Action for Public Transport (NSW)

Action for Public Transport (APT) is a transport consumer advocacy organisation, funded by subscriptions and donations from members. APT’s primary concern is the effect on passengers, and not the effect on taxi plate values, return on investment or drivers’ wages.

In response to your Issues Paper dated February 2013, we consider that a small increase in taxi fares would not be unreasonable.

Most people use taxis rather infrequently, but almost everybody needs them some time. There are people with cars who have a few drinks; or people who choose to live without cars, and will generally use public transport, but who sometimes need quick personal transport.

Although taxis are provided as a commercial service, as a general principle they should be treated as part of the public transport system. This would mean:

• Providing taxi rank information at bus stops, and vice versa;
• Inclusion in the OPAL smart card fare system;
• Easing restrictions on taxis picking up passengers at bus stops (some, at least).

Regarding IPART’s specific concerns with the level of fares:

• APT’s view is that a small increase or reduction in fares is likely to have very little bearing on affordability of taxi services.
• Customers generally choose a taxi as a transport mode for reasons other than cost. Time and convenience are more important, especially with luggage to and from the airport or groceries from the supermarket.
• People who use taxis frequently (because of physical handicap or work needs) are likely to have their use subsidised by employers or by other schemes.
• A decrease in waiting times is one of the most beneficial outcomes for users. A fare increase might be justified if it leads to this decrease.

Answers to specific questions in the IPART Issues Paper:

6 Should we consider introducing an additional peak surcharge on Friday and Saturday nights with a corresponding reduction in other fare components? At what level should it be set?
We would recommend no additional surcharge – in fact reduced group fares to more distant suburbs, as in Melbourne, should be applied.

7 Should we consider removing the night surcharge on Sunday to Thursday nights?
Yes. The argument (p.31) that passengers at these times can afford to pay extra seems insensitive. If as suggested there are more taxis on the road than required on these nights, this would then be a supply-and-demand adjustment to reduce these numbers.

8 Should the flag fall be increased in combination with a reduction in the distance and waiting time charges?
We think not. With the philosophy as stated above that taxis should be treated as other modes of public transport, it is probably better that shorter journeys remain proportionately cheaper. Current short-distance passengers may be among the more disadvantaged taxi users.

10 Are the booking fees set at the right level relative to other fare components?
The booking fee component should probably be reduced (i.e. even at cost of increasing distance charges), and possibly as suggested on p.38 private booking agents (including mobile phone apps whose use is sure to grow) should be free to choose their own levels.

12 Should taxi meters be linked to e-Tags so that tolls do not need to be manually added by a driver at the end of a journey?
Yes

13 Should passengers be charged a toll on northbound trips across Sydney Harbour?
Yes – however the toll charged to southbound passengers should be reduced (which might demand some special programming of meters given the answer to question 12).

16 Should the process for setting urban and country fares be the same as that used for Sydney fares?
No – it appears from this paper that the conditions for taxis in regional and rural areas are different.

We would be happy to elaborate on these or other aspects if requested.

APT has no objection to this submission being made public.

Yours faithfully,

Allan Miles
Secretary
Action for Public Transport (NSW)