Rogue taxi drivers could be swarming back into Wanaka ahead of New Year celebrations.
An independent, out-of-town taxi driver promoting their service on social media was offering trips around town, and out to Rhythm and Alps.
The driver quoted $250 for a one-way trip, for two people, from Wanaka township to Cardrona Valley.
He justified the steep price as compensation for his extra travel time because he was coming from Queenstown.
He said he was not trying to rip people off and suggested sharing the ride with additional people to make the ride more affordable.
The price for the same journey through local Wanaka taxi providers ranged from $70 to $80.
Pre-booked, return-trip bus services to and from the festival into Wanaka, were being offered below $35.
Earlier this year the Otago Daily Times reported Wanaka police were investigating public complaints about taxis overcharging customers during holidays.
During last year’s holiday period people posted their concerns about overcharging on several Wanaka social media sites.
Comments mentioned prices of about $150 from the Rhythm & Alps Music Festival in the Cardrona Valley to Meadowstone, in Wanaka.
Others recorded prices from $200 to $300 for trips between Wanaka and Lake Hawea, while rates of $40 to $90 were mentioned for transport around Wanaka, or between Wanaka and Albert Town.
Regular taxi prices from town to nearby Wanaka suburbs are between $15 and $35.
Wanaka taxi companies were not featured in accusations of overcharging last year.
Yello owner Ramash Swamy said even with additional taxi services on the ground this year, the high influx of people in Wanaka meant it was important to also have a back-up plan.
"It’s going to be busy and crazy anywhere in the country at this time of year, so it’s important to have a good plan in place," he said.
One option would be to get the group [friends or family on holiday] together and have an allocated sober driver to park close to town, he said.
Yello, along with other local taxi providers — Wanataxi and KT Taxis Wanaka — were running taxi services throughout the holiday period.
