Industry threatened: Geelong Taxi Network’s Peter Valentine.
By Cherie Donnellan
AN INQUIRY’S proposed changes to Victoria’s taxi industry would “destroy” the region’s services, according to an industry chief in Geelong.
Geelong Taxi Network chief executive officer Peter Valentine slammed the inquiry’s draft report, labelling Geelong’s service concerns a “different kettle of fish” to issues in Melbourne.
“Geelong’s regional service has high service level results and has for many years,” he said.
Member for Western Victoria Region David O’Brien last week said “the flexibility of public transport” would “increase dramatically” in Geelong under the recommendations. He highlighted proposed changes including removal of a cap on the number of taxi licences.
But Mr Valentine said the changes would make operators “suffer” and affect service levels.
“Under the current system drivers are self-employed and therefore accountable for the dollars they earn.”
Mr Valentine said drivers entering employee agreements under the proposed changes could abuse leave entitlements and refuse work at “undesirable” times.
“If 10 workers call in sick on a busy Friday night, for instance, where are we going to pull another driver from?”
Mr Valentine said the inquiry’s recommendation plan to remove a cap on taxi licences could produce “too many cabs” for “not enough work”.
Another proposal to allow “gypsy cabs” was a threat to passengers’ safety, he said.
“Gypsy cabs are like London’s metro cabs. The drivers don’t have to comply with the same standards.
“It’s been reported that metro cabs have the highest number of violent incidents and this will happen here if gypsy cabs are introduced.”
More than 1000 taxi owners and drivers have proposed a class action suit against the Baillieu Government over the controversial recommendations.
