'Rogues' face fines

"Rogue" taxi drivers who hold up traffic and make dangerous manoeuvres will be fined as part of efforts to clean up the industry before the Rugby World Cup.

Previously unused rules will be enforced by Auckland City Council parking officers in a bid to crack down on poor driving.

The move follows complaints about "chaotic" cab behaviour at major events such as Bledisloe Cup matches at Eden Park.

Measures being considered included reporting offences to the New Zealand Transport Agency, setting up temporary taxi ranks for events and enforcing the unused "k-code" rules.

The rules covered issues such as causing an obstruction, inconsiderately parking or leaving a taxi in a rank unattended. Transport committee chairman Ken Baguley said many taxi companies provided a high-quality service, but there were problems with "fly-by-nighters that will do anything for a fare".

Taxi Federation executive director Tim Reddish agreed an oversupply of cabs was causing concern in Auckland.

"The fact is there's too many taxis and not enough taxi spaces."

There were also issues with "rogue taxi" behaviour at the Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park last year.