NSW: Taxi drivers demand extra $5 flagfall

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2000
NSW: Taxi drivers demand extra $5 flagfall

(EMBARGOED UNTIL 0600 AEST Wednesday, AUGUST 9, 2000)



By Natalie Davison

SYDNEY, Aug 9 AAP - Sydney taxi drivers are seeking an additional $5 flagfall during
the Olympic Games.

The Transport Workers Union is expected to lodge the Olympic flagfall claim in the
New South Industrial Relations Commission today.

The $5 hiring fee is similar to the one claimed by cab drivers on New Years Eve.

The $5 will be on top of the existing $2.35 flagfall and will further raise the cost
of travelling in taxis following the introduction of the GST.

If the Olympic flagfall is approved passengers travelling in the Sydney metropolitan
region will be slugged $7.35 before they even begin their journey.

Passengers who book a cab will pay the standard $1.10 booking fee, taking to $8.45
the cost of sitting in a Sydney cab.

The union is not asking for an increase in the kilometre tariff rate.

TWU secretary Tony Sheldon said taxi drivers would demand the flagfall because existing
pay rates were so low.

"It's extremely important in light of the fact that at the moment we have less than
80 per cent of cab drivers turning up for work because of the poor rates and conditions
that apply in the taxi industry," Mr Sheldon said.

"I think it is essential if they want drivers to turn up then international guests
are going to have to pay."

The TWU has been in discussion with the Department of Transport and the taxi industry
about the additional flagfall, but the matter is expected to go before the industrial
relations commission today.

While many other sectors have finalised Olympic allowances, with most averaging an
additional $1.50 an hour for workers, Mr Sheldon denied the $5 flagfall was excessive.

"The average cab driver earns less than $4 an hour, they do 12 hour shifts and it's
no surprise that a lot of people don't like driving cabs because of the poor rates of
pay and conditions," he said.

AAP nd/cjh/de

KEYWORD: OLY TAXIS (EMBARGOED)

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