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Sydney Airport will see a 12-month trial of fixed cab fares to the CBD following a raft of complaints about passengers being “ripped off” with exorbitant charges.
Starting 3 November, taxi rides between the airport and CBD will cost a flat fare of $60, which follows a recommendation from the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in its report into taxi fares in May.
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“The fixed fare trial puts Sydney on par with cities like New York and Paris, and is an important step in improving the passenger experience for travellers to our city,” Sydney Airport chief executive Scott Charlton said.
“More than 40 million people pass through Sydney Airport every year, and, for many, their first experience of Australia is when they get into a taxi. Knowing how much they will pay to get to the city is a positive step.
“We welcome the leadership of Minister Graham and the NSW Government, and acknowledge the collaboration of the NSW Taxi Council and the Point to Point Transport Commissioner in making this trial possible.”
Since a Taxi Fare Hotline was launched in November 2022, the NSW Point to Point Commissioner has issued more than 1,100 fines to taxi drivers, including one who was slugged $2,000 for refusing to turn on the meter and charging a family $188.76 from the international terminal to a CBD hotel.
According to Point to Point transport commissioner Anthony Wing, the trial is “about building trust in taxi services and delivering a consistent, predictable experience for all passengers – including tourists and travellers on business arriving in Sydney for the first time”.
“This trial will help up us stop overcharging before it happens, and will complement the work of my on-street inspectors in helping make sure every ride is a safe ride in NSW,” he said.
“I recently called a meeting of taxi companies and meter and payment device providers to work through the trial’s technical details in order to make it as robust as possible.
“I am pleased that we are able to come together with Government and industry to improve outcomes for NSW passengers.”
The NSW Taxi Council has welcomed the move, with chief executive Nick Abrahim saying he believes flat fares will “provide certainty and confidence for passengers when travelling in a taxi from the airport”.
“Pending the success of the trial, we would like to see the set fares extended to other locations across Sydney, as well as reciprocated for trips coming back to the airport,” he said.
The 12-month trial will be made permanent if deemed successful.
