Australian Taxi Drivers Association inc.

A New Direction for Taxi Drivers

The Australian Taxi Drivers Association has determined to set a new direction to develop respect and self - respect for all taxi drivers.  Far too long we have been disunited and disadvantaged - and there is a circularity in that situation.  There are over 60,000 taxi drivers, and, separately we are worked over and picked upon by all other participants in the industry.

Given that we pick up about thirty passengers a shift, and generally work a twelve hour day;  the relationships are mostly O.K.  To be sure, not many other workers can predict that, in a year they will be robbed by fare evaders eight times, and physically assaulted at least once in every three years.  It's comforting that there is only one murder a year.  But passengers are the only source of income, and the service we give is our only product.

Notwithstanding the media beat - ups, the average of unsubstantiated, complaints from passengers are one in 13,000 trips in Sydney.  One complaint every two years per driver.  We are the only reliable and available 24/7 Public Transport mode.

The N.S.W. Ministry of Transport statistics show a "serious complaint" as an effective one in 500,000 trips.  It shows a decrease in complains against drivers as three times greater than a decrease in complaints against Networks.  Good Work people !!

The reality is that, fro most, its a job that pays about $13.00 an hour cash-in-hand. If you work the unregulated hours that are available, you can make up to $1,000.00 a week.  If you want a family, a life, and drive safely you earn about $120 a day average.  What you don't get are annual paid holidays, sick pay or public holidays off. Overtime is your own time, and the risks of non-payment of fares a certainty.

It is time to effect change. The change will come only from united action by taxi drivers, for taxi drivers and this is our objective: A fair share of a fair fare in a safe driving workplace.

It's a simple enough slogan, but there is a complex underlying structure, which requires action at many different levels.  That Australia is a Federation of States, with differing rules and regulations makes the task more complex.  The fact that one monopolistic player currently dominates the industry makes the task more able to be done, and gives us greater public support.