71Communications and dispatch networks

71 Communications and dispatch networks (1) A person who proposes to operate a communications or dispatch network may apply in writing to the Director for approval of the network. (2) An application under subsection (1) must: (a) contain the information required by the Director; and (b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any). (3) The Director must consider an application under subsection (1) and may: (a) approve the network; or (b) allow the applicant to amend the application and approve the network on receipt of the amended application; or (c) refuse to approve the network. (4) The Director may require the applicant to provide further information for the purposes of considering the applicant's application. (5) The Director may: (a) approve a network under subsection (3) subject to the conditions the Director thinks appropriate; or (b) from time to time, by written notice to the operator of an approved network, amend or revoke the conditions of the approval or add new conditions. (6) The Director may suspend or revoke the approval of a communications or dispatch network.

Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991 48 (6A) A person commits an offence if: (a) the person operates a communications or dispatch network; and (b) the network is not an approved network. (6B) A person commits an offence if the person: (a) is the operator of an approved network; and (b) contravenes or fails to comply with a condition of the network approval. (7) The Director may, from time to time, require the operator of an approved network to provide the Director with any information required by the Director in relation to: (a) the operation of the network; or (b) the terms and conditions under which the network is made available to the operators of commercial passenger vehicles. (7A) A person: (a) must comply with a requirement under subsection (7); and (b) must not, in purported compliance with a requirement under subsection (7), provide the Director with information that the person knows is false or materially misleading. (8) It is a condition of every approval given under this section that, if requested by the Director in relation to a specified holder of a licence, the operator of the communications or dispatch network requested will allow that holder to participate in the use of the network on the same terms and conditions as other users notwithstanding any rule of the operator of the network which would otherwise preclude the holder from participating. (8A) A person must comply with a request by the Director referred to in subsection (8).

Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991 49 (9) A person must not interfere with a communications or dispatch network. (10) In this section: approved network means a communications or dispatch network approved by the Director under subsection (3). communications or dispatch network means a network for: (a) communicating with, controlling or coordinating commercial passenger vehicles used to carry passengers for hire or reward; or (b) accepting bookings for the use of commercial passenger vehicles for hire or reward or allocating commercial passenger vehicles for hire or reward on pre-booked journeys. operator, of a communications or dispatch network, means the person who maintains or provides the network or makes the network available to others for use.