The inaugural Point to Point Transport Commissioner, Barbara Wise, has today assumed responsibility as the new regulator for taxis, hire vehicles and rideshare services under the NSW Government's point to point transport reforms.
The commencement of the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act 2016 paves the way for a more competitive, innovative and responsive point to point industry in NSW. For the first time, all industry players will be able to adopt new technologies and establish more flexible business models. Customers are also expected to benefit from more choice and more competition on fares.
As well as encouraging innovation and competition, the new law provides a modern risk-based safety framework. The Commissioner is particularly focused on working with industry to ensure they have the knowledge and capability to implement systems for managing safety; promoting industry compliance through education and information; and undertaking advisory, audit and enforcement activities. View the video of the highlights from the industry education campaign.
The start of the new law is the culmination of a reform process begun in 2015, when an independent taskforce was appointed to review the sustainability of point to point transport in NSW.
The Government accepted 56 of the 57 recommendations made by the taskforce in its final report, which formed the basis of the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act 2016. The Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017 was published on 18 August 2017.
Standing up the new regulator has been a significant task over the past 12 months and we look forward to working together with industry to achieve safer point to point transport in NSW.
Point to Point Transport Commission Roadshow Highlights (mp4 video)