Metropolitan taxi fares will increase at the end of this month by 3.92 per cent, in recognition of increasing pressure on taxi operators from rising fuel costs.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said most taxis in the Perth metropolitan area ran on LPG and over the last six months the cost had increased significantly.

The fare changes announced today meant customers would pay approximately 60 cents more for an average 7.5km trip.

“These dramatic increases in fuel prices have been affecting driver income and at a time when the State is experiencing major labour shortages, and to keep operators in the industry, we need to ensure they can make a decent living,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“This interim fare rise has been introduced ahead of the annual adjustment in November, to provide better working conditions for drivers now and to avoid deteriorating taxi service levels for the community and tourists to the State.

“In the meantime, a ‘root and branch’ review of taxi fares and appropriate annual adjustments is currently under way, with completion scheduled for October.”

The Minister said with demand for taxi services continually rising, a number of State Government initiatives had been undertaken to increase taxi driver numbers.

These initiatives included:

• a ‘Go West’ taxi driver recruitment campaign;
• 100 per cent training subsidies for 200 experienced interstate drivers and 200 Western Australian students to meet all training and application costs for entry into the Perth taxi industry;
• a 50 per cent subsidy to peak period drivers who lease plates from DPI; and
• a cadetship scheme for new multi-purpose (wheelchair) taxi drivers.

“I am committed to improving the taxi industry for drivers and service levels for customers and these initiatives support this commitment,” she said.

“The State Government will continue to ensure that taxi fares remain reasonable for customers and taxi operators alike.” 

For more information about becoming a taxi driver or taxi fare structures please visit http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au 

Minister's office - 9213 6400

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