An upgraded taxi rank in Portland will provide taxi passengers with a safer environment to catch a cab, announced Gayle Tierney MP, Member for Western Victoria.
Glenelg Shire Council has received $62,628 of funding from the Victorian Government as part of the Taxi Rank Safety Program to improve lighting, seating, road treatment and signage at the rank.
The council is one of 13 municipalities across the State to apply for funding during the first round of the four-year, $4 million initiative that provides grants to improve the safety, quality and amenity of taxi ranks in areas of high usage.
“Taxi passengers and drivers deserve to feel safe when they use taxi ranks.
“A safer rank is good news for local taxi passengers who will have the peace of mind knowing they can safely catch a cab, especially at night.
“Equally, safer ranks will provide taxi drivers with additional safety when working during late at night and in the hours of the morning,” Ms Tierney said.
The Taxi Rank Safety Program is one of many initiatives by the Victorian Government to improve taxi safety.
The program builds on the Safe Taxi Rank trial, launched in 2007 at six taxi ranks in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, and a Monash University Accident Research Centre review of the trial which highlighted the need for additional infrastructure at popular and busy taxi ranks.
Applications for the 2010/11 round of funding as part of the Taxi Rank Safety Program are now open and must be submitted by 25 June 2010.
For more information about how to apply, councils need to visit www.taxi.vic.gov.au
Community groups, businesses and taxi companies with an interest in the program are urged to contact Glenelg Shire Council.