IPART wants to hear from you regarding taxi fares from Sydney Airport
IPART has been asked to review and make recommendations on the maximum fares for travel in taxis caught from a taxi rank or hailed from the street (“rank and hail taxi services”).
Fares for rank and hail taxi services are regulated by the Government. This is an important mechanism to protect customers who are not in a position to shop around for point to point transport prices from being charged excessive fares. On the other hand, a person who wants to book a trip in a taxi does have the opportunity to shop around for alternatives such as rideshare or other taxi services, so fares for booked trips are not regulated.
The Transport for NSW (TfNSW) fares order (2022) sets the maximum fare components. There are currently different fare schedules for urban and country regions as well as some exempt areas.
Transport for NSW will consider IPART’s recommendations when setting new maximum fares through a fares order to apply from 1 July 2025.
IPART last reviewed taxi fares in 2018. Since then, the regulatory framework and industry conditions have changed considerably. Taxi licences are now available on application for an administration fee and do not have limitations on where they can be operated. Prior to 2023, the supply of licences was limited and each licence could only be operated in a specified area.
We have been actively talking to stakeholders about how taxi fares should be set in future.
We have now released a second call for submissions regarding fares from Sydney Airport to different destinations, including the CBD. You can share your views by making a submission by Friday 22 November 2024.
Our Draft Report is scheduled for release in February 2025. We will be seeking feedback on the draft report and holding another public hearing in the coming months.
IPART will now deliver the Final Report to the Minister for Transport in May 2025.