Geelong sweep catches dodgy operators taxi drivers targeted

Andrew Mathieson
A CRACKDOWN on Geelong taxis has caught drivers failing to meet industry standards.
Victorian Taxi Directorate targeted cabbies flagrantly breaking rules over the last month, threatening to put unsatisfactory vehicles off the road.
Transport safety officers issued a series of fines and infringement notices for failing to comply with a range of checks.
The Independent witnessed directorate staff pulling over cars at Moorabool and Malop street taxi ranks.
Directorate spokesperson Jo Baird said drivers were audited for serious breaches including accreditation and licence infringements, working without approved company uniform and failing to properly log into their taxi’s EFTPOS terminal to ensure correct fare charges.
Directorate staff also checked safety cameras and conducted roadworthy checks for the condition of tyres, brakes and seat belts.
Ms Baird said the transport safety officers were carrying out a number of operations in the Geelong area to “ensure the public have confidence that when they get into a cab it is clean, safe and reliable”.
Ms Baird said the State Government regulator would continue to routinely undertake compliance operations.
“The (directorate) continues to hold taxi drivers and operators responsible for ensuring a safe and fair service.”
Ms Baird said officers handed infringement notices to a “low number” of cabbies.
A Melbourne newspaper revealed last year that a Freedom of Information request had documented how rogue drivers were involved in widespread rip-offs, attacks on passengers, drug use and drinking on the job.
Documents detailed an average 50 complaints each week to the directorate, including incidents of overcharging and rorting credit cards and cabcharge payments.
Ms Baird said the directive encouraged reports of unsatisfactory taxi services in Geelong by phoning 1800 638 802 or visiting www.taxi.vic.gov.au.