Taxi reports

National Competition Policy Review: Passenger Transport Act 1990 Part 4 (Taxi Cabs)

Hawkless Consulting, June 2005

• National Competition Policy Review: Passenger Transport Act 1990 Part 4 (Taxi Cabs) (pdf 1MB)

The report was commissioned following a National Competition Council (NCC) finding that provisions of the Passenger Transport Act 1990 were inconsistent with National Competition Policy principles.

Key findings and recommendations:

• There are no statutory barriers to entry (as the Act does not limit the number of licences, contrary to the NCC’s understanding), but price barriers to entry could exist.
• Controls on market entry (including price controls and performance standards) may be justified on the basis of passenger safety, service quality and the need for business confidence.
• Potential options for change should be subject to cost/benefit analysis.

Current status:

• Pricewaterhouse Coopers was engaged to undertake a cost benefit analysis of the reform options identified in the Hawkless report.

Government has initiated a number of reviews to examine different aspects of regulation of the taxi industry. These reviews have contributed to the development and implementation of reforms to improve services for passengers.

Discussion Paper - Short Term Taxi and Hire Car Licence Plates: Policy for Setting Prices

Arthur Andersen, September 1993

• Discussion Paper - Short Term Taxi and Hire Car Licence Plates: Policy for Setting Prices (pdf 643KB)

This discussion paper was commissioned to provide advice on possible methods for setting short term licence fees. It presented three possible options and the positive and negative features of each:

• Releasing a small number of licences onto the market using a tender or auction system.
• Releasing a small number onto the market at a price which reflects the current price at which plates are being leased.
• Computing an approximation to the market price based on the price of long term plates but with adjustments to reflect conditions attaching to the plates.

2002 National Taxi Users Survey Report

Colmar Brunton, February 2003

• 2002 National Taxi Users Survey Report (pdf 429KB)

Report from a national survey of taxi customers that was conducted in November and December 2002.

Benefit/Cost Assessment of Options for Reform of Taxi Licensing

Pricewaterhouse Coopers, September 2005

• Benefit/Cost Assessment of Options for Reform of Taxi Licensing (pdf 592KB)

Pricewaterhouse Coopers was engaged to assess the costs and benefits of the licensing reform options identified in the Hawkless report and provide advice to Cabinet. A scoring framework was used to assess each option against criteria including: customer impact; likelihood of new entry; impact on industry stakeholders; lease implementation costs and complexity; and alignment with broad Government policy directions.

Two options for further analysis were highlighted with a recommendation for further analysis.

Current status:

• Further analysis was undertaken, including a more detailed cost/benefit assessment and economic assessment which was used to inform Government’s licensing reforms announced in 2009.

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Taskforce

• Interim Brief, September 2004 (pdf 483KB)
• Report by Prof R Fitzgerald, August 2005 (pdf 937KB)
• Final Report, November 2005 (pdf 2MB)

The reports were commissioned to make recommendations on how to improve the delivery of WAT services.

Key findings and recommendations:

• Trial a WAT driver incentive payment.
• Review WAT driver training and encourage broader application.
• Improve alignment between standard wheelchair access requirements and WAT vehicle design standards.
• Use GPS technology for WAT job allocation.
• Develop minimum service levels for WAT utilisation.

Current status:

• A trial of the WAT driver incentive payment commenced in December 2007.
• Free WAT driver training is provided to encourage new drivers.
• A Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Measure Protocol was developed in November 2008 to ensure that WATs are built in compliance with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2005.
• Key Performance Indicators have been established for WAT services rather than minimum service levels. With an improved enforcement regime, the same objectives have been achieved.
• All taxis operating in metropolitan areas, including WATs, have GPS fitted and are linked to an authorised network dispatch system.

Ministerial Inquiry into the Taxi Industry / Taxi Taskforce

• Ministerial Inquiry into the Taxi Industry, September 2004 (doc 414KB)
• Taxi Taskforce Final Report, December 2005 (pdf 829KB)

The Taxi Taskforce was established to progress the work of the 2004 Ministerial Review of Taxi Services in NSW (published).

Key findings and recommendations:

• The 1993 interim network standards should be updated and replaced.
• A new advisory body should be established to replace the Taxi Advisory Committee, with driver representation.
• A surcharge for premium services should be allowed.
• A “seniority register” should be established to help provide a career path for drivers.

Current status:

• New performance standards for Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast were introduced on 1 January 2008 and came into full effect on 1 July 2008. Aggregated network performance against these standards is published quarterly.
• Following the first 12 months in operation, Transport for NSW undertook a further review of the standards to ensure that the performance benchmarks are set at appropriate levels and that those aspects of service performance most relevant to passengers are being measured.
• Constitution of a taxi industry advisory body is being developed, including Terms of Reference and business rules.
• Premium services have emerged without additional costs to passengers.
• Based on submissions to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) on this issue, there are a wide range of views on whether allowing for a premium service surcharge over an above the metered fare is in the interests of passengers or the industry. This issue will continue to be monitored.
• Changes to taxi licensing arrangements should help make obtaining a licence easier for drivers. The new provisions allow Government to target all or part of each licence release at drivers to help retain professionals in the industry.

NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme - Review Report
May 2006

• NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme - Review Report (pdf 472KB)

The report was commissioned to examine aspects of the TTSS, including administration and the potential to use any savings from improved administration to extend benefits.

Key findings and recommendations:

• Replace the docket system with an electronic smartcard.
• Lift age restrictions, so that children under 5 are eligible for the scheme.
• Improve administration through a range of measures, including an audit program.

Current status:

• A procurement process was undergone to identify a suitable provider at an acceptable cost.
• Changes to eligibility will be considered in the context of the introduction of the new card system and the level of anticipated savings that are achieved as a result.
• Improvements to administration are being developed and implemented on an ongoing basis.

Taxi Industry Safety and security taskforce reports
2006 to 2007

The Taxi Industry Safety and Security Taskforce was formed by the NSW Government to assess the risks faced by taxi drivers, research and review existing safety initiatives, and to develop new strategies.

• Taxi Industry Safety and Security Taskforce Interim Report, July 2007 (pdf 99KB)
• Taxi Industry Safety and Security Taskforce Final Report, December 2007 (pdf 591KB)

NSW Government response to Select Committee of Inquiry into the NSW Taxi Industry
December 2010

NSW Government response to SCI taxi inquiry.

• Response_to_the Select Committee of Inquiry into the NSW Taxi Industry (pdf 100KB)