All taxi services have been given the go-ahead to operate rank and hail work in the Kiama LGA.

Following the closure of Kiama Cabs in May 2023, the Illawarra Taxi Network started servicing the region, but could not legally operate rank and hail services due to state regulations. A rank and hail service is when a customer catches a taxi from a taxi rank or hails one from the street, as opposed to pre-booking transport.

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly confirmed to The Bugle that these restrictions have been lifted for all taxi companies, including the Illawarra Taxi Network and 13Cabs, after writing to Point to Point Transport Commissioner Anthony Wing to find a solution that would ensure the Kiama LGA still has a working taxi service.

Gavin and Kay McClure, the owners of Kiama Cabs have also been in discussions with the Transport Commissioner, and fully support allowing Illawarra Taxi Network and 13Cabs to assume taxi services in their stead. 

“We are very happy to announce that we received a call this afternoon advising us that from tomorrow there are no regulation issues with ALL Illawarra Network and 13Cabs doing any rank and hail work in Kiama,” Gavin wrote on Facebook.

“We hope this helps all our lovely customers who patronised our local taxi service for so long.”

Gavin and Kay made the difficult decision to close Kiama Cabs after 30 years in business on 28 May 2023 after failing to find a buyer. Despite exiting the business, the McClures have remained dedicated to finding a replacement service for Kiama. 

Gavin added: “We are also VERY happy to see Driving Miss Daisy is now offering a very high level of personalised transport in Kiama now which is also a wonderful option for your transport needs (particularly our older residents!)”