Time and distance
Both charges applyDistance and journey duration are charged throughout the trip. This is the method used by the Geelong fare calculator.
Geelong taxi rates for rank-and-hail trips are regulated as maximum unbooked fares when the journey begins in Victoria's Large Regional area. The fare may use one of two approved meter structures, with separate standard and high-occupancy rates. Booked taxi prices are not covered by these maximum unbooked fare tables.
Distance and journey duration are charged throughout the trip. This is the method used by the Geelong fare calculator.
The meter uses distance above 21 km/h and detention time below 21 km/h, in addition to flagfall.
The higher tariff has passenger, vehicle-capacity and larger-vehicle eligibility rules. It is not an automatic wheelchair surcharge.
Late-night, holiday, levy recovery, payment, toll, airport-rank and cleaning charges apply only where permitted.
Under this permitted structure, the taxi meter adds the flagfall, a distance charge and a duration charge. The rates apply at all times, but a separate late-night fee or holiday surcharge may apply to an eligible hiring.
| Fare type | Flagfall | Distance charge | Duration charge | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff | A$4.60 | A$1.90 per kilometre | A$0.60 per minute | Normally for a standard taxi carrying up to four passengers |
| High-occupancy tariff | A$4.60 | A$3.20 per kilometre | A$0.65 per minute | Only where the high-occupancy passenger or larger-vehicle conditions are met |
This alternative approved meter structure applies distance charging while the taxi travels above 21 km/h and detention charging while it travels below 21 km/h. The two components do not run at the same moment.
| Fare type | Flagfall | Above 21 km/h | Below 21 km/h | Meter treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff | A$4.60 | A$2.35 per kilometre | A$0.80 per minute | Distance or detention, based on vehicle speed |
| High-occupancy tariff | A$4.60 | A$3.60 per kilometre | A$1.25 per minute | Distance or detention, with high-occupancy eligibility |
The calculator models the approved time-and-distance structure because a route service can provide both road distance and estimated duration.
The estimate begins with the A$4.60 Large Regional flagfall.
Road kilometres are multiplied by the selected standard or high-occupancy rate.
Estimated journey minutes are charged under the time-and-distance method.
The tool can add the late-night fee or holiday surcharge, but never both together.
These are conditional maximums or pass-through charges, not amounts that apply to every journey. The Geelong calculator adds only the late-night fee or holiday surcharge when its date-and-time rules identify an eligible period.
| Charge | Maximum or basis | When it may apply | Calculator treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late-night fee | Up to A$4.40 | Trips starting 7 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday, 7 pm Saturday to 6 am Sunday, or midnight to 6 am on other days | Added automatically for an eligible selected start time |
| Holiday surcharge | Up to A$5.40 | Specified Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year and other Victorian public-holiday periods | Added automatically where the configured holiday rule applies; never combined with the late-night fee |
| CPV levy recovery fee | Pass-through | A driver may recover the applicable Victorian CPV service levy amount and permitted GST, itemised on the receipt | Not added because recovery can vary by provider and receipt |
| Non-cash payment surcharge | Up to 4% for most methods; up to 6% for a CPV-specific instrument | When the fare is paid through an eligible non-cash payment method | Not added because the payment method is unknown |
| CityLink or EastLink toll | Pass-through | Up to the toll paid for the chosen toll-road section; the passenger must be given a route choice where available | Not added |
| Avalon Airport rank fee | Pass-through | An unbooked hiring starting at the Avalon Airport taxi rank after the driver has paid the rank fee | Not added |
| Cleaning fee | Reasonable fee up to A$123.75 | If a passenger soils the taxi with food, drink or bodily fluids | Not added |
Wednesday 21 October 2026 is the full-day substitute public holiday for the City of Greater Geelong. For this type of public holiday, the taxi surcharge window runs from 7 pm on the previous evening until 6 am on the holiday morning, not for the whole day. The Gazette also limits the local holiday surcharge to the geographic area covered by that substitute holiday. Check the current public-holiday list because local dates can change.
The Large Regional rules do not permit an extra charge for accompanied goods or luggage, unless the separate larger-than-standard vehicle condition genuinely applies.
The journey type and starting location matter. The published Large Regional maximums cover applicable unbooked trips that begin in the Large Regional part of Victoria's Urban and Large Regional Zone, including Geelong.
The higher tariff is conditional. Passenger count, fixed-seat capacity and the reason a larger vehicle is required all affect eligibility.
A wheelchair position is not counted as a fixed passenger seat. Requiring a larger vehicle only because a person uses a wheelchair or other mobility aid does not by itself permit the higher tariff. The rules also prohibit a charge that would make a person with disability pay more than an able-bodied person for the same service.
Simple checks can help a passenger understand which rates and extras appeared on the final amount.
The taxi must display fare information and the programmed fare structure.
Know whether the journey is rank-and-hail or booked, because the pricing rules differ.
If a toll route is optional, the passenger must be given a choice.
An itemised receipt helps identify levy recovery, payment fees and other extras.
Direct answers about the current Large Regional unbooked taxi fare rules.
The fare amounts and conditions were reviewed against the following government and regulator pages on August 4, 2026.