Southern Highlands Taxis, Limousines & Coaches stopped taking bookings on Monday 2 November 2026. The Southern Wire reported that callers late that day heard a recorded message advising that the company was no longer taking bookings and that people should seek other transport. Late on Monday night the firm's website was still offering what it called safe, reliable and excellent taxi services, 24 hours and seven days a week. On Tuesday 3 November the homepage carried only a maintenance notice.
The firm is based in Mittagong, in Wingecarribee Shire, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The Australian Business Register lists LE STEWART FAMILY TRUST NO 3, ABN 69 323 836 239, as active from 1 November 1999, with its main business location in postcode 2575. Southern Highlands Taxis, Limousines & Coaches has been a registered business name of that trust since 7 March 2017.
What the owner told the local paper
Laurie Stewart, the owner, told the Southern Highland News that the company had faced an "absolutely huge" financial loss this year from government fees.
"This year has been the worst year we have ever experienced. We just couldn't survive any longer. It made it impossible for us to continue, simple as all that. We hate it.
"Taxis are very expensive to operate. To give you an idea with our taxi - every year when we renew the registration, it costs us $6000 because it is a licenced taxi. We've tried to live with that, but it's been what has really hurt us in the end - the huge amount of money we're paying."
The Southern Highland News reported that liquidators were stepping in, and that the fleet of cars, limousines and coaches would be sold. On that account, the closure ends the only licensed taxi service in the Southern Highlands. A file photograph with the report showed Mr Stewart with one of four wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The business had offered 24-hour local taxis, airport and cruise-terminal transfers, wedding-car hire, scenic winery tours, local coach charters, and transport for disabled and elderly passengers.
The business register still showed the trust as active on 3 November.
Passengers, jobs and the shire
The Southern Wire understands that the firm employed more than 50 drivers and support staff, and that the exact number who will be out of work is not known. The closure is expected to hit elderly people and people with a disability particularly hard. The service offered wheelchair-accessible taxis around the clock, fitted with current safety technology.
Wingecarribee Shire councillor Sara Moylan issued a statement on Facebook on Monday night. Her thoughts were with everyone affected. The service was used regularly by young people travelling to school and by elderly people for their daily needs.
"I encourage everyone not to speculate on the reasons (for the closure) at this time. For now the community is dealing with many locals losing their jobs and the loss of a valuable community service. Let's all keep an ear out if we have a neighbour or a friend who uses the taxi service that may be at a loss."
The Southern Wire reported concern that other car-transport providers in the region do not have the vehicles, including specialised vehicles, to meet demand, and that the closure is likely to strengthen calls for better public transport across Wingecarribee Shire, particularly a bus service with stronger links between the shire's towns and villages.