NSW Cracks Down on Taxi Fare Refusals, Imposes Hefty Penalties

In a move to deter taxi drivers from refusing short fares, the New South Wales government has announced a significant increase in penalties. As of 2025-11-09, the fine for the first fare-related offense will be raised from $1,000 to $3,000.

This crackdown comes after a recent incident at Sydney airport, where a 75-year-old passenger, John Heron, was denied rides by multiple taxi drivers for a short trip to a nearby hotel. Heron had just arrived from a late-night flight and was directed to the taxi rank, only to be turned away because the journey was too short. He was eventually able to secure a ride, but expressed his frustration at the situation.

The New South Wales Point to Point Transport Commissioner has stated that all passengers have the right to hire a taxi from a rank, regardless of the length of the trip. The commission has issued over 1,200 fines in recent years for fare refusals, with 58 such penalties issued last year alone.

To address this issue, the commission has launched a new trial for fixed taxi fares from the Sydney airport to the city's CBD, aiming to help cabs remain competitive with rideshare services. The commission has also increased its enforcement presence at the airport, conducting both plainclothes and highly visible operations to ensure drivers comply with the law.

The NSW Taxi Council has acknowledged that while the majority of drivers do the right thing, any driver who fails to uphold industry standards and abide by the law is unacceptable. The council is working on a solution to support drivers and ensure passengers can get a ride when and where they need it, including exploring a potential short fare system.