More taxi plates, a new fare structure and increased driver recruiting were announced today by the State Government.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said an additional 30 full-time plates would be offered to eligible applicants who did not secure one of 35 plates released in September.

Ms MacTiernan also announced an increase of 4.45 per cent in metropolitan and country taxi fares to take effect from December 2, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Private Motoring Index which measures changes in motoring costs.

“I have also approved a new  $2 surcharge for metropolitan taxis during the ultra peak periods between midnight and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights and an increase in the taxi booking fee from $1 to $1.50,” she said.  "The release of 30 new plates will bring the total number of new conventional taxi plates made available for lease this year to 130.

 The Minister said that changes in the standard metropolitan taxi fares (6am - 6pm) would be:

- flagfall: from $3.20 to $3.30;

- distance rate: from $1.29 to $1.35 per kilometre; and

- detention rate: from $37.00 to $38.65 per hour (waiting, or moving at less than 20kph)

 Information about other rate changes is available from: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/taxifares
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