Press Release – Commerce Commission The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings at the High Court in Wellington against Hutt and City Taxis Limited (Hutt & City) for alleged price fixing. The Commission alleges Hutt & City contravened the Commerce Act by reaching a price-fixing …
The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings at the High Court in Wellington against Hutt and City Taxis Limited (Hutt & City) for alleged price fixing.
The Commission alleges Hutt & City contravened the Commerce Act by reaching a price-fixing agreement with two competing taxi companies to implement a minimum charge of $25 for pick-up taxi trips from the on-demand taxi rank at Wellington Airport.
The commission alleged that Hutt and City tried to reach the same price-fixing agreement with a third taxi company. The commission warned four former Hutt and City directors: Rahid Amin, Sathishkumar Dharndapani, Dharmendra Krishnan, and Paul Swain. It also issued a warning to a separate company, Kiwi Cabs Ltd. Only the courts can decide whether a breach of the law has occurred. The commission sought a declaration from the court that Hutt and City contravened the Commerce Act, and it sought financial penalties and costs. “Cartel conduct harms consumers by preventing businesses from competing to provide better quality services at better prices, and it harms other businesses which are trying to compete fairly,” commission chairwoman Anna Rawlings said in a statement.
Tuesday, 4 May 2021, 1:52 pm
The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings at the
High Court in Wellington against Hutt and City Taxis Limited
(Hutt & City) for alleged price fixing.
The
Commission alleges Hutt & City contravened the Commerce
Act by reaching a price-fixing agreement with two competing
taxi companies to implement a minimum charge of $25 for
pick-up taxi trips from the on-demand taxi rank at
Wellington Airport.
The Commission alleges the
agreement was reached in September 2020, following initial
discussions in previous years, and that it took effect in
October 2020. It’s alleged the fare was implemented
through the distribution of stickers displaying the minimum
Wellington taxi company accused of price fixing by Commerce Commission
4 May, 2021 03:15 AM
3 minutes to read
The taxi company is being taken to the High Court at Wellington over the accusations. Photo / File
The taxi company is being taken to the High Court at Wellington over the accusations. Photo / File
NZ Herald
A Wellington taxi company has been taken to court over accusations of price fixing.
The Commerce Commission today confirmed it has filed proceedings in the High Court at Wellington against Hutt and City Taxis Limited.
The Commission alleges Hutt & City breached the Commerce Act by reaching a price-fixing agreement with two competing taxi companies to implement a minimum charge of $25 for pickup taxi trips from the on-demand taxi rank at Wellington Airport.
News from Commerce Commission
The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings at the High Court in Wellington against Hutt and City Taxis Limited (Hutt & City) for alleged price fixing.
The Commission alleges Hutt & City contravened the Commerce Act by reaching a price-fixing agreement with two competing taxi companies to implement a minimum charge of $25 for pick-up taxi trips from the on-demand taxi rank at Wellington Airport.
The Commission alleges the agreement was reached in September 2020, following initial discussions in previous years, and that it took effect in October 2020. It’s alleged the fare was implemented through the distribution of stickers displaying the minimum charge to be placed on taxi vehicles. The conduct ceased in November 2020, after the Commission began investigating.