Passenger Transport (Point to Point Transport Services) Amendment Bill

I rise today to support the Passenger Transport (Point to Point Transport Services) Amendment Bill 2025. This bill represents a significant step forward in reflecting the new modern passenger transport industry and addressing longstanding challenges that have affected both service providers and customers.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport conducted an extensive review of our point-to-point transport sector, consulting widely with industry stakeholders, private consumers and relevant government agencies. The review aimed to look at how we transition the taxi industry into a fit-for-purpose service for the modern times. It focused on safety of drivers and passengers, and many of us have heard terrible experiences had by both drivers and passengers up until now.

Their findings, released in August 2024, paint a clear picture of an industry in need of reform and are reflected in the bill before us. To be direct about what we are facing, we have a taxi industry operating under outdated regulations that no longer serve our community's needs. There are over 5,500 rideshare vehicles operating alongside 1,035 general taxis and 102 access taxis, each service under different rules and requirements.

This regulatory disparity on taxi licences and the expense of providing one service as opposed to another has created an uneven playing field that benefits neither drivers nor passengers, for example, taxis not being available when we need them—I dare say most of us have experience coming out of an event and there not being taxis available at the taxi rank—or rideshare showing one wait time before it is booked then immediately turning into a much longer wait time as soon as you click to book the ride.

Most concerning, though, are the persistent issues affecting our most vulnerable citizens. Each month, more than 500 people with disabilities are forced to wait over 30 minutes for an access taxi. This is simply unacceptable. These are not just statistics: these are real people trying to go about their daily lives, attend medical appointments or participate in community activities.

This bill proposes several crucial reforms identified by the review. First, we will transition to an annual licensing regime for taxis, removing the artificial cap on metropolitan taxi numbers. This is a significant change, but this government is not leaving the industry to fend for itself. The bill implements a comprehensive taxi industry reform package that includes a buyback scheme offering, as has been said, $200,000 for first licence holders and $10,000 for subsequent licences up to six licences. To support this transition, we will increase the point-to-point transport service transaction levy by $1 and utilise a portion of the Adelaide Airport service fee. This ensures the reforms are funded sustainably.

The bill also addresses the critical issue of accessible transport. We are implementing a market sounding process to identify new service delivery models for wheelchair-accessible transport. The status quo, where hundreds of vulnerable citizens face extended waiting times, cannot continue. Furthermore, we are removing the metropolitan boundary restrictions. As has been so well articulated by the member for Schubert, they have limited service availability in regional areas. This change will allow point-to-point operators to serve communities beyond Adelaide, improving transport options across our state and indeed benefiting the regional economy.

I acknowledge these reforms will bring significant change to an industry that has operated under the same model for decades, but change is necessary. The current system, with its stark regulatory differences between taxis and rideshare services, its artificial supply constraints and its failing accessible transport model, is no longer serving our community effectively. This bill strikes a careful balance between industry transition and consumer protection. It maintains essential requirements while creating a level playing field. It preserves the taxi industry's exclusive rights to rank and hail services while opening up new opportunities for innovation and improved service delivery.

The reforms before us today are not just about updating regulations, they are about ensuring every South Australian has access to reliable, safe and efficient transport services. They are about supporting an industry through necessary change while protecting the interests of vulnerable consumers. I commend this bill to the house.