Taxi drivers who overcharge or refuse fares could be blacklisted under new plans by the NSW government to roll out a centralised database tracking bad behaviour.
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner will work with the taxi industry to expand the Driver Vehicle Database to track illegal activity such as overcharging and fare refusal.
The Commissioner will look into improving how checks are performed on drivers, including any fare-related offences, in addition to eligibility, driving charges and criminal history.
Tougher penalties will also be considered with repeat offenders to be kicked out of the industry altogether.
“For too long, the taxi and ride share industries, and their passengers, have been let down,” Transport Minister Jo Haylen said.
“Right now, there’s a loophole in the system that’s damaging the reputation of the taxi industry, unfairly impacting the majority of drivers who are doing the right thing and servicing our community,” she said.
“We want to make sure that better regulations are in place so passengers have a safe and fair ride, while supporting the taxi industry.”
Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said his compliance team of over 70 plain-clothed officers would be “out in full force”.
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“A minority of taxi drivers are choosing to do the wrong thing by failing to use the meter during a rank or hail trip, overcharging their passengers or refusing a fare,” Wing said.
“With more than 70 million safety checks on drivers and vehicles run through the centralised database by industry in the last 12 months, it makes sense to expand it.”
NSW Taxi Council chief executive Nick Abrahim welcomed the move today.
“A streamlined database will mean service providers are better informed about the drivers they’re onboarding,” he said.
“These measures are a big step in the right direction, and I want to acknowledge the Transport Minister, Point to Point Transport Commissioner and Business Sydney for working with us towards addressing these issues.”
The government will also conduct a review on the placement of taxi ranks in Sydney’s CBD.
It comes after concerns raised by industry bodies relating to inaccessible drop-off and pick-up zones in busy locations, causing potential safety and economic issues.
