More than 600 fines have been dished out to dodgy rideshare and taxi drivers as part of a Christmas crackdown across southeast Queensland.
The enforcement blitz started on December 2, following a rise in complaints about drivers doing the wrong thing, particularly overcharging.
2056 taxis, limousines and booked hire vehicles were intercepted, with a total of 613 fines issued.
The Gold Coast was a major area of focus, especially during Magic Millions race day celebrations on Saturday.
The majority of fines were for failing to display a compliant booked hire sign and stopping in a bus zone but some were busted for more serious offences like driving an unregistered or defective vehicle.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the number of fines was shocking.
“Compliance operations were ramped up over Christmas and New Year and caught more than one in four drivers doing the wrong thing,” Mr Bailey said.
“While this is disappointing, I’d like to say thank you to the majority drivers doing the right thing, and acknowledge an improvement in some areas since the operation began.
“We’ve had a lot less fines for over quoting and overcharging since the operation started in November, which is pleasing to see.
“But my message is that drivers breaking the rules, committing traffic offences or failing to carry their driver authorisation will be caught.
“There is no place for these dodgy practices and drivers need to obey the rules.
“We will continue our compliance operations, but we also ask the public to report any taxi or rideshare driver doing the wrong thing to help stamp out illegal behaviours.”
Mr Bailey called on companies in the taxi and rideshare industry to improve self-regulation.
“It shouldn’t take fines for companies and drivers to step up and follow the rules that are in place,” he said.
“Both rideshare and taxi drivers are on notice and it’s time for companies to take decisive action and get their drivers doing the right thing.
“If this non-compliance continues, we will not hesitate to hand out fines of up to $5,750.
“We are committed to ensuring safety, accessibility, affordability and accountability in the personalised transport industry in Queensland.”
