Queenstown’s independent taxis have been accused of “stripping” young customers and raising prices over the Matariki weekend.
Locals couldn’t afford to go home, so they stayed overnight at a hostel in a tourist area.
According to Lake Hayes Estate resident Dana Simpson, her 19-year-old daughter waited three hours at a taxi stand in central Queenstown on Saturday night, with 10 independent taxis because there were no regulated taxis at the time. I approached the taxi I did.
It takes less than 15 minutes, but one driver suggested charging the woman $ 250, but she refused.
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She cost $ 180 instead. That’s almost three times the $ 70 it cost on Wednesday night on the same trip.
Weekends prices were more expensive as Queenstown was full of visitors to the Matariki event.
Debbie Jamison / Staff
Queenstown is a busy tourist town, and weekend-independent taxis have increased fares up to 250km on a 14km trip to take advantage of the Matariki crowd. (File photo).
Estimates from independent taxi drivers on Saturday included $ 180 for 15km to Jacks Point, $ 100- $ 250 for Lake Hayes Estate, and $ 180 for Tuckers Beach 10km away.
Independent taxi drivers charge for what they want for free, but residents are furious that what they see is unreasonable prices, and nearly 1,000 people sign a petition highlighting the issue. Did.
The independent taxi operates under its own name and is licensed to carry passengers from the Wakako Tahi NZ Transport Agency.
According to Simpson, taxis had a rooftop sign, as is often the case with independent taxis, and did not belong to one of the three registered companies: Queenstown, Green Cab, Queenstown Taxi, and Corporate Cab.
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“There is also a safety issue here. There are these young girls who have been at the taxi stand for hours and a young boy who is drinking. I have some of these girls with these independent taxi drivers. I know I don’t feel safe in a car, “Simpson said.
Debbie Jamison / Staff
Some residents are very worried about the prices that independent taxis are charging in Queenstown and are petitioning the local local council. (File photo).
Rachel Crow, a resident of Lake Hayes Estate and the author of the petition, said on Friday night her 21-year-old son was quoted $ 100 from an independent taxi on a 14km trip.
Apprentice Traddy, his son couldn’t afford the price, so he chose to stay overnight at the Backpackers in Queenstown. She said the price on Saturday night was worse.
“Saturday night, three kids went out. I said,” You don’t have to pay such money, so call me. ”
“When I arrived in Queenstown, there were so many kids outside the taxi stand, many of them desperately knocking on my windows to get home.”
Crow launched a petition on Facebook on Sunday night to draw attention to concerns about independent taxis, with more than 900 signatures by Monday afternoon.
“Can anyone sign this that a sufficient number of independent taxis are preying on everyone when a major event occurs in the town? This must be stopped.
“Most people have no choice but to pay for this unless they have a parent or friend who can pick them up at the end of the night.
“Safety for everyone is a top priority, and in most cases you can’t go home when you need it, and you don’t even have a contact number for most taxis to complain when passengers need it. “
Crow planned to submit a signed petition to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, but taxi regulation is a central government issue.
The Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency oversees the regulation of licensed passenger transport services, including taxi services.
A spokeswoman said it was important for everyone to complain to them if they thought the driver was in breach of the rules.
Dissatisfaction may be that the driver refused to board the passenger, did not issue a receipt, the fare was changed, a longer route was taken, or there is a poor driver.
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An independent taxi driver is someone who has a small passenger license from the agency. In other words, they are also subject to the rule.
Taxi drivers must agree on the size or criteria of the fare before starting the trip, do not exceed the agreed fare before the trip, and do not need to use the fare meter.
A driver who estimates $ 250 for 14km from Queenstown to Lake Hayes Estate will not violate the regulation if passengers accept the cost.
Crow’s petition excluded regulated companies such as Queenstown taxis, green cabs, and corporate taxis. All of these companies are operated by fare meters.
Graham Hadley, owner of Green Cabs Queenstown, said his company hasn’t raised prices and can’t be legal.
“The only way we can turn an independent car that tears customers and gives the taxi industry a bad reputation is to complain in writing to the Minister of Transport.”
He said the best way to prevent people from being overcharged is to use one of the three regulated businesses in Queenstown.