The Point to Point Transport Commissioner has Authorised Officers based across the state, and they frequently conduct compliance operations at major events across NSW to ensure the safety of point to point transport passenger services.
The team has kicked off the year by undertaking compliance activities at major regional events across the state, notably, the Parkes Elvis Festival, the Tamworth Music Festival, the Bathurst 12 Hour Race and the Thrifty Bathurst 500, just to name a few.
Parkes Elvis Festival 10 – 14 Jan
An estimated 25,000 people attended the annual Elvis Festival this year, which ran from the 10th – 14th January.
During the event, a total of 9 taxis and hire vehicles, including rideshare vehicles were inspected, with 1 fine issued. This fine was issued to a driver of a hire vehicle for failing to display a retroreflective sign whilst conducting a passenger service.
With Parkes point to point transport providers being particularly busy getting a variety of ‘Elvis’s’ to and from events, it was pleasing that drivers worked with the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers to ensure vehicles could be inspected in-between fares and bookings. This cooperation from service providers within Parkes, demonstrated their commitment to safety.
More information on retroreflective signs can be found on our Retroreflective sign fact sheet on our website.
Tamworth Country Music Festival 19 – 28 Jan
The Tamworth Country Music Festival ran from 19th – 28th January and attracted around 30,000 people each day, with a peak attendance of 40,000 on the last weekend, bringing attendance back to pre–covid numbers.
During the event, 24 hire vehicles including rideshare vehicles and 16 taxis were inspected.
- 4 fines were issued to rideshare drivers stopping or queuing in a taxi zone.
- 9 fines were issued to rideshare drivers for not displaying retroreflective signs.
- 3 Improvement Notices were issued to taxi service providers for not displaying the Taxi Fare Hotline stickers.
- Drivers should always check that at least two Taxi Fare Hotline stickers are displayed (a minimum of 1 on the outside and 1 on the inside of the vehicle) undamaged and legible as part of their pre-departure checks. If the vehicle is lacking signage, the service provider must be advised. More information on displaying and ordering Hotline stickers can be found in the Displaying Taxi Fare Hotline stickers fact sheet on our website.
- 1 Improvement Notice was issued to a taxi service provider as an approved security camera system in the taxi was not working as required under the law.
- Service Providers must comply with the security camera specifications outlined on our website. More information can be found in our Security Camera Systems fact sheet.
Bathurst 12-hour Race 16 –18 February
The Bathurst 12-hour Race saw more than 47, 000 people attend the 12-hour endurance race.
Some taxi companies attended the event from areas outside of Bathurst, taking advantage of the new laws introduced last year, removing operational areas for taxis providing rank and hail. The additional number of taxis supported the provision of services to the large crowds.
During the event 19 taxi and hire vehicles including rideshare vehicles were inspected by the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers.
- 2 fines were issued to rideshare and hire vehicle drivers for not displaying a retroreflective sign on their vehicle.
- 1 Improvement Notice was issued to a taxi service provider for worn tyres. More detail on safety standards for taxis can be found on the Commissioner’s website.
Thrifty Bathurst 500 23-25 February
Our Compliance team was at Bathurst again this weekend for the 2024 Thrifty Bathurst 500, a racing event for the Supercars Championship held at Mount Panorama Circuit.
During the event, 22 taxi and hire vehicles, including rideshare vehicles, were inspected by the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers.
- 2 fines were issued to rideshare vehicles for not displaying a retroreflective sign on their vehicle.
- 1 fine was issued to a hire vehicle for stopping in a taxi zone.
- 1 fine was issued to a taxi for failing to display their Driver ID.
- Drivers must display a driver identity document (Driver ID) when providing rank and hail taxi services in NSW. They are an important safety measure. More information can be found in our Driver ID fact sheet.
The Commissioner’s team of Authorised Officers will continue to conduct regular and targeted compliance activities throughout regional and metropolitan NSW to ensure the safety of everyone in the point to point transport industry.