The fine for taxi drivers doing the wrong thing will triple to $3000 as the NSW Government seeks to raise the standard of customer service across the industry.

The penalty for a first fare-related offence will rise from $1000 to $3000 as a deterrent to drivers who overcharge, refuse to use their meter or refuse a fare.

Taxi passengers have the right to a fair fare every time, and the NSW Government is working closely with industry to make sure that is the case, in regional cities and towns, as well as Sydney.

Passengers with assistance animals also have the right to be treated as any other customer, and never refused a ride.

Last month, the Government announced a $60 flat rate 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.

Flat fares have been introduced in other major cities, including New York’s JFK Airport.

The Point to Point Commissioner has issued more than 1,100 fines to taxi drivers since the introduction of the Taxi Fare Hotline in November 2022.

Most recently, a taxi driver was prosecuted and fined $2000 for overcharging a family visiting from overseas – the driver did not use the meter and charged them $188 for the 13-kilometre ride from the airport to a CBD hotel.

In recent months, numerous drivers have been banned for breaches such as offensive behaviour and hit with fines of up to $12,000 for overcharging.

The NSW Point to Point Commission is working with the NSW Taxi Council on other measures to strengthen the integrity of the system, particularly around stopping rogue drivers jumping from company to company. 

Minister for Transport John Graham said, “Tripling the penalty for first-time offence should serve as a big flashing light to any taxi driver doing the wrong thing that the NSW Government has zero tolerance for rip-offs and rackets being conducted from the driver’s seat of a cab.

“The vast majority of cab drivers are honest and upstanding and I want to thank the industry for working with us to protect their reputation by weeding out rogue cabbies.

“Whether you are in the cab rank at Sydney Airport, hailing a taxi in the city or booking one from home, it should be a smooth, friendly and good value experience.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said, “Taxi drivers in the regions play a vital role in keeping communities connected.

“For many passengers, especially those needing to get to medical appointments or essential services, a taxi isn’t just a convenience – it’s a lifeline.

“That is why it is critical we guarantee a safe, honest and dependable service across the regions.

“We will not tolerate rogue drivers exploiting passengers in any part of NSW.

“Every passenger deserves a fair fare, every time.”

Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said, “I take fare-related offences seriously – all passengers travelling in a taxi should feel confident they are getting a fair fare. My team of on-street Inspectors have issued more than one thousand $1,000 fines to taxi drivers for fare related offences in the past two years”.

“Let me reinforce that most of the industry is doing a great job, it is a minority of drivers choosing to do the wrong thing – and these rogue drivers will face the full force of the law for their behaviour”

Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Taxi Council Nick Abrahim said, “The move to increase penalties for Fare related offences to $3,000 is another tough measure against drivers who choose to do the wrong thing by the passenger. 

“The NSW Taxi Council commends the NSW Government for adopting the tougher penalties, which is a part of the NSW Taxi Council Four Point Plan, focusing on weeding out Drivers who are tarnishing the good work delivered by the majority of our Cabbies.”