Have you ever been ripped off by a cab from the airport? Me too. Well, good news – the New South Wales Government is finally introducing a $60 fixed fare from the airport to the CBD, starting November 3. The flat rate aims to crack down on dodgy taxi practices – including overcharging and refusing to use a metre – that leave a sour taste in both tourists’ and locals’ mouths.
First-time visitors to Sydney are usually the prime targets, with the NSW Point to Point Commission frequently receiving complaints of taxi drivers taking advantage of arrivals, such as fares exceeding $150 for the 13-kilometre trip. More than 1,100 fines have been issued to taxi drivers since the introduction of the Taxi Fare Hotline in November 2022. Earlier this year, a Sydney cabbie copped a $2,000 for refusing to use the metre and charging a holiday-going family $188.76 from the airport to the CBD. Yikes.
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Time Out’s Editor in Chief Alice Ellis has also fallen victim to questionable taxi prices. "I live in Marrickville (only 6 km from Sydney Airport), so any time I used to catch a cab from the airport, the driver would spend the whole trip telling me my fare wasn't worth their time and that I'd need to pay extra. I felt intimidated a number of times before I swore off ever opting for the convenience of jumping in a cab from the airport again. I now only catch Ubers."
Minister for Transport John Graham is excited about the change, saying: “As Australians, we pride ourselves on a warm welcome and a fair go. This has not been the experience for many visitors to Sydney once they land in the cab rank.
One bad experience for tourists can ricochet around the world in 2025, and we must be vigilant about maintaining the good image Sydney has earned over decades. It’s time for a fair fare, every time,” he added.
Road tolls and Sydney Airport ground transport access fees must not be passed on to passengers in addition to the fixed fare.
Capped fares are not new, with major cities, including New York’s JFK Airport, also implementing them.
Up to 5,000 taxis a day queue to pick up visitors from the international and domestic terminals – so this news will come as welcome relief to many.
The capped cab fares will begin as a 12-month trial, and if deemed a success, will be made permanent. Here’s hoping!