NSW is calling on Queensland to help fix a cross-border legal anomaly that gives taxi drivers north of the border an advantage over their NSW rivals and makes life harder for passengers and tourists seeking to catch a ride into NSW.
Queensland drivers can pick up a fare in NSW whereas NSW drivers are banned by Queensland law from picking up in that state outside of a handful of dedicated ranks for NSW-bound passengers.
This has created an economic disadvantage for NSW drivers and point to point operators and reduced the level of service for tourists and residents flying into Gold Coast Airport as a gateway to Northern NSW.
The NSW taxi industry has complained of Queensland cabbies operating in NSW during big events like Bluesfest in Byron Bay.
More concerning is the impact on NSW residents requiring specialised transport services and often returning from medical appointments in Queensland.
NSW residents requiring wheelchair accessible taxis for medical appointments on the Gold Coast face considerable challenges. They are currently unable to book their trusted
NSW drivers for return journeys and often endure extended wait times, as well as difficulties with the NSW subsidy scheme being accepted by Queensland operators.
This situation creates unnecessary distress for people relying on these services.
The NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner raised the issue at the recent Cross Border Tourism and Transport Forum and there has been discussions this year between the NSW Taxi Council and Gold Coast service providers, who have expressed support for allowing NSW drivers to conduct return trips for NSW passengers with disabilities.
Minister for Transport John Graham has now written to his Queensland counterpart Brent Mickelberg, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, to propose an immediate change to allow passengers using the NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme to book a return trip with their preferred NSW operator.
This first step would improve service for vulnerable passengers from NSW.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"Our two states compete hard, whether that is to attract tourists and visitors, in business or on the sporting field - as will be seen again on Wednesday night in the State-of-Origin series decider, which we expect the Blues to win.
"To do so, we both require a level playing field and that is what we are calling on Queensland to help us provide when it comes to cross-border transport.
"The current regulatory frameworks on point to point services give Queensland drivers an advantage over their NSW counterparts. We believe an unfair advantage and that state border anomalies should not exist in Australia in 2025.
"This results in a poorer service for visitors getting into our state and at times distress for NSW residents who need to access medical treatment in Queensland and rely on the NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme to return home."
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"Competition between states is great, but not when it comes to accessing transport.
"The Queensland Government is on the wrong foot. Access to critical services should not depend on where you live, but that is the reality for some people living in the border communities of NSW and Queensland.
"Unfair operating arrangements between NSW and Queensland doesn't just impact our most vulnerable residents, it also disadvantages our small businesses in the taxi sector as well as tourism and hospitality. We need a level playing field to ensure people across the Queensland and NSW borders can access services, and operators are playing under one set of rules when to comes to fares.
"The NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner would be pleased to work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to develop and implement these arrangements.
"Transport doesn't need to be a political football. Let's keep the football on the field and work together to ensure that everyone along our state border can get where they need to go."
NSW Taxi Council chief executive Nick Abrahim said:
"The NSW Taxi Council welcomes the move to allow NSW taxi drivers to carry out return trips after dropping off a Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme participant in Queensland.
"We would like to see this measure extended to allow for all passengers to be given the opportunity to return in a NSW Taxi for all trips that cross the border."
