A police-backed sting operation has uncovered widespread safety breaches among taxi and rideshare vehicles in Perth, with authorities taking nearly one in five cars off the road for being unroadworthy.

The operation, led by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure alongside WA Police and the Australian Federal Police, targeted more than 100 vehicles over four hours at Perth Airport.

Officials issued seven cautions and 13 improvement notices for violations including failing to display driver identification and fare schedules.

However, the most serious finding was that 19 vehicles were deemed unsafe and removed from service, with bald tyres among the most common defects.

Authorities launched the undercover operation following concerns about non-compliant drivers, including reports of taxis operating without meters and charging inflated off-meter fares.

Minister assisting the Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski said further random inspections would be carried out.

“Taxi or rideshare passengers should expect that when they get in a vehicle, it is roadworthy and compliant, and their driver is authorised and displaying identification information.”

Investigations into the sector are ongoing, with authorities warning further enforcement action is likely.

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