Passengers landing at Sydney Airport will benefit from greater choice and convenience on an ongoing basis, with a trial of rideshare pickups made permanent.

The NSW Government has approved the ongoing use of Uber’s PIN matching technology for passengers arriving at Sydney Airport’s T1 International Terminal.

This follows a successful 12-month trial of the Uber PIN system, which saw more than 300,000 trips completed and strong improvements in wait times, passenger satisfaction, and traffic flow.

Uber PIN allows passengers to receive a unique code when booking a ride, which they then provide to a waiting driver in the designated pickup zone.

A Point to Point Transport Commissioner evaluation of Uber data found the trial delivered:

• A 15.2% reduction in passenger wait times
• An 88.4% reduction in driver idle time
• A 12.5% increase in customer satisfaction

The rideshare trial was designed to increase customer choice and is one of a number of innovations to improve customer experience for people landing at Sydney Airport.

Last month, the Government announced a $60 flat rate taxi fare from Sydney Airport to the CBD designed to eradicate rip-offs that can blight the experience of visitors landing in Sydney, especially foreign and interstate tourists arriving for the first time.

On Sunday, the fine for taxi drivers doing the wrong thing was tripled to $3000 as a deterrent to drivers who overcharge, refuse to use their meter or refuse a fare.

Sydney Airport has been a focus of passenger complaints over bad treatment and rip-offs.

Minister for Transport John Graham said, “The numbers from the trial speak for themselves: 300,000 passenger trips, with wait times down 15% and much less wasted wait times for drivers clogging up the airport.

“By making this permanent, we are adding another layer of convenience, choice and predictability for travellers, building on the recent innovation of a $60 flat fare for taxis from Sydney Airport to the CBD.

“Together, these innovations are helping ensure the welcome to Sydney remains as warm as it has ever been.”

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said, “My team has worked closely with Uber and Sydney Airport to ensure safety controls are in place, including signage, staff presence, and kerbside inspections. We’ll continue to monitor compliance.”