Mr STYLES - 2014-08-20
Madam Speaker, I provide an answer to a question the member for Nelson asked yesterday in Question Time in relation to taxis parking in Mitchell Street.
It is an offence for taxis to park with the ‘available for hire’ signage switched on outside a taxi rank. The Department of Transport regulates the industry and issues fines to drivers found in breach of their obligations.
The rank outside Shenannigans has changed its hours of operation. Previously, taxis had 24-hour access to this rank. It is currently restricted to running between 6 am and 9 pm to encourage the use of the Mitchell Street secure rank later in the evening and in the early hours of the morning.
The City of Darwin undertook a consultation process regarding this change, and the rank was established to provide a safe, late night pick-up point for drivers and passengers. Information received after the recent regulatory process indicates some taxi drivers chose to continue to park in breach of the ranking requirements. By using the Shenannigans rank outside the operating hours and parking in the general parking bays on Mitchell Street they are breaching the requirements in place.
The Taxi Council agreed to this change in order to encourage Mitchell Street patrons and taxis to use the secure rank outside the cinema, in the interest of public and driver safety.
The Australian Hoteliers Association supports the use of the secure rank on Mitchell Street, and the Taxi Council participated in the negotiations surrounding the changes. The Department of Transport advised the networks of those changes.
Changes to the Shenannigans rank hours were implemented at least two months prior to any Department of Transport enforcement operation. The changes are strictly enforced and the Department of Transport will continue to monitor and enforce ranking requirements in the Mitchell Street precinct, issuing fines to drivers found in breach.
My understanding, through the Taxi Council, is that most taxi drivers are complying but some refuse to comply with the requirements and, as such, Department of Transport officers will police current requirements.
It is an offence for taxis to park with the ‘available for hire’ signage switched on outside a taxi rank. The Department of Transport regulates the industry and issues fines to drivers found in breach of their obligations.
The rank outside Shenannigans has changed its hours of operation. Previously, taxis had 24-hour access to this rank. It is currently restricted to running between 6 am and 9 pm to encourage the use of the Mitchell Street secure rank later in the evening and in the early hours of the morning.
The City of Darwin undertook a consultation process regarding this change, and the rank was established to provide a safe, late night pick-up point for drivers and passengers. Information received after the recent regulatory process indicates some taxi drivers chose to continue to park in breach of the ranking requirements. By using the Shenannigans rank outside the operating hours and parking in the general parking bays on Mitchell Street they are breaching the requirements in place.
The Taxi Council agreed to this change in order to encourage Mitchell Street patrons and taxis to use the secure rank outside the cinema, in the interest of public and driver safety.
The Australian Hoteliers Association supports the use of the secure rank on Mitchell Street, and the Taxi Council participated in the negotiations surrounding the changes. The Department of Transport advised the networks of those changes.
Changes to the Shenannigans rank hours were implemented at least two months prior to any Department of Transport enforcement operation. The changes are strictly enforced and the Department of Transport will continue to monitor and enforce ranking requirements in the Mitchell Street precinct, issuing fines to drivers found in breach.
My understanding, through the Taxi Council, is that most taxi drivers are complying but some refuse to comply with the requirements and, as such, Department of Transport officers will police current requirements.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016