NSW has strong safety laws to ensure the safety of rideshare, taxi and hire vehicle passenger services, and every provider must comply with these safety standards.
All service providers must ensure their drivers clear a series of background checks before they can provide passenger services and that all vehicles are appropriately registered and safe to be driven on the road.
A recent audit of W Eats Pty Ltd (Syd Cabs) has identified several issues with the service provider’s processes including:
- Mandatory reporting of safety matters to the Commissioner
- Driver eligibility, onboarding & management (including driver fatigue and basic driver competency requirements)
- Vehicle safety including vehicle checks and suitability of vehicles
- Management of Taxi Fare Hotline complaints
- Usage of taxi meters.
Following the issuing of a Notice to Show Cause, Syd Cabs was provided the opportunity to improve their current processes to ensure they meet the necessary requirements in line with point to point transport law.
As a result, the Commissioner has imposed strict conditions of authorisation on Syd Cabs which they must comply with to remain authorised. This includes a requirement for monthly reporting to the Commissioner to show adherence.
Failing to meet or breaching any of the conditions may result in the cancellation of the service provider’s authorisation and/or prosecution where a fine of up to $110,000 applies.
This is a reminder for Industry to ensure safety management systems and processes are up to date and in line with the point to point transport law.