BORDER NO LONGER A TAXI HURDLE

Taxis will be able to take cross border fares under new legislation passed today by the Queensland Parliament.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said he had unravelled red tape which prevented Gold Coast and Tweed taxi drivers, who’d crossed the border, from returning to their home state with a fare paying passenger.

“The changes clear the way for dual cab ranks on the Gold Coast and at Tweed Heads.

"Queensland taxis will be able to pick up passengers at designated ranks to bring them back over the border, and NSW taxis can reciprocate by taking passengers to NSW from approved ranks on the Coolangatta side.

"Designated dual ranks will be set up in places of high demand for cross border fares such as Coolangatta Airport and Southern Cross University in NSW," Mr Lucas said.

“This is part of an historic agreement between Queensland and New South Wales to strip away the legal barriers which restrict transport and trade between the States.

“The Gold Coast is a tourist Mecca, it’s silly that a state border has been a major issue for taxi services.

“For residents on both sides of the border this has meant inconvenience and extra costs.

“For too long taxi drivers have had to return home without a fare.

“Not only are we protecting the viability of the taxi industry but delivering better taxi transport for passengers, particularly on the southern Gold Coast.”

Mr Lucas said the new Queensland amendments would be matched by the New South Wales and be in force by June 30.

The new legislation also heralds a $2 late night security levy on taxi fares in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Mr Lucas said the levy would help with the cost of providing secure taxi ranks, supervised by marshals and guards at night time entertainment precincts.

“This is a key election commitment.

"Long waiting times and queue-jumping at unsupervised taxi ranks can quickly fuel frustration and aggression.

“Supervised taxi ranks are reducing violence as well as average waiting times for cabs” he said.

Media contact: Darren Roberts 0448 184566.