Topic: Taxis and Ride Sharing Services
WA's transport minister says operations are underway to catch non-compliant taxi drivers. ( Gary Rivett: ABC News )
WA's transport minister says compliance checks are being ramped up, targeting illegal taxi operators outside Perth Airport and elsewhere.
One legitimate driver says the illegal operators are finding a way around existing compliance checks.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says one driver was fined after investigators used digital card data, and other investigations are underway.
Western Australia's transport minister says compliance checks will be ramped up in an attempt to weed out "bad apples" operating taxis in Perth, with a focus on the airport and the Crown Casino complex.
Rita Saffioti said "secret shopper" style checks and compliance blitzes had already taken place four times this year, and at least one driver was handed a fine.
Investigations were carried out in collaboration with WA Police and Australian Federal Police outside Perth Airport and the Burswood entertainment precinct — home to Perth Stadium and Crown Casino.
Perth Airport is one of the areas authorities are targeting in the compliance blitz. ( ABC News: James Carmody )
Perth taxi driver Jonathan Masih told the ABC illegal operators had found workarounds for compliance 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," he told 102.5 ABC Perth.
Mr Masih said illegal taxi drivers taking fares from outside major hubs was a form of wage theft.
Protecting the reputation of legitimate taxi drivers is one of the minister's motivations. ( ABC News: Keana Naughton )
"Some of them are posing as a taxi, the other ones they've got private cars and they're just asking the customer to jump in," he said.
"They're just doing the work in front of the airport.
"I've been telling the airport authorities, federal police, Department of Transport, minister's office, but nothing changes."
Mr Masih said he was worried about how illegal taxis would impact unknowing passengers.
"It's not really good for the customers, if there's an accident or anything bad happens there's going to be legal issues," he said.
Ms Saffioti said ensuring compliance was as much about protecting the reputation of legitimate drivers as it was stamping out "bad apples" in the industry.
"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."
Ms Saffioti said investigations found evidence of "abuse".
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says there need to be consequences for people exploiting the system. ( ABC News: Keane Bourke )
"Now we're able to go through and check data and check charges made compared to distance travelled and we've found some people are abusing that system," Ms Saffioti said.
"As a result, there's already been one fine imposed by the court and a number of other investigations are underway."
Ms Saffioti said there were a number of checks being made including car roadworthiness, driver authorisation and company authorisation.
"We need to make sure that those who are exploiting the system or not obeying the rules are dealt with," she said.
