Why a Flat $5 Fuel Relief Fee Is Fairer Than a Distance Tax

Effective immediately | Petrol and diesel vehicles | $5.00 flat per trip — not per kilometre

The Industry Has Just Changed. Here Is Where We Stand.

From 15 April 2026, Uber has introduced a per-kilometre fuel surcharge on rides across Australia. At 5 cents per kilometre, the maths looks modest on a short trip. On a long-distance transfer, it tells a different story.

Route Distance Their Fee (5c/km) Our Fee (Flat)
Sydney to Canberra 285km $14.25 $5.00
Sydney to Blue Mountains 110km $5.50 $5.00
Melbourne to Geelong 75km $3.75 $5.00

A per-kilometre fuel tax penalises the passengers who travel furthest. Our flat $5.00 Temporary Fuel Relief does not. It is the same amount whether your airport transfer is 10 kilometres to the CBD or 285 kilometres to Canberra.

That is not an accident. It is a deliberate choice about fairness.

Why Choose Cars On Demand?

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Why We Are Being Upfront About This

Australia is currently experiencing a sustained increase in fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict and its ongoing disruption to global refined fuel supply chains.

Experts are warning that fuel infrastructure recovery could take up to a year — even with the current ceasefire in place. The Hormuz Strait disruption has created structural pressure on jet and road fuel supply that does not resolve overnight. While the geopolitical situation shows signs of stabilisation, the downstream impact on Australian fuel prices is expected to persist through at least mid-2026.

The professional chauffeurs delivering your airport transfers and door to door journeys are absorbing this pressure at the pump every single day. The TFR is a direct bridge to support them through this specific period of volatility — unlike platform-based fare increases that quietly become permanent, our levy has a defined purpose and a defined exit.

At Cars on Demand, transparent pricing is not a marketing position. It is how we have operated for 35 years. When something changes on your invoice, you deserve to know exactly what it is, why it is there, and when it will go away.

The Maths of Transparency

While other platforms have introduced a per-kilometre fuel tax that penalises long-distance travellers, Cars on Demand remains committed to simplicity.

Whether you are travelling 10km from Sydney Airport to the CBD, or 285km from Sydney Airport to Canberra on our long-distance transfer network, our Temporary Fuel Relief is a flat $5.00. Not a cent more.

For long-distance passengers already benefiting from our 10 percent discount on transfers over 90km and 20 percent discount on transfers over 180km, this flat levy means the total cost advantage of choosing a professional chauffeur over a distance-penalising platform surcharge grows significantly with every kilometre.

On a Sydney to Canberra transfer, you save $141 on the base fare through our long-distance discount. You save a further $9.25 on the fuel surcharge alone compared to a platform charging 5 cents per kilometre. The flat $5.00 is not just fairer. It is materially cheaper on the routes that matter most.

Where the Money Goes

Every cent of the $5.00 TFR levy goes directly to your driver. Cars on Demand retains none of it.

This is not a revenue measure. It is a practical recognition that the professional chauffeurs delivering your airport transfers and door to door journeys are real people with real operating costs that have increased materially since late February 2026. The TFR is the industry moving in the right direction, and we are proud to be part of that movement alongside fellow operators on the RideMinder network.

When you book an airport transfer or a door to door chauffeur service with Cars on Demand, the $5.00 you contribute goes to the person who got up at 4am to be at your terminal before you landed.

At $5.00, this relief levy is less than a single flat white at the airport terminal. At Sydney T1 in April 2026, that coffee costs you $6.50 to $7.50. The levy that supports your driver costs you five dollars.

Does This Change the Price of My Transfer?

Your base transfer price remains exactly as quoted at the time of booking. Fixed pricing is a cornerstone of how Cars on Demand operates — no surge, no hidden fees, no adjustments based on demand or conditions.

The TFR is the only addition. It is applied at the completion of each trip, not at booking, and it appears as a separate line item on your invoice so the distinction is always clear.

This is the opposite of a per-kilometre distance tax. Your fare is fixed. Your levy is flat. Your invoice is transparent. That is how we have always operated and that is how this will work.

Does the Levy Apply to Electric Vehicle Bookings?

No. The Temporary Fuel Relief levy applies only to petrol and diesel vehicles. Electric vehicle bookings are not subject to the TFR charge.

If you would like to request an electric vehicle for your airport transfer or door to door booking, select EV in the vehicle options when booking via the app or online at carsondemand.link/register. Availability varies by city and location.

When Will the Levy Be Removed?

The TFR is explicitly temporary. It will be lifted as soon as fuel prices return to normal levels following the resolution of current global supply chain pressures. With the current ceasefire in the Middle East showing signs of holding and analysts projecting fuel price stabilisation toward the second half of 2026, we are monitoring the situation closely.

We will communicate directly with all registered customers when the levy is removed. This page will also be updated to reflect the current status.

We are not in the business of creeping charges. When the pressure eases, so does the levy.

Your Airport Transfer and Door to Door Service — What Has Not Changed
Everything that defines the Cars on Demand experience remains exactly as it was.

Fixed base pricing. Your quoted fare is your invoiced fare. The $5.00 TFR is the only addition and it is always itemised separately.

99.99% on-time reliability. Built over 35 years across Australia's major cities and airports.

Tail number flight tracking. We track the actual aircraft, not the scheduled arrival time. If your flight is delayed, diverted, or lands at a different terminal, your driver already knows.

Professional chauffeurs. Vetted, accredited, and operating late-model premium vehicles to a consistent standard whether your door to door journey is 10 minutes or 3 hours.

24-hour Australian support. Call 1300 638 258 at any hour and speak to a human being who can access your booking in real time.

National coverage. One account covers Sydney airport transfers, Melbourne airport transfers, Brisbane airport transfers, Perth airport transfers, Adelaide airport transfers, Gold Coast airport transfers, Canberra airport transfers, Darwin airport transfers, and Cairns airport transfers.

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Reliable Transport During Global Volatility

A fuel surcharge is a small story. The bigger story in April 2026 is the importance of reliable ground transport when global systems are under pressure.

Flight disruptions, route cancellations, and elevated travel volatility mean that the ground leg of every journey matters more than it did twelve months ago. When the aviation network fails, your transfer should not.

See how we manage flight disruptions during this period of global volatility — and why corporate travel managers are choosing professional chauffeur service precisely because of the uncertainty, not despite it.

The TFR is temporary. The service is not.
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Testimonials

Hear what our customers have to say
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5 stars

Fantastic service, I use Cars on Demand regularly and the care and reliability of the service offered means I’m in highly professional hands. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Cars on Demand team. Thank you!!

5 stars

The team at cars on demand is phenomenal. The app was super easy to use and understand. We were able to book rides with ease and could relax knowing we were going to be picked up and dropped off on schedule.  Thank you for making our visit to Sydney even more fabulous.

5 stars

A very professional outfit. Their support is excellent. I highly recommend you try. I have used many drivers world wide. COD is our go to every time now. You will not be disappointed. Good job Simon and team. Thank you.

5 stars

I booked Cars on demand for my father after reading the great reviews, and the six hour hire went according to schedule. My father was very happy with the courteous service provided by driver Paul. The five stars I have given are for transparency, professionalism & reliability. Thank you Simon.

5 stars

Very happy with the service provided by Cars on Demand.  I always get a courtesy sms to confirm pick up. Drivers are on time, courteous and professional.  Cars are always clean.  Special praise for my regular driver Doug who bought me a coffee for the trip to the airport this morning.

5 stars

We used Cars on Demand for getting our guests to our wedding at Banjo Paterson.  Fantastic service received from all drivers, with everyone picked up on time from various locations.  Very helping getting elderly and disabled people in and out.  Would not hesitate to use them again.

Frequently asked questions

Questions? Here are some answers.
What does TFR stand for?

TFR stands for Temporary Fuel Relief. It is a flat $5.00 surcharge applied to all petrol and diesel airport transfer and door to door chauffeur bookings, added at trip completion and passed in full to your driver.

How is this different from Uber's fuel surcharge?

Uber's surcharge is charged per kilometre — 5 cents per km from 15 April 2026. On a 285km Sydney to Canberra transfer, that is $14.25. Our flat TFR is $5.00 regardless of distance. On long-distance routes, our levy is significantly cheaper.

Does the levy apply to my existing bookings?

Yes. The TFR applies to all trips completed from the effective date, including bookings made prior to the introduction of the levy. It is applied at completion, not at the time of booking.

Does the $5.00 appear on my corporate invoice?

Yes. It appears as a separate line item labelled TFR on every invoice. For corporate accounts using our executive assistant platform, it integrates cleanly with your existing expense reporting.

Who benefits from the levy?

Your driver. 100% of the $5.00 goes directly to the chauffeur who completed your trip. Cars on Demand retains none of it.

How will I know when the levy is removed?

We will notify all registered customers directly when the TFR is lifted. This page will also be updated to reflect the current status.