Ian Brokenshire, General Manager of Blue Satr Taxis
DEREGULATION
During 1989, the government of the day deregulated the taxi industry. It
has meant a large increase in the number of cabs in Christchurch. Before deregulation,
there were two companies in Christchurch, Blue Star and Gold Band with about 310 cabs.
After deregulation, two new companies formed, but through internal conflicts,
these companies split up and there are now 10 additional companies and about 700 cabs
serving a population of 400,000 for the greater area.
Deregulation also meant the establishment of shuttle bus companies. These are
supposed to work from hotels, motels private homes and the airport, but are known to work
as taxis during busy occasions when large numbers of people are travelling.
THE NEW ZEALAND TAXI FEDERATION
This is the only organisation embodying the taxi industry that central and
regional governments listen to. It was established some years ago before deregulation with
the aim of having an organisation that would represent all the taxi companies throughout
the country.
It has some strict criteria for membership with special emphasis on the
company management and vehicle standards.
Rex Morrow
Consequently, since
deregulation, more companies have been invited to join the federation. It is felt that the
Federation will have more clout if there are a greater number of companies as members. The
taxi organisations are the members and subscriptions are based on the total number of
vehicles in each fleet.
The country is divided into fourteen regions, with branches for each region.
The Federation has an annual conference to which all owners in member companies are
invited to attend. There are a number of speakers and trade displays.
NATIONAL FLEET
We use standard cars and station wagons at present. I guess these are the
same as the mini cabs use......whoops, I swore - sorry! ..Hope that does not mean a yellow
card!
Since the advent of a deregulated economy, there have been a huge number of
second hand imported cars from Japan. For some cabbies, this has created a cheap way of
getting a diesel vehicle. However, for others, there have been disastrous results with
engine overhauls at 70,000 kilometres. The dealers have been winding the odometers.
Ford Australia is offering the only car that is specifically aimed for the
New Zealand taxi drivers. These are the Ford Falcon Taxi Pack vehicles with dual-fuel,
petrol and LPG factory fitted and can be configured for four or five passengers.
The Canterbury Regional
Council (covering the province of Canterbury) has mooted the idea that vehicles that are
capable of carrying all categories of passengers - for some time they have been suggesting
custom built vehicles - have now mentioned the London Cab.
At present, physically challenged passengers can travel in maxi taxis. There
are 10 seat vans that have the ability to carry wheelchairs which are lifted into the
vehicle with a hoist. These vehicles are paid a subsidy for set up costs by the regional
council
THE WHEEL TURNS
Changing tack, I spent some time in London during the mid 70's while
working for DHL International Couriers where at that time, the staff consisted mainly of
Antipodeans.
One occasion that sticks in my mind happened on the day of the annual Oxford
and Cambridge Boat race. Some DHL friends and I had agreed that we should go along and, on
the way, try all the ales that the various pubs in Chelsea and Fulham provided - all in
the cause of science, of course!
In all honesty, the latter was more important to us because of the useful
information gleaned (such as how many beers does it take before you fall over!).
After the race was over, we were refused a cab ride home and from what I
remember, it was no wonder... We must have looked like the customers from hell!! If it was
any of you at Dial-a-Cab, please accept my belated apologies!
If anyone reading Call Sign would like to know anything about the New Zealand
cab trade, please write to me via the magazine and I’ll try to answer you…
