Taxi drivers fined in campaign against illegal behaviour along light rail corridor in Sydney CBD

Published

Point to Point Transport Commissioner authorised officers have been conducting a campaign, targeting illegal driver activity in the vicinity of the light rail in the Sydney CBD.

Over six weekends, 27 penalty notices were issued to taxi drivers for breaches for ranking in an area of Sydney CBD which is not a designated taxi rank and failure to display driver ID.

Taxi drivers were issued penalty notices of $150 each, when observed ranking illegally on George Street outside the Establishment Hotel which is not a designated taxi rank. The illegal activity caused traffic to bank up, resulting in vehicles crossing over the light rail tracks to get around the stationary taxis.

The Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s officers witnessed the illegal ranking in direct breach of clause 75 of the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017:

The driver of a taxi must not permit the taxi to stand otherwise than in a taxi zone, except as follows:

a) while hired
b) while not available for hire
c) while loading or unloading luggage or goods or taking up or setting down passengers
d) at the direction or with the consent of a police officer

During the six week period 18 drivers also failed to have their driver ID displayed, a breach of clause 13, and were issued a further penalty notice of $300.

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said “These results should be a reminder to all point to point transport service providers to ensure they are complying with the Point to Point Transport law.

Safety is my top priority and these requirements, such as the display of driver ID and ranking in designated taxi ranks, are in place to contribute to safer point to point services for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.

The issue of traffic flowing onto the light rail tracks is particularly concerning. It is not acceptable for taxis to rank anywhere other than a designated taxi rank as it disrupts the flow of traffic and can lead to other drivers making dangerous choices,” Mr Wing said.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACTS
Emma Barber  – Point to Point Transport Commission
Emma.barber2@transport.nsw.gov.au
0439810795