Taxi drivers caught refusing fares or turning off the meter could cop a $1000 on-the-spot fine under a new industry crackdown.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen promised the state government would “absolutely throw the book at them” in light of an investigation into fixed taxi fare pricing.
“We know there are rogue drivers out there and they are breaking the law every day,” Ms Haylen told parliament on Tuesday.
“They can’t refuse to take a fare. They can’t demand a fixed fare … We will absolutely throw the book at them.”
Taxi drivers refusing to turn on the meter, overcharging or refusing a fare currently risk a $300 fine.
The government wants to up this penalty to $1000 and increase undercover compliance operations in hotspots across Sydney.
“Those rogue taxi drivers should know that the next passenger that climbs into their cab might be an undercover compliance officer from the Point to Point Transport Commission,” Ms Haylen said.
The minister said there are about 20 compliance officers currently on the ground and 168 fines have been issued since additional powers were instituted in November last year, that allow the commissioner to have undercover officers target taxi drivers negotiating or refusing fares.
“We want to get more boots on the ground,” she said.
“We want to make sure that compliance operations are in the hotspots across Sydney including in our CBD and particularly while there are big events across our city.”
Ms Haylen said illegal behaviour is becoming more frequent, citing examples of women left on the side of the road late at night unable to get a cab home because drivers are demanding inflated fixed fares or demanding to be paid in cash.
In another instance, a covert officer who hailed a taxi and told the driver he had cab charge was quoted an inflated fare and locked inside the vehicle.
“The dangers facing passengers … and to exploit that vulnerability in order to profit from illegal price gouging is simply outrageous,” she said.
“The reputation of our city is at stake.”
Opposition roads and transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said the new measures were a “small step” but a fine would not be enough to deter drivers.
Ms Ward recommended a suspension of licence for repeat offenders, a $1200 fine as well as clear displays of the commission’s phone number on the front and rear of the vehicle.
Source: AAP
