Australian Capital Territory
Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Maximum Fares Determination 2007 (No 2)
Disallowable instrument DI 2007–257
made under the  
Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001, s60 (power to determine maximum taxi fares)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This instrument revokes Determination DI2007-130 dated 14 June 2007 and notified on 26 June 2007.

Section 60(1) of the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 specifies that the Minister may, in writing, determine the maximum fares relating to hiring or using a taxi.  A determination under section 60(1) is a disallowable instrument.

This instrument changes the High Occupancy Taxi (HOT) fare schedule so that it now applies to a hiring of five or more passengers instead of six or more passengers. 

The HOT fare schedule was originally introduced for six or more passengers to encourage the provision of a cheaper taxi service to customers and to compensate drivers and operators for the extra distance travelled in taking several passengers to different destinations and the extra cost associated with operating the larger vehicles.

The only manufacturer of five seater vehicles with a taxi pack, has ceased producing station wagons or sedans with a carrying capacity of five passengers. Hirings of five or more passengers are frequently being transported by a wheelchair accessible taxi. This has an impact on both the disabled community by WATs being used for HOT bookings and driver and operator earnings, as hirings with five passengers can only be charged the same rates as a standard taxi fare.  
This determination will commence on 1 December 2007.