Agree totally with the comment on Cairns Taxi service ,one of the best in Australia. It has mostly local drivers ,Cairns not being a major destination for new arrivals ,who can earn more than the Taxi average in Australia due to the different nature of the place compared to a big city.
My solution to the Taxi problems elsewhere is to pay the drivers a reasonable income with all benefits ,this would require fares higher than people are willing to pay so subsidise the cabs in the same way as buses and trains.
A better quality driver could be attracted to , and retained in the industry ,providing a better service. Turnover would be reduced and some of the idiots we have at the moment forced out.
Who knows they may even speak English ,and know where they are going!