MEDIA RELEASE: NSW TAXI COUNCIL ANNOUNCES FOUR POINT PLAN TO TACKLE ROGUE BEHAVIOUR

The NSW Taxi Council has released a four point plan as a measure to tackle rogue behaviour and to give passengers confidence and certainty when using a Taxi.

The NSW Taxi Council acknowledges that whilst the majority of taxi drivers are doing the right thing, more needs to be done to target a number of Rogue Drivers who may think it is OK to flout the law and overcharge passengers. This behaviour is tarnishing all of the good work being done by most drivers and needs to stop.

NSW Taxi Council CEO, Nick Abrahim  said:

“We need to send a stronger message to those drivers who are overcharging passengers and who are undoing the great work of the majority in our Industry. To those who choose to do the wrong thing, your time as a Taxi driver is up!

Driving a Taxi is the livelihood for many – putting food on the table and roofs over their heads. I know I speak for the majority of these hard working Cabbies and Operators when we call for tougher measures to stamp out the rogues. Put simply, we don’t want them in our Industry driving Taxis”.

The NSW Taxi Council has released the Four Point Plan and is calling on the NSW Government to support Industry and assist with the implementation of the following measures;

1. Increase penalties for first fare related offence from $1,000 to $3,000. This penalty should also apply to the refusal of a passenger with an Assistance Animal.

2. Regulate more rigorous Standards for Taxi Meters for Rank and Hail Fares

3. Implement a system (Green List) at Sydney Airport providing an opportunity to ban Drivers who continue to offend.

4. Move to a Centralised Driver Identity System providing Industry with greater transparency for Drivers who are removed from a Service Provider.

The NSW Taxi Council in conjunction with Industry, has been working with Sydney Airport on the implementation of the Taxi Concierge program at all three terminals at Sydney Airport. This has been a positive initiative, helping deliver enhanced customer experiences as well as reporting of incidents, since going live on 30th June, 2025. 

Nick added, “We want to take the data and insight we are receiving from the Concierge Program and implement additional measures to ensure we give passengers the confidence and certainty when using Taxis. This includes tougher penalties against those drivers who choose to do the wrong thing”. 

The NSW Taxi Council acknowledges the commitment and support of key Stakeholders, including Sydney Airport, the NSW Government, together with the NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner in working with Industry to address the issues around Drivers overcharging passengers. 

It is imperative that we introduce these additional measures to weed out those drivers who are breaking the law.    

For any fare related complaints, passengers are encouraged to contact the Point to Point Transport Commissioners Fare Related Hotline on 1800 500 410.

For any media enquiries, please contact Nick Abrahim, Chief Executive Officer at the NSW Taxi Council, Email – nick@nswtaxi.org.au or call 02 8339 4644.