Dodgy cabbies who repeatedly rip off customers to be banned from industry

Taxi drivers will face tougher penalties for fare-related offences such as refusing trips or overcharging. Here’s what could get repeat offenders banned for good.

Dodgy taxi drivers caught repeatedly ripping off passengers will be banned from the industry for good, under dramatically harsher punishments for rogue operators.

From next Friday, drivers twice found guilty of offences like overcharging, not using the meter, or refusing a short fare will be disqualified from operating taxis or ride share services.

Until now, fare-related offences have only incurred fines.

In the past year, taxi inspectors have slapped around 900 fines on dodgy operators trying to rip their customers off.

Under the scheme, the Point to Point Transport Commission has inspectors on the beat, in uniform and undercover, to punish taxi drivers for fare-related offences.

Complaints from customers can also lead to drivers being punished, following an investigation.

Taxi drivers twice found guilty of fare-related offences will be disqualified from the industry under a government crackdown on dodgy operators. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Fare-related offences include not using the meter, overcharging, refusing a passenger if they are only going a short distance, or demanding or trying to negotiate a fare. Drivers can also be fined for adding extra surcharges or using the maxi-taxi tariff when carrying fewer than five passengers.

Drivers who are caught by transport inspectors are liable for an initial $1000 fine, with any further offences go to court.

More than 100 cabbies are already on notice after receiving multiple fines for fare-related offences.

Any future offences for those drivers will go straight to court. Two drivers in NSW are already on their last warning, having been found guilty by a court of a fare-related offence.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the tougher penalties will be in effect in time to protect customers during the busy festive season.

“While the vast majority of drivers do the right thing, we know some of them are on the naughty list this Christmas. But it won’t be coal in the stocking, it’ll be two strikes and you’re out of the industry,” she said.

In the past year, taxi inspectors have slapped around 900 fines on cabbies ripping off customers. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We’re sending a strong message to the minority of rogue drivers that if they continue overcharging, not using the meter or refusing fares they now risk being kicked out of the industry.”

The NSW Taxi council has been advocating for rule-breakers to receive tougher penalties.

“We want to go as far as we need to send a strong message to those drivers, to tell them that enough is enough,” CEO Nick Abrahim said.

He said the threat of disqualification would be enough to stop rogue operators doing the wrong thing.

“If you’re going to lose the ability to drive a point to point vehicle, that means, for many, they will to lose their livelihood,” he said.

Owner-operator Deepak Malhotra said dodgy drivers have delivered a “devastating” blow to the industry’s reputation.

He said the reforms did not go far enough.

“There shouldn’t be any second chance,” he said.

“The drivers who are who turn out to be repeat offenders … they’re not going to change their behaviour,” he said.

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