Fare’s not fair: Customers are taken for a ride by dodgy airport cabbies

While most cabbies operating at Sydney Airport charge an average $50 for a ride into the city, unscrupulous operators are hiking up costs by $40 extra on some trips, a Saturday Telegraph investigation has found.

Cab bosses and government officials have united in calls for an overhaul of taxi fares from Sydney Airport after an investigation revealed customers can be slugged $40 more than a regular fare by rogue drivers in ranks.

Spot checks revealed that while most taxi drivers operating at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport charged an average $50 for a ride into Surry Hills, some operators are charging more than $90.

The fare analysis, carried out at 5pm on Thursday and 3pm Friday this week, found taxis caught from the rank at the international airport to Surry Hills with Apex Cabs cost $51.35, while Syd Cabs was $51.14 and GM Signature cabs was $53.99.

The same journey with ride share service Uber was $6.70 less.

However the fifth trip from the airport to the same Surry Hills destination was $40 more expensive, despite also being with the same GM Signature taxi company.

The GM Signature taxi started the meter at $7.99 and added a surcharge of $4.44 before racking up $93.32.

Passengers at the Sydney International Airport queuing at the taxi rank could face being charged $40 more on a ride into the city. Photo Jeremy Piper

“We are unable to identify the driver involved at this stage, as the transaction was processed through a different EFTPOS machine, which is owned by Fiserv,” a GM spokeswoman said. “This means it was not processed using the terminal typically associated with our fleet.

“Our drivers are required to inform passengers if they are offering a premium service with additional charges, and we will follow up to ensure this is being done correctly.”

A Telegraph investigation reveals unsuspecting customers were being slugged more than $40 more by rogue drivers in ranks. Picture: Supplied

The transport regulator and Point to Point Commissioner Anthony Wing has vowed to investigate the complaint saying he takes fare-related offences “seriously.”

Finder consumer research head Graham Cooke said rank taxis should charge standard costs and declare higher prices before accepting a trip.

“Exclusive cars or chauffeur-driven cars can exploit passengers by not telling them in advance they are more expensive or offer a premium service,” he said.

“The industry needs to regulate cowboy taxi drivers with more stringent measures.”

Returning passengers at the Sydney International Airport Taxi rank. Photo Jeremy Piper

Fares for hail and rank taxis are government-regulated by Transport for NSW. Sydney Airport’s website said a flat fare to the city excluding fees is $45-55 (one way).

Shadow transport spokeswoman s Natalie Ward called for a “doubling” of enforcement hours to clampdown of rogue drivers and for QR codes to be introduced into Sydney’s taxis to enable customers to monitor the fare.

Taxi drivers pick up passengers from Sydney International Airport taxi rank. Photo Jeremy Piper

“Despite a lot of bluster from the government, rogue taxi drivers are still ripping off punters – it is just not good enough,” Ms Ward said.

The state government has requested the independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets standard fixed fares from Sydney Airport to the Sydney CBD and different destinations, with a decision expected in April.

Telegraph reporters Tyson Jackson (L) and Harrison Finlay (R) test taxi rides from Sydney International Airport to Surry Hills in the city. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

“In December, we introduced tough new rules meaning drivers convicted twice for fare related offences will not only be disqualified from the taxi industry, but also ride share companies like Uber and DiDi,” Transport Minister Jo Haylen said.

“The majority of our state’s 15,000 taxi drivers do the right thing, but these new measures will ensure that those who aren’t are out.”

Passengers at Sydney International Airport are funnelled in the queue at the taxi rank to the first available car. Photo Jeremy Piper

The NSW Taxi Council said the continuing cab fare variations on set journeys were “unacceptable” and called for more covert operations and a centralised ID card system to bar disqualified drivers from working with rival taxi firms.

The council backs the government’s move to push with IPART for set fares from Sydney Airport.

“That price variations continue is unacceptable and puts off people from trusting Sydney taxis – we must identity these drivers who overcharge more and report them to the point to point commissioner’s hotline on 1800 500 410,” said CEO Nick Abrahim.

A Saturday Telegraph investigation reveals unsuspecting customers were being ripped off by rogue drivers in the ranks at Sydney International Airport. Picture: Supplied

“We want to continue cracking down on the few tarnishing the good work of the industry.”

13Cabs company called on the government ensure payment terminals in NSW taxis were locked to the meter to prevent drivers inflating fares.

“This move would stop rogue drivers from being able to charge more than the metered taxi fare,” a spokesman said.

Mr Wing said: “I take matters of fare-related offences seriously and encourage anyone who has a fare-related complaint to call the Taxi Fare Hotline [phone])”.