Bolte Bridge taxi protest to cause traffic chaos

TAXIShave begun blockading the Bolte Bridge, bringing peak hour traffic to a standstill in Melbourne.

MELBOURNE motorists face further peak-hour pain from protesting taxi licence-holders set to blockade Melbourne Airport or the West Gate Bridge over looming sector changes.

The Andrews Government has vowed to introduce laws next week that would start to deregulate the taxi industry and legalise Uber and other ride-share operators, despite taxi drivers blockading the Bolte Bridge yesterday in protest.

The legislation will include the compensation scheme being offered to existing licence-holders, who will get $100,000 for their first licence and $50,000 per licence for up to three others.

Taxi drivers gather on the steps of State Parliament demanding a fair go. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A paramedic examines at protester outside the Premier’s office. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Cabbies are protesting deregulation of the industry. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Hundreds of drivers were involved in today’s blockade. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Taxis blockade the Bolte Bridge earlier this morning. Picture: Nicole Garmston

But former premier Jeff Kennett has called for the government to put plans on hold until details of how the compensation scheme will affect individuals are locked down.

Mr Kennett said the current package was inadequate for some smaller licence-holders — but he backed a $2 levy to help pay for the changes regardless of how much was paid to them.

“I think it (compensation) has got to be paid through consolidated revenue at the moment and then, I’m in favour of the $2 levy,” he said.

Mr Kennett said people were suffering and that what the government was proposing was “scurrilous and unfair”.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan was unmoved by the taxi protest on Monday, calling drivers blockading motorists “reckless and irresponsible”.

Angry motorists tooted and yelled out their windows at the protesters as they passed. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Taxis arrive at Parliament House. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Protesters are chanting “Buy back, buy fair” in response to the Government’s plan to deregulate the industry. Picture: Tim Carrafa

It is understood Ms Allan has come under considerable pressure from some of her own MPs to alter the structure of the industry package being offered, after announcing last year licence fees would effectively be abolished to boost competition and let operators set their own fares.

The radical changes will give the green light to ride-sharing but restricts the use of rank and hail operations to taxis.

Cabbie Resham Sekhon says he will have to sell his home. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Taxi drivers have brought the Bolte Bridge to a standstill. Outbound on the Bolte Bridge as seen from the Eureka Skydeck. Picture: Hamish Blair

Taxi drivers congregate near the entrance ramp to the Bolte Bridge before the protest. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Taxis are gathering at the Todd Road service station before they blockade the Bolte Bridge.

Yesterday, some taxi drivers protesting at the changes said they were planning similar action at Melbourne Airport and the West Gate Bridge, with organiser Linda De Melis confirming: “everything is on the table”.

“Unless the Government steps forward into good faith discussions, we will have to continue,” she said.

A large police presence blocked off parts of Spring St and Collins St and trams services throughout the city suffered major delays angering motorists during morning peak hour.

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Originally published as Bolte Bridge taxi protest to cause traffic chaos