The Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act 2016 requires Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to determine, by 31 March each year, the number of Taxi licences to be issued in the state in the following financial year. In making this determination, TfNSW must consider:
a). likely passenger demand and latent demand for Taxi services,
b). the performance of existing Taxi services,
c). the demand for new Taxi licences,
d). the viability and sustainability of the Taxi industry,
e). any other matters TfNSW considers relevant, having regard to the objective of ensuring improved Taxi services.
The TfNSW determination will relate to Taxi licences for Sydney and outside Sydney. Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) licences are available on application to the Point to Point Transport Commissioner at any time.
Taxi licences in NSW
In total, there are 6,717 Taxi licences in NSW. Of these, 5,283 operate in Sydney, including 751 wheelchair accessible Taxi (WAT) licences. 1,434 operate in the rest of NSW, including 310 WAT licences.
From 2015 to 2019, only replacement licences were issued (other than WAT licences, which are issued upon application). No licences other than WAT licences were issued outside Sydney during this time. This effectively held the total number of licences at 2015 levels.
Due to the already significant economic impacts of COVID-19, the March 2020 determination was to issue zero licences in Sydney and regional NSW. However, due to local demand a further determination was made for three fringe area licences in the Helensburgh area in December 2020.
Further information regarding COVID-19, Passenger Demand in NSW, Taxi Services Performance, Demand for new Licences, viability and sustainability of the NSW Taxi Industry and types of licences, please refer to the Information sheet issued by Transport For NSW here or click on the link below to download the sheet
Submissions
Transport for NSW has invited submissions from the industry which will be considered in determining the number of licences to be issued in 2021.
Considering the matters (a) to (e) above, including the information provided in the information sheet, your submission should answer at least one of the below questions and include any supporting evidence.
1. How many Taxi licences should be released in Sydney, and why?
2. How many Taxi licences should be released outside Sydney, and why?
Go to yoursay.transport.nsw.gov.au/taxi-licence-determination-2021-22 by close of business, 5 March 2021.