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New rules to crack down on dodgy taxi practices

New technology is being rolled out on Wednesday, which will make it more difficult for taxi drivers to overcharge their customers. The country's largest taxi payment provider, Cabcharge, is introducing a new system which will link cab drivers' payment terminals with their meters. The move has been made in attempt to crack down on dodgy taxi practices. Under the current system the two are not connected, so dishonest drivers may disregard the distance and fee on the meter and input a higher sum on their payment terminals, charging customers more money. The crack down has been approved Australia's most extensive taxi network which includes operators such as 13cabs, Silver Service and Black & White Cabs. They are also encouraged to display a sticker that says "We proudly accept Cabcharge." Speaking to 2GB on Monday, Nick Abrahim the CEO of NSW Taxi Council said that the technology was "welcomed news", which will help strengthen customer trust. "We want people, whether they're going to a sporting event or a concert or whatever it is, not even to worry about the transport issues. We want them to go out and make sure they're having a good time," he said. "The majority of drivers are out there, they want to do the right thing they want to look after passengers, but we know there are a handful of those drivers that unfortunately think they can flout the law and get away from it... [this] sends a strong message to that handful of drivers." Image: Shutterstock

Legal

“It doesn’t make sense”: Lisa Wilkinson slams COVID-19 “double standard"

Australia has begun to reach a major turning point in the fight against coronavirus, as cases drop in Melbourne. However, Lisa Wilkinson is not impressed with one aspect of coronavirus, and that is the “crazy” double standard that exists when it comes to business and contact tracing. NSW health on Sunday confirmed that a taxi driver had been diagnosed with the deadly virus after working for nine days. Health authorities are now scrambling to contact as many of the 13 Cabs driver’s passengers as possible since taxi drivers are not required to collect their customer’s details. The Project Wilkinson said it “makes sense” that taxis should be required to record all passenger details the same way cafes and restaurants were. Hospitality venues are required to record the names and contact details of all dine-in customers, with hefty penalties for those who don’t follow the rules. “It doesn't make sense that they don’t,” co-host Peter Van Olsen echoed in agreement. “Yeah, you can sit in the cafe for 10 minutes and you’ve punched in the QR code and given them your number,” Wilkinson said. “You can sit in a taxi for an hour in even closer proximity and there’s no accountability, which is crazy. On Sunday NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said that “early investigations indicate” the infection was likely transmitted at Liverpool Hospital. The driver had reportedly worn a mask and also had the COVID-Safe app on while working. Dr McAnulty said the app was “being used to help identify contacts”. The driver worked shifts on September 7 to 10 as well as September 14 to 18 in suburbs Moorebank, Bankstown, Chipping Norton, Liverpool, Lidcombe, Warwick Farm and Milperra. “People who may have taken taxis in western, south western Sydney must be alert for symptoms,” Dr McAnulty said. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister praised New South Wales’ response to the pandemic as the “gold standard” for Australia.

“Completely drunk”: Woman banned for life from Disney World after attacking taxi driver

Walt Disney World has taken action against an intoxicated woman for slapping a cab driver as well as kicking a police officer. Ellen McMillion, 53, from Florida slapped unsuspecting cab driver Adel Mahmoud after she asked him for a cigarette. When he said he didn’t smoke, she slapped him several times. “A minute or two after I told her I don’t have a cigarette, she hit and slapped me,” Mr Mahmoud told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/drunk-florida-woman-banned-from-disney-world-for-assault-130639643.html">Yahoo Lifestyle</a>. “She didn’t have control, she was completely drunk, out of her mind.” Disney security guard Barbara Somoano observed the assault and said to police that McMillion caused a disturbance at the Hollywood Studios entrance. An Orange County police officer stationed at Disney World told Ms McMillion to sit down, but she became “verbally belligerent...She had bloodshot eyes, an unsteady gait, was slurring her words, and had a strong odour of alcohol emanating from her facial area. She also verbally stated she was drunk multiple times.” After McMillion was asked for her driver’s licence, she threw her small black purse on the ground and said “HERE”. She was also yelling profanities as families passed by and was led into a squad car, where she kicked a female officer in the leg twice. She was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication. The police report obtained by Yahoo Lifestyle said that Disney Security asked for McMillion to be banned from all Walt Disney World Properties. A Disney spokesperson tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “We have no tolerance for violence.”

Travel Trouble

"Complaining has done nothing": Why taxis continue to refuse to take short fares

The NSW Taxi Council wants to take a tougher stance on drivers who refuse to take passengers short distances which result in short fares, but people are saying that the taxi council are part of the problem. Many readers shared their experiences with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/uber-vs-taxis-taxi-drivers-refuse-to-drive-passengers-short-distances/news-story/5efe0d3c9a80699254f0318127489328" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> with drivers refusing to take passengers short distances. “Few weeks ago, I tried to get a cab at 2 am in the city to Leichhardt (in Sydney’s inner west) and two drivers wouldn’t open doors and then drove off,” Scott Rhodie wrote. “I called the cab company, but they didn’t care.” The NSW Taxi Council wants to help deal with the problem and is aware that it’s an issue that faces the industry. “It is definitely an issue within our industry and it’s something we take quite seriously,” the body’s deputy chief executive Nick Abrahim told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/taxi-industry-accused-of-refusing-to-act-on-drivers-refusing-short-fares/news-story/e71d64b42a4990771bc7bcbef1561454" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “We want to tackle it head on and try and deal with it … because it’s not in the interest of good customer service.” Some people say that the Taxi Council is a part of the problem. “The ‘Taxi Council’ is actually a huge part of the problem,” said one reader. “Did absolutely zero for years — them and their partners never disciplined drivers. As an owner I can tell you that there are drivers working for the biggest Sydney taxi company who have multiple complaints.” Another reader said, “The moral is the taxi industry has no shortage of feedback on what needs to change for them to remain competitive, but they refuse to act.” Despite the Taxi Council being aware of the issue, readers are annoyed nothing is being done. “People have been complaining about this for years and been raising it with the taxi industry,” another reader said. “You know what, you didn’t care then so what’s going to be different now? “The only difference now is that there is a better model that you DON’T want to compete with because you're a lazy expecting industry.” Abrahim is trying to let people know that there are procedures in place in order to stamp out the behaviour that leaves passengers stranded on the side of the road. Any driver whose reported for avoiding short fares would be pilled in and given a counselling session if they were a first-time offender whereas repeat offenders could face instant dismissal. Abrahim admitted there were issues that needed to be faced but said that “everyone in the chain needs to do their part”. This is because complainants used to be able to complain directly to the NSW government but now have to complain straight to the taxi company. “The rules of the game have changed with regards to how a customer makes a complaint,” he said. “It’s a tighter and more informal process.” “Everyone in the chain needs to do their part,” he said. “The accountability needs to happen on all levels. The message needs to get through that we want to stamp out this behaviour and, in some cases, we need to get tougher.”

Travel Tips

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Google Maps is testing a new feature in India that allows you to be warned if a taxi driver is taking you off your intended course to increase your taxi fare. These new “off-route alerts” will send a notification to your phone every time you get side-tracked from the intended course by 500 metres. The feature has been developed by XDA-Developers and was designed to help ensure drivers do not stray too far from the route. You simply choose the “stay safer” button that’s located at the bottom of the screen on Google Maps where you would enter your destination for directions. After you’ve selected the button, Google Maps offers the ability to “share live progress with friends” as well as offering the “off-route alerts”. According to <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/google-maps-feature-will-alert-you-if-a-taxi-is-taking-you-offroute-to-increase-the-fare/b2993178-88c3-494f-b8ab-f99b6665c231">9News</a>, the feature isn’t yet available in Australia or New Zealand as it is only being tested in India at the moment. Google Maps is also aiming to introduce speed limit indicators as well as speed camera locations to its navigation technology. The maps app will warn you when you approach a fixed speed camera location as well as allow you to submit the location of mobile speed cameras to alert other drivers.

Technology

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Technology

Flying taxis in Paris may only be a few years away

When you’re visiting Paris today, it can take up to 90 minutes by bus or train from Charles de Gaulle airport to the city. However, travellers may expect an enticing alternative to become available in a matter of years: Autonomous flying taxis. Airbus, Aeroports de Paris (ADP) and the Paris Transport Authority said they are aiming to have the new transport option up and running by the 2024 Paris Olympics. The service is expected to see the taxis take off every six minutes, allowing visitors to save time on their trip. “In 2010, for the first time, more than half of humanity was living in urban zones and we think we shall surpass 60 per cent by 2030,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. The time has come to explore the “<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/paris-flying-taxi-olympics-intl-scli/index.html">third dimension</a>” of local commutes – that is, air – Faury said. “If we have the conviction that in the next five, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years low altitude is a space to be conquered we have to put in place the conditions today,” said ADP Group’s executive director general Edward Arkwright. A feasibility study will be launched into “vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles”, including traffic management, urban integration, maintenance, and design and production. As the manufacturer, Airbus already has two prototype models – the single-seat Vahana and the four-seater CityAirbus. ADP has to pick a site for a flying taxi hub around Paris by the end of this year. The plan is to have the venue ready in 18 months, but it will require an infrastructure investment of €10 million, ADP executive director general Edward Arkwright said. Some concerns need to be addressed before the flying taxi service is launched, according to Jean-Louis Rassineux, head of aeronautics and defence issues for <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/paris-aims-beat-olympic-traffic-flying-taxis-032930014--spt.html">Deloitte</a>. Apart from ensuring that the battery power and anti-collision detection are up to par, issues surrounding air traffic and compatibility with existing regulation and transport systems should also be considered. “There remains some way to go before a flying vehicle becomes integrated into urban transport,” said France’s transport minister Elisabeth Borne. Airbus is not the only company planning to release air taxis. Uber is expected to start testing its UberAir VTOL vehicles in 2020 with the aim of making commercial flying taxi trips available in 2023. The trial will take place in <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/12/uber-flying-taxi-test-melbourne/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nYWRnZXQuY29tLzIwMTkvMDYvMjMvcGFyaXMtZmx5aW5nLXRheGlzLWF0LTIwMjQtb2x5bXBpY3Mv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABHkV89Q7E-DqeYHYzJE2Fb535M4GKf_7fmeVtHy7LNOj0CJFS0wBMd4Z_fLmbUNGQBevSRhsp__r3hOAnc7nrf85Db3p8xSafYFoLFbvIiooYLZqSuLFzH38Pd4czJa8fReD8lUXpRAHedhfhNeq4eiEaMiNibAjJh7Zj1EfJ9I">Melbourne as well as Dallas and Los Angeles</a>.

International Travel

"Very sneaky" new scam hits Australia

A new scam targeting taxi drivers has hit Australia, with a Melbourne cabbie revealing how he got scammed out $450 during a routine trip from Richmond to St Kilda. Srijan told Melbourne radio station 3AW a “charming” British man and his girlfriend got into his cab for the 16-minute drive that totalled around $35. As the end of the trip, both passengers were embarrassed they had neither cash or a credit card to pay for the trip. Instead, they told the driver he would transfer the money into his bank account using the ANZ app and he’d tip the driver an extra $15 as he had been so accommodating. “I gave him my BSB and account number and he told me he was going to transfer $50,” Srijan said. But the man returned saying he had accidentally put $500 in the account instead of $50. “He was sure. He told me to check my account … so I logged in to my account, I can see $500 deposited into my account and that money I could use right away. It was right,” Srijan said. He drove the man and his girlfriend to an ATM where he took $450 out and paid it back. But soon after, the original $500 deposit into Srijan’s account had vanished. Srijan has gone to the police, who are now investigating the incident. So how does the scam work? Experts say it is similar to a bounced cheque. The money is actually transferred but the person likely contacts their bank, claims the money was accidentally deposited and officially disputes the charges. Cyber security expert and Associate Dean at RMIT University Professor Asha Rao told news.com.au the scam has “many layers”. “I’m not sure if he used his own phone or the passenger’s phone, but if he didn’t use his own phone it’s very easy to fake,” Prof Rao said. Queensland University of Technology senior lecturer in criminology Cassandra Cross agrees. “(It’s) a new take on a classic fraud, the overpayment scam,” Dr Cross told news.com.au. “This is very common with payments of online goods. Your example takes that to a different target with the mobile pay. In other circumstances, the cheque will bounce or a credit card will be stolen so the funds aren’t actually there.” The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-or-selling/overpayment-scams">reports 176 “overpayment scams” were recorded</a> in May this year alone, costing Australian victims $68,449. The website outlines how the scam works. “The scammer will contact you, make you an offer — often quite generous — them make payment through credit card or cheque. It will be for an amount greater than the agreed price. “The scammer will contact you with an apology for the overpayment, offering a fake excuse. The scammer might tell you that the extra money was included to cover agent’s fees or extra shipping costs. Or they may just say they simply made a mistake when writing the cheque.”

Technology

Karl Stefanovic taxi scandal: Driver records private conversation with brother Peter

Karl Stefanovic can’t seem to <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/03/karl-stefanovic-and-jasmine-yarbrough-exchange-vows/" target="_blank">shake the spotlight this week</a>, with reports suggesting a taxi driver has recorded a private phone conversation between the Today host and his brother Peter and is trying to shop it around to media networks. The allegations were first made by veteran Australian entertainment reporter Peter Ford, who teased the story on social media over the weekend. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Could a Sydney taxi driver who recorded the private drunken conversation of a famous passenger be about to destroy a TV partnership? There will be tears before breakfast time. Next week across Australia & NZ. — Peter Ford (@mrpford) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrpford/status/972284863616229376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote> “Could a Sydney taxi driver who recorded the private drunken conversation of a famous passenger be about to destroy a TV partnership?” he tweeted. “There will be tears before breakfast time. Next week across Australia & NZ.” Ford was one of the guests on the Kyle and Jackie O show this morning, where he elaborated on his allegations to the two morning radio hosts. “They have a very frank and full conversation; talk about lots of people. The driver is in the front seat recording the whole thing, and is now shopping it around. How low is that? “You can’t use it, because it’s an illegally recorded conversation. Any media outlet out there wouldn’t be able to quote from the conversation,” Ford said. “They talked about jobs, about life, a bit of bitching and a bit of moaning. But I think most people would think, there but for the grace of God go I,” he continued. Ford claims to have had the phone call transcribed to him, and argues that while the contents weren’t “earth shattering” there was a bit of “bitching and venting”. “Obviously I was talking about Georgie Gardner,” Ford said, explaining his earlier cryptic tweet. “I don’t know that it would destroy (their partnership), but it certainly would cause... it’s an unusual relationship between those two anyway, you just wouldn’t want any grenade thrown into the mix.” What are your thoughts? Do you think this is a case of where there’s smoke there’s fire? Or is it too early to cast judgement on the situation before hearing the recording.

Technology

4 tell-tale signs your taxi driver is trying to scam you

Do a quick check before you load your bags in the boot. 1. They weren’t waiting at a designated rank In many airports, train stations or popular tourist sites around the world, people will approach you and ask if you need a taxi. They might sound legit and even have a printed card or flyer with their details on it, but be skeptical. They could just be opportunistic drivers who prey on unsuspecting tourists. To be certain you are in a genuine taxi, always get one from a designated rank. 2. There’s no meter in the taxi Meters for calculating the fare are now found in taxis all over the world, so look out for it as soon as your cab pulls up. Even if you have agreed on a set fare (as is common in many places for standard trips from the airport) there should still be a meter inside, albeit turned off. Once the cab starts, make sure the meter is turned on and ticking over at a reasonable speed. 3. The driver seems unsure of your destination In most cities, official taxi drivers have to go through training and be familiar with the common destinations in the city. This should include airports, train stations, cruise ports, major hotels and popular tourist sites. Before your journey begins, make sure your driver knows where you are going. It is a good idea to write down the name and address of your hotel so you can show them – they should be able to look it up on GPS or an old fashioned map. Don't start the journey if you don’t feel confident about where you’re headed. 4. Safety features are non-existent No seatbelt? Then no go. Even though many people seem happy to drive around foreign countries without the standard safety features they have in their own cars at home, we don’t recommend it. Some major foreign cities have shocking road statistics, so you don’t want to put yourself in danger. Authorised taxis should always have seat belts. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=travel-insurance&utm_medium=in-article-banner&utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a>

Travel Insurance

4 things you should do before stepping into a taxi overseas

In some destinations, taxis are the only conceivable way to get from point A to point B making this mode of transport a necessary evil. And don’t taxi drivers know it. From over-charging from trips, to dropping you off in the wrong location and even more-sinister occurrences, taxi driver scams are far too common an occurrence. But what can we do to protect ourselves? Well, asides from having the appropriate level of travel insurance<a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=content&utm_content=link1&utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank"></a>, we’ve put together a simple guide to make sure you avoid a taxi scam. Follow these tips and you should arrive on time, and with the contents of your wallet intact. Here are four things you should do before stepping into a taxi overseas: 1. Have an idea of how much the fare should cost How will you realise you’re being overcharged if you have no idea what a fare is supposed to cost? Do a little research before you hail the cab, so you have a realistic expectation of what a fare is worth. <a href="https://www.taxifarefinder.com/" target="_blank">Taxi Fare Finder</a> is a useful online resource that provides the average fares for taxi rides in many popular destinations. 2. Carry a card with the hotel address and a map Nowhere is a language barrier more prevalent, than when you’re trying to give directions to a taxi driver who doesn’t speak English. Make sure you’re always carrying a card with the address of your destination, or a map that makes it easy to point out where you need to go. This might just be the difference between you being dropped off at the front of your hotel, or being dropped off in front of a tip 10kms down the road. 3. Ask the taxi driver to use the meter In the end of the day, the only part of a taxi keeping most drivers honest is the meter. Rather than letting your driver estimate the fair, ask them to use the meter and keep an eye on it. If you’re halfway into your trip and the numbers don’t seem like they’re adding up, don’t be afraid to question your driver, or get out entirely. 4. Make sure they’re a legitimate taxi driver Anyone can claim to be a taxi driver, but when it comes to overseas scam artists the devil is in the detail. Fraudulent drivers often don’t use official taxi parking areas and often don’t have vehicles with official markings. Keep an eye on little details like this and go with your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not worth the risk. Have you ever had an issue with taxi drivers overseas?

Travel Tips

Taxi driver gives free ride to a family of ducks

Taxi driver Urga Adunga was making the rounds through Calgary, Canada, last week when he spotted a family in need. On the road, near a busy intersection, was a mother duck with nine little ducklings in tow. “I jumped out of my cab and I motioned for the oncoming traffic to pull over so I could get the animals to safety,” Adunga told Global News. “Several drivers got out of their cars and signalled everyone to stop. Other drivers used baby carriers to hold the ducklings and put them gently into my cab with their mama.” Adunga then drove the displaced ducks to a nearby river. It was a fare that would have normally cost around $20 but Adunga waived the charge as ten grateful bills were payment enough. “It was amazing and I was happy to serve them,” Adunga said in a statement from his employer, Checker Yellow Cabs. “As a human it is our responsibility to protect those animals, and nature and the environment. I could do it again too. Not only the animals, humans too. We have to rescue each other, we have to help each other.” Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/06/benefits-babies-with-ipads/">New study suggests that babies should be given iPads “from birth”</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/james-harrison-blood-donation/">Meet the man who has saved the lives of over 2 million babies</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/abs-results-aussies-veggies/">A survey found that Aussies aren't eating enough veggies</a>

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New rules to crack down on dodgy taxi practices

“It doesn’t make sense”: Lisa Wilkinson slams COVID-19 “double standard"

“Completely drunk”: Woman banned for life from Disney World after attacking taxi driver

"Complaining has done nothing": Why taxis continue to refuse to take short fares

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Flying taxis in Paris may only be a few years away

"Very sneaky" new scam hits Australia

Karl Stefanovic taxi scandal: Driver records private conversation with brother Peter

4 tell-tale signs your taxi driver is trying to scam you

4 things you should do before stepping into a taxi overseas

Taxi driver gives free ride to a family of ducks

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