With the busy holiday season already well underway in NSW, and more and more people catching rideshare and taxi vehicles, 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”.
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.
Commissioner, Anthony Wing is encouraging all passengers to use some simple tips to support them having a safe and positive experience getting to and from their destinations.
When catching rideshare and taxis passengers should:
- Match the car registration details to their booking before you get in
- 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.
With more than 56 secure taxi ranks across NSW, where possible, if catching a taxi, people should use a secure taxi rank. Security guards are on duty to help ensure a safe environment for passengers (with extended hours through summer), for more information on locations and hours please go to secure taxi rank locations and hours.
In addition, this holiday season the Commissioner is reminding everyone that respect is essential in ensuring every ride is an enjoyable, and safe experience for both passengers and drivers.
“There is no place during this time of year, or any time of the year, for passengers disrespecting their driver or drivers disrespecting their passengers. Passengers don’t forget to thank your driver or wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as they are working hard day and night to get you where you need to go safely.
My team of Authorised Officers will also be out in force across the holiday season conducting plain clothes and highly visible operations to ensure drivers are respecting their passengers by complying with the law” reminded Commissioner Wing.
“Summer events and celebrations are occurring all across NSW, it is great people are getting out and about and using rideshare and taxis, but we want to remind them to do so in a safe way. Safety is important all year round – but particularly this time of year. We want every ride to be a safe ride” Commissioner Wing finished.
Media Enquiries
Tathia Shield Wells, Point to Point Transport Commission
m. 0412 470310
tathiashield.wells@transport.nsw.gov.au
Background on the Point to Point Transport Commissioner
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.
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.
The Commissioner’s Taxi Fare Hotline 1800 500 410 is a centralised platform set up by the Commissioner, with the support of the taxi industry, to help passengers report any issues they have with the cost of their rank or hail taxi ride. This could include taxi drivers not using the meter, overcharging or refusing a hire.
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.