'They're ripping us off': Anger over taxi drivers turning off meter and charging flat fee

Sydney taxi passengers are reporting they're continuing to be charged a costly flat rate for journeys as some drivers flout the law by turning off their meters.

Under New South Wales law, taxis that are caught from a taxi rank or hailed in a street must have their meter on.

But today there are reports some Sydney taxi drivers are ignoring the rule - particularly on weekends - and charging an inflated flat rate to customers.

READ MORE: Huge storm wreaks havoc across Australia's hard-hit states

Among the passengers affected was Nine Network television presenter and The Block host Scott Cam who spoke with Ben Fordham on 2GB.

Cam said he and his wife caught a taxi on Friday evening and were told instead of a metered charge they would have to pay a $45 flat rate.

"We got out with a few choice words and got an Uber," he said.

"They're ripping people off."

Cam said the charge of the Uber he and his wife instead took was $27.

The NSW Taxi Council, the industry body, said it had raised the matter with the state's Point to Point Transport Commission Regulator, which has the power to fine taxi drivers.

READ MORE: What is shrinkflation? The sneaky way food companies are passing on cost increases to you

A taxi council spokesperson told 9News.com.au that it was "unacceptable" some drivers were not using a meter when picking up passengers from being hailed on a street or at a taxi rank.

"Taxi rank and hail fares are regulated and set by the NSW government.

"This means that taxi drivers must always use the meter whenever picking up passengers from a street hail or at a taxi rank."

The spokesperson added that insurance for a taxi journey is not impacted if a meter is turned off.

READ MORE: Four things to do that could save thousands on your energy bills