DRIVE
Voice of the Australian Commercial Passenger Transport Industry
OCTOBER 2020 | EDITION 39
TED'S TAXIS has been providing non-urgent patient transport services for Manning Base Hospital over the past 19 years.
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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
EDITION 39
10
www.drivea2b.com.au DRIVEA2B @DRIVEA2Ba contact@drivea2b.com.au
VICTORIA 8 10
22
Message from Rod Barton MP. Security Upgrade at Southern Cross Station.
N AT I O N A L 12
Australia charging ahead with EV.
14
Transport Alliance Australia Report — Why is the Victorian DoT holding back on releasing grant money?
TA S M A N I A 20
Levelling the playing field.
NSW 24 26 28
31
WAT Service Train the Trainer. Ted's Taxi in Taree. Walk A Mile in my Shoes.
QUEENSLAND 32
Australia's first official "Tesla taxi".
C OV I D - 1 9 I N F O 17 30
How to wear a medical mask safely. NSW Sanitisation Stations' locations.
OV E R S E A S 38
Chinese city orders taxi drivers to remove tattoos.
39
Ola found not fit and proper in London.
40
U.S. Federal Department speak up about employees vs contractors.
From our Editor In NSW... NSW government is exploring innovative options available for the taxi industry to assist with contact tracing. This comes on the back of nine untraceable passengers who travelled in a 13cabs Silver Service taxi on September 7-18, 2020 in NSW, with a driver who was COVID-19 positive. These passengers are yet to be identified, with health authorities finding it increasingly difficult to trace them, as they got into the taxi from a rank or hailed it and did not pay with a credit card. Although most trips are GPS tracked, it still does not identify the passenger. For instance, if a passenger went from a shopping centre in the East to a shopping centre in the North, we would still be none the wiser on who the passenger was. Currently, NSW Health is liaising with the NSW Point to Point Transport industry to establish
6
whether passengers should be scanning QR codes as they enter taxis. It would be essentially introducing a mandatory "check-in" system similar to QR codes used for patrons at restaurants and other venues. Though there is a catch. What if the passenger's mobile phone does not have a scanning function or they do not have a mobile phone? Perhaps a better solution should be considered, like making all vehicles in our industry cashless. This would ensure that there is always a card used for each trip, therefore enabling tracing back to the passenger. Regardless, a system must be agreed upon and implemented soon, at least in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. If action is not taken soon, the industry risks potential passengers curtailing their use of taxis and catching other means of public transport. Our industry has suffered so much this year — we need solutions — not more problems.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
In Victoria...
Industry Support Grants
There have been complaints from Victorian taxi drivers who claim that their Booking Service Provider (BSP) has collected the last quarter's $1 Trip Levy, but to date has not forwarded this onto the State Revenue Office (SRO), nor refunded the drivers. I have asked the SRO to advise how it is ensuring that BSPs are refunding the collected levy money to the drivers? The SRO has not responded.
In order to receive financial assistance from the COVID-19 CPV Industry Assistance Support Grants, Booking Service Providers (BSPs) are required to complete and submit paperwork to the Department of Transport (DoT).
It appears that COVID-19 is not the only contagious thing in Victoria at present! Once again, a Government department has not bothered to respond to a question asked of it. Furthermore, the Victorian regulator, CPVV, has changed the way that it is reporting statistical information on it's website. And whilst the new design is informative, the CPVV has omitted to provide details of the number of accredited Unbooked CPVs, Booked CPVs and WAT vehicles. Nor is it providing an update on the outcomes of Compliance and Enforcement activities. Is it because it does not have the information or it is not keeping these records anymore? Or is the CPVV hiding something? Transport Alliance Australia wrote a lengthy letter to the Department of Transport (DoT) regarding the COVID-19 CPV Industry Support Grants, and to date has not received a written response. Unfortunately, it seems that getting answers from SRO, CPVV and DoT are nigh on impossible, just like pulling a tooth from an elephant. What do we have to do to get Government departments to answers our questions?
Victorian medium and small BSPs must complete a Survey Application, and large BSPs (eg 13cabs, Silver Top Taxis and Uber) are required to complete a Funding Agreement. The grants are to cover financial hardship due to COVID-19 for the quarter July October. Yet, the DoT is dragging the chain in paying entities which have completed the required Funding Agreement. It has been over 10 weeks since the grants were announced, with only two weeks remaining before the period of assistance has expired. It appears that we are still no closer to seeing monies for the Depot Fee subsidy, the Cleaning and Sanitisation grant or the Regional support fund. Not one entity has seen any money from the DoT since the grants were announced. This is truly pathetic and unacceptable! We understand that the DoT may be still working out the algorithms to calculate how much every applicant will be receiving, but why was this not done at the outset? Why is it taking so long to give the eligible recipients their deserved assistance? Perhaps the new Minister for Transport, Ben Carroll will take a greater interest in this industry and prescribe people at the DoT to get moving on this. Until next month, stay safe and stay well.
Mrs Toni Peters
DRIVE A2B Editor
DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ October 2020
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UPDATE FROM ROD BARTON MP
Sole Traders miss out AGAIN!
Victoria News
D
espite the government rolling out an additional round of support, including the welcomed Business Support Fund specifically for non-employing sole traders, a large chunk of non-employing sole traders will miss out. Non-employing sole traders whose businesses do not lease commercial premises and are run from home will receive no support. Industries such as the tip truck and hire car industry as well as many other businesses fall into this category.
Rod Barton MLC Leader, Transport Matters Party
The government has already provided rent relief and support to commercial tenants but I was disappointed to learn that those sole traders who missed out previously, will miss out again! I would never say that this support is not needed for those businesses…… [but] there are non-employing sole trader businesses out there, many in the transportation sector, with extraordinary loans and overheads, who are yet to qualify for any financial support whatsoever. Victorians in the hire car and tip truck industries are drowning in debt on vehicles, machinery and equipment required to provide their business services. The cost of a tip truck is upwards of a couple of hundred thousand dollars. If you add the loan repayments cost and, like hire car operators, if they have a small fleet of trucks, these individuals are at wits end. As someone once said, interest on debts grows without rain.
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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
A METRE MATTERS With little to no income and unable to pay their lenders, many face the possibility of losing their homes or selling their vehicles and machinery. This is their business; it is their job and their livelihood. What then for these people as the restrictions ease and the economy recovers? They are faced with the prospect of starting completely from scratch. It is time that the government revaluated the eligibility criteria to include businesses who are continuing to miss out. In a letter to the Premier, I offered to work with government to address the shortcomings of the existing COVID-19 support programs to focus on expanding the eligibility criteria….to catch those people who, through no fault of their own, are repeatedly falling through the cracks.
Road Toll Inquiry Earlier this month, I took part in the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Standing Committee’s public hearing on the Inquiry into the Increase in Victoria’s Road Toll. Among the many valuable presenters invited to this hearing, the Committee was joined by Australia’s leading cycling safety charity, the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF), which presented on its priorities to keep road users safe in Victoria. Notably, the AGF has been campaigning for A Metre Matters legislation changes across Australia for over 10 years. Every other Australian State and Territory has seen changes to this road rule. The discussion with the AGF was a useful reminder that safety for cyclists is really about safety for all road users. Cycling related deaths and injuries are preventable and these crashes don’t just impact
cyclists – they also have a terrible impact on drivers who are involved. Until next month, stay safe and stay well. Rod Barton MP Leader, Transport Matters Party
STOP PRESS... On 8 October 2020 Victoria's new Minister for Road Safety, Hon. Ben Carroll MP announced Victoria’s commitment to A Metre Matters, effective early 2021 AND a $13million investment in temporary bike lanes, joining NSW and QLD to create this vital cyclingsafety infrastructure. This support for cycling will save lives and keep people riding.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
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VICTORIA NEWS
Security Upgrades at Southern Cross Station City of Melbourne's security upgrade works around Southern Cross Station are continuing. Steel bollards have already been installed at the intersection of Spencer and Bourke streets. The next phase of works will include installation of security measures at the intersection of Collins and Spencer streets as well as between Collins and Bourke Streets. These upgraded measures are important as we strengthen protective security around Southern Cross Station. The measures will provide protection for commuters, visitors, pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and customers of nearby businesses.
Impacts will include: •
Temporary closures of pedestrian crossings.
•
Partial road closures on Collins and Spencer Streets.
•
Reduced taxi rank capacity outside the station.
•
Work areas will be fenced off and signs will direct pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to move safely.
To ensure you have the most up-to-date information about all security upgrade works occurring at Southern Cross Station please visit, www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ securityupgrades.
The upgrade works commenced on Monday 28 September and will continue for around 10 weeks. The majority of works will take place between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some work will be at nighttime and on weekends.
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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
Collins Street
Spencer Street
Future aerial view of Collins and Spencer streets showing: •
An expanded forecourt to allow for the installation of the security measures.
•
The extended forecourt will also improve pedestrian and commuter amenities.
•
On approach to the intersection, a single traffic lane eastbound on Collins Street which will be re-marked as a left hand turn and through lane.
•
On approach to the intersection, the northbound left hand turn lane on Spencer Street will be re-marked as a left turn lane only. The right lane remains unchanged.
•
On approach to the intersection, an upgraded cycling lane eastbound on Collins Street.
•
On exiting the intersection, a single lane for vehicle traffic travelling north on Spencer Street up to Lt Collins Street.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
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EVs IN AUSTRALIA
Australia charges ahead new electric vehicle incentives for businesses by Cindy Man Hun
Currently, a few major challenges in the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia is the lack of Government driven incentives and emissions regulations, as well as the high cost of these vehicles for businesses and individuals.
A $74.5 million Government package will assist businesses in trialing new technology for fleets, such as hydrogen, electric and biofuelled vehicles, and fund the installation of charging infrastructure in workplaces across Australia.
The federal Government will be introducing incentives for businesses to invest in new electric car fleets, in the aim towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The incentives are then in turn envisioned to bring down the costs of EVs and make them more accessible to Australians.
Updating commercial and Government fleets to consist of electric cars is said to amplify private sales, as the cars, after use, along with the emissions regulations, would hit the second-hand car market sooner rather than later. This strategy has already worked in the
United States and Europe. By the mid 2020s, EVs in Australia are expected to be on a par with petrol cars in terms of price. A new analysis, by Ernst & Young for the Electric Council, found that the Australian economy would be boosted by the uptake of EVs, receiving a net benefit of $8,763, including a Government revenue benefit of $1,370, per driver who switches to an EV – over a 10 year period. This analysis illustrates that the average Australian EV driver in fact pays more federal and state tax charges than the average combustion engine driver, despite not having to pay fuel tax. Additionally, more EV drivers would mean a decrease in pollution and improving the respiratory health of Australia’s population as a whole. The new federal budget incentives may very well be a blessing for the Australian economy.
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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
YOUR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Looking after the interests of those in the Australian commercial passenger transport sector.
On July 29, 2020 Department of Transport (DoT) representative Peter Bon, presented (online) the $22m CPV Industry Support package to industry stakeholders. To date only 2 parts of the package have been implemented — the $1 Trip Levy refund (actioned by State Revenue Office) and the alterations to the MPTP scheme (actioned by CPVV). Peter Bon advised at this meeting that the "DoT’s objective is to prioritise and facilitate these grants as soon as possible". He also stated "It is DoT’s intention to work with the industry in obtaining information to ensure quick delivery of the support programs." Yet 10 weeks after this presentation only 2 meagre parts of this package have been executed. We are still waiting on the 3 big ticket items! DoT is responsible for the delivery and implementation of the outstanding grants, which are:
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1.
Depot Fee subsidy of $250 per vehicle, if the BSP has a WAV in its fleet.
2.
Cleaning and Sanitisation grants for regional and metro BSPs.
3.
Regional Fund to support BSPs in regional and country communities which will assist vulnerable regional Victoria.
Major/Large BSPs have been sent a Funding Agreement by the DoT and they have been asked to complete and return it asap. All other BSPs have been sent an email by the DoT requesting them to complete a survey, so that they can be considered for funding assistance. NOTE: Of concern is the fact that small operators with only 1 or 2 vehicles and who do not off-load jobs, have not been sent any information. These people/entities ARE entitled to some funding support. Yet they have not been notified that they are eligible for funding. This is primarily due to the fact that the CPVV does not know who they are and the DoT doesn't want to send an email to all who have a vehicle registered as a commercial passenger vehicle — which is about 50,000 emails. Just like other operators, these small operators MUST complete a
The DoT SURVEY is the GRANT APPLICATION FORM.
NO Survey lodged = NO $$$ from Support package.
This SURVEY MUST be completed and lodged by 19 OCTOBER, 2020.
Late applications WILL NOT be accepted.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
DoT Survey to be considered for assistance.
QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS!
The reason that DoT is asking the industry to answer the Survey's questions, is due to the fact that the industry regulator (CPVV) is unable to provide the DoT with the information required to make final calculations for the distribution of money for this Support package.
We wrote to the DoT last month with a long list of questions and a couple of suggestions, pertaining to the COVID-19 CPV Industry Support package.
Since 2019 CPVV has been collecting information from the BSPs every month which should have provided the DoT with sufficient information to make an informed decision on distribution of the grant monies. But, unfortunately, the CPVV did not have sufficient data to share with the DoT. DIFFICULTIES COMPLETING THE SURVEY? Please call TAA on 8588 7703 and we will try to assist you.
Whilst we have not received a written response to our letter, we were able to speak with Peter Bon, who is in charge of the DoT CPV Support team — a team of ONE! He has advised some answers to our questions, as follows: Q. When will applicants start receiving their funding assistance for any of these 3 grants? A. Survey applications close on 19 October, then the answers need to be compiled, with calculating formula to be applied and approved, and then after all this, we might start seeing some money coming through.
Q. It has been stated that $300,000 will be granted to Major BSPs for Cleaning and Sanitisation purposes. What constitutes a Major BSP? A. DoT has declined to answer this question. Q. Payments for Cleaning and Sanitisation assistance will be scaled according to size. Please advise the formula for this model. A. DoT is unable to provide the answer to this. Those at the DoT don't know how much each medium and small BSP will receive until such time as they have analysed the answers to their Survey. Q. W hat defines an eligible small BSP servicing a regional/country community? ...and... Q. W hat is the formula being used to calculate the allocation of monies from the Regional Fund grant?
.../ continued next page
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YOUR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
.../ continued from previous page
A. DoT will review the Survey responses and then make a decision on which regional and country BSPs will receive funding, fine-tune the criteria and proportionate the amounts for the Regional Fund grant.
TAA advocates for the betterment of the Australian passenger transport sector.
TO DATE, THE FOLLOWING MAJOR QUESTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED. Many small (3-10) and medium (10+) operators belong to a BSP for their booked work – therefore they are not required to be registered as a BSP. These operators will not be receiving any portion of this funding to assist in what they have paid out over the past 6 months to help protect their drivers and passengers from COVID-19. Q. Why are these operators being left out? A. No reply to this question. Q. Since the Premier has implemented Stage 4 lockdown and additional restrictions, thus further delaying the re-opening of businesses, will government also consider extending this Depot Fee subsidy for the next ¼ - November 2020, December 2020, January 2021? A. No reply to this question. In our letter we also queried why some people in the industry have been totally forgotten. Taxi Drivers, Hire Car Operators, Limos, Wedding Cars, Funeral Stretch Limos and other special purpose vehicles are an integral part of the CPV industry. For many of these operators and drivers this work is their full-time job.
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The majority do not operate a Company; they are not Employees — they are Sub-contractors, Bailees, Sole Traders or perhaps in Partnership with their spouse or relative! These people should also be afforded some financial assistance. Q. W hy have they not been offered any financial assistance? A. No reply to this question. Q. S ince the Premier has implemented Stage 4 lockdown and additional restrictions, thus further delaying the re-opening of businesses, will government also consider extending this Depot Fee subsidy for the next ¼ - November 2020, December 2020, January 2021? A. No reply to this question. So, as you can see we have not been able to get many satisfactory answers from the DoT, as the DoT hasn't got the answers. It is all hinging on the information contained within the Funding Agreements and the Survey. We are extremely disappointed and dissatisfied that the DoT has not been proactive with the implementation of these grants. It appears it is not taking the CPV industry seriously, and is almost acting in contempt of the wishes of Parliament. We have also written to the Minister for Transport, Ben Carroll asking him to comment on the DoT's lack of work to fulfil the $22m industry grant promised by the Premier nearly three months ago. This delay is just unacceptable! Our industry deserves better! Toni Peters Director, Transport Alliance Australia
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
Do
Remember that masks alone cannot protect you from COVID-19. Maintain at least 1.5 metres distance from others. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol. Only wear a disposable mask ONCE.
Place into a plastic bag and dispose it in a rubbish bin.
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Tasmania is set to be the first Australian State to
Level the
playing field Last month the Tasmanian Liberal Government presented the OnDemand Passenger Transport Services Industry (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2020. Annual administration fees, safety requirements and accountabilities will be applied fairly across all industry participants — taxis, hire cars, luxury cars, and ride-sourcing operators.
operators are Uber, Ola, Oscar and Shebah.
The bill will mean that all ridesourcing providers wishing to operate in Tasmania will need to be accredited and pay annual fees based on the number of vehicles in their fleet. Currently the four major
20
4.
Regulation of booking service providers – key industry participants who benefit financially from the industry, such as Uber and taxi networks, will be regulated and able to be held accountable for any breaches in safety.
5.
Introducing a chain of responsibility model – all parties who have control or influence over passenger transport services are responsible for complying with, and for breaches of, these laws.
6.
Introducing a primary duty of care – each party in the chain of responsibility will have a primary duty of care to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and other persons while they are engaged in providing the service.
7.
Regulation of drivers – through regulations, ensure that drivers are suitable to be providing commercial public passenger vehicle services.
8.
Regulation of vehicles –
Mr Ferguson said Uber and the others were "not impressed" but he was sure they would continue to operate in Tasmania.
Key elements of the framework 1.
Suspension of the release of new taxi licences – the mandated release of new owner-operator taxi licences will be suspended for four years (2021 to 2024).
2.
Reserve prices for new owneroperator taxi licences – values will be set by the Economic Regulator, but for years 1-5 the value of taxi licences determined by the Economic Regulator will be no less than 90 per cent of the previous year.
“This has been an extensive and thorough rewrite of the outdated legal framework,” said Mr Ferguson. Transport Minister Michael Ferguson, said it had taken three years to finalise the reform bill under which the number of new owner-operator licences will be capped and fares increased by five per cent - the first increase in six years. This will be achieved by reducing the credit card surcharge by 5% — thus keeping 5% in the fare box.
booking service provider.
3.
Maintain the existing luxury hire car and restricted hire vehicle licences – ride-sourcing vehicles will remain unlicensed but services will be captured in the regulatory framework through the accreditation of the
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
through regulations, ensure that all vehicles are safe to be transporting passengers. Tasmania Taxi Council's Tony Dilger said it is pleasing that some equity would be introduced. He also pointed out that there were still some inequities in the Bill, including the high insurance and registration paid by taxis rather than ride-sharing vehicles.
platforms, than has been in place to date. To a significant extent, the legislation is designed to ensure the ongoing viability of the taxi industry in Tasmania." "The Bill resets the passenger transport system in Tasmania since the entry of ride-sharing. Until now, it has not been a fair and reasonable system."
Implementation of the reforms will be undertaken over a timeframe to be finalised in consultation with industry and supported by an industry uplift package.
"We have had two sets of standards where taxis have had to be fully regulated and accredited, but ridesharing drivers and operators have largely been let off the hook," continued Ms O'Connor.
Ms Cassy O'Connor MP, said [that the Bill] "Certainly is a heavier hand on Uber, Ola and the other ride-sharing
Ms O'Connor summed up this Bill extremely well in Parliament last week - "We have to have a system
The new legislation is designed to ensure the ongoing viability of the taxi industry in Tasmania.
that respects the investment that people have made in taxi licences, but also the capacity, which this B ill ensures, to make sure that the market to the greatest extent possible has a measure of equilibrium about it."
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DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ October 2020
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As the medical experts work hard to keep us safe, we’re having to learn new ways to live. These are unprecedented times. As the medical experts work hard to keep us safe, we’re having to learn new ways to live. A big shift for some of us is working from home. We know that these changes will be temporary but it’s not yet clear how long they will last. So how do we look after our mental health when our home and workplace have become one? Psychologist Sabina Read has some tips on ways to stay healthy, grounded and productive as we navigate our new normal.
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Keep a Routine Just because we’re not commuting to a workplace each day doesn’t mean we can’t create structure around our day. In fact, in times of uncertainty, maintaining daily routines is a vital tool to help keep us mentally well. Work would have been traditionally a very potent source of connection and routine, particularly for people who live alone, and when that ritual is lost, that’s really significant to our wellbeing. The first question to ask yourself is, what parts of my day and my routine were the most important and enjoyable for me? Then you work out a plan for how to maintain them, if you can. For some people, the process of putting on work clothes and doing
hair or makeup, even if you’re sitting at your kitchen table, creates a starting point and the mindset that I’m at work. But for others, they’ll feel more productive in their slippers and trackies. It’s up to the individual to think, what are those touchpoints throughout my day that have been most useful to me?
Common Rituals can Help If you routinely do pilates, yoga or a gym session before work, then find a way to adapt that practice for the home setting. And if you enjoy having lunch with workmates, schedule in a lunchtime video catch-up where you can sit around and chat as you usually would.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
Create Pockets of Certaint y
Establish Ground Rules
Setting specific times for our daily rituals – exercise, meals, social connection, sleep, entertainment – can be grounding at a time when so much feels out of our control.
If you live with other people, suddenly being forced to share home and work space can be challenging, which is why ground rules are important.
We want to create pockets of certainty, moments of knowing, time when we have assurance that we know what happens at this moment in time on this day.
Whether you live with family, flatmates or a partner it requires a conscious and purposeful conversation to identify new ways of being, because none of us have had to live in this way before.
These rituals and routines create circuit breakers throughout the day. It just offsets all the uncertainty by knowing that at 7:30 every morning I lie down on my yoga mat on my living room floor with my dog.
We need to come together as a group to do things that fill us up but it’s as important to identify times when we want to be in peace, have quiet time alone and allow that space to be respected.
Maintain your usual Coping Strategies While these are challenging times, it’s important now more than ever, to try to do the things that you know have kept you well in the past. •
Get enough sleep
•
Eat well
•
Avoid or reduce your alcohol intake
•
Meditate
•
Move your body
•
Stay connected to loved ones
•
Limit your exposure to the news.
At this time of great uncertainty, we need to focus on what we can control and break our day down into small, achievable tasks. The brain is hardwired to pull us back to the what ifs and the fear because it thinks that’s what we need in order to survive. We can’t control the bigger picture, but we can control how we break down our day. It’s these smaller things that are seemingly less urgent and less powerful that are actually the building blocks that create a sense of stability to help us navigate today.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
23
NEW SOUTH WALES TAXI COUNCIL NEWS
NSW News
COVID-Safe WAT service Train the Trainer
24
The NSW Taxi Council conducted its first COVID-Safe WAT (Wheelchair Accessible Taxi) service — Train the Trainer program recently at the Cessnock Leagues Club. Nick Abrahim — Deputy CEO, NSW Taxi Council trained previously accredited and new WAT Service Assessors from its member networks — Diggers Maitland Taxis and Cessnock Radio Cabs.
The WAT Assessor Train the Trainer Program has been developed for Service Providers to meet the requirements of the Point to Point Transport Commission WAT Driver Competency Guidelines tool. The program helps previously accredited WAT Assessors undergo a refresher training to help with the Training and Assessing process through a consistent and up to date system.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
TESTIMONIAL... "The presentation and learnings have been great from the training. It reminds us of the importance of giving a good WAT service and to make sure that we were doing all we can to provide the service safely. The key takeaways were safety for passengers and drivers is paramount, complacency has no place in WAT service and keeping fresh and updated is essential. The practical examples are a great help and the training has ensured that we maintain the highest level of standards in teaching future regional WAT drivers."
The NSW Taxi Council looks forward to continuing to roll out the WAT Assessor Train the Trainer Program for the remainder of 2020.
TESTIMONIAL... "The whole programme has been a great experience. Nick is a very good trainer and not only explains things simply but also listens. The training helps us to ensure that our WAT drivers are trained properly by us, so they can give best services to our customers in the Region. The standout learning for me personally was understanding that ALL customers are different and all of them should be treated with respect, and teaching drivers the right way leads to better customer service. It also showcased that great training leads to great teaching."
The programme covers several modules including Customer Service, WH&S, Driving and Operating a WAT Vehicle. The programme also includes a Practical component in the safe loading and unloading of passengers using a wheelchair. In addition, the training is also structured to help approved Assessors develop the required skills and competency to be effective and compliant WAT Assessors. Nick Abrahim – Deputy CEO, NSW Taxi Council expressed his views on the importance of the programme and said that, “Continued training and learning is key for WAT Assessors in Regional NSW.
This is critical to ensure that those who are accredited to provide training and assessment continue to receive up to date training, to ensure a best in class training program and assessment regime is maintained. It is crucial that the NSW Taxi Council continues to work with our members to upskill our drivers and assessors to ensure that the highest standards are maintained when providing services to members of the disability sector. Having approved Assessors in the Regions is also important to ensure that Taxi Drivers can have access to accredited trainers without being disadvantaged or delayed due to their location.”
The NSW Taxi Council has adopted a robust and thorough COVID-19 policy for any person undertaking this programme or any of its other Training Programs. In relation to the Train the Trainer WAT Assessor Program, it was ensured that COVIDSafe policies were adopted and social distancing measures were practiced throughout the training. Where social distancing may be difficult, all attendees are required to wear face masks. This is in addition to keeping an attendance record for each person, sanitisation and cleaning throughout the training, as well as regular cleaning of the training room.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
25
NEW SOUTH WALES
Ted’s Taxi Ted’s Taxi – a Taxi designed for disabled passengers, owned by Ted McKellar in the town of Taree in Regional NSW, has been providing non-urgent patient transport services for Manning Base Hospital over the past 19 years. Acknowledging his association with the Manning Base Hospital and his relationship with the community of the region for almost two decades. Ted’s Taxi now proudly promotes the "Manning Valley Push 4 Palliative" initiative at the back of the Taxi via a poster. The aim of this new upgrade is to increase awareness about palliative care amongst the community of the region around Taree, Forster, Gloucester and Harrington, along with the patient transport services being provided by Ted. Palliative care is not just an end of life care but also care to provide better quality of life to vulnerable members of our community.
26
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
Almost 2 decades of Patient Transport Services. In 2001, Ted was approached by the Manning Base Hospital to provide patient transport services. Ted had a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi and began providing the services and the rest is history. The services of Ted’s Taxi have been extremely useful when an ambulance was not available in the region and patients had to travel safely to the hospital. Over time the services offered by Ted received great positive feedback from the community of the region as more and more patients were transported to hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Ted’s Taxi has provided a prompt and a reliable service over the years through continuous development, adjusting to the changing regulations governing the NSW Taxi Industry. They have transported patients to Sydney, Newcastle, Macksville and all towns in between. Under the current NSW COVID-19 restrictions, Ted’s Taxi is only involved in providing patient transport services to the hospital, thus helping prevent the spread of the virus in the community.
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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
27
NEW SOUTH WALES
Would you walk A Mile in my Shoes and listen to my story? The NSW Taxi Council recently had the opportunity to connect with the Australian National Maritime Museum – one of the major event venues in Sydney and also a good source of fares for Taxi Drivers in Sydney. The Australian National Maritime Museum has recently launched a great initiative called “A Mile in My Shoes”. 25 million people call Australia home – and each person has a story. ‘A Mile in my Shoes’ shines a light on the extraordinarily diverse experience of immigrants to Australia. Originally created by the UK Empathy Museum, this immersive art experience invites visitors to literally walk in someone else’s shoes and listen to their story, promoting empathy and compassion. In these challenging and disruptive times, the aim of this project is to hopefully soften the hearts and minds of everyone who participates in it and be a balm for Australia’s migrants and their friends. The experience plans to invite visitors
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to literally walk in someone else’s shoes. Inside in a giant shoebox, visitors are provided with a stranger’s pair of shoes and an audio recording, and are encouraged to walk a mile to understand where that person came from and what has shaped their personal story. The goal of the initiative is to capture and share up to 35 uniquely Australian stories of immigrants, bringing to life wonderful stories of resilience and generosity. The project will be free to the public and the stories will be available online for visitors who cannot attend in person. The Australian National Maritime Museum wants to bring this experience to Sydney in January 2021. Events, activities and major venues providing world class experiences like this in Sydney have come to almost a standstill in 2020 because of the pandemic. Jump onto the website now at www. charidy.com/amileinmyshoes to show your support.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
NSW Industry
Stats
VALUES ARE
NSW Number of T Plates - Metro Number of Metro Licences
DOWN
as at September 2020
6000 5000 4000 3000 2000
Sydney Taxi Licence Plates Sydney Taxi Licence Plates
1000
average average value as attransfer Augustvalue 2020 $250,000
0
$210,000
$200,000
$180,000
$150,000 $82,400
$100,000
$99,167
$102,500 $60,000
Jan-20
Mar-20
May-20
Jul-20
Sep-20
Total Taxi Licences Metro
5587
5594
5440
5523
5398
Taxi Licences Metro
4743
4744
4629
4713
4619
WAT Licences Metro
844
850
811
810
779
T Plates Active
4158
2302
1492
2317
2355
T Plates on Hold
585
2442
3137
2396
2264
$50,000 $Jan-17
Jan-18
Jan-19
Jan-20
Jun-20
Aug-20
P2P Compliance Activities
Number of TC Plates - Non Metro Number of NSW Non-Metro Licences
as at September 2020
1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
for August 2020
Vehicle Inspections
(safety standards compliance)
Advisory Visits (involving P2P Commission staff providing advice to Authorised Service Providers)
Audits of Authorised Service Providers
Taxis
Hire cars
72
72
4
-
2
3
Jan-20
Mar-20
May-20
Jul-20
Sep-20
Total Taxi Licences Non-Metro
1425
1420
1418
1419
1424
Taxi Licences Non-metro
1124
1122
1122
1122
1122
WAT Licences Non-Metro
301
298
296
297
302
TC Plates Active
1059
1043
1034
1041
1039
65
79
88
81
83
TC Plates on Hold
1300 133 353
Number of Issued
Passenger Transport (PT) Driver Licences as at 30 September 2020
125,848
www.avagroup.net.au
TAXI CONVERSIONS STARTING FROM
$13,695.00
+ OPTIONS
Lift Type Vertical Split Long Platform Internal Fully Automatic 2 x Sets Slide & click W-Chair & L/Sash Occupant Restraints 2 x Toyota Style Original Folding Seats c/w New Floor & Wall Brackets Flush Floor & Polyflor Non Slip Floor Coverings Reverse Triple or 4 Seater, Crash Frame, Seat Belts & Head Rests
All figures contained within these statistics are based on information supplied by rms. nsw.gov.au and pointtopoint. nsw.gov.au
Large Metal Lockable Restraint Storage Box at Rear 3 x Child Restraint Anchor Points & Fixings 49 Fennell St, Port Melbourne Vic 3207 | 1636 Sydney Rd, Campbellfield Vic 3061 23 Armada Place, Banyo QLD 4014 | 54 - 60 Industry Dve, Tweed Heads NSW 2486
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
1300 133 353 www.avagroup.net.au
29
NEW SOUTH WALES
SANITISATION STATION locations in NSW
OPEN TIMES MON-FRI
SAT
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
NSW government
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
NSW government
7am - 7pm
7am - 7pm
NSW government
7am – 7pm
7am – 4pm
NSW government
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
NSW government
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
GM Cabs
7am-7pm
8am-5pm
NSW government
7am - 7pm
7am - 7pm
NSW government
7am – 7pm
8am – 5pm
NSW government
7am - 7pm
7am - 7pm
NSW government
funded by...
Albury Station Railway Place
Alexandria 9-13 O’Riordan Street
Central Coast Taxis 7 Merinee Road, West Gosford
Dubbo Buslines Depot 33 White Street
Leumeah Unit 7, No. 4 Grange Road
Mascot Sydney Domestic Airport Taxi Holding Bay
Newcastle 4a Metal Pit Drive, Mayfield West
North Parramatta 90 Victoria Road
Prestons Weld Street
Seven Hills 23/45 Powers Rd, Business Park
St Peters 28-30 Burrows Road
9am - 4pm
Zevra Taxis
Tamworth Buslines 21 Hume Street
7am – 7pm
8am – 4pm
NSW government
7:35am -
7:15am -
NSW government
5:45pm
5:45pm
Tweed Heads Tweed City Shopping Centre Bus Stop
30
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
Industry
Tasmania Industry
as at 1 September 2020
as at 25 September 2020
SA
Stats
Stats
S.A. Number of Vehicles
Number of Licence Transfers for 12 months up to 25 Sept 2020
Metro Taxis
944
Country Taxis
253
Metro WATs
WAT licences
Hobart area
2
Perpetual Taxi Licences
Launceston area
5
Burnie area
3
Hobart area
25
102
Metro Chauffeur
278
Owner Operator Taxi licences
106
Non Metro Chauffeur
175
SPVs (Weddings/Tours)
Tasmania number of Vehicles
4,211
Rideshare
2000
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
1,475
1500
5,000
1000
S.A. Number of Accredited Vehicle Drivers
0
780
Taxis only
* Small Passenger = chauffeur vehicle, rideshare or country taxi
1,427
1,500 1,000
3811
500
226
Taxi & Large Passenger
-
0
1000
Ride-sourcing
1,828
2,000
3264
Taxi & Small Passenger
Taxis and Luxury Hire Cars
Tasmania number of Drivers
5553
Small Passenger* only Small & Large Passenger
564
500
2000
3000
4000
5000
Taxi Driver Certificate Ride-sourcing Driver Certificate
6000
Brisbane Taxi Licence Average Transfer Values
Qld
Industry
Stats
as listed at data.qld.gov.au
$250,000
$228,750
$200,000 $150,000
$130,200 $99,747
$100,000
$80,000 $49,000
$50,000 $-
as at 30 August 2020
no transfers
no transfers Jan-16
Feb-17
Jan-18
Jan-19
Jan-20
Jun-20
Jul-20
$40,000
Aug-20
Brisbane Limousine Licence Average Transfer Values as listed at data.qld.gov.au
$50,000 $40,000
$40,000
$30,000 $20,000
$20,000
$16,100
$10,000
$11,000
$15,000
$13,000 no transfers
$Jan-16
Feb-17
Jan-18
Jan-19
Jun-19
Jan-20
$1,000 Mar-20
Jun-20
$Aug-20
QLD TESLA TAXI
Is this Model 3 Australia's first official Tesla Taxi?
Queensland News
by Jason Cartwright | techau.com.au
32
Let’s make no mistake, Teslas have been used commercially to transfer people for years, with luxury chauffeur services like Evoke and Revel. There’s also plenty of Electric Vehicle (EV) owners like @Model3Uber in Melbourne, who use their cars on ridesharing platforms like Uber, but this one is something different. This grey, long-range Model 3, looks to be the first actual taxi. 13cabs offers a Silver Service tier, that is their luxury branding. This is reflected on the car with a matte grey/silver wrap, along with logos on the side, top and rear of the car, while the official taxi number, T57871 is located on the rear doors [and the number plate]. I remember many years ago having a conversation with a Sydney taxi driver about EVs. He said to me, they’ll never replace cars like this (meaning ICE - Internal Combustion Engine) and he said it so confidently, I had to ask more He explained that taxis (those in metro areas at least), run 24/7. When
the driver needs a break, their shift ends and the next driver gets in and the car continues to earn income. At the time EVs took around 6+ hours to recharge, but today that’s down to less than an hour to gain an extra 500km+ of range. While this Model 3 isn’t the first EV to become a taxi in Australia, it is the longest-range EV available in Australia with an estimated range of 620km (NEDC). Given transport is responsible for such a massive volume of emissions, moving taxis to electric vehicles is incredibly important. According to Energy.gov.au, light vehicles (ie cars, 4x4s, SUVs and small commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes) account for 10% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. The average emissions intensity for new passenger vehicles sold in Australia is 45% higher than it is in Europe. As we know Teslas don’t come cheap, with the Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive priced at $95,589 driveaway in QLD.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
The economics are benefited by this being recognised as a premium vehicle and as such would attract a higher tariff than a regular taxi. Tesla uses the following parameters for their projected fuel savings, however, based on the data provided by the ATO, we see taxis can accumulate as many as 150,000km per year, 10 times that of a regular consumer. EVs are less expensive to fuel than petrol powered vehicles. The average person drives approximately 15,000 kilometres and spends around $1,800 on petrol per year. In comparison, the cost of electricity to power Model 3 over the same distance is 3 times lower. Over the 5 year average length of car ownership, that’s approximately $5,600 in petrol savings.
We’ve assumed a fuel economy of 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres for a comparable petrol powered car. We’ve also assumed the national average of $0.30 per kilowatt hour for electricity and $1.75 per litre for premium petrol over the next 5 years.
This means the potential savings per year would be closer to $56,000 over a 5 year period.
At the theoretical 150k per year, you would have also clocked up 750,000 on the car and at that point you’d be looking for a new engine, transmission or in the case of a Tesla, a new battery. This use case probably demonstrates better than most, why talk of a million-mile battery is so important to actually transitioning not just some cars, but all uses of cars to electric.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
33
from www.bestlifeonline.com/world-facts/
The Canary Islands are named after dogs, not birds.
The archipelago is actually part of Spain and in Spanish, the area's name is Islas Canarias, which comes from the Latin phrase Canariae Insulae for "island of dogs."
34
North Korea and Cuba are the only places you cannot buy Coca-Cola.
Why? Because these countries are under longterm U.S. trade embargoes.
All the ants on Earth weigh about as much as all the humans.
There are 7.8 million people alive on Earth and 10 quadrillion (10,000,000,000,000,000) individual ants crawling around at any given time. Thus, when combined, all of those ants would weigh about the same as all of us humans.
DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ October 2020
The hottest chilli pepper in the world is so hot it could kill you.
Which? Dragon's Breath chilli pepper is so hot it's downright deadly and if eaten will most probably send you into anaphylactic shock.
It’s important we look after our mental health Taxi travelling during between borders National COVID-19. The impacts of the outbreak, physical distancing and isolation can make us Helplines VIC-NSW NSW-QLD VIC-SAfeel anxious, NT/WA-SA worried and stressed. Here is a list of helplines that will provide you with a safe and anonymous space, to communicate with professionals online or via phone on a mental health or life issue you may be facing currently. Information on symptoms,
A national charity providing all
treatment and prevention of
Australians experiencing a personal
depression and bipolar disorder.
crisis with access to 24 hour crisis
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
support and suicide prevention
Information and support to help
www.lifeline.org.au
services. P: 13 11 14
everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health – help-
A telephone and online support,
ing with issues of depression, suicide
information and referral service,
and anxiety disorders.
helping men to deal with
P: 1300 22 4636
relationship problems effectively.
www.beyondblue.org.au
P: 1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au
Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory. P: 1800 242 636 www.carersaustralia.com.au A national platform for multicultural communities and Australian mental health services to access resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format. www.embracementalhealth.org.au Free online and phone service that supports young people aged 12 to 25 and their families, going through a tough time. www.headspace.org.au An innovative website that can help you find free and low-cost, trusted online and phone mental health resources. www.headtohealth.gov.au
A community-managed specialist mental health service provider, supporting people dealing with the day-to-day impacts of mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers. P: 1300 286 463 www.mindaustralia.org.au An online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression. P: 1800 61 44 34 www.mindspot.org.au A provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. P: 1300 364 277 www.relationships.org.au Information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support and help carers. P: 1800 18 7263 www.sane.org
A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling
A free text, chat and call back
service for young people aged
service connecting individuals
between 5 and 25. P: 1800 55 1800
seeking counselling services with
www.kidshelpline.com.au
qualified professionals. www.tiacs.org
WANT WORK? WANT A DRIVER? DRIVER JOBS CANBERRA CANBERRA ELITE TAXIS Due to increased demand Canberra Elite Taxis is seeking more drivers for Canberra’s biggest and most experienced taxi fleet. Day, night and weekend shifts available. If you don’t already have a valid ACT “T” condition on your licence we can help you through the process quickly and efficiently. For more information please email feedback@aerialcg.com or call our Office on (02) 6126 1500.
OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS AS A TAXI OPERATOR Are you a taxi driver looking to become your own boss and work for yourself? If you are, talk to us about leasing a taxi plate and working with Canberra’s biggest taxi fleet. We will help you through the process of becoming an accredited taxi operator and starting out in your own business. Contact fleet@aerialcg. com or call our Office (02) 6126 1500.
NORTHERN TERRITORY TAXI/MINIBUS DRIVER - PALMERSTON CITY
Immediate vacancy is available for a Minibus Taxi Driver. Daytime/weekends shifts available. NT Driver's Licence with 'H' endorsement is enough to start the job. If not, we can help you get the 'H' endorsement. Great income flexible work hours. Please contact Gihan 0469 828 307.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA CROWN CABS Drivers wanted full time or part time in Morley and Perth. Contact Tuna Guclu on 0419 484 666.
PERTH DRIVER - BLACK & WHITE CABS Day Shifts (5-7 days). Please call Georgina on (08) 9230 0400.
MANDURAH TAXIS DRIVERS All shifts available, especially nights, weekends and wheelchair bus drivers. Flexible hours - work to suit your lifestyle. Good income and all training provided free. Call (08) 9581 8999.
36
NEW SOUTH WALES DRIVERS WANTED - WOLLONGONG LOOKING FOR A CAREER CHANGE? This could be an opportunity for you to join the team at the Illawarra Taxi Network. Become your own boss, working flexible hours, full time, part time or casual. Full training and assistance with your application is available if necessary. Must have a full NSW Driver's Licence for 12 months. Call (02) 4254 2120 Email john.megas@ illawarrataxinetwork.com.au for more details.
TAXI DRIVERS - MAITLAND Weekends and week days and nights. Must have held black licence for at least 12 months and have a good driving record.
FULL TIME NIGHT SHIFTS - BANKSTOWN 13cabs network. Toyota Camry hybrid. Please call or text 0421 771 288
TAXI DRIVER - WILEY PARK
13cabs Toyota Camry Hybrid. Taxi has full comprehensive insurance, leather seats, rubber mats and weather-shield. Very well maintained Taxi. Change over in Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Lakemba or Belmore. Day/Night/Weekend/Semi/weekly. Full Time, Part Time or Casual. Immediate Start. On Going Opportunity. Reasonable pay in. If you drive for us regularly for 6 months, we service your private car for FREE. Text or Phone to 0418 612 692.
SYDNEY DRIVERS
Day shift $105 and night shift $120. Change over Granville. Email Mazen - manelali1988@hotmail.com.
NEWCASTLE DRIVERS
Monday - Friday night shifts. Pick up from Warners Bay. Please call or text Martin 0413 943 086.
TAXI DRIVER - BALLINA TAXIS Pick your own shifts, on the job training provided for suitable applicants. Email: ballinataxis@bigpond. com - send your resume and contact details. For more information please call 0419 862 290.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
owners, operators & drivers ADVERTISE HERE FREE Send details (word limit=70) of your DRIVER or JOB advertisement to contact@drivea2b.com.au or sms 0400 137 866 and we will print your advert here for 3 months
VICTORIA
QUEENSLAND WANTED URGENTLY - MAXI WEEKEND DRIVERS
DRIVERS WANTED - SHEBAH - WIN $50
Over the last 6 weeks, we have had very few maxi vehicles out during the Weekend days and this has put a huge strain on the guys who are out there. If you can help out please contact Kel at Suncoast Cabs Management on (07) 5441 8888.
Are you looking for a part-time job that is flexible, empowering and entertaining every day? Join our movement (literally) and become a Shebah driver today! All female rideshare company Shebah, will give new drivers who sign up and drive before 31 October $50! Use code DRIVE50 when signing up! www.shebah.com
DAY AND NIGHT DRIVERS - BUNDABERG
MELTON DRIVERS REQUIRED
Must have held an Australian Driver's Licence for 3 years minimum. Must be able to pass a medical test, a 5 year criminal and Licence check. Must be able to acquire an Authorised Licence. Full time/part time Commission - good rates - training provided. Day and night shifts available. Please email your resume at jrider3710@gmail.com or text or call - 0421 761 805.
BRISBANE CROWN CABS
Night/Day/Weekend shifts are available. Ring Zafar on 0425 844 884.
SILVER TOP TAXI DRIVERS Has to be over 25 years old. At least 3 years experience. East Doncaster changeover. Call or SMS Tony on 0413 393 594 or email tonysursock@gmail.com.
www.crowncabs.com.au
CROWN CABS DRIVERS WANTED
All shifts available - 7 days per week. Please Phone Tuna Guclu - 0419 484 666.
Shepparton - Ballarat - Mansfield - Sunbury - Wallan Kilmore. Day and night shifts. Phone (03) 9310 5422.
SUNCOAST CAB DRIVERS
DRIVERS - BAYSIDE TAXI SERVICE
Covering from Noosa to Caloundra & Hinterland. Main duty is passenger pick up & drop off. Suncoast Cabs service 250+ account clients which may involve delivery of items. Experience is gained on the job. A 3-day training session is mandatory. Call Glenn 0438 517 500.
Online Australian Training Courses offered by
Sick of driving an old Ford? CHEAP is EXPENSIVE. Great set price deals with our 50 series hybrids on lpg. Bayside Taxi Service, 313 Bay Road, Cheltenham. For more info call (03) 9555 1155 or 0414 566 779.
Limousine, Taxi, Hire Car, Ride Share
Limousine, Taxi, Hire Car, Ride Share
Anti-Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Online Training Course
Disability Awareness Online Training Course
24 Lessons
|
$49.00
24 Lessons
|
$49.00
drvrtraining.com
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
37
OVERSEAS
news
Chinese city orders taxi drivers to remove tattoos
Taxi drivers in Lanzhou, a north-western Chinese city, recently received an unusually blunt government directive: Get rid of your tattoos. The order came in August as Lanzhou's transportation committee rolled out a campaign to spruce up the image of local taxi drivers. Ostensibly, the no-tattoo rule was meant to keep some passengers from feeling uncomfortable. Officials in Lanzhou said “large tattoos on drivers may cause distress to passengers who are women and children.” The order has revived a debate over stigmatised body art. Many younger Chinese have embraced tattooing, but others associate it with criminality. The committee is also stating that “drivers who already have tattoos should remove them through surgical procedures to the greatest extent possible.” Yet, removing tattoos is painful and expensive, requiring repeat visits to scrub traces of permanent ink from the skin through laser technology. The process can also leave scars and faded patches of colour. And who is going to pay for the removal procedure? Lanzhou’s Transportation Committee?
38
Tattoo culture began to flourish in China as the country opened up to the West ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Western influences and pop culture resonated with Chinese audiences. More entertainers and athletes began displaying tattoos in televised appearances, including Lin Dan, a badminton Olympic champion who bared his ink-stained arms during competitions. In China, the increasing acceptance of tattoos has been resisted by conservative gatekeepers. In 2017 and 2019 television censors blurred images of tattoos, as well as cleavage and men’s earrings. And last year, Chinese sports officials ordered soccer players with tattooed arms to wear long sleeves. Changchun, in the north-eastern province of Jilin, recently issued its own ban on tattoos for cabbies and told them to cover them up. Lanzhou’s directive may be among the most harsh for taxi drivers.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
The ride-hailing firm claims to have over 25,000 drivers registered in the capital offering three categories of rides to customers: Comfort, Comfort XL and Exec. Gett, one of the big players in corporate ground travel and known for using London’s iconic black taxi, announced a ‘strategic partnership’ in August with Ola.
Ola found not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator’s licence in London by Perry Richardson | taxi-point.co.uk
Ride-hailing firm Ola was found not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator’s licence in London.
failures that had potential public safety consequences. These included:
Transport for London (TfL) has refused to grant Ola a new London private hire vehicle (PHV) operator’s licence as it cannot find it fit and proper to hold one after discovering a number of failures that could have risked public safety.
•
TfL regulates London's taxi and private hire trade which is designed to ensure passenger safety. As part of licensing conditions, private hire operators must meet rigorous regulations, and demonstrate to TfL that they do so, in order to operate. Ola has been operating in London since February 2020 and recently made TfL aware of a number of
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Historic breaches of the licensing regime that led to unlicensed drivers and vehicles undertaking more than 1,000 passenger trips on behalf of Ola. Failure to draw these breaches to TfL’s attention immediately when they were first identified.
Applicants have a right to appeal a decision not to grant a licence to a magistrates’ court within 21 days. Ola can continue to operate pending the outcome of any appeal process. Ola officially launched in London in February 2020 following its UK launch in August 2018, and operates in 27 cities in the UK and over 250 globally.
Helen Chapman, TfL’s Director of Licensing, Regulation and Charging, said: “Our duty as a regulator is to ensure passenger safety. Through our investigations we discovered that flaws in Ola’s operating model have led to the use of unlicensed drivers and vehicles in more than 1,000 passenger trips, which may have put passenger safety at risk.” “If they do appeal, Ola can continue to operate and drivers can continue to undertake bookings on behalf of Ola. We will closely scrutinise the company to ensure passengers' safety is not compromised.” Marc Rozendal, Ola’s UK Managing Director said, “At Ola, our core principle is to work closely, collaboratively and transparently with regulators such as TfL. We have been working with TfL during the review period and have sought to provide assurances and address the issues raised in an open and transparent manner." "Ola will take the opportunity to appeal this decision and in doing so, our riders and drivers can rest assured that we will continue to operate as normal, providing safe and reliable mobility for London."
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
39
OVERSEAS
news
Federal Department of Labor weighs in on the employee vs contractor debate The U.S. Department of Labor last month said it would soon propose a rule that could make it easier to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees, a major issue for the “gig economy” and other industries that use contractors to contain costs. The potential misclassification of workers as independent contractors has been the subject of renewed scrutiny with the growth of the gig economy. The Obama administration issued informal guidance attempting to limit the scope of independent contractor status, but the current administration withdrew that guidance on June 7, 2017. Independent contractors are not entitled to many of the legal protections afforded to employees,
40
such as minimum wage and overtime pay. Employees can cost companies up to 40% more than contractors, according to several studies. In determining the degree of economic dependence, the rule considers two factors: (1) the nature and degree of the individual’s control over the work (i.e. the more control the worker has over their schedule, the performance of the work, selection of projects, and/or ability to work for others, the more likely they are to be an independent contractor), and (2) the individual’s opportunity for profit or loss (i.e., the greater the risk, the more likely the individual is independent).
The proposed rule reminds that the reality of the working relationship, not the terms of a written contract or informal understanding, dictates the final determination of independence. This proposal comes as Uber Technologies Inc and other gig economy firms are challenging a California law (AB5) adopted last year that makes it more difficult to treat workers as independent contractors. Uber and courier service Postmates Inc have filed a lawsuit claiming the AB5 law is unconstitutional. The companies have also launched a campaign to urge California voters to approve a ballot referendum in November that would exempt appbased services from the scope of the law.
DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · October 2020
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