Oct 12 (Reuters) - Australian Competition And Consumer Commission:
* ACCC proposes to deny authorisation of iHail taxi book
* If launched, the iHail app would initially operate in major metropolitan and regional centres across Australia and some cities overseas
* Australian Competition And Consumer Commission issued draft determination which proposes to deny authorisation to iHail Pty Ltd for joint venture arrangements
* ACCC considers that the iHail app would have a significant impact on competition in the taxi industry, which could impact prices and quality of service
* Joint venture arrangements between Australian and international taxi networks and other participants in taxi industry
* "iHail advises that each of these members will also continue to operate their own booking apps"
* Estimates that initial ihail shareholders represent more than half of taxis in Australia, and larger share in metropolitan areas where app would
operate
* Passengers will only be able to pay for fares booked with iHail through the app and cabcharge will process all payments
* ACCC considers that the proposed arrangements are likely to produce significant public detriments
* ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment
* "Concerned that upfront priority dispatch payment could reduce access to taxis during peak periods for financially disadvantaged sections"
* ACCC says is now seeking submissions from iHail Pty Ltd and interested
parties
* Source text for Eikon ID:nASXcb3tnZ