With a recent investigation into the taxi industry by 60 Minutes and Fairfax media, the owner of transport service Dindi Rides felt he needed to comment on the matter.
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“As a new member of the transport industry, I find it completely abhorrent that some of the most vulnerable people in our community are being abused, demeaned, assaulted and essentially ‘ripped off,’” Gregory Stock of Dindi Rides wrote in a Facebook post on February 18.
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“I sincerely hope that the powers that be moved quickly and decisively to fix the systemic issues and remove the perpetrators from the industry forthwith.”
Mr Stock’s post follows on from a recent 60 Minutes and Fairfax Media investigation into the Victorian taxi industry.
On February 15, The Age published a Taxileaks investigation which uncovered that top executives at A2B, parent company of 13cabs, Cabcharge and Silver Service, had allegedly ignored entrenched defrauding for years.
In response to the investigation, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her concern as the state’s former Minister for Public Transport.
“The behaviour that has been reported over the weekend is just absolutely vile,” Premier Allan said.
“The way some in the industry have preyed on the most vulnerable in our community makes me absolutely sick.”
Initially a semi-retirement venture from his former financial planning practice, Mr Stock has been running Dindi Rides for 18 months.
“It’s a small business,” Mr Stock said.
“I set it up as a transport business to take people around, not just the local area, but also into Melbourne and the greater Victorian countryside.”
Dindi Rides was not only formed as a way for Mr Stock to make some extra cash after taking a step back from the workforce, but it was also created in response to the access needs of the community.
“Transport options in the area are pretty limited,” Mr Stock said.
“Yes, we have the train, yes, we have some buses, but personalised transport is very limited, especially if you’re in a rural area.
“Things are fairly spread out in our little area between our towns, and medical services are good, you can get all your basics, but if you want any specialist care, you’ve really got to travel.”
Gregory Stock has been running Dindi Rides for 18 months with hopes to help vulnerable community members and put a smile on people’s faces.
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Mr Stock, who does not provide a taxi service but does operate within a similar industry, said he was compelled to comment on the investigation into the taxi industry as he found it significantly displeasing.
“I came out publicly and spoke about it on social media because I thought these sorts of issues highlight the industry, and not everyone in the transport industry is like that,” Mr Stock said.
“Hopefully, with a bit better regulation, it’ll mean that we can have a bit more confidence restored.
“I’m a little bit skeptical about how it can be changed, but I am hopeful, on a personal level, that the treatment of, especially more vulnerable members of our community, can be better, and I hope that there is a lot of positive change that comes from this.”
Despite the negative findings from the investigation, Mr Stock hopes to uphold his intention of being a positive light to those who use Dindi Rides.
“My motto is ‘personalised transport’ and I’m about looking after people and making it about them,” Mr Stock said.
“It’s not about me, it’s about them, it’s about their experience.
“It’s about getting them there safely, happily, comfortably, being looked after, and getting back to their homes safe and sound.
“If I can make someone’s day a little bit happier by having been with Dindi Rides, then I’m happy.”
