The NSW Government has announced it will trial a fixed rate $60 taxi fare between Sydney Airport and the city’s CBD as part of measures to crackdown on taxi rip-offs.
The trial was recommended by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal in its report into taxi fares in May.
The NSW Point to Point Commission has received frequent complaints of taxi drivers taking advantage of first-time arrivals to Sydney. The practice of overcharging and refusing to use meters has even led to drivers touting for business inside the arrivals hall at the airport.
The Point to Point Commissioner has issued more than 1,100 fines to taxi drivers since the introduction of the Taxi Fare Hotline in November 2022.
Earlier in the year, a Sydney cabbie was fined $2,000 for refusing to use the meter and landing an overseas family with a $188.76 fare from the international terminal to a hotel in the CBD.
“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,” said Minister for Transport, John Graham.
“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.
“It’s time for a fair fare, every time.”
“I want to thank IPART for its work and the support of the NSW Taxi Council and Sydney Airport for helping us make a positive change.”
Flat fares have been introduced in other major cities, including New York’s JFK Airport.
A $60 fixed fare from the airport to the CBD will begin with a 12-month trial from 3 November. The trial will be assessed and made permanent if deemed a success. The NSW taxi industry and the operators of the airport support a flat fare structure.
“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,” said Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing.
“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”
“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 Government says a November start date allows for the installation of signage around the airport, a communication campaign to passengers and changes to meters inside cabs.
As part of the trial, road tolls and Sydney Airport ground transport access fees must NOT be passed on to the passenger in addition to the fixed fare.
During consultation interviews, IPART found customer complaints centred around overcharging and refusal to use the meter, as well as a range of unexpected charges added to the fare at the end of the journey.
“The NSW Taxi Council welcomes this announcement by the NSW Government, and we believe set fares will provide certainty and confidence for passengers when travelling in a taxi from the Airport,” said NSW Taxi Council CEO, Nick Abrahim.
“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.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton has also welcomed the trial.
“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,” said Mr Charlton.
“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.”
