Authorities are stepping up checks on illegal taxi operators at Perth Airport and the Burswood entertainment precinct, with Transport Minister Rita Saffioti saying at least one driver has already been fined in court.
Ms Saffioti told the ABC that "secret shopper" style checks and compliance blitzes had been carried out four times this year, working with WA Police and the Australian Federal Police outside the airport and around Crown Perth and Optus Stadium.
Fare data used to catch drivers
The minister said investigators were now comparing card payment data with the distance travelled on each trip, and had found evidence some drivers were "abusing" the system.
"As a result, there's already been one fine imposed by the court and a number of other investigations are underway." - Rita Saffioti, Transport Minister
Checks also cover vehicle roadworthiness, driver authorisation and company authorisation. Ms Saffioti said the crackdown was as much about protecting the reputation of legitimate drivers as rooting out the "bad apples".
"We want to make sure ... all those hard-working taxi drivers continue to get clientele and aren't impacted by those that are abusing the system." - Rita Saffioti
Photo: Calistemon via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Crown Perth and Burswood seen from Perth Stadium.
"Nothing changes," says taxi driver
Not everyone is convinced the blitzes are working. Perth taxi driver Jonathan Masih told 102.5 ABC Perth that illegal operators had learned to dodge the checks.
"A lot of drivers disappeared then because they got a network, they just ring each other up and then they don't show up." - Jonathan Masih, taxi driver
Mr Masih said some illegal operators posed as taxis while others used private cars and simply asked passengers to jump in out the front of the terminals. He described it as a form of wage theft against licensed drivers, and said he had raised it with airport authorities, federal police, the Department of Transport and the minister's office.
He also warned passengers could be left exposed if something went wrong: "If there's an accident or anything bad happens there's going to be legal issues."
What it means for travellers
The crackdown comes as Perth Airport prepares for major disruption while it consolidates its four terminals. For now, the safest bet is to use the marked taxi ranks or book a rideshare through an app, and avoid anyone offering a lift at the kerb.
The story was posted to r/perth this afternoon.
Sources: ABC News, 102.5 ABC Perth, r/perth.
Hero photo: Calistemon via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Perth Airport Terminal 2 pick-up and drop-off area, December 2021.
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