UberX takes off at Mebourne Airport as taxi blockade threat fizzles
LATEST: UBERX is up and running at Melbourne Airport despite fears taxi drivers would blockade the new pick up area — but protests could still take place later today.
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UBERX is up and running at Melbourne Airport despite fears taxi drivers would blockade the new pick-up area — but ongoing protests may still take place.
Victorian Taxi Association chief executive Georgia Nicholls said protests this afternoon were “still possible”.
“But I feel the heat has gone out of it,” she said.
SUSIE O’BRIEN: HARD FOR PUNTERS TO FEEL SORRY FOR CABBIES
She confirmed the airport had put on extra staff to ensure the marshalling process went smoothly and to monitor if any cab drivers started blocking the road.
Friends Olivia Piccinin and Hayley Duncan returned home from Cambodia this afternoon and were two of the first UberX passengers to leave from the airport.
“It’s so great they’re finally here. I love them, they’re so friendly and offer such a wonderful service,” Ms Piccinin said.
Their driver, Isanka Damith, said he was very glad he was now allowed to operate from the airport.
“It’s exciting that’s it’s legal and there’s no trouble, it makes my job easier,” he said.
“I got my first trip within two minutes and it will allow me to earn some extra money without having to travel so far.”
Tasmanian mates Ben Turale and Joel Talcum caught their first ever Uber from outside the terminals.
“It benefits commuters to have them here, whether or not the cabbies get their panties in a knot doesn’t bother us,” Mr Turale said.
“It seems to be a lot cheaper,” Mr Talcum added.
The men who were travelling to Bourke St said their fare was estimated to cost about $40, around $20 less than what they’d paid in the past when catching a cab.
Melbourne Airport denied it was due to meet with furious taxi drivers this morning, despite the threats of a second blockade.
Passengers catching early morning flights were told to plan ahead after taxis blocked roads leading to the terminals in protest from 9.30pm last night.
Another blockade was expected this morning, with taxi drivers telling 3AW they had a meeting planned with Melbourne Airport at 8am.
A taxi driver said protests would follow if the meeting didn’t fall in their favour.
But a Melbourne Airport spokeswoman poured cold water on the rumour.
“We don’t have a meeting confirmed with taxi association,” she said.
UberX began operating at the airport from midday.
Sign of things to come at @Melair - brought to you by @JacintaAllanMP and @VicGovAu pic.twitter.com/jnO1XRnka3
— Melbourne Driver (@nicerride) August 15, 2017
It's a game of Taxi Roulette at Melbourne Airport tonight with protest against Uber - always the innocent travellers affected!
— Claire R (@Kandi_Queen) August 15, 2017
The airport’s parking and ground access chief, Lorie Argus, said the launch of UberX comes after many travellers expressed frustrations about being unable to use the service.
“We’re excited to have Uber here,” she said
“The reality is that there’s one million Uber app users in Melbourne and we have to accommodate those people.
“Ultimately it’s the consumer’s choice on who they use.”
Ms Argus said ensuring taxis were not disadvantaged by the introduction of Uber was a major consideration.
“Last year we had 2.2 million taxi movements in Melbourne and that’s still going to be a very significant business for us,” she said.
“They still have prime position in the inner lane but we’ve certainly tried to accommodate Uber equally and fairly within the precinct.”
The airport has today employed extra ground staff and seven tow trucks to help move on any further blockades that may disrupt traffic.
“We’ve got upwards of an additional 25 people in security and customer service today, predominantly around our forecourt,” Ms Argus said.
Black and white Uber signage was posted throughout the Airport last night to direct people to the allocated pick-up areas.
The airport released a statement last night confirming taxis had blockaded the airport’s main forecourt.
It also offered free rides to affected passengers on SkyBus to help people get home: “We’re deeply appreciative of the great work SkyBus is doing to help with this situation.”
The airport warned passengers catching a departing flight in the morning to head to the airport early and check its website for updates.
Anyone trying to pick up arriving passengers has been advised to check the airport website for flight information, head to the airport earlier than usual and use the free ring and ride wait zone.
The taxi blockade — which ended about 10.45pm — caused chaos, with travellers taking to social media to vent their frustration.
A traveller claims he caught a taxi, whose driver demanded cash upfront before dumping him on the roadside 1km from the airport.
Amiir, a taxi driver at the airport who asked for his full name not to be revealed, said most drivers had no idea when the next blockade would be.
“Honestly we had no idea there was going to be any protest tonight. A group of drivers just did it without telling anyone,” he said.
When I finally got a taxi, he demanded cash, upfront prepayment... then dumped me on the roadside 1km from the airport. #Melbourne
— Kohan Ikin (@syneryder) August 15, 2017
Oh dear Melbourne taxis! You have now officially lost all remaining passengers to Uber! #melbourneairport #uber
— Racquel (@Racquello) August 15, 2017
Taxi drivers at Melbourne airport protesting @Uber access - just pissed off a lot of people who probably now want to try the alternative
— Paul Sofronoff (@Psof) August 15, 2017
Messy traffic at Melbourne Airport with taxis staging protect blockade - more to come pic.twitter.com/iS35EDGZh5
— Brian Wilson (@ietsystems) August 15, 2017
“There’s rumours going around that they’ll do it again on Wednesday and probably quite a few times this week but no ones saying anything officially because they would be warning the airport.
“Some people have said they’ll be back in the morning so the rest of us who don’t know what’s going on just have to think about planning ahead and deciding whether or not we’ll want to be doing jobs at the airport.”
The blockade occurred just 12 hours after it was announced UberX would be allowed to operate starting from Wednesday.
Jet-setters will be able to access Uber from two approved wait zones near terminals after the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Bill was passed through parliament last week.
Melbourne Airport chief of parking and ground transportation Lorie Argus said she was pleased to “welcome Uber into the airport’s transport mix”.
“This announcement is really exciting as we know Uber is a desirable transport option for many of our travellers,” she said.
“Through expanding our transport offering we’re giving our travellers more choice and flexibility.”
Mrs Argus said UberX passengers will be able to access the popular ride-sharing app from two approved wait zones inside the airport and in the T4 Transport Hub.
Uber state manager for Victoria Lucas Groeneveld said he was pleased to offer travellers “simple and safe ground connections with the support of Melbourne Airport”.
“This is a big win for consumer choice, tourism and the Victorian travelling public,” Mr Groeneveld said.
“We know thousands of Uber riders open the app at Melbourne Airport every week, and we’re now thrilled to offer them safe, reliable and affordable uberX rides at the push of a button.”
Taxis will continue their services from the inner lane of Melbourne Airport and the ground floor of terminal T4 transport hub.
UBER PICK-UP LOCATIONS:
Terminal T1 T2 T3: UberX pick-up zone is Lane 1 of the main terminal.
UBER DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:
Passengers can be dropped off anywhere along Departures Drive and the Terminal 4 transport hub drop-off zone on Level 1.
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