Department of Transport (DoT) conducted a presentation on Wednesday 23 September for industry stakeholders, and we have questions. So many questions, that we have emailed them to DoT for answers, answers which we are yet to receive.

$3.5m Cleaning and Sanitisation grants for regional and metro BSPs -- 

-> How is giving money to BSPs to be used in the future, supporting the CPV industry during the COVID-19 crisis?

Department of Transport (DoT) conducted a presentation on Wednesday 23 September for industry stakeholders, and we have questions. So many questions, that we have emailed them to DoT for answers, answers which we are yet to receive. 

$3.5m Cleaning and Sanitisation grants for regional and metro BSPs --

1. What constitutes a Major BSP?
2. Do we presume correctly that the Major BSPs are 13cabs, Silver Top Taxis, Black & White Cabs, Crown Cabs, Ballarat Taxis, Bendigo Taxis, Geelong Taxis and Uber?

Representatives from TAA were at the CPV Industry briefing on Wednesday morning. We were given an update on vehicle cleaning standards, cleaning audits and how the government’s roadmap affects our industry. There are new resources available on the CPVV website regarding the cleaning standards and there are also a couple of training videos for drivers to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDfYB4DNtrw&feature=youtu.be
and
https://www.drvrtraining.com/courses/hygiene-for-drivers

Project: COVID-19 drive-through testing facility

Works: Utilising T4 car park Level 2 for dedicated COVID-19 testing

Working Hours: The testing facility will be operational between 0900 – 1700hrs, seven (7) days per week. The location will be unavailable for all other uses for the duration of the testing facility’s installation on site.

Date: From Saturday 4 July 2020 at 1pm

Driving this week on the roads, it is obvious to see that people are appreciating the lessening of restrictions. It is also nice to be seeing taxis around, even though there is little work at present.
​
The Victorian regulator, Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV), advised us last week that there has been a 2% increase in MPTP fares week on week, on top of a previous week’s increase of 6%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many to lose their jobs, while others are struggling to feed their families.

​New York is trying to solve both problems by paying cab drivers to deliver meals to those in need. 

Representatives from TAA once again attended the Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria industry stakeholders’ video meeting on Wednesday 15 April 2020. There were no major updates to report and still nothing about further financial assistance for CPV industry stakeholders. We can only hope that next week's meeting will bring welcome news.

Supplies of sanitiser, personal hygiene and cleaning products will be available to commercial passenger vehicles driver and operators in the next few days after TAA Victoria state director André Baruch and industry stakeholders asked for assistance to secure products at the regulator industry group meeting on Wednesday.

Drivers have struggled to access products due to increased demands through normal retail outlets.