Getting around by taxi

The following is a summary of the results of COTA ACT’s survey Transport Solutions for Older Canberrans, specifically as they relate to respondents who use taxis to travel in Canberra.

How many respondents travel by taxi?

Of the 437 respondents to the survey, 15% (63 people) said that they usually use taxis to get around in Canberra, and only 2% (7 people) said they usually use wheelchair-accessible taxis (WATs). But this percentage rises to 30% and 5% respectively of people with a mobility or health condition.

Who travels by taxi?

Most respondents who used taxis were 70 or over, as the chart below shows.

Over half (52%) of the respondents who ‘usually’ use taxis have a mobility impairment or health condition which makes it hard for them to use ACTION buses. In 59% of cases, the impairment has to do with not being able to physically get on the bus.

Looking at the income source of this group, 37% are pensioners (about 10% more than the respondent average overall), while 34% are self-funded retirees (often not a very prosperous group at the moment). About 22% are part-pensioners, relying on the pension plus some of their own funds.

Around three quarters of the people who ‘usually’ use taxis also use buses, while 58% drive and a little over a quarter use community transport. Only 13 respondents ONLY use taxis.

What problems do taxi users have?

Many respondents who use taxis still find it hard to get around (which supports the common view of taxis as an occasional but expensive option). Many (a third) find it very hard to get to medical appointments, which is surprising considering that this would be an obvious use for taxis.

Why is it difficult?

Respondents were asked to give reasons for finding it hard or very hard to get to their destinations (either choosing from a list or suggesting their own reasons).

Of taxi users, a third said that they couldn’t afford the taxi fares (31% of non-users said the same thing).

29% of this group (compared to 17% of respondents overall) dislike catching taxis because of the behaviour or attitude of taxi drivers. 77% of these respondents are female (compared to 64% of respondents overall). Older women are often more concerned about their personal safety than older men. 12% of the group said that they couldn’t book a taxi when they needed one.

Comments throw more light on older people’s issues with taxis:

“Some drivers still smoke - I'm asthmatic….Plus they speak in their language attached to their mobile phone so it is hard to converse or convey ,and they are rude. Some make you feel threatened or unsafe . One has refused to take a taxi voucher.”

“They …won't pick up other than at the taxi rank even if you book.”

“I use taxis occasionally but they don't like to take you short distances - which is what I need for evening performances. I live close to the city and COULD walk or bus, but I don't feel safe doing that at night.”

What might help?

The survey asked people to select three out of a list of options to improve transport (they could also choose none, or make their own suggestions).

42% of taxi-users (compared to 26% of non-users) said they liked the idea (suggested in the survey) of a discounted group taxi.

Below is a chart showing how much this group said they would be prepared to pay for same-day flexible on-demand transport from their homes (or nearby) to destination. More than half would not be prepared or able to pay very much. It can be assumed that unless taxi fares come down to this level, most older people wouldn’t use taxis as a regular form of transport, but the survey results do imply that more people would use taxis, more often, if they were somewhat cheaper, (perceived as) safer, and more reliable.

Conclusion

The survey indicates that many older people have concerns with taxis, which centre around expense, driver attitude, and reliability. On the other hand, taxis are a mode of transport which could meet the needs of older Canberrans very well, at least some of the time. They are (or could be) cheaper, disability-friendly, ‘flexible on-demand’, and convenient. In Brisbane, for instance, some taxis are integrated into community transport schemes, presumably to the benefit of both the older or disabled taxi user and the taxi service providers.

Questions for discussion

  • Why and when do you choose to use taxis (rather than another form of transport)?
  • What is the main problem you experience using taxis? If you don’t use taxis, what stops you?
  • Do you ever combine taxis with other transport options like buses or community transport?
  • How ‘disability-friendly’ are taxis? How ‘age-friendly’ are they?
  • If you could change one thing about taxis to make it easier/more convenient for you to use them, what would it be?
  • What are the limitations of using taxis? What can’t be changed? Why not?
  • What should be changed? What would it take?