STAKEHOLDER REFERENCE GROUP MEETING
MINUTES OF MEETING 26 NOVEMBER 2013
Item
Subject:
1.
Welcome &
Introductions
2.
Previous minutes &
action items
3.
Update on Taxi Industry
Roadshows
4.
Driver Agreement
Comments / Action:
Noted that roadshows have progressed well and provided many
opportunities to engage directly with the industry participants. Final
roadshow is scheduled for Thursday 28 November in Geelong.
TSC spoke to mandatory conditions being set out in legal instrument.
TSC undertaking work into dispute resolution models and also possibly
drafting a model agreement.
TSC advised conditions will apply whether a written agreement is in
place or not.
Regulatory impact statement (RIS) is being undertaken to assess
benefits and costs.
Interested parties to shortly be able to provide feedback.
Once the RIS has been received TSC will send to VCEC (Victorian
Competition & Efficiency Commission) to approve as an adequate
assessment.
Following this TSC will give the industry and community a minimum of 28
days to provide feedback for review before a decision is made. TSC will
advise SRG members by email when RIS is available for comment.
It is expected that all members will have seen the RIS by February 11
meeting.
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When
Date:
TSC
Feb 11
Welcome and introduction of attendees. Noted that TSC has received
requests from others wishing to join the group. Advised that membership
will be reviewed at some stage in the future.
Update on action items provided – no changes sought or advised in
relation to previous minutes.
ACTION: TSC to advise SRG members by email when RIS is available for
comment.
December 2013
Action
by:
Item
Subject:
Comments / Action:
Questions arose regarding dispute resolution and what costs could be for
the parties involved.
Concerns were also raised as to what would be considered ‘wilful
negligence’.
TSC advised that these are things currently being worked through and
will clarify further as well as looking at the legal definition of ‘wilful
negligence’.
ACTION: Driver Agreement to be on February agenda.
5.
Taxi Occupancy Rates
TSC advised it is seeking views on what an ideal occupancy rate should
be. Spoke to how the data was collected and interpreted. Group noted
various issues contributing to difference in rates over the week including,
lack of/competing with public transport, number of taxis on road, traffic/
road management, access to safe ranks or late night violence concerns.
The occupancy rate could be used to measure excessive entry but would
not be the only measure.
Group advised that if TSC had access to this year’s data they believe
coverage would be less, due to the increase in Mobile Phone Apps.
Noted the need to find a balance between all transport modes and
continuation of safe ranks.
Melbourne City Council advised that in the past week, 133,000
customers used safe city ranks on 68,000 taxi trips.
TSC advised occupancy rates in Country and Regional areas are slightly
higher than metropolitan Melbourne, (possibly due to a different
demographic).
Noted that TSC doesn’t have access to the same data for hire cars.
6.
The Knowledge
TSC spoke to the skill areas the knowledge will test. The exam will be
computer based and have a range of question types and formats such as
multiple choice, and direct questions with audio and visual requirements,
with minimal keyboard input.
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Action
by:
When
Date:
Item
Subject:
Comments / Action:
TSC provided some examples of the question formats. Noted testing
could eventually include video format sometime in the future. Content of
the exam is currently being finalised and will be going to tender for a
provider to deliver the exam in the first week of December 2013. Noted
PBO drivers will be required to undertake the knowledge once the zone
boundaries have been established.
TSC could not provide costs associated with the Knowledge test as the
market will determine the cost once the tender is complete but the
knowledge tests will be based on cost recovery.
ACTION: TSC to provide an update once the cost of the test has been
established.
TSC confirmed it will not be making the training with an RTO a
mandatory requirement. It is considered very few people would sit the
test without some form of training.
Group expressed concern around the time taken for driver to receive
WAT endorsement for Country drivers due to the bureaucracy.
ACTION: Country operator representatives to provide information on
where the delays are so that TSC is able to investigate and respond.
(Need to ensure that same practices do not occur as part of the
Knowledge).
7.
Mandatory Affiliation
TSC provided an update. Phase one under the current legislation will
offer the opportunity for operators to apply to be dis-affiliated. TSC will be
very prescriptive regarding the safety and GPS standards that will be
required to be met before any application is granted.
TSC is aiming for early 2014 role out of GPS capabilities and
requirements.
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Action
by:
When
Date:
TSC
Feb 11
Item
Subject:
Comments / Action:
Action
by:
When
Date:
All
Members
Feb 11
TSC asked all members to provide inputs and feedback to the TSC.
8.
Customer Charter
TSC noted the requirement for a new Customer Charter to be developed
and the need for the TSC, community and industry to work together on
this
The TSC will consult with members of DPTAC (Disabled Persons Taxi
Advisory Group) and other key stakeholders.
A strong desire to clarify what level of assistance is reasonable for a
driver to offer a passenger was expressed. Having standards clearly
stated helps to dispel and confusion and will help in dealing with
complaints.
Group suggested it may be useful to provide a summary of principles in
cab, directing passenger to a website or use of a QR code for the full
further information on the Charter. Suggested perhaps the talking taximeter could include some information, which is available in Hong Kong.
Suggestions;
 Meter must always be on
 Driver must not be on the phone
 If you are drunk and disorderly a driver can refuse to pick you up
 A driver must never refuse your fare
 Must have EFTPOS facilities
 You cannot ask your driver to drop you off or drive in an illegal
manner
 Passenger behaviour expectations
 Stowage of mobility aids
 Allowing assistance animals
Group suggested including a link in any customer booking confirmation
SMS’s directly to the Customer Charter. Customers could also be
directed to a short ‘Rate My Cabbie’ survey.
ACTION: Group to provide feedback and suggestions to be included in a
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Item
Subject:
Comments / Action:
draft Charter for February 11 meeting.
9.
Other
TSC spoke to request for Price Notification sub group and confirmed
future groups could be held following SRG to assist members who travel.
Traffic management and taxi rank issues were raised regarding the
Olympic Parks entertainment precinct (particularly the Rod Laver Arena
rank), during concert and other sporting events being held.
Future agenda requests:
 Price Notification
 Consumer Interest Test
 Excessive Entry
 The Knowledge
 Zones
 MPTP 50%
 EFPTOS surcharge
 Customer Charter
Distribute presentation to members.
Next Meeting is: 11 February 2014
Attendees:
Taxi Services Commission
Liza McDonald, Director, Industry Reform Implementation
Greg Kazuro, Assistant Manager Stakeholder Projects
Lara Dooley, Industry Reform Implementation Officer
Alicia White, Manager Stakeholder Engagement
Leissa Van Saane, acting Industry Liaison Officer
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Action
by:
When
Date:
Stakeholder Reference Group
Andrew Cron, City of Melbourne
Brendan Zwanikken, Melbourne Airport
Matthew Carney, Melbourne Airport
Mark Shehata, Victorian Taxi Families Group
Nick Bowman, (representing metropolitan hire car industry)
Stephen Armstrong, (representing regional network service providers)
Robin Smith, (representing country taxi drivers)
Bruce Mossig, Victorian Country Limousine Association
Andrew Lane, (representing country network service providers/operators)
Damien Murphy, (representing country network service providers/operators) - apology
Berhanie Berhanie Victorian Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Association - apology
Lucinda O’Brien, Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic)
David Brumby, (representing metropolitan taxi drivers)
Harry Katsiabanis, Taxi Industry Stakeholders Victoria
Georgia Nicholls, Victorian Taxi Association
John Duggan, Peninsula Taxis - absent
Greg Hardeman, (representing metropolitan network service providers)
George Yannas, Platinum Taxis
Llewellyn Reynders, Victorian Council of Social Service
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