TAXI passengers are complaining more often, with an average of almost 10 gripes sent to the industry watchdog each day.
More than 3400 people sent complaints to the Taxi Services Commission in 2013-14, about issues ranging from the conduct of the driver, to the trip cost, to the car’s condition.
In the previous year, 2604 people raised complaints.
But cabbies may be getting easier on the eye, with “presentation of driver” being the only area that received fewer complaints.
Overall, passenger satisfaction with the service provided increased slightly, from 69.1 per cent to 70.4 per cent.
The biggest increase in complaints was about the “conduct of driver”, with 1230 compared with 990 the previous year, the annual report shows.
Fare charging was also a common gripe, with 928 complaints compared with 786 in 2012-13.
The number of disciplinary actions for safety and compliance issues fell from 7320 to 5863. But the annual report shows disciplinary action is still handed down during, on average, 30 per cent of vehicle inspections.
The commission said its “increased profile”, greater awareness of taxi industry reforms, and heightened expectations of improved services were behind the higher number of complaints.
“The number of complaints and other feedback received, assessed, investigated and closed by the TSC has increased across all categories compared to 2012-13,” it said.
Originally published as Passengers drive up taxi complaints