Uber vs taxi at Melbourne airport: Which is the best ride?

HOW does UberX compare to taxis from Melbourne airport? We trialled both in various trips to compare price, service and convenience. And the results are in.

UBERX is knocking it out of the park getting travellers home from the airport.

Bans on the popular ride-share service picking up and dropping off passengers at Melbourne airport were lifted this week, and taxis will have to up their game to keep up.

The Herald Sun trialled Ubers and taxis on various trips from the airport, comparing them on price, service and convenience.

Reporters Tamsin Rose and Aneeka Simonis ready to leave Melbourne airport. Picture: Jay Town

A long ride into the suburbs was almost half the price in an UberX, while short and city-bound trips were also significantly cheaper.

The service was also a cut above in an UberX.

Drivers were friendly and accommodating, asking how they could make the ride more comfortable by allowing the passenger to choose the route home or alter the airconditioning.

The same concessions were not always offered in taxis.

A trip to Westfield Doncaster cost $82.52 in a taxi, compared with $43.12 in an UberX.

The fare to QV Square in the CBD cost $56.50 in a taxi, an UberX was 26 per cent cheaper ($41.79).

Reporters Tamsin Rose and Aneeka Simonis trial taxi and an Uber trips from Tullamarine. Picture: Jay Town

A short trip to Essendon Airport was also slightly more expensive in a taxi, which charged 20 per cent more than an UberX.

Passengers also have greater reliability travelling with UberX. The booking app time-tracks approaching drivers whereas taxi-goers are made to wait in the rank with no ­indication when their cab will arrive.

On one occasion, passengers waited about 10 minutes in the rank with no ride in sight. Some became confused and frustrated and left.

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Taxis at Melbourne airport. Picture: Jay Town

“I waited at the rank for ­almost 10 minutes but the wait felt longer because I didn’t know when a cab would arrive,” Tamsin Rose said.

“Taxis were being flagged on by the man at the rank but it was unclear why and people were becoming visibly upset and confused.

“Two parties were poached by other drivers in that time and they left the rank.

“I got assigned a maxi taxi, which seemed a bit ridiculous considering I only had a handbag.”

Tamsin Rose getting into a taxi at Melbourne airport. Picture: Jay Town

Taxi drivers blockaded the airport’s new UberX pick-up area this week in protest against the decision to allow the ride-sharing service to pick up and drop off jetsetters.

It caused major chaos for passengers, who were offered free rides on the SkyBus.

Taxi licence holders have been offered financial compensation by the government as it moves to deregulate the taxi and ride-sharing industry. A $1 levy will apply to all taxi and UberX rides to compensate taxi licence holders.

@AneekaSimonis

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