Page 3244 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 23 August 2017
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Transport—on-demand transport review
MR PETTERSSON: Can the Minister for Regulatory Services update the Assembly on the planned review of the on-demand transport industry?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. The government is committed to evidence-based policy and working together to implement innovative ideas in Canberra in a safe and lawful way. That has been made evident by our approach to the on-demand transport industry. Since the legislation of ride share in the ACT, the government has been collecting data on the use of both traditional point-to-point transport options, such as taxis, and newer models including ride share. We have also been monitoring how each of the various sectors in the industry has been utilised. This has all been feeding into the upcoming promised review of the industry.
We have recently opened consultation to add to this data that we collected. We are seeking the opinions of those who work in the industry as well as those who use it. The level of feedback so far has been excellent. Early results indicate a strong approval for ride share. Well over 85 per cent say that it is making it easier for travelling around Canberra, and over 85 per cent say the ACT is better off because of the reforms. But Canberrans have suggestions for improvement too, and the evaluation team is reviewing these suggestions carefully.
My directorate is looking at the data, speaking to people to see how it is impacting on the people of Canberra and those working in the industry as well as gathering information from the community on what expectations and what needs they have from the industry. I look forward to receiving the report by the end of the year, their analysis of the industry and any further suggested improvements we might be able to make.
MR PETTERSSON: Can the minister outline why the government is undertaking this review?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Mr Pettersson for the supplementary question. We should not forget that the ACT was nation-leading in these reforms. On 30 October 2015 this government enabled the introduction of ride share services in the ACT and reduced unnecessary regulatory costs for taxis and hire cars.
Consumers are at the centre of the reforms. We want them to benefit through competition, through better use of technology and through more choices, something that Canberrans certainly asked for when this process began. The government also wanted to support other things that Canberrans wanted for themselves and the community. This included on-demand travel that is safe, efficient, accessible, good value for money and a pleasant experience every time one travels in a taxi, through ride share or in a hire car. The community also expects a high quality wheelchair-accessible taxi service in the ACT, meeting the on-demand transport needs of all Canberrans.
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