Nick Xenophon’s SA Best promises taxi relief in wake of Uber taking over the streets

PAYOUTS and concessions are on the table for taxi drivers feeling the heat from Uber if Nick Xenophon secures the balance of power.

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TAXI drivers would get a $10,000 handout under a plan being promised by SA Best leader Nick Xenophon.

Mr Xenophon has promised a raft of new measures to support taxi drivers who he described as South Australia’s “forgotten people”.

“This is all about fairness for struggling small businesses and drivers, as well as passenger convenience,” Mr Xenophon said.

Mr Xenophon, said the sector — which employs about 3000 people and is worth over $150 million a year — has been impacted significantly by the introduction of Uber in 2015.

SA Best Leader Nick Xenophon looks at cab record books from taxi driver Barrie South of West Beach during a press conference. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Under the plan

TAXI plate owners would be provided with an additional $10,000 payment in the next financial year based in part on three years of additional revenue received into the compensation fund;

THE current licence fee of $85 currently being charged for all taxis, hire cars and Uber vehicles will be increased to $600 to raise $2 million a year for a compensation fund for taxi drivers;

MAXIMUM age of taxis will be increased from 6.5 years to eight years or 700,000kms — or whichever comes first;

NOT for Hire signs will be reinstate on hire cars and Uber vehicles to make clear that they cannot be hailed and

REGISTRATION fees for taxis will be reduced from about $6000 to $4500.

Mr Xenophon has also promised an independent review to examine the long term viability of the industry and appropriate transition plans as part of a long-term solution.

“The introduction of Uber in South Australia has had a profound and forever-changing impact on the taxi industry in this state, and as such, is in urgent need of reform,” Mr Xenophon said.

“Taxi owners have been hit particularly hard with the value of their plates plummeting from $400,000 to the point where the market has collapsed,” he said.

The promise came as Mr Xenophon identified six seats — Giles, Hartley, Chaffey, Heysen, Mawson and Port Adelaide — that he believes are his party’s best chances at next week’s State Election.

“They are the six obvious seats based on what some pundits and polls are saying,” Mr Xenophon said.

“But I do think there are still some wildcards seats.

“All of our candidates are working hard.”