We thought those of you who were entertained by the slow and sensual strip show protest staged by Melbourne's taxi drivers yesterday would like to know that their bare-chested protestations didn't go unnoticed, and all but two of their demands will be met by the State Government.

Maybe the teachers' unions should start looking into massed nudity?

Pre-payment of fares between 10pm and 5am -- a key demand from drivers to deal with the frequent problem of passengers who "do a runner" without paying -- will be introduced in the next few months.

Drivers will estimate the amount of the fare before the journey and then the difference, if there is one, will be paid by either the driver or passenger.

The State Government will pay 50% of the cost of introducing safety screens, with the balance to be paid by taxi operators.

The screens, worth $1000 to $1200, will be removable, allowing drivers who do not want them to store them in the boot. At first the installation will cover about 75% of Melbourne's 3800-strong taxi fleet.

This is great news for the cabbies, though we're slightly disappointed that Jazz Randyman didn't turn up again as a mouthpiece for the protest.

Now, if they could just work on the taxi drivers who, upon one's entering the cab and requesting one's destination, turn around looking slightly frightened and as, "Do you know how to get there?" we'll all be laughing.

 

Tags: au | melbourne | protests | sexx laws | state government | taxi driver