Mission Statement:

Updated 08.11.2004.

APPENDIX 1

A  CHARTER FOR THE QUEENSLAND TAXI DRIVERS ASSOCIATION Incorporated (Q.T.D.A Inc).

           STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the Q.T.D.A. is to represent Bailee Drivers and to provide them with minimum Bailment and Taxi Driver standards to operate under.

              The Q.T.D.A. believes that current issues of importance include:

1. DRIVER SAFETY

2. PAY AND CONDITIONS

3. DRIVER TRAINING

4. CODE OF DRIVER ETHICS AND BEHAVIOUR

             1. DRIVER SAFETY

1(a) Maximum 12 hour shifts for normal change over drivers extending to 14 hours with a minimum of one break of not less than one hours duration.

       Maximum shifts of 15 hours for single shift drivers with no less than a full 8 hours break between the finish of one shift and the start of another.

       To work towards a maximum working week of not more than 60 hours in any seven day period.

       Due to the likelihood of excessive hours being worked, set pay in weekend single shifts should be Banned.

             1(b) that all Queensland registered taxis is fitted with video cameras. Despite    concerns about driver’s privacy,

                    the   Q.T.D.A. believes that these would be of significant value in.

                         (I) reducing the chance of assault and injury to the driver.

                         (ii) Reducing the verbal abuse often suffered by drivers.

                         (iii) Reducing the chance of damage to the car itself.

                         (iv) Reducing the incidence of fare evasion (common theft!)

                         (v) Giving drivers access to a record of proceedings where serious dispute or conflict occurs between

                              passengers and the driver.

             2. PAY AND CONDITIONS

2(A) Drivers to be able to make submissions to all relevant authorities on all and any matters that may in future effect in any way their income and or entitlements.

          A fair day’s work for a fair days pay!!!!

2(b) That all future fare increases guarantee that a driver working under the terms of a Bailment contract in the state of Queensland has the ability to earn an hourly rate not less community standards and sufficient extra to either to allow the Operator to provide basic working conditions including entitlement to such basic rights as Super, Sick Pay, Holiday Pay and Annual Leave or meter increases to allow drivers to fund these conditions themselves.

2(c) All rectification of faults in vehicles to be undertaken by, and at the sole expense of, the Queensland Transport Registered Operator, and that the Bailee Driver of the vehicle be compensated for time lost at the average rate earned by that driver at the time of day or night when the vehicle is off the road.

This also to apply to general maintenance of the vehicle when this takes place at a time when the driver is usually working unless some prior arrangement is made between the driver and the owner.

2 (d) Drivers paying insurances levies will not ever pay any additional contributions to insurance or excess insurance.

All Drivers Bailment Contract must not be less conditions as per State Government Bailment Contract or the Code of Conduct for Queensland Taxi Industry.

             3. DRIVER TRAINING

To meet and exceed the standards expected of Drivers by both the general traveling public and the tourism industry, the Q.T.D.A. believes that the current standard of driver training needs significant upgrading. We therefore believe that.

3(a) all training should be independent and not be undertaken by the taxi companies themselves. We believe the need to get new drivers on the road as soon as is possible is in conflict with the need for high standards of training.

3(b) A course of not less than 4 weeks in duration and taught by specialist trainers leading to the granting of a special professional drivers status should be instituted. Existing drivers to obtain this status only by completion of this course.

This course should include.

3b. (i) Completion of the Mt. Cotton advance driving course or equivalent. This course to be undertaken every five years.

    (ii) Thorough training in communications and public relations.

    (iii) Location training of a standard that equips new drivers with a thorough and workable knowledge of the service area in which they will be working and rigorous testing of same before the issue of a hire drivers license. We believe training should include at least two weeks of onboard training (riding with a driver of not less than two years experience in the industry).

              4. DRIVERS CODE OF CONDUCT

    The Q.T.D.A. believes that its members should adopt and abide by a code of ethics and behavior designed to promote the image of the Taxi industry with the general travelling public and the tourism sector.

The following points have been suggested for inclusion in this code.

4(a) that drivers conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will not harm in any way the image of, or bring into disrepute the reputation of drivers or the industry.

      That drivers will obey all laws, Local, State and Federal.

      That drivers will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race colour or creed, sex or sexual preference, disability or difference except where the vehicle may not allow the safe carriage of that person, in which case it is the responsibility of the driver to obtain for that person an appropriate vehicle in as timely a manner as is possible.

Drivers however reserve the right to refuse service to any member of the public who they consider is likely to be a threat, or is intoxicated to the point that they are unfit to travel, is abusive or is in the opinion of the driver likely to cause serious nuisance to himself, other passengers, or the public.

4(b) Drivers will respect fellow drivers and act towards them with courtesy. Drivers will assist to the best of their ability any fellow driver from any company who is in distress.

       Drivers will obey the unwritten laws and traditional practices of this industry especially those regarding the entering and leaving of ranks.

4(c) to ensure drivers are seen as professional and meet the standards expected by the traveling public we believe a driver should:

  (i) Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene.

  (ii) Wear a clean and pressed company uniform or meet other dress standards set by the company for whom he works.

 (iii) Keep both the interior and exterior of the taxi clean and tidy.

 (iv) NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OPERATE AN UNROADWORTHY OR DANGEROUS VEHICLE!!!! If the slightest pressure to do so is applied by any person or organization, then that person or organization should be reported to the relevant authorities immediately!

Make sure all accessories that contribute to passenger comfort (eg. Air con) is working

This Charter is the latest version last updated 8th November, 2004, and will remain in force until amended by a general meeting of the QTDA Inc. members.

Signed: 

Michael Powell

State President, QTDA Inc. (2004)