‘Worsening’ taxi loophole leaving Melburnians stranded

A loophole which allows taxi drivers to demand excessive fares is leaving Melburnians stranded this holiday season.

Drivers are permitted to negotiate upfront fixed fare prices with passengers, and leader of the Transport Matters Party, Rod Barton, says a growing number of drivers are exploiting the system.

“It’s becoming more and more common but it is only still being done by a small group of the taxi industry,” he told Jacqui Felgate and Jimmy Bartel, filling in for Ross and Russel.

Press PLAY below to hear what Mr Barton thinks must happen to fix the growing problem

“It’s getting worse and worse and the government needs to act.”

Mr Barton says the same problem has emerged in NSW, where the Transport Minister has acted to crack down on the loophole.

He’s calling for Victorian Transport Minister Ben Carroll to do the same.