Taxi Drivers In Mount Druitt Need More Protection!

According to a Taxi  Driver I met this evening there is a definite need for  protection for taxi drivers as some train and bus commuters, throw onions, tomatoes, eggs and other type of food missiles  from the top of the escalators area, directly onto the taxis on the taxi stand, waiting to pick commuters.

First of all, it is a stupid and ridiculous thing for anyone to do, joke or no joke as it doesn't show common decency that the majority of commuters have in Mount Druitt. Secondly, and on a most serious note, there could be a major incident where someone is badly hurt and affected, even worse could be another commuter!

This is where City Rail will have to block these  areas/gaps where the missiles are thrown from, preventing  harm and hurt to others.

Here is report from Ron - from our local area placed on WSPTU  Face Book Group - supports what taxi drivers are saying:

These photos are for the attention of the Mount Druitt Commuters. There is a potential danger to all who use the taxi rank day or night. I have raised this point with several levels of Government and none wish to address it. So at least I maybe able to bring it to your attention and hopefully save at least some one from being injured. As long as society have people who elect to throw items at buses,cars, trains or what ever , they do throw items over these windows with no regards as to the dangers . The buses have a roof preventing the discarded there but on the taxi side there is nothing . Items do get thrown over and possibly one day one of those glass windows could be smashed and that debris shower down on some one . Perspex Windows would be a lot safer I would think, that would relieve the broken glass potential but we need some sort of barrier for the other potential .

Central Train Station to Rooty Hill Train Station - Increased Services Required PM - Rooty Hill Commuter!

It doesn't take myself a long time before I make connections with commuters on public transport to get there feedback on any improvements they would like to see, so that there is total satisfaction given to all commuters. Each commuter's feedback is important and if not improved on now could be improved later.


So (don't laugh) I met a young John from Rooty Hill. He travels during the week return to Central for work. His main improvement he  would to see with public transport  is  more train services from Central to Rooty Hill as it seems to be a fight to get seats (second last train station from the City) from a current 20 minute service to 10 minute service in peak time pm, especially around 5pm. By  the NSW Government increasing services from on return trips to Rooty Hill from Central, John claims this will benefit other commuters besides himself that he is ware of.

Wow I am Touched - Reward For Helping a Lady Commuter!

If I see someone struggling with anything I will try to assist them. Wouldn't you?

So as I left the train this afternoon at Mount Druitt train station and walked on the platform, I had seen a female transport officer, carrying a quite large suitcase offering assistance to a disabled elderly lady walking with a cane in her right hand. Without any hesitation i offered to walk the suitcase (or roll it). to the top of the vestibule area. As we reached the top of the lift, I asked where she was going too - she advised it was the taxi rank and straight away she asked where where I was going, I replied the Bus interchange - she meant which suburb. 

When I advised her which suburb, it was 'Whalan' she was so pleased and said she is dropping myself home in the same taxi. She introduced herself as Robyn and explained how she had travelled from Port Macquarie area and when she reached Strathfield receives so much help from station assistants and security guards who assist her with luggage and even train guards assist her as well. This startled myself, that in this current modern day of age that so much courteous people are a round to assist one person!

In relation to myself assisting Robyn from Whalan  I was blown away by the offer of a trip home - this could be the start of payback for the voluntary work I do - but all I wanted was her life to be easier for 5 minutes at least!

Thank you Robyn for dropping myself home in a taxi prior to dropping yourself home. I would still assist someone without lifts to home, but very much appreciated! 

NSW Taxi Council - More Taxis On Road Yet More Current Drivers Under Financial Hardship!

A Transport Officer has got hot news regarding NSW Taxi Council  - there is a newly appointed Chief Executive Officer and new Deputy Chief Executive Officer and  more exciting news....

NSW Government is looking to place more taxis on the road, which enable more commuters to have a wider choice of taxi services, less waiting time etc but what is happening at the moment is a lot of taxi drivers are not making much money to feed and pay bills. There isn't enough trips around for the current rivers to make a profit for their  business.

This is now presenting a financial  crisis for and it could mean they a lot of taxi drivers will be forced to apply for voluntary bankruptcy. 

Mount Druitt Express Trains Required By Mount Druitt Commuter

Musa a very 'orange' appealing man - (to the sense of the word)from Mount Druitt has been travelling for over 14 years to and from mascot every day for his work. he catches train to Central and then transfers to  catch train to 'Greensquare' and from there walks 10-15 minutes to work to keep fit.


Musa's main concern is there is limited fast service trains from Mount Druitt to City  between 8.15m-9am Monday- Fridays and would like  to see extra service or two in the mornings. currently he claims that there is approximately 1-2 services within that period of time.


So solve this problem, he claims add an extra train station stop from  the Blue Mountains to Blacktown (which doesn't stop and Blacktown) problem solved.


Problem solved for us in Mount Druitt but would the Blue mountains commuters like it?

Another Mount Druitt Commuter Needs Newer Trains!

A young intelligent man this morning took off his beanie after sitting down on the train, heading to North Sydney. It is something I used to dread to any negative reactions when introducing our group to individual commuters travelling on the Western Line. He is another commuter that has noticed newer trains on the Cumberland line with refurbished trains. Thus his improvement  would be for the Western Line to have newer trains.

What he doesn't like is the switch around seats that don't 'switch around' and get stuck on the trains, still the seats are fantastic to sit on whether you are facing East or West!

What would you like?

                                   OR

Cars Parking At Taxi Stands In Plumpton Shops!

Yes this is true,  according to Paul from Blackett, that most of the time he catches taxis outside the Taxi stand at Plumpton Shops, there are private cars  parked blocking arrival of taxis.

The management of Plumpton Shops have been approached to request security guards to ensure there are no private cars on the taxi  - so far fallen on deaf ears. We will see if we can assist him with his inquiries and provide a further update. So far there are no fines issues or provided for this unfair practice.

This holds up commuters that need that essential public transport to take them home or their destination. Any delay is not required.

Mount Druitt Taxi Drivers Want Prepaid Taxis!

One of our  public transport services is  seeking better services in Mount Druitt to assist commuters.This service is a vital service that provides more private service than trains and buses but you pay extra for it. You probably use it for special occasions or if you have a lot of groceries or luggage to commute home or even you are running late for something and taxis will get you out of strife.

So yesterday I was speaking to a nice taxi driver and he was stating that they are fighting for amenities at Mount Druitt, so it makes their work environment safer and better. Like everyone else they are humans and all have to relieve themselves for human purposes, everyday.

The other issue that was niggling him was that that have a lot of  'runners' - not athletes that break world records  - no, same as trains and taxis what is otherwise known as 'Fare evaders'. The idea is like having 'Prepaid buses' instead it would be called 'Prepaid taxis' an be a vital way fro taxi drivers to survive and live without loss of income.

Here it is : If I approached a taxi driver at Mount Druitt taxi rank and wanted to commute to Emerton - the driver would give me an estimate travel cost, for example $15. If I have a credit/debit card the driver will accept the payment of $15.00 - I sign for it. He provides a receipt for it and takes me to the destination. Once the destination is reached the exact travel cost is $13.75, thus I would have to receive a refund on the credit/debit card or he would provide cash change of $1.25. Now if the fare was $17.50 the fare will have to be paid extra by myself either by credit/debit card or cash.

Now he dilemma is I do not have a credit/debit card - then an estimated cash receipt is given for $15.00 signed by myself as the cash amount provided  to the driver. Once the destination is reached the exact travel cost is $13.75, thus I would have to receive a refund of $1.25. Now if the fare was $17.50 the fare will have to be paid extra by myself either by cash.

So what do you think of this idea - it would be proposed that this would be used in certain times when this happen usually between 
7 pm night and 6.30am. This will illuminate the fearless crook that steals from taxi drivers thus more smiles on taxi drivers faces and provide more trustworthy commuters. Please provide some comment.

Mount Druitt Taxi Drivers Seeking Better Conditions!

Spotted this article in the Mount Druitt - St Marys Standard - here is the link: 

http://digitaledition.mtdruittstandard.com.au/#folio=013

I found it to be moving as it is true that taxi drivers need assistance in the taxi rank area and toilet services to assist them - they may be able to use the same toilets that bus drivers use underneath the escalators, in Mount Druitt interchange.

Yes, You Can Compliment Your Best Cabbie!

We always like to complain about things that are not done right but when it comes to thing or people doing thing to our satisfaction do we want to thank them? Maybe!

For me, I will always compliment when service or things are done correctly and lately I have been doing it a lot. Why shouldn't I! I believe that people should be credited for the good things they do!

So please note that any cabbie commuters can now compliment your own cabbie for exceptional service or exceeding customer service provided by any taxi driver: here are the details:
 




“Don’t forget to compliment your NSW cabbie on 1800 648 478”

 

One Of Our Group Members Has Inspired NSW Taxi Council Brochure On Flexible Taxi-Cabs And Maxi Cabs NSW!

Thank you Ivy Roberson. Ivy is the President of the Whalan Community Action Group, and Mount Druitt Combined Action Groups. Form the work go Ivy has been a member of our group and  provided support from  Local Hon. State Member for Londonderry Allan Shearan. I've listened, I have learnt, I have laugh and I have obeyed her.

Now I admire her for her stance in the Mount Druitt community. A stance that she should be proud of.  I am inspired that from the last Blacktown City Transport Forum last year. Her comments raised about not knowing of Flexible arranged Transport available within the Mount Druitt community - Taxi-cabs and Maxi-Cabs in New South Wales has inspired the representative from the NSW Taxi Council to produce brochures. Now this can be used to cover gaps in public transport not supplied to the community.

This means (for example only) if a taxi trip from Bidwill to Mount Druitt costs $10.00 for arguments sake, 5 community members could travel in the same taxi at a shared cost of $2.00 - or if a Maxi Cab is Ordered an average of 95 cents each based on maximum 11 passengers. I am not stating this is the fair for Bidwill to Mount Druitt - this just an example.

So this could fill in the gaps that others transport provide cannot provide to the Local Community For example where limited services are or even no services are provided. Further information  can be on obtained on the our link to the NSW Taxi Council or the local taxi operator.

Taxi Council news:

NEWS

FASTCARD Coming To Your Cab Soon!

Also currently about 11 percent of NSW Taxis are accessible!!!!!!


Thank you Ivy Roberson!

Refer to our original story on Maxicabs:
http://mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com/2011/01/maxi-cabs-good-idea-for-groups-of.html

Taxi Problems Around Mount Druitt - To Be Solved!

A  Mount Druitt commuter who knows the 'ins' and 'out' of the Taxi problems around Mount Druitt  provide an update as what the drivers want around Mount Druitt.


One issue is, all taxis on the stand facing the East of North Parade have a potential danger of rock missiles been thrown from the top of the walkway hotting and damaging taxis. It seems it falls on deaf ears so far! We will look at improvements for this!


Second issue is, that once the tax stand is fully lined up, normally the taxis will wait on the opposite side of North Parade facing West beside the external lifts and steps from the Mount Druitt train station. But they can;t as it is a drop off point for passenger vehicles,allowing commuters to catch the trains.


Lastly, the Mount Druitt Interchange is too small! Instead of having the Woolworth's petrol Station where it is - extend the Bus interchange to that side of North Parade, allowing access for taxis to  loop around the interchange - away for the dangerous walkway - giving the opportunity to commuter to take their choice of commuting transport to get them to their destination.


Some information for the commuters of Mount Druitt, taxi fares are normally based on a simple mathematical rule of calculation. It is four times the amount of  a bus fare based on a direct straight route from Point A to Point B


What we as commuters don't realise when we catch taxis is - that some drivers have to collect a fee from the fares before they actually keep their earnings.The information provided by a communityn member from a taxi driver is approximately $148 per day (currently).  Then he can earn his own living from there on - sometimes they don't earn  over this amount and have to pay from their pocket!

Maxi-Cabs - Good Idea For Groups Of Commuters!

We are enclosing a link to assist you with 'Community-cabbing' as I would call it but the New South Wales Taxi Council calls it "Maxi-Cabs' - great if your going out with a group of your friends and you all live in the same round about area. You all want to go out to the same place at night and then decide to return home at the same time. One set fare to make it fair for all.

Also the same group of friends, you all work in the same suburb and you all leave  to and from work approximately the same time.

A  group of your friends go out shopping and return the same time the Maxi-Cab could be good for you!

Here is the link for you to enjoy - a brochure advising of these maxi-cabs:-

http://www.nswtaxi.org.au/user_files/file/122434%20Flexible%20taxi%20Guide7.pdf

Now We Have Taxis On Board!

As a volunteer group, we don't have the manpower and resources to do the hours and hours of paid work that other government departments, politicians or  transport businesses can do. Yet. in the spare time, we have, we do make up for this lost time, with researching and community discussions ( individually) and from group of  people to groups of other people.

One problem I do not have is talking. My wife Nirmala can vouch for this and I'm sure my work colleagues can vouch for this as well.If I was a quiet person - I wouldn't not have been typing up this blog today.

Coming to the main point - I took the next directional step in our group after getting the City Rail on board to get the N.S.W. Taxi Council on board - so that they one day, we can talk to the community without any worry and provide update information of how they can help the community and what can  we do as a community do to assist the drivers. I do have a few ideas but at this stage I will reserve them until the right moment. We are yet to talk to the direct community representative from the Taxi Council - yet I have met him at the Blacktown City Transport Forum and he seems to be a well respected representative from the Taxi Council .

All I know that at the right time taxis can be very reliable when needed. This mode of transport  you  do pay more for but that is because it is more private use of public transport, inside the taxi and less public in side the taxi as well.

When I first rang the Taxi Council office I spoke to Jinkee and she advised they don't talk to the  public unless they receive  an e-mail first. When she told me that I felt they provide a brick wall and then they decide if they will contact you!  After speaking to Christina one of their executives she then denied they work that way and was more than welcome to discuss our group and how the Taxi Council can work with us.

Once I have any communication with them that is of relevance, will be able to advise yourselves through our blog.

Here is their website for your information:
http://www.nswtaxi.org.au/