FLATFARE TAXIS FOR GOLD COAST CLUBBERS
Published Thursday, 04 October, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
FlatFare taxis will take off from the new secure rank on the southern side of Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, at midnight on Friday, October 12, to take partying coasters home safely and slash taxi waiting times.
Transport Minister, John Mickel, said today the FlatFare service, which uses Maxi-Taxis and People Movers, was already a proven success in Brisbane, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast.
"FlatFare services are coming to the Gold Coast," he said.
"They will be fully operational every weekend from October 12 on and will make a huge difference during Schoolies Week and the upcoming festive season.
"A major benefit of FlatFare is it slashes waiting times on ranks, reducing the risk of violence and queue jumping," Mr Mickel said.
"The service is designed to help night-clubbers get home quickly and safely between midnight and 5am on Friday and Saturday party nights," he said.
The Minister said FlatFare would operate only from the new secure rank on the southern side of Cavill Avenue – normal metered services would continue at the existing Cavill Avenue rank as well as at Orchid Avenue and Oasis Precinct secure ranks where passenger numbers were much lower.
"A rank marshal organises passengers into groups travelling in the same direction, and each passenger pays a flat fare to the marshal – not the taxi driver – before the journey begins.
"The fares are based on a zonal system and the number of passengers on board. Each passenger will pay more than a bus fare, but less then they would on a metered taxi.
"FlatFare passengers benefit from cheaper fares, a safer rank environment, and lower waiting times. Taxi drivers appreciate the added security and organisation at a FlatFare rank, and the payment of up-front fares removes the risk of fare evasion," Mr Mickel said.
"Of course, people who choose to take a metered taxi still have that option.
"Queensland Transport and Regent Taxis have cooperated to bring this service to the Gold Coast," he said.
"The FlatFare system gets people to their homes quickly and safely at less than they would pay for a metered trip.
"Every FlatFare taxi carries a group of people at a time, so one FlatFare vehicle will move many more people than normal taxis during a shift.
"For instance, Brisbane FlatFare services average six passengers a trip – the current average for metered services from the existing Cavill Avenue secure rank is two passengers each trip.
For more information, visit www.qconnect.qld.gov.au , call Regent Taxis on 55881299 – or chat with the marshal at the Cavill Avenue secure rank on October 12.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
Transport Minister, John Mickel, said today the FlatFare service, which uses Maxi-Taxis and People Movers, was already a proven success in Brisbane, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast.
"FlatFare services are coming to the Gold Coast," he said.
"They will be fully operational every weekend from October 12 on and will make a huge difference during Schoolies Week and the upcoming festive season.
"A major benefit of FlatFare is it slashes waiting times on ranks, reducing the risk of violence and queue jumping," Mr Mickel said.
"The service is designed to help night-clubbers get home quickly and safely between midnight and 5am on Friday and Saturday party nights," he said.
The Minister said FlatFare would operate only from the new secure rank on the southern side of Cavill Avenue – normal metered services would continue at the existing Cavill Avenue rank as well as at Orchid Avenue and Oasis Precinct secure ranks where passenger numbers were much lower.
"A rank marshal organises passengers into groups travelling in the same direction, and each passenger pays a flat fare to the marshal – not the taxi driver – before the journey begins.
"The fares are based on a zonal system and the number of passengers on board. Each passenger will pay more than a bus fare, but less then they would on a metered taxi.
"FlatFare passengers benefit from cheaper fares, a safer rank environment, and lower waiting times. Taxi drivers appreciate the added security and organisation at a FlatFare rank, and the payment of up-front fares removes the risk of fare evasion," Mr Mickel said.
"Of course, people who choose to take a metered taxi still have that option.
"Queensland Transport and Regent Taxis have cooperated to bring this service to the Gold Coast," he said.
"The FlatFare system gets people to their homes quickly and safely at less than they would pay for a metered trip.
"Every FlatFare taxi carries a group of people at a time, so one FlatFare vehicle will move many more people than normal taxis during a shift.
"For instance, Brisbane FlatFare services average six passengers a trip – the current average for metered services from the existing Cavill Avenue secure rank is two passengers each trip.
For more information, visit www.qconnect.qld.gov.au , call Regent Taxis on 55881299 – or chat with the marshal at the Cavill Avenue secure rank on October 12.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.