‘Injustice’: Taxi drivers to avoid Sydney airport after Uber PIN, kerbside pick-up zone change

Taxi drivers across Sydney have been told not to pick up passengers from the International Airport from 6am on Wednesday after a dispute over ‘rank and hail’ privileges afforded to Uber by the state government.

Taxi drivers across Sydney have been told not to pick up passengers from the International Airport on Wednesday after a dispute over “rank and hail” privileges given to Uber by the state government.

Taxi drivers have labelled a new Uber pick-up zone, outside the international terminal T1 doors next to the existing taxi rank, “brutal and cruel”.

Members of NSW taxi associations, taxi networks, and allied rideshare representatives gathered on Tuesday to form a “Service Providers Alliance Group,” with flyers, messages, and emails sent to thousands of drivers across the city calling them to withdraw services at the terminal from 6am Wednesday.

Sydney taxi drivers Amer Akhtar, Deepak Malhotra and MD Haque will join the withdrawal action on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It comes after the NSW government announced Uber would be allowed to operate a 12-month trial of its PIN technology at the new zone from September 24.

Instead of walking 200 metres to the current rideshare pick-up spot and waiting for a booked driver, riders will now connect with the next available Uber at the new rank via a six-digit PIN.

Sydney Airport said the arrangement intended to ease congestion, improve passenger experience, and increase pedestrian safety as Uber pick-ups become more popular.

NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahim said the state government had given Uber an “unfair exemption” to operate a rank and hail-style service at the expense of struggling taxi drivers.

“We think this exemption is highly inappropriate and unjustified, particularly when you’re giving a competitor an advantage,” Mr Abrahim said.

NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahim. Picture: Christian Gilles

Taxi drivers have been told not to pick up passengers from Sydney Airport. Picture: Rob Griffith

“It’s tough as it is and for the government to allow this to happen, and then for Sydney Airport to provide this kerbside space for Uber, is unfortunately a bit of a slap in the face.

“We’re talking about Uber now providing this instant service, which is what rank and hail has been all about, without having to comply with all the requirements that you need to provide a rank and hail service. It’s just not right.

“Leave the rank and hail market alone for crying out loud, this is the one market we still have left.”

Under current ‘point-to-point’ transport regulations, rideshare vehicles are not allowed to ply, stand or park, or carry out a hire for anything but a booking made before the driver stops or the passenger is picked up.

The Uber changes will follow the decline in taxi airport pick-ups from 42 per cent to 28 per cent between 2023-2024, while rideshare airport pick-ups increased from 39 per cent to 50 per cent in the same period.

Inner west taxi driver Deepak Malhorta said the industry will be “cornered” by Uber encroaching on their market. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Inner west taxi driver Deepak Malhotra, 40, said allowing the Uber PIN trial to go ahead would wipe out the major source of work left for taxi drivers in an industry monopolised by the rideshare company.

“Sydney Airport and the government have actually failed to protect our livelihoods … they have just backed us into a corner,” he said.

Taxi drivers connected to the Australian Taxi Drivers Association, Australian Taxi Operators Association, and Taxi Drivers Benefit Association said they will avoid the international airport for four to five days until Sydney Airport and the state government meet their demands and cancel the Uber rank.

A Sydney Airport spokesperson confirmed it was aware of the industrial action and would have additional staff in place to assist passengers with their transport options.

A spokesperson for NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the change was “about giving people as many transport choices as possible after a long flight” based on the success of Uber PIN at Melbourne Airport.