On-demand rank or hail (taxi) fares

Under the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020, all on-demand vehicles must be fitted with a fare calculation device (meter) that is in working order and clearly visible to passengers in the vehicle.

Metered taxi fares charged to passengers must be consistent with the relevant Schedule outlined in the Regulations, either:

• Schedule 4 for the metropolitan region; or 
• Schedule 5 for one of nine country regions

Fares charged on the meter must not exceed the maximum amounts as outlined below on this page.

The flagfall, distance and other rates and charges that are programmed into the meter should be reflected in the fare schedule. 

When Department of Transport (DoT) Education and Compliance Officers conduct an audit, the on-demand booking service (ODBS) must produce a copy of their fare schedule.

What does the fare schedule include?

The fare schedule must be in the approved form. It is up to the booking service, vehicle provider and driver to ensure that the fare schedule that is fitted meets the approved form. This means the fare schedule must:

• include the name of the ODBS provider;
• detail the rates and amounts to be paid for the trip;
• be printed in a format that is legible;
• not be handwritten;
• display all text in the English language; and
• display all figures in Australian currency, with cents rounded to two decimal places 

If the ODBS is undertaking trips in the Levy area, the fare schedule must also include a statement informing customers of the additional amount of fare allocated to the Levy and any associated GST charges.

Where is the fare schedule displayed?

Fare schedules in the approved form must be located in a position that is clearly visible to:

• prospective passengers from outside the front passenger window; and 
• passengers inside the vehicle. 

If it is not practical with the design of the vehicle to display the full fare schedule on the outside of the vehicle, it is acceptable to display a summary fare schedule on the outside of the front passenger door. The full fare schedule must still be displayed inside the vehicle, visible to passengers.

The summary fare schedule must be in the approved form – this means that the summary fare schedule must:

• be printed in a format that is legible;
• not be handwritten;
• display all text in the English language; and
• display all figures in Australian currency, with cents rounded to two decimal places; and
• contain at least the following information:
  • any flag fall that applies and the times and/or circumstances in which it applies; and 
  • effective from July 2021, the distance rates for each tariff and the times and/or circumstances in which they apply.

	Transport (Road Passenger Services) Act 2018
	Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020

This is the agreed amount payable for the hire of a taxi or charter vehicle, which must be agreed between the hirer and the driver, or the driver's booking service before the journey starts.

The contract fare must be recorded in writing or electronically via sms or email.

The written confirmation of fare must include:

• sufficient details to enable the identification of the driver, the vehicles, the person who booked the service and at least one of the passengers; and
• the beginning and end locations of the proposed journey; and
• the day and time of the proposed journey; and
• the amount of the contract fare including any amount included for GST; and
• a statement declaring that fees additional to the contract fare may be payable, such as parking fees, cleaning fees, payment surcharges and/or airport fees.

Pre-agreed or contract fares cannot be arranged if the passenger is engaging the driver at a taxi rank, or hailing the vehicle on the street.

Taxi User Subsidy Scheme

The Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) can be used where a passenger agrees to a contract fare. However, if a TUSS voucher is to be used for the payment or part-payment of the contract fare, the amount agreed must not exceed the metered fare that would otherwise have been payable for the hire of the taxi.

The State Government has capped surcharges imposed on taxi passengers who pay their fare with non-cash methods to a maximum of 5%.

If the vehicle has more than one Point of Sale machine the driver must use the device with the lowest surcharge.

For further information about the surcharge cap, view the Electronic payment surcharge reduction FAQ document.

	Electronic payment surcharge reduction (Frequently Asked Questions)	Kb

Under Australian Consumer Law, drivers should not charge a service tip without the passenger's knowledge, offer or express authority.

To make an inquiry or to lodge a complaint, please contact the relevant on-demand booking service provider directly.

Complaints can also be referred to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Consumer Protection Division for further assistance.

	Department of Commerce: Consumer Protection Division

Note, all fares and charges are effective from date of gazettal each year and are GST inclusive.

Definitions

• Flagfall: This is the minimum charge for the hire of a taxi.
• Tariff 1: Monday to Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Tariff 2: Monday to Friday, 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. Friday 6:00 pm to Monday 6:00 am. Includes all day public holidays.
• Tariff 3: Applies whenever five (5) or more passengers are carried. 
• Call out fee: Only to be charged when the taxi has been booked through an authorised on-demand booking service.

For more information on the above metropolitan or country fare schedules, please contact your on-demand booking service directly.

For fare information related to the dedicated MPT dispatch service (13 MAXI) please contact Black & White Cabs (WA).

	Black and White Cabs