Point to Point Transport Operations Inquiry

NEW SOUTH WALES NEWS

Point to Point Transport Operations Inquiry

The NSW Taxi Council has been continuously advocating for the buyback of NSW Taxi Licences for a fair and just value in line with pre-reform prices, through continuous engagement with the NSW Government and the Parliament of NSW.

On 9 April 2020, the Parliament of NSW – Legislative Council’s (Upper House) Portfolio Committee No. 6 – Transport and Customer Services has established an inquiry into and report on the operation of the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act 2016.

This Upper house Parliamentary Inquiry is separate to the Point to Point Transport Independent Review 2020 announced by the NSW Government in March 2020.

The Terms of Reference issued by the Legislative Council for the inquiry states that the committee will inquire into and report on; 1. the operation of the regulatory system applying to the Taxi industry, 2. specifically, the system of bailment that operates in relation to the Taxi industry, any changes pursued by the NSW Government to the system of bailment since enactment of the legislation, and any changes that should be made, 3. the implementation of the industry assistance package for the Taxi industry, including the Passenger Service Levy and how it has been applied, 4. the impact of the legislation on the value of

Taxi plates,

5. the role and function of the Point to Point Transport Commissioner, and6. any other related matter.

This inquiry presents another significant opportunity for the NSW Taxi Industry along with the Point to Point Transport Independent Review 2020, as the Upper House committee examines the operation of The Point to Point Transport Act, 2016, which has now been in place for almost four years. During this time, the NSW Taxi Industry has experienced unprecedented changes and disruption as the legislation legalised

other Point to Point Transport services in NSW.

The committee has welcomed stakeholders of the NSW Taxi Industry to have their say and submit their comments to the inquiry via an online questionnaire on Parliament of NSW’s website. The organisations who intend to make a detailed written submission can lodge their comments for the inquiry via email or uploading on the Parliament Committee’s website. A detailed written submission could also be sent in writing to the committee.

For further information, please refer to the “Committees” section of the Parliament of NSW’s website on https://www.parliament.nsw.gov. au/committees/inquiries/pages/ inquiries.aspx.

The NSW Taxi Council is currently working to look at effective and efficient ways to engage and consult with the members and stakeholders of the NSW Taxi Industry in metro and regional NSW, keeping in mind particularly the challenges we all have due to the strict social distancing guidelines announced by the government.