❓ Mr. Hatton asks the Minister for Transport about plans to cap non-cash payment surcharges for taxi fares. The Minister responds that a 5% cap, including GST, is now in effect, aligning WA with Victoria and NSW.
AnsweredQoN 70Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAXIS — NON-CASH PAYMENT SURCHARGES CAP
70. Mr C.D. HATTON to the Minister for
Transport:
This question is about affordable
transport. Can the minister please update the house on the government's
plans to cap non-cash payment surcharges for taxi fares, thereby making
transport more affordable for Western Australians?
70. Mr C.D. HATTON to the Minister for
Transport:
This question is about affordable
transport. Can the minister please update the house on the government's
plans to cap non-cash payment surcharges for taxi fares, thereby making
transport more affordable for Western Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
Prior to today, taxis have been charging upwards of 11 per cent surcharge for
the use of a credit card, a debit card, an e-voucher or a manual voucher. We have not previously had regulations
for these surcharges under Western Australian law. Effective today, there is a cap of five per cent,
including GST, across the whole taxi industry. From now on when someone uses
their credit card or debit card, the maximum charge is five per cent. This
brings us in line with Victoria, which shifted last year, and New South Wales,
which shifted in December. Everybody acknowledges that a surcharge heading
towards 11 per cent is unreasonable and unfair. I think it is appropriate that
this government has stepped in to regulate this and put the cap of five per cent
in place. I commend the terminal providers and the wider taxi industry for
embracing the change and the work they have undertaken to ensure they comply
with this.
Prior to today, taxis have been charging upwards of 11 per cent surcharge for
the use of a credit card, a debit card, an e-voucher or a manual voucher. We have not previously had regulations
for these surcharges under Western Australian law. Effective today, there is a cap of five per cent,
including GST, across the whole taxi industry. From now on when someone uses
their credit card or debit card, the maximum charge is five per cent. This
brings us in line with Victoria, which shifted last year, and New South Wales,
which shifted in December. Everybody acknowledges that a surcharge heading
towards 11 per cent is unreasonable and unfair. I think it is appropriate that
this government has stepped in to regulate this and put the cap of five per cent
in place. I commend the terminal providers and the wider taxi industry for
embracing the change and the work they have undertaken to ensure they comply
with this.
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