Point to Point Transport Authorised Officers recently issued an improvement notice and a penalty notice to a hire vehicle in breach of point to point transport regulations identified during a covert operation in the Hunter Valley.
Authorised officers were carrying out the undercover compliance activity in Pokolbin when they observed a 9 seater Toyota Hiace enter a local pub’s carpark to stop and allow persons to exit the vehicle.
The officers noticed magnetic signs attached to the outside of the vehicle which indicated that it was a passenger vehicle. The vehicle also had an illuminated roof light identical to a standard taxi roof light which also displayed the company name on it.
As per clause 20(1) of the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017, a hire vehicle that is being used to provide a passenger service must not be painted or marked, or have signs or lights that:
- Indicate it is a taxi or resemble those of a taxi, or
- Could give rise to an inference that the vehicle is a taxi, or
- Indicate or could give rise to an inference that the vehicle is a vehicle that is plying or standing for hire.
With cause to investigate further, the officers approached the driver who revealed the company was an authorised Booking Service Provider. The driver confirmed that he was providing a passenger service and agreed that the roof light incorrectly implied that the vehicle was a taxi.
The Booking Service Provider received a penalty notice for $1,100 and was issued an improvement notice directing him to remove the roof light.
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s services are designed to make it easy for taxis and hire vehicles, including ride share, to comply with the law and run their businesses in NSW. It is the responsibility of Authorised Taxi Service Providers and Booking Service Providers to ensure compliance with the point to point transport laws. This includes observing the different rules around signage and lights for taxis and hire vehicles.
More information is available about compliance on the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s website.