IPART wants to hear from you regarding our review of maximum fares for rank and hail taxi services
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 (2023) 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 are keen to hear what you think about how taxi fares should be set in future.
We have released a call for submissions to help guide our approach to this review. You can share your views by making a submission by Friday 20 September 2024.
Additionally, a public hearing has been scheduled for 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM on Monday 28 October. You can register for the public hearing here.
IPART will deliver the Final Report to the Minister for Transport in March 2025.