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07 Jul 2022

'Introduction to Disability Awareness': Free eLearning course launched

At STV, we are committed to ensuring the CPV industry is one where people living with a disability feel safe, valued and included.

To understand the impact that attitudes and discrimination have on the lives of people with a disability, we encourage you to take the free eLearning course, Introduction to Disability Awareness, which provides a general overview of the legislative framework supporting the inclusion of people living with a disability in Australia.

Through training initiatives like these, you can drive positive culture change and empower the CPV Industry by being able to:

  • Demonstrate an awareness of the barriers experienced by people with disability and identify ways in which these barriers may be overcome
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of disability
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the lived experience of people with disability in Australia, particularly in relation to discrimination
  • Demonstrate an understanding of inclusive language and communication principles
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative framework which supports people with disability in Australia

If you are interested in in completing this free training session, follow the link to register your details here.

01 Jul 2022

CPVV merge with TSV to become Safe Transport Victoria

From 1 July 2022, Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) will merge with Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) to form a new entity, Safe Transport Victoria.

Safe Transport Victoria will oversee commercial passenger vehicle regulation, including driver accreditation, vehicle registration, medical assessments, and vehicle inspections. It will also oversee the bus and maritime industries, along with the Multi Purpose Taxi Program.

Tammy O’Connor has been named CEO of Safe Transport Victoria and will lead Safe Transport Victoria into a new era of delivering support and direction to operators, managers and users of these critical services via one point of contact.

CPV drivers do not need to reapply for driver accreditation or vehicle registration with Safe Transport Victoria, as CPVV’s driver and vehicle records will be transferred. After July 1, renewal notices will be sent by Safe Transport Victoria.

Safe Transport Victoria will strengthen how Victoria operates its transport regulatory functions, bringing together leading experts to deliver education, support and direction to the operators, managers and users of Victoria’s commercial passenger vehicles, bus and waterway systems.

Work is underway to create a Safe Transport Victoria website.

13 May 2022

Touters fined in CPVV safety blitz

Twenty people had an expensive Melbourne Grand Prix weekend after being caught and fined $2181 each for ‘touting’ - illegally offering commercial passenger vehicle services.

The touters were detected by a safety and compliance operation run by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) at the Melbourne Grand Prix event to check the safety of registered taxi and rideshare vehicles.

In addition to detecting touters, CPVV safety and compliance officers inspected over a hundred legally-operating taxi and rideshare vehicles and issued defect notices, infringements and official warnings for safety issues such as faulty headlights, bald tyres and missing roadworthy certificates. Vehicle owners must now rectify the issues or potentially face a further fine.

Chris Banks, Director Safety Operations and Policy, CPVV, said the weekend operation is part of CPVV’s rolling compliance program focussing on vehicle safety and touting.

“Safety issues such as bald tyres and faulty headlights increase the risk of accidents and injuries to drivers and passengers. CPVV officers routinely inspect commercial passenger vehicles to ensure safety standards are being met.

“We take touting seriously as it illegally undercuts licenced CPV drivers who are doing the right thing. Most importantly, it can be a serious safety risk for passengers, as they are potentially taking a trip from an unaccredited driver in an unregistered vehicle.

“As the safety regulator for the commercial passenger vehicle industry, CPVV’s primary focus is the safety of drivers and passengers.”

13 May 2022

Four ways drivers can make a difference

Many passengers with a disability or specific accessibility requirements rely on commercial passenger vehicles for travel to social, economic and medical appointments, enabling them to take part in everyday community life.

What can make or break a successful and enjoyable trip for this community is the attitude and behaviour of their driver.

Here are four ways a driver can easily make the difference to a passenger’s journey:

1. Treat me like you would any other passenger

People with a disability or specific accessibility requirements should be treated just like any other passenger. This means speaking to a passenger in a way that shows them the same respect given to other passengers.

It’s natural to want to help a passenger as much as you can, but it’s important to ask what your passenger wants - and actively listen to what they say instead of making assumptions based on what you can see. Respect the passenger’s personal space. For example, ask the passenger if they would like you to put on their seatbelt for them – because many passengers prefer to buckle their seatbelt up themselves.

2. Don't feel sorry for me or my disability

A person with a disability or specific accessibility requirements doesn’t want sympathy or to be questioned about it. Your passenger would prefer to have a pleasant conversation while on their way to their destination and be treated like anyone else.

3. Ask me what type of vehicle I would like

Not everyone with a disability or specific accessibility requirements needs a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), but those that do often have specific requirements. When taking a booking, ask what kind of vehicle the passenger requires and aim to meet their needs. Always remember to lift and restrain wheelchairs in line with the manufacturer’s requirements, including making sure your vehicle is suitable to carry the wheelchair.

4. Remember that my guide dog can ride too

Some CPVs don’t allow pets to travel but drivers have a legal responsibility to transport passengers and their assistance animals. This means it is illegal to refuse to take an assistance animal with a passenger who requires the animal. If you’re not sure whether an animal is an assistance animal, politely ask the passenger: “Is your animal an assistance animal?” Assistance animals are well trained and are clean. They will not bite, lick, or jump on you or make a mess in the vehicle.

We interviewed passengers who told us their stories of what it’s like travelling with a disability or with mobility impairment. Hear their stories and see how you can make a difference as a driver.

25 Feb 2022

CPVV and TSV to merge into single regulator

The Victorian Government is focused on strengthening and streamlining their safety regulatory functions. To achieve this, they have decided to merge Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) and Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) into a single regulator.

It is anticipated that the consolidated entity is expected to come into effect in July 2022.

As a centre for transport safety, this new regulatory body, that is yet to be named, will manage the accreditation and safety regulation for CPVs, buses and maritime vessels.

The regulatory functions and powers of CPVV will be consolidated with those of the Director, Transport Safety Victoria to create a single regulatory entity.

The new entity will be established as a statutory authority in the form reporting to a CEO, with an advisory board.

While this is a significant change for CPVV, our work remains unchanged. Under this new name we are still committed to providing a safe and accessible CPV industry.

We do not foresee any major impact to the CPV industry with this merge and we will continue to regulate the industry and accredit drivers as normal.

A Working Group with leaders from TSV, CPVV and the Department of Transport has been established to oversee the commencement of this new body and to support our people in this transition.

Tammy O’Connor will continue to act as the CEO of CPVV until recruitment for the future regulatory body is complete.

Below are a set of FAQs which may help answer some of your questions. If you’d like to know more or if you have any concerns, please email us at contact@cpv.vic.gov.au

FAQs

What is happening?  

Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria and Transport Safety Victoria will merge as together as a new safety regulator.

The new entity will be a dedicated authority that leads the manage the accreditation and safety regulation for CPVs, buses and maritime vessels.

What is the name of the new regulatory body?

This is yet to be finalised.

When will changes come into effect?

The current plan is that the consolidated entity will come into effect in July 2022.

When will recruitment for the future head commence?

Recruitment for the future head of the new transport safety regulator has commenced. Further information will be communicated to employees, and key stakeholders in coming weeks.

Will there be a new brand?

The Regulator Management Integration Plan includes planning a roadmap for items that will require to be addressed and implemented on day one of operations - such as external and internal communication and stakeholder needs including branding and style guides.

What are the timeframes for the integration, change and transitions process? 

The new entity will come into effect in July 2022. A Regulator Management Integration Plan is being developed to identify key integration requirements to support day one initiation and the first 4 months of operation. The CEO of the new entity once appointed will work with the team to develop the agency’s 4 year Strategic Corporate Plan.

What is the Regulator Management Integration Plan? 

A working group with leaders from Transport Safety Victoria, Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria and the Department of Transport has been established to oversee preparation of the Regulator Management Integration Plan, including coordinating the various streams of work that will support commencement of the new entity.

Together they will identify inclusions to ensure a smooth first 120 days integration.

What does this mean for the CPV industry? 

There will be no major impact to the CPV industry with this merge. CPVV will continue to regulate the CPV industry and accredit drivers as per normal.

From July, the industry will refer to the new entity instead of CPVV.

What does this mean for bus drivers and operators? 

The accreditation, regulation, and registration for all bus operators in Victoria and the accreditation requirements for bus drivers will now sit within the one entity.

This change will make it easier for bus drivers and operators, having one point of contact to access the experts and the information they need about transport regulation in Victoria.

In July 2022, bus drivers will be regulated by the new entity instead of CPVV.

In July 2022, bus operators be regulated by the new entity instead of TSV.

What does this mean for MPTP member? 

Membership for those on the MPTP remains unchanged.

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