Taxidrivers’ "Many Unlawful Practices"

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 12

Taxidrivers’ "Many Unlawful Practices"

"We have good reason to believe that there are many unlawful practices indulged in throughout the taxi-cab industry. Some of these are more serious than others, but all involve disregard of the law.” states the section of the report dealing with taxis "The Drivers’ Union representatives drew attention to alleged ‘farming or leasing’ of licences, particularly in Auckland and Wellington. "This is in clear breach of the Act. We depreciate the failure of the enforcement authorities to take effective action to stamp out these practices.

“There is a strong feeling that overcharging is practised by some sections of the industry

"We have already drawn attention to the difficulties facing the hirer in determining whether the fare charged is the correct one. and we have already made recommendations designed to assist in this respect.” Drivers’ Dress

Among the most prevalent breaches was poor standard of dress.

The driver must make every enfleavour to announce in person his arrival at the pick-up point in answer to a radio or telephone call. “In most areas, taxi drivers seem merely to sound the cab horn to summon passengers”

This was a breach of taxi regulations and in most builtup areas betw’een 11 p.m. and 7 am. of traffic regulations also.

Drivers were prohibited from smoking while conveying a passenger.

“Breaches of this prohibition are widespread,” the committee said.

“Cruising” should be permitted and taxi stands should be in easily accessible places.

The committee recommends that every journey shall he made by the shortest route.

If taxi-cab organisations had better control and discipline the nature and availability of the service from existing licences would be greatly improved, it suggests In an attempt to halt trafficing in licences, the committee proposes that a new taxi licence shall not be transferable for three years, in any circumstances, and during the succeeding three years, shall be transferable only in extenuating circumstances. Multiple Hiring The committee recommended that multiple hiring should be permitted only as approved by the appropriate authority and only from railway stations, service coach depots, air centres, or interIsland steamer express wharves.

Not more than two hirers with their passengers should be carried, and the second prospective hirer and his passenger to be near the

taxi and clearly indicated to the first hirer.

Unless taxi operators can show’ that they are operating a satisfactory roster system, and that there is a full service to the public, licensing authorities should not admit their evidence against the granting of new licences, except in regard to the suitability of new applicants, the committee said. Investigations The committee recommended that the assistance of the investigation services available from the Transport Department be more widely sought by licensing authorities in determining matters connected with taxi services. It also proposed that in each town or city with a population greater than 10.000 the appropriate licensing authority should be required to review the adequacy of the taxi-cab services every three years at least. “Our inquiries showed there were many causes for justifiable complaint about the taxi services throughout the country,” the committee said. "Yet by and large we formed the opinion that a good proportion of operators were trying to give good service to the public.”