More than 600 fines have been issued to dodgy drivers since the start of the overt and covert operation on December 2.

The biggest push came last weekend, when Department of Transport and Main Roads authorities across South East Queensland intercepted 475 vehicles with 104 fines issued.

The weekend’s crackdown took the total number of taxis, limousines and booked hire vehicles intercepted to 2056 with a total of 613 fines issued handed to drivers caught in the sting.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the increased operations were in response to complaints of taxi and rideshare drivers doing the wrong thing, in particular overcharging.

“Compliance operations were ramped up over Christmas and New Year and caught more than one in four drivers doing the wrong thing,” Bailey said.

“While this is disappointing, I’d like to say thank you to the majority drivers doing the right thing, and acknowledge an improvement in some areas since the operation began.

“We’ve had a lot less fines for over quoting and overcharging since the operation started in November, which is pleasing to see.”

Bailey said there was no place for dodgy practices and drivers needed to obey the rules.

“We will continue our compliance operations, but we also ask the public to report any taxi or rideshare driver doing the wrong thing to help stamp out illegal behaviours,” he said.

Bailey called on companies in the taxi and rideshare industry to improve self-regulation.

“It shouldn’t take fines for companies and drivers to step up and follow the rules that are in place,” he said.

“Both rideshare and taxi drivers are on notice and it’s time for companies to take decisive action and get their drivers doing the right thing.

“If this non-compliance continues, we will not hesitate to hand out fines of up to $5750.

“We are committed to ensuring safety, accessibility, affordability and accountability in the personalised transport industry in Queensland.”