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Proposed taxi reforms in Mandurah and Murray announced today

Vanessa SchmittMandurah Coastal Times

REGIONAL taxi operators in the Mandurah and Murray areas could be exempt from paying the temporary levy on fares for trips booked outside the Perth/Peel areas.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced proposed on-demand transport reforms today after industry consultation.

The proposed changes include regional operators being exempt from paying the temporary levy, the maximum levy on metropolitan taxi or charter fares will be $10, booking service fees will be waived during the first 12 months of the reform and the cap on the number of authorised taxis will be removed.

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The proposed reforms are in response to concerns raised during community consultation.

It is hoped the reforms will remove regulatory burdens and promote greater competition.

A proposed assistance package will support taxi-car licence holders in the Mandurah and Murray areas to make the transition to being a metropolitan-based booking service and subject to the temporary levy.

Ms Saffioti said the McGowan Government continued to consult widely to make sure that the proposed reforms would create a sustainable and innovative WA on-demand transport industry for operators and customers.

“Waiving the fees for booking services for 12 months after the reforms come into effect, will assist service providers to pay the levy without passing on the cost to their customers,” she said.

“After listening to the concerns of the regional taxi operators and their representatives, we have made a decision to exempt regional taxi and charter operators from paying the temporary levy.

“By not imposing the cap on metropolitan and regional taxi vehicle authorisations, we are creating a more level playing field with charter vehicle operators for which numbers are currently uncapped.

“The Government has worked with representatives of the WA Country Taxi Operators’ Association to get the best outcomes for the on-demand transport industry in regional areas.”

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