http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/uberx-passengers-can-travel-to-and-from-melbourne-airport-from-tomorrow-as-the-ridesharing-app-takes-off/news-story/56e22af64ebfa10affa86288bb4a3fe7

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/8811316-3x2-700x467.jpg

UberX takes off at Mebourne Airport as taxi blockade threat fizzles

UBERX is up and running at Melbourne Airport despite fears taxi drivers would blockade the new pick up area.

Friends Olivia Piccinin and Hayley Duncan returned home from Cambodia this afternoon and were two of the first UberX passengers to leave from the airport.

“It’s so great they’re finally here. I love them, they’re so friendly and offer such a wonderful service,” Ms Piccinin said.

Their driver, Isanka Damith, said he was very glad he was now allowed to operate from the airport.

“It’s exciting that’s it’s legal and there’s no trouble, it makes my job easier,” he said.

“I got my first trip within two minutes and it will allow me to earn some extra money without having to travel so far.”

Tasmanian mates Ben Turale and Joel Talcum caught their first ever Uber from outside the terminals.

“It benefits commuters to have them here, whether or not the cabbies get their panties in a knot doesn’t bother us,” Mr Turale said.

“It seems to be a lot cheaper,” Mr Talcum added.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-16/taxi-drivers-uber-protest-at-melbourne-airport/8811296

Melbourne taxis warn of more Uber protests at Tullamarine Airport

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/8811794-3x2-340x227.jpg

Taxi drivers are threatening to hold more protests at Melbourne Airport, after about 150 taxi drivers blockaded the main entrance overnight to protest against Uber winning the right to offer rides from the airport.

Airport authorities urged passengers to arrive early for their morning flights but there has been no major disruptions today.

The drivers blockaded the main entrance to the terminals on Tuesday night, with police issuing a number of infringement notices.

Two taxis were towed, police said.

The disruption prompted the airport to offer free rides on its shuttle bus service for affected passengers.

As of today, Uber drivers are formally allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the airport. Previously they had parked nearby and waited for bookings.

Under new laws, Uber drivers must wait for a booking and cannot be hailed.

Taxi drivers have warned they might hold further protests against the new Uber rank.

Nina Massara, a taxi licence holder and part of the Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families group, told ABC Radio Melbourne that Uber drivers were already "smudging the lines" of the new legislation.

"It appears for all intents and purposes they've already stretched the legislation … that's only been in force for a few days, which clearly states that rank and hail work is the clear purview of taxis," she said.

"Uber drivers have been habitually flouting the regulations since day dot, in fact they've been very openly and flagrantly thumbing their noses."
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the taxi drivers were being irresponsible.

"It causes great frustration for those passengers who have their journey delayed, and after a long journey you just want to get home," she said.

"This sort of behaviour will only drive frustrated and angry passengers to the very competition these people are protesting about."

Taxi drivers fighting Uber legalisation

Taxi and hire care drivers have been furious with the Victorian Government's moves to legalise the ride-sharing service Uber.

The Government is also overhauling the industry, abolishing taxi licences and introducing a single scheme for taxis, hire cars and ride-booking services.

Uber users will be slugged a $1 levy per trip to help compensate.

Taxi drivers have held a number of protest against the changes, including trying to storm State Parliament and holding go-slow processions along busy roads.

Ms Allan said the changes being introduced were fair to drivers.

"We know the taxi industry is going through a transition, that's why we've put in place the most generous transition support scheme of any state and this sort of behaviour does not advance their cause," she said.

Quote:

The Government is also overhauling the industry, abolishing taxi licences and introducing a single scheme for taxis, hire cars and ride-booking services.

good job and about time ..

the old dinosaur taxi predatory system is well beyond its use by date ..

progress is established and the old rip off taxi service will die out quick ..

and not a moment too soon ..

Yuck

---

not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports....

cods wrote on Aug 16^th, 2017 at 2:02pm:

not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports....

Cars that don't stink like a sacred river full of excrement and rotting corpses,  for starters  :)

cods wrote on Aug 16^th, 2017 at 2:02pm:

not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports....

How?

Gordon wrote on Aug 16^th, 2017 at 2:10pm:

cods wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:02pm: not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports.... Cars that don't stink like a sacred river full of excrement and rotting corpses,  for starters  :)

Have to admit I tried Uber for the first last week. I doubt I will ever head back to a Taxi now. Clean cars, you know where your Uber is and how far away it is, you dont need cash or a card, just your mobile.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:06pm:

Gordon wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:10pm: cods wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:02pm: not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports.... Cars that don't stink like a sacred river full of excrement and rotting corpses,  for starters  :) Have to admit I tried Uber for the first last week. I doubt I will ever head back to a Taxi now. Clean cars, you know where your Uber is and how far away it is, you dont need cash or a card, just your mobile.

It must have been quite a while since you used a Cab...as knowing where it is, not needing cash or card, just your mobile ~ is available in Cabs.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 2:38pm:

cods wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:02pm: not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports.... How?

Payment of squillions of dollars, that's how.

Aussie wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:11pm:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 3:06pm: Gordon wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:10pm: cods wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:02pm: not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports.... Cars that don't stink like a sacred river full of excrement and rotting corpses,  for starters  :) Have to admit I tried Uber for the first last week. I doubt I will ever head back to a Taxi now. Clean cars, you know where your Uber is and how far away it is, you dont need cash or a card, just your mobile. It must have been quite a while since you used a Cab...as knowing where it is, not needing cash or card, just your mobile ~ is available in Cabs.

Awww there there, its ok, one day, I'll be replaced by something ebtter too.

PLus the other advantage was my uber driver had showered.

You did not respond to my question.

I didnt see a question mark, but it was July

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:20pm:

I didnt see a question mark, but it was July

Was the Cab filthy, did the Driver stink, did you watch it coming towards you, was cash avoidable, was a card avoidable, could you have done it over the phone.....or did you not try...or have you not downloaded the app?

Uber is also cheaper.

UBER have always been able to use Melbourne Airport - it's just that they didn't use the normal taxi approach and ranks - rather the public pick up area across the road.    All this does is put more money into Melbourne Airport's pockets.

At Melbourne airport they have big signs saying not to accept taxi rides that are offered to you. Hard to tell whether it is official or just an ad. While you are standing round waiting for you baggage, staring at these signs, you will get offered a taxi ride every few minutes. Are those guys Uber?

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 2:38pm:

cods wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:02pm: not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports.... How?

by the very fact they paid for their licence to be called a taxi...I only one taxi driver and he had to do a course to get that licence... I know a taxi driver in London it too two years to do it... from what I read Uber drivers are just about anyone...


I am sorry fd....but there is a difference .. it isnt as if they have all started with the same handicap is it?..in other words its not a level playing field.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:31pm:

Uber is also cheaper.

do they need a special licence [commercial] for instance...seems to me they should do.

cods wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:40pm:

freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 2:38pm: cods wrote on Aug 16th, 2017 at 2:02pm: not too sure I agree with this.....what does Uber offer in the way of incentive???.. I think the cabbies have earned their right of way  at the airports.... How? by the very fact they paid for their licence to be called a taxi...I only one taxi driver and he had to do a course to get that licence... I know a taxi driver in London it too two years to do it... from what I read Uber drivers are just about anyone... I am sorry fd....but there is a difference .. it isnt as if they have all started with the same handicap is it?..in other words its not a level playing field.

Correct, cods.

Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:59pm:

Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences.

how do you know that fd.....have you done an inspection??...what about car maintenance? or is that left up to the owner driver.?

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 3:59pm:

Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences.

You can't be serious!

Link.

I only use a taxi as a last resort I have never used uber- taxis are so expensive now and there are a lot of dishonest taxi drivers that have taken me on a joy ride to boost his fare- the taxi industry bought this on themselves using dishonest methods and hiking cab fares to ridiculos propertions- that left a gap in the market and now we are seeing the result- I will walk if I can regards getting into a cab- i would catch a bus or tram tram rather than a cab

Agnes wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 4:35pm:

I only use a taxi as a last resort I have never used uber- taxis are so expensive now and there are a lot of dishonest taxi drivers that have taken me on a joy ride to boost his fare- the taxi industry bought this on themselves using dishonest methods and hiking cab fares to ridiculos propertions- that left a gap in the market and now we are seeing the result- I will walk if I can regards getting into a cab- i would catch a bus or tram tram rather than a cab

the cabs do have a lot of competition dont they?...and now uber being allowed into every nook and cranny...

dont forget public transport doesnt take you to your door... Anita Cobby would be alive today if they did...

cods wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 4:39pm:

Agnes wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 4:35pm: I only use a taxi as a last resort I have never used uber- taxis are so expensive now and there are a lot of dishonest taxi drivers that have taken me on a joy ride to boost his fare- the taxi industry bought this on themselves using dishonest methods and hiking cab fares to ridiculos propertions- that left a gap in the market and now we are seeing the result- I will walk if I can regards getting into a cab- i would catch a bus or tram tram rather than a cab the cabs do have a lot of competition dont they?...and now uber being allowed into every nook and cranny... dont forget public transport doesnt take you to your door... Anita Cobby would be alive today if they did...

Yes unfortunately and poor Anita - but I will walk the couple of blocks if I have to and I rarely go out at night- we cant blame Uber and  will get better over time- I wouldnt go with uber either if I had a choice- maybe when its been around for a while and they have ironed out the kinks - there is a taxi driver here and it is widely suspected he is murderer- a greater devant you couldnt wish to meet- there some god awful cab drivers out there too

Quote:

there is a taxi driver here and it is widely suspected he is murderer

I have no idea where 'here' is.....but are there no Cops to be found 'here?'

cods wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 4:24pm:

freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 3:59pm: Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences. how do you know that fd.....have you done an inspection??...what about car maintenance? or is that left up to the owner driver.?

I use uber all the time. I use taxis for work. Uber wins, hands down. Better drivers with better personal hygeine. Cleaner, newer cars. Cheaper. More convenient. Innovative.

The taxi industry has boxes to be ticked for these things. Uber actually motivates it's drivers to do a better job. It is a better business model.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 5:29pm:

cods wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 4:24pm: freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 3:59pm: Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences. how do you know that fd.....have you done an inspection??...what about car maintenance? or is that left up to the owner driver.? I use uber all the time. I use taxis for work. Uber wins, hands down. Better drivers with better personal hygeine. Cleaner, newer cars. Cheaper. More convenient. Innovative. The taxi industry has boxes to be ticked for these things. Uber actually motivates it's drivers to do a better job. It is a better business model.

Then it would be making money....not losing billions, as it truly is.

Further, driver retention would exceed 12 months....which it does not, because 'driver partners' work out in that time that they too are losing money.

Aussie wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 5:35pm:

freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 5:29pm: cods wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 4:24pm: freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 3:59pm: Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences. how do you know that fd.....have you done an inspection??...what about car maintenance? or is that left up to the owner driver.? I use uber all the time. I use taxis for work. Uber wins, hands down. Better drivers with better personal hygeine. Cleaner, newer cars. Cheaper. More convenient. Innovative. The taxi industry has boxes to be ticked for these things. Uber actually motivates it's drivers to do a better job. It is a better business model. Then it would be making money....not losing billions, as it truly is. Further, driver retention would exceed 12 months....which it does not, because 'driver partners' work out in that time that they too are losing money.

;D

So your criticism of uber is that it is going out of business and losing its employees? Does this mean you have nothing to worry about?

Have you ever been in an uber Aussie?

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 5:49pm:

;D So your criticism of uber is that it is going out of business and losing its employees? Does this mean you have nothing to worry about? Have you ever been in an uber Aussie?

It is comment which is part of my criticism of politicians who have allowed what will be a "fly by nighter" in to destroy a viable long term industry.

And, no, I have not been in an Uber.  I have no need to.  I know how it works far better than you ever will.

So Uber is going to destroy the taxi industry, despite losing billions of dollars as well as its employees? The taxi industry must be pretty hopeless if it cannot compete against that, wouldn't you say?

The most vocal critic here of Uber has never been in one. Yet one by one, everyone else is converting to Uber as soon as they try it out.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 5:57pm:

So Uber is going to destroy the taxi industry, despite losing billions of dollars as well as its employees? The taxi industry must be pretty hopeless if it cannot compete against that, wouldn't you say? The most vocal critic here of Uber has never been in one. Yet one by one, everyone else is converting to Uber as soon as they try it out.

Cheap beer/alcohol in my garage.....while it lasts.  You'll love it Effendi.....and the licensed premises will go broke in the interim.

Good stuff, isn't it.

I might consider drinking it for free, wot.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 5:29pm:

cods wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 4:24pm: freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 3:59pm: Uber manages the quality of its drivers far better than the taxi industry, without the need for licences. how do you know that fd.....have you done an inspection??...what about car maintenance? or is that left up to the owner driver.? I use uber all the time. I use taxis for work. Uber wins, hands down. Better drivers with better personal hygeine. Cleaner, newer cars. Cheaper. More convenient. Innovative. The taxi industry has boxes to be ticked for these things. Uber actually motivates it's drivers to do a better job. It is a better business model.

\

most people who use transport of any kind.. wouldnt notice any of that fd..you sound like someone who washes his hands every 5 min..

how many cabs or uber would you use every week??

whats wrong with public transport..not clean enough?.. ::)

Public transport either takes too long or is not an option.

freediver wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 6:54pm:

Public transport either takes too long or is not an option.

I dont know, I'm happy to use it. When the light rail is finished here, I plan on taking it.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Aug 18^th, 2017 at 10:14am:

freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 6:54pm: Public transport either takes too long or is not an option. I dont know, I'm happy to use it. When the light rail is finished here, I plan on taking it.

Public transport in the inner Sydney suburbs is great, particularly when you link with Uber.

The other day I went from my place to circular Quay by ferry (silvertail public transport). Met a client in Macquarie street. Next meeting was near Central and I spotted one of these, and I'd have used it if I wasn't still getting over the flu.
Jumped in an Uber instead.

http://www.sydneycycleways.net/dockless-bike-share-arrived-mean-sydney/   

Gordon wrote on Aug 18^th, 2017 at 10:24am:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Aug 18th, 2017 at 10:14am: freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 6:54pm: Public transport either takes too long or is not an option. I dont know, I'm happy to use it. When the light rail is finished here, I plan on taking it. Public transport in the inner Sydney suburbs is great, particularly when you link with Uber. The other day I went from my place to circular Quay by ferry (silvertail public transport). Met a client in Macquarie street. Next meeting was near Central and I spotted one of these, and I'd have used it if I wasn't still getting over the flu. Jumped in an Uber instead. http://www.sydneycycleways.net/dockless-bike-share-arrived-mean-sydney/

I agree, people IMO are just too damn lazy to use public transport most of the time.

Gordon wrote on Aug 18^th, 2017 at 10:24am:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Aug 18th, 2017 at 10:14am: freediver wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 6:54pm: Public transport either takes too long or is not an option. I dont know, I'm happy to use it. When the light rail is finished here, I plan on taking it. Public transport in the inner Sydney suburbs is great, particularly when you link with Uber. The other day I went from my place to circular Quay by ferry (silvertail public transport). Met a client in Macquarie street. Next meeting was near Central and I spotted one of these, and I'd have used it if I wasn't still getting over the flu. Jumped in an Uber instead. http://www.sydneycycleways.net/dockless-bike-share-arrived-mean-sydney/

I have to admit, Sydneys not great for the bike, Canberra a hell of a lot better, lots of paths and on road cycling lanes.