Sydney’s White Bay cruisers are complaining of taxi scams – is it time for a fixed fare?

• Many cruisers have reported being scammed on their taxi fares, such as high per-head charges, being charged more than what it says on the meter or the driver requesting extra money after arriving at the destination.
• Given Sydney’s airport now has a fixed fare pilot in place, should this be tried for cruise terminals as well?
• Check out some tips on saving money on your transfers/transport.

Sydney cruisers, particularly those docking at White Bay terminal, have been complaining about the high and inconsistent prices of taxis. Many cruisers getting off their ships are quickly herded into taxis and shared taxis, before even being told a price.

We’ve recently seen Sydney Airport set a standard taxi fare from the airport to the city, and it could be time that cruise terminals set standard fares out to different zones of Sydney, meaning that cruisers wouldn’t have to worry about if they’re being ripped off or not.

The matter also calls into question the lack of easy public transport options between White Bay and Central, making taxis often necessary for cruise passengers.

A Carnival cruiser wrote in an online forum: “At White Bay, as we are forced into shared taxis and have no say in the matter at the time of departure, we, the consumers, are being taken advantage of by the taxi drivers upon arrival at our destination.

“I was shoved into a maxi taxi with two other couples from White Bay to Central Station; the cab fare came to $35. The taxi driver charges us all $50 each, stating it was a 75% charge on top.

“Bloody disgusted with the taxi driver and it’s such a rip off.”

It’s worth noting that passengers are of course not literally forced into cabs, it is not obligatory in any sense. However, the process does happen fast and cruisers often find themselves in a cab before they had time to consider other options or ask about the price.

Other cruisers chimed in with their own stories. 

“This happened to us once- 3 couples (not known to each other) all loaded into a maxi taxi, our bags stacked up in the back.

“One of the couples asked how much it would be and when they said $50 each we all got out and unloaded our own luggage and got into separate cabs and it was $34 for my husband and I combined.”

Another story involved a total charge of $210 for a cab ride.

“I have experienced the same thing, of being charged $30 a head and there were only two in our travel party, but another family of five that was in with us were all charged $30 a head as well. $210 for one trip.”

Others also report having the same experience from the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay.

“We had the same issue on Friday at The OPT following the Melbourne Cup cruise. $35 to central and the cabbie asked us if we wanted to pay more. Then he hassled us to pay $40 or $45 instead of the meter saying it was cheap. We refused and only paid the fare.”

As mentioned, fixed taxi fares from cruise terminals could instantly resolve this problem, guests would be fully aware beforehand of how much they would have to pay for a cab fare and can decide if the option is right for them or not.

However, while these rules persist, it’s important to know about some other alternatives to get yourself home after a cruise, particularly if the taxis are giving you trouble.

Most cruise lines offer transport 

For example, for those sailing with Carnival and disembarking at White Bay, Carnival does run a bus to central station that can be pre-booked. This will take you straight to a hub of public transport and you can make your next move from there. 

While exact services and prices vary depending on where you’re sailing and who you’re sailing with, most cruise lines offer some kind of transport after disembarking. If they don’t, you can also chat with customer service and see if there are any particular companies that the cruise line works with or recommends. 

Hire a private taxi/driver service

While many might assume private taxis or drivers would cost more than simply hopping into a taxi at the terminal, this often isn’t the case. This is a great option particularly if you have a larger travel party, as while taxis might try to charge per head, a car service will generally offer you a flat fee beforehand. Having a fixed price and a guaranteed pick up can help take the stress out of your journey and reduce the risk of any hiccups along the way. 

Look into Uber or Didi 

Uber or Didi are of course extremely well known by now, and offer a great option for most ports around Australia. A good tip is knowing that finding a driver might be tricky as thousands of people are disembarking, but on these applications you can also pre-book a ride beforehand, and they’ll organize someone to pick you up. This can help you avoid having to wait a long time for a ride or having drivers cancel on you as they look for a better price. 

Be clear with your taxi driver

If you are getting a taxi, make sure you ask about the price before you get into the cab! Clearly check and make sure that’s the entire price and if the price is person or in total, and if you’re not happy with the price, don’t get into the taxi. This can be tricky as it can happen very fast and all while you’re tired from your vacation, but make sure to keep a cool and clear head so you don’t end up spending more than necessary.

If you are ripped off, then report it

While dodgy taxi fares are common, reports are taken seriously and you can often get your money back. So if a driver does try and force you to pay extra or walk back on an agreed upon price, there’s always a number you can call. In Sydney, this would be the Taxi Fare Hotline on 1800 500 410, and a quick google will show you what number to call if this happens to you at a different port. If you can grab their license plate details that can be a bonus to making sure your report is successful.