This week, taxi driver Nurman Syarif was fined $12,000 and disqualified from driving any taxi or rideshare vehicle following a successful prosecution by the Point to Point Transport Commissioner.
Syarif had multiple charges brought against him. He not only demanded fixed fares from his passengers that were significantly in excess of the NSW Fares Order, but when they refused and insisted he use the meter, he also ejected his passengers, and their luggage, from the taxi by the roadside, putting the passengers’ safety at risk. The driver also acted in an abusive manner towards his passengers. The Court found the defendant guilty of all charges, with the significant penalty and ban from the industry highlighting the seriousness of the driver’s behaviour.
In a separate matter this week, another taxi driver was hit with a hefty $3,300 fine and convicted by the Court following the driver appealing a fine issued by the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers. During covert operations, Authorised Officers issued the fine for overcharging by adding additional fees to the meter at the end of the trip. Her Honour, in handing down her conviction and fine, noted the driver’s previous fine for a fare-related offence. Her Honour found it appropriate to convict the driver.
The Commissioner was pleased with the outcome of both court matters. “In an industry where the majority of taxi drivers do the right thing, rogue drivers such as these, who repeatedly offend and break the law, have no place in the industry. If drivers do the wrong thing, it is clear they risk a hefty fine or being kicked out of the industry all together”. Commissioner Wing commented.
As a part of his continued oversight of the industry, the Commissioner’s on-street team of Authorised Officers conduct regular highly visible and plain clothes, covert compliance operations targeting taxi drivers choosing to break fare-related law. Over the past two years his Authorised Officers have issued more than 1000 fines to rogue drivers for fare-related offences such as refusing to use the meter or overcharging.
New disqualifying offences introduced late last year by the Government, mean taxi drivers who are convicted by the court on two separate occasions for fare-related offences will be kicked out of the industry. “Those recalcitrant drivers who just aren’t getting the message and continue to offend now face in addition to significant fines also being disqualified from the industry and unable to drive a taxi, rideshare or any point to point transport vehicle.” finished Commissioner Wing.
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 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.
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.
Media Enquiries
Alex Thompson m. 0499 612 089
Alexandra.Thompson@transport.nsw.gov.au