Taxi drivers threaten to boycott major Melbourne events as war over safety compliance deepens

Passengers to some of Melbourne’s major events could be left without a ride after a series of texts messages between taxi drivers revealed plans to ditch the fares.

Taxi drivers are threatening to boycott fares to Melbourne’s major events. Picture: Joe Castro

Taxi drivers have threatened to boycott fares to and from the Australian Open over gripes about safety compliance checks.

Authorities have been briefed on a series of text messages sent between a group of Melbourne drivers declaring they would boycott the Open and Australian Grand Prix in March.

It is believed the protest action was being organised because of compliance officers visiting ranks at Melbourne Park and Albert Park on the lookout for dodgy drivers.

Public Transport Ben Carroll Minister said Victorians deserved better from taxi drivers.

“Anyone attending the Australian Open, or any of our world-class major events, rightly expects to be able to get home, and get home safely – and that is our expectation,’’ he said.

“The Australian Open is an opportunity for taxi drivers to provide transport services to thousands of people enjoying everything Melbourne has to offer and contribute to our economy.

Taxi drivers are threatening to boycott fares to and from the Australian Open over gripes about safety compliance checks. Picture: supplied

“If a small number choose not to work that is a matter for them.’’

The Victorian Government was on Sunday made aware of reports some drivers were threatening to avoid the Open.

It comes after the Herald Sun last week revealed a growing number of Melburnians were being left stranded in the city unable to get home during the holiday season as taxi drivers haggled over inflated upfront fees.

Fans leaving the tennis have also complained about taxi drivers demanding up to $100 just to drive them to the CBD.

Industry insiders said price gouging was being driven by a little-known loophole introduced in 2017 as part of a sector-wide deregulation of the taxi industry.

Taxi drivers are leaving attendees to the Australian Open without a way home or in bidding wars over paying fares. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Under the reforms, taxi drivers are permitted to negotiate their own fixed fare with customers if they hail an unbooked cab.

Transport Matters Party leader and former State MP Rod Barton said he was aware of the “stupid’’ driver edict by “a minority of the industry who are misbehaving … normally at night.’’

“In my 35 years in this game I’ve never come across a time when pissing off your customers had a benefit to you,’’ he said.

“I would caution them to think carefully about this.

‘‘It will backfire.’’

Mr Barton said the boycott could turn passengers away from taxis and into the hands of ride share operators such as Uber.

“This is just an outrageous thing to be happening,’’ he said.

And it was a bad look for tourists visiting the city who were left stranded by taxi drivers.

“They are not making any money, they are feeling desperate and they are trying to pull these stunts,’’ he said.

Ongoing disputes over excessive taxi fares are causing a rift between drivers and passengers. Picture: Joe Castro

Taxis formed an orderly queue outside the Olympic Boulevard entrance to Melbourne Park on Sunday afternoon but there have also been reports of drivers touting and refusing short fares.

Victoria Taxi Association director Peter Valentine last week accused the government of fuelling a culture of “greed” among drivers.

Mr Barton said: “There has been a lot of pressure placed on the government to close some of these loopholes.

“What is happening is because of flawed and unclear legislation … you should not be able to refuse a fare because you don’t like it.

‘‘In NSW and Queensland it is illegal and technically it is here.

‘‘But we’ve got this massive loophole they can get around.’’

Mr Carroll said: “We also encourage people to use public transport when heading to events in the city – with free trams and shuttle services to and from the tennis,’’ he said.

Maximum metered fare rates are set by the Essential Services Commission (ESC).

In a review in 2022, The ESC granted an 11.2percent increase in unbooked fares to address the increased cost of operating a taxi.