RAC urges taxi laws overhaul

The RAC has called on the State Government to update taxi regulations that restrict competition and innovation within the service, including ride-sharing companies such as Uber.

It comes after the release last month of Professor Ian Harper's review into competition laws advocating changes to taxi regulations restricting the number of taxi licences.

RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Golsby said that problems in WA could be traced to the taxi licensing system that had been in place since 1958.

He said this system was causing taxi fares to be higher than they should be.

"The taxi industry is a major part of WA's transport network, with almost 13 million trips recorded in 2013," Mr Golsby said.

He said a review of the WA taxi industry conducted for the RAC by professors Allan Fels and David Cousins had highlighted the need for flexibility, efficiency and affordability.

Mr Golsby said the review, released in November, made 34 recommendations "and it is time the Government detailed how they will respond to these findings".

"The purpose of the Fels-Cousins review was to provide the RAC and the Government with independent advice about improving services provided by the industry," he said.

"How the Government plans to act on the industry review's findings remains to be seen."

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Government was looking at taxi regulations and a Green Paper would be released midyear.