MINNS GOVERNMENT URGED TO IMPLEMENT TAXI AND RIDESHARE REFORM TO MAKE CTP SYSTEM FAIR

Paul Nicolaou | Executive Director, Business Sydney | Mob: 0419 400 038

Business Sydney and the NSW Taxi Council today called for the NSW Government to implement reforms to the taxi and rideshare industry to make the system fair for both sectors and the travelling public. 

Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney, and Nick Abrahim, CEO of the NSW Taxi Council, said compulsory third party (CTP) insurance premiums had created a slow-moving crisis for the taxi industry. 

Both urged the government to as soon  as possible implement recommendations of a parliamentary committee for taxis and rideshare operators to be on similar CTP arrangements because they offered similar services. 

Currently, taxi operators must pay far more than rideshare for CTP with taxis in metropolitan areas paying premiums of up to $6000 and up to $5200 in regional areas. 

Rideshare operators instead paid only between $500 and $700 because, unlike taxis, they were in the same category as private car owners.

Mr Nicolaou and Mr Abrahim said the impact of the inequity of such an uneven playing field was stark indeed. 

“In the past two years, more than 600 taxis have left the industry leaving a statewide fleet of around 5,500 with many of them in Sydney,” Mr Nicolaou said. “If this decline continues, the taxi fleet will be cut by more than half within 10 years. 

“Regional communities including Kiama, Milton-Ulladulla, Wellington, Narromine, Uralla and other country towns have already lost their taxi services.” 

In April, the Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice released its report following its CTP Scheme Review 2025. 

It acknowledged the decline in taxi numbers and the adverse impact on services available in rural and regional areas. 

The report also called for action within six months to put taxis and rideshare operators into a single CTP class. 

“This recommendation aligns with proven models that already exist in Queensland and Victoria where a single CTP classification provides a more equitable and sustainable approach,” Mr Abrahim said. 

“We are seeking the government’s leadership and support to implement the committee’s recommendations in the interests of the public and regional communities.”

Mr Nicolaou and Mr Abrahim have written to Premier Chris Minns and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on behalf of Business Sydney and the NSW Taxi Council. 

Their letter says reform of the CTP system for taxis and rideshare operators would achieve a fair and equitable model that would ensure that a competitive market remains for the benefit of the travelling public. 

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