Victorian State Government has made a big announcement just days before a rally is planned by Taxi license owners at the footsteps of Victorian Parliament on Saturday in support of the taxi families.
The state government after close consultation with the industry and those affected, has increased the number of licences the Government will provide financial assistance for, from two to four.
Taxi licence owners will be now able to access up to $100,000 more in compensation.
Metropolitan licence holders will be offered $100,000 for their first taxi licence raised through a $2 levy on all taxi, hire car or ride-share services trips.
The government will then offer a further $50,000 for a second, third or fourth licence, extending the cap from two to four.
Applications for the Fairness Fund are now open. For more information about the reforms and to apply for support through the Fairness Fund, visit taxi.vic.gov.au or call 1800 875 122. Information sessions will be held in late-January and applications close on 30 April 2017.
This transitional financial assistance will be included in the first stage of legislation, which will be introduced early next year and will be paid out over two years, rather than eight – in line with the reform period.
The $2 per trip levy will be also be introduced in 2018 and will replace annual licence fees – currently up to $23,000 – considerably reducing the cost of operating a taxi, paving the way for more competition and cheaper fares for passengers.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said, “We’re supporting licence holders while we regulate ridesharing, create jobs and deliver better services for passengers.”
Since the Government abolished the Knowledge Test in August, more than 5,000 people have applied for driver accreditation – about as many applications as the entire year prior to that.
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