No-show sparks frustration over bookings
By Kirra Livingstone
A SUNSHINE Coast cab company has defended taking bookings from hinterland customers despite knowing that it may not be able to provide the service due to a lack of drivers.
Customers have reached out to GC&M News over frustration at booking a taxi only for the cab not to arrive.
Patrick Wiggins said he was left stranded at Landsborough train station at 11.30pm, despite pre-booking a cab.
Mr Wiggins, who was returning from a work trip in Cairns, said he had booked a Suncoast Cab in advance to coincide with his train arrival from Brisbane Airport.
After several calls, he was eventually told it was unlikely a taxi would arrive.
“It’s a bit of a failure of the public transport system. The Sunshine Coast Council’s website indicate that cabs are a part of the network, and that it runs 24/7,” he said.
“I think it’s wild that just because it’s later in the evening, it’s no longer a serviced area.”
Suncoast Cabs said they only have one driver in the Glass House/Beerwah region, and one in the Maleny area.
But the company said it still took bookings—regardless of whether it can be fulfilled.
“We accept all bookings and then search for a taxi to cover the booking,” Suncoast Cabs General Manager, Adam Stewart, said. “We try hard to deliver a taxi service.
“In the event that we can’t (after trying) we then advise passengers that we can’t deliver.”
Mr Wiggins said he was forced to reach out to family on the coast for a lift before eventually arriving home at 1am.
“I wasn’t concerned for my safety, I was more concerned about how I was going to get home and considerations like, am I going to have to sleep at the train station?” he said.
He said a bigger concern was the potential impact on the elderly or unwell.
He added that additional late-night bus services should be considered to help fill transport gaps if taxis cannot meet demand.
Mr Stewart said that Suncoast Cabs is restricted to one licence in each hinterland region, due to state government regulations. “The Queensland Government has not increased the number of taxis in Queensland for over 12 years,” he said.
“Taxis from outside the two hinterland areas cannot pick up the in these areas.
“That means that a Suncoast Cabs or a Black & White Cab from Brisbane, Redcliffe or Bribie cannot pick up in Maleny or Glasshouse/Beerwah.”