First taxi cams off the rank

The first Queensland cabs fitted with security cameras under the Beattie Government's $8 million taxi security camera program have rolled off the rank at Redcliffe.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas told State Parliament this week that the Redcliffe taxi fleet was chosen to pilot the scheme because it was an excellent representative group for the taxi industry.

"The entire Redcliffe fleet will be fitted with the world's best security cameras by contractor, VerifyEye Aust, over the next two weeks," Mr Lucas said.

"Taxi drivers and their passengers will enjoy new standards of safety as the new system rolls out around Brisbane, then 11 regional centres.

"The cameras will also be fitted in 2700 taxis in centres where the population is greater than 40,000: Brisbane, Redcliffe, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.

"They will later be fitted in other parts of the state on a case by case basis.

"The fit-out and maintenance of the cameras, and the training required to operate them, will create job opportunities and inject more than $3.6 million into local economies over the next five years," Mr Lucas said.

"Local contractors will install the cameras. $1.3 million will be spent on training and installation and that means job security for local people," Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas thanked the taxi industry and other key stakeholders for working with the Queensland government on the initiative. The Beattie Government has also issued 73 new taxi licences for south east Queensland, raising around $20 million.

"At least 50 of the new cabs should be on the streets by Christmas to help cope with festive season demand.

"The new licences will meet the demand for specialist taxis. They include 26 people movers - designed to carry between 5 and 9 people - making the fleet much more flexible, and 22 wheelchair accessible cabs.

"We will continue to monitor demand for taxi services throughout the state and work with industry to ensure passengers have the services they need, wherever they live," Mr Lucas said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3237 1947