More taxis by Christmas

THERE will be more taxis in Perth by Christmas, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan [?].
Up to 130 new taxis will be on the streets by the festive [?], with the aim of shortening waiting times and easing late-night pressures.

Ms MacTiernan outlined [?] for more seven-seater people-mover taxis, free lease periods for new operators and legislative changes to make [?] the industry easier.

``This week, we have [?] 30 taxi lease applicants that they have been successful. Next week, we will be advising another 35 [?],'' she said.

``In [?], we have opened advertising for another 35 taxi-plate leases.

``All new leaseholders will be advised that the lease rate of $250 a week for [?] licence plates will be cut to $200 if they use a people-mover vehicle, as long as the vehicle is approved by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

``We are looking at [?] a similar offer can be made to current plateholders.

``While these vehicles are more [?] in moving a large number of people, they are more expensive to and to operate.

``We are also advertising 30 peak-period taxi licences and are prepared to encourage new entrants into this sector of the [?] industry with a significant free-lease period to cover the cost of obtaining a taxi licence.''

Long waits for taxis have been an [?] complaint from some sections of the community.

Fremantle City Council council is looking at [?] security cars and running locals home free after they have been out on the town.

Ms MacTiernan foreshadowed amendments to the Taxi Act to allow plateholders to lease, rather than own, their vehicles.

The change would make entering the industry more [?].

``It could even [?] opportunities for local governments to purchase and lease taxis to ensure their area is serviced,'' Ms MacTiernan said.

``We will also change the Act to enable us to better enforce operating conditions and to [?] that privately owned taxi plates are actually attached to taxis, rather than [?] for their investment value.''

The Government would continue to [?] taxi services.

New strategies to [?] services for [?] taxi-users and during ultra peak periods were being considered.