16 September – 22 September 2024
Before the court
A recent court matter at the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court resulted in a taxi driver being convicted and fined for overcharging.
The driver was caught overcharging passengers by the Commissioner’s Authorised Officers conducting plain clothes operations on two separate occasions on the same day.
Magistrate Khan fined and convicted the driver, imposing a fine of $1,250 for each offence.
This court result reinforces to the minority of drivers choosing to do the wrong thing – there are significant consequences to breaking the law.
Major sporting events
This week, the finals fever continued, with fans flocking to major sporting events taking place in Sydney. The Commissioner’s compliance team of Authorised Officers were once again out in force to deter illegal and unsafe driver behaviour.
AFL & NRL finals Moore Park – Friday 20 September
On Friday 20th September, the AFL preliminary final between the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide was held at the SCG, as well as the NRL semi-finals between the Cronulla Sharks and Queensland Cowboys, both at Moore Park.
With more than 60,000 people attending the games, the Moore Park precinct was extremely busy.
Authorised Officers were at the Moore Park precinct as well as Central Station, inspecting 39 taxis and 88 rideshare vehicles during the operations.
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2 fines were reported for rideshare drivers for not displaying their retroreflective signs
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1 fine was reported for a taxi driver for not displaying their Driver ID
Message boards with magenta lights were used by the team, acting as a deterrent for illegal activity and providing education for passengers. It was noted that there was a high level of compliance throughout the events.
Good luck to the Swannies against the Brisbane Lions in Melbourne this weekend.
Bledisloe Cup Sydney Olympic Park and NRL finals Moore Park – Saturday 21 September
On Saturday 21st September, the Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles went head-to-head at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, and the Bledisloe Cup was held between the Wallabies and All Blacks at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park.
Across both venues, and Central Station, 114 rideshare vehicles and 68 taxis were inspected by the Commissioner’s team of Authorised Officers.
2 fines and 4 improvement notices were reported by the team.
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1 fine was reported for a rideshare drivers for not displaying their retroreflective signs
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1 fine was reported for a driver smoking in their vehicle
Regional events – Saturday 21 September
Recently compliance activities were conducted at two regional events - the Aggie Races in Wagga Wagga, and Mudgee Wine Month.
In Wagga Wagga, 15 taxis and 13 rideshare vehicles were inspected during the spring racing event.
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1 fine was reported for a rideshare driver for not displaying a retroreflective sign
2 improvement notices were also issued to taxi service providers due to non-compliant security camera systems in their vehicles.
Mudgee Wine and Food Month is held every September / October and lasts close to a month. It is one of the longest-running wine and food events in New South Wales and is always very well attended.
Last week, Authorised Officers inspected 12 rideshare vehicles and 1 taxi at the event.
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1 fine was reported for a rideshare driver for not displaying a retroreflective sign
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1 fine was reported for a taxi driver for not displaying their Driver ID
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1 fare-related fine was reported for taxi driver for not using the meter, this driver faces a fine of $1000.
Weekly roundup
In the week Monday 16 Sep – Sunday 22 Sep, a total of 22 breaches were identified and 19 Improvement Notices were issued by the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s Authorised Officers.
Top offences identified
| Driver related offence | |
|---|---|
| Clause 20(2) Retroreflective sign | 7 |
| Clause 67 Driver to be hired only at specific zone – Sydney Airport | 6 |
| Clause 28(1) Taxi driver identity document to be displayed | 4 |
| Improvement notices | |
|---|---|
| Clause 18(1) Approved security camera systems and safeguards - taxis in working order | 6 |
| Clause 9 Vehicle maintenance – windscreens, tyres, faded plate | 4 |
| Clause 15(1) Not contravene display of information - taxis | 3 |