Personalised transport Stage 2 reforms announced and industry hardship payments to be released

Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey has met with key stakeholders today to brief them on the next stage of personalised transport industry reforms and to provide further detail on the release of the taxi industry hardship fund.

Mr Bailey said the latest changes proposed for the personalised transport industry would build a fairer playing field for all operators as well as increasing safety and choice for customers.

“In Stage 1 of Queensland’s Personalised Transport Horizon Plan we cut red tape. Stage 2 will help an industry in transition by providing a fairer framework for the future,” Mr Bailey said.

Some of the key reforms proposed for Stage 2 include:

• Practical licensing: While taxi service licences and existing limousine licences and plates will be retained, a new annual licence fee of $237.26 will be introduced for ride-booking operators.
• Enhanced safety: New requirements will see reflective signage on the front and back of ride-booking services. Security cameras will be mandatory in vehicles that are not pre-booked or take cash or payment during the journey. Driver fatigue must be managed by booking entities and operators.
• Improved accountability: There will be clearer compliance accountabilities for drivers, operators and booking entities, including vehicle maintenance and licensing, and drivers must be affiliated with a booking entity.
• Standardisation: All personalised transport vehicles will require an annual certificate of inspection and a new class of Compulsory Third Party insurance, separate to taxis, has been created for ride-booking and limousines.

“Stage 2 will continue to reform the personalised industry market to make it more responsive, competitive and able to adapt to movement in the industry.

“We are delivering a framework that can anticipate and accommodate future changes which will help ensure the viability of the industry.”

Mr Bailey said eligible taxi and limousine licence holders and operators would receive an invitation from the Queensland Rural Adjustment Agency (QRAA) to apply for the $26.7 million industry hardship payments from next month.

The funding is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Taxi and Limousine Industry Adjustment Assistance Package (IAAP) announced in August 2016.

“$60 million of transitional assistance payments for eligible taxi and limousine licence holders has already been made available and 90 per cent of that funding has so far been distributed,” Mr Bailey said.

“$26.7 million in industry hardship payments will now be made available to eligible taxi and limousine licence holders as well as operators following feedback from industry.

• Eligible taxi licence owners and operators will receive a payment of up to $9,000 per licence, with the payment shared 50/50 between owner and operator.
• Eligible limousine licence holders and operators will receive a payment of up to $4,500, with the payment shared 50/50 between owner and operator.
• Both will be capped at 10 full payments per registered entity to ensure an equitable distribution of funds.

Minister for Small Business Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government would also assist taxi and limousine businesses through the transition period by providing $3.75 million dollars in funding for business advisory services managed by the Office of Small Business.

“The business advisory services will be made available to help business adapt and make the most of the opportunities delivered by the new framework,” Ms Enoch said.

“This funding will let taxi and limousine businesses access grants to obtain professional advice in the areas of legal and financial services as well as providing access to mentoring, counselling and support services.”

The $100 million Taxi and Limousine Industry Adjustment Assistance Package (IAAP) includes: 

• $60 million in transitional assistance payments - a one-off payment of up to $40,000 for taxi licence holders ($20,000 per licence, capped at two licences) and $10,000 per licence for existing limousine licence holders
• $26.7 million in industry hardship payments – Up to $9,000 per licence for taxi licence holders and operators (split 50/50 between the owner and operator) and $4,500 per licence for limousine licence holders and operators (split 50/50 between the owner and operator), both capped at 10 licences
• $4.3 million in waived fees payable by the existing industry for 12 months
• $5.6 million to incentivise wheelchair accessible taxis
• $3.75 million for business advisory help

For more information, visit http://personalisedtransport.tmr.qld.gov.au           

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Bailey’s office – 0428 079 640