14 – 20 October 2024
As we edge closer to the end of the year, and the busiest period for the point to point transport industry, the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers (AOs) continue to conduct both plain clothes, covert activities along with highly visible uniformed activities at major events in Sydney. The team is also out conducting regular, business as usual on-street activities at Airports and targeted locations.
Across the week:
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30 breaches were identified
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12 Improvement Notices were issued
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4 breaches are under investigation
Major events
The week saw two major music events and the increasingly popular Everest Cup take place in Sydney and our AOs had a strong presence at all of them.
Across the events, 54 taxis and 142 hire vehicles, including rideshare, were inspected.
Olivia Rodrigo concert – Qudos Bank Arena
Good compliance from the industry at the Olivia Rodrigo concert on Thursday 17 October was music to our ears with approximately 20,000 concert goers attending one of her concerts at Sydney Olympic Park.
Many people were using public transport as well as drop off and pick-ups in private vehicles. Taxis and Rideshare vehicles were steadily busy, and compliance was good, no breaches were identified.
Travis Scott concert – Moore Park
On the 17 and 18 October, Travis Scott broke the all-time concert attendance record at Allianz Stadium, with approximately 45,000 people attending each night.
Our AO’s were out in force ensuring compliance from drivers.
46 vehicles were inspected, 3 fines identified, and 1 Improvement Notice was issued.
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3 rideshare drivers were identified not displaying their retroreflective sign
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1 Improvement Notice was issued for a taxi not having the correct signs, lights or markings on their vehicle.
Everest Cup - Randwick Racecourse
On 19 October, The Everest Cup event took place, with approximately 40,000 punters hedging their bets at Randwick Racecourse.
AOs were there to help monitor an extremely busy taxi rank and the steady stream of rideshare vehicles arriving to drop off patrons throughout the day. Point to point transport vehicles were strategically positioned within the taxi rank pick up area with “TAXI MUST USE FARE METER DEVICE” displayed to drivers and patrons
Over the day, 78 rideshare and 38 taxi vehicles were inspected.
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6 rideshare drivers were identified not displaying their retroreflective sign
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1 fine was issued to a taxi driver for failing to accept a job
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2 cases are under investigation
Weekly wrap up
Top offences identified
Driver related offence | |
Clause 20(2) Retroreflective sign | 20 |
Clause 67 (1) Driver to be hired only at specific zone – Sydney Airport | 3 |
Clause 76 Stand in taxi zone if taxi is hired or not available for hire | 3 |
Improvement notices | |
Clause 9 Vehicle maintenance (cracked windscreen, insecure bumper, insufficient tyre tread) | 3 |
Clause 18(1) Approved security camera systems and safeguards - taxis in working order | 3 |
Clause 12(1) Signs, lights and markings - taxis | 3 |
Education and areas for action
Lack of retroreflective signs on rideshare vehicles are consistently reported as one of the top weekly offences. Please take time to review what systems you have in place to ensure drivers are displaying a retroreflective sign on their vehicle whenever delivering passenger services.
We have a range of resources to help you, and your drivers, understand your obligations in our Retroreflective Toolkit