Commuter chaos in Melbourne during tram and taxi strike

IT IS a perfect storm in Melbourne with cab drivers at war with Uber and trams on strike again. Frustrated commuters get ready for chaos.

Chaos as trams and taxis strike

MELBOURNE might have to get used to more public transport strikes and next time it could be for 24 hours.

As well as holding a four-hour strike today, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union also applied to the Fair Work Commission to extend their protected action ballot, which includes the right to strike for 24 hours, The Hearld Sun reports.

Melbourne has again been thrown into commuter chaos with cab drivers shutting down Spring Street and trams on strike.

Anyone planning on getting home early from work can pretty much forget about it. A line of taxis stretches 300m along Spring St, blocking the road, as drivers continue their war against Uber.

Drivers have flooded the steps of Parliament House to protest and will begin rolling strikes across Australia in their fight against ride-sharing service.

The protest comes at the same time as a four-hour tram strike that will run until 2pm.

The strike comes as it emerged public transport workers have received pay rises worth 28 per cent in the last six years.

Normal tram services were unlikely to be restored before 4.30pm.

Commuters have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, dubbing tram workers as “greedy”.

Some have defended the strike action taken by taxis but said tram drivers calling for more pay were like “babies throwing a tantrum”.

These strikes mark the fifth time in two weeks that commuters have been inconvenienced by Melbourne’s public transport network.

Melburnians have described the eerie quietness that has engulfed a normally bustling Sydney Road and others have used the opportunity to skateboard through the empty streets.

Skateboarders heaven #tramstrike Swanston St #melbourne @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/IePVihJQYK

— Nicole Garmston (@garmoheraldsun) September 10, 2015

View of #TaxiStrike from 18th floor of #melbourne Orica building @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/dowOLRMVCo

— katie hodge (@katiehodge) September 10, 2015

Fox FM has made light of traveller frustrations by posted a video about what people could do with their Myki cards. Cutting a muffin and banana, opening a beer, buttering toast and opening an envelope were among the top options.

And Uber was quick to make the most of the strike with this tweet:

New to Uber? Here's how you can ride with us for free today: http://t.co/sWymSQKgAK #KeepMelbourneMoving

— Uber Melbourne (@Uber_Melbourne) September 10, 2015

A spokeswoman for Yarra Trams said it was concerned for people who relied on trams as their sole means of transport as about 120,000 people usually made trips during the time of the strike.

“Trams carry 80 per cent of the patronage of trains and 180 million trips were taken on our network last year,” she said.

Yarra Trams believe the industrial action is “unnecessary” and attempted to improve communication after the strike two weeks ago.

VicRoads Network operations manager Keith Weegburg said traffic lights would be adjusted to assist with traffic flow throughout the city, giving priority to the 120 buses that have replaced the trams.

“We have also postponed any non-essential road works within a seven kilometre radius of Melbourne’s CBD to keep the network as clear as possible,” he said.

“Once the strike concludes, we will assist trams to get back onto the roads from the depots and resume service as quickly as possible”