Changes to City Taxi Service

[Buzz Killington]

CHANGES TO CITY TAXI SERVICES
Published: December 3, 2009, 1:50 pm

The trial of the under-utilised Nightlink taxi service in Civic will cease this Sunday (6 December 2009) and its funding will be redirected towards more security for Civic's main taxi rank in Alinga Street, Chief Minister and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope, said today.

Mr Stanhope said the service - which offers high occupancy taxis from a dedicated rank in Civic for a fixed fare - no longer represented the best value for taxpayers' money due to poor patronage.

He said changes to the scheme in April this year designed in consultation with the taxi industry had failed to lift patronage. For the period April to July this year, only 1500 passengers had used the service compared to 3000 passengers during the same period in 2008.

"Patronage for the Nightlink service has decreased considerably since it commenced in February 2008," Mr Stanhope said. "Hirings for the Government-subsidised service are down 53 per cent and patronage is down 50 per cent. Fares are also down 30 per cent.

"Based on the low demand for Nightlink taxis, the service no longer represents the best value for taxpayers' money.

"The service will cease this weekend and the funding will be redirected towards more security for the Alinga Street taxi rank over the summer period."

Mr Stanhope said the two security guards and at least one taxi marshal employed at the Nightlink taxi rank would be moved to Alinga Street on weekends from December to March inclusive each year.

"The security guards and taxi marshal will help to address anti-social behaviour and improve the safety of the Alinga Street taxi rank," Mr Stanhope said. "They will supplement the existing CCTV cameras in the area that are monitored by the Australian Federal Police."

Mr Stanhope said the Canberra Taxi Industry Association and the Aerial Taxi Network had been fully briefed on the Government's decision.

He said the Government would fund ACTION's Nightrider service on the weekend of 11/12 December and 18/19 December and on New Year's Eve to provide partygoers with convenient and safe transport home in addition to the standard taxi services.