Taxi!

While looking through the Townsville Bulletin for story ideas a few weeks ago, I came across an ad for an information night being held for prospective taxi drivers at the Yeatman Street headquarters of Townsville Taxis. I booked myself a spot, and a couple of nights later found myself sitting in a conference room with ten other people to learn what it takes to get behind the wheel of a cab in Townsville. One of the company's older drivers came in to share some real world tales of life on the road and it soon became evident that a few of the guys sitting around the table had worked as taxi drivers before and were there to see what they needed to do to re-enter the industry. 

The process doesn't seem to be too difficult, though there's lots of paperwork. Candidates need to have an open Queensland drivers licence, pass an English assessment and obtain a health clearance from their doctor. If they meet these basic standards, they then have to enrol in a seven module training course that covers the operational aspects of taxi driving including safety, customer service, financial transactions and communications. They also have to get their hands dirty and demonstrate they can change a wheel. Drivers may also choose to complete an eighth module that allows them to operate wheelchair accessible cabs.

After successful completion of the four day course, the would-be cabbie takes his or her growing pile of documentation to the Department of Transport and Main Roads. There, after handing over approximately $125 for a criminal check and a processing fee, the driver eventually receives a Provisional Driver Authorisation, which is valid for six months.

The driver then does 40 hours of unpaid workplace experience, the first 36 hours as a passenger and then the final four hours undergoing practical assessment, before being signed off to work as a taxi driver. Cabbies work as self-employed drivers, usually picking up 50 percent of the money they take on a shift. Working hours are flexible, some drivers prefer to work nights, others have full-time jobs and pick up casual taxi shifts at the weekend. 

While it was an interesting evening, I don't see my future in the taxi industry. Most of my experiences in cabs have been  the result of boozy, blurred trips to the pub, experiences apparently much more suited to my new adventures in the world of journalism. I'll stick with what I know.