Source - Point to Point Transport Commissioner
Please see below the Communications received from the Point to Point Transport Commissioner regarding Penalty Increase for Fare Related Offences
Please be advised that from today, 9 June 2023, the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017 (the Regulation) has been amended to increase the penalty amounts for fare-related offences.
The penalty notice amount (fine) for the following offences has increased from $300 to $1,000:
Driver failing to operate fare calculation device as prescribed (clause 81 of the Regulation)
Driver failing to accept hiring immediately when offered (clause 77 of the Regulation)
Driver charging more than the maximum rank and hail fares determined by Transport for NSW (section 76 of the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act 2016)
The maximum Court-based penalty for the first two offences will also increase from $1,100 to $3,300.
The amending Regulation, the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Amendment Regulation 2023, has been published on NSW Legislation’s website.
What does this mean for the Taxi industry?
From 9 June 2023, any taxi driver providing rank and hail services who is caught breaching one of the fare-related offences listed above will face being issued a penalty notice of $1000.
What should taxi service providers do?
Taxi service providers and affiliates should advise drivers of the fine increase, so they are informed of the change and to further deter drivers from illegally choosing not to use the meter for rank and hail fares, overcharging or refusing a fare. All service providers are expected to ensure drivers are meeting their obligations under the point to point transport law including using taxi meters, complying with the fares order, and not refusing rank or hail fares.
Further action Taxi Fare Hotline In addition to the penalty increase, the Taxi Fare Hotline will continue to operate 7 days a week as an important feedback service allowing passengers to report taxi fare issues so they can be investigated by the appropriate provider. Taxi service providers are expected to investigate the reported issue in a timely manner, communicate with the passenger and apply appropriate sanctions and discipline to the driver. All actions must be reported to the Commissioner via the Industry Portal.
Find out more about how to report taxi fare outcomes via the Industry Portal.
Taxi Fare Hotline stickers To educate and assist passengers, Taxi Fare Hotline stickers have been rolled out to all Sydney taxis. All vehicles should display the stickers inside and on the outside in safe, visible, and accessible locations. See Point to Point Transport Commissioner's fact sheet on how to display Taxi Fare Hotline stickers and order more stickers. Targeted operations continue across NSW The Commissioner’s on-street compliance team of Authorised Officers are continuing uniformed, highly visible compliance activities in addition to plain clothes operations across NSW, and at major events, CBD taxi ranks, and airports to deter drivers from breaching the law.
Looking for more information? Further information and other resources are available in the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s Learning Centre. If you have any questions, please visit the Point to Point Transport Commissioner's website here or call the Industry Contact Centre on 131 727.
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