The Queensland Taxi Advisers Inc is demanding to know why Queensland has the highest network radio fees in the country and what justification the networks can give if any. As QTMR regulates taxi fares it would be reasonable for it to also regulated network and lease fees. A just thing to do surely.

by Peer Lindholdt

Being the Secretary and spokesperson for Queensland Taxi Advisers Inc (QTAI) is making Brisbane taxi owner-driver Ross Mutton a very busy man. Running his business as well as being a full-time industry activist is no easy task especially with so many important issues on the association’s agenda. For example it is lobbying for comprehensive, driver accident and personal liability insurance to be made mandatory. It wants subleasing banned and a new plan to legislate for all EFTPOS terminals to be interfaced with the meter abandoned. At the top of its agenda is to have network fees regulated to prevent fee gouging and rampant abuse of market power by the networks.

Queensland has the highest network fees in Australia. First prize goes to Mackay Cabs, which on 1 January increased its monthly base fee by $200 to $2,023 for non-shareholders despite its booking and dispatch being done by Gold Coast Cabs for $688 per cab.

Brisbane Yellow Cabs charges $850 per month and Black & White $811. In Sydney the average radio fee is $663 per calendar month, Hobart $550, Perth $550 and Melbourne $700.

Earlier this month the QTAI had a meeting with the ACCC to present its view that the networks, all of them monopolies or duopolies, were abusing their market power and the State Government regulation which forces every taxi to be affiliated with a network. The ACCC said it was a matter they could or would not deal with.

The QTAI is also meeting with QTMR Director General David Stewart to propose that radio fees, like fares, be regulated.

“After all, when the industry asks for a fare increase we are required to justify why to the QTMR”, Mr. Mutton said, “it would be reasonable for the regulator to demand the same transparency from the networks before they increase their fees.”

Will Mr. Stewart be more receptive than the ACCC?