MEL Taxi Blockade [ short fare return queue jump ending ]

[Hvr]

This thread has taken an interesting turn - each to his own - this is a 1st world country and I would expect 1[SUP]st[/SUP] world standards and practices - a taxi rank for incoming pax is a taxi rank - picking up cabs upstairs at dep is a big no no IMHO.

What about those parasites at int arrivals in MEL touting for fares as you exit arrivals hall – jeez do I give them an earful.

What about those jerks in PEK / PVG touting ‘taxi taxi’ as you exit arrivals hall – you know they are going to try to get up your skirt – jeez do I give them an earful.

But as I say – MEL is in 1[SUP]st[/SUP] world country – taxi ranks are there for a purpose IMHO and indeed that should be respected.

I agree that MEL is in a 1st world country but the taxi industry as a whole is reminiscent of 3rd world corruption and protectionism supported (at least by their inaction) by governments of both sides and grubby taxi companies whose only interest is themselves, not their customers.

As I've written here previously, and is oft demonstrated the taxies on the rank don't want my business. Therefore, I am forced to either put up with their abuse and insolence or seek an alternative.

Neither choice is ideal but I believe I take the least worse choice.

In BKK I am given a card with the taxi number on it and information on how to complain. In San Juan I was given a card with the fixed fare to the local hotels. In New York there is a fixed fare to the city.

In Melbourne it is accept rubbish service from unaccountable drivers and taxi companies. There is a very high risk of fraud by MEL taxi drivers if you use your credit card. Assaults by drivers aren't unknown. Refusal of short fares is very common at MEL airport with no apparent repercussions. Complaints are directed to the taxi directorate, essentially the taxi owners whose sole purpose is to look after their owners, i.e. the taxi plate owners. Drivers and especially passengers are seen as a nuisance.

Again I ask, why should I run the very high risk of abuse by taking a taxi from the rank when I can mitigate against the abuse by taking a taxi from the departures area?

There is no apparent interest in resolving this conundrum, indeed there seems to more interest in ensuring there are not any viable alternatives such as a train.

 

[Skyring]

Again I ask, why should I run the very high risk of abuse by taking a taxi from the rank when I can mitigate against the abuse by taking a taxi from the departures area?

There is no apparent interest in resolving this conundrum...

If the passengers don't complain, then the problem won't be fixed.

As a cabbie, I'd listen to horror stories from passengers, and very few ever did anything about the way they'd been treated. I'd like to see each cab required to provide cards listing the cab number, the driver name, the number to ring for lost property, the number to ring for complaints. And the same information printed on each receipt.

 

[Skyring]

This thread has taken an interesting turn - each to his own - this is a 1st world country and I would expect 1[SUP]st[/SUP] world standards and practices - a taxi rank for incoming pax is a taxi rank - picking up cabs upstairs at dep is a big no no IMHO.

What about those parasites at int arrivals in MEL touting for fares as you exit arrivals hall – jeez do I give them an earful.

What about those jerks in PEK / PVG touting ‘taxi taxi’ as you exit arrivals hall – you know they are going to try to get up your skirt – jeez do I give them an earful.

I was surprised to find something similar at JFK. I just laughed at him, because I know the procedure and the fixed fare.

 

[nonpop]

As I've written here previously, and is oft demonstrated the taxies on the rank don't want my business. Therefore, I am forced to either put up with their abuse and insolence or seek an alternative.

Agree ... for me I've struck up a deal with a driver in each location and now skip cabs from the airport. Or I've moved to Uber or just pick up a cab when nothing else available.
Others I know have started doing the same thing. So now the 'premium' fare the cab driver wants is now no longer available with me. By not accepting the odd short fare, they've now done themselves out of a long fare.

And typically we are not paying much more than the cab fare especially in peak hour and get a better service with a clean new car and no more credit card fraud issues.

 

[cmon0005]

However, he put on a two dollar surcharge and upon arrival I asked why. He said it was an airport charge. I told him I knew he was lying and that he hadn't paid it and nor would I.

He removed it from the bill and gave me change to the cent. He forfeited a tip because of his dishonesty.

With no effective mechanism for punishing thieving drivers or the plate owner this will continue forever.

Unfortunately I've had this happen too many times to count, more so in Melbourne but also in Sydney. Sad really.

 

[Hvr]

And the blockade is on again at MEL AP this morning.

Surely it's time to seize the plates of any taxi involved and cancel the drivers' licences?

 

[cmon0005]

And the blockade is on again at MEL AP this morning.

Surely it's time to seize the plates of any taxi involved and cancel the drivers' licences?

Yep this needs to be done, enough is enough.

 

[ric_melb]

Just heard one of the blockading taxi drivers on ABC, complaining that the short fare cost them money. They seem to fail to appreciate that one of the principles of driving a taxi in Melbourne is that you should accept all fares, unless the passenger is drunk etc. I have also heard older drivers say that they don't bother waiting in the queue at the airport but head off and often get a fare within a few minutes.
For a city that had all the basics for a good curfew free airport Melbourne is now seriously suffering. Continuing problems with taxis. Freeway and access roads to the airport seriously blocked from 7am to 9am. Still no train service. I am not seeing any remedy in the next 10 years.

 

[Skyring]

And the blockade is on again at MEL AP this morning.

Surely it's time to seize the plates of any taxi involved and cancel the drivers' licences?

An attempt at resolution which is not seen as fair and equitable, and does not give the participants a feeling of satisfaction, if not happiness, is unlikely to do anything more than exacerbate the situation.

IMHO

 

[whatmeworry]

The Taxi drivers are reportedly going to blockade in the evening and blockade everyday till their demands are met.


Some of the lovely drivers at MEL.

Taxi drivers threaten to continue blockade

 

[JohnK]

Just heard one of the blockading taxi drivers on ABC, complaining that the short fare cost them money. They seem to fail to appreciate that one of the principles of driving a taxi in Melbourne is that you should accept all fares, unless the passenger is drunk etc.

So the easiest solution would be to ban all those living close to airport from using a taxi or impose a minimum $50 fare.

That will keep the taxi drivers happy?

 

[Skyring]

So the easiest solution would be to ban all those living close to airport from using a taxi or impose a minimum $50 fare.

That will keep the taxi drivers happy?

Any solution that doesn't satisfy all parties is no solution. Well, not one that will last.

Rather than scrap the short-fare system, if it was being abused, it should have been enforced. Penalise those who are breaking the rules, not those who are following them. Other airports have shortie systems and they work fine.

Of course, the best solution would be to hook the airport into Melbourne's rail system. Good public transport solves any number of problems, contributes to efficiency and happiness. Making cities work for the residents is a lesson we can learn from many European cities. I was recently in Gothenburg, not a huge city in population, area or density, but it was a joy to get around, with all modes of transport catered for.

 

[cmon0005]

Melbourne Airport may tow taxis

Good, the airport has started fining in some circumstances.

 

[whatmeworry]

Melbourne Airport may tow taxis

Good, the airport has started fining in some circumstances.

If they want to really scare some of the cabbies they should get immigration officers out there and see how quickly they clear.

 

[anat0l]

If they want to really scare some of the cabbies they should get immigration officers out there and see how quickly they clear.

Why isn't the immigration department doing this on their own accord, considering they know this is an area of concentration? Bureaucracy still has to pay bills too.


Seriously, putting all the possible racist undertones aside... seems like it's a steady war of who will be more heavy handed first. Looks like Melbourne Airport is assuming the offensive now.

In any case, didn't someone mention previously that the blockade is rather superficial as it's still possible for taxis to get to the airport anyway?

If anything, the blockade is simply attempting to put pressure on the remainder of the system by removing the number of cabs in the system.

 

[cmon0005]

Taxi drivers launch hunger strike to protest against Melbourne Airport queuing system - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Now they're on a Hunger strike, you've gotta be kiding me!!

These people are a joke, get in your $#@$* cabs and do your jobs!

 

[Jleno]

Imagine what they'll do when there's actually a train service out to the airport.

 

[anat0l]

Now they're on a Hunger strike, you've gotta be kiding me!!

Yep - you have to be kidding me for sure. I thought ABC was just making up stuff to pull some traffic.

I have a feeling that is not going to last very long, let alone who is going to side with the strikers. Isn't the idea with a hunger strike is that whoever is striking is trying to gain sympathy against their oppressors by means of imposing a human welfare obligation upon them?

Imagine what they'll do when there's actually a train service out to the airport.

Well, the taxis and Skybus have traditionally been the ones who have voiced their opposition to a train service.


Also, can someone confirm, is it only a handful of drivers who are aggrieved, or is it a sizeable number?

 

[whatmeworry]

Why isn't the immigration department doing this on their own accord, considering they know this is an area of concentration? Bureaucracy still has to pay bills too.

In BNE they did do an immigration raid a couple of years ago.
Brisbane Taxi Drivers Targeted in Police Operation

Taxi drivers launch hunger strike to protest against Melbourne Airport queuing system - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Now they're on a Hunger strike, you've gotta be kiding me!!

From the look of a couple of the drivers, it might take a while till they feel the effects of straving.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

yes I had a giggle when I heard about the hunger strike. how much money have these idiots lost in standing there protesting rather than driving fares?