Taxi Driver Online

Victorian taxi chief Allan Fels swoop on cab talks


VICTORIAN taxi chief Allan Fels has outraged cab drivers by taking a taxpayer-funded trip to Washington to spruik a long-awaited overhaul of the state's struggling service.

While commuters wait for the Baillieu Government to act on his radical plan to reform the taxi industry, Prof Fels travelled to the US on the public purse for a four-day conference at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Prof Fels is serving as the temporary chair of the Taxi Services Commission, despite handing his draft blueprint for change to the Baillieu Government almost six months ago.

As Victorians wait for the Government to respond, Transport Minister Terry Mulder has admitted sending Prof Fels to Washington for the International Association of Transport Regulators Conference at a cost of at least $6710.

Prof Fels said his trip abroad had confirmed commuters' worst fears about Victoria's cab service.

"I can confirm that as a result of this very important international forum, other jurisdictions around the world support Victorian passenger claims that the taxi industry in Victoria is totally broken and long overdue for a serious shake up," he said.

"We have learnt much from our friends overseas and they have warned us that taxi industries are notoriously difficult to reform and the lessons of implementation are vital."

A spokeswoman for Mr Mulder, Larissa Garvin, said the trip was paid for by the Department of Transport and allowed Prof Fels to discuss his "direction for reform" and compare notes with industry leaders from other countries.

But Victorian Taxi Association spokesman David Samuel said Prof Fels should have been meeting the Government and working with stakeholders on a smooth transition to "substantial changes for the industry".

"It's disappointing Alan Fells is not around to help work through his recommendations," he said.

"Alan Fels has really been missing in action."

The Government is expected to announce its response to the Fels review in the next two weeks.

source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victor ... 6525211921

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