More Cabs On The Coast To Wait For New Minister

Central Coast Herald

Wednesday May 7, 2003

By JASON GORDON

THE arrival of a second taxi company on the Central Coast has been delayed by the recent State election and subsequent appointment of a new transport minister.

Scheduled to begin operations on April 1, the Sydney-based Premier Cabs was granted a licence this year to operate as many as 70 new cabs on the Central Coast.

This came despite opposition from Central Coast Taxis, which monopolises the market, and concerns from drivers.

In a brief statement issued yesterday, a spokesman for Transport Services Minister Michael Costa said: ``The Minister has asked for urgent advice about Central Coast Taxis and a range of concerns raised by the Minister for the Central Coast [John Della Bosca], local business people, the general community and Central Coast Taxis itself."When the new licence was revealed by the Herald in February, Transport NSW said there was ``a demonstrable need" for a second taxi company on the Central Coast.

The licence issue came several months after a director of Central Coast Taxis pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs by altering ``a mini-mum of 140" cab fare dockets.

A conviction was not recorded against the director but he was banned from operating cabs after his appeal on the matter failed.

Despite the delay, Premier Cabs said yesterday that it was keen to begin on the Coast.Managing director Peter Hyer said there was a demand for more cabs on the Coast, which had one for every 4000 people compared with Sydney's one cab for every 820 people.