Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:19): My question is for Minister Pulford, representing the Minister for Public Transport. It has been brought to my attention many times that there are serious flaws in the multipurpose taxi program across this state, and more recently a colleague of mine, Fiona Patten, raised with me a friend of hers having to wait an hour and a half to get access to a wheelchair taxi here in Melbourne.
Question – Long waits for wheelchair taxi services
I asked the Minister for Transport why we have reports of people waiting up to an hour and a half for wheelchair taxi services in Melbourne city.
Question – Long waits for wheelchair taxi services
I asked the Minister for Transport why we have reports of people waiting up to an hour and a half for wheelchair taxi services in Melbourne city.
The problem is not necessarily availability of vehicles; there are 971 registered with the regulator. The problem is how they are being used. So I ask the minister: is she aware of the many shortcomings of the multipurpose taxi program, in particular the wheelchair accessible taxi program, and the reasons why there is such a long wait on occasions for these specialised services?
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (12:20): I thank Mr Barton for his question for Minister Horne, and I will seek a written response in accordance with our standing orders.
Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:20): Thank you, Minister. The industry has a number of proposals for solutions to these problems. Would the minister meet with representatives of the taxi industry to discuss options to resolve these unacceptable wait times?
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (12:20): Thanks, Mr Barton. I am not in a position to commit anybody else’s diary to any particular thing, but I will convey that request as well to Minister Horne.
