Melbourne Airport warning after touters become more aggressive

Authorities at Melbourne Airport are warning customers to avoid dangerous drivers who tout their business and who often have no qualifications or registration.

Touters at Melbourne Airport are becoming increasingly aggressive as authorities at Tullamarine urge customers to avoid the dangerous drivers.

The practice was banned in 2008 but the laws were scrapped in 2017 when the ridesharing industry was deregulated.

New rules to fix the change are currently being considered and Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria has been monitoring the issue.

The airport’s chief of parking and ground access Lorie Argus said behaviour from dodgy operators, who often have no qualifications or registration, had gotten worse.

‘We’ve got complaints from customers that they are feeling harassed and drivers are becoming aggressive when they approach,” she said.

“In particular, women are becoming concerned for their safety and those with small children feel uncomfortable with being targeted.

“Verbal abuse, intimidatory behaviour and sexual harassment have no place at Melbourne Airport, and we are acting decisively against drivers who choose to conduct themselves in this way,”

Ms Argus said reinstating touting as an offence would help them to put a stop to dodgy drivers.

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“We did find it was a significant deterrent when it was in place,” she said.

“For now we really want to get the message out to the public not to get in these vehicles.

“The reality is they keep coming because they're getting business from somewhere … We have to remove this behaviour from the precinct.

“We urge all passengers travelling through Melbourne Airport to use reputable, proven transport providers.

“If you are approached by a stranger offering you an alternative mode of transport we have one single message for you. Don’t get in the car.”

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