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Taxi protest expected at Melbourne airport

Taxi drivers are expected to protest at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday following the legalisation of Uber.

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Source: AAP


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Tow-trucks are on stand-by at Melbourne Airport ahead of an expected blockade by cabbies protesting against ride-share service Uber.

"We can't exactly stop taxi drivers from protesting, that said we do have half a dozen or so tow-trucks on site if they are left abandoned," Melbourne Airport spokesman Grant Smith told ABC radio on Wednesday.

"We are more than happy to tow those vehicles."

Uber can begin operating at the airport from Wednesday after Victoria legalised the ride-share service last week.

Airline passengers have been advised to arrive early after the blockade by more than 100 taxi drivers on Tuesday night.

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"We don't have confirmation that there will be any action by taxi drivers, but we just want travellers to keep in mind the possibility of it and the possibility of delays," Mr Smith said.

The Victorian Taxi Association warned drivers that protests risked pushing passengers into the arms of 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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