NZTA Orders Auckland Taxi Company Off the Road

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has revoked the operating licence of an Auckland taxi company with a fleet of approximately 200 cabs.

The ‘Approved Taxi Organisation’ (ATO) status of AA Yellow Cabs Ltd was revoked with effect from 5pm on Thursday 18 February after NZTA investigations uncovered significant breaches of commercial transport law.

The company was successfully prosecuted by the NZTA twice in 2009 for breaches of transport law, and another three charges are pending.

NZTA Regional Manager Access and Use Andy Thackwray said the revocation action was initiated as a result of two NZTA investigations, which were prompted by ongoing concerns about the company’s ability to operate in a safe and legal manner. This investigation identified numerous offences under the Land Transport Act 1998 and associated legislation.

Specific issues which the company repeatedly failed to address include:

• Allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a taxi

• Failing to maintain a register of members and drivers

• Failing to notify the NZTA of a serious complaint against a driver
• Failing to comply with log on/log off requirements for drivers

• Failing to ensure that drivers adhered to published work rosters

Mr Thackwray said these issues had been brought to the attention of the company’s management last year, and the company had been given ample opportunity to make the improvements needed to bring their standards to the required level. He said while revocation was a last resort, the action demonstrated the NZTA’s commitment to improving compliance in the taxi industry throughout the country.

“These are serious breaches of regulations which are intended to protect the public, and this company has demonstrated an ongoing inability to operate in a safe and acceptable manner on numerous fronts. While we always endeavour to work alongside companies that are willing to improve their standards, if a company is either unable or unwilling to become compliant we will not hesitate to take action in order to protect the safety and security of the travelling public and ensure a level playing field for the industry,” Mr Thackwray said.

ENDS

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