On 30 March 2021, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) determined the number of Taxi licences to be issued in the year commencing on 1 July 2021:
Zero taxi licences to be issued for Sydney (the Metropolitan Transport District)
Zero taxi licences to be issued for areas of NSW outside the Metropolitan Transport District.
Due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, TfNSW determined not to issue taxi licences at this time. The pandemic has had significant economic impacts as a result of travel restrictions, social distancing measures and periodic lockdowns. This has, in turn, had an impact on the point to point transport industry overall, including taxis, adversely impacting overall demand for services. The number of taxi licence plates on hold grew significantly in 2020.
The majority of submissions received throughout the stakeholder feedback process were also in favour of not releasing any further licences at this time due to insufficient demand.
TfNSW may make multiple determinations after making its first determination for a year. TfNSW will continue to monitor the demand for taxi licences throughout the year to inform whether a further determination is warranted.