❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the proposed Taxi Demerit Point Penalty System, questioning its necessity, rationale for singling out taxi drivers, and its addition to existing penalties. The response clarifies the system's purpose, focusing on driver compliance and customer service improvement.
AnsweredQoN 521Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) if not, why not; (c) what will the proposed Taxi Demerit Point Penalty System add to the already existing process of fines and penalties for taxis; (d) is there any reason why taxi drivers are being singled out for this penalty process, rather than its application to any other group, whether it be public or profession; and (e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
(c) what will the proposed Taxi Demerit Point Penalty System add to the already existing process of fines and penalties for taxis; (d) is there any reason why taxi drivers are being singled out for this penalty process, rather than its application to any other group, whether it be public or profession; and (e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
(d) is there any reason why taxi drivers are being singled out for this penalty process, rather than its application to any other group, whether it be public or profession; and (e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
(e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
The requirement on taxi plate owners to have public liability insurance is not new. When the Taxi Act 1994 was introduced in 1995, it provided the power to 'impose conditions on the operation of a taxi using specified taxi plates'. One of these powers relates to 'insurance requirements' - Section 20(1)(e). New taxi plate ownership conditions were developed and subsequently issued to all taxi owners, consistent with the new Act. It was at this time that these insurance requirements were introduced to protect both taxi drivers and taxi passengers. As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death. It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
New taxi plate ownership conditions were developed and subsequently issued to all taxi owners, consistent with the new Act. It was at this time that these insurance requirements were introduced to protect both taxi drivers and taxi passengers. As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death. It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death. It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
(c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
(c) what will the proposed Taxi Demerit Point Penalty System add to the already existing process of fines and penalties for taxis; (d) is there any reason why taxi drivers are being singled out for this penalty process, rather than its application to any other group, whether it be public or profession; and (e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
(d) is there any reason why taxi drivers are being singled out for this penalty process, rather than its application to any other group, whether it be public or profession; and (e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
(e) if the application for this process to taxi drivers alone has a rationale, I request the Minister to provide it, and the background information to support the case?
The requirement on taxi plate owners to have public liability insurance is not new. When the Taxi Act 1994 was introduced in 1995, it provided the power to 'impose conditions on the operation of a taxi using specified taxi plates'. One of these powers relates to 'insurance requirements' - Section 20(1)(e). New taxi plate ownership conditions were developed and subsequently issued to all taxi owners, consistent with the new Act. It was at this time that these insurance requirements were introduced to protect both taxi drivers and taxi passengers. As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death. It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
New taxi plate ownership conditions were developed and subsequently issued to all taxi owners, consistent with the new Act. It was at this time that these insurance requirements were introduced to protect both taxi drivers and taxi passengers. As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death. It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death. It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership. (c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
(c), (d) and (e) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols. The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service. The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance. Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned. It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards. Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 February 2003
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
125 days
(a) & (b)
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure does not have a database as referred to by the Member for Carine and does not consider one to be necessary.
The requirement on taxi plate owners to have public liability insurance is not new. When the Taxi Act 1994 was introduced in 1995, it provided the power to 'impose conditions on the operation of a taxi using specified taxi plates'. One of these powers relates to 'insurance requirements' - Section 20(1)(e).
New taxi plate ownership conditions were developed and subsequently issued to all taxi owners, consistent with the new Act. It was at this time that these insurance requirements were introduced to protect both taxi drivers and taxi passengers.
As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death.
It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership.
(c), (d) and (e)
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols.
The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service.
The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance.
Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned.
It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards.
Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure does not have a database as referred to by the Member for Carine and does not consider one to be necessary.
The requirement on taxi plate owners to have public liability insurance is not new. When the Taxi Act 1994 was introduced in 1995, it provided the power to 'impose conditions on the operation of a taxi using specified taxi plates'. One of these powers relates to 'insurance requirements' - Section 20(1)(e).
New taxi plate ownership conditions were developed and subsequently issued to all taxi owners, consistent with the new Act. It was at this time that these insurance requirements were introduced to protect both taxi drivers and taxi passengers.
As a result, all taxis are required to have comprehensive and public liability insurance in addition to the statutory insurance under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, which provides liability insurance to drivers against negligent driving causing bodily injury or death.
It has become evident in recent times that there were some owners who were not complying with these insurance requirements. As a result, the Taxi Unit implemented a process requiring all taxi plate owners to provide evidence of their insurance cover, in meeting the requirements of their conditions of ownership.
(c), (d) and (e)
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is in the final stages of developing Driver Protocols.
The Driver Protocols have been developed in response to concerns raised by the taxi industry about the negative impact on the industry of a limited number of drivers who, on a continuing basis, provide poor customer service.
The Driver Protocols will not add to the existing process of fines and penalties nor the Department's response to individual offences by drivers. The Driver Protocols focus on identifying and managing those drivers with an unsatisfactory history of compliance.
Where drivers transgress the existing taxi regulations, then demerit points will be allocated to the particular driver concerned.
It is anticipated that the number of drivers that will incur adverse consequences from the introduction of the Driver Protocols will be minimal. Importantly, taxi drivers will be kept informed of demerit points incurred and will be offered, or at times directed to receive, relevant personal development or training to assist drivers from continually breaching customer service standards.
Improved compliance with taxi driver competencies will contribute to better services for taxi customers, and provide an opportunity to have a positive effect on industry viability by maintaining and increasing taxi patronage.
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