Taxi drivers boycott Sydney airport, form picket-line in protest against Uber zone

Around 2500 taxi drivers across Sydney kept their word and stopped picking up passengers at the airport, with the usual busy taxi rank empty as a ‘picket-line’ forms in protest against a dedicated Uber zone. Here’s the latest.

Taxi drivers have been encouraged to resume work at Sydney Airport after they boycotted the international terminal on Wednesday and left the usually busy taxi rank empty.

NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahim estimated up to 2500 drivers participated in the stop-work action, either by avoiding the airport completely or forming a picket-line at the taxi rank in protest.

Mr Abrahim said taxi services would most likely resume this afternoon, however further action should be expected “down the track” if proposed changes to Uber’s dedicated zone arrangement at the international terminal – next door to the taxi rank – were not reconsidered.
“The drivers have taken it upon themselves to stop services for a period at the international terminal,” he said.

Passengers are redirected away from the taxi rank to alternate travel options on Wednesday morning. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“We are mindful that we want to minimise the disruption to passengers and we want passengers to be able to get picked up … but ultimately this will be a decision for the drivers.

“At the same time we will be working to make sure the decision-makers (Sydney Airport and the state government) are aware of the impact of their decision … and we can’t guarantee there won’t be further disruptions down the track because it’s a significant issue for the industry and for the drivers.”

The action comes after the NSW Government approved a 12-month regulatory exemption for Uber to use its PIN technology at a pick-up zone next to the international airport taxi rank from September 24.

Multiple taxi organisations, networks, and rideshare advocates gathered on Tuesday to plan for the stop-work action with the intention to “send a message” to the state government and Uber.

During the boycott on Wednesday, Sydney Airport staff redirected passengers away from the dedicated waiting area to other transport options as taxi drivers gathered at the nearby holding bay in protest.

Taxis were also told to stop picking up passengers at the domestic airport with the word on the street being “stay in the city”.

A group of taxi drivers aligned to the action established a picket-line at the entry bay to keep other taxi drivers from breaking the boycott and serving passengers.

NSW Police arrived at the picket-line to assess the situation and addressed the crowd about reports of “fights and brawls”, which were denied by the group.

Arrival passengers could be seen walking down to the international terminal’s taxi rank to find it empty, before they were turned around by member of staff and directed to the rideshare pick up area 200m away.

Debbie, who wished to remain anonymous, did not know about the boycott and was one of many passengers who had to forgo their usual travel plans.

“I was told I now have to get an Uber,” she said.

“After a flight I usually get a taxi.”

On the other hand, Jacob Morris, 35, said he wasn’t affected by the action as he had not considered travelling via a taxi or Uber.

“Nah they (Uber and taxis) are way too expensive, buses and trains are cheaper, he said.

Nick Abrahim (centre) and fellow Sydney taxi drivers said further actions should be expected. Picture:

Changes to the international airport include nearly half of the holding bay being set aside for Uber vehicles to park, wait, and queue like the taxi system.

Former full-time Uber driver and rideshare advocate Tracy Little, 52, said rideshare drivers supported their taxi counterparts as they fought against a move that would also be “no good for the Uber drivers”.

“When I heard the taxis were against this holding bay I thought why not join forces because drivers are angry at Uber for the price decrease (pay rates), and this is going to push prices down for the whole industry,” she said.

“It’s no good for the Uber drivers because at the moment they get to see how long their trip is and the rough area where it’s going, but when Uber drivers get into the kerbside pick-up they will have no idea, they will not get to see that information.

Rideshare advocate Tracey Little said she supported the taxi industry as plans were made on Tuesday. Picture: DTTV

“Let the taxis have their holding bay. Uber does not need to be at the kerbside, and again it’s a safety issue as well for the poor taxi drivers. If someone has a heart attack or is injured there (the holding bay), it’s so crammed up that no emergency services can get in or out.”

A spokesperson for the Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said the changes had been made to reflect the surge in rideshare pick-ups in the last year, the majority of which were Ubers, without affecting the number, size, or location of taxi ranks across all three terminals.

The 12-month trial would also be overseen by the Point to Point Transport Commissioner who has required a number of controls to be put in place, including new signage and barriers, a traffic supervisor, and clear reporting of trial outcomes.

The taxi passenger queue stands empty. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Moorebank taxi driver Moses Appiah, 53, said drivers were also protesting against a proposed $10 dwell charge at the Domestic airport.

In an attempt to discourage taxis from waiting for long periods to enter the 300-space taxi holding bay, Sydney Airport will introduce a $10 charge for drivers who spend more than 60 minutes at the site if proposed wait reduction targets are not met.

However, the taxi network owner said drivers were already having to queue for one to two hours to pick-up a single passenger because there was no work elsewhere.

“If we have to pay the $10 dwelling fee out of our own pockets … we will be working for free,” Mr Appiah said about the costs of running his taxi even before the slated charge.

“If they (Sydney Airport) don’t do something we will just have to keep on (protesting), this is just the beginning.

“We are taking it easy but the next one will have to be very serious.”

Originally published as Taxi drivers boycott Sydney airport, form picket-line in protest against Uber zone