Vic: $5 extra to take a taxi on New Year s Eve in Vic

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-1999
Vic: $5 extra to take a taxi on New Year s Eve in Vic

MELBOURNE, Dec 12 AAP - Taxi passengers in Victoria will pay a surcharge of $5 on cab
fares on New Year's Eve.

The special extra fee had been introduced to ensure plenty of taxis were available
over the festive period, the state government said.

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said the $5 surcharge would operate between 6pm
on Friday, December 31, and 9am on New Year's Day.

Passengers would have to pay the metered fare, plus the $5 premium.

"The government's objective is to maximise the number of taxis in service on New Year's
Eve for the benefit of the Victorian community," Mr Batchelor said.

"The small surcharge will increase the number of taxis in service and give taxi drivers
a fair reward, similar to other workers providing services on New Year's Eve," he said.

The minister said the Victorian Taxi Association had advised him that up to 90 per
cent of Victoria's 4,000 taxis would operate if the $5 surcharge was approved, many more
than would be available if normal fares applied.

The $5 charge will be kept by the driver rather than the owner of the taxi company.

All taxis will display a notice in the vehicle confirming the charge has the government's
authority.

Mr Batchelor said the decision was in line with measures adopted or being considered
by other states.

Meanwhile, the government has announced that public transport will operate all night
on New Year's Eve and through into early New Year's Day.

Trains, trams and NightRider buses would operate overnight and all tickets used on
New Year's Eve would remain valid until 5am on New Year's Day, state director of public
transport John Taylor said.

Extra V-Line passenger services had been arranged between Melbourne and regional centres.

AAP er/sub

KEYWORD: EVE TAXIS

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