Regulator proposes no change for rank and hail taxi fares

The cost of catching a cab from the street or taxi rank will stay the same under a proposal from the state’s economic regulator.

In a draft decision, the Essential Services Commission has proposed no changes for the maximum fare that can be charged for ‘unbooked’ commercial passenger vehicle services following a review of fares. 

Unbooked services include hailing a vehicle from the street or taking a taxi from a rank, while booked services are arranged through an app, online or over the phone.

Commission chair Ron Ben-David says keeping fares unchanged would provide some stability in a rapidly changing sector.

“The industry is being transformed with a range of new services, including ride sharing services, coming into the market.

“This is a time of significant uncertainty for the taxi industry, particularly long-time operators, so we are recommending leaving maximum fares unchanged for now,” he said.

The commission’s draft decision covers fares in metropolitan Melbourne and urban and large regional zones including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Frankston, Dandenong and the Mornington Peninsula.

The commission is inviting submissions on the proposed fares. You can go to:

• our website for further information
• or lodge a submission via Engage Victoria
• or email cpvfares@esc.vic.gov.au. 

All submissions should be sent by 19 July 2018.