The former Taxi Services Commission will be swallowed by the State Government’s mega Department of Transport when it comes into operation at the beginning of July.
Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton today asked for clarification of the makeup and roles included in the new mega department in Parliament, which will also include VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria.
“I’m very pleased that commercial passenger vehicles will be included in an integrated approach to transport planning – some big picture solutions are desperately needed in Victoria and taxis and hire cars are part of that picture,” he said.
“As our major city and state population continues to grow we need to ensure all modes are includes in plans for road infrastructure and public transport expansion.”
Disbanding and merging the former Taxi Services Commission, re-branded Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria following industry deregulation in 2017, is a small victory for the former taxi and hire car industry.
“The incumbent taxi and hire car industry was bitterly disappointed with the behaviour of the regulator and that it failed to protect them from newcomers who disregarded the existing laws.
“This is a positive step forward for all commercial passenger vehicle operators as we work now with Government and this new department to create a positive, sustainable and safe commercial passenger vehicle industry in Victoria.”
Read the Hansard transcript here
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