The McGowan Government has delivered on its promise to lift the On-demand Passenger Transport Levy, 11 months ahead of schedule.
From today, the On-demand Passenger Transport Levy will no longer be allowed to be passed on to passengers.
The 10 per cent levy was introduced in April 2019 to fund the Perth Taxi Plate Buyback Scheme, as part of the McGowan Government’s on-demand transport reform to modernise the industry and focus on safety and customer service. The on-demand transport reform program was finalised in 2021.
Industry had the option of absorbing the cost or passing it on to passengers through fare increases.
Trips that started and finished in the Perth metropolitan area, Murray and Mandurah districts attracted the levy, which has raised almost $129 million to buy back eligible taxi plates.
Almost $9 million in funds from the levy was also used to fund State-wide COVID-19 support measures for the passenger transport industry.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“We promised to end the levy as soon as possible and we have delivered on that commitment today.
“Through funds raised by the levy, we have recovered most the costs for financial support provided to plate owners through taxi plate buyback payments, as well as the $9 million COVID-19 relief package provided to industry in 2020.
“The assistance package for taxi operators in regional areas helped alleviate some of the hardship that was experienced as a result of COVID-19.
“The levy has served its purpose and now that it has been repealed, many customers can expect a reduction in fares as a result.”
