Taxi drivers frustrated about new laws allowing Uber drivers to offer rides from the airport descended on the Tullamarine airport last night.
Up to 150 taxi drivers blockaded the main entrance at around 9pm in response to Victoria legalising the ride-share service in the area last week.
Two taxis were towed and police issued several infringement notices to protesters.
The airport was forced to run free shuttle buses for patrons as a result of the blockade.
Sign of things to come at @Melair - brought to you by @JacintaAllanMP and @VicGovAu pic.twitter.com/jnO1XRnka3 — Melbourne Driver (@nicerride) August 15, 2017
The drivers threatened more protests today, but so far that has not eventuated.
As of Wednesday this week, Uber drivers will officially be allowed to take passengers to and from the airport, where previously they were only able to park nearby and wait for a booking.
Melbourne taxi driver, Nguse Weldmichan, said today that this new development was “very bad.”
After starting his shift at 7am, he had only made $15 with a single trip in three hours.
“It’s very hard for me, I have children,” he said.
“If I go ask for other work, I can’t get because I am old, no one accept me.”
Another driver, Ahmed Quni, said the system is unfair because taxis have higher expenses than Uber with licensing and insurance costs.
“If we want to share, so we need to reduce all expenses and then we challenge Uber otherwise we can’t because they don't pay nothing” he said.
The taxi and hire car industries have fought against Uber’s introduction since the company arrived in Australia, but the Victorian Taxi Association warned drivers that protests risked pushing passengers towards the competition.
"Our message is to urge drivers to consider that this is a battle for passengers, anything that is going to cause passengers to look for cheaper alternatives this will not serve the cause of taxi drivers," chief executive Georgia Nicholls told 3AW.
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