Anyone who has ever flown into Merimbula will have heard airline staff ask if passengers require a taxi. If so they speak with ground staff and all being well a taxi is waiting for them, but not after October 14.
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For our all important tourists, there will be no more taxis to and from the airport, or to and from restaurants and accommodation.
As taxi service owner Jennifer Christie explained, taking locals to and from the airport and transporting tourists during summer “is a big part of the service that will be missed”.
What will parents of children with special needs do in order to get them to school? The taxi service operates five school runs.
What will our veterans do to get to medical appointments? And what effect will the demise of taxi service have on the numerous non-drivers who, like Avril Smith, use it as a social connection to get out and about?
Many of the people who use taxis have special needs and can’t get on and off buses or maybe need a little help to get in and out of the vehicle.
The owners of the local service have been trying to sell the business for some time but to no avail. We are told that although there were interested parties, banks will not lend money for a taxi business.
There is little doubt that regular taxi services have been hit by ride sharing services and the government’s response which has reduced the value of the business. The owners of the Merimbula and Eden service point to government policy which has seen the devaluation of taxi plates caused by the entry of Uber. They say the Point2Point regulations have caused a further decimation of the industry.
There is considerable concern about the approaching closure of this business and it has prompted people to start talking about what can be done. Bega MP Andrew Constance is aware of the closure and said they are keen to help through the taxi council. We will need the input of our federal and state representatives.
Local clubs may find they have a role in discussions given their have courtesy buses and also members who use taxi services on a regular basis. Accommodation providers and restaurant owners may also want to be active in a discussion.
This is a call to arms; we are not a backwater, far from it and have aspirations to be so much more. But we do need to investigate whether we can replace this valuable service in an area where transport options are already limited.