Tax relief on taxis sought

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 7

Tax relief on taxis sought

PA Whangarei One of the most important issues facing the taxi industry today was to obtain some relief from Sales fax on vehicles, the Taxi Proprietors’ Federation annual conference was told in a report from its economics committee.

The committee is preparing submissions to the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon). Inflation had increased the price of new vehicles well beyond the capacity of the industry to pay, the conference was told. As well, the reduced production of six-cylinder cars since 1974 had reduced the

number of second-hand vehicles on the market.

“If the industry is to provide the standard of service required of it, it must have suitable equipment,” the committee reported. The federation’s annual report indicated that the 1980 vehicle age survey had revealed the average taxi age to be seven years. A new vehicle at $14,000 was outside the range of taxi-owners, so few if any 1980 vehicles were evident in the New Zealand taxi fleet. Suitable used vehicles at a reasonable price were not available and the problem appeared to be worsening.