The festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and a fair bit of hustle and bustle.

When the busy schedule kicks in, dodgy drivers also take this as an opportunity to take advantage of locals looking to beat the holiday rush.

One state launched stringent rules for taxi services to ensure that everyone's ride is as smooth as it's supposed to be.

Starting 6 December, a new 'two strikes and you're out' rule will be implemented in NSW to crack down on taxi drivers who have been taking passengers for a ride in the wrong sense.

Taxis have been a lifeline for many, as they bring everyone to their destinations with comfort in mind.

However, not all taxi drivers have been living up to these expectations.

Taxis who refuse giving fair services could be banned soon thanks to NSW's new rule. Image Credit: Pexels/NEOSiAM 2024+

For the past two years, about 900 drivers have been fined for overcharging passengers, refusing short trips, or not using the pay meter.

About 2500 passengers had been refunded for being overcharged by their drivers.

The new laws are straightforward: taxi drivers breaking the rules will get a warning.

If they are guilty of the same misconduct a second time, they will be banned from driving taxis.

This new rule could be a significant step up from the current system, which often allows multiple infractions before any consequences are enforced.

Examples of this behaviour include negotiating a fare, adding unauthorised surcharges, or charging passengers with a maxi-taxi tariff when there are fewer than five people in the car.

These practices often leave passengers out of pocket and erode the people's trust in taxis.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen emphasised that the timing of these new rules is crucial.

With the holiday period being a peak time for the taxi and rideshare industries, the government wanted to send a strong message to the rogue drivers.

'This is a hectic time for the taxi and rideshare industries. Christmas parties are starting to kick off, people will be starting to come home through the airport, and then there are people rushing around for those last-minute gifts,' Minister Haylen shared.

Drivers previously caught by authorities should receive a final warning before the crackdown begins.

This is a move that should clean the industry up and ensure that the actions of a few do not tarnish hardworking, honest taxi drivers.

It's essential to be aware of these changes to protect ourselves from potential overcharging.

If you encounter a taxi driver breaking any of the state's rules, report it to the authorities immediately.

Your action could prevent others from being taken advantage of.

Key Takeaways

• The NSW government introduced a 'two strikes and you're out' rule to crack down on dodgy taxi drivers.
• Taxi drivers who overcharge, refuse short trips, or don't use the metre will be banned after being caught twice.
• The crackdown came after around 900 drivers were fined for such offences, with over 2500 passengers refunded for being overcharged.
• Transport Minister Jo Haylen emphasised that the rules are aimed at rogue drivers and coincide with the busy holiday season.

Have you ever been overcharged or refused a ride by a taxi driver? Will this new rule make a difference? Share your stories and opinions with us in the comments below!

 

[mylittletibbies]

I don't use taxis much, but my pet peeve is drivers who, thinking you may not know exactly where you are, take you on a very long route to your destination.
Have had this happen to me on several occasions in the past.
A couple of drivers got quite a shock when they discovered I knew exactly where I was and advised them of the shortest exact way to go.

 

[Phantom55]

I was charged $38 from east Gosford to north Gosford taxi...it cost me less to drive from Gosford to Sydney own car

 

[magpie1]

About time they really cracked down on these drivers....many are immigrants who have absolutely no idea of how to reach your destination in the most economical way possible and others deliberately want to try and take you for a proverbial RIDE. Stay alert to their driving or do as I always do and ask them first if they know how to get to my destination....if they are unsure then instruct them as to the best way.

 

[Kali]

In the Year 2000, I was charged near $40.00 to go from Maroochydore to Bli bli, around 12 kilometres. Never used a taxi since. The driver even offered cheaper fare for personal favours, whilst parked in my driveway. I was naive, didnt know who to report to. $40 was a lot of money in 2000. He scared me.

 

[Valcelt44]

I was advised to book my taxi ride online with an overnight booking so I did this and for a while I had no problems but just lately this has changed. Firstly, I ran into problems with local taxis not turning up early enough for my appointments and with me having to cancel my local doctor appointments even though I gave a 15 to 20 minute time frame - normally the journey would only take about 10 minutes. However, despite doing all the above things in the last two weeks the taxi has not even showed up despite the taxi company sending me a text to say the taxi would be arriving in the next 10 minutes. I have also found it very hard to contact them at all as no contact number is given to let them know.
As I have severe arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes and also do not drive this is becoming a nightmare situation for me. As I like to support the local taxis and they have let me down badly my last alternative is to see if Uber is a more satisfactory solution. Fingers crossed. I will find out in two weeks time.