Chauffeur-driven hire cars in NSW will no longer be able to use bus lanes following the state government's decision to roll the industry into a new all-encompassing category of 'point to point' transport operators.
The government's Transport for NSW department no longer issues the white-on-black HC plates and licences required by chauffeured vehicles, although there are still 1,548 HC plates in use as of September 2018.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that "changes from 1 July 2020 to the Road Rules 2014, amending rule 158, will mean vehicles with HC plates will no longer have access to bus lanes."
Hire cars will join taxis, airport/hotel shuttle buses, mini-vans and rideshare services such as Uber in a common 'point to point' transport system.
"Hire cars remain a crucial part of the NSW transport system, but it is unviable to keep things the way they were," Transport for NSW says, adding that "that the hire car industry is facing fundamental challenges from changing customer expectations and new technologies."
"These changes were recommended by the Point to Point Transport Taskforce to bring the legislation for the hire car industry into the 21st century and to free up the industry so that it can compete more effectively in providing a great service for customers."
Despite the winding back of HC plates, a spokeswoman for Uber scotched reports that the company planned to close its HC-based Uber Black service in NSW and merge this with the broader Uber Select program.
"Uber will continue to offer a premium service for our customers who have these requirements," Uber spokeswoman Nicky Preston told Australian Business Traveller. "There are no current plans to close down Uber Black."
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
A good decision. Bus lanes ought be for public transport buses - not taxis or hire cars. It's increasingly unsustainable for passengers to drive or be driven to Australian airports.
SQ
23 Oct 2015
Total posts 26
It strikes me that this represents little more than the politics of envy (the proletariat will be required to use the public transport).
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
But I've had a suitcase and backpack (total weight about 32kg) and have never had any hardship using the Sydney airport train.
06 Nov 2018
Total posts 14
I agree the train service to the airport is terrible. It charges a high fee for what is just a normal suburban train service NOT set up to deal with airport travellers.
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07 Dec 2014
Total posts 173
Here's some fun facts:
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
another one is singapore.less than two bucks to town.10 times the price for the same distances.i have yet to try it but should just to see how it adds up.
28 Nov 2018
Total posts 1
Typical of the arrogance of so many quoting the train as an alternative is not a realistic proposition for an ageing person with limited mobility . A hire car is their only means of getting to the airport.Changing trains at Central is not a helpful alternative suggestion especially during peak periods . I dare say the pollies would get an exemption because of their status.
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07 Dec 2014
Total posts 173
Nobody is banning hire cars or taxis. They are just saying they can't use the bus lane - so just like every other car.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
A relative has limited mobility and found the train easy to use.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
There's no 'arrogance' - just what I would hope is sensible recognition that as a society, if we are to accommodate more and more residents and visitors, we have to make some changes in the way we travel.
06 Nov 2018
Total posts 14
I am old enough to remember the State government 300 Airport Bus Service which went direct from the city to the airport. That was cancelled to generate more profit for for the owners of the Sydney airport station operators.
06 Nov 2018
Total posts 14
Correction: "When on earth are politicians going to realise that going to the airport is a NOT a 'special' thing that deserves a premium.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
I agree BUt remember the airport rail line was built by the private sector. The first owner made a huge loss when it sold the outfit to Westpac, who now make a sizeable profit.
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
how silly is this.they have just as much right to use those lanes.granted one way people are paying 8 times the train fares or just over 3 times that of the taxi for something that does not smell
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
What people 'pay' has nothing to do with why bus lanes are created or enforced. It's about the number of passengers carried, and a realisation that private cars, taxis, Uber, Taxify or hire cars add as much to road congestion as a private motorist.
24 Jun 2019
Total posts 2
What good is having a Bus Lane that is empty and kicking Hire Cars into normal lane where it is already pretty screwed up. Why is it that you feel unbalanced? I DO NOT GET IT
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
Hire cars often carry only one or two passengers. A bus can have many more on board.
24 Jun 2019
Total posts 2
And the point? Its just causing more traffic in already very bad traffic environment. It does not make things better. How is it a good decision?
07 Oct 2019
Total posts 1
Bus lanes should be tolled at a high rate for those who wish to pay.. And no busses..
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