NSW: Taxi safety standards improve, NSW Transport says

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2001
NSW: Taxi safety standards improve, NSW Transport says

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - More than 40 taxis were ordered off the roads in a crackdown to
improve taxi standards, Transport NSW said today.

Already this year more than 23,300 random taxi inspections had been carried out to
boost customer and safety standards in the State's 5,800 taxis and 20,000 drivers, a spokesman
said.

This compared with about 7,700 inspections during the corresponding period last year, he said.

"Standards include presentation, maintenance and passenger comfort levels, and the
presence of mandatory passenger and driver safety and security devices, like cameras or
driver screens," the spokesman said.

In November, 139 defect notices were issued and 41 cars were ordered off the road.

The most common faults were panel damage, dirty exterior and damaged bumper bars.

Two drivers were found to be illegal immigrants and had their driver authorities cancelled,
while another driver had his cancelled because he was using a stolen credit card.

Four other drivers had their authorities suspended, six were charged and six ordered
to undertake re-training.

"The Department believes the increased monitoring activities are resulting in a lift
in customer standards," the spokesman said.

"While the number of inspections has increased dramatically, the number of defects
detected has actually been decreasing, so the message is getting through."

AAP rhp/cat/

KEYWORD: TAXIS

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