The Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s compliance operations from 31 May to 17 June were focused predominantly on the VIVID festival to ensure the safety of passenger services, and that festival goers received a fair fare.
The Commissioner’s Authorised Officers conducted both covert plain clothes and highly visible compliance activities targeting drivers providing rank and hail services choosing not to use the meter, overcharging, or refusing a passenger if they do not agree to a fixed fare, trying to negotiate a fare or demanding a fare other than the one displayed on the meter.
As a result of compliance operations during VIVID, 101 penalty notices have been issued to drivers for breaching the law - over $70,000 in fines.
A number of these drivers received a fine of $1,000 for breaching fare-related laws when the fine was increased from $300 to $1,000 on June 9 this year. The increase in fines clearly highlighting that drivers not using the meter, refusing a fare or overcharging are serious offences.
“The majority of drivers are using the meter and charging passengers correctly, and like me, the taxi industry wants those drivers who choose to do the wrong thing to stop. These drivers should be reminded that they face a fine of $1,000” Anthony Wing said. “My Authorised Officers continue to undertake covert plain clothes operations, meaning that drivers will never know when one of my Authorised Officers is in their vehicle”
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup currently underway, the Commissioner’s team of Authorised Officers are out in force, conducting plain clothes and highly visible operations at targeted locations. The Commissioner takes taxi fare issues seriously and expects both taxi service providers and drivers to ensure passengers are not getting taken for a ride.
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