Taxi council calls for stiffer penalties for rogue drivers overcharging passengers in Sydney

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The peak body for the taxi industry wants stiffer penalties for rogue cab drivers who overcharge passengers. The taxi council says people are still being ripped off despite a recent crackdown by the state government.

Transcript

00:00It's a common gripe feeling ripped off on a taxi ride.

00:06Sometimes it is expensive, like when you drive to the airport.

00:10I live in Parramatta, so it costs nearly 90 to 100 bucks.

00:14It was fine today, I keep an eye on it.

00:16It does jump around a little bit, but today was pretty good.

00:18But yeah, keep an eye on it.

00:20It can be 80 bucks or 27 bucks.

00:23So yeah, it's a bit weird.

00:26More than 9,000 complaints about overcharging have been made to a special hotline since 2022.

00:32The government ramped up penalties last year, but even taxi drivers acknowledged there's still price gouging.

00:38Because a lot of cab drivers don't need cab drivers, so they do rip off customers.

00:42A lot of customers, you know, they don't realise that the meter is ticking on or not.

00:45The taxi council now wants the fine for a first fare offence tripled to $3,000

00:51and a ban on rogue drivers operating at Sydney Airport.

00:54But we want to send a strong message from the outset, particularly with those first offences,

00:59that you get caught, you're going to be stung with a $3,000 penalty.

01:03A recent review to government recommended trialling a fixed fare between Sydney Airport and the CBD.

01:09And Transport Minister John Graham says he's willing to raise the fines further if it's necessary.

01:15So let's say thank you for joining us, and we're going to catch up with those last few minutes.

01:18So we're going to go home.

01:20We're going to go home just now.

01:22You know, I need to find a strong message from the esperanza.

01:26After you've got a few minutes and get caught.

01:28You know, I want to be able to find a strong message from the site.

01:30And then, have you ever get caught.

01:31And if I've made it through a big race, I think I'm going to get caught.

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