THE TAXI BUSINESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 7 October 1936, Page 15

THE TAXI BUSINESS

POSITION IN DUNEDIN TOO MUCH COMPETITION SUGGESTED REMEDIES (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. The taxi and carrying trade inquiry committee commenced its Dunedin sitting this morning. Tim first witness .was Herbert James Ilastie, manager of the Gold Band Service Company and Eed Band Taxis, who stated that, his firm employed drivers on commission. He considered that on the basis of the present demand 70 taxis under proper control could cope with the hire demand, whereas at. the present there were 20 companies and stands, representing 120 vehicles. He suggested the following! reforms: A limitation of taxis on a- population basis; the regulation of drivers’ hours; compulsory wages; the prohibition of commission or shareholding; the standardisation of fares on a remunerative basis; standard requirements of fitness for driver and vehicle; and the right to quote Crips at a price per passenger. The witness stated that the average commission paid to their drivers over a period of 140 weeks was £4 6s lOd a week. Their average hours were quite possibly 90.