SYD international maxi taxi ripoff

[moa999]

If getting into a Maxi id always check the rate being charged.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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.

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.

Ok, well. Thanks.

Anyway - if we look at the above post where some are paying $500,000 for a licence? That has to be passed on somehow. Far too much profit if they can afford that. And with grotty taxis

 

[Haplo]

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.

Maybe I was misinformed of how the meter worked by another taxi driver. I always though (or was told) that the driver picks the rate at the start of the fare.

 

[Vic]

Maybe I was misinformed of how the meter worked by another taxi driver. I always though (or was told) that the driver picks the rate at the start of the fare.

They can pick the rate at the start, but don't have to, if that makes sense Basically can turn on the meter and change rate, or change rate and then turn on the meter.

Ok, well. Thanks.

Anyway - if we look at the above post where some are paying $500,000 for a licence? That has to be passed on somehow. Far too much profit if they can afford that. And with grotty taxis

Taxi fares are regulated by government, that places a ceiling on what can be recouped as profit. the taxi driver doesn't get the government and airport levies

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They can pick the rate at the start, but don't have to, if that makes sense Basically can turn on the meter and change rate, or change rate and then turn on the meter.



Taxi fares are regulated by government, that places a ceiling on what can be recouped as profit. the taxi driver doesn't get the government and airport levies

I’m not disagreeing, but there wouldn’t be upward pressure on taxi fares if the licence owners demanded otherwise.

It seems greedy for the level of service provided. And perhaps why uber and co. have been so popular, so quickly.

 

[amaroo]

<snip>

It seems greedy for the level of service provided. <snip>

That's Gov for you .... I certainly feel that way with the ATO

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's Gov for you .... I certainly feel that way with the ATO

Yes well. I’m in the ‘more tax’ not ‘less tax’ camp. But that doesn’t mean i like feeling ripped off by a taxi

 

[Vic]

I’m not disagreeing, but there wouldn’t be upward pressure on taxi fares if the licence owners demanded otherwise.

It seems greedy for the level of service provided. And perhaps why uber and co. have been so popular, so quickly.

Its far more complex, to do with labour arrangements in the taxi industry, regulation and other things and well off topic for this thread. Uber and co just confirm that people aren't prepared to pay for service, but pay for individual transport on a cost basis. It sounds like Uber are have similar labour issues and are copping grieve about drivers not being able to earn well. Same same for taxis.

Agreed the taxi industry is its own worst enemy

 

[CMA222]

From the Sydney Airport web-site. (** added comments)

Train
Airport Link offers a $6.40 (one way, per person) single transfer ticket for passengers travelling between the T1 International and T2/T3 Domestic terminals. (**included access fee is $2). However, pricing does vary if the traveller is using an Opal Card (**around $4.47 each way - off peak). The journey takes only two minutes and there are frequent services between 5am and midnight, seven days a week.

Taxi
A taxi journey between T1 International and the T2/T3 domestic terminals will take up to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day. The approximate cost for this journey is $17.00 - $22.00 (one way, per taxi).

The T-bus is complimentary but only operates 6 am to 8.50 pm.

There is also the 400/420 bus for about $2.20 each way. It does not operate between about 1.00 am and 4.30 am.

I appreciate with big and/or heavy bags (and skis) the taxi would be the most convenient.

 

[Haplo]

I think train in the middle ground as its not too bad with luggage and not too pricy.

 

[Blinky]

Slightly off-topic because not a maxi-cab, but taxi drivers in Sydney tend to be rip off merchants. I was born and lived 20 years in Sydney and travel there maybe 20 times a year, so know my way around. I am often asked where I’m from, and when I say “Melbourne” the detour starts. When this happens I ask “why are you going this way?”. “Road works” is usually the answer, which usually a lie.

I caught a cab from the Sangri La hotel in the Rocks to Domestic last year. The cab started going in the opposite direction, before turning around 1km later to go past the hotel again. I asked my question with the answer “following the GPS”. I redirected him and gave him a massive serve when we finally arrived at the terminal. But didn’t report him, as I should have.

 

[only4tehlulz]

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

The access fee is $2.00 on top of a $3.54 so it shouldn't cost anywhere near $13.8 to travel between the two airports

 

[Rosege]

Pretty much every time I get a cab in Sydney they do some little scam to get a few dollars extra. Then they wonder why everyone uses ride sharing apps instead.

Where I used to live if I ever booked a taxi they never showed up. I'd call and ask where they are and the dispatcher would say they drove past and couldn't find you even though I was sitting out the front the whole time.