Contents
What types of taxis can you use? 3How to book taxis safely 4 What to do if you have not booked a taxi 5Paying for the taxi ride 7Other ways to be safe in taxis 7How to make a complaint 9Who else can help? 10
Staying safe in taxis | 2
Easy English Version
This book tells you how to be safe when you use
a taxi.
What types of taxis can you use?
There are two types of taxis you can use
ordinary taxis
or
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis.
If you use an ordinary taxi the driver may be able
to help you a little bit.
Ordinary taxis cannot carry passengers with
wheelchairs
or
mobility scooters.
Staying safe in taxis | 3
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis
are for people who
use wheelchairs
or
scooters.
If you use a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi
you should make sure
your wheelchair or scooter is locked
there is an extra safety belt around you
and
the power on your wheelchair or scooter is
OFF.
Staying safe in taxis | 4
How to book a taxi safely
To book a taxi means to call a
taxi company and ask for a taxi
to come and get you.
You should book your taxi before you need it to
come. For example
if you need your taxi to come at 4pm you
should call to book it at 2pm.
tell the taxi company what time you need them
to come.
Use a taxi company that you know.
When you call to book a taxi the person will
ask for your details. For example your
name
and
the street address where you are going.
Staying safe in taxis | 5
Make sure no one is listening when you say your
details.
When a taxi arrives you should
make sure it is the one you booked
before you get in.
You can do this by asking the driver if he has
your name.
What to do if you have not booked a taxi
If you have not booked a taxi it is safest to go to a
city taxi rank. City taxi ranks
have lights
and
some have cameras.
You can also hail a taxi. This means to wave
down a taxi on the street.
Staying safe in taxis | 6
If you hail a taxi you should write down the taxi’s
number when you get in.
The taxi’s number is on
the door
and
the number plates.
You should also write down the driver’s photo
ID number. You can find this on the dashboard of
the taxi.
Paying for the taxi ride
When you pay for the taxi ride you should
make sure the driver gives you back your taxi
card
and
ask for a printed receipt from the machine.
This has important information about the taxi
on it.
Staying safe in taxis | 7
Other ways to be safe in taxis
If you are going to use a taxi
you should tell someone else
where you are going.
You could tell
a friend
staff person
or
family member.
When travelling in a taxi you should
only share a taxi with someone you know
sit in the back seat
do not talk about yourself. It is best to talk
about news or sport
if you feel unsafe call the police.
Phone 000
Staying safe in taxis | 8
It is also a good idea to
ask someone to wait for you
at the end of your trip
send someone else the taxi number. You
could do this by text message on your mobile
phone.
find your house keys before you get out of the
taxi. If you feel safe ask the driver to wait
outside until you get inside the door.
How to make a complaint
If you are unhappy with your taxi ride you can tell
someone. This is called making a complaint.
If you want to make a complaint it is good
to have lots of information about what happened.
Staying safe in taxis | 9
You should write down the
date
time
and
where it happened.
This information will also be on your receipt.
You can make a complaint to
the taxi company. Phone the taxi company.
or
the Taxi Services Commission
Phone 1800 555 677.
Web
http://www.taxi.vic.gov.au/about-us/feedback-
form
Staying safe in taxis | 10
Who else can help?
If you are unhappy you can also
talk to Yooralla’s Quality and
Empowerment team.
Phone 03 9666 4500
TTY 03 9916 5899
Email [email protected]
If you need an interpreter you can
ask Yooralla
use an Interpreter Card if you have one
or
call the Interpreter Service
Phone 131 450.
This book was made by Yooralla with
help from VALID.
Staying safe in taxis | 11
This book supported by the Taxi Services
Commission.
The Easy English on this sheet
was written by Yooralla. May 2015.
www.yooralla.com.au
Images in this sheet are from
Taxi Services Commission.
www.taxi.vic.gov.au
Softpics © Innovative Communication
Programming (Ylana Bloom
& Dolly Bhargava)
Mark A. Hicks, Illustrator. www.MARKIX.net
Photosymbols. www.photosymbols.com
Openclipart. www.openclipart.org
Staying safe in taxis | 12
Top Related