Department of Transport Annual Report 2013-14
Service one: Transport system and services development, planning, operation and regulation
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- Implementing the Taxi Action Plan
- Passage of legislation for a new occupational licensing system for taxi drivers
- Successful implementation of the CBD Taxi Rank Strategy
- Completion of the Taxi Camera Surveillance Unit replacement project
- Compliance activities to lift taxi industry standards
Service one:Transport system and services development, planning, operation and regulation
DoT plans, develops, operates and regulates a diverse range of transport systems and services to facilitate an accessible and safe transport system for all Western Australians. In 2013/14, DoT focused on key areas including:
regulation of WA’s intrastate air services; planning and development of enhanced maritime infrastructure; keeping people safe on and around WA’s waterways; and encouraging people to change their travel behaviour to manage congestion. Following are some of the key initiatives and services delivered by DoT in 2013/14 to provide Western Australians with accessible and safe transport systems. Implementing the Taxi Action PlanDoT is responsible for implementing the Taxi Action Plan for Perth’s taxi industry. The action plan is a suite of initiatives designed to lift driver standards, increase taxi availability and improve safety for drivers and passengers. Key initiatives progressed under the plan in 2013/14 include: introduction of a new occupational licensing system for taxi drivers; implementation of the CBD Taxi Rank Strategy; completion of the Taxi Camera Surveillance Unit replacement project; and increased compliance and enforcement. Passage of legislation for a new occupational licensing system for taxi driversIn June 2014, DoT’s Taxi Driver Licensing Bill 2014 was passed by State Parliament, providing a new legislative framework aimed at improving service standards and security for passengers – the first real taxi reform in almost two decades. The new licensing system strengthens driver identity security, improves complaints management and formalises compliance with regulations. It provides for a penalty point system, similar to driver demerit points, allowing taxi driver licences to be cancelled for repeated breaches. Other features of the licensing system include improved taxi driver entry standards, training and testing, a probationary period for new drivers and more secure driver identification. DoT will commence transitioning current taxi drivers to the new system in early 2015, with full implementation expected by mid-2015. Successful implementation of the CBD Taxi Rank StrategyAs a member of the CBD Taxi Rank Reference Group, DoT continued to work with the City of Perth, the Taxi Council of Western Australia and the Taxi Industry Forum of Western Australia to implement the CBD Taxi Rank Strategy. The strategy, finalised in 2012, focuses on developing visible, accessible and safe taxi ranks that meet short, medium and long-term transport needs in the Perth CBD. As part of the strategy, all low usage ranks were upgraded with more visible, passenger-friendly signage during 2013-14. A new multi-function pole design for high usage ranks was also piloted from March to June 2014. The multi-function pole features night-time illumination, a flashing LED sign that passengers can activate to assist them to hail a taxi and a street map indicating the location of the taxi rank. The pole can also be equipped with additional street lighting and CCTV cameras if required. Following the successful trial, the CBD Taxi Rank Reference Group agreed to permanently install the multi-function poles at all high usage ranks in the CBD and the roll-out is expected to be completed by the end of 2014/15. Completion of the Taxi Camera Surveillance Unit replacement projectThe third and final phase of DoT’s $7.74 million upgrade of Taxi Camera Surveillance Units to improve security for passengers and drivers was completed on schedule in January 2014. The entire Perth metropolitan taxi fleet has now been equipped with two internal and two external cameras featuring full in-cabin audio recording capabilities. Throughout 2013/14, DoT continued to investigate the introduction of cameras in regional taxis. Compliance activities to lift taxi industry standardsDoT’s on-road and investigations compliance team continued to ensure the highest taxi driver and vehicle standards were maintained during the year. To further improve compliance and enforcement efforts, in 2013/14, DoT commenced a trial of tough tablet mobile devices which enable compliance officers to remotely check the licence status of any taxi, omnibus or driver on the road. Early indications show the use of the devices is reducing paperwork and allowing officers more time to engage with and educate taxi and omnibus drivers on their responsibilities. Directory: mediaFiles mediaFiles -> Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine mediaFiles -> Valerii Hryhorovych asapov mediaFiles -> Intentionally blank mediaFiles -> Uncontrolled when printed mediaFiles -> President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen mediaFiles -> Display Pilot Flight Lieutenant Jamie Norris mediaFiles -> Translation Download 436.52 Kb. Share with your friends:
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