The demise of the ACT Taxi Industry – We Will Protest and Be Heard

CONSEQUENCES OF THE POINT TO POINT TRANSPORT REGULATION

The unregulated numbers of Commerical Rideshare and dumping of ACT taxi plates into the market introduced by the Barr’s Labor Government has created a profound deleterious financial, emotional and even physical impact on many taxi owners, operators and drivers destroying their retirement and livelihood. For owners it means their ACT taxi licences are virtually worthless. This is a harmful act by the Barr Government.

For all ACT taxi investors that represents some 200+ small business perpetual plate owners holding one or two plates plus a small additional number holding more. Add to that number, the families, drivers and others servicing the industry whose incomes and quality of life has been profoundly diminished.

The full scale of the horrendous impact this politically driven injustice has brought against a defenceless section of the community is difficult to quantify or comprehend.

For Owners, Taxi Plate value dropped by $250,000 since the Uber entered the market and ACT decided to regulate the marketplace being legally approved in 2016. Massive devaluation for Taxi Plate Owners of their investment from $300,000. Current ACT Plate  value is estimated between $50,000 -$70,000 if your lucky. In addition leasing rates have now dropped markedly down to a current lowest price of $125.00 per week. This does not factor in CPI.

Also, since regulation, Banks have declared taxis as having no value and called in loans, many have lost their retirement as a result, their life savings have been decimated, their quality of life has been diminished, their superannuation destroyed, and for those in retirement, many have been driven on to the pension as their income earning returns on their investment dropped to 70% and their plate values dropped over 85%

  • Most serious of all, particularly for the elderly, the emotional distress of seeing the result of a life’s work go down the drain due to Government edict has led to such serious emotional and physical distress that it has led to their premature demise and even suicide has been identified but goes unreported as suicide brings shame to the families of some religious groups.
  • Taxi drivers have been similarly disadvantaged. Simply to survive, many are now forced to work extended hours or forced to supplement their income with additional part time employment.
  • Hourly earnings during quieter periods have dropped to well below, not the average wage rate, but the minimum wage rate.
  • Many have been forced to seek Centrelink support in the circumstance.
  • The situation is untenable and unacceptable in a supposedly democratic society.

THIS IS NOT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

THE PREVIOUS REGULATION REQUIRED

  • Taxis fitted with security cameras – Not a requirement for Uber
  • Taxis fitted with a duress alarm system. – Not a requirement for Uber
  • Taxis fitted with in car GPS as part of tracking – Not a requirement for Uber
  • Taxis fitted with safety release systems. Not wanted by Uber
  • Regulation removed.
  • Taxi vehicles max age 6 years – Uber anything goes
  • Taxi drivers to be appropriately trained. – No training by Uber
  • Taxi drivers to be appropriately licensed for passenger transport – This is not a requirement for Uber drivers. (standard licence only required)
  • Taxi drivers requirement to provide bona fide confirmation that they may lawfully work in Australia? Uber – Illegals welcome?
  • The National Minimum English Standard be retained for Taxi drivers andNot a requirement for Uber.