MEL taxi scam

[Saab34]

The Victorian government surely would have levers to pull if they could’ve half coughd.

The state is in such a mess that these sort of matters don’t get any attention. Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The Victorian government surely would have levers to pull if they could’ve half coughd.

The state is in such a mess that these sort of matters don’t get any attention. Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference.

Vic government… what about the airport?

Melbourne airport is spending millions(?) to ‘improve our shopping experience’ but can’t seem to spend a few $$ on preventing touts?

 

[dajop]

It's a normal part of life in any big city. You just have to say 'no, thank you' and move on.

That’s remarkably polite of you. It pains me a little to be so flipping rude but I’m well practiced at ignoring touts wherever I am in the world, just walking straight past without even looking at them - whether it be at some tourist hotspot, walking past massage touts returning to my hotel in Bangkok, or at Melbourne airport arrivals.

In any event if the owners of Melbourne Airport wanted to stop this they could, but assuming the touts are paying for short term parking anyway they’ve probably a strong interest in discouraging it (so the touts have to wait longer) but not eliminate it altogether…

 

[Q Class Plebeian]

Policing the touts is the responsibility of the Victorian State government. Carried out by the Victorian Commercial Passenger Vehicles Enforcement Officers who do periodic blitzes
At the risk of getting on a political hobby house in a state where we have people fighting with matchettes in shopping centres, record home break ins , increasing assaults on public transport and is the nation's car theft capital ,the touts are small beans . I just say no thank you and move on. Dare I say we have a state government that has lost focus on what should be core business.

 

[Q Class Plebeian]

Policing the touts is the responsibility of the Victorian State government. Carried out by the Victorian Commercial Passenger Vehicles Enforcement Officers who do periodic blitzes
At the risk of getting on a political hobby house in a state where we have people fighting with matchettes in shopping centres, record home break ins , increasing assaults on public transport and is the nation's car theft capital ,the touts are small beans . I just say no thank you and move on. Dare I say we have a state government that has lost focus on what should be core business.

Where enforcement, responsibility and vigilance fails, technology will triumph.Well that's at least what Melbourne Airport thinks as they are about to trial Taxi kiosks .

Will it stop,Taxi Sir/Ma’am , I doubt but we will monitor with interest .Points for trying at least.

 

[SeaWolf]

My preferred solution was a giant custard cannon that would take a picture of the offender after it had coated them in custard. That would then be automatically projected onto a digital billboard over the M2 with a banner reading, "Shame! Shame! Shame!".

I suppose this will have to do instead.

 

[Berlin]

My preferred solution was a giant custard cannon that would take a picture of the offender after it had coated them in custard. That would then be automatically projected onto a digital billboard over the M2 with a banner reading, "Shame! Shame! Shame!".

I suppose this will have to do instead.

I can’t deny it- I LOVE your idea!!!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Fixed fares from MEL Tullamarine to the city, hehe, the touts/wallahs and drivers will not be pleased, and for sure will find ways to winky increase the take.

 

[drcam]

So is the fixed fare more than the normal fare incurred when a legitimate driver who takes the shortest route under average traffic conditions? If so, then riders will not be pleased either.

 

[Happy Dude]

So is the fixed fare more than the normal fare incurred when a legitimate driver who takes the shortest route under average traffic conditions? If so, then riders will not be pleased either.

Wasn't there some hubbub about the fixed fare SYD to CBD fares being higher than a "normal fare"?

The MEL version is not just to the CBD which will/should eliminate the touts and short-fare, "meter-not-working" types. It'll be interesting to see comparisons between ride share fares and fares via the new kiosks.

 

[drcam]

OK, what if your residence is CLOSER to the airport than the CBD? Do you then pay full fare?

You can't win.

 

[SeaWolf]

Wasn't there some hubbub about the fixed fare SYD to CBD fares being higher than a "normal fare"?

There was. It's $60, and while I'm not sure what a 'normal' taxi fare would be, for an Uber/Didi it'd normally be about $45-$50 including tolls. The taxis were never really competitive anyway but now it's possible to immediately compare prices, no more mystery pricing. I think that was the issue, the taxi drivers felt they were being disadvantaged because they can't conceal the price anymore and people will shop around.

OK, what if your residence is CLOSER to the airport than the CBD? Do you then pay full fare?

My read was that you put in your address, it calculates the price and you pay it with card to the machine that then gives you a ticket to give to the driver. Presumably the driver then scans the ticket and the system pays them in the back end. So it's fixed in the sense that you'll get a fixed price before you decide to pay it (like Uber/Didi) but it'll be a different price depending on destination.

At least, that was my read on it, maybe someone who's passing through MEL and has a few mins to spare can take a look and report back.

 

[Aeryn]

There was. It's $60, and while I'm not sure what a 'normal' taxi fare would be, for an Uber/Didi it'd normally be about $45-$50 including tolls.

Rarely above $40 IME

 

[dajop]

OK, what if your residence is CLOSER to the airport than the CBD? Do you then pay full fare?

You can't win.

You get the meter fare and for free you get a grumpy taxi driver and erratic driving because your fare wasn't worth their wait. Last two times we caught a taxi to my partners mother's place we got the complete guilt trip for only being a $40 fare.