minutes 28 Oct 2024

MINUTES: South Australian Rideshare Drivers and Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) Meeting Minutes -from the rideshare perspective. 28 October 2024

Meeting relates to: https://sites.google.com/view/adlridesharecorrespondance/dit

Start Time: 3:00pm

Present:

• Office of the Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP: Nick and Anthony

• Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT): Emma, Stuart(?)

• South Australian Rideshare Drivers Facebook Group Members: Andrew, Neil, Coralie, George, Ankur

Meeting Summary

1. Introductions and Background

   • All participants introduced themselves and Nick and Emma noted that rideshare services have been operating since July 2016.

   • Emma commented positively on the thoroughness and presentation of the document submitted to DIT  (The document: DIT-recommendations.pdf ). Neil clarified that the document included feedback from MV drivers, taxi drivers, and predominantly rideshare drivers. He mainly summarized what everyone said.

2. Consultation and Notification on the Review Process

   • The group raised concerns about not being informed of the review, despite sending two messages to the Minister's office during the review period. DIT staff explained that the review had been announced in the media.

3. Discussion on Key Recommendations and Issues

   • Recommendation 23: Safe Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zones in High-Traffic Areas

     • The group discussed the need for dedicated pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) zones for rideshare services.

     • Currently, temporary zones are only provided for events like the Adelaide Fringe.

     • Gawler Place – new road signs - Neil questioned whether rideshare drivers could legally pick up and drop off at Gawler Place, which has “No Standing” signs. Emma clarified that it was not permitted, raising further questions about accessible areas near Rundle Mall.

     • This brought up further discussion around accessibility -  especially the challenges for passengers with mobility issues who need convenient access to drop-off zones. No resolution found.

     • Flexi-Zone on Currie Street Near Leigh Street: The meeting was told that there is a trial of Flexishare zones in Currie Street on the northern side of Currie Street in operation after the 7 am -7pm Bus lane times finish operating 7 days of the week .This Flexishare zone is in the vicinity of Leigh Street. More information required here.

     • Lots of discussion.

   • Recommendation 2: Stronger compliance and enforcement to address safety and fraud was briefly discussed.

   • Recommendation 15: Removing unnecessary vehicle requirements, e.g., child seats for rideshare vehicles vs. taxis was discussed.

   • Recommendation 19: Requiring cameras in all point-to-point vehicles, ie in-vehicle cameras. Emma mentioned that long transition times are expected for mandatory in-vehicle camera implementation. Lots of discussion.

   • Recommendation 25: Review data management, collection, and sharing. MV quarterly data collection briefly discussed.

4. Specific Case Scenarios and Fines

   • Case on Page 32 of DIT Document 

o   Neil sought clarification on how a driver should have responded in the scenario described. While DIT staff provided a reasonable response, they declined to have it documented in the minutes. (Neil suggests that the driver appeal the infringement and request guidance from Adelaide City Council on how they would have handled this situation.   Send a  link to this document too, and let them know that their answer will be made public.  Please let us know their answer.)

o   Neil raised concerns over fines issued by Adelaide City Council ( adelaide-city-council (scroll down to the bottom – A18)) and as well  and Holdfast Bay ( city-of-holdfast-bay (scroll down to the bottom – G11) ), referencing the council’s Vehicle Compliance Technology video ( Vehicle Compliance Technology | City of Adelaide) which suggests that their software can identify rideshare vehicles. He questioned why, given this capability, rideshare drivers are still being fined, particularly when they are transporting passengers with mobility issues who need convenient access, like at the mall. Neil pointed out that many South Australians join platforms like Uber and DiDi to supplement their income in these hard times, yet these fines add financial strain on drivers who are simply trying to provide a legitimate public service. He expressed that these actions do not seem to prioritize the public good in South Australia. Neil proposed that DIT bring together representatives from each councils, DIT, rideshare groups, and the disability sector to work collaboratively on a solution. Without this, he warned, councils would continue to place the responsibility on the State Government, while the State Government would defer it back to the councils, creating a cycle of inaction.

o   Scenario G6 at the bottom of and city-of-holdfast-bay was also mentioned – Is this harassment?

o   Emma mentioned that Taxi Drivers were being fined relating to stopping on Yellow fines. I assume this is for drop offs or pick ups. 

o   Neil highlighted that there is currently no suitable drop-off location near 2KW, even on the side road that was previously accessible, which now has a yellow line prohibiting stops. This means that the closest legal drop-off point for a rideshare is on Pirie Street, more than 450 meters away. He emphasized the challenge this poses, particularly for passengers with mobility issues. Stuart acknowledged that he would face the same difficulties if he were drop off a family member, while Emma suggested that drivers would simply need to find a legal parking spot nearby.

5. Review Timeline

o   Neil inquired about the timeline for reviewing and updating the 29 recommendations. Emma estimated 6–8 weeks but indicated that no direct notification would be provided to the group. (Neils comment – after meeting: Personally I would like to see if any changes would have been made for the original  review document).

6. Additional Points

   • Underage Passengers

     • Coralie and George raised concerns about the legal prohibition against picking up passengers under 18.

   • Rider Education

     • The group reviewed an educational card for rideshare riders, accessible via QR code (Adelaide Rideshare Drivers QR Code Card). Nick and Stuart received a copy.

o   Report to the Federal Government - Neil briefly referenced a report submitted to the Federal Government (page 27); House Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training which can be accessed via federal-government.

6. •  Minister Tom Koutsantonis in group. Discussed banning him temporally since activity in group reduced significantly soon after he joined. Need to work out what has happened. Nick request to join,  but automatically got rejected by the facebook system because he did not answer the questions.  Feel free to join again Nick.

   • Coralie wanted to add one point which was not discussed in the meeting: [29/10/24] Mention the Rideshare designated sign pole at the Royal Adelaide Hospital .One lonely solitary parking spot. Definitely the sign is on "government" land  so it may set a precedent that if one of these signs have been approved adjacent to a taxi rank  why should they not be at taxi ranks everywhere? 

   • George had a few comments on how Uber treated drivers and how easy it was to be removed from the platform.

7. Next Steps

   • Neil offered to support DIT by facilitating feedback from the rideshare group via Facebook if they wanted to gather further driver insights.

   • Neil asked who benefits financially from the fines. Emma confirmed that councils receive the revenue.

o   Since Emma did not agree to send us minutes of this meeting,  we have created our own,  and are publishing them here since this is matter of public interest.  Please let us know if any changes are required.

7. • These minutes will be sent to interested parties once finalized.

8. Conclusion

The South Australian Rideshare Drivers Facebook Group emphasized the importance of aligning regulations with the practical needs of drivers and riders, particularly regarding accessible drop-off areas, fair enforcement, and fostering a supportive regulatory environment. The group expressed hope that feedback from this meeting would contribute to more balanced recommendations and improvements in rideshare policy.

End Time: 4:00 pm