SYD international maxi taxi ripoff

[luxury-lizard]

We arrived home from Zurich yesterday evening (6pm) with lots of luggage - 2 large suitcases and a ski-bag - at the taxi queue we requested a station wagon (as we always do). The controller directed us to the separate bays for station wagons and/or maxi taxis. Next up was a maxi taxi - on arrival home we were charged the 50% loading for a mxi taxi (so a $65 fare became $100) - we vigorously complained to the driver but he said this is "normal" - all pickups at the airport from the station wagon/maxi taxi bays are now charged as maxi taxis.

Now we have done this literally dozens of times when arriving with large bags (not just a ski bag) and never been charged extra. In fact on our way to the airport some 4 weeks ago we booked a taxi requesting a station wagon - a maxi taxi arrived and we were charged the regular fare.

In the past we have always used a pre-booked car&driver to/from the airport but stopped doing this when travelling with a skiing as they started insisting that you book a van (at a higher rate).

 

[kpc]

This exact thing happened to me a couple of years ago at Syd airport.....I refused to pay the maxi taxi rate and just paid the normal rate. It is a scam! I now NEVER catch a taxi in Sydney. I used Ola for a SUV earlier this year when I had a lot of luggage with family. With a promo discount, it was nearly 1/2 the price of a regular taxi to my home.

 

[NoName]

The number of times I’ve had taxi drivers try to scam me over the years is incredible. This is a classic example of why taxis have been abandon en masse since ride sharing arrived. You’d think they would have realised this by now and cleaned up their act. Then again, taxi drivers in general aren’t known for their intelligence.

 

[Lynda2475]

Could have booked a Uber XL for much less.

The beauty of ride share apps is that it is a fixed price upfront, so if you don't like the quote, don't book and try the next app i.e. OLA to see if price is better.

I had to call a cab driver out the other week, as the smart meter had already added the bridge toll and then he tried to add it again manually at the end of the trip. It reminded me why when given the choice I avoid taxis.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Pay the stated fare only.

 

[love_the_life]

We arrived home from Zurich yesterday evening (6pm) with lots of luggage - 2 large suitcases and a ski-bag - at the taxi queue we requested a station wagon (as we always do). The controller directed us to the separate bays for station wagons and/or maxi taxis. Next up was a maxi taxi - on arrival home we were charged the 50% loading for a mxi taxi (so a $65 fare became $100) - we vigorously complained to the driver but he said this is "normal" - all pickups at the airport from the station wagon/maxi taxi bays are now charged as maxi taxis.

Now we have done this literally dozens of times when arriving with large bags (not just a ski bag) and never been charged extra. In fact on our way to the airport some 4 weeks ago we booked a taxi requesting a station wagon - a maxi taxi arrived and we were charged the regular fare.

In the past we have always used a pre-booked car&driver to/from the airport but stopped doing this when travelling with a skiing as they started insisting that you book a van (at a higher rate).

Sounds a real rip off - especially as you wanted a station wagon not a maxi.
Thanks for the info as although we don't use taxis at the airport very often, there have been times when we have needed one. I know not to accept being sent to the maxi cab line.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Friend of mine was charged $21 to go from SYD international to SYD domestic last week The driver offered a 'fixed fare' of $20. My friend insisted on the meter. Came to $21 (that has to be wrong right?)

 

[amaroo]

For lots of luggage it sounds like a good deal ... IMO

 

[Lynda2475]

Friend of mine was charged $21 to go from SYD international to SYD domestic last week The driver offered a 'fixed fare' of $20. My friend insisted on the meter. Came to $21 (that has to be wrong right?)

Not necessarily, there is a hiring charge before you even leave (which is time of day dependent - costs more late night and very early morning), plus an airport fee (extra tax for using the airport rank), plus the drive time (again the metre rate depends on time of day) and traffic around the airport can be crazy, the meter keeps ticking even if you aren't moving.

If travelling on a single ticket (i.e. both flights with Qantas) you can take the free transfer bus that Qantas operate (or if on another airline see what similar arrangements they have).

If traveling solo then the train is not only faster but also cheaper at $13.80.

Or if a group a ride share (uber/OLA) will always be cheaper than a cab too.

 

[amaroo]

I always try to think of the people providing a service for me...

For taxi drivers at airports it's..

a) how long has this person waited in the longest and most pointless queue known to man just to drive me where I want to go
b) how much has the owner of the lic plates paid the gov in overblown and outright criminal charges to own and manage a taxi
c) How much is the owner of the airport gouging the taxi operator for providing a valuable service to its customers
d) What should be the minimal wage for someone doing this job

I like to think that these thoughts provide me with a sound base before I start criticising their service or charges.

 

[Austman]

If travelling on a single ticket (i.e. both flights with Qantas) you can take the free transfer bus that Qantas operate (or if on another airline see what similar arrangements they have).

Not always.

Eg they don't allow it even if you are on a single QF to QF ticket with an overnight transit, departing the next day. You must be departing that day.

There is now a free land-side transfer bus (T-Bus) however.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not necessarily, there is a hiring charge before you even leave (which is time of day dependent - costs more late night and very early morning), plus an airport fee (extra tax for using the airport rank), plus the drive time (again the metre rate depends on time of day) and traffic around the airport can be crazy, the meter keeps ticking even if you aren't moving.

If travelling on a single ticket (i.e. both flights with Qantas) you can take the free transfer bus that Qantas operate (or if on another airline see what similar arrangements they have).

If traveling solo then the train is not only faster but also cheaper at $13.80.

Or if a group a ride share (uber/OLA) will always be cheaper than a cab too.

This was at 9.15pm on a Tuesday night, international to deomestic. A fairly short journey time.

The t-bus stopped running at 9pm, my friend was at international seeing another passenger off, and flying JQ domestic back to MEL. Was told the QF bus to domestic was not available to them.

 

[Mattg]

The number of times I’ve had taxi drivers try to scam me over the years is incredible. This is a classic example of why taxis have been abandon en masse since ride sharing arrived. You’d think they would have realised this by now and cleaned up their act.

I've also lost count of the number of taxi drivers around the world that have tried to scam me. It's for this reason that I only use taxis as an absolute last resort nowadays.

Then again, taxi drivers in general aren’t known for their intelligence.

I do, however, find this last comment harsh and unnecessary.

 

[Hvr]

b) how much has the owner of the lic plates paid the gov in overblown and outright criminal charges to own and manage a taxi

For many years the taxi association ensured that plate fees remained high with 'contributions' to all political parties. Like all good scams it has come to an end so now the gouging is even more prevalent and downright blatant.

CabCharge is the most obvious example of legalised scamming in the taxi industry.

Fortunately it's also easier to catch them out with GPS on the phone and cameras to take down details.

I appreciate that the drivers are just the poor bunnies on the frontline but they really don't help themselves waiting for hours in a place where the chance of getting a decent fare must surely be poor considering the hours wasted.

 

[Haplo]

About 2 months ago I came back from an international flight with family and we (3 of us) got put onto a maxi taxi even through the normal taxi will do. The driver put on the maxi rate and I noticed it was on fare 3 half way through the journey (for those of you dont know, Fare 1 is day rate, Fare 2 is night rate, Fare 3 is maxi day rate and Fare 4 is maxi night rate). As someone who takes taxi regularly for work I knew the driver the trying to be doggy and overcharging us.

I raise the issue and he said that was from last passager (it is BS because when they turn on the rate they have to choose so I let it go) and agreed to reduce the final rate to reflect the normal rate. I think the driver is stupid thinking he can pull that one off going to a residential suburb because most people would know how much is their taxi fare to home!

So in summary, I have seen my share of dishonest taxi driver in Sydney to know why it is has got such a bad reputation.

 

[amaroo]

For many years the taxi association ensured that plate fees remained high with 'contributions' to all political parties. Like all good scams it has come to an end so now the gouging is even more prevalent and downright blatant.

CabCharge is the most obvious example of legalised scamming in the taxi industry.

Fortunately it's also easier to catch them out with GPS on the phone and cameras to take down details.

I appreciate that the drivers are just the poor bunnies on the frontline but they really don't help themselves waiting for hours in a place where the chance of getting a decent fare must surely be poor considering the hours wasted.

I guess the court will decided on the merit of their claim... below is from an article written 4 days ago.

Taxi licence holders take Queensland Government to court over rideshares

MORE than 900 taxi licence holders have begun legal action against the State Government, seeking fair compensation for the impact of rideshare operations in Queensland.

The Supreme Court claim by a group of 956 taxi licence holders, representing 1350 licences, said most had invested a large part of their personal wealth into licence fees and operations.

Many had taken out loans secured against their homes, the claim said.

The claim says the State Government engaged in unconscionable conduct, by receiving fees for taxi licences, while allowing rideshare businesses to operate in the taxi industry.

The taxi licence holders are seeking equitable compensation, damages for breach of contract and damages under Australian Consumer Law.
Lawyer John Maitland said outside court the claimants’ licences were worth a total of about $513 million, with some individuals paying more than $500,000 for a taxi licence.

Although the claim does not specify an amount, Mr Maitland said they would potentially seek hundreds of millions of dollars from the State, to be assessed on a fair value for each licence.

 

[Ausbt]

I just checked a receipt from early March, also from SYD T1 maxi/station wagon bays (I was also lugging a pair of skis). The fare is high but not 50% loaded as best I can tell. In this case it was a disabled taxi, so not a maxi and not strictly a station wagon either.

 

[Vic]

Friend of mine was charged $21 to go from SYD international to SYD domestic last week The driver offered a 'fixed fare' of $20. My friend insisted on the meter. Came to $21 (that has to be wrong right?)

What's the flag fall? $4.50? plus the airport fee is like $4. So your friend was up for $8 as soon as they got in the taxi. Traffic is always a mess around sydney airport, so $21 would be about right.

 

[Vic]

About 2 months ago I came back from an international flight with family and we (3 of us) got put onto a maxi taxi even through the normal taxi will do. The driver put on the maxi rate and I noticed it was on fare 3 half way through the journey (for those of you dont know, Fare 1 is day rate, Fare 2 is night rate, Fare 3 is maxi day rate and Fare 4 is maxi night rate). As someone who takes taxi regularly for work I knew the driver the trying to be doggy and overcharging us.

I raise the issue and he said that was from last passager (it is BS because when they turn on the rate they have to choose so I let it go) and agreed to reduce the final rate to reflect the normal rate. I think the driver is stupid thinking he can pull that one off going to a residential suburb because most people would know how much is their taxi fare to home!

Good advice to always check the fare set on the meter.
But the driver is correct. Once a rate is selected the meter will stay on that rate until a different rate is selected. He might very well have forgotten to change the rate, and they certainly do not have to select the fare rate at the start of every trip.

 

[dajop]

Friend of mine was charged $21 to go from SYD international to SYD domestic last week The driver offered a 'fixed fare' of $20. My friend insisted on the meter. Came to $21 (that has to be wrong right?)

Rank and hail taxi fares and charges

Taxi fares and charges in NSW differ depending on whether you are travelling in an urban area or a country area.

transportnsw.info

Flag fall $3.60
Taxi levy: $1.10
Airport levy: $4.60

So $9.30 just to get into taxi.

Distance charges: $2.19/km. Distance: 4.5km (to T2), $9.85

So we're up to $19.15, so that leaves $1.85 wait time, which at 94.4c/minute is basically 2 minutes of waiting (under 26km/h).

Sounds about right, unfortunately.