16 INDUSTRY NEWS
QLD UNITED HIRE
DRIVERS ASSOCIATION
Submission on Taxi Eftpos Machines
Hon Scott Emerson Transport Minister
Cc Campbell Newman Premier
Cabcharge has had exclusive rights to process TSS payments which gave them an unfair advantage over their competitors. This gave them the right to put an eftpos machine in every cab in Queensland thus creating a monopoly which exists today. They also give 25% of the 10% surcharge they collect to the booking companies thus beholding booking companies to them. QUHDA believes this to be anti-competitive and this barrier should be removed. QUHDA recommends:
• Removing all restrictive legislation allowing Cabcharge a monopoly on TSS.
• Let market forces push down the surcharge placed on eftpos payments.
• Large posting of eftpos surcharges to be placed in prominent area of Taxi so taxi drivers are not blamed for the surcharge.
• No changes in legislation in regards to hard wiring of eftpos machines as this again would provide an unfair advantage to Cabcharge.
• An in depth analysis of whether the new taximeters have had any effect on assaults as claimed by many including the TCQ.
• Legislation changed to have booking companies change tariffs for Maxis and not the driver as this is what the original legislation was aimed at. The aim is to stop maxis overcharging their passengers which we have seen a spike in since 1st of July.
• TCQ are beholding to Cabcharge as their 20 members are recipients to the money paid back to their 20 members whereas this money if any should be forwarded on to the drivers.
• The travelling public should be made aware of all costs associated with taxi fares.
A media campaign explaining the benefits of competition regarding taxi eftpos machines should be introduced the same time as any legislation changes being made.
Introduce to parliament legislation forcing a sharing of technology as far as TSS so the operator, owner or driver can be assured his eftpos machine of choice will process all forms of payments.
Education campaign for owners and operators of taxis in Queensland notifying them that under the trade practices act it is illegal to stop drivers using their own eftpos machines as all drivers are small businessmen and forcing divers to use an owners/operators machine is anti-competitive.