Drivers and passengers will benefit from two new taxi industry reforms being introduced from 1 October.

The Northern Territory Government has put a stop to excessive surcharges when paying for a commercial passenger trip using a non-cash method, such as credit and debit cards.

The NT Government is making sure passengers are charged a realistic surcharge on all non-cash payments for a CPV transport service.

It means, when paying a taxi trip with a credit card, the maximum surcharge is five per cent.

This is down from 10 per cent previously charged for these transactions and will bring the Northern Territory into line with the rest of Australia.

Also from 1 October, all Friday and Saturday night taxi trips between 10 pm and 5 am across the Territory will require prepayment if requested by the taxi driver.

The introduction of prepayment of taxi fares to address fare evasions is supported by the Taxi Council of the NT and is already in place in all other jurisdictions. Everyone deserves to be paid for doing their job and taxi drivers are no different.

Prepaid fares put the responsibility back on the passenger to pay before a journey begins as with all other forms of public transport. Plan ahead when going out and put something extra aside for the ride home.

Be fair. Prepay your fare.

Government approved estimated fare schedules will be available in each taxi. Or go online to find out how it works.

Airport pickups and Taxi Subsidy Scheme members are excluded from taxi fare prepayments.

For further information visit transport.nt.gov.au

Media contact: Bruce Cutler 8924 7010