Taxi drivers in Hume hit out at Uber law and its devastating impact

The State Government has proposed a single registration system for all hire cars, allowing the ride-sharing service Uber to operate.

A HUME taxi operator says he has no assets and “can’t breathe sometimes” over the introduction of the new “Uber law”.

The State Government has proposed a single registration system for all hire cars, allowing the ride-sharing service Uber to operate.

Crown Cabs Taxi Service managing director Tuna Guclu said he was devastated by the decision and the impact on the family business he has run for 23 years.

Crown Cabs has a head office in Tullamarine and is based in Kilmore.

“We will continue to run but we’ve got no assets – I’ve lost my home, I’ve been forced to rent,” he said.

“I’m just devastated, I can’t breathe sometimes – I don’t know what to tell my kids.

“I’ve heard that lots of people in the industry have had heart attacks from the stress.”

Golden Taxi Service co-director Rodrigo Orozco said the value of cab licences had plunged since Uber began.

Mr Orozco, who runs about 90 taxis from Meadow Heights, said many drivers had remortgaged their homes to buy cab licences.

“It’s going to have a big impact on Hume because most of my taxi drivers live in the area,” he said.

“A lot of people are bankrupt, have left and don’t drive anymore.

“But we just need to keep going, this is our income and how we provide for our families.”

The State Government has proposed a “buyback” scheme worth $420 million to compensate taxi owners.

The government wants to raise funds for the compensation plan by charging a $2 levy on all taxi, hire car and ride share service trips from 2018.

For mental health advice contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.