The NSW Government is introducing tougher penalties for taxi drivers who are caught ripping off passengers, with 'two strikes and you're out' laws.
From December 6, drivers caught committing a fare related offence will be disqualified from driving a taxi, rideshare or any other point to point transport vehicle if they are found guilty on two separate occasions.
The new law is a part of an ongoing crackdown on the minority of taxi drivers who are doing the wrong thing.
Examples of offences include:
- not using the meter
- overcharging
- refusing a passenger if only going a short distance
- demanding or trying to negotiate a fare (other than the one displayed on the meter)
- adding an extra surcharge
- using the maxi-taxi tariff when transporting less than 5 passengers
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner will also put drivers with existing breaches on notice, that they are now at risk of being disqualified from the industry.
Over the last two years, the Commissioner's Inspectors have issued around 900 fines to rogue drivers, with both covert, plain clothes operations and highly visible compliance activities under these new policies.
The Commissioner's Taxi Fare Hotline (1800 500 410) continues to play an important role in allowing passengers to easily report fare-related complaints. More than 2500 passengers have already received refunds after being overcharged.
This follows a direction from the Transport Minister in April 2023, that the 1800 500 410 Taxi Fare Hotline number be clearly displayed on all NSW Taxis.
The NSW Government has also acted on calls for a review into taxi ranks in the Sydney CBD. Drop-off and pick-up zones in busy city locations will now receive significant improvements, including:
- Market Street opposite the State Theatre where a new 30-metre Taxi Zone will be in operation between 6pm - 6am, 7 days on southern side of Market Street between George and Pitt Street.
- Outside the Fullerton Hotel at Pitt Street and Martin Place a Taxi light will be installed for passengers to easily identify the taxi stand.
- A longer length night-time Taxi Zone has been reinstated on the southern kerb of the Theatre Royal.
The review is also considering the installation of 1-Minute Taxi Exempt locations in Sydney CBD, as well as a range of education and wayfinding measures to help taxi operators and passengers understand and comply with the rules around taxi ranks to make them safer and easier to access.
Both of these actions are in response to calls from the NSW Taxi Council who share Government and passenger's desire for a fairer and safer taxi industry.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
"This is a really busy time for the taxi and rideshare industries. Christmas parties are starting to kick off, people will be starting to come home through the airport, and then there are people rushing around for those last-minute gifts.
"While the vast majority of drivers do the right thing, we know some of them are on the naughty list this Christmas. But it won't be coal in the stocking, it'll be two strikes and you're out of the industry.
"We're sending a strong message to the minority of rogue drivers that if they continue overcharging, not using the meter or refusing fares they now risk being kicked out of the industry.
"From 6 December, drivers convicted twice for fare related offences will not only be disqualified from the taxi industry but also rideshare companies like Uber and DiDi.
"We know taxis play a vital role in keeping Sydney and our regions moving. With these better regulations in place, passengers can have a safe and fair ride, while supporting the taxi industry.
"The majority of our state's 15,000 taxi drivers are doing the right thing, but these new measures will ensure that those who aren't, are out."
Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said:
"Let me reinforce, most drivers are consistently doing the right thing, but we want all passengers to know that there will be harsh consequences for drivers who continue to break the rules - they now face being kicked out of the industry.
"We take all fare-related offences seriously which is why my Inspectors are frequently out conducting plain clothes operations along with highly visible compliance activities.
