Australian Capital Territory
Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Maximum Fares for Taxi Services Determination 2014 (No 1)
Disallowable instrument DI 2014 – 31
made under the  
Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001, section 60 (power to determine maximum taxi fares)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 60(1) of the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 provides 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.

In January 2011 a premium service fee was incorporated into the taxi fare determination to allow for a fee to be charged to passengers who booked a Silver Service taxi.  The fee was approved as Silver Service taxis promoted and offered a premium service to clients and also guaranteed the replacement price (up to the value of $500) of a passenger’s plane, train or bus ticket, where delays in their service affected the passengers travel. 

As Silver Service now advertise the charge as a ‘booking fee’ the fare determination has been amended to reflect that the fee is a Silver Service Booking Fee.

An additional fee has also been included in the fare determination to allow an operator participating in the Independent Taxi Operator Pilot (ITOP), who has previously operated a Silver Service taxi, to charge an $11 Premium Service fee if the operator continues to offer and promote the same premium taxi service.  The premium service offered by the Independent Taxi Operator will, amongst other things, travel in a luxury quality vehicle and guarantee that the taxi will arrive on time.  The fee is not applied if the taxi does not arrive prior to, or at the booked time or to rank and hail hirings.

All other fares and fees remain unchanged from the previous fare determination. 

Note:  The Independent Taxi Operator Pilot commenced on 1 March 2012 and will operate for 3 years, during which time it will be reviewed to determine whether the arrangement contributes to improved taxi services and whether it should continue as a permanent feature of ACT taxi arrangements. 

A maximum of 25 taxis can participate in the pilot and will be able to operate independently without affiliation to Canberra’s three taxi networks, Canberra Elite, Silver Service and Cabxpress.  Interested taxi operators apply to the Office of Regulatory Services to become an independent taxi operator.  

This determination gives effect to the fare and fee charges recommended and will commence the day after notification.