“Public Not Happy About Some Taxi Services”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29602, 26 August 1961, Page 18

“Public Not Happy About Some Taxi Services”

(New Zealana Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 25. Auckland and Wellington taximen who thought the public were happy about taxi services were only deluding themselves, the Commissioner of Transport (Mr A. E. Forsythe) told the annual conference of the New Zealand Taxi Proprietors’ Federation in Auckland today. Mr Forsythe said he had warned the federation that what he would have to say to the delegates would be provocative.

“Both you and I are servants of the public. We earn our living by serving the public,” said Mr Fo>rswihe. The public expected a high standard of service from the taxi industry—just as it expected a lot from him. His aim was to give of his best. The public had every right to expect a high standard of service and it was in the interests of the industry to give it. Last year taxis had served 25.000.000 passengers and received nearly £5,000,000.

To get that they must have earned good will and he thought in many cases taxis had that good will. Theiir prosperity depended on securing and holding that good will. But in some of the bigger centres it was being lost fast. "Not Service” “When my wife is told she can have a taxi now but not in half an hour when she requires it—and that at a slack time—that is not service.” said the Commmissioner. “It is not even courtesy to tell her when she protests: 'You better take a bus, lady.’” Nor was it service when passengers had to listen to grizzling or when a depot would not accept a call and people had to walk in the wet to a stand to get a cab. Mir Fonsyi'lhe said he tenw that the public could be demanding but it was long suffering and usually would not lay a complaint. Only a small percentage did so. There were many good deeds done by taximen but there were some who were letting down the industry. There were some who by their dress and demeanour were a poor advertisement. In Wellington many people, especially women, regarded the taxi driver as a “traffic bully,” he said. Many were skilful drivers and courteous buit every taxi was so easily identified that a small proportion of discourteous men could get taxis a bad name.