Secret Perth taxi and rideshare sting uncovers unsafe vehicles, unregistered drivers within hours

The illegal practices of some of our dodgiest rideshare and taxi drivers have been exposed in a secret police sting as the State Government vows to crackdown on the industry. Details of the covert operation — which was rolled out at Perth Airport under the code name Operation Hansom — were released to The Sunday Times this week, with startling revelations that in some instances cars driven by taxi and rideshare operators weren’t safe enough to be on our roads. A half-day covert operation at the airport last month — that involved Australian Federal and State police — saw full vehicle checks across taxi paddocks, ranks and concourses for Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, as well as a rideshare parking area at Terminal 3. In just hours, police issued six work orders for vehicles deemed not roadworthy, while one driver was removed from the rank for not having the appropriate transport authorisation. In once case, one driver allegedly bolted as police teams arrived at the Terminal 1 paddock, resulting in an infringement. Four cars were also handed work orders for inoperable camera surveillance units, while six were cautioned for not displaying the correct rideshare signage and 10 were temporarily removed from the ranks for further inspection. The Sunday Times understands it is just the beginning of a major crackdown on the industry, with future operations in planning targeting fare refusals, trying to agree on fixed fares, meter usage and identification display. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti demanded the compliance check last month in response to a spate of recent reports of illegal taxi practices. Ms Saffioti herself revealed in a budget estimates meeting she had been the target of dodgy drivers who had tried to charge her more money that she owed. “I have taxis in which I have been told the meter is not working, and they try to set fares that I know would not be the metered fare,” Ms Saffioti told estimates. Ms Saffioti warns there’s more pain coming for taxi and rideshare drivers who don’t do the right thing. “We want to ensure we have a reliable and safe taxi industry. I have received complaints from taxi drivers, about the behaviour of some in the industry who are currently driving taxis,” Ms Saffioti said. “It’s unfortunate that the behaviour of a few bad eggs is impacting the whole industry, and those who are doing the right thing. This is why we’re also encouraging people to continue reporting incidents to the taxi or rideshare company involved. “This compliance crackdown is there to make sure we maintain minimum standards. “The compliance crackdown is designed to protect customers and maintain integrity in the system, and support drivers who are doing the right thing because we know the majority of them are.” Anyone can apply to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure to operate a passenger transport vehicle, but you have to have a valid registration. Both taxi and rideshare drivers must be licensed with DTMI. If a person does not hold a passenger transport driver authorisation that is in force the maximum fine that could apply is $12,000. If they do not hold a valid passenger transport driver authorisation because they are disqualified from holding or obtaining a passenger transport driver authorisation, or they hold a passenger transport driver authorisation that is suspended, expired or cancelled, the maximum fine is $2000. Work orders placed on cars must be fulfilled. And the vehicle must have a camera surveillance unit that meets camera surveillance unit standards and be in working order. Individuals can be fined a maximum of $9000, and body corporates a maximum of $30,000 for not meeting these camera surveillance standards. Operation Hansom also involved checks on taxi and rideshare vehicles at Perth taxi ranks and hospitals, shopping centres, entertainment and sporting precincts and transport hubs. Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport Jessica Stojkovski said taxi and rideshare checks made sure passengers were safe. “These checks are to help ensure sure passengers are riding in a taxi or rideshare that is safe, roadworthy and compliant and getting what they pay for,” she said. “While the majority of drivers do the right thing, by weeding out those who aren’t compliant, we protect whose operators and ensure we maintain high standards in the industry.”