Reduced taxi pick-up times and more cabs on the road will result from 13 additional taxi licences released today.

It is the first time a taxi ballot has been made available solely to Northern Territory taxi drivers who have been working in the industry for a long period of time providing the opportunity for experienced Territory cabbies to own and operate their own business.  

Department of Transport Chief Executive Andrew Kirkman said the NT commercial passenger vehicle industry had shown enthusiastic support for the 2016 Darwin taxi licence ballot with 85 applications received from Territory cabbies.

He congratulated the successful applicants of the taxi licence ballot, including some drivers who had been in the Territory taxi industry for more than 20 years who will now become their own employers.

“As a result of this ballot, 13 additional taxis will soon be on the roads in Darwin,” Mr Kirkman said.

“This will ensure improved taxi services for our residents and visitors, especially those who are less mobile.

“The release of new taxi licences is part of the commercial passenger vehicle industry review to help transition the Darwin taxi market to better meet customer demand and expectations.”

The ballot allocated:

• 4 multiple purpose taxi (MPT) licences. MPTs are designed to carry at least one passenger in a wheelchair; and

• 9 standard taxi licences.

The ballot was open to drivers who are accredited under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act, with  a satisfactory compliance history, did not already have a taxi licence, and have driven a taxi in the NT for the last five years.

The new licences build on the commercial passenger vehicle industry review undertaken in 2015 and are part of a package of initiatives approved by Government. 

Some of the new measures to be introduced to improve safety and services include, a reduction in credit card surcharges, pre-payments to combat fare evaders and the upgrading of in-car security systems.

Media contact: Bruce Cutler 8924 7010