19 August – 25 August 2024
The Commissioner’s team continued their usual on-street compliance activities across the state this week, with a total of 63 breaches and 17 Improvement Notices identified across rideshare and taxi journeys.
Targeted compliance operation – Sydney CBD and Airport
This week the Commissioner’s team of Authorised Officers conducted a range of plain clothes and highly visible compliance activities in the Sydney CBD and Sydney Airport, focusing on fare-related breaches.
Throughout the operation, covert journeys were carried out by Authorised Officers, resulting in 32 fare-related breaches being identified, notably taxi drivers providing rank and hail services over charging and not using the meter.
Several covert journeys were also completed from Moore Park following the Swans win over the Adelaide Crows, during which officers detected a number taxi fare-related offence.
This compliance operation is a warning for those drivers who might see major sporting events or trips from the Airport as an opportunity to not to use the meter, overcharging or refusing a trip if the passenger is going a short distance or does not agree to a fixed fare. At any time, this could be one of the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers travelling in their car.
Top offences identified
| Driver related offence | |
| Section 76(5) Fares order | 16 |
| Clause 76 Stand in taxi zone if taxi is hired or not available for hire | 12 |
| Clause 77(1) Driver to accept hiring | 9 |
| Clause 20(2) Hire vehicles ensure retroreflective indicates is a hire vehicle | 4 |
| Improvement notices | |
| Clause 18(1) Approved security camera systems and safeguards - taxis in working order | 8 |
| Clause 12(1) Signs, lights and markings - taxis | 3 |
| Clause 13(2) Not contravene driver identification - taxi drivers holder | 3 |
Industry guidance and education
Standing in a taxi zone is intended for taxis that are available for hire. Rideshare vehicles must not stop, stand or queue in a taxi zone. If a taxi is already hired or not available for hire, it must not occupy the taxi zone.
Service providers should address these issues with their drivers and ensure the behaviour stops.