The taxi trial will test a flat rate in an effort to reduce the number of customers having bad experiences at Sydney Airport. Photo: Yanais Kayeva.
The NSW Government is assuring travellers they will be given a fair go with a new flat rate for taxi fares from Sydney Airport.
As part of an effort to crack down on taxis ripping off travellers, the Minns Labor Government is introducing a trial of fixed fares between the airport and the city.
The trial was recommended by the pricing watchdog, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, in its May report into taxi fares.
The government said both the taxi industry and airport operators supported a flat-fare system.
NSW’s Point to Point Commission received numerous and frequent complaints of taxi drivers ripping off travellers landing in Sydney, with some visitors reporting that they had been charged as much as $150 for 13-kilometre trips.
An Uber from Sydney Airport to the Queen Victoria Building in the CBD (a 12 km trip) can cost as little as $43.
Point to Point Transport Commissioner has issued more than 1100 fines to drivers since the introduction of the Taxi Fare Hotline in November 2022.
“This 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,” Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing said.
“This trial will help 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.”
Just this year, a Sydney cab driver was fined $2000 for refusing to use his vehicle’s meter and giving a visiting family a $188.76 bill for a trip from the international terminal to the CBD.
The government pointed out that other major cities’ airports, such as New York City’s JFK, had flat airport fares.
“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 CEO Scott Charlton said.
A 12-month trial of the $60 fare will begin on 3 November and may be made permanent if successful.
Signage will be installed around the airport to notify travellers, alongside a communication campaign aimed at passengers and changes to meters in cabs.
In addition, the government has announced that road tolls and ground transport access fees can’t be passed on to passengers in addition to the fare.
During consultation, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal found that customers usually complained about drivers overcharging and refusing to use the meter, and adding unexpected charges at the end of the journey.
Transport Minister John Graham said: ”As Australians, we pride ourselves on a warm welcome and a fair go. This has not been the experience for many visitors to Sydney once they land in the cab rank.
“One bad experience for tourists can ricochet around the world in 2025 and we must be vigilant about maintaining the good image Sydney has earned over decades.”
