Page 24 - drive a2b june 2020 website

INDUS TR Y NEWS

COVID-19

Impact on

NEW the NSW Taxi
SOUTH Industry
WALES

NEWS

The NSW Taxi industry has seen a significant
impact on the demand for Taxis since the
COVID-19 pandemic hit NSW.

We have seen up to a 90% drop in fares,
particularly during the night-time trade, since the
closure of pubs, clubs and other venues. We have
also seen a significant drop in the day trade with
no events, and restrictions imposed at Sydney
Airport, as well as airports across Regional NSW.

Just across the March 2020 to April 2020 period,
we have seen over 2,800 Taxi plates go on hold
in Sydney Metropolitan Region, and 98 plates go
on hold in Regional and Country NSW. These are
vehicles that have been de-registered and parked,
as a result of the drop in demand. Operators
have found it near impossible to meet the high
operating costs to keep a Taxi on the road, during
this difficult time.

The Federal Government stimulus assistance has
been a welcome relief for some. This assistance
goes some way to put food on the table and keep
a roof over one's head. However, this assistance
has been quite short in helping meet the
operating costs of running a Taxi.

These high government costs include CTP,
Registration, Insurances, Worker's Compensation,
to name a few.
The NSW Taxi Council recognised these industry
wide issues and asked the NSW Government to
step in with a Taxi stimulus assistance package
to help keep the Taxis on the road. The NSW Taxi
24