Taxi and limousine
Taxi Security Camera Program Review
The review of the taxi security camera systems has finished its initial six week consultation phase. The 'Future direction of the taxi security cameras Discussion Paper' was published on both the department's website and the 'Have your say' website and was available for comment until 30 April 2011.
Feedback received from this process will inform the development of a draft Policy Paper that will be used to obtain further feedback from the public, the taxi industry and other interested parties and is anticipated to be made available from this website in the near future.
Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015
Taxis form an essential part of the public transport network. It is critical that government and industry work together to ensure that the taxi system remains viable and flexible while meeting community expectations of safety, affordability and reliability. To assist in achieving this, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has been working with industry to develop a draft taxi strategic plan that sets out a vision and action plan that will shape the future of taxi services over the next five years.
Key elements of the plan focus on initiatives that will achieve enhancements across key areas including safety, customer service, commercial viability, economic efficiency, industrial fairness and a regulatory framework that serves to ensure public benefit.
The Taxi Industry Advisory Committee (TIAC) has been a key consultation mechanism in the development of the draft strategic plan. While TIAC consists of representatives from various segments of the taxi industry including drivers, operators, owners and industry bodies as well as community group representatives, the values and opinions of these groups on a much larger scale will provide valuable input and help to ensure that it seeks to make improvements in the right areas in the right way.
Consultation on the draft Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015 was undertaken between 2 June and 2 August 2010. Following amendments to the strategy as a result of the feedback received, the Minister for Transport, the Honourable Rachel Nolan MP tabled the Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015 in Parliament on 25 November 2010.
A total of 30 responses providing feedback on the draft Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015 were received. Responses ranged from comprehensive, detailed documents to letters and single issue emails, and reflected the views and opinions of industry stakeholders including drivers, operators, owners and taxi booking companies and the public. Some respondents also made comment on the recommendations made by the Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman.
The feedback, which is summarised in the attached document was used in the further development of the Queensland Taxi Stategic Plan 2010–2015.
Summary of feedback from consultation on draft Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015 (PDF, 158 KB)
To assist in the development of the draft Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015, the department engaged consultants to conduct interviews and forums with industry representatives, review industry performance data and conduct international research. The report produced has provided technical input into the development of the strategic plan.
Annual taxi industry stakeholder forums
Each year, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will hold taxi industry stakeholder forums. These forums provide an opportunity for two-way engagement between the department and taxi industry on the progress of the Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010-2015.
This year, the forums will be held in Brisbane North, Ipswich and Cairns. Each forum will consist of a presentation about the strategic plan on day one starting at 6.15 pm (for a 6.30 pm start) and pre-arranged 15 minute meetings on day two.
The opportunity to request a meeting with the department on day two has now closed. If you have requested a meeting, you will receive notification of your scheduled appointment time in the week leading up to the relevant forum.
We look forward to meeting you to discuss the progress of the Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010-2015.
Forum locations
Brisbane North
21 and 22 November 2011
Brisbane International – Virginia Palms, Boondall
Ipswich
28 and 29 November 2011
Metro Hotel Ipswich International, Ipswich
Cairns
5 and 6 December 2011
Mercure Hotel, Cairns
Queensland Government Response to Report on Investigation into the Taxi Industry in Queensland by the Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman
The Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman (the Ombudsman) instigated an independent investigation into work related issues affecting taxi drivers throughout Queensland. The Ombudsman's Report was tabled in Parliament on 24 June 2010. In response to the Ombudsman's Report, the Minister for Transport extended the consultation period on the draft Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015 to enable sufficient time for both documents to be considered in parallel.
The Queensland Government also established an interagency working group comprising of senior officers from the Departments of Transport and Main Roads, Justice and Attorney-General, Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Treasury and Queensland Police Service to consider the Ombudsman's Report and examine the recommendations made.
The Queensland Government's Response to the Ombudsman's Report was tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Transport, the Honourable Rachel Nolan, MP on 25 November 2010.
Economic Analysis of the Taxi Industry
The taxi industry has a unique and complex structure due to the various entities involved which broadly include taxi booking companies, management companies, licence owners, operators and drivers. In addition, the cost structure of the industry itself with regard to revenue flow is also complex due to the varying operating arrangements between parties. The complexity of these elements means that effective policy decisions are dependent on understanding the mechanics of the industry and the potential ripple effect of government intervention through policy change. In recognition of this, the Department of Transport and Main Roads engaged L.E.K. Consulting to undertake an economic analysis of the taxi industry.
The analysis was based on a sample of single conventional taxis operating in Brisbane in 2009–10. It was provided at a point in time in the economic cycle and was based on reported revenues and costs provided by a sample of Brisbane's taxi operators. While it provides insights into the economics of the taxi industry, the economics of individual operators may differ substantially from the general picture provided in this document.
Queensland Taxi Industry Review Economic Model and Policy Considerations (PDF, 211 KB)
Policy Considerations
In 2010, L.E.K. Consulting was engaged by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to assist with research and analysis to complement the development and testing of taxi industry reform. The work focused on six key themes:
- operator-driver agreements and dispute resolution
- licence sub-leasing
- taxi licence supply and licensing approaches
- fare level setting and increases / appropriateness of the existing fare review model
- affiliation fees
- testing of service level standards / mystery shopper program.
An important focus of the work was the comparison of reforms and regulations across jurisdictions. The review was conducted over an eight week period and was based on industry interviews across Australia and analysis of publicly available information.
Queensland Taxi Industry Review Policy Considerations (PDF, 361 KB)
Taxi Industry Advisory Committee
The Taxi Industry Advisory Committee (TIAC) was established by the Minister for Transport, to assist both the Minister and the Department of Transport and Main Roads in progressing major priority initiatives identified under the Taxi Strategic Plan and prioritise its policy and legislative agenda to best address the needs of the taxi industry as a whole.
Please visit the Taxi Industry Advisory Committee page for more information.
Green taxis
Through the ClimateQ Initiative, the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring the long term sustainability of the taxi industry.
As part of this commitment and in consultation with the Queensland taxi industry, the Queensland Government will provide incentives to encourage the use of low emission vehicles, such as petrol-electric hybrids or small diesel passenger vehicles by giving preference to tenders for taxi service licences where the holder agrees to operate a green vehicle.
Please download the Greening the Taxi Fleet fact sheet (PDF, 119 KB)* and Green Taxis Policy Determination (PDF, 51 KB) for more information.
Mystery Passenger Project
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has commissioned a mystery passenger audit for the purpose of ensuring the taxi industry is providing a consistent and quality service.
The mystery passenger audit is a key component of the government's overview of taxi industry performance and audits will continue periodically. The following audit was conducted over two weeks from 26 June 2009.
Mystery passengers secretly audited 563 taxi trips across Queensland, including services in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
For more information, download the
Mystery Passenger Project (PDF, 589 KB).
What is a taxi service licence?
A taxi service licence authorises the holder to provide a taxi service in a specific area subject to certain conditions.
A taxi service licence may be leased, sold or otherwise transferred, but only to an appropriately accredited operator.
Other taxi-related information:
What is a limousine service?
A limousine service is an unscheduled public passenger service by a luxury motor vehicle where the fare is decided before the journey begins.
What is a limousine service licence?
A limousine service licence authorises the holder to provide a limousine service in a specific area subject to certain conditions.
A limousine service licence may be leased, sold or otherwise transferred, but only to an appropriately accredited operator.
Limousine-related information:
Fact sheets
Information bulletins and fact sheets on our services are available at the links below. Relevant taxi and limousine fact sheets will be updated once available.
aHigher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. If calling outside of Queensland, STD rates will apply.
*The content found by using this link is not created, controlled or approved by this department. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on this site. This link will load into a new window.
- Taxi bailment
Information on taxi bailment
- Limousine Users Guide
The Limousine Users Guide has been developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in consultation with industry to assist individuals and businesses in choosing an authorised limousine operator.
- Special Purpose Limousines
The introduction of Special Purpose Limousines (SPL) on 3 November 2008 saw an increase in the types of vehicles that are able to provide limousine services in Queensland. Special Purpose Limousines are restricted to providing wedding, formal and tourist services.
- Disability Discrimination Act Reference Group
The Taxi Industry Disability Discrimination Act reference group is chaired by the Department of Transport and Main Roads with representation from the Queensland taxi industry.
- Limousine Strategic Planning Committee
- Regional limousine service licences
The Department of Transport and Main Roads commenced sale of regional limousine service licences on 1 July 2007. The areas approved for these new areas are Capricornia, far north Queensland and north Queensland.
- Taxi Industry Advisory Committee
The Taxi Industry Advisory Committee (TIAC) was established by the Minister for Transport, to assist both the Minister and the Department of Transport and Main Roads in progressing major priority initiatives identified under the Taxi Strategic Plan and prioritise its policy and legislative agenda to best address the needs of the taxi industry as a whole.
- Taxi Industry Health and Safety Committee
The Review of Taxi Driver Remuneration and Conditions of Work recommended the establishment of a Taxi Industry Health and Safety Committee. The review examined options to improve working conditions for taxi drivers and identified Queensland taxi drivers who are engaged in bailee/bailor relationships and are not subject to Queensland workplace relations laws.
- Taxi Industry Reform Package
An information paper is available to inform interested stakeholders about proposed reforms to the taxi industry. The objective of the reforms is to ensure that a high level of passenger safety and service is delivered by the taxi industry.
- Taxi security cameras
In October 2004, the Queensland Government announced it would fund the supply and installation of security cameras in approximately 2700 taxis in Queensland. It is compulsory for security cameras to be fitted to taxis in the 20 'taxi service contract areas' located throughout Queensland.
- Taxi Strategic Planning Committee
- Taxi subsidy scheme and Vision Impairment Travel Pass
Information about the taxi subsidy scheme, including eligibility requirements and how to apply for membership.
