Council identifies region’s taxi failings

By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
CARE for the customer is the most important factor lacking in the Victorian taxi industry, according to Yarra Ranges councillors.
They are backing a recent review into the taxi industry in the hope that recommendations will improve the service.
They say they are disappointed that previous transport industry reviews have not brought about improvements.
At their 14 August council meeting councillor Tim Heenan said taxi drivers had great passion but their were failings in the industry.
“For this to work and work well… one of the things lacking for many years is the care for the customer – it’s a service based industry,” he said.
“There’s an enormous concern for those without cars, those with issues with mobility.
“They can’t access maxi taxis, the waits are substantial and in some cases they’re not able to get taxis on the day they’re required.”
Yarra Ranges Council outlined the problems faced by taxi services in the region in its submission to the Victorian taxi industry inquiry.
Problems identified included the location and operation of the taxi zone boundary, the difficulty for taxi services to make money within a large area, and the problems caused to disadvantaged residents and tourists by inaccessible public transport.