PREMIER ANNOUNCES FLATFARE TAXIS FOR SUN COAST NIGHT OWLS

Passengers heading home late from the Sunshine Coast’s most popular night spot will soon benefit from FlatFare taxis, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh said the FlatFare service would reduce waiting times for taxis at the busy Mooloolaba Esplanade rank and get partying Sunshine Coasters home quickly and safely.

"The FlatFare service, which is already running successfully in Brisbane and Townsville, uses maxi-taxis and people-movers and is designed to get night-clubbers home quickly and safely between midnight and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights," Ms Bligh said.

"The fares are based on a zonal system and the number of passengers on board - each passenger pays more than a bus fare, but less then they would on a metered taxi.

“And its not only the passengers that benefit - taxi drivers will have added security and organisation at a FlatFare rank, with the up-front payment scheme removing the risk of fare evasion,” she said.

Transport Minister John Mickel said a rank marshal would organise passengers into groups travelling in the same direction, and each passenger would pay a flat fare to the marshal, not the taxi driver, before the journey begins.

"FlatFare passengers benefit from a safer rank environment, and they don't have to wait as long at the rank,” Mr Mickel said.

“The Sunshine Coast service will be operated by SunCoast Cabs and will start at the Mooloolaba secure rank on the Esplanade at midnight on Friday, 28 September.”

Mr Mickel said every FlatFare taxi would carry a group of people at a time, so one FlatFare vehicle could move many more people than normal taxis during a shift.

“Brisbane FlatFare services are averaging six passengers a trip; the current average for metered services from the Mooloolaba rank is 2.44 passengers – so Sunshine Coasters will definitely notice the difference in waiting times at this busy night spot.”

Mr Mickel said the standard metered taxis would still operate from the Mooloolaba secure rank for passengers that preferred that option.

Secure ranks in Caloundra and Noosa would also continue to be serviced by normal metered services.

For more information on the FlatFare service, visit www.qconnect.qld.gov.au or call Suncoast Cabs on 5451 7500.

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3237 1944 (Minister Mickel’s office)