Hailing drivers

By Dion Teasdale
UPPER Yarra residents are being called on to help tackle the region’s current taxi driver shortage.
The region’s taxi service provider has warned that passenger waiting times and driver stress could increase if new drivers are not attracted to the ranks.
Yarra Valley Taxis, which has a licence to operate nine taxis across the valley, has been experiencing a shortage of drivers for the past 12 months.
The company, which currently has one vehicle off the road due to driver shortfalls, requires up to three full-time and three part-time additional drivers immediately.
Company manager Christian Steele said the company was experiencing driver shortages in line with other country taxi services across the state.
“We are now missing at least two full-time drivers on weekdays and need new drivers for week night and weekend work,” he said.
“We need new blood to come into the industry, and we need it to come soon.”
Mr Steele said the company was managing to cover demand and keep waiting times along the Warburton Highway to a minimum, but said he was concerned about the its ability to maintain the service in the long term.
“Our current drivers are under pressure to keep the service going. We are worried that unless new drivers come on board waiting times could increase,” he said.
He said new drivers were needed to service the Warburton Highway on week nights and on weekends.
Mr Steele said he would like the State Government to help address the driver shortage by offering financial incentives to attract people to the industry.
He said he would also like to see the Government offer subsidies to country taxi companies to make vehicles safer for drivers and to reduce high taxi insurance premiums and registration fees.
Local businesses, politicians and police have joined Mr Steele’s call for more local residents to help with the driver shortage.
Warburton Chamber of Commerce president Norman Orr said it was important for the Upper Yarra to have a healthy taxi service.
“Many older people rely on taxis to do their shopping and attend social events and we don’t want to see any further driver shortages,” he said.
“Taxis provide an important community service for people of all ages and businesses in Warburton support the call for new drivers to join the ranks.”
Yarra Junction police Sergeant Kevin Largue said it was logical to make a connection between a lack of taxi availability and an increase in drink driving offences.
“Driver shortages become an issue particularly late on Friday and Saturday nights when people are trying to leave licensed premises,” he said.
“We don’t need further shortages to hamper the efforts of patrons finding their way home. This could lead to further noise and behavioural complaints.”
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said the driver shortage was an area of concern that needed to be addressed. “I am happy to work with Yarra Valley Taxis to try to identify avenues where we can make some improvements,” she said.
Mr Steele said the biggest obstacle the company faced was the misconception most people have about being a taxi driver.
“A lot of people think it is a lonely, difficult and often dangerous job that doesn’t pay very well and requires you to work long hours. The truth is it isn’t any of these things,” he said.
“Our drivers make good money, up to $700 a week.
“They get to drive through the beautiful Yarra Valley and traffic and safety are much better than in the city.”
Mr Steele said the company provided drivers with necessary training and licence requirements, and encouraged anyone over the age of 25 interested in working with Yarra Valley Taxis to call him on 0403 596 424.