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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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 yooralla@yooralla.com.au

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.

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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

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