Taxis On New Year's Eve

Taxis on New Year's Eve

30 December 2009

The NSW Taxi Council today said taxis would play their role in Sydney's New Year's Eve Transport Strategy, and called on passengers to be patient and polite to taxi drivers who give up their celebrations to work.

"New Year's Eve is the busiest night of the year for Sydney's taxis and every available taxi will be on the road. While we will be doing our best to get people home after midnight, we urge everyone to remember that we are part of an overall transport strategy involving trains, buses and ferries and that not everyone in Sydney can get their own private taxi at exactly the same time," said NSW Taxi Council CEO, Mr Peter Ramshaw.

"There are extensive road closures on New Year's Eve. We ask that passengers have reasonable expectations and be patient and polite to drivers. Drivers have given up their New Year's Eve to drive others around it is unreasonable to blame them for the traffic conditions, road closures, the absence of other modes of transport, or because you are tired and want to get home."

Mr Ramshaw said maximum numbers of vehicles would also be focusing on outer-city and suburban roads in areas often not adequately serviced by other modes of transport, especially in the early hours.

He reminded passengers and drivers of the CBD Secure Rank operating on New Year's Eve in Elizabeth Street between Liverpool and Goulburn Streets close to Museum Station from 9:00pm until 5:00am on NY's Day.

Other Secure Ranks will be operating across Sydney and NSW refer to www.131500.com.au.

Mr Ramshaw said there were a number of steps passengers could take to assist in gaining transport during this busy period, including:

* If you are at a pub or club ask if they are one of the hundreds of participants in the Secure Cab scheme.
* Pre-booking where possible and planning ahead.
* Consider the timing of their trip so they are not traveling at times of peak demand.
* Consider group bookings with a Maxi Cab.
* Permit your driver to multiple hire. It not only allows the best utilisation of Sydney's taxis, you also get a 25% discount on your standard metered fare.
* For the fastest and safest taxi journey, do not wander the streets trying to hail passing taxis, use the secure ranks.
* Make sure you have your Cabcharge card, credit card, or money ready for speedy payment once the journey ends.
* For security reasons, only book through an authorised taxi network.
* Make sure the driver is wearing an authorised uniform and displays the Driver's Authority Card.
* Insist on the meter being used, and gain a receipt from the EFTPOS machine at the end of the journey as this contains the Taxi and Driver numbers.
* When you leave the cab turn around and check you have not left belongings behind.

Mr Ramshaw said passengers should also be aware that:

* A "prestige" surcharge or "NYE surcharge" is not part of the authorised fare and cannot be legally charged.
* Passengers are encouraged to tip their drivers in accordance with the level of service received.
* Passengers are not permitted to smoke, eat or drink in a taxi.
* Your taxi driver is working while most people are celebrating.

"This is a stressful time of the year for everyone. Patience and courtesy would be appreciated when booking or riding in a taxi, and we ask that expectations are kept realistic. If, in these most difficult circumstances, a driver provides exceptional service, please feel free to offer a tip and a friendly word," said Mr Ramshaw.

Media contact: Tracey Cain, NSW Taxi Council 0411 644 999

SOURCE: NSW Taxi Council