A WA parliamentary question addresses taxi driver shortages, the number of drivers needed for new taxis, and training subsidies for Western Australians. The government acknowledges the shortage based on industry advice and outlines existing subsidy programs.

AnsweredQoN 335Legislative Council
Asked
8 April 2008
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

TAXIDRIVERS — TRAINING
I refer to the minister’s announcement that the government will pay for the training of up to 200 interstate taxidrivers and up to 200 students wishing to become taxidrivers. (1) What is the current estimated shortage of drivers? (2) How many drivers will be needed to operate, on a full-time basis, the 185 recently announced new taxis? (3) What subsidy is available for Western Australians—not students—wishing to train to be taxidrivers? Hon ADELE FARINA

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer — (1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
(1) What is the current estimated shortage of drivers? (2) How many drivers will be needed to operate, on a full-time basis, the 185 recently announced new taxis? (3) What subsidy is available for Western Australians—not students—wishing to train to be taxidrivers? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer — (1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
(2) How many drivers will be needed to operate, on a full-time basis, the 185 recently announced new taxis? (3) What subsidy is available for Western Australians—not students—wishing to train to be taxidrivers? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer — (1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
(3) What subsidy is available for Western Australians—not students—wishing to train to be taxidrivers? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer — (1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer — (1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer — (1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
(1) There is no way of determining the exact figure. However, the government is responding to industry advice that more drivers are needed. (2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
(2) To achieve full utilisation of 185 plates, approximately 370 drivers will be required, allowing for two drivers per vehicle. The subsidy is aimed at stimulating natural growth in the numbers undergoing taxidriver training. (3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.
(3) There is currently a 50 per cent driver training subsidy for peak-period plate operators, and a full cost subsidy for 20 multipurpose taxi cadets per annum.

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