Taxi passengers across Australia say drivers increasingly demanding upfront cash instead of using meter

Last month, Douglas, who asked not to use his surname, was traveling from Brisbane airport with his family and approached a maxi cab. The driver offered them an upfront fee of $60 if he could find others to join the ride.

He ended up taking the taxi with just his family, and the driver charged them $70, demanding it in cash.

Douglas is among a number of passengers sharing reports of taxi drivers in Australia turning off their meters and asking for an upfront or set fee, often at a higher rate than would be expected for that distance and in breach of the law.

It is difficult to know whether such incidents are becoming more common.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said it is an offence for taxi drivers to not use the meter for cabs caught from a taxi rank or hailed from the street.

Booked services, however, are able to have set fares by the provider.

If passengers complain to a taxi service about fares and the issue is unresolved, they can contact the NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner.

Guardian Australia requested data on the number of complaints, however Transport for NSW said the commissioner does not have it readily available, and could not confirm whether this data exists or is available for release.

The Taxi Council has been asking the NSW government to look at a fare increase to help with the increased running costs of taxis, particularly with the fuel excise cut ending last week.

Monty Jacka, a Wagga Wagga resident was leaving a pub with a few friends last month and called a taxi, with each person wanting to go to a different suburb.

Instead of leaving the meter on, the driver instead offered to charge $48 upfront.

The taxi driver also asked Jacka to transfer the funds directly to him via bank transfer, rather than pay with cash or EFTPOS.

*Requested his surname not be used