The Point to Point Transport Commission has suspended Flying Cabs taxis from providing passenger and booking services due to safety concerns that their fleet of taxis do not have compliant duress alarm systems.
To ensure the safety of drivers and passengers in metropolitan areas all taxis providing rank and hail services must be fitted with a complying operational duress alarm and a system to monitor and respond to the alarm system quickly if activated.
“Providing passenger services without the required safety features in a vehicle poses a risk to drivers and passengers - drivers must be able to easily notify of trouble and raise an alarm when safety is at threat, "Point to Point Transport Commissioner, Anthony Wing, stated.
NSW has strong safety laws to ensure the safety of taxi, rideshare and hire vehicle passenger services, and every provider must comply with these safety standards.
All service providers must ensure their vehicles are appropriately registered and safe to be driven on the road, and drivers must clear a series of background checks before they can provide passenger services.
As a part of the Commissioner’s ongoing oversight of the industry, Flying Cabs’ suspension followed a targeted safety audit, fleet inspections and investigation.
The suspension means Flying Cabs must not provide passenger or booking services, including rank and hail. Flying Cabs will have 14 days to respond and make a submission as to why their authorisation should not be cancelled permanently.
Any service provider found providing passenger services while their authorisation has been suspended faces a fine of $110 000.
Commissioner Wing commented, “there are more than 2,000 authorised service providers (taxis, rideshare and hire vehicles) in NSW, and I want them and the public to know I will not hesitate to act decisively if there are safety concerns which pose a risk to drivers and passengers”.
Background on the Point to Point Transport Commissioner
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner, Anthony Wing recently released his Annual Review.
The Commissioner is the independent regulator for taxis, hire vehicles and rideshare, in NSW. The Commissioner's main role is to administer and enforce point to point transport law, including safety standards for the industry.
The Commissioner works with the point to point transport industry to ensure they have the knowledge and capability to implement systems for managing safety; focusing particularly on compliance through education and information, and undertaking advisory, audit and enforcement activities.
For more information see the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s website.
Media Enquiries
Alex Thompson m. 0499 612 089
Alexandra.thompson@transport.nsw.gov.au