Gold Coast company Black & White Cabs says their drivers followed strict protocols when ferrying hotel quarantine passengers

A Gold Coast taxi company has responded to concerns their drivers weren’t following protocol when taking passengers from Sydney hotspots to hotel quarantine.

• Coast tourism boss weighs in on Victoria’s latest lockdown
• Where over-18s can get the Pfizer Covid jab on the Coast

A GOLD Coast taxi company has dispelled concerns their drivers weren’t following protocol when taking passengers from Sydney hotspots to hotel quarantine.

Black & White Cabs confirmed their company was approved to transfer hotel quarantine passengers in dedicated vehicles that were not available for public use.

However, a spokeswoman said the company hadn’t received a request on Thursday from Queensland Health to transport passengers under hotel quarantine orders via the Gold Coast Airport.

Black & White Cabs confirmed their company was approved to transfer hotel quarantine passengers in dedicated vehicles that were not available for public use. Picture: File.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

“We take our driver, and the Queensland public’s safety seriously, and any airport arrivals are being transported in accordance with the approved Queensland Health plan by dedicated vehicle,” she said.

The reports happened just weeks after a Gold Coast taxi driver alleged he and other drivers were failing to sanitise their cabs after transporting Victorians under hotel quarantine orders during the start of Victoria’s fourth lockdown.

The man, who did not want to be named, said drivers were paid the same flat rate of $65 regardless if they were transporting a passenger from Victoria or a local from Bilinga to Surfers Paradise. 

Black & White Cabs has dispelled concerns their drivers weren’t following protocol when taking passengers from Sydney hotspots to hotel quarantine. Picture: Scott Powick.

He said because of this and the fact they were suffering a 50 per cent drop in revenue, drivers were not abiding by the Queensland Government’s strict cleaning regime because it took too long.  

“People need to be aware this is happening,” he said.

“The (Queensland) government has double standards. They have one standard one day and another the next day. There is no consistent message and it doesn’t make it safe for any of us.

“We could drop off someone from Victoria and then two hours later we could be picking up a cancer or leukaemia patient from the hospital."

Coast cabbie’s shock claims about hotel quarantine trips

June 3, 2021

A TAXI driver says Gold Coasters are at risk of catching COVID-19 because drivers are allegedly failing to sanitise their cars after ferrying Victorians from the airport to hotel quarantine at Surfers Paradise.

The driver, who does not want to be named, said drivers were not paid extra to transport Victorians to hotel quarantine and time spent sanitising the cab was lost revenue.

The man said drivers were paid the same flat rate of $65 regardless if they were transporting a passenger from Victoria or a local from Bilinga to Surfers Paradise.

He said subcontractors were also suffering a 50 per cent drop in revenue due to Victoria’s lockdown.

Because of this, the man said he and fellow drivers were not abiding by the Queensland Government’s strict cleaning regime after dropping off passengers to hotel quarantine.

“People need to be aware this is happening,” he said.

People line up at Epping hall to get tested for COVID-19 in the latest outbreak in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

WHERE OVER-18s CAN GET COVID JAB ON COAST

“The (Queensland) government has double standards. They have one standard one day and another the next day. There is no consistent message and it doesn’t make it safe for any of us.

“We could drop off someone from Victoria and then two hours later we could be picking up a cancer or leukaemia patient from the hospital.

“And I’m not saying they (Victorians) all have COVID, but there’s a small chance one of them does.”

The man said he had a “massive blue” with a Queensland Police officer at Gold Coast Airport for refusing to transport a Victorian passenger.

“I’ve got a family, I’m not going to risk taking (the virus) home,” he said.

“It’s ridiculous. I was stood down for a 30-minute penalty for refusing to take that passenger. It’s not fair.”

A Queensland Health spokesman said endorsed transport providers consisted of buses, private transport companies and taxis and some had dedicated fleets and groups of drivers. Picture: Scott Powick.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

A Queensland Health spokesman said endorsed transport providers consisted of buses, private transport companies and taxis and some had dedicated fleets and groups of drivers.

“Our transport providers are endorsed through a rigorous system as part of an endorsed transport plan, including having detailed cleaning and safety measures in place,” the spokesman said.

Follow @CallcottJodie