Taxi
Taxis in Melbourne are regulated by the State government through the Department of Transport and an operating branch of the Director of Public Transport, the Victorian Taxi Directorate. They are required to be painted canary yellow, but since October 2008 those that can operate only at peak times only, at night and special events must have green tops. Taxis operate and charge on a meter. There are 3,774 licensed taxis in Melbourne (including 235 wheelchair-accessible taxis). Taxi licenses are estimated to be valued at around $464,000, at October 2008.
Taxi availability and service is currently a major issue in Melbourne and Victoria. On 28 March 2011, the Premier Ted Baillieu announced a major inquiry into the taxi sector – the Taxi Industry Inquiry – which is being conducted by the Taxi Services Commission being headed by Professor Allan Fels. Legislation was passed by the Victorian Parliament in late June 2011 to create the Commission which commenced operation on 19 July. The inquiry is expected to result in major reforms to Victoria's taxi industry and have far reaching impacts on taxi services in Melbourne and beyond.
Read more about this topic: Transport In Melbourne
Famous quotes containing the word taxi:
“I have done almost every human activity inside a taxi which does not require main drainage.”
—Alan Brien (b. 1925)
“Pockets: What color is a giraffe?
Dallas: Well, mostly yellow.
Pockets: And what’s the color of a New York taxi cab?
Dallas: Mostly yellow.
Pockets: I drove a cab in Brooklyn. I just pretend it’s rush hour in Flatbush and in I go.”
—Leigh Brackett (1915–1978)