Latest news with #SafeTransportVictoria
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Teacher suspended over sexual misconduct allegations working as ride-share driver
The suspended teacher is still under investigation by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. Children are allowed to travel in an Uber only when accompanied by an adult, but reports suggest that an increasing number of teens use the services alone or with their peers. Currently, if a driver thinks a passenger is underage, they are encouraged to ask for some identification for confirmation. If a rider is underage, drivers can decide to cancel the trip, Uber said. Uber is also introducing Uber for Teens in the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, in which children aged 13 to 17 can travel alone with their guardians' permission. This program is expected to be rolled out nationally. This masthead asked Uber whether the company planned to introduce mandatory working with children checks for all its drivers for safety and consistency. It did not answer the question. Instead, an Uber spokesperson said safety was a top priority and that all drivers were 'required to pass a criminal check in accordance with each state's ride-sharing regulations before being eligible to receive trip requests'. The spokesperson said: 'Safety does not begin and end with a background check – our technology makes it possible to focus on safety for riders and drivers before, during and after every Uber trip.' George McEncroe founded Shebah, a ride-sharing business for women, in 2017 and mandated that all drivers had a working with children check. She said the process was expensive and time-consuming, but it added a layer of protection and was in line with community expectations. 'I would always think if something were to happen, all I could say is that I used every available mechanism to ensure the safety of the people in our care,' she said. Loading McEncroe said people using ride-shares and taxis should be considered vulnerable. 'They're in a foreign city, they've had too much to drink, or they're too old to drive or too young to drive,' she said. The Victorian government did not answer whether it was considering requiring all ride-share drivers to have working with children checks. A Safe Transport Victoria spokesperson said taxi and ride-share drivers were required to pass stringent background checks before offering services, including their national police, criminal and driving history and medical assessments. Safe Transport Victoria receives updates from Victoria Police regarding charges and convictions. Loading The agency suspends drivers who are charged with serious offences – violent or sexual offences, sexual offences committed against a child or person with cognitive impairment, serious motor vehicle offences, child abuse offences and terrorism – and cancels their accreditation upon conviction. In addition, taxis have mandatory security cameras and the government recently announced it will legislate to require cameras to record audio in addition to vision.
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Teacher suspended over sexual misconduct allegations working as ride-share driver
The suspended teacher is still under investigation by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. Children are allowed to travel in an Uber only when accompanied by an adult, but reports suggest that an increasing number of teens use the services alone or with their peers. Currently, if a driver thinks a passenger is underage, they are encouraged to ask for some identification for confirmation. If a rider is underage, drivers can decide to cancel the trip, Uber said. Uber is also introducing Uber for Teens in the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, in which children aged 13 to 17 can travel alone with their guardians' permission. This program is expected to be rolled out nationally. This masthead asked Uber whether the company planned to introduce mandatory working with children checks for all its drivers for safety and consistency. It did not answer the question. Instead, an Uber spokesperson said safety was a top priority and that all drivers were 'required to pass a criminal check in accordance with each state's ride-sharing regulations before being eligible to receive trip requests'. The spokesperson said: 'Safety does not begin and end with a background check – our technology makes it possible to focus on safety for riders and drivers before, during and after every Uber trip.' George McEncroe founded Shebah, a ride-sharing business for women, in 2017 and mandated that all drivers had a working with children check. She said the process was expensive and time-consuming, but it added a layer of protection and was in line with community expectations. 'I would always think if something were to happen, all I could say is that I used every available mechanism to ensure the safety of the people in our care,' she said. Loading McEncroe said people using ride-shares and taxis should be considered vulnerable. 'They're in a foreign city, they've had too much to drink, or they're too old to drive or too young to drive,' she said. The Victorian government did not answer whether it was considering requiring all ride-share drivers to have working with children checks. A Safe Transport Victoria spokesperson said taxi and ride-share drivers were required to pass stringent background checks before offering services, including their national police, criminal and driving history and medical assessments. Safe Transport Victoria receives updates from Victoria Police regarding charges and convictions. Loading The agency suspends drivers who are charged with serious offences – violent or sexual offences, sexual offences committed against a child or person with cognitive impairment, serious motor vehicle offences, child abuse offences and terrorism – and cancels their accreditation upon conviction. In addition, taxis have mandatory security cameras and the government recently announced it will legislate to require cameras to record audio in addition to vision.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Two-strikes rule to slam brakes on dodgy taxi drivers
Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown. Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW. The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions. A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled. "There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday. Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis. The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said. Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities. Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting". The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour. "This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said. But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike. "Either one can be the offender," he told AAP. Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars. He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown. But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors. "If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said. "You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out." Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown. Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW. The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions. A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled. "There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday. Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis. The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said. Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities. Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting". The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour. "This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said. But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike. "Either one can be the offender," he told AAP. Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars. He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown. But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors. "If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said. "You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out." Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown. Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW. The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions. A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled. "There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday. Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis. The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said. Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities. Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting". The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour. "This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said. But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike. "Either one can be the offender," he told AAP. Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars. He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown. But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors. "If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said. "You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out." Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown. Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW. The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions. A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled. "There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday. Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis. The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said. Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities. Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting". The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour. "This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said. But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike. "Either one can be the offender," he told AAP. Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars. He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown. But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors. "If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said. "You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out."
Perth Now
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Two-strikes rule to slam brakes on dodgy taxi drivers
Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown. Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW. The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions. A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled. "There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday. Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis. The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said. Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities. Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting". The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour. "This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said. But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike. "Either one can be the offender," he told AAP. Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars. He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown. But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors. "If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said. "You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out."
