SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING INDUSTRY: TASKFORCE TO EXAMINE POINT TO POINT TRANSPORT

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced an independent taskforce to examine the future sustainability of taxis, hire cars and other emerging point to point transport providers in NSW including ridesharing apps.

The new taskforce will be headed by Professor Gary Sturgess AM, who will be assisted by Tom Parry AM, and will report back to the NSW Government by the end of October with recommendations on a range of complex issues facing the industry.

The taskforce will work with customers, the taxi industry, hire car companies and other stakeholders to look at sustainability and competition in the market, the impact of emerging technologies, the importance of customer safety and the burden of current taxi regulations.

“The taxi and point to point transport industry is changing rapidly and so are our customers’ expectations,” Mr Constance said.

“We know cities around the world are grappling with these changes and in particular, the introduction of new unregulated ridesharing apps. I have made it a priority to get to the bottom of these issues, no matter how complex.

“We also want to examine the sustainability of the industry in regional NSW where operators are under increasing pressure from hire cars as well as from courtesy transport and community transport.

“If we want to see a strong future for the taxi industry and make services more attractive to customers, the next step is to look closely at current regulations to ensure there’s a more even playing field.”

The NSW Government has asked the taskforce to consider the possible impact of any changes to regulation on existing investors and if necessary, make recommendations on a possible adjustment package. This would include an anti-gaming clause effective from today, to prevent any manipulation of the current licensing system.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) normal annual review of fares and licences will be deferred until after the taskforce has reported back to Government and a response has been formed.

The taskforce will also look at the transport services available for people with disabilities and other groups who rely on community transport and taxis to go about their daily lives.

The community is urged to have its say when submissions are called for in the coming weeks. People can register their interest in making a submission by emailingpointtopoint@transport.nsw.gov.au.