🚕 Ministers Demand Fair Go for Byron Bay's Taxi Operators

New South Wales is intensifying its call for Queensland to address a significant cross-border anomaly in taxi and point-to-point transport services, a situation that places Byron Bay operators at a disadvantage and complicates travel for local residents.

Currently, Queensland taxi drivers are permitted to pick up fares in NSW, including during major events like Byron Bay's Bluesfest, while NSW drivers face restrictions on picking up passengers in Queensland, save for designated ranks for NSW-bound travellers. This disparity has led to economic disadvantages for NSW operators and affects service levels for tourists and residents using Gold Coast Airport as a gateway to Northern NSW.

A critical concern highlighted is the impact on vulnerable NSW residents, including those from the Byron Bay region, who require specialised transport for medical appointments in Queensland. Passengers needing wheelchair accessible taxis often face extended wait times and difficulties using the NSW subsidy scheme with Queensland operators, causing undue distress.

NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham, has formally written to his Queensland counterpart, Brent Mickelberg, proposing an immediate change to allow passengers utilising the NSW Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme to book return trips with their preferred NSW operator. This measure aims to significantly improve service for the most vulnerable.

Minister Graham stated, "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."

Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, echoed these sentiments, emphasising, "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."

The NSW Taxi Council Chief Executive, Nick Abrahim, expressed support for the initiative, stating, "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." Discussions have already taken place between the NSW Taxi Council and Gold Coast service providers, indicating a shared desire for a more equitable system.