The CPVV undertook a trial of the MPTP scheme with Uber in Geelong from 22 March to 31 May 2020 – at the start of Victoria's COVID-19 lockdown.

The subsequent results of the government orchestrated trial, where they judged Uber's services, are BASED ON 170 TRIPS conducted during this period.

This works out to be a sample size of LESS THAN 0.15% of the average MPTP trips during October and November 2020 - not 5%, not 10%, not 20%, but LESS THAN 0.15%.  How is this data sufficient to make a judgement call?

And if you look at July 2019-June 2020 figures, the CPVV reports that 4.7 MILLION MPTP TRIPS were undertaken in that 12 month period.

​The Victorian Regulator (CPVV) has announced that it has PARTNERED with Uber and is allowing Uber to participate in the MPTP system – the subsidy scheme that allows people with a severe or permanent disability to get a 50% subsidy when travelling in taxis.  How ridiculous!!

There are so many things wrong with this.  Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, how can you condone this action?  How can you allow the Regulator to decimate the taxi industry?

Wasn’t it bad enough that the Victorian government allowed Uber to operate illegally for 3 years and infiltrate the Victorian taxi and hire car industry?  But now you have hit them in the guts again.

All Victorian CPVs (ie taxis, hire cars, limousines, special vehicles, ride share (including Uber, Didi, Shebah, GoCatch, Ola) must be cleaned after each trip (including after personal usage).

​You must correctly clean high-touch services in a CPV at the right times. You must also keep a record of every time you clean. If you work with a booking service provider (BSP) or CPV owner, they must take reasonable steps to support you.

When to clean

You must clean all surfaces passengers are likely to touch before every trip.

Amazon.com Inc.’s Zoox unit has pulled back the curtains on a homegrown self-driving taxi that can cover up to 75m/h (10 km/h) and drive more than half a day on a single battery charge.

The self-driving taxi (pictured) debuted by Zoox this morning is about 12 feet (3.65 metres) long, has no steering wheel and can seat four passengers. A specially developed airbag system is attached to each seat. Under the hood, an artificial intelligence driving system pilots the taxi with the help of road data collected by lidar sensors, radars and cameras placed on the vehicle’s exterior.