Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) says a decision by rideshare operators to start accepting cash payments for fares will result in a change to the risk profile for personalised transport vehicles. TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash says that means they will have to install compliant camera systems based on their risk profile. “While there are plenty of other great reasons for them to have cameras, only one is required for them to be captured by the law and that is a win for Queenslanders,” he said.
“All personalised transport services will likely be caught in the net of needing to have compliant camera systems.” Mr Wash says as things stand at the moment, approved security cameras must be fitted in the majority of taxis in Queensland. Among proposed reforms included in the Transport and Other Legislation (Personalised Transport Reform) Amendment Bill 2017, security cameras will be mandatory for personalised transport vehicles based on the risk profile of the service.
“Driver and passenger anonymity (risk of assault), cash transactions (risk of theft) and point of payment during the journey (risk of fare evasion) are all listed by the state government as criteria for needing security cameras. “This means security cameras will remain mandatory in taxis due to their ability to provide rank and hail services to anonymous passengers.” Exemptions relating to regional and remote areas will continue. wf
