DRIVE A2B Magazine August Issue 2020

DRIVE

Voice of the Australian Commercial Passenger Transport Industry

AUGUST 2020 | EDITION 37

STAY COVID-19 FREE!

KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR TAXI, LIMO & HIRE CAR HYGIENICALLY

CLEAN.

National Magazine

Taxis, Hire Cars, Wedding cars, Limousines

Owners, Drivers, Partners, Operators

Suppliers, Networks, Booking Service Providers

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p: 1800 333 041 e: taxis@jlta.com.au w: www.tiaib.com.au The information contained in this advertisement, which is current as at the date of publication, provides only a general overview of subjects covered. It is not intended to be taken as legal advice or advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. Insureds should consult their insurance and legal advisors regarding specific coverage issues. All insurance coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the applicable individual policies. Current as at July 2019. Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Ltd ABN 69 009 098 864 AFS Licence 226827.

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Taxi, Hire Car, Limo and On-Demand Transport Industry

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Views expressed in any article in DRIVE A2B magazine are those of the individual contributor and not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept any responsibility for any opinions, information, errors or omissions in this publication. To the extent permitted by law, the publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising from the contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damage. Advertisements must comply with the relevant provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Responsibility for compliance with the Act rests with the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement.

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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

EDITION 37

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www.drivea2b.com.au DRIVEA2B @DRIVEA2Ba contact@drivea2b.com.au

N AT I O N A L 8

22

20

Transport Alliance Australia Report.

How Financial Stress is impacting People during COVID-19.

VICTORIA 10 14

Keep Clean and Healthy.

15

Summary of $22m CPV Industry Assistance Package.

Message from Rod Barton MP.

QUEENSLAND 18

Additional Assistance for Taxi and Limo Operators.

NSW 24

Community Assistance - Moree East Public School.

26 28 30

Helping Healthy People Stay Healthy.

Bathurst Taxis Take 4 Million Bookings.

Sydney's 3rd Sanitisation Station.

COVID-19 INFO

18

3

Know the Signs and Symptoms.

13

Guidelines for Transporting High Risk Passengers.

16 20

Tips to Sanitise your Phone.

All about Face Masks.

OVERSEAS 34

London provides Taxi Drivers with Free PPE Pack.

35

Uber may Shut Down its App in California.

36

Uber takes on Autocab.

36

Taxicab Commission wants to look after Limo and Tour Vehicles.

From our Editor As you are well aware, taxis, rideshare, hire cars and limos are categorised as an essential service everywhere in Australia. During this awful COVID-19 pandemic we are facing, our industry provides the necessary transportation for those who need to get from point A to B quickly, those who cannot get to a train or bus, those who do not have access to any other means of transportation to collect their medicines or groceries, those who need to visit a Doctor, etc.

To be able to promote our industry as a safe and secure environment in which to travel, we must ensure that our standards are held to the highest level.

No doubt you know that keeping your vehicle clean, both externally and internally, encourages prospective passengers to travel with you. But now, more than ever before, you must ensure that the frequent touch points of

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your vehicle are cleaned after each passenger has exited your vehicle.

You also need to do a deep clean at the end of your shift. Cleaning is the main prevention method against the COVID-19 virus lingering on surfaces of your vehicle.

You do not wish to get the virus and I am sure that neither do your passengers.

Also, keep a box of tissues handy for those occasional sniffles and a zip lock bag to throw away any used tissue into. You can use this same bag for your used disposable face masks.

Ideally you should be using re-usable face masks and have a supply of a few of them.

Your mask should be washed each day so as to ensure they are kept in the most hygienic condition.

Another thing you can do is install a virus protection screen. I have been advised that

DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ August 2020

both DiDi and Ola Cabs are supplying all their Australian drivers with a screen which will partition them from their passengers. They are certainly doing their bit to ensure the safety of their drivers and, in turn, the passengers.

New South Wales Point to Point Transport leads the way with establishing eight Sanitisation Stations three in metropolitan Sydney and five in Regional NSW (see page 30 of this edition for more details).

The Stations are open to all Point to Point transport vehicles to have their vehicle deep cleaned once a day. Well done NSW government, on going that extra mile to help ensure the safety of our drivers and passengers during this pandemic. Perhaps some other States will take notice of your initiatives and set up a similar system.

All of these things are providing the community with confidence in our industry.

TAA Operators' Forum Transport Alliance Australia (TAA) held a free Operators' Forum last month and its keynote speaker was Bill Faeth. Bill teaches entrepreneurs, business owners and high performance leaders how to build and scale profitable businesses without sacrificing family.

As Victoria is still in a State of Disaster, the majority of Melbourne's metropolitan community are locked down in their homes. The other states have had very few COVID-19 cases recently, but many of their borders are still closed to both Australian and international travellers. Things are quite quiet in our industry all around the country.

So, while you are not so busy at the moment, Bill suggested that you should be thinking about your re-opening plans. The plans should be centred around your clients, not your business. Your marketing should be showing your clients what you can do for them. How you can help them to book your service and get from point A to B, without any hassles.

Bill also highly recommends a book "The E Myth Revisited - Why most small businesses don't work and what to do about it" by Michael E. Gerber. For anyone who has, is trying to, or is thinking about starting up a small business, this book is a must read. Gerber walks you through the steps in the life of a business - from entrepreneurial infancy through adolescent growing pains to the mature entrepreneurial perspective. Most importantly, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business.

Until next month, stay safe and stay well.

At the TAA Operator's Forum, Bill highlighted the fact that we need to keep in touch with our clients.

He even suggested that we should call our top 20 clients this week and ask them how they are doing.

How they are coping and offer to help them in anyway possible. It is this phone call that will be remembered post COVID-19, and it just might be for your betterment.

DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ August 2020

Mrs Toni Peters DRIVE A2B Editor

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Your NATIONAL association looking after the interests of all in the Australian commercial passenger transport sector.

“A tale of two cities” … not London and Paris, as Dickens wrote in 1859 but Melbourne and Sydney (or anywhere else in Australia) in August 2020.

In Melbourne, streets are empty as on-the-whole Melburnians abide by Premier Andrews' Stage 4 lockdown including a total curfew between 8pm and 5am every day. The footage of our freeways, the lifeblood of our city, totally empty defies belief a most surreal experience.

Unsurprisingly, this causes a huge impact on every business in every sector, not the least our sector of commercial passenger transport. With people under curfew and lockdown there is almost no reason for our businesses to be open, to provide service.

The DHHS advises that "Public transport, ride/share and taxis are available but only to support access to permitted services and provide transport for permitted workers."

The CPVV has advised that it is NOT the responsibility of drivers to ensure that the passengers have a legitimate reason / purpose to travel BUT

8

we strongly advise that before you accept a ride you ensure that the passengers do have this paperwork. You do not need the hassle that the Police will put you through.

(As an aside, my son is an essential worker delivering pharmaceutical goods. He is stopped daily, and sometimes more than once a day. In each case, he produces his paperwork and is thanked for doing the right thing).

At the time of writing there are no restrictions on providing a service to the public.

On the other hand, in Sydney, aside from a few shops requesting clients wear masks, you cannot tell that there is a pandemic happening in Australia. Streets are still busy, public areas have lots of people in them, shopping centres are full and the roads are still crazy.

We know that times are tough out there - where we can we will help - just reach out and ask us.

Class Action vs Uber Uber has lost a bid to have our class action against it thrown out of court.

The case that Maurice Blackburn Lawyers has brought against it alleges UberX is “unlawful” and has not been operating under the regulations, accreditation procedures and licence fees that apply to taxi drivers.

Uber had argued in the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal that a class action could not be brought against it in Victoria because it was an international company.

But Justices Richard Niall, Kim Hargrave and Karin Emerton on July 22, 2020 rejected its bid to have the case thrown out.

Uber claimed there were five reasons the class action should be thrown out, all of which were rejected by the Court of Appeal.

TAA Operators' Forum Planning for the New Normal On 27 July, 38 people joined us via Zoom for our first Operators' Forum - Planning for the New Normal.

Emma from Shoestring Marketing gave us some handy tips to start using LinkedIn to its max. The primary thing to remember

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

about LinkedIn is that this platform is for professional people, therefore you don't talk about personal stuff. You must keep your profile updated and post at least once a week something of interest.

Next up was Matt from Melbourne Airport. He advised that Melbourne Airport is a totally contactless, cashless environment and also has a COVID-19 Testing facility on site.

As there are very few travellers at Melbourne Airport nowadays, there are only 2 out of 13 carparks which are operational and the airport has taken this opportunity to install updated signage and new markers at all Ranks.

Alex from PwC Airtax gave us an overview of the taxation issues surrounding JobKeeper, BAS and Tax Returns. Basically, on your BAS you do not report JobKeeper, JobSeeker or early Superannuation withdrawal.

However you are required to report JobKeeper and JobSeeker in your tax return - but again not early Superannuation withdrawals.

Alex also reminded us that the following common deductions are still applicable to claim against your financial year income:• car purchases & running costs • industry fees/charges • licences and checks • clothing • equipment and consumables • working from home expenses (80c/hour shortcut method) • mobile phone bills • tax agent fees Our keynote speaker for this forum was Bill Faeth.

Bill doesn't believe in work-life balance when you're a business

owner with aggressive goals, but he does think you can prioritise and manage both successfully. He believes that you must have results in your business and your personal life, because without both, why are you in business? Bill has owned and operated a limousine hire car business in the USA and had some very interesting insights to share with us.

Now more than ever before, we need to keep in touch with our clients.

He recommended that we all call our top 20 clients tomorrow - touch base with them and see how they are faring during this pandemic. But don't talk about work or jobs - make this a personal check in call. Ask if there is anything you can do to help.

You could even offer to do something specific for them.

Another hint he shared with us is that we should be looking at what we can do to prepare our businesses for reopening to the public. How we should make our reopen signage and marketing about our customers, not about our business.

Bill believes that leisure activities will be one of the first things to reopen and he suggested that you get in

Become a member today and get access to our Operators' Forums, Industry discounts and more. www.taa-national.com.au

contact with your local leisure outlets and tell them how good your service is - give them some pamphlets so that they remember your business when they reopen.

And another very good reminder is the fact that many people have had to place their elective surgery on hold during COVID-19 pandemic.

He suggested that taxi and hire car businesses should contact specialised elective surgery centres in departments such as laser surgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedic, orthodontic, major hospitals' elective surgery, etc.

He suggested that you tell these business about your service, how you are the best in town, how your cars and drivers are the cleanest and best available in their area.

Perhaps you could even strike a deal with them for your passenger business to be their first contact when one of their passengers requires transportation to their premises.

Take care and stay safe.

André Baruch Director, Transport Alliance Australia

If you missed our recent Operators' Forum you can view the recording in the Transport Alliance Australia's website Members' Portal.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

Keep clean keep healthy In this time of pandemic crisis in Victoria, there are stringent rules on what can and cannot be done, where you can and cannot go, and who can and cannot be on the roads.

VICTORIA

NEWS

Victoria's Commercial Passenger Vehicles (CPVs) are an essential service and therefore are permitted to be travelling on the roads transporting passengers to and from destinations. All CPV drivers, associated staff, management, repairers, etc. must have a Workers' Permit.

Police have got checkpoints and are checking vehicles for the passengers who are travelling and their reasons for doing so. It is not the responsibility of CPV drivers to question why the passengers are travelling, but if you do happen to identify people doing the wrong thing, then you can report them to authorities. For example: •

there could be instances where lots of people are going to a single address,

•

travelling during curfew for unnecessary reasons.

BSPs must: •

have a COVID Safe Plan based on the template provided by DHHS,

•

ensure that information you are communicating to your drivers, contractors, staff, visitors, 3rd party suppliers is comprehensive, current and correct.

We are moving to an environment where there is an expectation that there is a cleaning/sanitisation plan being enforced, and this is most important for all Victoria's CPVs. Drivers and Operators - please wipe down all touch points between passengers and undertake a deep clean at the end of each shift.

Together we can stay safe and beat this deadly virus.

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FREE PSYCH CHAT CALL OR SMS TODAY

0488 846 988 TIACS is a free service that provides access to qualified psychologists because it's simple, relatable and discrete.

TIACS Foundation was created by Ed Ross and Daniel Allen, two social entrepreneurs from Brisbane, Australia. After Dan lost a close mate to suicide in late 2015, it became obvious that there was a significant lack of understanding around mental health, particularly among young men. After starting TradeMutt, the social enterprise work wear company in 2018, Ed and Dan knew that they wanted to further their work from driving a cultural shift around the mental health conversation to actually providing a solution for anyone seeking help.

“There are many blue collar workers who don’t have the time, means or ability to access psychological services,” says Marc Ahmelman, CEO, TIACS Foundation.

TIACS Foundation facilitates access to mental health professionals, by removing the physical and financial barriers to help. It provides early intervention and mental health education, helping individuals to understand their own mental health and equip them with the tools to practice mental wellness and be the best versions of themselves.

Many people actually find it really hard to make that very first appointment with a psychologist because they really don’t know what to expect. To talk to a TIACS psychologist all you have to do is call 0488 846 988 or if you want to make an appointment text the number and ask if you can have a chat.

The TIACS psychologist will get back to you with 'do you want to chat now or at a later date?'

The psychologist will ask what’s been happening in your life and put together some tools that may help you. It's like telling your best mate what’s been going on lately, with someone who will listen to your story and won’t judge you.

In fact, the psychologist is not there to try and fix you or tell you what to do. They can’t make you forget all the tough times, but they can help you figure out what the best thing is for you to do in your life, help you deal with the stress and hurt from the past, and remind you that not only is there hope for a better life, but you are able to achieve a better life.

This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) is fully funded by the generosity of others through donations by corporate sponsors and social enterprise partner, TradeMutt.

VICTORIA

NEWS

FAQs

The Victorian CPV industry is deemed an essential service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I wear a face mask?

All Victorian CPV Drivers and Passengers MUST wear a face mask from the moment you leave home.

Stage 4 Worker Permit All Melbourne metro CPV Drivers together with all others necessary to the functionality of the BSP (eg staff, management, repairs and maintenance workers) must have a Worker Permit to work during Stage 4 restrictions.

•

If you are an Employee - the Employer and Employee must sign the Permit.

•

If you are a Sole Trader, Owner/Driver, Subcontractor - you are both the Employer and Employee and you sign in both places.

Regional CPV Drivers who are only undertaking trips within regional Victoria do not need a Worker Permit.

If you are transporting a passenger to a Melbourne metropolitan destination, then yes, you will need a Worker Permit.

Metro Curfew hours CPV Drivers can work during the curfew hours (8pm5am) to provide CPV services for these purposes.

Can I travel more than 5km from my home to pick up or drop off a passenger?

Yes, you can.

Do I ask my passengers where they are going / why they are travelling?

The driver is not required to ascertain whether the passenger has a valid reason for travelling - this is the passenger's responsibility. Police are doing random checks on passengers travelling in CPVs all around Victoria and they will be the ones to enforce the rules.

Can a BSP ask prospective passengers why they are travelling?

Yes BSPs are permitted to ask passengers details of their destination as part of a booking.

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Is A COVID Safe Plan required for all drivers?

Under Stage 4 workplaces that remain open require a COVID Safe Plan (unless you are a business with fewer than 5 employees working at a work premises).

Drivers must comply with any requirements of the COVID Safe Plan of their Booking Service Provider (BSP).

If you are not affiliated with a BSP or are running a business with fewer than 5 employees you are still encouraged to put a COVID Safe Plan in place as best practice.

Your COVID Safe Plan must set out: •

Your actions to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 in your workplace.

•

The level of face-covering or PPE required for your workforce.

•

How you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in your workplace.

•

This plan must demonstrate how you will meet all of the requirements set out by the Victorian Government.

Can I still provide CPV services in different vehicles for different shifts?

Yes, providing the approved industry vehicle cleaning standards are met.

Can I continue to work for multiple BSPs? Yes, as long as each BSP has a COVID Safe Plan which meets the requirements outlined on the Business Victoria website.

Can I still provide safety inspections for CPVs? Yes, you can leave home for essential work that cannot be performed from home. If vehicle inspectors are not confident they can provide a safe environment for themselves, they should not conduct inspections.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

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nger exiting

e

Important information for the Victorian Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Important Information for the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry

Updated Guidelines for Transporting High Risk and COVID-19 Positive Passengers in Commercial Passenger Vehicles

What has changed?

We’ve updated our guidelines for transporting coronavirus (COVID-19) positive passengers to include high risk passengers. A wider range of commercial passenger vehicles (CPVs) can now also be used for transporting these passengers, where physical distancing can be maintained.

Should a CPV be used to provide this service, controls must be put in place to protect driver, passenger and community health and safety.

What has changed?

Which passengers do the guidelines apply to?

We’ve updated our guidelines for transporting The guidelines provide advice for transporting coronavirus (COVID-19) positive passengers to passengers who: include high risk passengers. A wider range of are considered high risk, for example commercial passenger vehicles (CPVs) can now someone who is awaiting test results after also exposed be used transporting these passengers, being tofor a person with COVID-19; where physical distancing can be maintained.

The updated guidelines outline the minimum requirements for physical distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE) for drivers and passengers, proper disinfection practices and appropriate treatment of waste.

View the updated guidelines here

are suspected cases of COVID-19; or

have tested COVID-19.

Should a positive CPV beforused to provide

this service, controls must be put in place to protect driver, passenger and community health and safety.

What vehicles can be used to transport COVID-19 The updated guidelines outline the minimum positive and high risk passengers? requirements distancing, Any for CPVphysical that can allow at least 1.5 personal metres distance between the for driver and theand passenger protective equipment (PPE) drivers atproper all times,disinfection including whenpractices entering and exiting passengers, the vehicle, such as: and appropriate treatment of waste. a registered wheelchair accessible vehicle; or

View the updated guidelines here

Important Information other types of high occupancy vehicles (e.g.Passenger commuter vans) depending for the Commercial Vehicle Industry

Keep updated For the latest information on COVID-19

Do I need to commercial do anything now? vehicle industry: and the passenger

Keep updated

Accredited CPV drivers, registered vehicle Visit our website cpv.vic.gov.au

owners and booking serviceon providers (BSPs) For the latest information COVID-19 and must read and make sure they understand the Victorian Commercial Passenger Vehicle the updated guidelines.

See our f requently asked questions here industry: If transporting risk or COVID-19 Follow a ushigh on Facebook and Twitter

positive passenger, you must make sure Visit the CPVV website cpv.vic.gov.au our industry here that theSubscribe necessary to procedures and eNewsletter controls

are in place before the trip starts.

Find more information on the current restrictions andshould how to stay safe here Drivers also contact their BSP or registered CPV Note: A standard sedan will not allow owner before any of these passengers are transported. the required physical distancing.

We’ve updated our guidelines for transporting on their design.

Updated Guidelines for Transporting High Risk and COVID-19 Positive Passengers in Commercial Do I need toPassenger do anythingVehicles now?

Accredited CPV drivers, registered vehicle owners and booking service providers (BSPs) must read and make sure they understand Which passengers do the guidelines the updated guidelines. apply to?

The guidelines provide advice for transporting passengers who:

hicles

If transporting a high risk or COVID-19 are considered high risk, for example positive passenger, make someoneyou who ismust awaiting test resultssure after being exposed to a person with COVID-19; that the necessary procedures and controls are suspected COVID-19; or are in place before the cases tripofstarts.

low cing.

Drivers should also contact their BSP or registered CPV owner before any of these passengers are transported.

What has changed?

coronavirus (COVID-19) positive passengers to include high risk passengers. A wider range of commercial passenger vehicles (CPVs) can now also be used for transporting these passengers, where physical distancing can be maintained.

Where do I get more information?

Should a CPV be used to provide this service, controls must be put in place to protect driver, passenger and community health safety.

For and help with

a bookedKeep tripupdated involving a COVID-19 For the latest information COVID-19 positive or high-risk passenger, contactonthe and the commercial passenger vehicle industry: The updated guidelines outline the minimum relevant BSP or registered CPV owner. requirements for physical distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE) for drivers and passengers, proper disinfection practices and appropriate treatment of waste.

Any CPV that can allow at least 1.5 metres distance between the driver and the passenger at all times, including when entering and exiting the vehicle, such as:

See our f requently asked questions here

If you have questions about Follow us on Facebook and Twitter the guidelines, contact the Subscribe to our industry eNewsletter here CPVV Safety Team at Find more information on the current restrictions safety@cpv.vic.gov.au and how to stay safe here

View the updated guidelines here

have tested positive for COVID-19.

What vehicles can be used to transport COVID-19 positive and high risk passengers?

Visit our website cpv.vic.gov.au

Do I need to do anything now?

Where do I get more information?

Accredited CPV drivers, registered vehicle owners and booking service providers (BSPs) must read and make sure they understand the updated guidelines.

For help with a booked trip involving a COVID-19 positive or high-risk passenger, contact the relevant BSP or registered CPV owner.

If transporting a high risk or COVID-19 positive passenger, you must make sure that the necessary procedures and controls

If you have questions about the guidelines, contact the

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020 a registered wheelchair accessible vehicle; or

other types of high occupancy vehicles

13

CPV_S173_7676_20/24594_06/20_v1

VICTORIA

NEWS

Government provides

$22m package Rod Barton MLC Leader, Transport Matters Party

The taxi and hire car industry has suffered an enormous impact due to the COVID-19 crisis, seeing a 90% drop in taxi demand and close to 100% drop in hire car demand.

Taxis, in particular, are an essential service that play a vitally important role in our society.

For many Victorians, taxis are the only form of transport available to them, especially people in wheelchairs and people in regional and rural Victoria. The government has an obligation to support taxi services for Victorians who rely on them and to ensure they are there as the economy recovers.

The government took a risk in asking me, a nongovernment member, to be part of a Commercial Passenger Vehicle (CPV) Panel with the task of advising the Minister for Transport on measures to assist the CPV industry during this time.

The panel made a number of recommendations, costing $22million to the Minister for Transport which have been accepted. These targeted and effective initiatives are a good start in addressing the challenges the industry is facing. They are grouped into three clear objectives; •

Transport for Vulnerable Victorians

•

A COVID-19 Safe Industry

•

Ensuring a viable CPV industry.

The Minister for Transport, Ben Carroll, has asked that I continue as a member of the CPV Panel to identify further opportunities to utilise CPV’s, assist and oversee the implementation and conduct a review of the initiatives in three months.

14

This will complement the already agreed role to implement any government endorsed recommendations from the Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 Reform that was undertaken late last year and due for response by the end of 2020.

Gig Economy Report The recently published report on the Gig economy highlights what was already well known. Gig economy workers, which includes ride-share drivers, many whose first language may not be English, are being paid significantly below the national minimum wage, do not have safe working conditions, and receive no superannuation, no holiday pay, no sick pay, no penalty rates, no maternity leave. There are questions about who is responsible for WorkCover payments.

Those in the Gig economy have gone without the protections that other working people in Victoria expect and receive. It is time to change laws to ensure Gig economy workers receive fair pay and safe working conditions.

Disappointingly the recently published report on the Gig economy fails to address the impact by the Gig economy on an industry and those workers in it who have been treated so unfairly.

I am referring to those in the Victorian taxi and hire car industry.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

turn to page 16

SUMMARY

$22m CPV Industry Assistance Package Will aid the current Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) drivers to stay on the road.

TRANSPORT FOR VULNERABLE VICTORIANS

•

Give Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) drivers an incentive to take wheelchair work and potentially increase work.

•

Ensure vulnerable passengers receive a mode of essential transport.

•

MPTP funding will be increased to 70% of the total fare (max of $60 still applies).

Aiding current MPTP drivers to stay on the road.

•

Wheelchair lifting fee will be doubled to $41.60 per lift.

•

A partial lifting fee for folding wheelchairs will be expanded to all Victorian CPVs that can undertake MPTP work.

•

All this will be implemented from 4 August – 3 November.

$6.3m will help BSPs that have WAVs in their fleet.

•

From 1 August, these BSPs will receive $250 per month for each operational vehicle (ie both WAVs and conventional taxis) for 3 months.

•

Eligibility criteria is currently being developed.

Encouraging a COVID-19 safe industry.

A COVID-19 SAFE INDUSTRY

•

$3.5m will go into a cleaning and sanitisation grants program that covers both regional and metro BSPs.

•

This will provide CPVs with a new set of cleaning standards to follow, based on DHHS’s public health advice.

•

The value granted to BSPs will be agreed upon by Department of Transport with a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the BSP.

Helping the CPV industry to still run as effectively as possible throughout this crisis.

ENSURING A VIABLE CPV INDUSTRY

•

State Revenue Office will begin refunding the $1 per trip levy to entities who paid the levy from April – June 2020.

There are customers in regional towns, such as the elderly and those with a disability, who need CPV service.

•

$1m is being contributed to the maintenance of this regional essential service, by supporting regional BSPs suffering without additional government assistance.

•

Eligibility criteria is currently being developed.

VICTORIA

NEWS

continued from page 14

Melbourne metropolitan taxi drivers/operators work in an environment where the Government sets their maximum fares. All Victorian taxi and hire cars have applied safety standards and onerous reporting requirements imposed upon them, and are forced to operate with conditions that their competitors do not.

These Gig economy workers earn an hourly wage that is below the minimum

16

wage. They receive no superannuation, no holiday pay, no sick pay, no penalty rates, and no maternity leave and there are questions for WorkCover obligations.

During this pandemic, we have seen first-hand why it is imperative that insecure workers have the benefit of paid sick leave, thus enabling them to avoid unnecessary community transmissions.

I have long advocated for the taxi and hire car industry, and

for the intervention into the Gig economy to ensure that all workers in Victoria are paid a living wage, that they are safe at work, and have the ability to provide for their families.

My view has not changed on this topic and I will continue to fight for what is right for workers in Victoria.

Until next month, stay safe and stay well.

Rod Barton MP Leader, Transport Matters Party

DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ August 2020

MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY $22 PER YEAR

We all know just how important the transport industry is in our daily lives – especially for the young, old and vulnerable who rely on it, and for those who work in the networks.

It is clear there is still much to be done to ensure the industry has a more positive, efficient and sustainable environment.

Transport Matters Party’s Leader Rod Barton MP, Executive Board, staff and volunteers have been active during the last 18 months doing just that – improving the industry.

In fact, the latest success we’ve seen is the COVID-19 financial support package for the CPV industry, thanks to Mr. Barton’s recommendations on the panel being approved.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Transport Matters Party in the past – we would not be where we are without you.

To retain our registration as a political party with the Victorian Electoral Commission we are required to demonstrate an ongoing member base.

We ask that you please consider renewing or joining today for a fee of only $22 per year. www.transportmatters.org.au/join DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

Be part of a movement that matters....

17

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

QUEENSLAND

NEWS

More $$$ for Taxi and Limo licence holders and operators The Queensland Government has announced additional financial support of $23 million for the taxi and limousine industry to assist with the economic impacts of COVID-19 and to ensure services can continue to operate.

This is in addition to the $54.5 million transport industry financial assistance package announced on 25 April 2020.

The taxi and limousine industry is an essential service and plays a pivotal role in transporting the public around the State. This package is designed to provide support to a range of different parties in the industry in recognition of their important role in Queensland communities and to assist the recovery of the industry.

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Minister Mark Bailey said with every corner of the industry having been severely impacted by the coronavirus, the package was designed to assist not only drivers but licence holders and booking entities.

"This package is especially important for Queenslanders in our community who have a disability, with the package to include an additional payment for operators whose taxis are wheelchair accessible. This is about supporting local businesses and local jobs," said Mr Bailey.

18

The financial assistance will be delivered through one-off lump sum payments of:

$1,000 per licence to taxi and limousine licence holders:•

that was recorded in the licence register and was in force as at 16 June 2020,

•

for applicants who have been declared by TMR to be the holder of a relevant licence where the licence has been transferred to another person in particular circumstances.

$3,500 per licence to taxi and limousine operators:•

who on 16 June 2020 was the operator of each such licence that had a taxi or limousine recorded in the licence register as at 10 March 2020.

$1,000 per licence as an additional incentive payment for wheelchair accessible taxi operators:•

who on 16 June 2020 was the operator of a wheelchair accessible taxi as recorded in the licence register as at 10 March 2020.

$1,500 per vehicle to authorised booking entities for each taxi or limousine:•

that was affiliated with the BEA on 10 March 2020,

•

capped at 1,000 vehicles, for entities that provide booking services predominantly for taxis and/or limousines.

"While many in the industry have been hit hard by COVID-19, a

lot of operators have continued operating despite the challenges to make sure frontline staff can get to and from work, and I want to acknowledge that role they’ve played," Mr Bailey added.

"Just like before COVID-19, taxi and limousine operators will continue to play a crucial role in keeping Queensland moving postCOVID-19."

To apply for the financial assistance you must complete the application form found at QRIDA together with your supporting documentation. For further information please visit www. qrida.qld.gov.au.

The scheme will be open to applications until 4 September 2020.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

19

polypropylene)

Masks Inner layer

You will need Section

1 piece (25 cm x 25 cm)

• Clothing

Water-absorbing f abric (cotton)

• T-shirt When handling soiled • Shoelaces to • Clothing wear disposable gloves Water-resistant fabric • Reusable ‘green’ shopping bags 1 piece and keep the masks (polyester / Important: • Exercise clothing (25 cm x 25 cm) Make sure that all materials are intact and have not worn from too thin or your have holes in them. polypropylene) away face.

Ear loops

Quantity 1

2 pieces (20 cm each)

Elastic or string or

cloth strips Material type Example masks, it's amaterials good idea

Outer layerto make a cloth mask How

Instructions for making a clothCheck face the mask item’s label or tag to confirm the type of material.

Clean cloth masks Washing machine

A repeat layer of either:

Make a cloth mask

Fabric blends (cotton 1 piece Material dimensions are the right size for an average adult. polyester blend / (25 cm x 25 cm) polypropylene)

• Clothing • Reusable ‘green’ shopping bags

Section

Quantity 1

Material type

Example materials

Inner layer Outer layer

1 piece 1(25 piece cm x 25 cm) (25 cm x 25 cm)

Water-absorbing Water-resistant fabric f abric (cotton) (polyester / polypropylene)

2 pieces 1(20 piece cm each) (25 cm x 25 cm)

Elastic or string or Fabric blends (cotton cloth strips polyester blend / polypropylene)

Middle layer

1

You will willneed need

You can include your cloth mask with

Outer layer

your regular laundry.

Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the materials used to make the mask.

Middle layer

Ear loops Middle layer

•• Clothing Clothing • Reusable ‘green’ shopping bags • Exercise clothing

• T-shirt A repeat layer of either: • Shoelaces • Clothing • Reusable ‘green’ shopping bags

Washing by hand Important: • Clothing Inner 1 piece Water-absorbing (25 cm x 25 cm) f abric (cotton) layer Make sure that all materials are intact and have not worn too thin or have holes in them.

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of household bleach per 3.8 litres of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons household bleach per 3.8 cup of room temperature water.

Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Inner layer

Check the item’s label or tag to confirm the type of material.

Ear Ear loops loops 1

2 pieces (20 cm each)

Elastic or string or cloth strips

• T-shirt • Shoelaces

Material dimensions are the right size for an average adult.

Important: Make sure that all materials are intact and have not worn too thin or have holes in them.

Soak the mask in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.

Check the item’s label or tag to confirm the type of material.

Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

1

Dry the cloth mask in the clothes dryer or in fresh air before you re-use it.

Material dimensions are the right size for an average adult.

Sterilise by Boiling In a large saucepan boil enough water to cover the mask.

Place the mask in the pot and boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Drying cloth masks Dryer

Air dry

Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until fully dry.

Lay flat and allow to completely dry.

Place the mask in direct sunlight.

Storing cloth masks

When the masks are dry, store them in a covered container or bag until you're ready to wear them.

20

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

Disposable face masks should only be used once and then disposed of appropriately.

Also replace them if they become moist.

How

Financial stress is impacting people during COVID-19 BEYOND BLUE sat down with Sarah, a financial counsellor from the National Debt Helpline, to discuss how people have been using the service during the coronavirus.

What have been the general themes from callers?

Sarah: We get a complete mixture of calls. There’s a whole range of issues but primarily people who, due to COVID-19, have had a reduction in their household income, and as a result they are starting to fall behind not just in their day-to-day bills, but in bigger things as well like mortgages and car loans.

People have been able to get extra payments through Centrelink, so there's a bit of an artificial buffer at the moment. Once those things start being stripped back in September, that's when we're expecting to see the real impact of what people are dealing with.

What advice would you give to someone who is worried about reaching out for financial advice?

We've definitely had a lot of new people calling us for the first time and feeling pretty anxious and not really knowing what to expect and feeling sort of quite embarrassed and almost apologising in some cases for needing to call. They say things like, ‘I know there are other people worse off than me’.

Sarah:

I think for people who have been working and lost their income, it’s a really big issue, because they’ve never had to rely on welfare. They've always worked and been self-sufficient, and to suddenly find themselves in that situation is just a massive shock.

We are all going through this and in different ways, so we're well placed to support people with what they're going through. There's no stigma or shame in asking for help.

Has the volume of calls to the National Debt Helpline increased during COVID-19?

Sarah:

I’d encourage people to not be afraid to contact a financial counsellor if they’re stressing about their debts and things like that because there's lots of help available. We are human as well and it's a very holistic, non-judgmental service.

Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for free and confidential advice from professional financial counsellors.

National Debt Helpline

Interestingly, the number of calls has actually gone down, but we're sort of feeling that this

22

is the calm before the storm because – up to now – the government and the banks have been generous with hardship assistance.

1800 007 007

open 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

The Wedding Car Association of Victoria was established over 40 years ago to bring together a number of wedding car and hire car operators with a common goal - to provide the very best of service to clients who would like the pleasure of riding in special cars - such as Vintage, Classic, Limousines, Hot Rods and more.

websites and all members being under an identifiable banner. The logo is used on members’ websites and stickers on their vehicles depicting the current year.

Originally it was known as the Special Vehicle Hire Association in the days of having to go before a tribunal in order to obtain a hire car licence. As times changed it became the Wedding Car Association of Victoria with its distinctive logo. This was seen as more of a marketing move for

This provides the public confidence that the service they will receive is a professional reliable and fully licensed service.

All members abide by a Code of Ethics which covers government licensing of both vehicles and drivers, and insurances.

The Association meets bimonthly to discuss and share current issues that may arise and discuss ways of furthering the members' individual businesses.

One of the Association's objectives is that if a member is unable to fulfil a wedding or commitment, they know they can call on another member to help. If they are already booked, they are encouraged to recommend another member in the Association.

With over 40 years of experience as an Association, it has been able to show on its website a large range of vehicles for clients to chose from to make it a memorable day.

Visit the Wedding Car Association website and see the range of cars that is available - www.weddingcars. org.au.

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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

23

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

NEW SOUTH WALES

Moree East P.S. students are Winners

NEWS

The NSW Taxi Council, together with the NSW Taxi Industry and our members, led a Dymocks Children Charity pledge mission for their Duck Library and Library Regeneration programmes under the charity throughout the NSW Taxi Industry State Conference 2019 – ‘’Together Towards Tomorrow”.

The main aim of the pledging mission has been to support the work of Dymocks Children Charity in sparking a love of reading and improving literacy outcomes for the Australian Children.

The mission led us to raising and contributing $2,950 for the Dymocks Children Charity.

The NSW Taxi Council is thankful for the great support, enthusiasm and generosity of our conference attendees, members of the NSW Taxi Council and contributors from the NSW Taxi Industry. We are also extremely thankful to Steve Cox – Former Managing Director, Dymocks for providing support and working with us for the Dymocks Children’s charity, as well as delivering a powerful keynote address at the NSW Taxi Industry State Conference. We would also like to congratulate Steve on his recent appointment as the CEO of Destination NSW. Throughout the period between the NSW Taxi Industry State Conference - 2019 and July 2020, the NSW Taxi Council has been working together with Dymocks Children Charity and we are delighted to inform that the contributions amounting to $2,950 have been allocated to Moree East Public School in NSW. As a result, the library of the Moree East Public

24

Martin Rogers - CEO, NSW Taxi Council and Steve Cox - Former Managing Director, Dymocks

School will receive $5,900 worth of books, which will help out the children of the school to develop and enjoy their love for reading and improve their knowledge, understanding and literacy.

The art of giving and helping our members and people of the community is more important now than ever before, as we get through these challenging times together as an industry and society.

Serving, helping, advocating and working together with the community, have been a key focus for the NSW Taxi Council and we are extremely proud to support the children of the Moree East Public School.

This is exemplified by the amazing outcome the NSW Taxi Council and the NSW Taxi Industry have been able to achieve working together with Dymocks Children Charity, thus promoting the love for reading and contributing to improve literacy outcomes for the children of Moree East Public School.

Photos supplied by Moree East Public School

In the 2019 financial year, Dymocks Children's Charities provided over 45,000 brand new books to more than 40,000 children in 149 locations around Australia.

DRIVE A2B magazine ¡ www.drivea2b.com.au ¡ August 2020

25

NEW SOUTH WALES

KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE

NEWS

Helping Healthy People

Stay Healthy In these uncertain times of a global pandemic, staying safe and looking after one’s health and wellbeing is more significant than ever before.

London Taxis (associated with GM Cabs) is helping healthy people stay healthy by providing passengers a transport solution which enables them to move around in a controlled environment in a safe, sound and reliable manner. London Taxis operates a fleet of 50 Taxis in Sydney and overall 120 Taxis in Australia.

26

London Taxis has a COVID-19 defence solution in every individual Taxi. The passengers are completely separated from the driver with an air lock fibreglass dividing screen which effectively separates the driver’s compartment from the passenger cabin. Their air conditioning is also separate for each compartment.

The contact points in every London Taxi are highly visible and easy to clean and sanitise after each passenger trip,

and all London Taxis have a contactless payment system, along with app booking and payment capability through the Rydo app. All these features contribute to reducing the risk of transmission and put London Taxis at the forefront of COVID-19 safe Taxi travel in and around Sydney.

London Taxis are one of the most stylish and safest ways to get around Sydney and Melbourne. They have 24 hour security cameras for passengers and drivers with great accessibility options. They have seats with extra leg room, in which 5 people can easily fit, extra room for luggage and also phone charging ports.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

Have your S ay! by sending

email DRIV

your viewpo

int to:

E A2B cont

act@drivea 2b.com.au or SMS DR IVE A2B 04 00 137 866.

Re member to include your name, addr and phone nu ess mber for au thentication.

COVID-19 Passengers should travel in WAV or HOV

WA Government to reap rewards

There are quite a number of Victorian taxi and ride share drivers who are feeling frightened/put in danger, by transporting passengers in the front seat of the vehicle and also those who are going to a COVID testing station.

The new PTD system is going to collect the Western Australian Government a lot of $$ which will be then used for general revenue. It is estimated they will collect between $5 to $7M extra per annum.

I think that Victorian passengers should not be allowed to travel in the front seat of a taxi or rideshare - just like it is in many other Australian states.

Also if there are more than 2 passengers travelling in the taxi - then they should travel in a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV). This way social distancing can be maintained.

Furthermore, if the passenger is travelling in a taxi or rideshare TO a COVID testing station to be tested, or travelling FROM a COVID testing station after being tested - they should only be travelling in a WAV or HOV - thereby giving more distance between the CPV driver and passenger, and keeping the driver safer.

Currently it is mandatory that a WAV or HOV is used if a high-risk passenger is being transported. But as we have learnt recently, you don't have to be showing major signs of COVID-19 to be highly infectious.

Since the government won't mandate the use of WAVs or HOVs for this transportation - then perhaps the BSPs will do so - thus looking after the drivers and keeping them safer.

This is not about "cost recovery" this is about making money out of the taxi and on demand industry and using it for other purposes.

It is also making it an even longer and more costly process for taxi drivers (now have to pay for an extra annual Police Clearance as well) who the industry is already very short of!!

The layers of red tape, administration and costs continue.... thought we were being deregulated?

J Murray

1300 133 353 www.avagroup.net.au

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DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

1300 133 353 www.avagroup.net.au

27

NEW SOUTH WALES

NEWS

BOOKINGS BATHURST TAXIS Amidst this challenging period of navigating through the crisis caused by a global pandemic, Bathurst Taxis (aka Bx Taxis) has reached its 4 millionth booking through their innovative techbased Taxi dispatch platform – SmartMove.

Ms Teegan Hill, a Bathurst local, was the 4 millionth customer to make a booking with Bx Taxis and was the lucky recipient of a $400 Cabcharge gift voucher.

trips would be equivalent to 20 million kilometres in Taxi travel.

This equates to travelling to the moon and back 26 times.

Bx Taxis is a Co-operative run by its 21 members, which aims to provide quality, reliable and safe Taxi services 24/7, considering the needs of each

passenger, in safe, clean and comfortable vehicles with welltrained and courteous drivers in Bathurst.

Hon Paul Toole MP said, "Taxis are an absolutely essential service in Regional and Rural NSW and are the only form of public transport service available to the people in some towns to move around for essential purposes. 4 million customers is a huge achievement by Bx Taxis."

To be able to achieve 4 million bookings utilising a techbased Taxi dispatch system used in Bathurst, for a regional NSW town with a population of 40,000, is a fantastic outcome.

Considering that an average Bathurst Taxi trip is around five kms, four million

28

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

L-R: Bobby Bourke - Bathurst Mayor; Teegan Hill and daughter, Elisha; Paul Shanahan - Marketing Manager, Bathurst Taxis; Hon Paul Toole MP - NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads & Local Member for Bathurst

In the past, Taxis have been perceived to be lagging when it comes to adapting technology in Regional NSW. This perception seems to be very contrary to the reality looking at the achievement of Bathurst Taxis, that have been in partnership for the past 15 years with SmartMove – an Australian owned Taxi dispatch solutions provider.

Bx Taxis and SmartMove have worked together in Bathurst and provided Taxi services in a regional town, equivalent to the capabilities that the larger Taxi service providers have in major cities.

"Technology being used by the Taxi drivers and passengers in Regional and Rural NSW is a great testament to the work they do in these regions.

These are the men and women of our community, who are a part of our community and it’s important for us to support them locally", said Mr Toole.

Dean Shadbolt, Bx Taxis Manager said, "It’s a great feeling! It’s mind boggling when I think about it for a regional town with 40,000 people to achieve this result."

"It has been a gradual process of different modifications to the hardware and software used for booking by Bx Taxis, with the focus being on adapting technology and changing the services as per the needs of the customers in Bathurst", he continued.

"Bx Taxis is the only form of public transport available after hours and on the weekends for the Bathurst community", said Mr Shadbolt.

SmartMove is a proudly Australian owned and operated Taxi dispatch solutions provider which is used in over 100 Taxi fleets in Australia and New Zealand. It provides a robust dispatch software and hardware for Taxi fleets. Features include advanced technology,

comprehensive reporting, 24/7 support and improved productivity it's ideal for a call centre.

Bill Cumpston from SmartMove said, "Bx Taxis is one of the three Taxi companies that recognised the benefit of the mobile phone network for a Taxi dispatching system early, along with Orange and Dubbo being the other two fleets."

"Bx Taxis is the leader in Regional and Rural NSW for adapting technology and innovating continuously to adapt to the changing needs of the region."

Bx Taxis also provides a takeaway meal delivery service i.e. Taxi Tucker, where a Bx Taxi picks up and delivers your meal to your door. The bookings for these services can be made online, via Bx Taxis' mobile booking app and by phone utilising SmartMove.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

29

NEW SOUTH WALES

VEHICLE CLEANING

NEWS

Sydney's 3rd metro

Sanitisation Station

Albury Railway Place

A new vehicle sanitisation station opened in Leumeah NSW the first week of August. This is the third Sydney location to offer all point to point transport vehicles, including taxis, hire vehicles and rideshare as well as community transport, a complimentary once-per-vehicle-per-day service.

It is recommended that drivers also do spot cleans after each passenger has left the vehicle.

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said the new location will offer increased safety to point to point transport passengers and drivers in the South Western Sydney area.

Mon – Sat: 7am – 7pm

Alexandria 9-13 O’Riordan Street

Mon – Sat: 7am – 7pm

Central Coast 7 Merinee Road West Gosford

Mon - Sat: 7am - 7pm

Dubbo 33 White Street

Mon – Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat: 7am – 4pm

Leumeah Unit 7 No. 4 Grange Road

“With many people within the community relying on the point to point transport industry as an essential service, I cannot stress how important the safety of drivers and passengers is at this time.”

Tamworth

“We encourage all point to point transport providers and NSW Government vehicles to make use of the service – which includes disinfecting high-touch areas like outside and inside door handles, window controls, headrests and payment terminals – to keep not only themselves safe but also their passengers,” Mr Wing said.

5/8 Channel Road Mayfield West

21 Hume Street

Mon – Sat: 7am – 7pm

Mon – Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat: 8am – 4pm

Newcastle Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm Sat: 8am-5pm

Prestons Weld Street

Mon – Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat: 8am – 5pm

Note: All Sanitisation Stations are closed on Sundays and public holidays

NSW Industry Stats NSW Passenger Transport (PT) Driver Licences 140,000

119,847

120,000 100,000 80,000

123,348

123,975

Number of available NSW Taxi Plates Registered taxi plates

124,823

6,000

99,403

5,000

77,838

4,000

60,000

3,000

40,000

2,000

20,000

1,000

0 Jan-18

30

Plates on hold

7,000

Jan-19

Jan-20

May-20

Jun-20

Jul-20

-

31-Jan-18

31-Jan-19

31-Jan-20

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

31-May-20

30-Jun-20

31-Jul-20

Honda CR-V 2021 ALEX RAE | Practical Motoring

Honda’s updated 2021 CR-V will arrive in Australian dealerships from September 1.

The facelifted lineup brings styling enhancements and interior upgrades, along with better safety technology and a simpler naming convention across the range.

Honda says the SUV’s facelift gives “a more upscale and distinctive presence,” with trim elements outside now finished in silver or grey depending on model grade and black grille, dark-tinted tail light lenses and a dark chrome tailgate trim. Ignite red and Cosmic blue are also two new paint colours for the MY21 range.

Inside we see a new dash design that Honda says offers improved storage, including the inclusion of integrated USB phone ports. All models are equipped with a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with dual-zone climate control.

“The inclusion of Honda Sensing as standard equipment on all CR-V grades with the 1.5-litre turbo

engine, represents another step in our plan to introduce the latest intelligent driver-assist and active safety technologies right across the Honda vehicle range,” said Honda Australia director, Stephen Collins.

However, the upgrades come at a price, with all models increasing in price over 2020’s model year range.

The base Vi, with its 2.0L engine, starts from $30,490 before on-road costs (up from $28,290), and the flagship CR-V CTi LX AWD 1.5 from $47,490. The top-spec model is equipped with nicer gear such as heated leather seats, wireless phone charging, 19-inch alloys and electric opening tailgate. The greater 1.5L range is available in various front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts and with five or seven seats.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

31

Securing the future

of mobility for a post-pandemic world

by Siraj Shaikh Professor of Systems Security and Director of Research Institute of Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University

The coronavirus pandemic has put the future of mobility in the spotlight.

With necessary social distancing practices changing the fundamentals of our daily routines and interactions, the mobility sector has stepped in with valuable solutions to help industries and populations safely navigate the challenging conditions posed by the outbreak.

Now, with Governments around the world desperate to balance public health with the health of their economies, mobility once again has the answer.

Keeping economies moving Although many countries are starting to reopen their cities for shopping and leisure, public opinion remains sceptical about a return to normal. In Britain, a recent survey of more than 1,000 consumers found that four out of five people would be uncomfortable trying on clothes in a shop, and only a quarter would feel comfortable going out to buy groceries in person.

During the outbreak, we’ve seen the rise of delivery robots on city streets in the UK and the U.S. Offering nocontact deliveries, the technology has helped supermarket retailers respond to unprecedented demand in online services driven by social distancing, and given a lifeline to customers self-isolating or shielding from the virus. With a new era of cautious consumerism likely, these delivery bots could well be the next mobility trend that economies need to keep moving.

Similarly, robotaxis are piquing interest as a future alternative to inner-city travel, because of their physical distancing guarantee and potential to complement public transport services. In fact, initial forecasts estimate the autonomous car and robotaxi market will be worth US$2.5 trillion by 2040.

Making cities smarter Cities especially are under intense scrutiny to establish a ‘new normal’, with a particular focus on how they

can become places better equipped to mitigate public health crises and environmental emissions.

The latter was already high on the placemaking agenda but has become more prevalent during the pandemic, with ‘stay at home’ advice leading to reduced travel and fewer emissions as a consequence.

In April, the UK broke its solar generation record because of lower than usual pollution levels. That said, there are already concerning reports that air pollution has returned to pre-pandemic levels in some countries, in tandem with lockdowns being lifted.

Many cities have started a ‘smart’ evolution during the pandemic, testing new technologies such as drones, temperature sensors and real-time data sharing.

Adapting for the future The post-pandemic world will come to rely on mobility like never before, and will no doubt bring with it a fresh set of security challenges for the sector. Just like the autonomous systems in our vehicles, industry and academia must adapt to growing demand and work together to develop resilient solutions that, in turn, can create forward-looking cities ready for the future.

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CROWN CABS DRIVERS WANTED Shepparton - Ballarat - Mansfield - Sunbury - Wallan Kilmore. Day and night shifts. Phone (03) 9310 5422.

MELTON DRIVERS REQUIRED Night/Day/Weekend shifts are available. Ring Zafar on 0425 844 884.

DRIVERS WANTED Sick of driving an old Ford? CHEAP is EXPENSIVE. Great set price deals with our 50 series hybrids on lpg. Bayside Taxi Service, 313 Bay Road, Cheltenham.

Call (03) 9555 1155 or 0414 566 779.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

33

OVERSEAS

news

LEVC provides taxi drivers with free second 'back to work' PPE pack and TX4 partition screen seals.

Perry Richardson | TaxiPoint

LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company), manufacturer of the iconic black cab, is continuing its support for taxi drivers across the UK as they return to work and help keep their passengers safe.

As a protective and safe form of transport, cabbies are working hard to make a black cab passenger environment as clean, hygienic and comfortable as possible.

Following the high demand of the

Since 1908, all black cabs have been fitted with a purposebuilt protection screen which separates the driver and passenger compartments. This iconic feature not only provides protective strength and durability but is also an excellent air flow barrier between compartments.

2,000 ‘Back to Work’ kits launched in June, a further 1,500 kits have been produced and are available free of charge to all black cab drivers from LEVC’s authorised sales points.

LEVC has released a short film to show its effectiveness in separating air mass, reassuring passengers of the benefits of the taxi’s highly protective environment.

Each kit provides protective PPE and cleaning equipment, designed to keep occupants safe and vehicles clean. Each kit includes sanitising gel, antiviral disinfectant spray, disposable face masks, microfibre reusable cloths and anti-bacterial taxi-receipts.

To go one step further, LEVC has recently engineered a new accessory, a Driver Protection Screen Seal, which blocks any small airway gaps in the partition screen and closes the payment window. With the additional Driver Protection Screen Seal in place, airflow is reduced further with virtually no leakage between the driver and passenger cabin, providing even greater protection from airborne droplet transfer.

This accessory has proved extremely popular, with more than 1,550 fitted to TX taxis so far and more being added on a weekly basis. From 17 August, a new version will be available from all LEVC dealers to fit TX4 models. All Driver Protection Screen Seal kits are being provided to taxi drivers free of charge and on a first come first served basis.

34

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

Uber may shut down its app in California for “several months” if the company has to classify drivers as independent workers.

Following a preliminary injunction granted on Monday 10 August, 2020 that requires Uber and Lyft to stop classifying their drivers in California as contractors instead of employees

by next week, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, said that the app would have to be shut down there as a result.

“If the court doesn’t reconsider, then in California, it’s hard to believe we’ll be able to switch our model to full-time employment quickly,” Khosrowshahi said during a Wednesday interview on MSNBC. The two companies have one week to appeal the preliminary injunction, which both have said they plan to do, according to CNBC. The new order would require Uber and Lyft to treat their California drivers as employees, including providing benefits and insurance.

The preliminary injunction resulted from a lawsuit California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed against the ridesharing apps in May over their alleged misclassification of their workers as independent contractors instead of as

employees. The lawsuit seeks up to $2,500 for each violation, and a permanent halt to misclassifying drivers and civil penalties that could reach up to the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Last September, a new gig economy law called Assembly Bill 5 was passed in California that requires app-based companies to treat their contractors the same way they treat regular employees. Under the new law, contractors are eligible for basic protections like minimumwage requirements, health benefits, and Social Security.

Both Uber and Lyft have been vocal about their opposition to the bill, and even joined forces with DoorDash in August 2019 on a $90 million ballot initiative to exempt them from Assembly Bill 5 which went into law on January 1 2020.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

By Allison Matyus

35

OVERSEAS

news

Uber takes on Autocab Uber has bought UK based Autocab, which is active in 20 countries, with the aim of expanding its own platform by linking users who open its app in places where it doesn’t offer trips.

Uber’s spokeswoman said it plans to support Autocab’s expansion of SaaS and iGo internationally — suggesting the tech giant hopes to be able to integrate the marketplace across its own global footprint in order to be able

Taxicab Commission Wants Limousine and Tour Broker Licenses Under Its Purvie

By Bethaney Lee

The Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission is vying for control over limousine and

36

to offer users a less patchy service.

The move also looks intended to create more opportunities for Uber drivers to pick up jobs from outside its own platform, including delivery work.

Uber stated in a press release “thousands of people” open its app every month in places where they can’t get a trip. It lists 15 UK towns which fall into this category — Oxford (67,099 app opens monthly) and Tunbridge Wells (46,150); or at the other end Colchester (16,540) and Ipswich (16,539).

“Through Autocab’s iGo marketplace,

tour broker operator licenses and says seeking legislation for that aim is a goal in fiscal year 2021.

During last month’s Finance Committee hearing Taxicab Commission Executive Director Shane Benjamin said limousine services currently take away fares from taxicab drivers daily.

He said a lot of the shrinkage in fares and passengers is a direct result of limousine companies going into contracts with hotels to shuttle passengers from the airport. In one particular case, a limousine company has gone into contract with The Westin Resort on St. John, and Benjamin said about 70 percent of all St. John passengers are taken by limousine companies.

Uber will be able to connect these riders with local operators who choose to take the booking. In turn, operators should be able to expand their operations and offer more earning opportunities to local drivers. Uber will also explore providing drivers with additional revenue opportunities related to its platform for other services, such as delivery.”

It is rumoured that Uber won't be integrating Autocab into markets where Uber is already active. Thereby showing that the purchase of Autocab is probably to decrease local competition.

“Legislation would help regulate him doing taxi services in a limousine. You have to put on taxi plates, and only then it becomes a taxi,” Benjamin said.

Non-committee member Sen. Athneil Thomas said it isn’t fair that limousine operators are stepping in and taking away fares from taxicab drivers when limousine businesses are not supposed to be offering the same kind of service.

“Automobiles for hire, all of them need to be under your purview,” Thomas said.

Overall, the committee seemed to agree with the need for legislation that would put limousine and tour broker

operator licenses under the Taxicab Commission.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · August 2020

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