Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo has welcomed the announcement that a Malinauskas Labor Government will immediately conduct a review of the Passenger Transport Act, which should lead to better taxi services.
Mr Piccolo said the taxi industry is an important part of the State’s public transport infrastructure, and for some South Australians – quite often those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable – their primary way to travel.
Labor has announced a range of proposed reforms which will lead to safer and cleaner taxis and will reduce the cost of being a taxi owner or operator to provide a level-playing field with rideshare drivers.
Labor will also introduce greater protections for taxi and rideshare drivers and passengers to improve the value of licences.
Mr Piccolo has welcomed the commitment who says taxi operators need a level playing field and more support to improve services.
“Local people are waiting hours for a taxi in Gawler as the monopoly service provider arrangement is failing passengers who have pre-booked rides,” said Mr Piccolo.
A Labor Government would direct the independent regulator to investigate the point-to-point transport sector and then design the best Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance framework for South Australia.
Labor would also provide five new dedicated inspectors to monitor and enforce safety, including penalties for breaches.
Mr Piccolo has received repeated complaints over the past year about poor service in Gawler, such as driver no shows and late pick-ups, which have left local people stranded.
The fury from local people was vented in comments on social media revealing the extent of the problem,
According to one person, “the local taxis are poorly kept … and the cost to use a taxi for the poor service is unbelievable.”
Taxis are often called upon at night-time when a quick and safe ride home is needed, however one comment said, “Terrible! Cannot get a taxi especially at night.”
In September of last year Mr Piccolo wrote to Transport Minister Corey Wingard to let him know about the ongoing local dissatisfaction with taxi services. The Minister was told that complaints range from drivers not turning up at all to pick up passengers to late arrivals and lengthy delays.
The Minister recently refused access to the review into the taxi industry, and other point to point transport services, which started more than two years ago. Details of the review had been sought by Mr Piccolo through the Freedom of Information process.
“I don’t know why the Minister won’t release the review. I am not sure what the Marshall Liberal Government is trying to hide. It is no secret that taxi services in Gawler are unreliable,” said Mr Piccolo.
Mr Piccolo has also written to the federal competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), requesting an investigation into anti-competitive behaviour since the Marshall Liberal government virtually gave suburban taxis a monopoly in Gawler.
Online comments can be found at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyPiccoloMP/posts/356810826450615