT
7
FLORIADE MAP 2015
9
EVENTS SEPTEMBER
SOCIAL MEDIA HOUSE RULES
DRIVER POINTS
10
AMBASSADOR DRIVERS
11
OUT & ABOUT
12
For any enquiries regarding the CabBerra magazine, please call 02 6126 1696 or email marketing@aerialcapitalgroup.com.au
FLEET NEWS
Accepting the need to get a move on!
After missing a month due to the production of the special danger edition of CabBerra it’s good to get back to the monthly Fleet News column. In this month’s edition we will talk about uniforms, driver ratings and the importance of moving immediately to a booking after accepting it. Once every couple of months I seem to find myself writing about uniforms and why they are important. This month I wanted to talk about a new trend that we are seeing a lot. This is the trend of drivers wearing long sleeve T-shirts underneath CTIA short sleeve shirts. All drivers should be aware that any drivers undertaking this practice will be considered out of uniform and will face action in line with Aerial By-Laws. It is both untidy and unprofessional. Should you wish to wear a T-shirt underneath a CTIA shirt you are required to wear a long sleeve CTIA shirt. If you are wearing a short sleeve CTIA shirt and are finding it hard to handle the cold Canberra winter then pop by the Aerial shop to purchase a jacket or jumper. Moving onto the driver rating system which has now been in place for three months. For those drivers who may have missed the May edition of Fleet News, customers who have booked their taxi through an Aerial based website or through the mobile web app are now able to rate their driver after travelling in the taxi. So far 80% of the ratings are positive which is a reflection of the hard work drivers have been putting into customer service. However it should be mentioned that we are averaging about three negative driver ratings a week. Customers giving these negative ratings have made it pretty clear to us that they want clean taxis, well presented drivers and offers of assistance. The high positive ratings show that the majority of the drivers are doing this. The challenge is for all drivers to provide the same 02 - CABBERRA THIRTY-two
high level of customer service that they expect. Finally in recent weeks those who have been driving would have seen messages on the system asking drivers to please move immediately to the pickup address after accepting a booking. Recently we have received an increased number of reports of drivers accepting bookings from the system but then taking 10-15 minutes before moving towards the pickup address. This often results in customer call-backs, customers being late for appointments or flights, and undue stress for the passenger. It also gives the passenger the impression that there is a shortage of taxis when the truth is the driver has accepted the job early and failed to move directly to the pickup address. This is more prevalent when the driver is at his home. Flat batteries or car won’t start is not an accepted excuse unless the driver has advised the Base immediately that there is a problem. In this case the job would usually be re-dispatched to another car. Over the coming months the taxi industry is expected to be challenged by ridesharing apps which dispatch work to the closest car via GPS. This provides a better result for customers but could be considered not so great for drivers. These applications dispatch in this way because the average pickup times are greatly reduced. The quicker customers are picked up the happier they will be. So those drivers who are failing to move directly to the pickup after accepting a job are leaving paying customers waiting extended periods of time. Don’t give the customers a reason to try another booking service. It will ultimately mean less money in your pocket. That’s all for this edition of Fleet News. Stay safe and we will see you a rank sometime soon. facebook.com/AerialCG
Todd is a Lions Hearing Dog and along with his owner Therese has worked for Aerial Capital Group since May 2010. Todd is a Wire Fox Terrier cross and is 7 years old. Todd was rescued from the Adelaide RSPCA pound by the Lions Hearing Dog organization, tested and found to be smarter than some humans. 8 Months and $30,000 later Todd was a fully qualified Hearing dog and a valuable member of our team along with his master Therese.
Want to know more?? Then keep watching as more is coming soon.
CANBERRA TAXI INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
CTIA NEWS There has been much said and written about the possible entry into Canberra of Uber and its uberX platform and its possible effects on the taxi industry. More will be said in the next few weeks.
what it was in 2013 when the number of surrendered licences reached fiftyone. The Canberra economy is not booming, but hopefully it has bottomed out.
However, maybe it’s about time something else is discussed, especially as spring (and Floriade) is in the air.
Thirdly, service delivery is probably the best in Australia with an average pick-up time for a booking not much over five minutes, and it appears that the fleet could handle a good deal more bookings without affecting service delivery.
I recently asked a taxi driver if he was having a good day and he said, “ I am always having a good day. I woke up this morning, I have a roof over my head, I had breakfast, and I have a job.” That’s the sort of taxi driver who gives us all a good name, our city and everyone in the taxi business. The Floriade season is one of those times when most people feel pretty good and hopeful and a time when Canberra’s taxi drivers have the opportunity to make many others feel the same. It is also a time when Canberra usually looks pretty good. It is a great time for taxi drivers and all Canberrans to show a friendly face to each other and to visitors. There are a few other things that should help those in the Canberra taxi industry to feel good about themselves. Firstly, the Canberra Airport is reasonably happy with the service being supplied at the Airport taxi rank.
Fourthly, the uptake of the Book & Track web based app is slowly growing and providing excellent service to our customers. Our new app, CanCab will prove to be more effective, and further app improvements are on the way. Our apps enable the customer to appraise their driver and so far the satisfaction level has been most pleasing. Fifthly, the Canberra taxi fleet has never looked better, and nothing impresses a taxi passenger more than a clean, on-time taxi driven by a pleasant, uniformed driver. So all the talking about unfairness and consequences of an Uber entry into the Canberra taxi market, may or may not be convincing. The most convincing arguments are won by actions and by simply by doing their job well, Canberra’s taxi drivers are in a position to be the best negotiators and the best promoters of the local industry. Most are doing that now, so please keep up the good work. Please promote the newest app.
Secondly, the number of trips per taxi per day is up almost three trips on
04 - CABBERRA THIRTY-two
facebook.com/AerialCG
SEPTEMBER 2015 Advance Democracy: Polifemy & The Renaissance Men
06/09/2015
High Court of Australia, Public Hall, Level 2
Selby & Friends - Antilogy
07/09/2015
James O. Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia
The Distant Warriors
09/09/2015 to 19/09/2015
Canberra Glassworks
Gayby Baby: Screening and Filmmaker Q&A
10/09/2015
Palace Electric Cinema
Cranky Bear
11/09/2015 to 12/09/2015
Canberra Theatre
Night Market Canberra
11/09/2015
Realm Park
Hustle and Scout: Twilight Fashion Market
12/09/2015
Old Bus Depot Building
Olli Mustonen, Bach & Shostakovich
12/09/2015
Llewellyn Hall
Floriade
12/09/2015 to 11/10/2015
Commonwealth Park
Tuliptop Gardens Festival, The
12/09/2015 to 11/10/2015
The Tuliptop Gardens
Neil Murray
12/09/2015
The Street Theatre
Capital Carnage vs Sydney City Smash & Rogue Scholars vs S2D2 The Empire
12/09/2015
Southern Cross Basketball Stadium
Gunning Fireworks Festival 2015
12/09/2015
Gunning Showground
SAFIA
12/09/2015
ANU Union Bar, Australian National University
Night's Caressing Grip - art song recital
13/09/2015
Wesley Music Centre
Stromlo Sprint Duathlon
13/09/2015
Stromlo Forest Park
Bijou: A Cabaret of Secrets and Seduction
16/09/2015 to 20/09/2015
The Street Theatre
Joan Baez
17/09/2015
Royal Theatre, Canberra Convention Centre
Night at the Museum: Chance
18/09/2015
National Museum of Australia
Joe Chindamo and Zoe Black: The Goldberg Inventions
18/09/2015
Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music
Our Place - Belco 50
19/09/2015
Belconnen Arts Centre
Breakfast with the Birds
19/09/2015 to 11/10/2015
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Windows to the World
19/09/2015 to 11/10/2015
Different Embassies and High Commissions
Lasers Can Do Anything
19/09/2015
The Shine Dome
Canberra Botanical 2015
19/09/2015 to 04/10/2015
Nishi Gallery
The Confidence Man
20/09/2015
The Street Theatre
Old Bus Depot Markets - Green Savvy Sunday
20/09/2015
Old Bus Depot Markets
ACT Legislative Assembly Open Day
20/09/2015
ACT Legislative Assembly
Australian Cool Climate Wine Show
21/09/2015 to 26/09/2015
Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds
Discovery of Korea 2015: K-Fashion – Hanbok Showcase
22/09/2015
Llewellyn Hall
ASOC Spring Exhibition 2015
23/09/2015 to 27/09/2015
Albert Hall
Floriade NightFest
23/09/2015 to 27/09/2015
Commonwealth Park
But Wait There's More
23/09/2015 to 26/09/2015
Canberra Theatre Centre
Mt Stromlo Observatory September Public Night
25/09/2015
Mt. Stromlo Observatory
Handmade Market September 2015
26/09/2015 to 27/09/2015
Exhibition park in Canberra (EPIC)
ACT Duathlon Championships
27/09/2015
Rond Terraces
Rockwiz Live! Salutes the ARIA Hall of Fame
30/09/2015
Llewellyn Hall
FLORIADE 2015
FLORIADE Week 1 – Stories Saturday 12 September – Sunday 20 September Week one of Floriade explores the topics of food, art, culture, music and fashion, and the stories these aspects of our lives tell. Be transported through the decades with the floral fashion design competition, Horti-couture, welcome our newest residents at Australian Citizenship Ceremonies and learn from the fascinating Churchill Fellowship recipients. Join the very funny and insightful Gretel Killeen at Floriade on Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September. Week 2 – Pride Monday 21 September – Sunday 27 September Our country’s national pride will be on display during week two. In the Inspiration Hub, experience a taste of Canberra’s cultural institutions – who tell the stories of our nation – with interactive demonstrations, workshops and displays. Hear from the respected newspaper columnist, radio host and author, Peter FitzSimons, on Sunday 27 September. Week 3 – Connections Monday 28 September – Sunday 4 October Celebrate the essence of our identity and who we are today as we delve into our family history and cultural practices with the week three theme of connections. Explore our region’s indigenous heritage through dance, art and dreamtime story workshops with Wiradjuri Echoes. See Mark Olive showcase his talent for fusing native food and culture with contemporary lifestyle cooking on Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October. Week 4 – Harmony Monday 5 October – Sunday 11 October The final week of Floriade is inspired by the theme of harmony. In The Inspiration Hub see a range of unique artworks inspired by plants and animals, witness painting and sculpture demonstrations and learn about endangered species. Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter Karen Martini will showcase her passion for food in The Kitchen Company Tasting Plate on Saturday 10 October.
IMAGE CREDIT: VISIT CANBERRA facebook.com/AerialCG
CABBERRA THIRTY-two - 07
AERIAL DRIVER POINTS
DRIVER POINTS SYSTEM
TERRENCE CLAYTON
INDERJEET SINGH RANJEET SINGH ABDUL QAISRANI
YAU KWONG LUM
SALEEM AKHTAR
MALCOLM FORSYTH
CRAIG ALCOCK
RABIH IBO
AJAY MALIK
GAGANDEEP SINGH
LOI TAN TRUONG
PUNERDEEP SINGH GULYANI
How to earn points? Pickup within 6 minutes = 1 Point | Reject a Job = Minus 1 Point | Recall a Job = Minus 1 Point
10 - CABBERRA THIRTY-two
facebook.com/AerialCG
WELL
AMBASSADOR DRIVERS
DONE! AMBASSADOR DRIVERS
GAGANDEEP SHARMA Your customer called to say thank you for assisting his wife, who was refused entry onto the bus because she had a pram. You had stopped and pick her up, folded the pram and put it in the boot for her. Her husband was very grateful for your kindness and help. Well done Gagandeep, we are so proud of you!
UMER TUFAIL Umer, your customer has contacted us. He is a DVA customer which you took to Sydney. He rang up when he returned to Canberra to say that you could not have been more careful and helpful throughout the entire trip. The customer really appreciated that you identified the issues he was having with his eye sight at the time and offered what was said to be first-class customer service.
How to be an ambassador driver? provide your customers with the best customer service possible and encourage them to write to us to provide positive feedback.
facebook.com/AerialCG
TERRENCE PLENTY Wanted to briefly send a message to Terry\’s management Team. He works for canberra elite in Taxi #135. He went out of his way to help and assist with taking me to Bonner (from Civic) to help find my stolen cell phone. He did not only take me there but also stayed with me for 10 minutes to ensure I was safe. He then brought me back home. I am very grateful to have received his help. You and your team should know and understand you have an excellent cab driver working for you. It is people with Terry’s charisma, personality, humbleness, and willingness to help that continue to make this world a better place! CABBERRA THIRTY-two - 11
OUT AND ABOUT | FLEET INSPECTIONS
SEPTEMBER out & about
AFRIZAL AFRIZAL TX409
MINHTRI TROUNG TX427
KANWAR PAL SINGH TX420
AJAY MALIK TX 424
VIBOL LONG TX309 12 - CABBERRA THIRTY-two
JOSE MANUEL EXPOSITO TX407
JATINDER SINGH TC 3887 facebook.com/AerialCG
OUT AND ABOUT | FLEET INSPECTIONS
GAGANDEEP SIGNH SIDHU TX 410
JAGPREET MAVI TX207
RAJBIR TX210
Do we have a government of reflective regulators that see the long-term picture and aim to shape developing technology according to the law; or do we have a government that allows the rise of corporate juggernauts by letting technology and their wealthy backers trample all over and change our laws? the upcoming decision by the ACT Innovation Review will answer this. ABC Radio National’s Future Tense Program “The rise of the Silicon Valley oligarchs” with Antony Funnell is a must to listen to. It provides eye opening insight into the overarching effect that the ACT Government’s decision will have on our society. Here is an excerpt from the program: “Public discussion about the dramatic rise of UBER is often themed as a titanic struggle between old-fashioned expensive taxi companies and a new digital upstart. UBER usually comes out on top because it’s new, cool and part of the ‘sharing economy’. But legal academic Frank Pasquale offers a very different perspective. Companies like UBER, he says, represent a threat to competitive capitalism. Their modus operandi is to use populist discourse - and vast financial backing from venture capitalists - to ignore laws, overwhelm markets and establish monopolies”. Search for the program title online or visit: http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programitem/pgZaG5Zae6
“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