❓ Ms MacTiernan questions the Minister for Transport regarding the financial impact on taxi drivers who purchased Peak Period Restricted Taxi Plates in 1998 due to the issuance of additional plates in 2000. The Minister responds by highlighting industry agreement and the context of National Competition Policy.
AnsweredQoN 110Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
110. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport:
(1) Is the Minister aware that the taxi drivers who purchased the Peak Period Restricted Taxi Plates in 1998 will suffer a financial loss on their investment as a result of the decision to issue 100 more PPRT plates in 2000?
(2) Will the Minister advise whether the purchasers of the plates in 1998 were informed that extra plates would be issued in the future?
(3) Will the Minister confirm that the owners of the plates purchased in 1998 are prevented from transferring their plates for three years from the date they were purchased?
(4) Will the Government consider buying the plates back from these drivers before the three year period has expired?
(5) If not, why not?
(1) Is the Minister aware that the taxi drivers who purchased the Peak Period Restricted Taxi Plates in 1998 will suffer a financial loss on their investment as a result of the decision to issue 100 more PPRT plates in 2000?
(2) Will the Minister advise whether the purchasers of the plates in 1998 were informed that extra plates would be issued in the future?
(3) Will the Minister confirm that the owners of the plates purchased in 1998 are prevented from transferring their plates for three years from the date they were purchased?
(4) Will the Government consider buying the plates back from these drivers before the three year period has expired?
(5) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2000
Response time
99 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) The decision to issue additional peak period plates was taken with the written agreement of the Western Australian Taxi Association, the Western Australian Taxi Council, The Taxi Industry Board, Swan Taxis and Black and White Taxis. A total of 32 new peak period plates were issued.
The peak period plates purchased in 1998 cannot be transferred for three years. After that period they become transferable. I am not willing to speculate regarding their value at that time.
(2) Additional plates are issued on the basis of demand and supply for taxi services.
As part of the National Competition Policy (NCP) Review the requirement for additional peak period plates was identified. As noted in the answer to question one industry was in agreement with this course of action.
(3) Yes.
(4)-(5) As part of the National Competition Policy (NCP) Review independent consultants recommended a buy back of plates. This option was put to the industry. Some groups within industry were in favour of this approach while other groups clearly indicated that they did not want a plate buy back. As a clear view did not emerge from the industry the Government chose to keep the status quo on this issue. Again, this was supported in writing by the industry groups identified in the answer to question one.
If a plate buy back is to be undertaken then an industry wide approach needs to be developed. It is not possible to consider buying back individual taxi plates without such an industry wide framework in place.
(1) The decision to issue additional peak period plates was taken with the written agreement of the Western Australian Taxi Association, the Western Australian Taxi Council, The Taxi Industry Board, Swan Taxis and Black and White Taxis. A total of 32 new peak period plates were issued.
The peak period plates purchased in 1998 cannot be transferred for three years. After that period they become transferable. I am not willing to speculate regarding their value at that time.
(2) Additional plates are issued on the basis of demand and supply for taxi services.
As part of the National Competition Policy (NCP) Review the requirement for additional peak period plates was identified. As noted in the answer to question one industry was in agreement with this course of action.
(3) Yes.
(4)-(5) As part of the National Competition Policy (NCP) Review independent consultants recommended a buy back of plates. This option was put to the industry. Some groups within industry were in favour of this approach while other groups clearly indicated that they did not want a plate buy back. As a clear view did not emerge from the industry the Government chose to keep the status quo on this issue. Again, this was supported in writing by the industry groups identified in the answer to question one.
If a plate buy back is to be undertaken then an industry wide approach needs to be developed. It is not possible to consider buying back individual taxi plates without such an industry wide framework in place.
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