The Cabcharge account payment system was established in 1976 to provide taxi passengers a way to pay for taxi fares by non-cash means. The payment system is owned and operated by Cabcharge Australia Ltd, an ASX listed public company. The Cabcharge system has several aspects: Though called a service fee by Cabcharge, to the general public and government authorities it is commonly referred to as a surcharge, and has given rise to controversy, litigation and government legislative intervention.