Latest news with #DepartmentofTransport
West Australian
5 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Rita Saffioti: A few bad eggs are affecting the entire taxi industry and now its time to crack down
1. We have many hard working taxi drivers in the taxi industry but recently we have received complaints about drivers refusing to use meters and drivers not appropriately displaying their authorisation. It's unfortunate because this behaviour is impacting the whole industry, and those doing the right thing. This is why we're doing a compliance crackdown. Working with the Department of Transport we will be looking at undercover compliance officers, increasing spot checks at taxi ranks and also educating the community on their rights and the rules around taxi use. 2. WA's first residential battery rebate scheme opened this week. Up to 100,000 households will be able to access the rebates including up to $5000 for Synergy customers and up to $7500 for Horizon Power customers. No interest loans of up to $10,000 are also available for eligible customers. It could save households up to $1500 annually. 3. We have now passed more than 500,000 fares booked under our landmark Regional Capped Airfares Scheme. That's one fare every three minutes. This scheme is saving regional families thousands of dollars and giving people peace of mind that if they need to fly to Perth for urgent family or personal reasons, they won't be stung with high prices. 4. Incredible to see so many kids from the regions in Perth for Country Week this year. We know how important this week is for so many regional kids and their families, which is why we're providing $8 million over the next four years to help families with the cost, so more students can attend. 5. I was able to get up to Geraldton this week to chat to local groups about funding we're providing for better sporting facilities. Looking forward to delivering new change rooms at the very busy sports park, and big improvements to the netball facilities. 6. The Matildas play their first ever game in Bunbury this Saturday. What an incredible event it will be for the Bunbury community to see these elite athletes in action. We're proud to have supported this game and want to see more top level sports played in our regions. 7. A reminder that the WA Student Assistance Payment applications close Friday. Parents can claim $250 for each secondary student and $150 for each kindergarten or primary student. Head to the Department of Education website for more information. 8. Great news this week that the short-term rental accommodation and vacant property rental incentive schemes have been extended until the end of this year. Since we established the schemes in the past 18 months, we've added more than 700 homes to long term rental stock across the State. We're looking at every opportunity to boost housing supply. 9. Dockers fans. We're on roll. Six in a row as we head over to Sydney. If we win here, is it time to start dreaming? Hoping the ground holds up. 10. Speaking of the Dockers — what a great game it was last week for the Starlight Foundation. Thanks to everyone that supported the event and donated to such an incredible cause.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Eynsham park and ride to launch in 2027
An 850-space park and ride which has not been used since it was completed last year will be ready by 2027, it has been County Council said a planning application to connect the £32m Eynsham site to the A40 was submitted on include a new junction and bus lanes, and upgraded walking and cycling authority said the park and ride was completed on time and to budget because of a separate ring-fenced grant, though "cost pressures caused by high inflation" temporarily halted the rest of the A40 improvements scheme. However, in October the project moved forward after receiving £126m of funding from Homes England, with a public consultation on the plans following shortly planning consent is given construction of the junction is expected to start in early 2026 and be completed by 2027, enabling the park and ride to become operational. The council anticipates a completion date for the rest of the project in the summer of on the park and ride began in 2022, with £51m funding provided by the Department of Transport. The remaining £19m is going towards the remainder of the scheme. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Santaco wants faster progress on infrastructure and licensing reforms
Santaco wants faster progress on commuter support, infrastructure, and licensing reforms The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has responded with cautious optimism to the 2025 National Transport Budget Vote. It welcomed key commitments while urging the government to act more decisively on long-standing industry challenges. Santaco's delegation, led by first deputy president Mazwe Nkonki, attended the budget vote tabled by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in Cape Town on Wednesday. While acknowledging some progress, the council stated that critical issues facing the taxi industry remain unresolved. Road safety targets Santaco endorsed the Department of Transport's target to reduce road fatalities by 45% by 2029, describing it as 'a commendable ambition'. Although the council stressed that reaching this goal would require concrete actions such as round-the-clock traffic law enforcement and intensified public awareness efforts. 'We call for increased 24-hour traffic visibility and awareness campaigns to support this goal,' Santaco said in a statement. 'Poor road conditions continue to damage vehicles and endanger lives. We urge government to implement regular monitoring and maintenance of all roads, especially because the taxi industry's routes move from the very rural areas to the most urbanised areas.' Minister Creecy confirmed in her speech that Sanral had taken over 3 099km of provincial roads and would reprioritise maintenance efforts through its Route Road Maintenance Programme. ALSO READ: DA demands full AGSA report on R400m driving licence tender Growing frustration over commuter subsidy delays One of Santaco's strongest criticisms was the continued exclusion of taxi commuters from public transport subsidies. 'While we note the intent to explore a subsidy model, the pace is too slow. 'With taxis transporting over 60% of commuters daily, a fair, inclusive subsidy system must be urgently introduced to ensure affordability and equity,' said Nkonki. Although Creecy said her department is committed to working with the industry to reduce vehicle repayment costs and align operating licences with financial terms, Santaco stressed that 'intent alone is not enough'. ALSO READ: Outa calls for no fines during driver's licence backlog Implementation lags The council applauded the taxi industry's inclusion in government transformation and decarbonisation efforts, including the Transformation Fund, which aligns with the 2020 National Taxi Lekgotla resolutions. 'This assures the industry that government supports our idealised socio-economic development of the sector in collaboration with government,' Santaco said. However, they flagged that the implementation has been sluggish. Santaco said it supports Creecy's plans to streamline operating licence issuance and tie licence validity to vehicle finance terms. 'This will support compliance and financial sustainability for taxi owners,' the council stated. ALSO READ: Three teachers dead, two injured in horror Eastern Cape crash Industry urges accelerated action While expressing cautious optimism, Santaco outlined urgent priorities: Fast-tracking a taxi commuter subsidy model Improved maintenance of roads and taxi ranking facilities 24-hour traffic enforcement Accelerated operating licence reforms aligned with loan repayment terms 'Santaco remains committed to constructive engagement and a transport system that is fair, safe, and inclusive for all,' it said. NOW READ: Transport minister has big hopes for big plans
West Australian
21 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Taxi and rideshare drivers on notice ahead of ‘mystery shopper' blitz
An undercover blitz of Perth taxi drivers is being planned in the wake of complaints a growing number of drivers are not properly using their meters. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has revealed even she was stung — and warned drivers they cannot set their own fares. 'I have taken taxis in which I have been told that the meter is not working, and they try to set fares that I know would not be the metered fare,' she told Parliament on Tuesday. 'A taxi driver must set the meter in operation at the start of the journey and stop it at the end of the journey. 'I have asked my agency to undertake a compliance blitz . . . there is the 'mystery shopper' concept, where undercover transport officials use taxis to make sure that the regulations are being adhered to. We want to make sure that we can continue to provide excellent services.' Ms Saffioti said the blitz would also target driver identification not being displayed, and visible signage for on-demand transport companies including Uber. Last month's Budget revealed compliance has improved, with 80 per cent of audited on-demand booking services compliant with requirements, up from just 34 per cent in 2023-24. As of March 2025, more than 42,000 active passenger transport drivers were registered across WA. In the first three months of this year, 175 conduct reports were recorded including 33 complaints about driver conduct. There were 826 incidents recorded in 2025, including 233 complaints about driver conduct - down from a peak of 307 driver conduct complaints in 2021. A passenger survey in 2023, commissioned by the Department of Transport and conducted by Painted Dog Research, listed reliability, pricing and driver skills as the key priorities.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Solar-powered electric vehicle charging hub launched in Galway
A solar-powered electric vehicle charging hub has been launched in Galway City by Mayor Mike Cubbard and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney. The EV hub will offer a reduced charging rate for city dwellers who have no driveways. Taxi drivers and public transport operators will also be able to avail of the discounted rates. The EV hub is the first of its kind in Ireland and is located in Westside, which is a decarbonisation zone in Galway City. Mayor Mike Cubbard commented: "I'm delighted to see reduced cost electric car charging being introduced in Westside - particularly for people living in apartments or with no driveways who would like to switch to an EV, but are concerned about where they could charge their vehicle, or the cost of commercial charging. "Taxi drivers will also be invited to avail of a reduced rate for fast charging their vehicles to support a transition to EV vehicles in the city. The six spaces are fully accessible, so will cater to all mobility users, with significantly cheaper rates available for up to one hour of charging. "This project is a key action in Galway City Council's Climate Action Plan and will play a significant role in facilitating the move to electric vehicles in the city." The Galway hub is the first of four to be launched countrywide, with the others coming on stream in Letterkenny in Donegal, Waterford City and Dundrum in Dublin later in the year. The hubs are being delivered in a partnership between Trinity College Dublin, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), ESB and Enterprise Car Club. Funding is being provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2022. Mr Canney said: "I'm delighted to support the launch of the Westside EV Charging Pilot on behalf of the Department of Transport and ZEVI. "This is a smart and forward-thinking project that makes use of the building's existing electricity supply, along with solar panels and battery storage, to deliver fast and reliable charging for electric vehicle users. "It allows people charge with minimal impact on the local electricity grid, and it creates a convenient neighbourhood charging option for people living nearby or working in the area who may not be able to charge at home. This is the first of several EV charging pilots the department and ZEVI are supporting with local authorities in 2025. "The approach is designed to be scalable and easily replicated right across the country and support other national initiatives led by ZEVI, including the Shared Island Sports Club scheme and national roads/motorway schemes." The hubs will also serve as testing grounds for electric bike sharing and will allow people to try them out before buying one. The hub sites will include an ESB charge station with one e-cargo bicycle, four electric bicycles, and two shared EVs provided by Enterprise Car Club. The e-bikes can be used via the ESB e-Hub app on Android and iPhone. They will require a minimum wallet top-up of €10 to begin using the e-bikes and e-cargo bicycle service. The bikes will use a €1 unlock fee with the first minute free, and after that, the e-bikes rentable for €0.25 per minute and the cargo bicycle for €5 per hour. Both have daily caps of a maximum of €60 per day. Engineer at Galway City Council Colm Shaughnessy said: "Galway City Council is the first public body to provide EV infrastructure exploring solar and battery technology to power electric vehicles. Findings from this pilot will provide much-needed learnings to allow other local authorities and private EV suppliers provide much-needed EV charging without the requirement for large on-grid connections. "In particular, this set-up could be the ideal solution for rural locations where the on-grid capacity is not available for high-powered EV charging infrastructure. Other potential applications of this system include powering supermarket fridges or leisure centre pools, for example - so the learnings of this pilot could have significant impacts in the switch to more sustainable power options." Head of innovation at the ESB Group Donal Phelan, said: "We continuously strive to explore the potential of new technology to achieve ESB's Net Zero by 2040 goal through three key objectives: decarbonising energy, building resilient infrastructure and empowering customers to live more sustainably." He added: "Our commitment to sustainability and innovation is at the heart of this e-mobility hub pilot. Working with key partners to deliver this pilot ensures that we are collectively working towards a cleaner, greener, and more connected urban future."
