Melbourne taxis: Safe Transport Victoria suspends drivers over accreditation

In another blow to the troubled industry, taxi drivers are being forced off Melbourne roads — here’s why.

There will be fewer taxis on Melbourne roads after Safe Transport Victoria began suspending drivers for not paying their annual fees. Picture: Ian Currie.

Taxi drivers are being forced off the roads because of delays in processing accreditation payments.

Drivers have told the Herald Sun they have been suspended by Safe Transport Victoria for not paying their annual accreditation fees.

But they insist a lag in processing payments is to blame — claiming it has taken up to 12 weeks for payments to be recognised.

All commercial passenger vehicle drivers must hold current accreditation which includes background checks and medical assessments.

Once accredited, drivers maintain their accreditation through the payment of an annual $34 fee.

Drivers who do not pay the annual accreditation fee by the due date lose accreditation and must reapply.

Transport Matters leader Rod Barton said issues with driver accreditation had been present since the industry was deregulated.

All commercial passenger vehicles must hold a current accreditation.

He said the watchdog had stopped mailing out renewal notices for driver certificates in 2017 and that this remained on pause during the pandemic.

It returned last year.

It meant there was little oversight over who was still working in the industry and who had exited.

“It actually cost the Victorian taxpayer tens of millions of dollars in renewal fees,” Mr Barton said.

“The industry has lost confidence in the regulator.

“We know we’ve got trouble in the industry but more importantly the punters know.”

Mr Barton said there should be an inquiry into the performance of the industry following issues highlighted over the summer such as taxi drivers at the Australian Open refusing customers or demanding excessive set fares.

“We’ve got thousands of vehicles running around unaccredited, they do not know what’s going on.

“There are more major events coming along in the calendar.

“I’m staggered that we’ve heard nothing from the government about addressing the issues that were raised.”

A government spokesman refused to say how many taxi drivers were currently suspended for non payment of accreditation.

She also refused to respond to questions regarding the alleged delay in processing payments.

“Safe Transport Victoria contacts drivers numerous times in the months before their annual accreditation fees are due, in addition to reminding drivers about fees payments in newsletters and on social media channels and working directly with booking service providers,” she said.

“The Government’s reform of the commercial passenger industry has significantly reduced barriers to entry, resulting in more service providers and more choice for passengers than ever before.”