With the busy holiday period already underway in NSW, and more and more people catching rideshare and taxi vehicles during the summer festive season, the Point to Point Transport Commissioner, Anthony Wing has a clear message, “Safety is my priority and I want every ride to be a safe ride”.
Commissioner, Anthony Wing is encouraging all passengers to use some simple tips to make sure they have a safe and positive experience getting to and from their destinations.
"We want passengers and drivers to work together to make sure every ride is a safe ride, not just this holiday period but at every time of the year,” Mr Wing said.
When catching rideshare (such as Uber, DiDi or Ola) and taxis passengers should:
- Match the car registration details to your booking
- Check the driver’s name and photo
- Use the service provider’s in app safety features
- Let a friend or family member know they are on their way
- Never accept a ride from somebody who approaches you off the street or at the airport
- Always wait for your ride in a well-lit area. If there is no lighting available, use the torch function on your phone so that you’re clearly visible to drivers.
With more than 56 secure taxi ranks across NSW, where possible people should catch a taxi from a secure taxi rank. Security guards are on duty to help ensure a safe environment for both passengers, and over summer the Commissioner has extended operation hours to open late every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, including a new secure rank in Taylor Square, positioned between Flinders Street and Crown Street. For more information on locations and hours please go to secure taxi rank locations and hours.
It’s also important for passengers to display good behaviour and respect their driver, it never hurts to spread the holiday cheer.
In addition, Commissioner Wing reminded the taxi industry that there is no place for drivers who choose not to use the meter, overcharge or refuse a trip if the passenger is going a short distance or doesn’t agree to a fixed fare when providing a rank or hail trip.
“I will have even more Authorised Officers out in force over summer conducting plain clothes and highly visible operations on-street,” Mr Wing said.
“I want those minority of drivers choosing to do the wrong thing to know that at any time it could be one of my officers in their vehicle"
“My team has already issued more than 510 fines for fare-related offences in the last year: the fine is $1000 so it is not worth trying to be opportunistic by overcharging people out celebrating over the holiday period”.
Commissioner Wing encourages anyone who experiences a taxi fare-related issue after catching a taxi from a rank or hailing one from the street to call his Taxi Fare Hotline on 1800 500 410.
“I am making sure taxi companies are following up the Hotline complaints, and taking appropriate measures, such a passenger refunds and disciplinary actions against drivers,” he said.
“Approximately 520 drivers have had disciplinary action imposed (e.g. retrained, suspended or ultimately sacked) in the last 12 months, as a result of calls by members of the public to the Hotline.
“Summer events and celebrations are occurring across NSW at the moment, and it is great people are getting out and about and using rideshare and taxis to get where they need to go but we want to remind them to do so in a safe way. Wewant every ride during this festive period to be a safe one.”