No-show taxis rankle

By Tania Martin
TOURISM operators are calling for better taxi services across the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley with many visitors being kept waiting hours for a cab.
One bed and breakfast owner has even started offering a complimentary car service to her guests because getting a taxi is often impossible.
Dandenong Ranges Tourism’s Michael Axel said there are just not enough taxis, especially locally run, on the road.
He said many reception venue events across the hills finish at the same time and often it was not possible to get a cab to a client in a reasonable time period.
Mr Axel said when looking at issues with the public transport system, the State Government needs to look at taxi services.
Mr Axel said the limited taxi service and other public transport infrastructure also restricted what tourists could do while visiting the region. “It really does affect the experience a number of visitors up here,” he said.
Holly Gate House’s Loraine Potter said it was not just at night that it was difficult to get a cab.
Just last week she ordered two taxis for a family of five because they couldn’t get a larger cab. Then only one of the cabs actually turned up.
“Half of the family had gone off to where they were going and the other half were waiting two hours for the second taxi and that’s not unusual up here,” Ms Potter said.
Dandenong Ranges Taxi Services’ Garry Abbott said he has been campaigning for the State Government to realign the taxi boundaries and to help provide more cabs for the Dandenong Ranges.
Mr Abbott said calls go to 13CABS but only after the request has been left unattended is his company called in to help.
Mr Abbott believes the area should be realigned to Dandenong Ranges which would mean the calls would come straight to his service or other cab companies in the area.
The Mail contacted the State Government but was unable to get a response before going to print. • More stories, page 12