Protection shields for taxi drivers to be subsidised
The South Australian Government will fork out up to $500,000 to subsidise protective shields for any taxi driver who wants one.
It follows a spate of recent attacks on cabbies which sparked a rally in Adelaide today, where drivers wore black and marched from Elder Park to Parliament and handed out flyers.
Among them was Mambir Singh, who lost sight in his left eye following a vicious attack at Henley Beach 10 days ago.
Unlike many cabbies, he is a full-time professional driver, but his injury means he can no longer work.
Drivers who could not make it to the rally flew black flags from their vehicles in support.
Organisers said the rally was about rising above their anger and working with the government and the public to find a solution.
Transport Services Minister Chloe Fox this afternoon announced the government would subsidise protective shields for cab drivers.
They will be rolled out from next year, but will not be compulsory.
“A number of drivers do not like these shields, they feel hemmed in by them,” the minister said.
