OPT Review Innovation Paper Consultation report. Undertaken from 15 March to 8 April April 2016 OPT Review Secretariat

Transcription

1 OPT Review Innovation Paper Consultation report Undertaken from 15 March to 8 April 2016 April 2016 OPT Review Secretariat

2 INTRODUCTION On 11 March 2016, the Opportunities for Personalised Transport (OPT) Review launched its first major paper the Innovation Paper. The Innovation Paper is a collection of academically developed papers, looking at innovation, digital disruption and the sharing economy both in the content of the personalised transport industry and the impact globally. The purpose of the paper was to start a discussions among the review s stakeholders around the challenges facing the industry, and the opportunities that might be available for the future industry. The paper was available on the OPT Review website in both PDF (full and individual papers) and as an interactive document, linking to the PDFs for more information. As at 12 April 2016, the full Innovation Paper has been downloaded 467 times since launching on 11 March. The five papers have also been downloaded individually: The disruptive forces of the sharing economy (Paper 1): 130 Industry adjustment: the Australian experience as at 25 February 2016 (Paper 5): 100 It s not yours nor mine, it s ours: Envisioning the innovative space of ridesharing in Queensland (Paper 2): 83 The impacts of car sharing and self-driving vehicles in future mobility (Paper 3): 79 Gamification in transport interventions (Paper 4): 53 ENGAGEMENT APPROACH To support the launch of the Innovation Paper by two major engagement activities online discussion forums and face-to-face panel discussions. These forums were promoted through s to stakeholders, on the OPT Review website, and via the OPT Review s social media channels. Online forums The purpose of the online forums was to encourage discussions among different stakeholders groups around the themes presented in the papers, and the possible challenges and opportunities for the future of the industry. Hosted on the OPT Review website, the five topics from the Innovation Paper were split into five separate discussion forums and held over two weeks: March 2016: o The disruptive forces of the sharing economy (Paper 1) o The impact of car sharing and self-driving vehicles in future mobility (Paper 3) March 2016: o It s not yours nor mine, it s ours: Envisioning the innovative space of ridesharing in Queensland (Paper 2) o Gamification in transport interventions (Paper 4) o Industry adjustment: the Australian experience as at 25 February 2016 (Paper 5)

3 The forums opened at 9am on the first day, and closed at 5pm on the last day. The discussions were driven by questions posed in the Innovation Paper, and open to anyone who had registered with the OPT Review website. The full discussions have been archived and available to view on the website s Engagement Hub. Summary 55 people participated in the five online forums, providing 2438 comments. The participants were represented by the following groups: Which group do you represent? Taxi or limousine booking company: 1 Taxi or limousine licence holder: 24 Taxi or limousine driver: 1 Taxi or limousine operator: 8 Rideshare driver: 2 Industry advocate group: 3 Business with an interest in / affiliation with the industry: 4 Carer: 1 User of personalised transport services: Percent

4 Themes During the discussions, a number of comments were shared about the current industry and its operations, as well as ideas, suggestions or possible changes for the future industry. These have been shared in their entirety with the taskforce, to consider as part of the Green Paper development. The comments from the five forums were grouped and summarised into some common themes, shared below. Because of this summary, not every comment has been included here. The full discussions are available to review on the OPT Review website under the Engagement Hub. Paper 1 The disruptive forces of the sharing economy Regulations have generally been implemented as a response to negative events, demands or outcomes Taxis are an essential community service; could/should be classified as part of the public transport system Taxis should be classified as public transport Government should buy back licences at rates prior to introduction of rideshare services Decreasing market value of Queensland licences Multi-national companies not paying Australian taxes, leading to loss of revenue for federal and state governments Future changes to legislation should ensure all companies comply with anti-discrimination legislation (providing an equal service for all), including discussion around current legislative requirements The experience and impacts of deregulation in other countries Opportunity to consider alternative regulatory and enforcement approaches The Uber experience impacts on drivers, company operations, for passengers Workers rights and recognition across the industry The definition of ridesharing and its similarity to a traditional taxi service New market entrants are welcome provided they abide by existing legislation The Queensland taxi industry and regulatory framework is more advanced than many international taxi industries The makeup of the Queensland industry regarding wheelchair accessible taxis, including the introduction of maxi taxis Cabcharge fees on eftpos payments compared to bank ATM fees and credit card service fees, and the need for transparency Reducing costs and requirements of regulation should reduce costs to government (additional money could be spent subsidising other sectors of industry) The need for compensation and assistance to transition to any new requirements or legislation Paper 2 It s not your nor mine, it s ours: Envisioning the innovative space of ridesharing in Queensland Self-regulation of the industry (and whether it would or wouldn t work) Any regulatory framework should encourage competition, and keep costs down for the industry Comparisons between the personalised transport industry, airline industry and electricity providers Employment conditions of rideshare drivers (and business planning of those drivers) Using rideshare or Maxi Cab services to replace low patronised bus routes (and providing better integration across the public transport network)

5 Market entry (and barriers to entry) and government restrictions Alternative technology to capturing trip and service information The focus and purpose of the review The sharing economy and the value it provides to the community The flexibility of the current legislation, and the need to review and strengthen it New market entrants and requirement to comply with existing legislation Safety and security requirements, and the use of technology The effectiveness (or not) of deregulating industries Paper 3 The impacts of car sharing and self-driving vehicles in future mobility The technology of driverless vehicles is too far in the future to be considered as part of the review Introduction and public acceptance of driverless vehicles will be slow. Also concerns about reliability and responsibility of the vehicles (particularly in the event of an accident) Regulation is required, and all parties should operate within the regulation Driverless vehicles more likely to add to increasing road congestion, rather than help it Integration with public transport networks Impacts of driverless vehicles on community transport networks Privacy, tracking and GPS (particularly through smart phones) The impacts of technological advances and its influences on society. Technology (and the world) is changing Understanding of why people appear to be moving to Uber Information recording and privacy in driverless vehicles Deregulation doesn t work for any industry Paper 4 Gamification in transport interventions: Why, when and where? Incentives for personalised transport industry are not warranted Gamification has some possibilities e.g. Learner Driver s and safe driving initiatives More effective incentives for changing behaviour would be real rewards over virtual rewards (like those received in a game) There needs to be a collective approach with all involved parties to ensure a level playing field There are examples that Uber already uses gamification techniques (e.g. leaderboards, driver ratings) Safer driving could be rewarded by lower CTP premiums or discounted insurances Paper 5 Industry adjustment: the Australian experience as at 25 February 2016 All sectors of the community must have equal access to services Customers are using Uber because they perceive it as cheaper, and will keep using it because they save money. Cheaper fares may move people from public transport to personalised transport (rideshare) The adjustment packages or measures of ensuring viability offered by NSW and ACT were not enough/adequate (e.g. exclusive access to rank and hail work; limiting compensation to two licences only). Age of vehicles The appropriateness of a levy on passenger trips

6 Panel discussions The purpose of the panels was to engage with key stakeholders on topics raised in the Innovation Paper, as well as to start conversations about what may change or impact on the future industry. The discussions were open to the public for viewing, and to raise questions on the day to the panel members. Eighty-four people attended the two events that were held, with one in Brisbane and one in Cairns. Both events were facilitated by Madonna King, to ensure discussions were kept on track and on focus, and encourage discussions and questions amongst the panel and audience members. The taskforce has made clear the importance of ensuring regional views, perspectives and concerns are heard throughout the review, to guide any proposed reform options which is why Cairns was chosen as the regional location. This was also the first time the taskforce had travelled to Cairns, which allowed them to meet stakeholders from the area. Both forums were also livestreamed via Periscope, an ios and Android app that can also be viewed on a PC. The videos from the events have been made available on the OPT Review website. Subsequent feedback indicates this may not be the most effective streaming tool for this information, so this will be further investigated before Green Paper consultation begins. Brisbane Held on Wednesday 6 April, 10am to 12pm, Pullman Hotel. 56 people attended the Brisbane event. The Brisbane panel was made up of four representatives: Benjamin Wash, TCQ Frank Bonomo, LAQ Paul Martyn, Advance Queensland John MacPherson, Queenslanders with a Disability Network Cairns Held on Friday 8 April, 10am to 12pm, Pullman Hotel. 28 people attended the Cairns event. The Cairns panel was made up of six representatives: Jim Varghese, OPT Review Taskforce Benjamin Wash, TCQ Geoff Parkes, LAQ Andrew Spina, Advance Queensland Troy Haines, The Space Cairns Lyn Coyle, Queenslanders with a Disability Network While Uber was invited to participate in both discussions, the invitation was declined.