Taxi blockade warning as Uber arrives at Melbourne Airport
Taxi drivers furious at the arrival of Uber at Melbourne Airport are threatening to cause peak-hour chaos.
Signs have been installed outside the airport to mark mark new UberX pick-up zones outside T2 and T3 today.
Uber driver Avi says Uber X pick ups kick in at midday at the airport, and customers will have to pay a $4 charge.
— 3AW Breakfast (@RossAndJohn) August 15, 2017
Cab drivers aren’t happy, saying it undermines their business, and 3AW has been told drivers will protest with a blockade later this morning.
Rumour File contributor Taxi insider: There will be a huge protest.
Ross Stevenson: And a blockade?
Taxi insider: Oh yes. We’re just absolutely… We’ve had it.
Ross: I’m not surprised. What has Uber done to deserve it? Nothing.
A similar protest last night left many passengers stranded at their airport.
Taxi drivers were issued penalty notices and at least two cabs were towed.
#BREAKING: Caller Kate says there are at least 4 tow trucks on standby amid fears of a taxi blockade at Melbourne airport this morn.
— 3AW Breakfast (@RossAndJohn) August 15, 2017
The protest doesn’t appear a good PR strategy, with many Melburnians taking to social media to vent their spleen (see below).
Melbourne airport is urging people to allow extra travel time.
Every #Taxi who blockages the airport to protest @Uber should be fined and not allowed to return to AP. 1 way to convince people 2 use uber
— Haydn Andrews (@TheWLAN) August 15, 2017
Blocking people from entering the airport while you could be getting a fare somewhere else. Dumb taxi drivers logic. No wonder I use uber
— DAMIAN CHANDLER (@damochandler) August 15, 2017
Taxi drivers at Melbourne airport protesting @Uber access – just pissed off a lot of people who probably now want to try the alternative
— Paul Sofronoff (@Psof) August 15, 2017
