Melbourne Taxis 24/2/2011

Taxi drivers

Before computer dispatch systems, a skilled taxi driver could earn more by being good at their job.  The dispatch systems have de-skilled the industry, everybody earns the same whether experienced or new.  And they don't earn very much.  As a result the average standard of taxi driver has gone down.  I personally had a lot of respect for most taxi drivers twenty years ago.  They were accurate, decisive and used the road efficiently.  They didn't get into road rage arguments with me as a cyclist.  Some were even courteous, as are some today.

Last month I complained to the Victorian Taxi Directorate about a taxi that parked inside the segregated 2-way bike lanes along Fitzroy Street St Kilda, almost completely blocking the lanes, and exposing me and their passenger to risk as they opened their door into my front wheel as I squeezed past.  Today I received a prompt answer to my follow-up enquiry:

The file has been investigated.  The driver has been brought in for an nterview and based on the allegations you have made along with the investigation we have conduced (taking into account if the driver has any rior complaints etc) the appropriate action has been taken.  We cannot give you the exact outcome due to privacy issues however we can tell you that he action taken ranges from Official Warning notices to penalty notices to a show cause (which means we take the driver to court to review their accreditation).

Congratulations to the Taxi Directorate for taking appropriate action and following up. 

You can report taxis that do the wrong thing using the Taxi Directorate's form.  I took the photo shown on this page, tweeted it and included the link to the photo when I submitted the form.  I don't know if that helps or not.