Taxing times: Top End cab drivers struggle to make ends meet after Uber’s entry to Darwin market
TAXI drivers across the Top End are struggling to make ends meet after their first Christmas period competing with popular ride-sharing operator Uber
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TAXI drivers across the Top End are struggling to make ends meet after their first Christmas period competing with popular ride-sharing operator Uber.
February is historically the worst month for Darwin’s cabbies, and some are wondering if they’ll make it through the slow period.
Darwin taxi operator Steven Hall said things were dire.
“Next month is the quietest month of the year – not work-wise but in January you get all the money from December but you don’t make any in January and then have no money to get through February,” he said.
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“We’ve got a lot of old-time operators who’ve been around 30 years; we’ve had a couple pull the pin already.
“There are over 100 Ubers out here now. Half of the taxi drivers don’t want to drive any more.”
While some restrictions on ride-share operators are cushioning the blow, Uber drivers can pick and choose their shifts, leaving taxi drivers to seek fares in traditionally quiet times when Uber operators are off the road.
“Day shifts are holding up because a lot of the Uber drivers are at work then. Uber has brought in a new law you can only do 12 hours in one day. Some go out at 6.30 in the morning and go to town to get work but if they log in at 6am, after 6pm they can’t work,” he said.
“Night-time cabbies are really copping it hard.
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“Especially because of the Uber drivers who cherry-pick the good shifts.”
While Mr Hall conceded Uber was good for passengers, what was just a bit of spare cash for ride-sharing operators came at the expense of professional cabbies trying to make a living.
“It’s good for the public, but not good for the people trying to run a business. You’ve got people like single mums who drop their kids off and then go and do a shift as an Uber driver,” he said.
But with Uber granted access to Darwin Airport last week, there is little relief in sight.
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