Media Release

Media release
27 April, 2018

The inundation of booked-hire vehicles on Brisbane and Gold Coast roads is resulting in mounting congestion and other traffic problems across CBD areas and inner city suburbs. Hundreds, and at times possibly thousands, of booked-hire vehicles are cruising around South East Queensland streets while waiting for their next fare, causing a massive strain on the traffic flow system.

The Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) is urging authorities to protect the safety of passengers and other road users by imposing stronger penalties on booked-hire vehicles that make dangerous manoeuvrers and stop to pick-up or set-down their clients illegally.

Booked-hire vehicles are not allowed to use taxi ranks under the Government’s new regulations because the space is too limited. Instead, booked-hired vehicles have access to more than 155 loading zones to pick up and drop off their passengers in the Brisbane CBD, so there is no

Media release
April 16, 2018

The Road Safety Manual for the Taxi Industry, developed by QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) has just been released and aims to develop a standardised safe driving guide for taxi operators, owners and drivers.

The report is the result of months of work on the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) funded project called Reducing the Crash Involvement of Taxis in Queensland: Situational Analysis and Crash and Exposure Analyses.

The Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) and our members actively participated in the development of the Manual in a bid to help deliver a new, coordinated approach to driver safety and highlight the key hazards and risks affecting the industry.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, said the industry’s approach to safety has always been to push to higher standards.

“The safety of our operators, owners, drivers and passengers is of utmost importance and TCQ’s support of this manual

Media release
28 March, 2018

With a recent report1 revealing UberX drivers earn less than the national minimal wage, the Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) has warned that booked-hire service drivers are clearly in danger of being exploited and says that more needs to be done to ensure the fair treatment of all drivers.

The study by The Australia Institute Centre for Future Work found that the average UberX wage in Australia equates to just $14.62 per hour, well below the national minimum wage of $18.29 per hour. This estimated figure is the drivers’ take home pay after deducting Uber’s fees, net taxes and vehicle maintenance costs from their hourly earnings.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, says these recent figures are “a wake-up call” to Government and has called for tighter protections to ensure booked-hire drivers are not exploited in Australia.

“With more than 50 per cent of booked-hire drivers relying on this work as their

Media release
March 20, 2018

The latest report of a female passenger allegedly suffering a sexual assault by an Uber driver has brought
the Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) out swinging, demanding the Queensland Government act
immediately and do more to ensure the safety of passengers.

Police are currently investigating reports of a serious sexual assault that occurred in the early hours of
March 18, involving a young woman travelling from Fortitude Valley to Clayfield in an Uber.

CEO of the TCQ, Blair Davies says “enough is enough” and is urging the State Government to “act
urgently and boldly” to address the issue of safety in booked hire vehicles.

“We have been calling out the need for mandatory safety equipment in booked hire vehicles for some
time now,” says Mr Davies, “and yet nothing seems to sway the Government into seeing the urgency of
this matter. How many more incidents to we have to have before this issue is taken seriously?

“This

Media Release
March 16, 2018

The Taxi Council of Queensland (TCQ) is concerned that while Uber is pricing its services to win over consumers, an analysis of the booked-hire company’s financial position shows it is yet to turn a profit and if it continues to grow its market share, consumers will be the losers in the end.

TCQ CEO, Blair Davies, said Uber leads consumers to believe their low pricing means they are more efficient, however their losses prove that is not the case.

“Uber works extremely hard to downplay its continuous stream of losses, but according to a recent report1 has actually burnt through a staggering USD $10.7 billion in just nine years,” Mr Davies said.

“Uber appears to be trying to price its taxi competitors out of business, eliminating the competition and monopolising their market share. If they get monopoly control, it’ll then become time to pay the piper. We fear consumers face

Media Release
February 7, 2017​

Taxi industry can influence election because Queenslanders believe in a fair go

The chief executive officer of Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) believes that Queenslanders will support the taxi industry and punish politicians that have let down honest small business operators.

In an address to members gathered at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last week, Mr Wash outlined the organisation’s political strategy in the lead up to the state election, declaring, “now is the time for the taxi industry to step forward and lead in what may well be characterised as the fight of our lives”.

“Arguably, in the nearly 70 years that TCQ has worked on behalf of members, never has there been an issue of such magnitude and consequence if allowed to continue unchecked and unchallenged,” he said.

Mr Wash said that the industry made a difference in the last federal election in the seat of Longman, where assistant

Media Release
25 January 2018
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Queensland taxi companies are gearing up for a busy Australia Day long weekend. While most people are enjoying a well-earned day off, the public holiday will see thousands of cabbies out on the road making sure their fellow Queenslanders get to and from family festivities, parties with friends, and even the odd protest rally safely and affordably.

The State Government is encouraging Queenslander’s to have a ‘Plan B’ in place as they celebrate our national day under its Join the Drive campaign to keep roads safe.

Taxi Council of Queensland CEO, Blair Davies, said the smartest plan for Australia Day is to leave the car at home and just grab a cab.

“We’ll have over 3,000 cabs at the ready to transport passengers all weekend, whether it’s to a backyard bar-b-que, celebrations in a park, or a night on the town,” he said.

“Queensland cabbies are professionals and collectively they are

Media Release
24 January 2018

ROCKY CABS LEGEND JAN BUTTERWORTH RECEIVES TCQ AWARD

Rockhampton Yellow Cabs owner Jan Butterworth believes everyone should be able to get around Rockhampton with ease, regardless of whether they have a disability.

The industry veteran of 37-years was recently awarded the Significant Achievement Award in the

MEDIA RELEASE
19 January 2018​

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has expressed concern following the recent revelation that ridesharing drivers are increasingly declining passengers who possess lower ratings in their system, or who they simply don’t like the look of.

It has been suggested that ethnicity may be linked to low ratings with one particular ridesharing company, resulting in these minority groups rarely being able to secure a driver. Although this is against the company’s policies, it is extremely difficult to prove.

Even passengers who make advanced appointments have no higher chance of securing a ride with ridesharing companies if the drivers in the area at the time decide they don’t want to pick them up based on their rating. Taxi Council Queensland CEO Blair Davies said it is extremely worrying that drivers of these companies are given the power to refuse customers based on their race or on past mistakes which have affected their

Media Release
​19 January 2018

From this week onward, it is an offence for drivers from ridesharing companies to operate without a booked hire service license as enforced by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. This call for change followed concerns expressed by Queenslander’s on the safety of sharing rides with drivers who were not issued with a governmental authorised taxi license.

The continuous tug-of-war over state guidelines and regulations have significantly impacted ridesharing businesses, causing ever-increasing price hikes and surging which has a direct impact on consumers.

Last December, Uber announced an increase to their fares and an additional ‘waiting fee’ for Queensland customers, with the aim of putting more money in the pockets of their drivers.

In contrast, taxi companies such as Yellow Cabs and Black and White Cabs have and will continue to provide consistency and stability in fare pricing so customers always know approximately