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An idea from Australia, which if introduced to London, for example, would basically turn the touts into taxis during peak times.
But these people will never learn - they babble on about lack of career paths, retention problems and the like, while I'll bet badges are handed out like confetti and at the same time many drivers won't be able to afford a plate.
Cut-price licences may tackle taxi wait
Jason Gregory
24dec05
LONG and sometimes dangerous inner-Brisbane taxi queues could be shortened by a "poor man's" taxi licence scheme to entice new drivers into the industry, according to publicans and the drivers' association.
One proposal would allow private citizens to use their own vehicles as de facto taxis in times of heavy demand, and introduce cut-price permits for individuals to set up their own business as a long-term career option.
Brisbane City Licensees Association spokesman Godfrey Mantle said that "there is clearly a problem with waiting times, and we need to look at other cities to find solutions".
An independent survey, endorsed by the BCLA, found that 60-minute waits at some ranks at times of high demand were common – despite the new NightLink service, extending some train and bus services after midnight, easing the passenger load.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas was due to inspect inner-city taxi ranks last night.
Mr Mantle has suggested a voucher system, loosely based on London's "gypsy" cabs, which would provide a mechanism for prospective drivers to use their private – and roadworthy – vehicles in peak times.
The drivers – who would need to pass standard tests such as criminal background and the Blue Card – would usually be taking on the role as a second job, and would be restricted to driving during set periods.
Under the plan, patrons could pre-purchase their fare at an inner-city venue and be picked up outside by the driver, who would be handed the voucher on arrival and reimbursed at a later time.
The patrons' safety would be monitored by registering who purchased the set price voucher – say, $20 for a trip to Indooroopilly – and who took them home.
Despite intensive recruitment drives, taxi owners struggle to attract new drivers in late-night peak periods, with the widespread belief that the danger does not match the financial return.
Queensland Taxi Drivers Association president Michael Powell said Sydney-style licences, leased out for $1000 a year to owner-drivers who cannot then resell them, would present an opportunity to remedy the owner/driver shortage and create a real career path.
In NSW, cabbies are offered financial assistance, low-interest loans or grants to establish the business and to assist with the purchase of the vehicle, estimated at $75,000 fully set-up on the road.
In 1994 a Queensland licence cost $140,000. That has now soared to $350,000.
Mr Powell said the industry was gutted by poor retention and recruitment caused by a lack of basic working conditions or a career path, and the price of taxi licences "destroyed the chances for drivers who want to work for themselves".
"Taxi delays are because of a shortage of drivers, not cabs, and this is causing unrealistic delays for customers," he said.
Spokesman for the owners' association, the Taxi Council of Queensland, Blair Davies said the use of substitute taxis, normally restricted as exchange vehicles for those being repaired, during peak times had been beneficial, and he called for more licences.
"It is a complex issue because for the majority of the week cabs spend their time waiting for customers rather than people waiting for cabs," Mr Davies said.
There are nine supervised taxi ranks in inner Brisbane.
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