SURVEY OF SYDNEY CABBIES’ ‘IMAGE’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30536, 3 September 1964, Page 14

SURVEY OF SYDNEY CABBIES’ ‘IMAGE’

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

SYDNEY, September 2. Sydney cabbies, per* haps on the surface the most belligerent but under it the most co-oper-ative of taxi drivers in the world, are worried about their “public image." They are so worried about it that they are to pay £9OOO to have a survey made of their industry; In the survey three top economists and statistics experts will study the results of a vast quiz in which more than 2000 taxi-drivers, owners and members of the public will be questioned. Also on the panel will be a well-known psychologist who will analyse the public’s attitude towards the taxi industry. Taxis in New Soiith Wales carry about 100 m passengers a year, the vast majority of them in Sydney. Among the questions members of the public will be asked are those as to personal and economic details and family background such as the number of children, and whether the wife works as well as the husband. Major Inquiry The subjects will be asked: “Have you ever wanted a taxi but been unable to get one?” “When, where and how long did you wait for the last cab you hired?” “How often have

!. you tried to obtain a taxi and been unsuccessful?” The survey will be the first major investigation into the taxi industry since a Royal Commission sat in 1939. The head of the company conducting the survey, Mr Asher Joel, said it would be as impartial ,as a judicial inquiry. “No c matter how unpalatable the ) facts, it is better to know F them so problems can be rectified.” , Mr R. Brading, the secre--1 tary of the New South Wales - Taxi Council, said the surs vey was being held to see how • much recent criticism of the s industry was justified and : how much could be cured, i “We expect people to be critii cal and that’s what we want—- « everybody’s point of view.” i No matter the result of the inquiry the feeling abroad in i the ranks of the private ; motorist that the taxi is a I hazard of the road that should be recognised as such, is ■ likely to prevail.