AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE CAR REGULATIONS

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 12 of 1956

	The prime purpose of these amendments to the Regulations is the alteration of the fares which may be charged by taxis.  The alterations are as follows:–

(i)	The booking fee is omitted.

(ii)	The mileage rate is increased from 1/6 d. to 1/9 d. per mile.

(iii)	The charge for waiting time is increased from 12/- to 15/- an hour.

	The following minor amendments are made at the same time:–

(a)	Regulation 18(2) is amended to enable the Registrar to exempt the holder of a taxi licence from the provisions of sub-regulation (1) in any particular as well as from the provisions of the sub-regulation as a whole.  This will enable a taxi to continue to operate while the taximeter is out of order but is still installed in the taxi.  The meter will be clearly marked to indicate that it is not operating.

(b)	Regulation 26 is amended to require that there be exhibited on the windscreen and back window of a taxi the minimum fare as well as the flag-fall and hire charge.

(c)	Regulation 26 is amended to provide also that the notices may be placed anywhere on the windscreen.  The present position has been found unsatisfactory in practice in some cases.

(d)	The provisions of Part VI (Use of Signs) are widened so that there may be displayed on the top of the taxi a sign bearing the word ‘TAXI” but nothing else.  This sign must not be illuminated at night when the taxi is not available for hire.