WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Australia


SYDNEY CABBIES COLLUDED WITH HOTELS TO OVERCHARGE GUESTS


An investigation has been launched after allegations that taxi drivers have colluded with luxury Sydney hotels to overcharge guests for rides. Reports published in The Daily Telegraph revealed hotel reception staff were directing guests to the dodgy taxi drivers in exchange for “kickbacks” between $10 to $30. The scheme was exposed by a fed-up Sydney cabbie, who made the report to the NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner. He said hotel workers at several five-star hotels would either call certain drivers with the job or share the ride request in a Telegram group. In one message, a fare of $90 was offered for an 8km trip from the Sydney CBD to the airport. Depending on traffic, the fare should be between $45 to $55. NSW Point to Point Commissioner Anthony Wing, said: “I take all complaints about possible breaches of transport law very seriously. My staff are investigating the matter. We are talking to people in the industry to get extra information and get to the bottom of it.” Since May last year, taxi drivers who refuse a ride, or make demands to be paid in cash, are liable for a $1,000 fine in a major crackdown undertaken by the state government. Under the law, taxi drivers must turn on the meter once a passenger enters the vehicle, and they cannot refuse a rider over their destination. Drivers must also have the fare calculation device on display to customers and cannot solicit a fare. While Mr Wing said a “minority of drivers” went against the rules, he admitted it “tars the brand for everyone”. Mr Wing appealed to the public to report dodgy drivers.


CABBIE’S RECKLESS ACT LEAVES SYDNEY MOTORISTS IN DISBELIEF


A cabbie’s dangerous solution to accommodate a passenger with a bicycle, has left motorists in dis- belief. A photo posted online showed the cab entering the outside lane of a roundabout in inner city Sydney, with the door open and the bike protruding from the left backseat.


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The image was shared to Dash Cam Owners Aus- tralia’s facebook page was caption- ed: ‘Near enough is good enough.’ A NSW Police spokesperson said they are aware of the photo and conducting inquiries into the incident. “The licence plate was visible so they should be able to find the driver and talk to them”, police said. In NSW it is an offence to cause a hazard to a person or vehicle by having a door open and can attract a $349 fine. Drivers with an unsecured and overhanging load can face a fine of $464 and three demerit points.


from South Africa


MBOMBELA OPERATORS TAKE THE WAR FOR BETTER ROADS TO STREETS


Commuters and motorists of communities linking Pienaar to the city of Mbombela were left stranded on 24 January, as taxi operators took their fight for better roads to the streets. They were joined by locals who sympathised with them for having to drive on poor roads, and used their taxis and some buses to block all entrances and exits leading to and from Pienaar. The taxi operators said they only had one demand, and that is to get the government to fix the roads, some of which are practically non-existent. “Our grievances are not so much. We just want these roads to be fixed. We are not asking the government to make miracles and put up a tarred road. No, all we are asking for is that they must at least come up with a temporary measure so that the roads are driveable. “We drive on these roads every day, and because of the bad conditions, we are forced to get our vehicles serviced monthly, and now all the profit goes to buying tyres and brake pads. This is not fair. This government doesn’t care. They have neglected us simply because they live in town and suburbs where everything is smooth. We are suffering here,” said a taxi owner. He further stressed that this protest was not political They vowed to intensify the protest should nothing be done to fix these roads.


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