Taxi Talk Magazine – Voice of the Taxi Industry – was the essential companion for the taxi owner, operator and driver in Victoria, Australia. The first issue of Taxi Talk hit the depots on the first day of May 1966. The first magazine to serve the whole taxi industry in Victoria. 50 years ago Taxi Talk was a small, pocket size magazine, 8" x 5". Then it became a B5 colour magazine produced monthly with contributions from all sectors of the Victorian taxi and associated industries and was written for all members, government and interested people, of the happenings in the Victorian Taxi Industry. It was for the taxi drivers, taxi operators, taxi owners, industry suppliers and service trade providers to keep abreast of the industry's news. Past Victoria Taxi Association President Allen Lang used to say: “The beginnings were small, however the aims and objectives were set – to get the facts and disseminate them effectively to the widest audience with provision for furores. Taxi Talk, so aptly named, has achieved its aims and continues to grow and be the premier taxi magazine in circulation. I have seen our convenient little soft cover magazine produced from Q.C. briefcases and bureaucrats' briefcases, at public hearings. I have seen it referenced to by Accountants, on Premier desks, in all its glory wrapped around handbrakes, under dashboards, in back pockets, in front pockets and all importantly, being read.”
Over the past 50 years there have been many and varied changes within the Victorian Taxi Industry; legislation implementation, livery, uniforms and depots, and Taxi Talk was there all the way, reporting on all that was happening. During this time we had a lot of growing pains, headaches and frustrations. We made a few mistakes and had a few successes too.
The decision to publish Taxi Talk as a medium for dissemination for taxi news constituted a progressive move by the publishers for the Victorian taxi operators and drivers. This was and still is an intriguing and complex industry. Taxis were and are a key part of the public transport mix in the State of Victoria.