The Victorian Government has announced it will introduce reforms to ban dodgy taxi and ride-share drivers from operating in the state.
Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams said the reforms will be introduced to make it easier for passengers to report driver misconduct, mandate increased reporting of incidents by taxi companies, introduce harsher penalties for non-compliance and require enhanced driver accreditation and training.
“These reforms will deliver significant improvements for the taxi and ride-share industry by strengthening compliance and enforcement, while giving passengers more ways to report illegal behaviour,” said Ms Williams.
“While most drivers are doing the right thing, these changes are about making trips are safer and more reliable for Victorians.”
The first reforms to be introduced will be mandatory QR codes in taxis and ride-share vehicles linking passengers through to information on their rights and if needed, how to report a complaint.
The Minister said the changes will make it easier for passengers to report incidents and raise concerns, while also supporting drivers and providers in the industry who are doing the right thing.
Later this year, the Government will amend legislation to introduce a ‘two strikes and you’re out rule’ for drivers with multiple complaints made against them.
This will give Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel accreditations for drivers who have two fare-related convictions recorded against them.
Proposed updates to camera rules will give carers the option to access live, in-vehicle camera vision, if this is offered by the taxi or rideshare company. The reforms will also require that cameras in rank or hailed taxis must record audio in addition to vision and will also make it easier for operators to access footage so they can investigate complaints.
Safe Transport Victoria will also increase the training requirements for drivers of wheelchair-accessible vehicles to protect passengers, the Government confirmed in a statement.
This continues the Government’s program of reforms to increase passenger rights and safety in Commercial Passenger Vehicles.
In 2023, the Government updated the regulations so that drivers can no longer negotiate a price with customers above the regulated maximum fare and must use their meters for trips from ranks or when hailed on the streets.
