8 April 2015

Canberra’s taxi industry to be reviewed

| Canfan
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In response to the use of new technologies by taxi operators, the ACT Government has today announced an innovation review of the Canberra’s taxi industry.

Minister Shane Rattenbury said the review will help to inform the way forward for Canberra’s transport network.

“Canberrans want to be able to access a range of convenient transport options, and we need to consider how to facilitate entrepreneurial operators entering the market so that they can operate safely and equitably,” he said in a statement.

“I am particularly keen to explore how new technologies can drive innovation and synergies between Canberra’s taxis and our public transport system.”

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the review is an acknowledgement that the taxi industry is evolving.

“New technologies have already been introduced by Canberra operators, and we know there is potential for further innovation through alternative digital technologies and business models.

“These include the potential for smartphone applications to book and track taxis and the implementation of ride-share business models that can provide users with a more accessible and competitive sector in the ACT,” he said.

The review will seek to identify opportunities for achieving further consumer choice, sustainability and long-term competitiveness, while attempting to ensure that Canberrans are charged appropriately. Issues of surcharges on electronic payments will also be reviewed.

Consultation will involve initial industry stakeholder meetings, the development of a discussion paper, and broader community engagement scheduled to commence in early to mid 2015.

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excession said :

I had the Elite taxi app on my iPad, and it used to work, then it stopped working in 2014. It was possibly the WORST app I’ve ever experienced (even when it was working) requiring multiple ‘press continue’ interactions for basic information, and having the worst street directory of Canberra, ever! So when they say they want ‘smart phone apps’, I hope they mean WORKING apps. I’ll have to try this GoCatch app.

Me too. It worked once, right after i moved here and didn’t know my way around to get home from a pub. Picked me up from GPS, taxi turned up in about 8 minutes, perfect.
Gave the driver the address and he said “which way do i go?”.
So a little gap in the technological process flow…….

Next time i tried it the app was bust, it never worked again.

I had the Elite taxi app on my iPad, and it used to work, then it stopped working in 2014. It was possibly the WORST app I’ve ever experienced (even when it was working) requiring multiple ‘press continue’ interactions for basic information, and having the worst street directory of Canberra, ever! So when they say they want ‘smart phone apps’, I hope they mean WORKING apps. I’ll have to try this GoCatch app.

dungfungus said :

Phend said :

If you haven’t tried GoCatch, definitely worth a look: http://www.gocatch.com/

I use it all the time. Far better than calling Canberra Cabs.

They don’t appear to have phone bookings.

Correct. You use the GoCatch app to book the taxi.

Phend said :

If you haven’t tried GoCatch, definitely worth a look: http://www.gocatch.com/

I use it all the time. Far better than calling Canberra Cabs.

They don’t appear to have phone bookings.

Has anyone seen the terms of reference yet? Who is actually conducting the work?

If you haven’t tried GoCatch, definitely worth a look: http://www.gocatch.com/

I use it all the time. Far better than calling Canberra Cabs.

One of the issues with Uber is that it is unregulated. Uber probably won’t be responsible if anything happens.

Milly Withers said :

I don’t think Uber is in Canberra yet. Does anyone know for sure??

They’ve been advertising on Facebook for drivers in Canberra for a few months now. No idea on take up.

Milly Withers8:38 pm 29 Jan 15

dungfungus said :

Where are the Uber taxi ranks in Canberra?

I don’t think Uber is in Canberra yet. Does anyone know for sure??

Where are the Uber taxi ranks in Canberra?

On a recent trip to Sydney I decided to give Uber a go and absolutely loved the experience I received with it and its such a shame its not in Canberra. You get to know who your driver is before they arrive, gives your their car info and rego number, once you’re inside they ask if the music is okay if you want the AC on ect ect which is a service I’ve never experienced in a traditional taxi anywhere including Canberra.

I think the major kicker that separates Uber from traditional taxis so much is that as a customer you are given all this information about your driver through Uber because they rely on ratings for people to use them.

Traditional taxis are faceless, they don’t rely on ratings and if you’re not paying attention you don’t know the drivers name or the rego number of the car and because of this taxi drivers seem that they are entitled to do whatever they want and get away with it.

The rating system that Uber works on really drives good customer service which traditional taxis so severely lack. creating competition in terms of both customer service and price in this industry will befit the Canberra consumer greatly.

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